Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adoption of Green Environmental Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Entrepreneur and Business Policies Patterns in Romania

Current research shows that SMEs’ social and environmental actions are fragmented and informal, and few have formal policies and intentions. At the same time, many SMEs are engaged with environmental policies, often not knowing it. Concurrently, there is a gap between the pro-environmental attitudes of the SMEs managers, who are often seen as the main drivers for the firm’s behavior, and the policies implemented in reality in their firms. To this end, our research’s objective is to explore pro-environmental behavior, both at the individual and firm level, to identify connections between these levels and measures but also with firm’s and managers’ demographics, based on a study of Romanian SMEs. The descriptive analysis and factor analysis including tetrachoric correlation methods were used to explore these behaviors and the associations between them. The results confirm the research’s hypothesis and show that there are positive connections between the “green” behaviors at the individual level and in the SME context. Moreover, comparative analysis provided evidence of differences in the adoption of environmental practices, which were based on the firm’s demographics and manager’s characteristics. Simultaneously, five typologies of pro-environmental behavior in SMEs were identified and described, depending on the additional investment necessary and allocated resources, on the changes in organizational structure, and on the manager’s personal involvement. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the environmental improvement policies in SMEs and may help policy-makers tailor interventions and SMEs managers learn from good practices of their peers.
O cei na Vulavula? Insights and Regrets of a Foreign Geoscientist in the Pacific Islands

From over three decades of close contact with Pacific Islands geoscience, the author reflects on key issues (what he wished he had known earlier) about the nature of islands, their landscapes and their peoples. Experience elsewhere in the world rarely prepares you for the Pacific, from its youthful and often tectonically unstable landscapes to the understandings of its inhabitants, which are sometimes time-consuming and difficult to access yet frequently illuminating. Mysteries abound in Pacific geoscience, often in places as difficult to access as they ever were, yet which have the potential to inform global ideas about earth-surface evolution. Geoscience research and enterprise remain largely foreigner-driven in the Pacific Islands, which is often anathemic to sustainability, privileging ideas that are uncritically assumed to be shared by their peoples. An opportunity exists for Pacific peoples to own the geoscientific knowledge and potential of their islands.
Herding behavior and stock market conditions

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether market conditions have an effect on investors’ propensity to herd in an emerging economy’s stock market. Additionally, given the lack of research on Islamic behavioral finance, the authors further investigate if the herding phenomenon is distinct in Islamic versus conventional stocks. ,The authors used daily data for the period of 1995–2016 according to the herding behavior model of Chang et al. (2000), which relies on cross-sectional absolute deviation of returns. ,Findings reveal the herding behavior of investors among Shariah-compliant during up and down market exits with non-linear relationship to the market return, while for conventional stocks herding behavior does not exist with linear nor nonlinear relationships during the up and down market. Furthermore, for the whole market, herding behavior only exists during upmarket with a nonlinear relationship to the market return. However, this relationship is not significant. Moreover, the results of this study are robust with respect to the effect of the Asian and global financial crisis. ,The findings are useful for investors to identify which market conditions are associated with rational and irrational behavior of investors. ,Most of the theoretical and empirical studies on herding behavior have focused on developed countries. Only a few studies have paid attention to the herding behavior in Islamic financial markets, particularly in the context of an emerging market such as Malaysia. This study fills this void.
The Prenatal Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes of Fetuses With 15q11.2 Copy Number Variants: A Case Series of 36 Patients

Prenatal genetic counseling of fetuses diagnosed with 15q11.2 copy number variants (CNVs) involving the BP1–BP2 region is difficult due to limited information and controversial opinion on prognosis. In total, we collected the data of 36 pregnant women who underwent prenatal microarray analysis from 2010 to 2017 and were assessed at National Taiwan University Hospital. Comparison of the maternal characteristics, prenatal ultrasound findings, and postnatal outcomes among the different cases involving the 15q11.2 BP1–BP2 region were presented. Out of the 36 fetuses diagnosed with CNVs involving the BP1–BP2 region, five were diagnosed with microduplications and 31 with microdeletions. Among the participants, 10 pregnant women received termination of pregnancy and 26 gave birth to healthy individuals (27 babies in total). The prognoses of 15q11.2 CNVs were controversial and recent studies have revealed its low pathogenicity. In our study, the prenatal abnormal ultrasound findings were recorded in 12 participants and were associated with 15q11.2 deletions. No obvious developmental delay or neurological disorders were detected in early childhood.
Does High Citrus Production Increase The Frequency of Consumption and Affect The Prevalence of Dental Erosion?

