Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The oxygenation of the atmosphere and oceans

The last 3.85 Gyr of Earth history have been divided into five stages. During stage 1 (3.85–2.45 Gyr ago (Ga)) the atmosphere was largely or entirely anoxic, as were the oceans, with the possible exception of oxygen oases in the shallow oceans. During stage 2 (2.45–1.85 Ga) atmospheric oxygen levels rose to values estimated to have been between 0.02 and 0.04 atm. The shallow oceans became mildly oxygenated, while the deep oceans continued anoxic. Stage 3 (1.85–0.85 Ga) was apparently rather ‘boring’. Atmospheric oxygen levels did not change significantly. Most of the surface oceans were mildly oxygenated, as were the deep oceans. Stage 4 (0.85–0.54 Ga) saw a rise in atmospheric oxygen to values not much less than 0.2 atm. The shallow oceans followed suit, but the deep oceans were anoxic, at least during the intense Neoproterozoic ice ages. Atmospheric oxygen levels during stage 5 (0.54 Ga–present) probably rose to a maximum value of ca 0.3 atm during the Carboniferous before returning to its present value. The shallow oceans were oxygenated, while the oxygenation of the deep oceans fluctuated considerably, perhaps on rather geologically short time-scales.
Affective Influences on Judgments and Behavior in Organizations: An Information Processing Perspective

This article reviews and integrates recent research in experimental social psychology and organizational behavior demonstrating the pervasive influence that affective states or moods have on judgments, decision making, and behavior in organizations. An information processing theory, the Affect Infusion Model (AIM) is described that can account for many of the empirical findings and also provides a promising theoretical base for future research in this area. The article reviews a range of experimental and applied studies consistent with the predictions of this model, demonstrating the role of information processing strategies in moderating affective influences on organizational behavior. Specifically, we discuss the influence of affect on such work-related behaviors as worker motivation, creativity and performance, interpersonal judgments and communication, performance appraisal judgments and selection interviews, organizational spontaneity, employee flexibility and helpfulness, absenteeism, and bargaining and negotiation behaviors. The implications of the information processing approach for understanding the influence of affect on organizational behaviors are discussed, and we argue for the greater integration of affect into contemporary theorizing and research in organizational settings.
The Impact of Information Systems Investment and Management on Business Performance in Greece

The impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) investment on business performance has been a major research subject for long time. Until the mid 1990s there was little empirical evidence of a positive and statistically significant relation between ICT investment and business performance (ICT Productivity Paradox). Subsequent research, conducted mainly in a few highly developed countries, provided some empirical evidence of a statistically significant positive contribution of ICT investment to some measures of business performance, which increases if ICT investment is complemented by ’co-investments’ that create some complementary ‘intangible assets’, such as new work practices, business processes, organizational structures and skills. In this paper is presented the first study of the impact of information systems (IS) investments on business performance in Greece, based on firm-level data collected through a questionnaire-based survey in cooperation with the Federation of Greek Industries. In this study we also examine whether there is complementarity between IS investment and a set of IS management factors. It is concluded that in Greece IS spending by firms as a percentage of their sales revenue is lower than in the highly developed countries. Also, using econometric models based on the Cobb Douglas production function, we conclude that IS investments in Greece make a positive and statistically significant contribution to firm output and labour productivity, but not to the return on assets. Moreover it was found that the average marginal productivities of ICT capital and ICT labour expenses in Greece are higher than in the highly developed countries; also they are much higher than the average marginal productivities of the non-ICT capital and the non-ICT labour expenses respectively. Finally it was found that there is complementarity between IS investment and the examined set of IS management factors with respect to firm output and labour productivity; therefore the combination of IS investment with these IS management factors results in additional increase of firm output and labour productivity beyond the individual effect of IS investment.
Modelling perceived corporate citizenship and psychological contracts: A mediating mechanism of perceived job efficacy

Corporate citizenship presented by a business organization is important for eventually improving its employees' anticipations about their responsibilities in an employment exchange relationship with the organization (i.e., psychological contracts). This study examines both direct and indirect effects of perceived corporate citizenship on psychological contracts and their key mediator. In the proposed model herein, transactional and relational contracts are affected by four dimensions of perceived corporate citizenship directly and indirectly through the mediation of job self-efficacy. Empirical testing using a survey of personnel from 20 high-tech corporations fully or partially supports eight of our nine hypothesized model paths. Finally, managerial implications and limitations of our findings are discussed.
Turbulence-Flame Interactions in Type Ia Supernovae

