Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The “good” epidural: Women’s use of epidurals in relation to dominant discourses on “natural” birth

Childbirth is widely recognized to be among the most painful of experiences, and the most common and effective pain relief for birthing women is known to be the use of epidural analgesia. The increase in the use of epidural analgesia for birthing women has been described by some critics as a by-product of the medicalized model of birth, although there remains a notable dearth of research regarding women’s experiences of epidurals. The present paper seeks to address this research gap by examining how first-time mothers in Iceland discuss their intentions concerning pain relief during birth, along with how they construct childbirth-related pain and the use of epidural analgesia in the context of a midwife-led model of care and an institutionalized preference for “natural” birth. The findings demonstrate that, despite initial intentions, most of the women end up having an epidural, and most describe their epidurals as both wonderful and immensely helpful. The dominant narrative about “natural” childbirth being preferable is not fully refuted by this. Instead, the women either align themselves with the ideology of the capable and knowing body or resist and contest this narrative by constructing their birthing bodies as open to, and in need of, assistance.
On the Robustness of the Fama and French Multifactor Model: Evidence from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom

In this paper we investigate the robustness of the Fama-French multifactor model for equities listed in three European markets. We find evidence of a small firm effect in France and Germany and a big firm effect in the United Kingdom. Also, we do not find any evidence of a value effect for the markets investigated in this paper. Instead, we document a growth effect. Finally, we reject the argument that seasonal effects can explain the multifactor model results.
Coordination between Surface Lattice Resonances of Poly(glycidyl Methacrylate) Line Array and Surface Plasmon Resonances of CdS Quantum on Silicon Surface

In this work, a unique hybrid system is proposed for one-dimensional gratings comprising of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) brushes and CdS quantum dots (CQDs). Generally, the emission of QDs is too weak to be observed in a dry state. Plasmonic resonances of the grating structures can be used to enhance the light emission or absorption of CQDs. The interaction between PGMA plasmonic nanostructures and inorganic CQDs plays a crucial role in engineering the light harvest, notably for optoelectronic applications. Extinction measurements of the hybrid system consisting of a PGMA grating and CQDs are reported. We designed one-dimensional gratings with various resolutions to tune the absorptance peaks of grating. PGMA grating grafted from a 1.5 µm resolution of trench arrays of photoresist exhibited absorptance peak at 395 nm, close to the absorption peak of CQDs, resulting in the photoluminescence enhancement of CQDs on the grating due to high charge carriers’ recombination rate. Generally, the emission of quantum dots occurs under irradiation at characteristic wavelengths. Immobilizing QDs on the grating facilitates the emission of QDs under irradiation of full-wavelength light. Furthermore, the PGMA gratings with CQDs were immersed in various solvents to change the geometries resulting the shift of absorptance peak of grating. The proposed method could be applied for sensing the nature of the surrounding media and vice versa, as well as for various media of solvents.
Association of South-East Asian Nations-US Stock Market Associations in and Around US 2007-09 Financial Crisis: An Autoregressive Distributed Lag Application for Policy Implications

This study examines portfolio diversification and arbitrage opportunities available to international investors in 16 Asian and US stock markets by using most advanced autoregressive distributed lag methods in and around recent US sub-prime crisis of 2007-09 with selected structural breaks. Results show that in overall and during-the-crisis period these markets were co-integrated in long-run and there were not enough portfolio diversification opportunities for international investors like other sub-periods. The Indian and Chinese markets were strongest contenders among Asian and US to attract foreign inflows. In short-run, these markets show dynamic adjustments generally within 1 month which neutralizes arbitrage opportunities.
Power System Stability Enhancement Using FACTS Controllers in Multimachine Power Systems

This paper investigates detailed flexible approach for incorporating various flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) controllers in multimachine power system environment such as static var compensator (SVC) and thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) in order to improve power system stability. The incorporation of FACTS devices into multimachine power system requires the development of the mathematical model of the power system with FACTS controllers. The differential algebraic equation (DAE) model of multimachine power system with FACTS controllers such as SVC and TCSC devices has been developed in this paper. Despite the fact that SVC and TCSC devices have been incorporated individually in DAE model of multimachine system, the DAE model with coordination of FACTS controllers has not been developed. So, the methodology of incorporation of series and shunt FACTS controllers in coordinated control manner in the DAE model of power system has been developed in this paper. Thus, the objective of this paper is to develop a general methodology of DAE model of power system with incorporation of series and shunt FACTS controllers in individual and coordinated control manner in order to improve power system stability. The western system coordinating council (WSCC) 3-machine, 9-bus system is used to illustrate the application of all proposed models and techniques.
Role of the Vps 34 p-interacting protein Ade 5 , 7 p in hyphal growth and virulence of Candida albicans

