Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
REVIEW: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF GASTRIC CANCER

The prevalence and death of gastric cancer have fallen dramatically in India and elsewhere over the past several decades. Nevertheless, gastric cancer leftovers a major public health issue as the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Demographic trends differ by tumor location and histology. While there has been a marked decline in distal, intestinal type gastric cancers, the incidence of proximal, diffuse type adenocarcinomas of the gastric cardia has been increasing, particularly in the Western countries. Incidence by tumor sub-site also varies widely based on geographic location, race, and socio-economic status. Distal gastric cancer prevails in developing countries, in lower socio-economic groups, whereas proximal tumors are more common in developed countries, among whites, and in higher socio-economic classes. Diverging trends in the incidence of gastric cancer by tumor location suggest that they may represent two diseases with different etiologies. The main risk factors for distal gastric cancer include Helicobacter pylori infection and dietary factors; whereas gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity play important roles in the development of proximal stomach cancer. The determination of this review is to study the epidemiology and risk factors of gastric cancer, and to discuss approaches for primary prevention.
Feedback of mesoscale ocean currents on atmospheric winds in high-resolution coupled models and implications for the forcing of ocean-only models

The repercussions of surface ocean currents for the near-surface wind and the air-sea momentum flux are investigated in two versions of a global climate model with eddying ocean. The focus is on the effect of mesoscale ocean current features at scales of less than 150 km, by considering high-pass filtered, monthly-mean model output fields. We find a clear signature of a mesoscale oceanic imprint in the wind fields over the energetic areas of the oceans, particularly along the extensions of the western boundary currents and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. These areas are characterized by a positive correlation between mesoscale perturbations in the curl of the surface currents and the wind curl. The coupling coefficients are spatially non-uniform and show a pronounced seasonal cycle. The positive feedback of mesoscale current features on the near-surface wind acts in opposition to their damping effect on the wind stress. A tentative incorporation of this feedback in the surface stress formulation of an eddy-permitting global ocean-only model leads to a gain in the kinetic energy of up to 10 %, suggesting a fundamental shortcoming of present ocean model configurations.
Implementation consideration of M2M4 SINR estimation algorithm

Efficient use of wireless spectrum is needed, due to enormous increase in wireless devices during last few years. In this context lot of effort is being done to make an intelligent and cognitive radio system, which can use the spectrum opportunistically. The ratio of the signal average power to the interference plus noise average power is called signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). SINR is one of the important parameters that can help in developing cognitive radio systems, because on the basis of its calculation the spectrum can be utilized efficiently. The principle goal of this thesis is to implement a SINR estimation algorithm for a cognitive radio network (CRN) test-bed. The proposed SINR estimation algorithm is second order moment and fourth order moment (M2M4) SINR estimation algorithm, where M2 and M4 are the second order moment and fourth order moments respectively. The M2M4 estimation algorithm is one of the nondata-aided (NDA) estimation algorithms. Hence, the algorithm takes the received signal as input and calculates the second and fourth moments blindly. The average signal power and average interference plus noise power can be calculated from these second and fourth order moments, their ratio yields the SINR. The M2M4 estimation algorithm is first simulated in MATLAB, and then it is designed for system generator model to draw fair comparison between simulations and system generator model. The experimental evaluation revealed that despite of the word length constraint in the system generator model, it performs reasonably well when compared to the ideal (MATLAB) solution. The M2M4 estimation algorithm is tested and verified by different test cases, to ensure its validity. The algorithm is tested for different signal strengths. The result shows M2M4 is an efficient algorithm for the SINR estimation. However, the proposed architecture could not fit into the aimed hardware because of heavy design since it consume more resources than available.
The Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite Data – HOAPS-3

Abstract. The availability of microwave instruments on satellite platforms allows the retrieval of essential water cycle components at high quality for improved understanding and evaluation of water processes in climate modelling. HOAPS-3, the latest version of the satellite climatology "Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite Data" provides fields of turbulent heat fluxes, evaporation, precipitation, freshwater flux and related atmospheric variables over the global ice-free ocean. This paper describes the content, methodology and retrievals of the HOAPS climatology. A sophisticated processing chain, including all available Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) instruments aboard the satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellites Program (DMSP) and careful inter-sensor calibration, ensures a homogeneous time-series with dense data sampling and hence detailed information of the underlying weather situations. The completely reprocessed data set with a continuous time series from 1987 to 2005 contains neural network based algorithms for precipitation and wind speed and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) based SST fields. Additionally, a new 85 GHz synthesis procedure for the defective SSM/I channels on DMSP F08 from 1988 on has been implemented. Freely available monthly and pentad means, twice daily composites and scan-based data make HOAPS-3 a versatile data set for studying ocean-atmosphere interaction on different temporal and spatial scales. HOAPS-3 data products are available via http://www.hoaps. org .
Macro‐particle simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection

