Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Studies on the Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks on Some Selected Sedentary Farms and Trade Cattle in Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study compares the Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks on Some Selected Sedentary Farms and Trade Cattle in Adamawa State. The purposive data sampling technique was used to select 240 cattle from four locations (2-sedentary and 2 trade cattle), from Mayo Belwa, Fufore and Yola South Local Government Areas for four months periods (SeptemberDecember, 2014). Ticks were collected from half of the body of each sampled cattle using hand-picking and preserved in a sampling bottle with 10% formaldehyde. Ages of the cattle were determined using dentition method. Breed, sex, age of cattle and collection date were recorded on each sampling bottle. The samples were then transported to National Veterinary Research Institute Laboratory for identification. Ticks collected were identified using Soulsby identification key to genera and species level. The data collected were analyzed using chi-square and ttest at 0.05 confidence level. The results showed 79.0% and 94.0% prevalence for sedentary and trade cattle respectively which showed significant differences (p<0.05) while other variables (i.e breeds, sex and ages of cattle) showed no significant differences. The Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is most prevalent which also infest all breeds except white fulani, while Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma truncatus were found prevalently infesting Bunaji. Both sedentary and trade cattle suffered tick infestation and therefore needed to be controlled.
A Tale of Two CAFs: The Impact of the Electronic Common Assessment Framework

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is an electronic system for assessing children and sharing information between child welfare professionals, which is at various stages of pilot and implementation in England and Wales. Research by the authors in England (Peckover et al., 2008a, 2008b; White et al., 2008) and in Wales (Pithouse et al., 2004; Pithouse, 2006) informs this paper in order to compare CAF as implicating a number of policy ‘goods’, with CAF as a set of worker and organizational accomplishments.1 Our interest here is that in the course of implementation, policy aims have become submerged in day-to-day practice and that, analytically, there are differences between the ‘CAF of policy’ and the ‘CAF of practice’; in brief, there are, conceptually, two CAFs, the formal construct of policy and the applied CAF as constructed by multiple organizations across Wales and England, wherein there is no singular model. Indeed, we demonstrate that there are all manner of common assessment designs operating in the world of practice. Rather than rehearsing our research findings (the above sources offer an abundance), we use this opportunity to develop and synthesize our arguments about key assumptions and conceptual properties that underpin the CAF of policy and practice and which may have wider provenance in respect of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in child welfare.
Comparing regional infant death rates: the influence of preterm births <24 weeks of gestation

Objective To investigate regional variation in the registration of preterm births <24 weeks of gestation and the impact on infant death rates for English Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). Design Cohort study. Setting England. Participants All registered births (1 January 2005–31 December 2008) by gestational age and PCT (147 trusts) linked to infant deaths (up to 1 year of life). Late-fetal deaths at 22 and 23 weeks gestation (1 January 2005–31 December 2006). Main outcome measures Extremely preterm (<24 weeks) birth rate per 1000 live births and percentage of births registered as live born by PCT. Infant death rate and rank of mortality for (1) all live births and (2) live births over 24 weeks gestation by PCT. Results Wide between-PCT variation existed in extremely preterm birth (<24 weeks) rates (per 1000 births) (90% central range (0.31, 1.91)) and percentages of births <24 weeks of gestation registered as live born (median 52.6%, 90% central range (26.3%, 79.5%)). Consequently, the percentage of infant deaths arising from these births varied (90% central range (6.7%, 31.9%)). Excluding births <24 weeks, led to significant changes in infant mortality rankings of PCTs, with a median worsening of 12 places for PCTs with low rates of live born preterm births <24 weeks of gestation compared with a median improvement of four ranks for those with higher live birth registration rates. Conclusions Infant death rates in PCTs in England are influenced by variation in the registration of births where viability is uncertain. It is vital that this variation is minimised before infant mortality is used as indicator for monitoring health and performance and targeting interventions.
ON A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CONVERGENCE TO A SINGULAR MATRIX.

It was attempted, in an earlier investigation,1 to consider limiting cases of continuous groups G which are themselves groups. For this purpose, linear combinations of the infinitesimal elements I of G were formed (1) in which u was singular but the determinant |u + єw| did not vanish identically in є. It was attempted then to find the conditions for the J to remain infinitesimal operators of a group even in the limiting case є → 0. The group generated by the J in the limiting case was called a contraction of G.
Gamblers' irrational thinking about chance events: the ‘double switching’ concept

This study investigates the disparity between gamblers' reports showing rationality toward chance-governed activity and their actual behaviour while gambling on a video lottery terminal. The ‘double switching’ concept is introduced as the shift from a rational perception of gambling events (switch on) to a behavioural manifestation of irrational cognition related to gambling (switching off), and back on to a rational perception (switch on). It was hypothesised that while playing on video lottery terminals some players would behave irrationally even if, before and after playing, they report perceiving the game as a purely chance-governed activity. Results showed that most players switch off their rational beliefs when gambling, and that some of these players switch them back on after gambling. These findings open new avenues of research related to gamblers' cognitive and behavioural reactions. The theoretical and practical impacts of these results are discussed in the context of gambling education and prevention.
Structural Empowerment, Magnet Hospital Characteristics, and Patient Safety Culture: Making the Link

