Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Policy coordination, conflicting national interests and the European debt crisis.

This paper tries to identify the causes of and solutions to the debt crisis, by moving from the content of a previous debate on policy coordination in the euro area and from the available evidence on the existence of conflicting national interests within the governing bodies of the European Central Bank (ECB). It argues that before 2007 the flaws in the institutional organisation of the process of coordination between monetary and fiscal policy affected the cyclical and growth operation of the economies. After then, they have contributed to intensifying the conflicts among national and European authorities. The conflicts have curbed policy reactions, held back the interventions of the ECB, as occurred to the Federal Reserve during the crisis of 1929, and favoured the speculative attacks. The conclusion is that the organisation of the area must be reformed to allow its institutions to effectively pursue the objectives for which they were created, i.e. to protect the citizens from the instability of the international financial markets. As has been done in monetary policy, the reforms must reduce the uncertainty on the actual conduct of national policies and transform the defensive attitudes of the different actors of the process into a positive search for the most effective policy for the whole area Copyright , Oxford University Press.
Effects of experimental nitrogen fertilization on planktonic metabolism and CO2 flux in a hypereutrophic hardwater lake

Hardwater lakes are common in human-dominated regions of the world and often experience pollution due to agricultural and urban effluent inputs of inorganic and organic nitrogen (N). Although these lakes are landscape hotspots for CO2 exchange and food web carbon (C) cycling, the effect of N enrichment on hardwater lake food web functioning and C cycling patterns remains unclear. Specifically, it is unknown if different eutrophication scenarios (e.g., modest non point vs. extreme point sources) yield consistent effects on auto- and heterotrophic C cycling, or how biotic responses interact with the inorganic C system to shape responses of air-water CO2 exchange. To address this uncertainty, we induced large metabolic gradients in the plankton community of a hypereutrophic hardwater Canadian prairie lake by adding N as urea (the most widely applied agricultural fertilizer) at loading rates of 0, 1, 3, 8 or 18 mg N L-1 week-1 to 3240-L, in-situ mesocosms. Over three separate 21-day experiments, all treatments of N dramatically increased phytoplankton biomass and gross primary production (GPP) two- to six-fold, but the effects of N on autotrophs plateaued at ~3 mg N L-1. Conversely, heterotrophic metabolism increased linearly with N fertilization over the full treatment range. In nearly all cases, N enhanced net planktonic uptake of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and increased the rate of CO2 influx, while planktonic heterotrophy and CO2 production only occurred in the highest N treatments late in each experiment, and even in these cases, enclosures continued to in-gas CO2. Chemical effects on CO2 through calcite precipitation were also observed, but similarly did not change the direction of net CO2 flux. Taken together, these results demonstrate that atmospheric exchange of CO2 in eutrophic hardwater lakes remains sensitive to increasing N loading and eutrophication, and that even modest levels of N pollution are capable of enhancing autotrophy and CO2 in-gassing in P-rich lake ecosystems.
Short- and Long-Term Regulation of Intestinal Na+/H+ Exchange Activity Associated with TLR2 Receptor Activation Is Independent of Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling

Type 2 Toll-like receptors (TLR2s) are expressed in cell membranes and recognize a wide range of pathogen-associated molecular patterns derived from bacteria, such as lipoteichoic acid (LTA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TLR2 activation by LTA on the activity of type 1 Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) in T84 intestinal epithelial cells. Short-term (0.5 hour) and long-term (18 hours) TLR2 activation significantly inhibited NHE1 activity in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01–100 µg/ml; −7 ± 3 to −21 ± 3% and 3 ± 3 to −21 ± 3% of control values, respectively). S3226 [3-[2-(3-guanidino-2-methyl-3-oxopropenyl)-5-methyl-phenyl]-N-isopropylidene-2-methyl-acrylamide dihydrochloride], an NHE3-selective inhibitor, did not affect the inhibitory effect on NHE activity. LTA-induced NHE inhibition did not occur in the presence ofethylisopropylamiloride (an NHE1 inhibitor). Long-term TLR2 activation decreased NHE1 affinity for Na+ (Km= 64.98 ± 1.67 mM) compared with control (Km= 20.44 ± 0.54 mM) without changes in Vmax values. After TLR2 activation, we observed tyrosine-protein kinase (SRC) activation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) recruitment, and adenylyl cyclase (AC3) phosphorylation. The total amount of AC3 increased (23 ± 8% of control) after long-term treatment with LTA. Anti-AC3 small interfering RNA prevented LTA-induced NHE1 inhibition, similar to that observed with the AC3 inhibitor KH7 [(±)-2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylthio)propanoic acid 2-[(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]hydrazide]. A significant increase in cAMP levels (32 ± 3% and 14 ± 2% after short- and long-term stimulation, respectively) was detected, and inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA), phospholipase C (PLC), and downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) prevented NHE1 inhibition. Inhibition of nuclear factor-κΒ (NF-κB) failed to revert NHE1 inhibition. We concluded that activation of TLR2 reduces NHE1 activity in epithelial cells through an alternative pathway that is unrelated to NF-κB, which involves SCR, PI3K, AC3, PKA, PLC, and PKC.
SERVITIZATION OF SOUTH KOREA ECONOMY: CAUSES FOR SLUGGISHNESS AND POLICY ISSUES