The basic process of collisionless reconnection is studied in terms of coalescence of two flux bundles using an implicit particle simulation of two‐dimensions. As the toroidal electric field is generated by magnetic induction, an elongated current sheet whose width is a few electron skin depths is formed. Sub‐Alfvenic plasma outflow off the reconnection region is generated in the poloidal plane which spreads within the dual fans originating at the X‐point. Significant toroidal acceleration and streaming of the electrons without direct thermalization is observed in the current sheet. The electron parallel transport is proved to enhance the reconnection rate by comparing the implicit and hybrid‐particle simulations; in the latter the electrons are spatially frozen to the ions. The reconnection rate is insensitive to finite Larmor radii of the ions in the regime where the magnetic flux merges constantly in time. The simulation results support that the collisionless reconnection is mediated by the electron in.
The impact of industry characteristics on firms’ export intensity

Several authors have studied the factors that influence a firm’s export performance, but few have addressed the relationship between industry characteristics and export intensity. The objective of the present study was to analyze the impact of industry characteristics on a firm’s export intensity, the latter a measure commonly used to assess export performance, seeking to add empirical evidence to this relatively neglected research area. Based on a sample of 19,504 Portuguese manufacturing firms, 7,930 of which were exporting, during the period 2010–2013, and using panel data estimation, the empirical results show that some industry characteristics (labor productivity, export orientation, concentration), as well as characteristics of the firm (labor productivity, size and age of the firm) are important determinants of a firm’s export intensity. It is concluded in particular that a firm’s export intensity is positively affected by the export orientation of the industry, as well as by the firm’s labor productivity, confirming the belief that firms and governments need to direct their policies towards increased productivity in order to improve competitiveness in foreign markets. It is argued that, in order to enhance the positive effects of these policies, the policies should be directed towards industries with the highest export focus.
SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BICHEMICAL RESPONSES TO CADMIUM IN SALICYLIC ACID APPLIED CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) SEEDLINGS

In this study, the probability of salicylic acid (SA), serving as a mediator for protecting plants against cadmium (Cd) toxicity, was investigated. In cucumber seedlings exposed to increasing Cd concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 μM), the seedling and leaf elongation growth reduced, whereas the fresh and dry weight accumulation decreased. Furthermore, the levels of some important parameters regarding oxidative stress in the leaves of the seedlings, namely lipid peroxidation (MDA) increased, while reduced glutathione (GSH), fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and the photosynthetic pigment content decreased. In the leaves of seedlings, which were pre-applied with salicylic acid (0.75 mM), alleviated the negative effects of Cd on MDA and GSH. The SA pre-application caused different effects due to the Cd concentration on GSH and FAME. The beneficial effect of SA on the oxidative damages caused by Cd was mainly found rather significant for 25 and 50 μM. Our data indicated that in reducing the negative results of oxidative stress caused by the toxicity of this heavy metal, SA may have beneficial effects.
CEO Risk Incentives and Real Earnings Management

Previous research shows that companies use option compensation to motivate managers to accept risk (Jensen & Meckling, 1976). Indeed, risk adverse CEOs are likely to accept less risk than that accepted by diversified shareholders (Fama & French, 1992). Nonetheless, not all risks produce the expected benefits and risk has an intrinsic cost, such as potential large losses, that cannot be eliminated. Therefore, given CEO risk incentives, real earnings management can be viewed as a mechanism used to avoid the undesirable consequences of risk on reported earnings. However, engaging in real earnings management requires cutting investments, such as R&D, that have a well-documented association with firm’s future risk profile (Comin & Philippon, 2005). As a consequence, the use of real earnings management by CEOs with high-risk incentives as a tool for mitigating the intrinsic costs of risk is an empirical question that we tackle in this paper. Using a sample of quarterly observations from US firms over the period 2003-2010, and an instrumental variable approach to overcome endogeneity concerns, we show that CEOs with high risk-related incentives engage less in real activity manipulations that encompass cutting discretionary expenditures than do executives with low incentives. These findings are consistent with the idea that CEOs incentivized on risk avoid engaging in real management activities that can decrease firm’s future risk profile.
Reconstructing fire regimes with charcoal from small-hollow sediments: a calibration with tree-ring records of fire

