Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of early hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis maturation on prostate cancer: cross-sectional analysis of a Veterans affairs cohort

Background It has been hypothesized that earlier onset of puberty, and thus a more prolonged exposure to high androgen levels, increases risk of prostate cancer development. Our objective was to determine whether earlier age of first shave and height, as surrogates of pubertal onset, were associated with risk of prostate cancer diagnosis. Methods A prospectively collected outcomes registry of patients presenting for a prostate biopsy at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affair Medical Center in Augusta, GA between July 1995 and June 2016 was utilized. The associations between age of first shave and height, each, and risks of a positive prostate biopsy, high grade cancer, and high volume disease were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, controlling for baseline patient demographic and oncologic characteristics. Results Our cohort included 2,456 patients. Biopsies were positive in 1,257 (51.2%) patients, of whom 293 (23.3%) and 407 (32.4%) had high grade and volume disease, respectively. Median age of first shave was 17.0 years (interquartile range 16.0–19.0) and height was 177.7 cm (172.8–182.9). On multivariable analysis, later of age of first shave was significantly associated with increased odds of a positive prostate biopsy (odds ratio for >18 versus <16 years: 5.34, P=0.02) and taller patients had significantly increased odds of high grade cancer (odds ratio for 175–180 versus <175 cm: 7.46, P=0.037). Conclusions Amongst patients presenting for a prostate biopsy, those with a later age of first shave and taller height have an increased risk of a positive prostate biopsy and high grade prostate cancer, respectively.
Soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus 13 yr after abruptly disturbing Northern Great Plains grassland

Abstract: Thirteen years after cultivating native grassland and establishing continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wheat–fallow rotations in southern Alberta, surface soil total N levels were 15% lower, and nitrate (60–90 cm) concentrations were 2.5- and 17-fold greater, than native grassland. Wheat–fallow, even without fertilization, markedly enhanced potential nitrate loss through the root zone.
Women’s Participation and Factors Affecting Their Academic Performance in Engineering and Technology Education: A Study of Ethiopia

Academic performance is one of the reasons for gender imbalance in STEM education. This study has two objectives: analyzing women’s participation in STEM education and investigating the factors affecting women’s achievements in Engineering and Technology university majors in Ethiopia. Secondary data have been analyzed to establish women’s involvement in STEM education using enrollment and graduation data and to observe the gender gap. Primary data were collected from 376 women students of engineering and technology. The OLS multiple regression model results reveal that the academic performance of women in engineering and technology education is positively influenced by students’ capabilities to gather information about the institution before joining the university. Interventions followed by institutions for supporting women students, peer learning habits of students, and the accessibility of university infrastructure also positively affect women’s academic performance. In contrast, sexual harassment and the existence of engineering and technology professionals in the family negatively influence the academic performance of women. Hence, educational organizations, governments, and other stakeholders should work to enhance women’s academic performance and reduce the gender gap in STEM education. Engineering colleges must also give attention to students’ psychological, economic, and educational support, try to fulfill infrastructure and learning equipment, and protect students from sexual harassment through strong commitment and regulations.
Seed dispersal by carnivores in temperate and tropical dry forests

Abstract The seed dispersal mechanisms and regeneration of various forest ecosystems can benefit from the actions of carnivores via endozoochory. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of carnivores in endozoochory and diploendozoochory, as well as their effect on seed viability, scarification, and germination in two forest ecosystems: temperate and tropical dry forest. We collected carnivore scat in the Protected Natural Area of Sierra Fría in Aguascalientes, Mexico, for 2 years to determine the abundance and richness of seeds dispersed by each carnivore species, through scat analysis. We assessed seed viability through optical densitometry using X‐rays, analyzed seed scarification by measuring seed coat thickness using a scanning electron microscope, and evaluated seed germination in an experiment as the percentage of seeds germinated per carnivore disperser, plant species, and forest type. In the temperate forest, four plant species (but mainly Arctostaphylos pungens) were dispersed by four mammal species. The gray fox dispersed the highest average number of seeds per scat (66.8 seeds). Bobcat dispersed seeds through diploendozoochory, which was inferred from rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) hair detected in their scats. The tropical dry forest presented higher abundance of seeds and richness of dispersed plant species (four species) than in the temperate forest, and the coati dispersed the highest number of seeds (8,639 seeds). Endozoochory and diploendozoochory did not affect viability in thick‐testa seeds (1,480 µm) in temperate forest and thin‐testa seeds (281 µm) in tropical dry forest. Endozoochory improved the selective germination of seeds. Nine plant species were dispersed by endozoochory, but only one species (Juniperus sp.) by diploendozoochory. These results suggest that carnivores can perform an important ecological function by dispersing a great abundance of seeds, scarifying these seeds causing the formation of holes and cracks in the testas without affecting viability, and promoting the selective germination of seeds.
Investigating the relationship between CSR and financial performance based on corporate reputation: evidence from Vietnamese enterprises