Received 2 November 2006 Revised 1 March 2007 Accepted 5 March 2007 The phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase Vps34p of the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans participates in virulence and in protein transport. In order to dissect these two functions, a search for proteins interacting with C. albicans Vps34p was performed using a yeast two-hybrid system. This study demonstrates the physical interaction between Vps34p and Ade5,7p, which is the bifunctional enzyme of the de novo purine nucleotide biosynthetic pathway. The interaction initially observed in a yeast two-hybrid system was confirmed in vitro with recombinant proteins. Given the complex formation between Ade5,7p and the virulence-regulating Vps34p, it was of interest to characterize the function of Ade5,7p in C. albicans. To this end, ade5,7 null mutants were generated. The resulting mutants were adenine deficient, and sensitive to the presence of metal ions. In addition, the ade5,7 null mutants were avirulent in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis, and showed reduced hyphal growth in an agar matrix under embedded conditions. In summary, Ade5,7p interacts with the multifunctional virulence regulator PtdIns 3-kinase Vps34p, and ade5,7 and vps34 null mutant strains show similar phenotypes regarding sensitivity to metal ions, hyphal growth and virulence.
Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in Multiuser MIMO Configurations via Code Reuse and Principal Component Analysis

The goal of the study presented in this paper is to evaluate the performance of a proposed transmission scheme in multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configurations, via code reuse. Hence, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is performed. To this end, a correlation matrix of the received data is constructed at the transmitter, with feedback as only the primary eigenvector of the equivalent channel matrix, which is derived after principal component analysis (PCA) at the receiver. Afterwards, users experiencing improved channel quality (i.e., diagonal terms of the correlation matrix) along with reduced multiple access interference (i.e., the inner product of transmission vectors) are the potential candidates for their assigned code to be reused. As the results indicate, considering various MIMO configurations, the proposed approach can achieve almost 33% code assignment gain (CAG), when successive interference cancellation (SIC) is employed in mobile receivers. However, even in the absence of SIC, CAG is still maintained with a tolerable average bit error rate (BER) degradation.
Bullying of Lesbian and Gay Youth: A Qualitative Investigation

The preponderance of bullying research does not address sexual orientation as a possible factor. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of service providers and youth advocates working with lesbian and gay communities in order to increase understanding of bullying of lesbian and gay youth. In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine key informants from various education and social service settings. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive data analysis was conducted using a constant comparative method. Six major categories emerged: prevalence, sites and perpetrators, institutional and community factors, effects of bullying, and barriers as well as strategies to address bullying. Several dimensions of bullying that may be specific to lesbian and gay youth (e.g. pervasiveness across their social ecology and risks to coming-out; sexual prejudice in the media; and ‘conversion bullying’) suggest the importance of investigations to support development of targeted, multi-sectoral interventions.
The effect of dressing seed material with a humus preparation and foliar potassium fertilization on the yield and chemical composition of spring barley grain

Abstract . The aim of the study was evaluation of the effect of dressing seed material of spring barley with a humus preparation and foliar potassium fertilization with Drakar on its yield and content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in the grain. One-way field experiment was carried out in the years 2006-2008, in Chrząstowo (53°09’ N; 17°35’ E) near Bydgoszcz, on soil classified as mesic Typic Hapludalfs, of a granulometric composition of light sandy loam. The effect of the following was evaluated: humus preparation Humistar (12% humic acids and 3% fulvic acids), used for dressing at a rate of 1 dm 3 per 50 kg of barley grain (1), foliar fertilizer Drakar (25.7% K and 3% N), applied at two doses of 2 dm 3 · ha -1 , before flowering and after its end (2), as well as the combined application of Humistar and Drakar (3). The results of using Humistar and Drakar were compared with the control (4) where these preparations were not used. A significant increase was found in 1000 grain weight and yield of barley grain under the effect of dressing the seed material with Humistar. However, this factor’s effect on spike density per unit of area or on the grain number per spike was not indicated. Foliar fertilizer Drakar did not affect significantly the grain yield or its components. The studied preparations did not affect significantly the leaf greenness index in barley in the stage of tillering, shooting and flowering. However, a positive effect of Humistar was found on values of this index in the milk stage. The total nitrogen concentration in barley grain was independent of the used preparations. However, a significant increase in the content of phosphorus and magnesium was found in barley grain dressed with Humistar. Concentration of phosphorus and potassium in barley grain on plots with a foliar fertilization with Drakar was lower, while of magnesium higher than on the control.
Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for talent acquisition in IT/ITeS organizations