The large range of time and length scales involved in Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) requires the use of flame models. As a prelude to exploring various options for flame models, we consider in this paper high-resolution, three-dimensional simulations of the small-scale dynamics of nuclear flames in the supernova environment in which the details of the flame structure are fully resolved. The range of densities examined, (1–8) × 107 g cm−3, spans the transition from the laminar flamelet regime to the distributed burning regime where small-scale turbulence disrupts the flame. The use of a low Mach number algorithm facilitates the accurate resolution of the thermal structure of the flame and the inviscid turbulent kinetic energy cascade, while implicitly incorporating kinetic energy dissipation at the grid-scale cutoff. For an assumed background of isotropic Kolmogorov turbulence with an energy characteristic of SNe Ia, we find a transition density between 1 and 3 × 107 g cm−3, where the nature of the burning changes qualitatively. By 1 × 107 g cm−3, energy diffusion by conduction and radiation is exceeded, on the flame scale, by turbulent advection. As a result, the effective Lewis number approaches unity. That is, the flame resembles a laminar flame but is turbulently broadened with an effective diffusion coefficient, DT ∼ u′l, where u′ is the turbulent intensity and l is the integral scale. For the larger integral scales characteristic of a real supernova, the flame structure is predicted to become complex and unsteady. Implications for a possible transition to detonation are discussed.
Incidence of AD in African-Americans, Caribbean Hispanics, and Caucasians in northern Manhattan

Objective: To compare the incidence rates for AD among elderly African-American, Caribbean Hispanic, and white individuals and to determine whether coincident cerebrovascular disease contributes to the inconsistency in reported differences among ethnic groups. Methods: This was a population-based, longitudinal study over a 7-year period in the Washington Heights and Inwood communities of New York City. Annual incidence rates for AD were calculated and compared by ethnic group, and cumulative incidence adjusted for differences in education, diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors, and stroke was calculated. Results: The age-specific incidence rate for probable and possible AD was 1.3% (95% CI, 0.8 to 1.7) per person-year between the ages of 65 and 74 years, 4.0% (95% CI, 3.2 to 4.8) per person-year between ages 75 and 84 years, and 7.9% (95% CI, 5.5 to 10.5) per person-year for ages 85 and older. Compared to white individuals, the cumulative incidence of AD to age 90 years was increased twofold among African-American and Caribbean Hispanic individuals. Adjustment for differences in number of years of education, illiteracy, or a history of stroke, hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes did not change the disproportionate risks among the three ethnic groups. Conclusion: The incidence rate for AD was significantly higher among African-American and Caribbean Hispanic elderly individuals compared white individuals. The presence of clinically apparent cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease did not contribute to the increased risk of disease. Because the proportion of African-American and Caribbean Hispanic individuals reaching ages 65 and older in the United States is increasing more rapidly than the proportion of white individuals, it is imperative that this disparity in health among the elderly be understood.
Workplace spirituality and stress: evidence from Mexico and US

Purpose - – The purpose of this article is to study the relationship between three dimensions of workplace spirituality (inner life, meaningful work and sense of community) and work stress in Mexico and the USA. Design/methodology/approach - – Structural equation modeling was used as the statistical tool. The technique for conducting the analysis was partial least squared. The total sample size consisted of 304 individuals from both countries. Findings - – Results show that for both countries, inner life and sense of community were found to be insignificant. However, meaningful work was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with work stress for both countries. Results suggest that in both countries, when employees conduct meaningful activities, they perceive less stress. Research limitations/implications - – For the US sample, an important percentage of individuals were part-time workers. This could have an effect on the perception of workplace spirituality and work stress because the employees do no spend enough time in the workplace. Second, compared to Mexico, the majority of the US sample was collected in the southern part of the country. Practical implications - – Results can provide guidance for human resources managers and business specialists to understand the importance of conducting meaningful activities at work to control, manage and prevent stress at work. For instance, rotation at work of employees could be a potential technique for stress reduction. Originality/value - – This study contributes by studying samples from two different countries. In addition, it seeks to understand the relationship between workplace spirituality and work stress.
The response of the Finnish man to vasectomy