Nurse managers are seeking ways to improve patient safety in their organizations. At the same time, they struggle to address nurse recruitment and retention concerns by focusing on the quality of nurses' work environment. This exploratory study tested a theoretical model, linking the quality of the nursing practice environments to a culture of patient safety. Specific strategies to increase nurses' access to empowerment structures and thereby increase the culture of patient safety are suggested.
Research Commentary - Information Transparency in Business-to-Consumer Markets: Concepts, Framework, and Research Agenda

The Internet has brought about significant changes in the availability of market information in many industries. E-commerce technologies provide sellers with opportunities to design electronic mercantile mechanisms that reveal, conceal, bias, and distort market information, depending on their goals and market position (e.g., suppliers versus intermediaries). In particular, in information-intensive industries where electronic markets play an important role, many firms are using advanced technologies to put innovative strategies into play that are based on the provision of differential information to their customers. We examine the role of information transparency in electronic markets. We contend that there is an opportunity to develop research on sellers' strategies regarding information disclosure to customers and competitors. For that purpose, we develop a set of concepts and a framework to guide future research. We then propose an interdisciplinary agenda for research on the emerging and increasingly important topic of transparency strategy, which we define as the set of policies and decisions that a firm makes to disclose, conceal, bias, or distort market information.
How often do early childhood teachers teach science concepts? Determinants of the frequency of science teaching in kindergarten

The purpose of the present study was to explore how often teachers of young children teach science concepts in kindergarten and examine the factors that influence the frequency of science teaching in early years. A theoretical model of the determinants of the frequency of science teaching in kindergarten was developed and tested using a multi-level structural equation modeling. Data for this study (n = 3305) came from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten dataset, which included a nationally representative sample of US kindergarten teachers. The model tested in this study provided a good fit to the sample data. The results demonstrated that the number of science method courses that teachers completed, the availability of science related instructional materials in kindergarten classrooms, and teachers' perceptions of children's capacity for learning influence the frequency that teachers taught specific science concepts (e.g. earth and space, life, and physical science) in kindergarten. On the other hand, results indicated that teaching experience and teachers' perceptions of control over the curriculum do not influence how often early childhood teachers teach science concepts in kindergarten.
Perception of non-native phonemes in noise

We report an investigation of the perception of American English phonemes by Dutch listeners proficient in English. Listeners identified either the consonant or the vowel in most possible English CV and VC syllables. The syllables were embedded in multispeaker babble at three signal-to-noise ratios (16 dB, 8 dB, and 0 dB). Effects of signal-to-noise ratio on vowel and consonant identification are discussed as a function of syllable position and of relationship to the native phoneme inventory. Comparison of the results with previously reported data from native listeners reveals that noise affected the responding of native and non-native listeners similarly.
Chronicle: results of a randomised phase III trial in locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation randomising postoperative adjuvant capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) versus control.

BACKGROUND In stage III colon cancer, oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy (FOLFOX) improves disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). In rectal adenocarcinoma following neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), we examined the benefit of postoperative adjuvant capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) chemotherapy. METHODS Eligible patients were randomly assigned following fluoropyrimidine-based CRT and curative resection to observation or six cycles of XELOX. The primary end point was DFS; secondary end points were acute toxicity and OS. 390 patients were required in each arm, to detect an improvement in 3-year DFS from 40% to 50.5%, with 85% power and two-sided 5% significance level. RESULTS The study closed prematurely in 2008 because of poor accrual. Only 113 patients were randomly assigned to either observation (n = 59) or XELOX (n = 54). Compliance was poor, 93% allocated chemotherapy started and 48% completed six cycles. Protocolised dose reductions in XELOX were 39%, and levels of G3/G4 toxicity 40%. After a median follow-up of 44.8 months, 16 patients (27%) in the observation arm had relapsed or died compared with 12 patients (22%) in XELOX. The 3-year DFS rate was 78% with XELOX and 71% with observation [hazard ratio (HR) for DFS = 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-1.69; P = 0.56]. The 3-year OS for XELOX and observation were 89% and 88%, respectively (HR for OS = 1.18; 95% CI 0.43-3.26; P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS The observed improvement in DFS for adjuvant XELOX and similar OS were not statistically significant, as expected given the small number of patients and consequent low power. Our findings support the need for trials that test the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT00427713.
Analysis of Startle Responses in Patients with Panic Disorder and Social Phobia

The startle reflex can be modified by cognitive and affective variables. The present study investigated startle responses in 12 patients with panic disorder, 22 patients with social phobia and 15 healthy controls. The eye-blink component of the acoustic startle reflex was measured during baseline, pulse-alone, pre-pulse and fear-potentiated startle to disorder-specific threat words. Results indicated that patients with panic disorder exhibited significantly larger startle response amplitudes during baseline, pulsealone, pre-pulse and fear-potentiated trials than did healthy controls. Startle response amplitudes of patients with social phobia differed from healthy controls at effects of similar magnitude as the effects seen for patients with panic disorder, for all types of startle trials. During fear-potentiated trials, all groups exhibited largest startle amplitudes following the presentation of physical threat-related words, second largest magnitude to social threat-related words and the smallest to non-threatening words. It is recommended that future studies further examine startle response parameters in all forms of anxiety disorders.
An evaluation of transfer factor as immunotherapy for patients with lepromatous leprosy.