Since the 1960 s, the South Korea economy has achieved a rapid economic growth, whereas from the mid 1990’s and beyond, servitization showing the growth of the service section over the nominal GDP has rapidly developed. On the other hand, the service i ndustry productivity declined, even lower than the OECD average. These results continue recently through th e deterioration of income inequality. Therefore, th e objective of this study is to examine the status an d characteristics of the servitization of South Kor ea economy, analyze the causes for the service industr y’s productivity slowdown and income inequality. By presenting the policy issues for securing the servi ce industry’s competition, this study attempts to d efine the policy implications to build the framework for econ omic advancement.
Integrated reporting in South Africa: some initial evidence

Purpose – This study aims to examine whether the integrated reports prepared in accordance with the King III Code of corporate governance regulation are providing the information intended of an integrated report, i.e. to communicate the “ability of an organisation to create and sustain value”. Second, it explains the behaviour of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) when responding to the regulation to publish an integrated report. The King III Code of corporate governance requires companies listed on the JSE to prepare annually an integrated report or provide reasons for not doing so. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses legitimacy theory to formulate two alternative propositions on how JSE-listed companies may disclose information relating to a number of capitals, as described by the International Integrated Reporting Committee, in response to the King III Code. Annual/integrated reports of the top 25 JSE listed companies for the years 2009/2010 and 2011/2012 are content-analysed for the presence of information on capitals. The change in the extent of disclosure of capitals is analysed using t-tests to test the propositions. Findings – The results show that the introduction of integrated reporting in South Africa has resulted in an increase in the extent of disclosure of human, social and relational, natural and intellectual capital information of the listed companies. The increment in the disclosure of social and relational capital is statistically significantly greater than the increment in the disclosure of other capitals. The findings indicate that JSE-listed companies are adopting a legitimation strategy based on symbolic management when preparing integrated reports. Practical implications – This study sheds light on the relevance of regulating corporate reporting within a setting where companies are already voluntarily reporting on social, environmental, human, intellectual and natural capital information. Findings have implications for policymakers who have mandated or considering mandating integrated reporting. To the South African policymakers, in particular, this study highlights the need for incorporating, within the listing rules, minimum requirements in relation to the nature and content of an integrated report. Originality/value – This paper provides the first initial evidence on the impact of the introduction of integrated reporting regulation, followed by limited guidance to preparers, on the nature and extent of disclosure of capitals. This study extends the work of Solomon and Maroun (2012) by explaining disclosure practices of South African-listed companies in relation to information on relational, human and intellectual capital.
Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding lymphatic filariasis: study on systematic noncompliance with mass drug administration

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics, antigenic profile, perceptions, attitudes and practices of individuals who have been systematically non-compliant in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns targeting lymphatic filariasis, in the municipality of Olinda, State of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioenvironmental demographics, perceptions of lymphatic filariasis and MDA, and reasons for systematic noncompliance with treatment. A rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) was performed during the survey to screen for filariasis. It was found that the survey subjects knew about filariasis and MDA. Filariasis was identified as a disease (86.2%) and 74.4% associated it with the presence of swelling in the legs. About 80% knew about MDA, and the main source of information was healthcare workers (68.3%). For men the main reasons for systematic noncompliance with MDA were that “the individual had not received the medication” (p=0.03) and for women “the individual either feared experiencing adverse reactions”. According to the ICT, the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis was 2%. The most important causes of systematic noncompliance were not receiving the drug and fear of side-effects. For successful implementation of MDA programs, good planning, educational campaigns promoting the benefits of MDA, adoption of measures to minimize the impact of adverse effects and improvement of drug distribution logistics are needed.
Young Child With Severe Brain Volume Loss Easily Passes the Word Memory Test and Medical Symptom Validity Test: Implications for Mild TBI

