Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Behavior, Perception of Threat, Stress and Training Patterns of Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

Objective Analyze the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent confinement on Olympic and Paralympic level athletes’ behaviors, perception of threat, stress, state of mind and training patterns.Methods All variables were modulated by gender, academic training, and sport discipline on a population composed of 447 Olympic (25.97 ± 7.46 years) and 64 Paralympic athletes (28.44 ± 10.50 years). Results Most of the athletes recognize that their best athletic performance diminished due to the COVID-19 confinement but that will recover after the pandemic and its confinements. Almost half of the athletes declared they were more tired than normal and had difficulty sleeping, while more than half eat more or less as usual. Paralympic athletes report they felt more capable to cope with personal problems and feeling more frequently that life events where going well and less lonely during the confinement than the Olympians. The athletes from team sports disrupted their training routine more significantly than athletes of individual sports, seeing their athletic performance more affected. Athletes in individual sports felt more capable to cope with personal problems than athletes in team sports. Female athletes were significantly more tired and reported more difficulty sleeping than male.Conclusions The situation caused by COVID-19 has had significant effects on the behavior, perception of threat, stress and training patterns of Olympic and Paralympic athletes facing the 2020 Tokyo Olympiad. It is necessary that sports institutions to reinforce mechanisms of help to athletes during future situations of confinement.
Extending the story of IS success: a meta-analytic investigation of contingency factors at individual and organisational levels

ABSTRACT In the last decade, a diverse array of information systems (IS) has emerged to help organisations achieve their performance goals. As a result, global spending on information technology (IT) has increased manifold. These developments have reopened the fundamental question of how IS success is shaped at the organisational level. Scholars and practitioners would also like to understand if, compared to the individual level, IS success patterns differ at the organisational level. The last meta-analysis of IS success was conducted nearly a decade ago and it could not examine IS success at the organisational level. There is also a need to gain a deeper understanding of key contingencies influencing success at the organisational level. Based on a comprehensive meta-analysis of research studies conducted in the last decade, we not only report how IS success patterns are shaped at the organisational level but also show how these patterns compare to success configurations at the individual level. Additionally, we conduct detailed multi-level meta-analyses of system complexity and user type as two key contingencies influencing success at both individual as well as organisational levels. Findings of our moderation analyses reveal distinct constructions of IS success across both levels.
Does economic growth affect the relationship between banks' capital, liquidity and profitability: empirical evidence from emerging economies

PurposeThis research explores the role of economic growth to influence the inter-relationship between capital, liquidity and profitability of commercial banks in selected asian emerging economies.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the research purpose, an empirical model was constructed to examine the role of economic growth in the inter-relationship between banks' capital, liquidity and profitability. The empirical model was tested through two stage lease square (2SLS) regression analysis using annual data of Asian commercial banks ranges from 2011 to 2019.FindingsThe findings indicate that bank capital and liquidity are interdependent and determined simultaneously. The outcome demonstrates that the strength of the inter-relationship between banks' capital, liquidity, and profitability improves when economic growth is taken into account in the analysis. The results report that market funding, loan ratio, credit risk, bank size and bank efficiency are significant indicators to influence commercial banks' liquidity, profitability and capital in Asian emerging economies. The findings are heterogeneous across large, medium and small-sized banks in emerging economies of Asia.Practical implicationsThe results highlight that the model provides robust results with respect to sign and significance. However, the coefficient remains underestimated without incorporating economic growth, which has important implications for decision-makers and bankers.Originality/valueTo the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines the role of economic growth to influence the inter-relationship between capital, liquidity and bank profitability in the emerging economies of Asia.
Strengthening the role of communication departments: A framework for positioning communication departments at the top of and throughout organizations

PurposeCorporate communications is often less successful when it is competing for influence with neighboring functions such as marketing or sales within organizations. This article addresses the internal positioning of communication departments by developing a conceptual framework which helps to understand, analyze and optimize their standing in organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a literature review across several disciplines (e.g. organizational communication, strategic management) and supported by 26 qualitative in-depth interviews with board members, executives and communicators in a global industry company. By combining the theoretical and empirical insights, a framework for positioning communication departments within organizations was developed.FindingsThe framework depicts seven strategies (e.g. expectation and impression management, supporting ambassadors from other departments) and three spheres of influence (organizational integration, internal perceptions and social capital) to strengthen the position of corporate communications.Research limitations/implicationsThe conceptual framework has been supported by one case study so far, and future research may further develop and verify it by applying it to a larger number of companies in different industries.Practical implicationsPractitioners can use the framework as an analytical tool to reflect the current situation in their organization and identify opportunities for strengthening it.Originality/valueThis article introduces a novel view in the academic debate about the role and influence of corporate communications. It establishes a framework that helps to identify different drivers and strategies, and lays ground for future research.
Using Ficus retusa L. leaf residue for weed control in field grown green beans