Human resource managers are adopting AI technology for conducting various tasks of human resource management, starting from manpower planning till employee exit. AI technology is prominently used for talent acquisition in organizations. This research investigates the adoption of AI technology for talent acquisition. ,This study employs Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) and Task-Technology-Fit (TTF) framework and proposes a model to explore the adoption of AI technology for talent acquisition. The survey was conducted among the 562 human resource managers and talent acquisition managers with a structured questionnaire. The analysis of data was completed using PLS-SEM. ,This research reveals that cost-effectiveness, relative advantage, top management support, HR readiness, competitive pressure and support from AI vendors positively affect AI technology adoption for talent acquisition. Security and privacy issues negatively influence the adoption of AI technology. It is found that task and technology characteristics influence the task technology fit of AI technology for talent acquisition. Adoption and task technology fit of AI technology influence the actual usage of AI technology for talent acquisition. It is revealed that stickiness to traditional talent acquisition methods negatively moderates the association between adoption and actual usage of AI technology for talent acquisition. The proposed model was empirically validated and revealed the predictors of adoption and actual usage of AI technology for talent acquisition. ,This paper provides the predictors of the adoption of AI technology for talent acquisition, which is emerging extensively in the human resource domain. It provides vital insights to the human resource managers to benchmark AI technology required for talent acquisition. Marketers can develop their marketing plan considering the factors of adoption. It would help designers to understand the factors of adoption and design the AI technology algorithms and applications for talent acquisition. It contributes to advance the literature of technology adoption by interweaving it with the human resource domain literature on talent acquisition. ,This research uniquely validates the model for the adoption of AI technology for talent acquisition using the TOE and TTF framework. It reveals the factors influencing the adoption and actual usage of AI technology for talent acquisition.
Effects of Marketing Models and Service Quality on Customer Repurchase Intentions: Evidence from Taiwan’s Life Insurance Industry

In this study, we investigated the effects of marketing models and service quality on customer repurchase intentions by utilizing survey questionnaires and using life insurance as the product being studied. The sample consisted of 400 customers who responded to an anonymous 34-item, five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested and all of them were supported by the data; hence, there are a significant relationship among marketing models, service quality, and customer repurchase intentions. Specifically, although marketing models and service quality are both significantly positively related to repurchase intentions, repurchase intentions correlated more strongly with service quality than with marketing models. Moreover, we found evidence that both marketing models and service quality can significantly predict repurchase intentions. The research results have both theoretical and practical implications.
The Nature of Technological Change in the Chinese Hotel Sector

This article investigates the role of technological change in the Chinese hotel sector over the period 2005 to 2015. The analysis is conducted at the provincial level and on the star-rating hotel basis. A three-step approach is adopted. First, the Malmquist productivity index and its decomposition into efficiency and technological change is estimated. Second, the significance of each component is statistically tested. Third, the technological change is decomposed to analyze the Hicks neutrality assumption. The findings show that the Chinese hotel sector experienced an overall productivity growth, which is mainly and significantly driven by a technological progress. In most of the cases, the technological change is not neutral, and input and output biases are characterized.
Assessing the hydrological effect of the check dams in the Loess Plateau , China , by model simulations

