Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hooking Up and Psychological Well-Being in College Students: Short-Term Prospective Links Across Different Hookup Definitions

Hooking up (sex outside committed, romantic relationships) is feared to result from or lead to compromised psychological well-being among undergraduates, yet longitudinal evidence is scarce and inconclusive, and different hookup definitions complicate cross-study comparisons. This study examined short-term longitudinal associations with four well-being indicators (depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, and self-esteem) across several definitions of hookups based on relationship length (one time, longer casual, and any) and physical intimacy level (kissing, genital touching, oral sex, and intercourse). A university-wide sample of 666 Northeastern U.S. freshmen and juniors (63% female, 68% White) completed online surveys at the beginning and end of one academic semester. Linear and logistic regressions explored whether hookups over the semester were linked to later well-being, and whether initial well-being was linked to later hookups. Across all 96 regressions, statistically significant associations between well-being and hookups were infrequent (23%), predominantly confined to anxiety and life satisfaction, equally likely in the direction of higher (13%) as lower (10%) well-being, and affected by both casual relationship length and intimacy level. When gender differences emerged (11%), hookups were associated with higher well-being for women and lower well-being for men. This complex set of results points to the importance of researchers’ choices in hookup definitions.
Genomic profiling of neutrophil transcripts in Asian Qigong practitioners: a pilot study in gene regulation by mind-body interaction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The great similarity of the genomes of humans and other species stimulated us to search for genes regulated by elements associated with human uniqueness, such as the mind-body interaction. DNA microarray technology offers the advantage of analyzing thousands of genes simultaneously, with the potential to determine healthy phenotypic changes in gene expression. The aim of this study was to determine the genomic profile and function of neutrophils in Falun Gong (FLG, an ancient Chinese Qigong) practitioners, with healthy subjects as controls. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN Six (6) Asian FLG practitioners and 6 Asian normal healthy controls were recruited for our study. The practitioners have practiced FLG for at least 1 year (range, 1-5 years). The practice includes daily reading of FLG books and daily practice of exercises lasting 1-2 hours. Selected normal healthy controls did not perform Qigong, yoga, t'ai chi, or any other type of mind-body practice, and had not followed any conventional physical exercise program for at least 1 year. Neutrophils were isolated from fresh blood and assayed for gene expression, using microarrays and RNase protection assay (RPA), as well as for function (phagocytosis) and survival (apoptosis). RESULTS The changes in gene expression of FLG practitioners in contrast to normal healthy controls were characterized by enhanced immunity, downregulation of cellular metabolism, and alteration of apoptotic genes in favor of a rapid resolution of inflammation. The lifespan of normal neutrophils was prolonged, while the inflammatory neutrophils displayed accelerated cell death in FLG practitioners as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlating with enhanced immunity reflected by microarray data, neutrophil phagocytosis was significantly increased in Qigong practitioners. Some of the altered genes observed by microarray were confirmed by RPA. CONCLUSION Qigong practice may regulate immunity, metabolic rate, and cell death, possibly at the transcriptional level. Our pilot study provides the first evidence that Qigong practice may exert transcriptional regulation at a genomic level. New approaches are needed to study how genes are regulated by elements associated with human uniqueness, such as consciousness, cognition, and spirituality.
Sexual Violence in South Kivu, Congo

Tackling sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will require greater resources and coordination. The number of attacks continues to increase and perpetrators go unpunished. From 1996 to 2003 war in DRC claimed some 3.8 million lives. SGBV against women and girls - and some men too - has been one of the conflicts most horrific aspects for its viciousness magnitude and long-term impact. As point of entry for foreign armed groups coming from bordering Rwanda and Burundi to participate in the war the eastern province of South Kivu has experienced particularly high levels of SGBV. Even now according to statistics provided by local health centres an average of 40 women are raped every day in the province. Of these 13% are under 14 years of age 3% die as a result of rape and 10-12% contract HIV/AIDS. Kidnappings sexual slavery gang rapes and forced marriages are common. Four years after the signing of the peace agreements that officially ended the warand after the conclusion of Congos first ever democratic elections SGBV remains widespread. Government forces have emerged as the main perpetrators whilst the number of assaults involving foreign armed groups still present in the area has fallen. A new problem has surfaced however: the increase of abuses perpetrated by civilians. Both factors highlight the environment of impunity prevailing in the area. (excerpt)
Changing trends of prostate cancer in Asia