ABSTRACT Given the need to minimise the environmental impact of synthetic agrochemicals in agroecosystems and to increase the sustainability of production systems, it is necessary to identify alternative methods for weed management and crop protection. Regular pruning of evergreen trees, including Ficus retusa L. , can provide large quantities of leaf litter and this study aimed to evaluate the use of this leaf residue in a horticultural production system. The effects of using the residue as an organic soil amendment were assessed, including the potential of the residue to control weeds in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) crop. Three application rates of F. retusa leaf residue (250, 500 and 1000 g m−2) were applied to the soil at two locations. At both sites, the treatments significantly reduced the density and the biomass of several weed species in a dose- and weed species-dependent manner. The total weed density and weed biomass were also substantially reduced, but there were no effects on the growth or the yield of the P. vulgaris in the treated plots. The application of the leaf residue increased soil organic carbon and some macronutrients, including available nitrogen and potassium. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the F. retusa leaves and the reduction of weeds may be attributed to the release of phytotoxins from the residue. Overall, the results suggested that F. retusa leaf residue can be used as part of the weed management strategy to control weeds in P. vulgaris crops.
Revisiting the contingency theory: dissection of entrepreneurial orientation elements in retail franchisee performance

PurposeThis study aims to analyze how various contingencies within the contingency theory influence the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) elements and performance of retail franchisees in a South Pacific Island nation.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a quantitative approach of data collection from 203 managers in a total of 89 retail franchise outlets. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used with data analysis through SPSS AMOS and covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM). FindingsThe results confirmed that technology, innovation and promotion; competitive edge and value co-creation; high return opportunity capitalization; and empowerment and support influenced franchisee performance, while responsive customer focused leadership and competitor knowledge proved to be insignificant. The findings supported EO's influence on both financial and non-financial indicators, with greater influence on financial indicators. The result revealed that EO accounts for partial impact on franchisee performance, while the remaining impact could be attributed to organization and environment contingencies.Originality/valueThe study proposes a novel context of EO in franchising, where we dissect key elements within the EO dimensions. It also adds to the extant literature on how the broader context of environmental and organizational factors termed as “strategic fit” affects entrepreneurial franchisee performance.
Effects of Socio-Academic Intervention on Student Performance in Vulnerable Groups

In Ecuador, affirmative action policies enable students from vulnerable groups to preferentially enter universities. However, these policies are limited to admission and do not include academic or socio-economic support mechanisms that, according to the literature, promote student insertion in the higher education system. In this study, the effects of socio-academic intervention on the academic performance of vulnerable students are presented. For this, 41 students were selected among 164 vulnerable students entering the Escuela Politécnica Nacional in the second term of 2019. The 41 students attended a socio-academic intervention course for one term, while the remaining 123 attended the Escuela Politécnica Nacional levelling course directly. Once both groups of students finished the levelling course, their performance in each of the course subjects was compared. The results showed that the academic performance of the students in the intervention was significantly higher in mathematics and geometry compared to the students who had no intervention. These results show that the socio-academic intervention promotes the real insertion of vulnerable students in the university system.
The effectiveness of cognitive instructions when children provide true and false eyewitness reports of another’s transgression

ABSTRACT Children’s non-disclosures of another’s wrongdoing, particularly in cases involving alleged maltreatment, is a notable concern among forensic professionals. The current study was designed to provide these professionals with much needed information about the efficacy of a range of interviewing strategies, namely free-recall, cognitive instructions and closed-ended questions, when children are asked to conceal the transgression of an adult. After being asked to falsely deny a theft they witnessed, children (ages 8 to 13; N = 104) were interviewed using either the cognitive instructions (n = 52) or a Standard Interview (n = 52). Two raters coded the children’s: (1) report honesty; (2) number of words used; (3) number of Transgression Details disclosed; (4) number of events recalled; (5) temporal order accuracy; and (6) number of theft disclosures made. Children produced longer testimonies with more Transgression Details, disclosures and events on the interview with the cognitive instructions, without compromising temporal order accuracy. However, there were no interview differences in overall report honesty. Overall, the free-recall reports had the most words, along with more Transgression Details, theft disclosures and events recalled. The reverse-order recall was the most effective cognitive instruction for increasing the amount of events recalled. Overall, the cognitive instructions increased the amount of information and disclosures about the theft, but they did not discourage false reporting.
Are policymakers responsive to public demand in climate politics?