Check dams are commonly used for soil conservation. In the Loess Plateau of China, check dams have been widely constructed as the principal means to retain floodwater and intercept soil sediments since the 1970s. For instance, there are more than 6572 check dams in the Yanhe watershed with an area of 7725 km2 in the Loess Plateau. However, little research has been done to quantify the hydrological effects of the check dams. In this research, the SWAT model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) was applied to simulate the runoff and sediment in the Yanhe watershed. We treated the 1950s to 1960s as the reference period since there were very few check dams during the period. The model was firstly calibrated and validated in the reference period. The calibrated model was then used in the later periods to simulate the hydrological effects of the check dams. The results showed that the check dams had a regulation effect on runoff and a retention effect on sediment. From 1984 to 1987, the runoff in rainy season (from May to October) decreased by 1.54 m 3 s−1 (14.7 %) to 3.13 m3 s−1 (25.9 %) due to the check dams; while in dry season (from November to the following April), runoff increased by 1.46 m 3 s−1 (60.5%) to 1.95 m3 s−1 (101.2 %); the sediment in rainy season decreased by 2.49 × 106 ton (34.6 %) to 4.35× 106 ton (48.0 %). From 2006 to 2008, the runoff in rainy season decreased by 0.79 m 3 s−1 (15.5 %) to 1.75 m3 s−1 (28.9 %), and the runoff in dry season increased by 0.51 m3 s−1 (20.1 %) to 0.97 m3 s−1 (46.4 %); the sediment in rainy season decreased by 2.03 × 106 ton (79.4 %) to 3.12× 106 ton (85.5 %). Construction of the large number of check dams in the Loess Plateau has enhanced the region’s capacity to control the runoff and sediment. In the Yanhe watershed, the annual runoff was reduced by less than 14.3 % due to the check dams; and the sediment in rainy season was blocked by up to 85.5 %. Thus, check dams are effective measures for soil erosion control in the Loess Plateau.
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter Pylori among Adult in Sokoto Metropolis

Helicobacter pylorus is one of the human pathogens with highest prevalence around the world. Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori among adults in Sokoto Metropolis. Methods: The prevalence of H. pylori among adults was ascertained using the commercial Rapid Chromatographic Immunoassay Kits Labmann products inc. Ontario califonia 91761, USA (H. pylori serum test cassette). All procedures for the test were based on the recommendations of the manufacturer. Results: Four hundred and thirty one (431) subjects (225 males and 206 females) participated in this study, out of which 236 (54.8%) were positive while 195 (45.2%) were negative. Among the positive cases, the prevalence in males was 32.5% (140 of 225) while the prevalence in females was 22.3% (140 of 225). The prevalence of H.pylory infection among the study group was 54.8%. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of H.pylory infection among the study group was high, this study employed serology to determine the presence or absence of the infection by H.pylori among the population studied, there is need to employ the current advance techniques like PCR and biopsy culture to isolate the organism.
Quality of histone modification antibodies undermines

Histone post-translational modification (PTM) antibodies are essential research reagents in chromatin biology. However, they suffer from variable properties and insufficient documentation of quality. Antibody manufacturers and vendors should provide detailed lot-specific documentation of quality, rendering further quality checks by end-customers unnecessary. A shift from polyclonal antibodies towards sustainable reagents like monoclonal or recombinant antibodies or histone binding domains would help to improve the reproducibility of experimental work in this field.
The Effect of Supplementation of Dried Mulberry Leaf Meal on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of young Boer and Crossbre

Twelve growing male goats (6 Boers and 6 crossbred Boers), 3-4 months old with mean initial body weight of 18.29 ± 1.98 kg, were used to evaluate the effect of supplementation with mulberry leaf meal (MLM) on body weight, growth rate (ADG), body measurements, carcass yield and non-carcass components. The kids were matched by weight and randomly assigned to 2 treatment diets, T1 (100% commercial concentrate) and T2 (100% MLM) and fed in individual stalls for 140 days after an initial adjustment period of 14 days. They were each given a basal diet of pangola grass hay fed ad libitum. The concentrate (T1) fed animals had greater (P < 0.001) final body weight (36.19 vs 29.84 kg) and average daily gain (127.8 vs 82.5 g) compared with the MLM (T2) group (P < 0.001). Dressing percentage based on fasted body weight was 48.6 and 43.2 for T1 and T2, respectively. The differences were significant (P < 0.05). Mean dressing percentage based on empty body weight was 56.7 and 53.6 for T1 and T2, respectively. This difference was not significant (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two treatment diets for loin eye area, 17.4 and 14.8 cm2 for T1 and T2, respectively. For animals on T1, mean proportions of the primal cuts were 33.41, 9.7, 16.7, 29.6 and 11.0 % for leg, loin and flank, breast and foreshank, shoulder and neck, and rack, respectively. T2 had primal cuts in the proportion of 30.7, 11.1, 16.6, 28.3 and 12.0 % for similar body measurements. The diets did influence mesenteric fat deposition with T1 animals having higher (P < 0.05) deposits (1314 vs 357 g) than T2 animals. Neither kidney fat nor heart fat showed any significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two treatments. The higher energy concentrate ration did result in higher fat (mesenteric) deposition as expected. The results suggest that growing goats will require further supplementation after 6 months of age (12 weeks on test) with a high energy ration during the finishing period to market (6–9 months). Levels of concentrate and MLM fed and the growth stage need to be studied.