Although Asian people have the lowest incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in the world, these rates have risen rapidly in the past two decades in most Asian countries. Prostate cancer has become one of the leading male cancers in some Asian countries. In 2000, the age-adjusted incidence was over 10 per 100 000 men in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Israel. Although some of the increases may result from enhanced detection, much of the increased incidence may be associated with westernization of the lifestyle, with increasing obesity and increased consumption of fat. The differences in incidences between native Americans and Asian immigrants are getting smaller, reflecting a possible improvement of diagnostic efforts and changes of environmental risk factors in Asian immigrants. Nevertheless, the huge variations in incidences among ethnic groups imply that there are important genetic risk factors. The stage distributions of prostate cancer in Asian populations are still unfavorable compared to those of Western developed countries. However, a trend towards diagnosing cancer with more favorable prognosis is seen in most Asian countries. Both genetic and environmental risk factors responsible for elevated risks in Asian people are being identified, which may help to reduce prostate cancer incidence in a chemopreventive setting.
Sex Is Like Jelly Beans: Educating Students on the Risks of Oral Sex

This study provides a description of an innovative workshop that educated college students about the risks of unprotected sexual behavior, particularly oral sex, and methods of risk reduction using a metaphor of “sharing and eating jelly beans. ” Intervention development was guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model. Ninety-five students attended this workshop, with 69 (73%) participating in a workshop assessment in the form of a one-group pretest-posttest design with no control group. The surveys obtained information about participants’ demographics, sexual experience, protective sexual behaviors, perception of risk, motivation to engage in protective behaviors, and response to the workshop. Most participants rated the workshop as “very useful,” and many reported the jelly bean metaphor specifically interesting and effective. Motivation to use condoms during oral sex significantly increased after the workshop, as did motivation to use condoms during vaginal and anal sex. Most participants were also motivated to get tested for sexually transmitted infections and obtain human papillomavirus vaccination. This educational workshop is easy to implement to promote engagement in protective behaviors and could be adapted to be part of an existing health program or delivered as a stand-alone workshop.
Democracy and Development

Is democracy inherently a good thing? And do democratic institutions facilitate economic development? It appears reasonable to answer the first question affirmatively: democracy is a good thing because it facilitates free human choice and it furthers the good of political participation. But the answer to the latter question is an empirical one, and there is debate within the development field about the effects of electoral democracy on the development process. Some argue, for example, that the experiences of Korea, Taiwan, or Indonesia show that a strong authoritarian state is better able to engineer a successful process of economic development than an electoral democracy such as India (because of its ability to discipline fractious demand groups). This chapter will consider both the normative and the empirical side of these questions. It will argue, first, that democracy is inherently desirable; second, that the empirical record of authoritarian developing states is about as mixed as that of democratic states; and finally, that only democratic institutions give any promise of tilting economic development policies toward the interests of the poor.
A Novel Peptide Specifically Binding to Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma For Targeted Drug Delivery

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer among Chinese living in southern China, Taiwan, and Singapore. The 5-year survival rate in the early stage of NPC has been reported as high as 90 to 95% with the use of radiotherapy, but in the advanced cases, even with the use of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the survival rate is still <50%. To improve the survival rate, we identify a 12-mer peptide (l-peptide) specifically binding to NPC cells with a phage displayed random peptide library. The l-phage and synthetic l-peptide bound to the tumor cell surfaces of most NPC cell lines and biopsy specimens, but not normal nasal mucosal cells, and the l-peptide–linked liposomes containing fluorescent substance (l-peptide-Lipo-HPTS) were capable of binding to and translocating across plasma membranes. l-Peptide–linked liposomes that carried doxorubicin (l-peptide-Lipo-Dox) caused marked cytotoxicity in NPC cells. In SCID mice bearing NPC xenografts, the l-phages specifically bound to the tumor mass, an effect that was inhibited by competition with synthetic l-peptide. In addition, the l-peptide-Lipo-Dox suppressed tumor growth better than Lipo-Dox. These results indicate that the novel l-peptide specifically binds NPC cells and is a good candidate for targeted drug delivery to NPC solid tumors.
Reduction of Thromboembolic Events in Meningioma Surgery: A Cohort Study of 724 Consecutive Patients