The Word Memory Test (WMT) and Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) are two commonly used free-standing measures of test-taking effort. The use of any test as a measure of effort is enhanced when evidence shows that it can be easily passed by patients with severe neurological conditions. The opportunity arose to administer the WMT and MSVT to a 9-year-old girl (referred to as CJ) with severe congenital bilateral brain tissue loss (shown via a compelling brain MRI image), chronic epilepsy, an extremely low Full Scale IQ, extremely low adaptive functioning, developmental delays, numerous severe cognitive impairments, and treatment with multiple high-dose benzodiazepines. She received extensive early intervention services and numerous academic accommodations. Despite this set of problems, CJ passed the WMT and MSVT at perfect to near perfect levels. Implications for failure on these tests among patients with known or alleged mild traumatic brain injury are discussed.
Reduction in Neonatal Mortality in Chile Between 1990 and 2000

OBJECTIVE. Our objective with this article was to describe the declining trend in neonatal mortality in Chile between 1990 and 2000 and examine potential causal factors. METHODS. Descriptive analysis of data that were provided by the Chilean Ministry of Health on all ∼2900000 births occurred in Chile between 1990 and 2000. Total neonatal mortality rates (<28 days), and birth weight–specific and gestational age–specific mortality rates from 1990 to 2000 were analyzed by year. Public health interventions that were implemented during the 1990s were reviewed to assess their potential influence on the observed trends in neonatal mortality. RESULTS. The neonatal mortality rate between 1990 and 2000 decreased from 8.3 to 5.7 per 1000 live births. This decline was not associated with decreases in the proportion of low birth weight and preterm infants but rather with declines in birth weight–specific and gestational age–specific mortality rates. Examination of the trends in birth weight–specific and gestational age–specific mortality rates showed that a marked proportional decrease in mortality rates was achieved among infants who weighed <1500 g and were delivered before 32 weeks. It is plausible, both biologically and temporally, that the observed trends in the reduction in birth weight–specific and gestational age–specific mortality rates are associated with the introduction of specific sector-wide interventions that aim to improve newborn care in very preterm and low birth weight infants. CONCLUSIONS. Important reductions in newborn mortality in developing countries are possible with the implementation of effective neonatal care interventions.
The Multilayered Peer Coaching Model and the In-Service Professional Development of Tertiary EFL Teachers

The increasing need to learn English worldwide leads to the rapid development in the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Teachers in this profession are required to reach a much higher level of professionalism now, and their in-service professional development can be an effective approach to updating their professional learning and practice. However, many existing programs for in-service professional development could not always reach their goals as expected. Therefore, this study aimed at developing and evaluating the Multilayered Peer Coaching Model (the MPC Model) for the tertiary EFL teachers to have their in-service professional development. Five phases based on the instructional system design theories were followed for developing this model, and the data for its efficiency were collected from such instruments as tests, observations, teacher’s logs, researcher’s field notes, and questionnaires which were responded by the EFL teachers and the students at Guiyang University in China. The results from this study showed that the MPC Model had positive impacts on the tertiary EFL teachers’ in-service professional development.
Use of the urine drug screen in psychiatry emergency service

Objective: This study investigates if the routine use of the urine drug screen offers any diagnostic or management benefit in the assessment and treatment of psychiatry patients in a suburban psychiatry emergency service. Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from consecutive patients 18 years and above, who presented to a large suburban hospital emergency department and had a urine drug screen ordered in the emergency department. A total of 111 patients, (with mean age of participants being 34.9 years, SD 10.2 years, minimum 18 – maximum 62 years, 62.2% (69/111) were male) met the inclusion criteria. Results: The most common drug group identified was benzodiazepines (59.5%; 66/111), followed by cannabis (40.5%; 45/111). Other drugs were identified at much lower levels, including amphetamines (9.0%; 10/111), opiates (4.5%; 5/111) and methadone (0%; 0/111). For most individuals only one drug was detected (55.9%; 62/111), with equal numbers (18.9%) with either zero or two drugs identified by a urine drug screen. Fewer patients had three drugs on a urine drug screen (5.4%; 6/111) or four (0.9%; 1/111). Conclusions: Qualitative urine drug screens provide limited additional information compared to history taking and has minimal impact on clinical management decisions in a psychiatry emergency service.
Styles of Managerial Creativity: A Comparison of Adaption‐Innovation in the United Kingdom, Australia and the Unites States1