MATERIAL and METHODS This cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed from June 2019 to February 2020 using a survey at the Faculty of Dentistry, Mersin University, Turkey. The questionnaire forms containing an informative section about the study were distributed to the participants. Data on general sociodemographic variables and risk factors were obtained. The survey consisted of 16 questions, including questions on demographic information, general health status, oral health status, and acidic dietary intake time; an oral examination was performed at the end of the survey. The data were statistically analyzed using the Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA.
Student Conceptions of Assessment: Regulatory Responses to Our Practices

Purpose: Universities assess and evaluate students concerning competence in essential disciplinary knowledge and skills. Those assessments impact learners’ attitudes, beliefs, and emotions. Negative impacts may be overcome if students regulate their responses to assessment and feedback. Design/Approach/Methods: This article systematically locates research studies that cite three key early papers around student conceptions of assessment (SCoA). A narrative synthesis is based on 22 papers. Findings: In addition to the SCoA, 11 different research inventories reveal a variety of regulatory responses that are enhanced when assessments are deliberately formative, fair, and trustworthy. There is broad interest in this phenomenon but little consistency in methods, and even the SCoA has little consistency in factor structure across jurisdictions. Only one study provided an objective behavioral measure to validate self-reports, which are the dominant form of research. Originality/Value: This review gives readers insights into how assessment influences student thinking and how student cognition can regulate success.
Inverse reinforcement learning to assess safety of a workplace under an active shooter incident

Abstract Active shooter incidents are posing an increasing threat to public safety. Given the majority of the past incidents took place in built environments (e.g., educational, commercial buildings), there is an urgent need for a method to assess the safety of buildings under an active shooter situation. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by developing a learning technique that can be used to model the behavior of the shooter and the trapped civilians under an active shooter incident. Understanding how the civilians respond to different simulated environments, a number of actions can be undertaken to bolster the safety measures of a given facility. This study provides a customized decision-making tool that adopts a tailored maximum entropy inverse reinforcement learning algorithm and utilizes some safety measurement metrics, such as the percentage of civilians who can hide/exit in/from the system, to assess a workplace’s safety under an active shooter incident. For instance, our results demonstrate how different building configurations (e.g., location and number of entrances/exits, hiding places) play a significant role in the safety of civilians under an active shooter situation. The results further demonstrate that the shooter’s prior shooting experiences, the type of firearm carried, and the timing of the incident are some of the important factors that may pose serious security concerns to the civilians under an active shooter incident.
The Mathematical Revolution in Economics: Factor Flows in the Production of Academics

The main theme of this essay is that the mathematical revolution in economics precipitated factor flows in the production of academics, wherein able, if not creative, mathematicians moved into economics to earn large rents. This “technical migration” set in motion a counterproductive path dependency from which the discipline may find it difficult to extricate itself. A secondary theme explores the disparate views of Keynes and Schumpeter on economics as an “exact science” and the role that mathematics should play. The seminal question is not whether mathematics is an important tool for economic analysis, because this is not a debatable proposition, but whether the deification of mathematics has come at too high a cost. This cost includes elevating elegance over substance, discounting the importance of other disciplines, and dissuading gifted undergraduates from pursuing advanced study in economics because they do not aspire to be “mathematicians. ” JEL Classifications: A22, A23, B31, B41
The influence of mandatory adoption of IFRS in Argentina on value relevance of accounting information

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the value relevance of accounting information in Argentina, which originated via the regulation that required all public non-financial companies to change the accounting standards, for fiscal periods starting in January 2012. As with most value-relevance studies, this research employs the Ohlson Model to examine the empirical association between equity prices and two main accounting variables: Net Earnings (representing the Income Statement) and the Book Value of Equity (representing the Balance Sheet). Panel data for 40 companies over a period of 23 years, from quarterly financial reports published by the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange (BCBA), are examined. The reported results suggest that mandatory adoption of IFRS in Argentina does not improve the value relevance of any of the tested variables. On the contrary, after the switch in accounting standards, the accounting numbers present a weaker association with the stock price.
Development of a Simple and Low-Resource Regeneration System of Two Greek Tomato Varieties