Interpretations of charcoal records from small hollows lack a strong theoretical and empirical foundation, and thus their potential for providing useful fire-history records is unclear. To evaluate this potential, we examined charcoal records in 210Pb-dated cores from 12 small hollows and looked for evidence of 20 local fires reconstructed with tree-ring records from the surrounding forest. Using all charcoal > 0.15 mm wide we established an optimum threshold that identified charcoal peaks corresponding to known fires while minimizing charcoal peaks identified that were not associated with known fires (i.e., false positives). This threshold detected four of four high-severity fires, five of 10 moderate-severity fires, and three of six low-severity fires. Analysis of larger charcoal alone (> 0.50 mm wide) yielded nearly identical temporal patterns and detection rates, but four false positives were identified, twice as many as identified using all charcoal >0.15 mm wide. Charcoal peak magnitude was highly variable within severity classes: although half of the low-and moderate-severity fires left no detectable peaks, others left peaks larger than some high-severity fires. Our results suggest that fire detection depends strongly on fire severity and that fine-scale spatial patterns of lower-severity burns play an important role in determining the charcoal signature of these events. High detection rates for high-severity fires and low false-positive rates indicate that charcoal records from small hollows will be most useful in systems where fires are large, severe and infrequent.
Uncovering the Periphery: A Qualitative Survey of Episodic Volunteering in Free/Libre and Open Source Software Communities

Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) communities are composed, in part, of volunteers, many of whom contribute infrequently. However, these infrequent volunteers contribute to the sustainability of FLOSS projects, and should ideally be encouraged to continue participating, even if they cannot be persuaded to contribute regularly. Infrequent contributions are part of a trend which has been widely observed in other sectors of volunteering, where it has been termed “episodic volunteering” (EV). Previous FLOSS research has focused on the Onion model, differentiating core and peripheral developers, with the latter considered as a homogeneous group. We argue this is too simplistic, given the size of the periphery group and the myriad of valuable activities they perform beyond coding. Our exploratory qualitative survey of 13 FLOSS communities investigated what episodic volunteering looks like in a FLOSS context. EV is widespread in FLOSS communities, although not specifically managed. We suggest several recommendations for managing EV based on a framework drawn from the volunteering literature. Also, episodic volunteers make a wide range of value-added contributions other than code, and they should neither be expected nor coerced into becoming habitual volunteers.
Gender differnces in the psychological effects of personal development training in the long-term unemployed

This Journal Article is brought to you by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at ePublications@bond. It has been accepted for inclusion in Humanities & Social Sciences papers by an authorized administrator of ePublications@bond. For more information, please contact Bond University's Repository Coordinator. Recommended Citation Richard Hicks. (1994) "Gender differnces in the psychological effects of personal development training in the long-term unemployed" ,, .
Spatial organization of firms: the decision to split production and administration

A firm’s production activities are often supported by non-production activities. Among these activities are administrative units including headquarters, which process information both within and between firms. Often firms physically separate such administrative units from their production activities and create stand alone Central Administrative Offices (CAO). However, having its activities in multiple locations potentially imposes significant internal firm face-to-face communication costs. What types of firms are more likely to separate out such functions? If firms do separate administration and production, where do they place CAOs and why? How often do firms open and close, or relocate CAOs? This paper documents such firms’ decisions on their spatial organization by using micro-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Construction and evaluation of a gfp-tagged Salmonella Typhimurium strain for environmental applications

Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium was isolated from freshwater sediments and chromosomally labelled with a stable variant of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The pUT mini-Tn5 Km transposon was used to introduce the gfp gene onto the chromosome of the S. Typhimurium strain by tri-parental mating. Southern Blot hybridisation confirmed that the gene had integrated into the chromosome. The gfp gene was stably maintained and the labelled strain was not growth-rate impaired. The incorporation of the gfp gene did not convey any significant loss of phenotype which would affect the survival and behaviour of the tagged strains. The tagged S. Typhimurium strain was used to spike an established drinking water biofilm and was able to colonise and persist within the biofilm. The tagged strain was also successfully used to study the survival of S. Typhimurium in natural sediments under different temperatures. These tagged strains can therefore be used to study the fate and survival of different Salmonella strains in water environments.
Dynamic Evaluation Design

A principal owns a firm, hires an agent of uncertain productivity, and designs a dynamic policy for evaluating his performance. The agent observes ongoing evaluations and decides when to quit. When not quitting, the agent is paid a wage that is linear in his expected productivity; the principal claims the residual performance. After quitting, the players secure fixed outside options. I show that equilibrium is Pareto efficient. For a broad class of performance technologies, the equilibrium wage deterministically grows with tenure. My analysis suggests that endogenous performance evaluation plays an important role in shaping careers in organizations. (JEL D21, D82, D83, J24, J31, J41, M51)
Bat Conservation Management in Exploited European Temperate Forests