Altogether 112 Finnish males (aged 25 - 67 years) participated in the present research. Of these, 35 underwent conventional and 77 no-scalpel [NS] vasectomy. All were assessed immediately before and 1 year after the vasectomy, by means of Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI], Taylor's Anxiety Scale [TAS], the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory [BDHI], and Measurement of Masculinity-Femininity [MF]. In addition, changes in angst, sexuality and somatic symptoms were rated by means of Likert scales. The men were divided on the basis of these assessments, into two groups: a psychologically vulnerable vs. a non-vulnerable group. Post surgery, the latter males experienced a greater satisfaction in regards to psychological, sexual and somatic well being as well as in their masculine self-esteem. During the experimental period scrotal discomfort was reflected in a negative change towards vasectomy. Back pain was unrelated to vasectomy technique, but correlated to the immediateness of post-vasectomy coitus. A 10-day post-vasectomy abstinence was recommended.
The intergenerational transmission of reproductive behaviour: comparative perspectives

The six papers included in this special issue of The History of the Family have been selected from the proceedings of an International Seminar on The Intergenerational Transmission of Reproductive Behavior: Comparative Perspectives in June 2011 organized by the Scientific Research Community Historical Demography in Leuven, Belgium. These papers help to fill gaps in our understanding of the nature of intergenerational continuities in reproductive processes and to assess the generalisability of earlier studies by analysing fertility (actual and preferred, and quantum and tempo) and infant mortality. A major focus of the papers is on the key period for investigating this topic, the ‘demographic transition’ – the transformation from a relatively static and moderately high fertility and mortality regime to a more modern low fertility and mortality regime occurring mainly in the nineteenth century.
Inactivation of the Gastrokine 1 gene in gastric adenomas and carcinomas

Gastrokine 1 (GKN1) plays a role in the gastric mucosal defence mechanism and may be a gastric tumour suppressor. We have investigated whether inactivation of the GKN1 gene is involved in the development and/or progression of gastric cancers. GKN1 protein expression was examined in gastric adenomas and cancer and we also analysed GKN1 mutation and epigenetic alteration, DNA copy number change and mRNA transcript expression. The effect of GKN1 on cell proliferation and death was examined in wild‐type GKN1‐transfected AGS gastric cancer cells. Reduced or loss of GKN1 expression was detected in 36 (90%) and 170 (89.5%) of 40 adenomas and 190 gastric cancers, respectively. Statistically, there was no significant relationship between altered expression of GKN1 protein and clinicopathological parameters, including depth of invasion, location and lymph node metastasis (χ2 test, p > 0.05). In western blot analysis, absence or reduced expression was found in 21 (84.0%) of 25 gastric carcinomas. No mutation was detected in gastric tumours, and hypermethylation of GKN1 gene was found in two tumours. DNA copy number and mRNA transcript of GKN1 were significantly decreased in gastric cancers. In functional analysis, AGS gastric cancer cells transfected with GKN1 wild‐type showed marked inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell death. These data suggest that inactivation of the GKN1 gene may play an important role in the development of sporadic gastric cancers, as an early event. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovation and Strategic Renewal in Mature Markets: A Study of the Tennis Racket Industry

This paper presents a study of successive new product introductions in the mature tennis racket industry. The inquiry examines novel design's important role in strategic renewal, under the assumption that innovation includes not only the development, production, and launch of new products, but also communication between firms and market. We explore this industry's transformation through the strategic actions of innovative firms and subsequent competitive contagion. A tennis racket innovation triggers competitors' imitative reactions and sways the market toward a new de facto standard when the new product launch includes marketing such as product endorsement by high-profile professional players and advertising. Our results indicate that innovators should actively manage various industry participants as an integral part of their strategic renewal efforts, especially when facing rivalry with “me-too” peers. We suggest the interface between firms and consumers as a next focus for research on strategic renewal.
Heavy work investment: Its motivational make-up and outcomes

– The present study aims to investigate the motivational correlates of two types of heavy work investment: workaholism and work engagement. Building on Higgins's regulatory focus theory, the paper examines which work goals workaholic and engaged employees pursue and which strategies they use to achieve these goals. Furthermore, the paper examines how workaholism and work engagement relate to three different work outcomes: job satisfaction, turnover intention, and job performance. , – Data from a cross-sectional survey study among 680 Dutch employees in the banking industry were analysed using structural equation modeling. , – The analyses revealed that workaholism was primarily and positively associated with having a prevention focus, whereas work engagement was primarily and positively associated with having a promotion focus. Furthermore, workaholism was negatively related to job satisfaction and job performance, and positively related to turnover intention, whereas work engagement was positively associated with job satisfaction and job performance, and negatively associated with turnover intention. Both forms of heavy work investment almost fully mediated the associations between the regulatory foci and the three work outcomes. , – The conclusions rely on self-report data, a relatively homogeneous sample, and a cross-sectional design. This may have biased our findings to some degree and does not allow inferring causal conclusions. , – The findings show that workaholic and engaged employees have different work goals and use different strategies to pursue these goals. Moreover, both forms of heavy work investment are oppositely related to work outcomes. Organizations may develop policies to reduce workaholism and to promote work engagement by influencing their employees' regulatory foci. , – The present study demonstrates that two types of heavy work investment can be distinguished, each with a unique motivational make-up and a unique pattern of work outcomes.
Cleaved NOTCH1 Expression Pattern in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Associated with NOTCH1 Mutation, HPV Status, and High-Risk Features

