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BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends that human growth should be monitored with the use of international standards. However, in obstetric practice, we continue to monitor fetal growth using numerous local charts or equations that are based on different populations for each body structure. Consistent with World Health Organization recommendations, the INTERGROWTH-21st Project has produced the first set of international standards to date pregnancies; to monitor fetal growth, estimated fetal weight, Doppler measures, and brain structures; to measure uterine growth, maternal nutrition, newborn infant size, and body composition; and to assess the postnatal growth of preterm babies. All these standards are based on the same healthy pregnancy cohort. Recognizing the importance of demonstrating that, postnatally, this cohort still adhered to the World Health Organization prescriptive approach, we followed their growth and development to the key milestone of 2 years of age.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the babies in the INTERGROWTH-21st Project maintained optimal growth and development in childhood.Study designIn the Infant Follow-up Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project, we evaluated postnatal growth, nutrition, morbidity, and motor development up to 2 years of age in the children who contributed data to the construction of the international fetal growth, newborn infant size and body composition at birth, and preterm postnatal growth standards. Clinical care, feeding practices, anthropometric measures, and assessment of morbidity were standardized across study sites and documented at 1 and 2 years of age. Weight, length, and head circumference age- and sex-specific z-scores and percentiles and motor development milestones were estimated with the use of the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards and World Health Organization milestone distributions, respectively. For the preterm infants, corrected age was used. Variance components analysis was used to estimate the percentage variability among individuals within a study site compared with that among study sites.ResultsThere were 3711 eligible singleton live births; 3042 children (82%) were evaluated at 2 years of age. There were no substantive differences between the included group and the lost-to-follow up group. Infant mortality rate was 3 per 1000; neonatal mortality rate was 1.6 per 1000. At the 2-year visit, the children included in the INTERGROWTH-21st Fetal Growth Standards were at the 49th percentile for length, 50th percentile for head circumference, and 58th percentile for weight of the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. Similar results were seen for the preterm subgroup that was included in the INTERGROWTH-21st Preterm Postnatal Growth Standards. The cohort overlapped between the 3rd and 97th percentiles of the World Health Organization motor development milestones. We estimated that the variance among study sites explains only 5.5% of the total variability in the length of the children between birth and 2 years of age, although the variance among individuals within a study site explains 42.9% (ie, 8 times the amount explained by the variation among sites). An increase of 8.9 cm in adult height over mean parental height is estimated to occur in the cohort from low-middle income countries, provided that children continue to have adequate health, environmental, and nutritional conditions.ConclusionThe cohort enrolled in the INTERGROWTH-21st standards remained healthy with adequate growth and motor development up to 2 years of age, which supports its appropriateness for the construction of international fetal and preterm postnatal growth standards.