Forests offer important refuge to bats by providing attractive roosting and foraging habitats. Their conservation is a major responsibility of forest managers. The use of tree cavities by bats in forests depends on the specific demands of each species, with a large range of different types of microhabitats utilised, from degraded cavities such as peeling bark to healthy hollows in live trees ensuring the temporal stability of the habitat. The conservation of tree-dwelling bats should not be dissociated from their fission-fusion behaviour which involves the use of many different roosts. Conservation measures must therefore take into account forest habitats suitable for feeding and in particular, forest parameters such as structure, composition, vegetation and foliage, among other elements such as deadwood, all upon which the forest manager can intervene. Acting in favour of bats requires close consideration of their complex individual responses concerning roost selection and foraging habitat selection, which is largely dictated by the reproductive status of individuals. Thereafter it is possible to evaluate the impact of wood harvesting on bats and to infer silvicultural conservation measures. The implementation of recommendations must then subsequently be based on a strong involvement on the part of the forest manager.
Sediment geochemistry and accumulation rates on the northeastern shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Iberian Peninsula)

Geochemistry, total organic carbon and total nitrogen of three sediment cores collected in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Guadalquivir prodelta areas in Spain were investigated. The C/N ratio, mostly around 10, seems to indicate a predominantly marine origin for the sedimentary organic matter. Major and minor elements (Si, Ti, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Na, P, S) and trace elements (Mn, Sc, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, Ce, Pb, Hg) showed significant differences in bulk chemical composition between the two areas. Despite the effects of bioturbation, vertical changes in downcore profiles of heavy metals occur only in the cores of the Cadiz area, although the concentrations keep to low levels. The relatively high concentrations of Zr and Y, elements commonly associated with the heavy minerals fraction, at the top of cores from the Cadiz area are attributed to an enrichment of heavy minerals related to selective transport that concentrates this fraction. 137 Cs and 210 Pb activities in one of the two sediment cores collected in the Gulf of Cadiz were also measured. The distribution of excess 210 Pb was used to determine the modern (last 100 yr) mass accumulation rate and the depth of sediment mixing on the continental shelf of the gulf. Estimated sediment accumulation rate was 0.1 g cm -2 yr -1 . The uppermost 4 cm had uniform excess 210 Pb activity profiles above a region of steadily decreasing 210 Pb activity, and this phenomenon was attributed to sediment mixing (bioturbation). 137 Cs activity was lower than 3 Bq kg -1 and the profile does not show evidence of fallout peaks.
The Role of Punishment and Task Dissonance in Information Security Policies Compliance

This paper defines and empirically tests a new construct called “task dissonance. ” In doing so, it bridges an important gap in the literature. Research on information security compliance has examined several factors and theories from many reference disciplines; however no study has presented this concept. The fact that information security policies increase the task complexity creates a mental dissonance in employees which negatively affects their compliance behavior. Organizational punishment factors namely certainty of control and severity are also examined in this research. The hypotheses are confirmed using ANOVA analytical procedures and the findings are reported. We discuss the results and their implications for researchers and practitioners.
Evaluating Filter Materials for E. Coli Removal from Stormwater

EVALUATING FILTER MATERIALS FOR E. COLI REMOVAL FROM STORMWATER GHAEM HOOSHYARI 2017 Stormwater runoff from agricultural and urban areas carries a wide range of pollutants and pathogens that can negatively affect surface water bodies and cause significant risks to the ecosystem and public health. Bacteria is one of the pollutants carried by stormwater, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) is commonly used as a microbial pollution indicator of surface water. The aim of this research was to investigate the removal of E. coli from stormwater using low-cost filter materials. Two industrial byproducts (steel slag and steel chips) and two natural minerals (zeolite and limestone) with three different sizes (0.5-1 mm, 1-2 mm, and 2-4 mm) were chosen to investigate the potential of these materials as filter media for E. coli removal from stormwater. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of initial E. coli concentration, temperature, pH, particles size and mass, salt, natural organic matter (NOM), and contact time on the removal of E. coli. Column adsorption experiments were also performed to obtain the E. coli adsorption characteristics of steel chips, steel slag, limestone, and zeolite under continuous flow conditions. In addition, the E. coli release potential of these materials were determined. Using a desorption test, the batch adsorption results demonstrated that the maximum E. coli removal efficiencies of 100%, 99.5%, 86.5%, and 80.2% were achieved using steel byproducts, steel slag, limestone, and zeolite, respectively, using E.coli concentrations of 10 MPN/mL for steel chips and 10 MPN/mL