Background Meningiomas are associated with the highest postoperative rate of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) among all intracranial tumors. The aim of this study is to compare two entirely different VTE prophylaxis regimens in 724 consecutive patients undergoing meningioma surgery. Methods Two cohorts at a single institution treated with different regimens to prevent VTE were reviewed retrospectively. Cohort A (n = 482; 314 females, mean age 57 years, range: 11–87 years) received our institutional regimen during the years 1999–2006, consisting of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and compression stockings. For cohort B (n = 242; 163 females, mean age 56.8 years, range: 16–90 years), during the years 2008–2010, the management included intraoperative 10°–20° leg elevation with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), heparin and LMWH administration. We compared the incidence of the endpoints pulmonary embolism (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), hemorrhage and death, taking into account several known associated risk factors. Results For all endpoints, we observed a more favorable outcome with the new regimen. The difference in incidence of PEs (cohort A: 38/482, 8%; cohort B: 6/242, 2.5%) reached statistical significance (p = 0.002). In general, patients with skull base meningiomas had a higher risk for PE (OR 2.77). Regarding VTE prophylaxis, an adjusted subgroup analysis suggests that the new regimen is particularly beneficial for patients with skull base meningiomas. Conclusions We recommend perioperative prophylaxis using a management composed of intraoperative leg-elevation, IPC, early heparin administration and LMWH to reduce the risk for PE.
From Conflict to Cooperation: Labour Market Reforms that Can Work in Nepal

This book reviews the history of labour relations in Nepal and considers criticisms of the existing industrial relations system. It reports on the re-emergence of the militant Maoist trade union and the recent upsurge in strikes and demonstrations in Nepal. A reduction in workplace tension is required to cement in place the recent peace agreement, facilitate political stability and promote economic growth. Focusing on broad economic developments since 1990, it sheds light on how labour legislation and labour institutions have influenced investment, growth and jobs over the long term. The views of those most directly affected by the labour legislation, institutions and attitudes that govern industrial relations in Nepal have been collected through surveys and interviews with managing directors and entrepreneurs, trade union leaders and hundreds of ordinary workers from a range of locations, industries and occupations. These views have heavily influenced the conclusions presented in this volume. This is a co-publication with Academic Foundation, India.
Social Relationship Factors Influence on EWOM Behaviors in Social Networking Sites: Empirical Study: Taiwan and Vietnam

This study provides insight into how social relationship factors influence on electronic Word-of-Mouth (EWOM) behaviors in social networking sites. By using the sample from Taiwan and Vietnam college students - who spend more time on social networking sites, we investigate these determinants of EWOM behaviors such as social capital, trust and interpersonal influences, and compare the results between Taiwanese and Vietnamese samples. Simple regression analysis was utilized to examine the three hypotheses through a questionnaire designed on the Likert seven-point scale. The results indicated that bonding social capital and interpersonal influence have positively significant influence on EWOM behaviors, and there are different about some factors between Taiwan and Vietnam. Taiwan consumers are found to have more bonding social capital, trust and normative influence than Vietnam counterparts do.
Characteristic slope angle of V-shaped valleys in humid steep mountains with frequent slope failure

Characteristic or threshold slope angles with higher frequencies than other angles are related to slope stability determined by soil mechanics, bedrock strength, tectonics and climate. High relief mountains in Japan and Taiwan tend to have a characteristic slope angle of ca. 35°, which corresponds to the typical form of Vshaped valleys. Regolith is usually very thin in these mountains, and differences in bedrock, climate and uplift rates seem to exert little influence on slope angles. Slope histograms are negatively skewed in most parts of mountains where the characteristic slope angle is observed. These results differ from previous observations in other mountains. The angle of 35° corresponds to the angle of repose of dry regolith. Therefore, the angle permits repeated shallow slope failure in almost all parts of the slope even near ridgelines with limited effects of water saturation. This evenly distributed erosion, coupled with the similar production rates of regolith by weathering over a slope with nearly homogeneous bedrock lithology, leads to parallel retreat of the entire slope. Comparisons of hillslopes formed in the post-glacial period with those formed earlier indicate that accelerated erosion in response to climatic change has led to slope incision and locally steepened slope segments, but most of the newer hillslopes still tend to have the characteristic slope angle. The locally steep segments will diminish with upslope migration. These mechanisms combined with gradual river downcutting can maintain the constant shape of v-shaped valleys for a long period.
Dioecy and its correlates in the flowering plants