Native tomato landrace varieties (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are sources of high genetic diversity and are adaptable to local environmental conditions. The in vitro propagation system can be used as a tool to produce disease-free, high-quality propagation material and preserve the unique characteristics of commercial Greek tomato varieties, such as the variety Areti and the traditional landrace variety Makedonia, both of exceptional quality and economic importance. Twenty- and 27-day-old cotyledon and leaf explants were cultivated in 4 regeneration media supplemented with 0 or 0.1 mg∙L−1 indole-3-acetic acid and 0.5 or 1 mg∙L−1 zeatin. Regeneration efficiency was dependent on variety, explant type and age, and regeneration media. Areti was a more appropriate target genetic material, exhibiting a six-fold greater response to regeneration compared to Makedonia, regardless of media and explant age. The regenerated shoots of both varieties were successfully rooted (60%) and acclimatized (98%). This regeneration protocol would be valuable in the production of propagation material for commercial and conservation practices and in breeding programs for genetic improvement.
The influence of shoulder abduction and external rotation on throwing arm kinetics in professional baseball pitchers

Background The relationships between shoulder abduction and external rotation with peak kinetic values at the shoulder and elbow in professional baseball pitchers are not well established. Methods Professional pitchers (n = 322) threw 8–12 fastballs under 3D motion analysis (480 Hz). Pitchers were stratified into quartiles by shoulder abduction and external rotation at distinct timepoints. Regression analyses were performed to quantify associations between shoulder position and kinetics. Results Shoulder abduction remained relatively consistent throughout the pitch (foot contact–ball release: 85.5 ± 11.1–90.7 ± 8.4°); shoulder external rotation increased dramatically (foot contact–ball release: 30.8 ± 24.6–165.2 ± 9.7°). For every 10° increase in maximum shoulder rotation, shoulder superior force increased by 2.3% body weight (p < 0.01), shoulder distraction force increased by 5.9% body weight (p < 0.01), and ball velocity increased by 0.60 m/s (p < 0.01). Shoulder abduction was significantly associated with shoulder superior force at all timepoints but not with ball velocity (p > 0.05). For every 10° increase in shoulder abduction at ball release, shoulder superior force increased by 3.7% body weight (p < 0.01) and shoulder distraction force increased by 11.7% body weight (p < 0.01). Conclusion Increased shoulder abduction at ball release and increased maximum shoulder external rotation were associated with greater superior and distraction forces in the shoulder. Pitchers can consider decreasing shoulder abduction at later stages of the pitch to around 80° in order to minimize shoulder superior force, with no impact on ball velocity.
Review of Wind Tunnel Modelling of Flow and Pollutant Dispersion within and from Naturally Ventilated Livestock Buildings

Ammonia emissions from naturally ventilated livestock buildings (NVLBs) pose a serious environmental problem. However, the mechanisms that control these emissions are still not fully understood. One promising method for understanding these mechanisms is physical modelling in wind tunnels. This paper reviews studies that have used this method to investigate flow or pollutant dispersion within or from NVLBs. The review indicates the importance of wind tunnels for understanding the flow and pollutant dispersion processes within and from NVLBs. However, most studies have investigated the flow, while only few studies have focused on pollutant dispersion. Furthermore, only few studies have simulated all the essential parameters of the approaching boundary layer. Therefore, this paper discusses these shortcomings and provides tips and recommendations for further research in this respect.
Volcano‐Tectonic Setting of the Pisciarelli Fumarole Field, Campi Flegrei Caldera, Southern Italy: Insights Into Fluid Circulation Patterns and Hazard Scenarios