SUMMARY Kirton has proposed that creative styles form a continuum from the most adaptive (implying a preference for solving problems through incremental improvement with the system) to the most innovative (preference for restructuring the system in order to solve the problem). This dimension of creative style has traditionally been measured by the Kirton adaption-innovation inventory (KAI), a 32-item measure that contains three factors: sufficiency vs. proliferation of originality, efficiency and rule-conformity. Studies of mid-career MBA students in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States indicate that members of the more externally orientated managerial functions (such as marketing and strategic planning) score more innovatively than more internally orientated managers (e.g. in production management, accounting and quality control). However, the research shows that within each of the major functional areas of management, relatively internally orientated and relatively externally orientated management groups can be identified; moreover, the latter score significantly more innovatively than the former. The paper discusses the relevance of these findings to the management of change in organizations (especially in view of recent claims that all managers must embrace and cope with radical and turbulent change), and for the composition and management of effective task groups. Recent criticism has alleged that abridged measures of the KAI (consisting respectively of 20 and 13 of its items) provide more coherent and orthogonal subscales, and that use of the factors comprising adaption-innovation would elucidate managerial behaviour. These propositions are tested by employing all three versions of the KAI in the analysis. The results lead to the conclusion that the three versions of the KAI produce identical results with respect to the creative styles of managerial functions and subfunctions and that the use of the subscales adds little, if anything, to our understanding of managerial creativity.
Has inflation targeting had any impact on inflation?

This paper deals with the empirical aspects of the "new" monetary policy framework, known as "inflation targeting. " Applying intervention analysis to structural time-series models, new empirical evidence is produced in the case of ten countries. These results demonstrate that in terms of its initial impact on inflation, the empirical evidence suggests that central banks that have pursued this strategy have not been successful.
Disclosure and corporate governance in developing countries: evidence from Ghana

Purpose – Following previous studies the paper seeks to use disclosure scores to examine corporate governance practices of Ghanaian listed firms. The study is motivated by the dearth of literature on corporate governance practices in the developing world despite the increasing interests in the topic in both the developed and the developing world.Design/methodology/approach – The data for the analysis are gathered from 22 listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE representing 95 percent of the Ghanaian market capitalization). The paper also examines the extent to which factors such as ownership structure, dispersion of shareholding, firm size, and leverage influence disclosure practices.Findings – Consistent with findings reported in studies from other developing countries the study finds that the level of disclosure in Ghana is low. Furthermore, ownership structure, dispersion of shareholding, and firm size (measured as total assets and market capitalization) all have significant effect on disclos.
Nordlys: A Toolkit for Entity-Oriented and Semantic Search

We introduce Nordlys, a toolkit for entity-oriented and semantic search. It provides functionality for entity cataloging, entity retrieval, entity linking, and target type identification. Nordlys may be used as a Python library or as a RESTful API, and also comes with a web-based user interface. The toolkit is open source and is available at http://nordlys.cc.
Improving orthodontic bonding to silver amalgam.

Flat rectangular tabs (n = 84) prepared from lathe-cut amalgam (ANA 2000) were subjected to aluminum oxide sandblasting or roughening with a diamond bur. Mandibular incisor edgewise brackets were bonded to these tabs using: Concise (Bis-GMA resin); one of three metal-bonding adhesives, viz., Superbond C&B (4-META resin), Panavia Ex (10-MDP Bis-GMA resin) or Geristore (composite base); and Concise after application of the intermediate resins All-Bond 2 Primers A+B, or the Scotch-Bond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) system. All specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours before tensile bond strength testing. Alignment and uniform loading during testing were secured by engaging a hook in a circular ring soldered onto the bracket slot before bonding. Similar control brackets (n = 12) were bonded with Concise to extracted caries-free mandibular incisors. Bond failure sites were classified by a modified ARI system. Mean tensile bond strengths in the experimental group ranged from 3.4 to 6.4 MPa--significantly weaker than the control sample (13.2 MPa). Bond failure generally occurred at the amalgam/adhesive interface. Superbond C&B created the strongest bonds to amalgam; according to ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple-Range test, they were significantly stronger than the bonds with Panavia Ex and Concise, with Geristore in between. However, the bond strength of Concise to sandblasted amalgam was comparable to the Superbond C&B bonds when coupled with an intermediate application of All-Bond 2 Primers A+B. The SBMP, on the other hand, was less effective. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multidetector computed tomographic cholangiography in the evaluation of potential living liver donors

Background. Lacking awareness of biliary variations causes complications in adult living donor liver transplantation. The study was performed to determine the diagnostic value of preoperative multidetector computed tomographic cholangiography (MDCT-CA). Methods. MDCT-CA after the intravenous administration of meglumine iodipamide was performed in 12 potential liver donors. MDCT angiography was added to depict the topographic relationship between biliary and vascular structures. MDCT findings were correlated with intraoperative findings (n=7). Results. MDCT-CA was diagnostic in all 12 patients. Nine patients revealed variants in biliary anatomy: drainage from liver segment four into right hepatic duct (n=4), additional segmental ducts draining into common (n=4) or left hepatic duct (n=2), and trifurcation at the upper confluence (n=1). Biliary vascular topography was variable and well depicted. Intraoperative assessment confirmed the preoperative findings. Conclusions. Variations in biliary anatomy appear to be the rule rather than the exception. MDCT-CA represents a noninvasive means for accurately assessing biliary morphology.