Abstract Normative theories of democracy agree that public demand should be the main guide in policymaking. But positive theories and related empirical research disagree about the extent to which this holds true in reality. We address this debate with an empirical focus on climate change policy. Specifically, we are interested in whether observable variation in public demand for climate change mitigation can help explain variation in adopted national climate policies. Using our own data to approximate public demand, we estimate the responsiveness of policymakers to changes in public demand in six OECD countries from 1995 to 2010. We find that policymakers are responsive and react in predicted ways to variation in our opinion component of measured public demand, rather than to the mere salience of the climate issue. The effect of issue salience is strongest in combination with our opinion measure as this creates a scope for action. The results underscore the importance and usefulness of our concept and empirical measures for public demand, as well as of our disaggregated analysis of climate policy outputs in this area.
Fenomena Natural Resource Curse dalam Pembangunan Wilayah di Indonesia

Although the phenomenon of natural resource curse is suspected to have occurred at the regional level in Indonesia, no measurement of such a phenomenon has been carried out yet. This research is aimed to provide an index of measuring the degree of natural resource curse at provincial level in Indonesia. Two indices, the natural resource dependence index and regional sustainable development index, were used to formulate index of regional resource curse (RRCI) using geometric mean of conditional weighted product method. The results found that provinces with richer in mining tend to have higher resource curse index compared with those with less extractive resources. ------------------------------------------ Meski fenomena natural resource curse diduga terjadi di tingkat daerah di Indonesia, pengukuran terhadap fenomena tersebut belum pernah dilakukan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengukur besaran natural resource curse di tingkat provinsi di Indonesia. Dua indikator, yakni indeks ketergantungan sumber daya alam dan indeks pembangunan daerah berkelanjutan digunakan untuk menghitung regional resource curse index (RRCI) menggunakan rerata geometrik conditional weighted product method. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa provinsi dengan sumber daya alam tambang yang lebih kaya cenderung menghadapi fenomena resource curse yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan provinsi dengan sumber daya ekstraktif yang lebih sedikit.
A Global Survey of Lithospheric Flexure at Steep‐Sided Domical Volcanoes on Venus Reveals Intermediate Elastic Thicknesses

Topographic flexure in response to vertical loads reveals key lithospheric properties, including elastic thickness and the heat flow from the interior. Flexural stresses that depend on elastic thickness may in turn control volcano morphology. One previous study predicted that steep‐sided domes on Venus usually form where the elastic thickness is ∼15–40 km. Coronae and large volcanoes may typically form at regions with lower and higher elastic thickness, respectively. We surveyed flexural signatures around steep‐sided domes and confirmed this hypothesis. Specifically, we extracted radial profiles of topography from Magellan altimetry data and a new elevation model derived from stereo images. Nearly 20% of the identifiable domes had topographic profiles that were amenable to flexural interpretations. We determined elastic thicknesses using a curve‐fitting algorithm and plate bending models that treat each volcano as either a Cartesian line load or an axisymmetric disc load. We used a yield strength envelope featuring brittle failure and ductile flow at the top and bottom of the lithosphere, respectively, to convert elastic thickness into mechanical thickness and surface heat flow. The average elastic thickness for domes not near coronae is ∼30 km, corresponding to a heat flow of ∼60 mW/m2. Coronae on Venus are typically associated with elastic thicknesses of <10–15 km. Domes near coronae yielded elastic thicknesses in that range, and higher heat flows than domes not near coronae. Ultimately, flexural signatures are probably abundant around volcanic and tectonic features and would be further revealed in higher‐resolution topographic data.
Parenting an Adolescent Who is Using a Mental Health Service: A Qualitative Study on Perceptions and Management of Stigma