Phreatic and hydrothermal eruptions are small energetic explosive events that generally have few to no precursors and represent a considerable hazard in tourist and urban areas. At the Campi Flegrei caldera, these events have occurred at the Solfatara volcano and have likely occurred at the nearby Pisciarelli site, where the most powerful hydrothermal phenomena are located. Here, increased hydrothermal activity has caused relevant morphological changes that has led local authorities to deny access to the site. Stratigraphic, structural, and geophysical investigations have allowed us to reconstruct the volcano‐tectonic setting of the area. In particular, we have recognized a fault system and related damage zones that act as the preferred pathway for hydrothermal fluids in the caldera. At the surface, these faults control the migration and/or accumulation of deep‐seated gases into the subsoil and the formation of fumaroles and mud pools. We have recognized two main fault systems with different ages that show variable displacements. The electrical anomalies identified by electrical resistivity tomography further highlight the main fault pattern and show the interplay between volcano‐tectonic structures and fluid circulation. Host rocks and fault zones may be involved in self‐sealing processes and/or rock failure phenomena capable of modifying the fluid pathways and establishing favorable conditions, leading to overpressure and/or rapid decompression of fluids and triggering an explosive event. Furthermore, stratigraphic mapping shows fossil mud pool sediments embedded in an old debris flow located above the modern hydrothermal system. This implies that they were at a higher elevation when they formed. The morphotectonic evolution and intense rock alterations in the area could promote further landslide episodes, producing debris‐flow deposits that can cover the active area and possibly trigger hydrothermal/phreatic events.
Comparative Economics of Conventional, Organic, and Alternative Agricultural Production Systems

Agricultural production systems are a composite of philosophy, adoptability, and careful analysis of risks and rewards. The two dominant typologies include conventional and organics, while biotechnology (GM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) represent situational modifiers. We conducted a systematic review to weigh the economic merits—as well as intangibles through an economic lens—of each standalone system and system plus modifier, where applicable. Overall, 17,485 articles were found between ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, with 213 initially screened based on putative relevance. Of those, 82 were selected for an in-depth analysis, with 63 ultimately used. Economically, organic generally outperformed conventional systems. This is largely due to their lower production costs and higher market price. However, organic farms face lower yields, especially in the fruit, vegetable, and animal husbandry sectors. With that said, organic farming can provide significant local environmental benefits. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a potentiator of either core system. As a risk reduction and decision-making framework, it is labor intensive. However, this can be offset by input reductions without yield penalty compared to a conventional baseline. Biotechnology is a rapidly emerging production system, notably in developing countries. The use of GM crops results in lower production cost and higher yields. As a conventional modifier, its major advantage is scale-neutrality. Thus, smaller and lower income farmers may achieve higher gross margin. The main source of environmental benefits is reduced pesticide use, which implies a decreased need for fuel and labor. Barring external influences such as subsidies and participation in prescriptive labeling programs, farmers should focus on an a la carte approach (as opposed to discrete system adoption) to optimize their respective enterprises.
Novel Gene Mutations Regulating Immune Responses in Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome With an Atypical Course

Abstract Context Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) is a cluster of endocrine disorders arising from immune dysregulation, often combined with damage to nonendocrine organs. There are 2 types of APS: type 1 and type 2 (APS-1 and APS-2, respectively). In clinical practice, an atypical course of APS is often observed. Objective This work aims to find a novel genetic predictor of APS. Methods We performed exome sequencing in 2 patients with an atypical clinical APS picture and members of their families. Patient A presented with a manifestation of APS-2 in early childhood and patient B with a late manifestation of the main components of APS-1. Results In patient B, we identified inherited compound mutations as a novel combination of the c.769C > T and c.821delG alleles of AIRE and genetic variation in the CIITA gene. No homozygous or compound mutations in AIRE were found in patient A, but we did reveal mutations in genes encoding regulatory proteins of innate and acquired immunity in this patient. Conclusion Our data revealed novel combination of mutations in the AIRE gene in atypical APS and imply that mutations in immune-related genes may modify the clinical manifestation of APS in AIRE-mutation carriers and contribute to the development of autoimmune pathology in non-AIRE carriers with atypical APS.
Stiffness modulation of a cable-driven leg exoskeleton for effective human–robot interaction

Abstract With the widespread development of leg exoskeletons to provide external force-based repetitive training for gait rehabilitation, the prospect of undesired movement adaptation due to applied forces and imposed constraints require adequate investigation. A cable-driven leg exoskeleton, CDLE, presents a lightweight, flexible, and redundantly actuated architecture that enables the possibility of system parameters modulation to alter human–robot interaction while applying the desired forces. In this work, multi-joint stiffness performance of CDLE is formulated to systematically analyze human–CDLE interaction. Further, potential alterations in CDLE architecture are presented to tune human–CDLE interaction that favors the desired human leg movement during a gait rehabilitation paradigm.