This study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and financial performance as mediated by corporate reputation in a developing context. A total of 869 respondent firms from the manufacturing, real estate, trade, and service sectors participated in the research. Factor analysis and structuring equation modelling were used to investigate the direct and indirect effects of the identified factors. The results showed CSR practices positively affect financial performance mediated by corporate reputation. However, CSR practices in the legal, environmental, and philanthropic area have positive effects, while economy-oriented CSR practices do not show any significant effect. As such, firms should invest more in CSR in legal, philanthropic, and environmental areas to improve corporate reputation, which in turn leads to good financial performance.
Familiness and innovation outcomes in family firms: The mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation

ABSTRACT Despite having characteristics conducive to innovation, family firms are often thought to be less innovative than their nonfamily counterparts. A potential contributor to this innovation paradox is familiness, or the bundle of resources that derive from involvement of the family in the business. We explore this relationship by investigating the mediating role played by the firm’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Using a global sample of family firms, we find support for the mediated model, with the underlying dimensions of familiness differing in their influence on EO, which in turn affects a number of innovation outcomes. The findings are used to clarify the innovation paradox.
Heat Waves, Climate Change, and Economic Output

Climate change is likely to affect economies not only through warming, but also via an increase in prolonged extreme events like heat waves. However, the impacts of heat waves on economic output are not well captured by standard empirical approaches that ignore when hot days occur. Using a global dataset spanning 1979–2016, we show agricultural losses from past heat waves are up to an order of magnitude larger than suggested by standard approaches. Combining these estimates with a suite of climate models implies that by the end of the century, climate damages in agriculture may be 5–10 times larger than is predicted by a focus on mean temperature shifts alone. These findings have important implications for targeting and evaluating climate adaptation efforts. (JEL: Q54,Q51,O13)
Autonomous Versus Controlled Motivation on Career Indecision: The Mediating Effect of Career Exploration

Effective career decision-making outcomes may depend on the type of motivation underlying career development. The purpose of this study was to analyze how autonomous and controlled motivation predict exploration behaviors and career indecision and in which degree the effect of motivation on indecision is mediated by career exploration (environmental exploration, self-exploration, intended-systematic exploration and amount of information), among a group of high-school students (10th, 11th, and 12th grades, N = 523, M = 16.40). An integrative model was tested using path analysis to test direct and indirect effects and model fit (AMOS 20.0). The final model showed good fit to the data. Three indirect effects were found significant, being self-exploration, and amount of information presented as mediators. Our results highlight the importance to design career interventions not only focusing on promoting exploration behaviors but also on creating purposeful planning, based on students’ reasons underlying their involvement in the career decision-making process.
Addressing aquifer overexploitation with desalinated seawater: an economic assessment of alternatives in south-eastern Spain

ABSTRACT Spanish authorities have proposed providing external resources to substitute for non-renewable groundwater withdrawals in the south-eastern Murcia Plateau, which would require building new water infrastructure. This article assesses the supply costs and the economic impact of two alternatives, one based on supplying desalinated seawater and the other based on supplying water from the Tagus–Segura Transfer, with an innovative scheme to exchange it for desalinated seawater. It is found that farmers cannot afford the cost of either alternative. Authorities face the dilemma of either strongly subsidizing the external water supply, beyond what seems reasonable, or facing a disproportionate impact on the local economy.
Comparison of the Effect of Epidural Bolus and Continuous Infusion of Lidocaine %1 on Pain, the Progress of Vaginal Delivery and Motor Function in Labor Epidural Analgesia

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. *Corresponding author. E-mail address: hkimiaeimd@yahoo.com Copyright © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Noncommercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited. Comparison of the Effect of Epidural Bolus and Continuous Infusion of Lidocaine %1 on Pain, the Progress of Vaginal Delivery and Motor Function in Labor Epidural Analgesia
Diversity and origins of giant guitarfish and wedgefish products in Singapore

1. Giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae) and wedgefishes (Rhinidae) are some of the most threatened marine taxa in the world, with 15 of the 16 known species exhibiting global population declines and categorized as Critically Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The recent inclusion of all species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) necessitates more rigorous enforcement by regulatory authorities. 2. Challenges in regulating the trade of giant guitarfish and wedgefish products due to difficulties in visual identification of processed products and labelling issues impede enforcement. The aim of this study is to characterize the diversity and origins of associated traded products that were commercially available in Singapore, one of the world's top importers and re-exporters of shark and ray products. 3. A total of 176 samples of elasmobranch products were obtained between June and December 2019 from fishery ports and various retailers in Singapore. By applying cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene barcoding, 31 elasmobranch species were detected, with 55% of the species considered threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable) based on the IUCN Red List and 35% of species listed in CITES Appendix II. Four species of giant guitarfishes and serum albumin mg ml − 1 l of DNA 12.5 l GoTaq DNA polymerase, and 4.5 Amplification success was assessed using 1% gel electrophoresis. PCR products were purified using Sera-Mag ™ Magnetic SpeedBeads ™ and sequenced on an Applied Biosystems 3730XL DNA Analyser. To identify any contami-nation issues, negative controls with no sample DNA were tested for every round of PCR. in the supply chains and sustainability of harvested products. Well-established eco-labelling
Distributed Resource Allocation in Underlay Multicast D2D Communications

Multicast device-to-device communications operating underlay with cellular networks is a spectral efficient technique for disseminating data to nearby receivers. However, due to the critical challenge of having an intelligent interference coordination between multicast groups along with the cellular network, it is necessary to judiciously perform resource allocation for the combined network. In this work, we present a framework for a joint channel and power allocation strategy to maximize the sum rate of the combined network while guaranteeing minimum rate to individual groups and cellular users. The objective function is augmented by an austerity function that penalizes excessive assignment of low rate channels. The formulated problem is a mixed-integer-non-convex program, which requires exponential complexity to obtain the optimal solution. To tackle this, we exploit fractional programming and integer relaxation to obtain a parametric convex approximation. Based on sequential convex approximation approach, we first propose a centralized algorithm that ensures convergence to a limit point. Next, we propose a distributed algorithm in which via dual decomposition, separable sub-problems are formulated to be solved at the respective groups in cooperation with the base station. We provide convergence guarantees of the proposed solutions and demonstrate their merits by simulations, showing improvement in network throughput.
The effect of bank governance on borrowers’ accounting choices

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the effect of bank CEO appointment structure and tenure on borrowers’ accounting practices and earnings management. Drawing on agency theory, we posit that agency costs are high for banks that frequently change CEOs and those that appoint CEOs from external sources. The results indicate firms that borrow from banks with high agency costs adopt less conservative accounting practices and employ real activities earnings management when deteriorating management conditions lead to negative cash flow. This study provides a strong empirical foundation for future research by verifying that appointment structure and tenure of bank CEOs affect borrowers’ accounting choices.
Green growth versus economic growth: Do sustainable technology transfer and innovations lead to an imperfect choice?

A concern with the mitigation of climate change cuts a transversal line across economic agents, epitomized by two contradictory viewpoints. Some defend that green growth can be achieved without harming economic growth; others argue that it is not possible to respect sustainability if intensive consumption of goods continues to foster economic growth. Our research aims to analyze the role that sustainable technology transfer and sustainable innovations play in green growth and ascertain the impact of green growth on economic growth. We use aggregated country-level data provided by the OECD, including national accounts, population, and environment statistics (including patents) between 1990 and 2013 for 32 countries, corresponding to an unbalanced panel of 591 observations. We estimate econometric models based on dynamic panel methodologies to capture differences that exist over time. The results show that sustainable technology transfer and sustainable innovation promote green growth, which in turn positively impacts economic growth. We contribute new insight to the green growth versus economic growth debate and provide several political and management implications.
The Implementation of Genetic Algorithm in The Vehicle KIR Test Scheduling System