Considerable ffort has been spent documenting correlations between dioecy and various ecological and morphological traits for the purpose of testing hypotheses about conditions that favor dioecy. The data analyzed in these studies, with few exceptions, come from local floras, within which it was possible to contrast he subsets of dioecious and nondioecious taxa with regard to the traits in question. However, if there is a strong phylogenetic component o the presence or absence of dioecy, regional sampling may result in spurious associations. Here, we report results of a categorical multivariate analysis of the strengths ofvarious associations of dioecy with other traits over all flowering plants. Families were scored for presence of absence of monoecy or dioecy, systematic position, numbers of species and genera, growth forms, modes of pollination and dispersal, geographic distribution, and trophic status. Seven percent of angiosperm genera (959 of 13,500) contain at least some dioecious species, and ;6% of angiosperm species (14,620 of 240,000) are dioecious. The most consistent associations in the data set relate the presence of dioecy to monoecy, wind or water pollination, and climbing rowth. At both the family and the genus level, insect pollination is underrepresented among dioecious plants. At the family level, a positive correlation between dioecy and woody growth results primarily from the association between dioecy and climbing growth (whether woody or herbaceous) because neither the tree nor the shrub growth forms alone are consistently correlated with a family's tendency to include dioecious members. Dioecy appears to have evolved most frequently via monoecy, perhaps through divergent adjustments of floral sex ratios between individual plants. Monoecy itself is related to abiotic pollination and climbing rowth as revealed by multivariate analysis. Dioecy and monoecy are concentrated in the less advanced superorders of Thorne (1992) and subclasses of Cronquist (1988). The frequency of dioecy found in a local flora therefore flects the level of dioecy in its particular pool of families as much as, or more than, local selective factors. The positive associations of dioecy with abiotic pollination and monoecy are related to floral developmental nd morphological attributes, as is the negative association with bird and bat pollination; the positive association of dioecy with climbing growth is tentatively explained in terms of differential se ection for optimal resource allocation to sexual function. If rapid upward growth is at a premium in climbers and if fruit set at least temporarily inhibits growth or requires the production of thicker, more slowly growing stems to support heavy fruits, itmight be advantageous to postpone femaleness. Ifthe effect is strong, this may favor male plants.
Examining volatility spillover in Asian REIT markets

This article provides international evidence on the effects of volatility spillover in Asian real estate investment trust (REIT) markets. Six Asian markets (Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea) are examined through the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model with exogenous variables in the variance equation. Results show a negative spillover effect from the stock to REIT market, but a positive spillover from the bond to REIT market. During the financial crisis from 2007 to 2009, the negative volatility spillover from the stock to REIT market is significantly enhanced. This suggests that a prosperous stock market would decrease conditional volatility in the REIT market and the effect is more pronounced during the financial crisis.
Prospective cohort study of childhood behaviour problems and adolescent sexual risk-taking: gender matters.

Background Externalising (delinquent, aggressive) and internalising (anxious/depressed, withdrawn) behaviour problems are prevalent in childhood. Few studies have prospectively measured relationships between childhood behaviour problems and adolescent health risk behaviour, a major predictor of morbidity and mortality. This study sought to determine relationships, by gender, between childhood behaviour problems and adolescent risky sexual behaviours and substance use. METHODS In a population-based birth cohort [The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study], total, externalising and internalising behaviour problems (domain-specific T≥60) were calculated from parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist at ages 2, 5, 8, 10 and 14 years. At age 17 years, 1200 (49% male) participants reported sexual and substance use activity Results: For both genders, those with earlier externalising behaviour problems were more likely to be sexually active (oral sex or sexual intercourse) by age 17 years. Males with childhood externalising behaviour problems were more likely to have multiple sexual partners by age 17 years than those without such problems [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49-5.86]. Females with childhood externalising behaviour problems were more likely to have had unwanted sex (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-3.53). Externalising behaviour problems were associated with substance use for both genders. No association was found between internalising behaviour problems and risky behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Externalising behaviour problems from as early as 5 years old in boys and 8 years old in girls predict a range of risky sexual behaviour in adolescence, which has important implications for targeting interventions in adolescence.
What environmental factors influence creative culinary studies

Purpose – This study aims to explore and analyze the extrinsic environmental factors that influence the development of culinary creativity.Design/methodology/approach – This study uses in‐depth interviews and content analysis. A total of 13 internationally famous and/or award‐winning culinary artists and contest judges from the USA, Singapore, and Taiwan were interviewed to provide the data for the project.Findings – There is a close relationship between the creativity of culinary artists and the quality of their environment. Therefore it is important to develop and maintain a physical, social, cultural and educational environment that is conducive to culinary creativity.Practical implications – The findings of this study can serve as a basis and frame of reference for the future planning of culinary education, the purpose of which is to cultivate a more creative mode of culinary thinking in students.Originality/value – This is the first research project to focus primarily on identifying specific factors .
The behaviour of closed-end country fund prices in the Asian NIEs

This paper tests the impact of international investment restrictions on closed-end country funds in four Asian countries - Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. The results show that the relationship between the premiums or discounts on closed-end country funds and announcements of changes in investment restrictions is sensitive to how individual countries respond to foreign innovations. A strong relationship exists in countries with large restrictions on investment - Korea and Taiwan. However, the relationship seems to break down in countries where there are virtually no restrictions on investment - Hong Kong and Singapore.