Objective: An auditor's responsibility to society is undeniable, so understanding more aspects of job success and factors affecting it can help auditors and stakeholders better understand the auditor's role in society. This study examines auditors' professional success by evaluating the five-factor theory (FFT) to determine how auditors' personality traits can predict professional success. The present study attempts to address multiple gaps and, in doing so, makes significant contributions. First, the study extends the limited research on understanding the five-factor theory and auditor's professional success. Our study is among the first to consider the five-factor theory essential to achieving auditors' endogenous and exogenous success. Second, this study assesses the auditors' personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness) with their endogenous and exogenous success. Thus, this explains the mechanism through which personality traits can influence success. Third, to the best of the author's knowledge and through search in peer-reviewed databases, no previous study has empirically explored the effects of auditors' endogenous and exogenous success. Fourth, this study provides insight into this research for regulatory bodies, including the Iranian Association of Certified Public Accountants, about the importance of cognitive components and auditors' personalities. Based on this, the research hypotheses are presented in the following order: H1: A significant relationship exists between neuroticism and the auditors’ endogenous success. H2: A significant relationship exists between neuroticism and the auditors’ exogenous success. H3: A significant relationship exists between extraversion and the auditors’ endogenous success. H4: A significant relationship exists between extraversion and the auditors’ exogenous success. H5: A significant relationship exists between openness to experience and the auditors’ endogenous success. H6: A significant relationship exists between openness to experience and the auditors’ exogenous success. H7: A significant relationship exists between agreeableness and the auditors’ endogenous success. H8: A significant relationship exists between agreeableness and the auditors’ exogenous success. H9: A significant relationship exists between conscientiousness and the auditors’ endogenous success. H10: A significant relationship exists between conscientiousness and the auditors’ exogenous success. Method: This study employed a descriptive-correlational approach, utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between latent and manifest variables. Conducted during the summer of 2023, this field study aimed to test theoretical frameworks. Given the nature of the variables and the study's objectives, an electronically constructed questionnaire was deemed the most effective data collection method. The target population consisted of members of the Iranian Association of Certified Public Accountants, with a sample size of 348 participants determined using Cochran's formula at a 95% confidence level. Two standardized questionnaires were employed for data collection:  NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R): Developed by McCrae and Costa in 1985, this tool assesses personality traits based on the Five-Factor Model (FFM). The NEO-PI-R includes 60 questions, measuring five main personality factors and six characteristics within each factor.  Job Success Questionnaire: Adapted from Nabi (2001), this instrument evaluates both endogenous and exogenous job success. Endogenous success pertains to individual perceptions of success in their roles, while exogenous success is measured through objective indicators such as financial achievements and promotions. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 26.0) and LISREL (version 10.20), allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed conceptual model and the testing of research hypotheses. Results: According to result, the significance levels for extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness in relation to auditors' subjective (endogenous) success are 7.52, 7.90, 8.65, and 10.34, respectively. At a 95% confidence level, these personality traits significantly influence auditors' subjective success. Auditors who are extroverted, flexible, and conscientious report higher personal satisfaction, optimism, and better interpersonal relationships. All four personality dimensions also impact objective (exogenous) success, with higher income, promotions, and benefits linked to those who are extroverted, adaptable, open-minded, and conscientious. Among the five personality traits, conscientiousness (0.86) has the strongest correlation with objective success, indicating that auditors with leadership skills, long-term planning, technical expertise, and self-control tend to earn higher salaries and benefits. Conversely, extroversion (0.20) shows the weakest relationship with objective success but significantly affects subjective success. Extroverted auditors, characterized by positive emotions and social activity, report greater personal satisfaction, though they may not achieve high income or promotions. Overall, all personality dimensions, except neuroticism, positively correlate with subjective success, suggesting that auditors with these traits are more likely to find personal and professional fulfillment. The findings align with existing research, reinforcing the importance of NEOAC components in auditors' career success. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that personality traits affect the career success of auditors; Explaining the results of this study, it can be said that with the increasing complexity of the business world, the decrease in social trust in auditing services, and the disregard for social benefits in recent financial crises, auditors should use their psychological concepts to promote work success in the workplace. Accordingly, independent auditors who have spent a lifetime in the profession are encouraged to take an essential step in further understanding their behavioral characteristics. The findings of this study inform regulatory bodies, including the Iranian Association of Certified Public Accountants, about the importance of cognitive components and auditors' personalities. Based on these study findings, audit institutions and organizations should educate their members about the importance of their attitudes and behavior in the workplace. Ultimately, these results extend beyond the confines of the audit profession. They serve as valuable information for individuals, shareholders, and potential investors, underscoring the significant role that auditors play in shaping social performance. Given that the present study provides evidence that the components of personality traits have a significant relationship with the professional success of auditors, it should be noted that this study considers only some aspects of practical psychology. Other researchers could be interested in exploring different psychological subsets, such as accuracy and focus, auditors' personality traits, and personality types on the professional success of auditors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finasteride 1 mg/day is indicated for androgen-dependent conditions such as male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The literature is comprehensively summarized on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and metabolism of finasteride. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed to assess the efficacy of finasteride reported in clinical trials. The adverse events profile is described along with the post-marketing reports. Finasteride 1 mg/day significantly increased total hair count compared to placebo after 24 weeks (mean difference = 12.4 hairs/cm2, p <.05), and 48 weeks (mean difference = 16.4 hairs/cm2, p <.05). The efficacy of the two doses of finasteride (5 mg/day and 1 mg/day) and topical finasteride (1% solution) were not significantly different. The most commonly reported sexual events include erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Increasing patient complaints and analysis of the FAERS database led to the inclusion of depression in the FDA label in 2011, as men were found to be at a risk of suicide due to the persistent sexual side effects, commonly termed as post-finasteride syndrome. Finasteride is shown to be reasonably tolerated in both men and women; however, patients need to be educated about the possible short- and long-term side-effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topical minoxidil (5% foam, 5% solution, and 2% solution) is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in men and women. Mechanism of action: Minoxidil acts through multiple pathways (vasodilator, anti-inflammatory agent, inducer of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, an antiandrogen), and may also affect the length of the anagen and telogen phases. Pharmacokinetics: Approximately 1.4% of topical minoxidil is absorbed through the skin. Minoxidil is a prodrug that is metabolized by follicular sulfotransferase to minoxidil sulfate (active form). Those with higher sulfotransferase activity may respond better than patients with lower sulfotransferase activity. Clinical efficacy (topical minoxidil): In a five-year study, 2% minoxidil exhibited peak hair growth in males at year one with a decline in subsequent years. Topical minoxidil causes hair regrowth in both frontotemporal and vertex areas. The 5% solution and foam were not significantly different in efficacy from the 2% solution. Oral and Sublingual minoxidil (not FDA approved; off-label): After 6 months of administration, minoxidil 5 mg/day was significantly more effective than topical 5% and 2% in male AGA. Low-dose 0.5–5 mg/day may also be safe and effective for female pattern hair loss and chronic telogen effluvium. Sublingual minoxidil may be safe and effective in male and female pattern hair loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public policy transcends the domain of domestic policies and encompasses or even determines the type of relations that countries build with each other. It is well known that policies are nothing but decisions of governments as formal authorization on the given issue at hand. In other words, policy is a sum total of decisions made by the authority and hence it involves what governments actually do and not what they intend to do. Public opinion is a powerful criterion especially in democracies. It is provided in the constitutions and the people's role in policymaking is confirmed through this. Political parties, mass media, newspapers, and such others claim to represent public opinion. Rationality is another criteria in policymaking in which the leadership takes supposedly rational decisions on different issues of concern particularly those relating to foreign affairs. The criteria on political and economic situation depends on the actions of politicians, the legacy of the past, the nature of government organizations/institutions, and the constraints posed by domestic economic situations and conditions. Although policymakers enjoy complete independence from external control, unfortunately Third World countries such as those in Africa are not free to make their policies due to various reasons such as interdependence, and the domestic political and economic situations, compelling them to take a cue from external factors or power centers. The many conceptual models of public policy offer a wide variety of understanding on how they can be applied to different countries and to different situations. In fact, most policies are a combination of rational planning, instrumentalism, interest group activity, elite preferences, systemic forces, game planning, public choice, political processes and institutional influences. However; at times we find not all of these may be applicable to all countries. It in effect depends on the rational calculations of the countries in question how they would make or have their policies consonant with their national interests. The case of Eritrea and Ethiopia is a classic example that fits into the above paradigm and in which to enquire how their policies varied in spite of being friendly neighbors but later turning into hostile foes. What went wrong and how? Was it a product of their policy failures or was it due to historical debacles? This article therefore is an attempt to explore the current state of relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia in the light of the above-mentioned conceptual framework by showing how their mutual policies were not compatible enough to solidify their initial cordiality and friendliness. In order to do this a brief sketch of historical background is provided to help understand and analyze the impact it had on contemporary policies between them. The internal political dynamics and ideological doctrines of Eritrea are the focus of next discussion. The period of cordiality and later the period of hostility are discussed next. Finally, recent trends and future prospects are put forward., Toward Independence At the outset, it should be mentioned that Eritrea's federation with Ethiopia led to the onset of the type of relations and the type of policies that emerged [...]

ABSTRACT: Audited financial statements can be viewed as the product of negotiations between a company's management and its auditor. Relative power of these two parties is a major factor that [...]

It is not unusual for auditors to accept employment with audit clients upon leaving the audit firm. For example, Imhoff (1978) found that approximately 20 percent of the auditors in [...]

A wide range of engineering problems involve porous media modeling. General porous media models are highly nonlinear, geometrically complex, and must account for energy transfer between fluid and solid constituents normally modeled in distinct Lagrangian and Eulerian reference frames. Combining finite element discretization techniques with bond graph methods greatly simplifies the model formulation process, as compared to alternative schemes based on weighted residual solutions of the governing partial differential equations. The result generalizes existing numerical models of porous media and current network thermodynamics/bond graph theory.

The development of high resolution, general purpose models of viscous, compressible flows is extremely difficult with existing system dynamics modeling tools. Published work admits to significant limitations, with regards to the treatment of fiow geometry, inertia effects, or mass and energy convection. Combining a finite element discretization scheme with a bond graph based model formulation procedure provides a very general purpose tool for continuum fluid system modeling.