The Notch pathway is frequently altered in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC); however, the clinical significance of NOTCH1 dysregulation is poorly understood. This study was designed to characterize expression of the transcriptionally active NOTCH1 intracellular domain (NICD1) in HNSCCs and evaluate its association with NOTCH1 mutation status and clinical parameters. IHC for NICD1 was performed on 79 previously sequenced archival HNSCCs with known NOTCH1 mutation status. Three distinct immunohistochemical staining patterns were identified: positive/peripheral (47%), positive/nonperipheral (34%), and negative (19%). NICD1 expression was associated with NOTCH1 mutation status (P < 0.001). Most NOTCH1–wild-type tumors were peripheral (55%), whereas mutated NOTCH1 tumors were most commonly negative (47%). Nonperipheral tumors were more likely than peripheral tumors to have extracapsular spread [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 16.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.92–133.46; P = 0.010] and poor differentiation (aOR, 5.27; 95% CI, 0.90–30.86; P = 0.066). Negative staining tumors tended to be poorly differentiated (aOR, 24.71; 95% CI, 1.53–399.33; P = 0.024) and were less likely to be human papillomavirus (HPV) positive (aOR, 0.043; 95% CI, 0.001–1.59; P = 0.087). NOTCH1 mutagenesis was significantly associated with HPV status, with NOTCH1–wild-type tumors more likely to be HPV positive than NOTCH1-mutated tumors (aOR, 19.06; 95% CI, 1.31–276.15; P = 0.031). TP53 disruptive mutations were not associated with NICD1 expression or NOTCH1 mutation. In conclusion, NICD1 is expressed in three distinct patterns in HNSCC that are significantly associated with high-risk features. These findings further support a dual role for NOTCH1 as both tumor suppressor and oncogene in HNSCC. Further research is necessary to clarify the role of NOTCH1 in HNSCC and understand the clinical and therapeutic implications therein. Cancer Prev Res; 8(4); 287–95. ©2015 AACR.
The use of popular music to teach introductory economics in a live and online environment

This paper analyses how the incorporation of a music project influences final examination scores, student evaluation results, and overall attendance rates in a pre-principles economics course. The course - personal money management and consumer economics - caters to non-economics majors, primarily majoring in elementary education. While the literature in economic education has discussed using music to teach undergraduate students, nothing has been done to see how the use of this non-traditional approach influences students learning economics at a lower level. This paper makes an important contribution to this gap in the literature by comparing examination, student evaluation, and attendance results across live and online sections of the course. Evidence suggests that the incorporation of a music project linking musical lyrics to economic concepts has a positive influence on course attendance and student evaluations for courses taught in a live and online format. Changing the music project to include a segment where students write their own song lyrics has a positive influence on final examination scores.
Oral Delivery of Mycobacterium bovis BCG in a Lipid Formulation Induces Resistance to Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Mice

ABSTRACT A lipid-based formulation has been developed for oral delivery of Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. The formulated M. bovis BCG was fed to BALB/c mice to test for immune responses and protection against M. bovis infection. The immune responses included antigen-specific cytokine responses, spleen cell proliferation, and lymphocyte-mediated macrophage inhibition of M. bovis. Oral delivery of formulated M. bovis BCG to mice induced strong splenic gamma interferon levels and macrophage inhibition of virulent M. bovis compared with results with nonformulated M. bovis BCG. Formulated oral M. bovis BCG significantly reduced the bacterial burden in the spleen and lungs of mice following aerosol challenge with virulent M. bovis. Our data suggest that oral delivery of formulated M. bovis BCG is an effective means of inducing protective immune responses against tuberculosis. Lipid-based, orally delivered mycobacterial vaccines may be a safe and practical method of controlling tuberculosis in humans and animals.