Supporting an adolescent who has an emotional or behavioural disorder is challenging for parents. This article reports the findings of a qualitative study of parents’ perceptions of stigma associated with parenting an adolescent with a diagnosis of ADHD or depression. 40 parents (28 mothers and 12 fathers) took part in semi-structured interviews. The interview guide focussed on their parenting experience in social contexts such as interactions with friends, family and the wider community, and perceptions of their own parenting abilities and experiences. Thematic analysis was used to code and interpret the data. Parents felt that other people held ill-informed or dismissive views of what their child’s disorder entailed; they experienced parental self-blame; they engaged in efforts to normalize their child’s experiences and they reported being selective in deciding whether to talk to others about their child’s diagnosis. The implications of the findings for addressing stigma are discussed.
Is the foodservice industry perceived as being palatable by those looking to enter it?

ABSTRACT This research looks to examine attractors and detractors for students looking to enter the hospitality and culinary industries, their perceptions of work/life balance, and their schedule preferences. To accomplish this, surveys were undertaken at 2 universities and 6 colleges located in Ontario, Canada. This study found that the long hours, mid shifts, and work-life balance deter students in culinary and hospitality programs from wanting to enter the industry and that there is a preference for four-day workweeks. The paper concludes by discussing the preferences of tomorrow’s workforce, proposing that the foodservice industry should look to offer schedules that will improve employee wellbeing and retention.
Work-up and management of breast pain

Breast pain, or mastalgia, is a common symptom and a frequent reason for breast center referrals. It can be categorized as cyclical or non-cyclical pain. Cyclical breast pain is more common and varies with the menstrual cycle. Non-cyclical breast pain includes true breast pain and extramammary causes. Categorizing breast pain helps to guide the work-up and management. A thorough history and physical exam should be performed in all patients presenting with breast pain. Though breast pain alone is rarely a sign of breast cancer, breast imaging may be still be appropriate. If there are no concerning findings on the physical exam, the imaging work-up is determined by patient age and the type of breast pain. Management of breast pain without suspicious findings on physical exam or breast imaging is driven by the severity of the pain. Reassurance of the negative findings and that the patient does not have breast cancer is often all that is required. Breast pain frequently resolves spontaneously and no further treatments are necessary. If pain is persistent or impacting quality of life, initial management is centered on conservative therapies such as physical support. Medications can be considered for severe and persistent pain, but the side effects of these therapies need to be considered.
Nanoparticle Size Effects in Biomedical Applications

Nanoparticle size plays a central role in determining material properties and performance in biomedical applications. A wide variety of functional nanomaterials and nano-bioconjugates have been developed for monitoring biochemical activity, controlling biological functions, and therapeutic applications. This review focuses on the role of nanoparticle size (typically in the range of 1–100 nm) in various biomedical applications, the origin of such a size effect, and the optimum size requirement for the best performance in different biomedical applications. First, we discuss various nanoscale units present in life processes along with their size and functional role. Next, we discuss the size-dependent properties of some well-known nanoparticles and how those properties are exploited in different biomedical applications. Next, we discuss the size-dependent performance of functional nanomaterials and nano-bioconjugates that are used in various biomedical applications. Then, we highlight some of the best designed nanoparticles of optimum size for specific biomedical applications. Finally, we attempt to correlate the origin of the evolutionary selection of various nanoscale units in life processes toward specific biological functions.
Sodium-Based Chitosan Polymer Embedded with Copper Selenide (CuSe) Flexible Film for High Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Efficiency

Efficient shielding materials are extremely important to minimize the effect of electromagnetic interference. Currently, various composite materials are being investigated with different shielding efficiencies reported. In this paper, a flexible and free-standing sodium-based chitosan (CH/Na) polymer with copper selenide (CuSe) filler was prepared for electromagnetic shielding. The CH/Na/CuSe polymer matrix was prepared via the direct casting technique at different wt% of CuSe, varying from 2 to 20 wt%. The polymer matrix was then characterised by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm the interaction between the CH/Na and CuSe. The XRD results revealed that the CH/Na/CuSe polymer was successfully formed. Improvement in the electrical conductivity was confirmed by an impedance spectroscopy measurement. The highest electrical conduction recorded was at 3.69 × 10−5 S/cm for CH/Na/CuSe polymer matrix with 20 wt% CuSe. An increase in total electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency (SET) of up to 20 dB (99% EM power shield) was achieved, and it can be increased up to 34 dB (99.9% EM power shield) with the thickness of the polymer increased.