Based on the results of observations and data collection, the vehicle parking test services at the Salatiga City Transportation Agency have not implemented a structured scheduling system in managing their service schedules. This has resulted in an accumulation of the number of vehicles that exceed the service capacity on a working day. Therefore, a scheduling system is needed to assist the agency in arranging the due time schedule for the KIR test of a vehicle, and helping the vehicle owner community to find out the due time for the next KIR test. The scheduling method used is a genetic algorithm that is applied to a web-based application. The application is built using the PHP language and MySql database. With this website-based scheduling system application, it has made it easier for service officers to manage the KIR test service schedule, especially if there is a change in the number of vehicles.
Cooperation against all predictions

In Binary Threshold Public Good (BTPG) games, n players have binary choices: cooperation or non-cooperation. If at least k players cooperate, a public good is produced. The case k = n is the Stag Hunt game with the two pure strategy equilibria E1 (all players cooperate) and E0 (no player cooperates). In four rather diverse examples of four-player Stag Hunt games, three prominent concepts of equilibrium selection favor E0. Experiments, however, result in cooperation frequencies between 70.3% and 99.7%. Also for k < n , the selected equilibria clearly differ from experimental behavior. We interpret our observations by suggesting the concept Behavioral Equilibrium Selection.
Adaptive Moth Flame Optimization based Load Shifting Technique for Demand Side Management in Smart Grid

The rising number of connected devices, energy management, and local generation facilities implies that the consumers have an increased responsibility to the energy sector. Demand-side management (DSM) techniques involve the consumer in assisting grid services, delay of capital expenses, and utility revenue streams through several behind the metre services. A variety of literature studies have presented many techniques for the implementation of DSM in smart grid systems. This study emphasizes the modelling of DSM utilizing a day-ahead load shifting approach as a minimization problem. The DSM is modelled as an optimization problem whose solution is attained through a nature-based adaptive moth flame (AMF) technique. The formulated work has been tested on three demand zones: residential, commercial, and industrial, with diverse controllable loads. A comparison of solutions based on reduced peak demand and operational costs is undertaken with the proposed AMF optimization algorithm. Finally, it is shown that the DSM technique based on the AMF technique exhibits better savings than the multi-agent and evolutionary approach in the residential and commercial sectors. However, the particle swarm technique proves a better alternative than the proposed technique in achieving cost savings.
Racial Profiling, Surveillance and Over-Policing: The Over-Incarceration of Young First Nations Males in Australia

Historically, countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand have witnessed an increased over-representation of minority groups who are exposed to the criminal justice system. For many years in Australia, young First Nations males have been over-represented in the juvenile justice system in all states and territories. Many of these young males have disengaged from their schooling early, some through deliberate exclusion from the education system and others by choice. However, the choices for many young First Nations males may not be as clear cut as first might seem. This paper shows that over-representation in the juvenile justice system may be as a direct result of racial profiling, surveillance and over-policing of First Nations peoples within Australia. The literature addresses the ways in which young First Nations males experience these phenomena from an early age, and the long-term effects and consequences that can arise from these occurrences. An analysis of the current research both internationally and within Australia is thus conducted.
Belief in group interdependence: Facilitating evacuee–host interactions after the Fukushima nuclear accident

After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, intercultural friction and aversion arose between evacuees and host community residents in relocation areas. We examined whether a belief in group interdependence — the extent to which an individual believes that group function is realized through interdependence with related other groups— is consistent with positive interactions between evacuees and hosts. A door- to- door survey of 77 evacuees and 75 hosts revealed that residents with an integrated social identity interacted favorably with both ingroup and outgroup members, and that a belief in group interdependence was consistent with the integration of social identity between the evacuee and host communities. Those findings suggest that a belief in group interdependence can reduce intercultural conflict by allowing both immigrants and host residents to acquire an integrated social identity without the dilemma of internalizing different cultures into an individual's mind.
Sputtered Zn(O,S) buffer layers for CIGS solar modules—from lab to pilot production

Sputtering of Zn(O,S) from ZnO/ZnS compound targets has been proven to be a promising buffer layer process for Cd‐free CIGS modules due to easy in‐line integration, low cost and high efficiency on lab scale. In this publication, we report on successful upscaling of the lab process to pilot production. A record aperture efficiency of 13.2% has been reached on a 50 × 120 cm2 sized module. Neither a non‐doped ZnO layer nor additional annealing steps are required. Moreover, this very reproducible process yields a standard deviation comparable with that of the CdS base line. In contrast to lab experiments, strong performance gain after light soaking has been observed. The light‐soak‐induced power increase depends on the preparation of the window layer. Accelerated aging tests show high stability of module power. This is confirmed by outdoor testing for 20 months. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.