Abstract Transfer factor or whole lymphocytes from donors with delayed hypersensitivity to antigens of Mycobacterium leprae were employed to reconstitute delayed hypersensitivity in nine patients with anergic leprosy. Five received a mean of 4.1 X 108 lymphocytes, and four received transfer factor from equivalent cell numbers. One to six days after transfer, six of nine patients experienced erythematous indurative changes within leprous skin infiltrates that regressed by the 12th day. Simultaneously, erythema nodosum occurred in four patients, and fever and arthralgia in three. Six of seven converted from anergy to a delayed hypersensitivity response to M. leprae antigens. The seventh became skin-test positive at the "local" site of injection only, and the test reverted to negative seven days later. Two of three patients showed an increase in perivascular lymphocytic infiltration in the post-transfer skin-test biopsy site. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to M. leprae antigens can be produced, with lymp.
Linking perceived organizational support to emotional labor

Purpose – Based on two studies on different occupational groups, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and different forms of emotional labor. Drawing from social identity theory, the present study extends the social exchange theory to provide an alternate explanation to the above relationships. Design/methodology/approach – The survey design following questionnaire in English language was physically administered among medical sales employees and subsequently among employees in the hospitality industry. Findings – The study found that POS is positively related to deep acting and negatively related to surface acting. The study further found that organizational identification mediates the relationship between POS and deep acting where as there was no mediation effect of organizational identification on the relationship between POS and surface acting. Research limitations/implications – The research relies on a cross-sectional design with a si.
Differential Regulation of Human Paired Associative Stimulation-Induced and Theta-Burst Stimulation-Induced Plasticity by L-type and T-type Ca2+ Channels

Activity-dependent changes of postsynaptic Ca2+-concentration are influenced by a variety of different Ca2+-channels and play an important role in synaptic plasticity. Paired associative stimulation (PAS) and theta-burst stimulation (TBS) are noninvasive magnetic stimulation protocols used in human subjects to induce lasting corticospinal excitability changes that have been likened to synaptic long-term potentiation and long-term depression. To better characterize the Ca2+-related physiological mechanisms underlying PAS- and TBS-induced plasticity, we examined the impact of different Ca2+-sources. PAS-induced facilitation of corticospinal excitability was blocked by NMDA-receptor blocker dextromethorphan (DXM) and L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) blocker nimodipine (NDP), but turned into depression by T-type VGCC blocker ethosuximide (ESM). Although, surprisingly, static corticospinal excitability was increased by the combination of DXM and NDP, PAS-induced facilitation was blocked. TBS-induced facilitation of corticospinal excitability, which has previously been shown to be turned into depression by L-type VGCC blocker NDP (Wankerl K, Weise D, Gentner R, Rumpf J, Classen J. 2010. L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels: a single molecular switch for long-term potentiation/long-term depression-like plasticity and activity-dependent metaplasticity in humans. J Neurosci. 30(18):6197-6204. ), was blocked, but not reverted, by T-type VGCC blocker ESM. The different patterns of Ca2+-channel modulation of PAS- and TBS-induced plasticity may point to an important role of backpropagating action potentials in PAS-induced plasticity, similar as in spike-timing dependent synaptic plasticity, and to a requirement of dendritic Ca2+-dependent spikes in TBS-induced plasticity.
Political Institutions and Human Rights: Why Dictatorships Enter into the United Nations Convention Against Torture

This article addresses a puzzle: dictatorships that practice torture are more likely to accede to the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT) than dictatorships that do not practice torture. I argue the reason has to do with the logic of torture. Torture is more likely to occur where power is shared. In one-party or no-party dictatorships, few individuals defect against the regime. Consequently, less torture occurs. But dictatorships are protorture regimes; they have little interest in making gestures against torture, such as signing the CAT. There is more torture where power is shared, such as where dictatorships allow multiple political parties. Alternative political points of view are endorsed, but some individuals go too far. More acts of defection against the regime occur, and torture rates are higher. Because political parties exert some power, however, they pressure the regime to make concessions. One small concession is acceding to the CAT.For detailed suggestions, I thank Rodwan Abouharb, Emanuel Adler, Lawrence Broz, José Cheibub, David Cingranelli, Jennifer Gandhi, Geoff Garrett, Valerie Frey, Stephan Haggard, Oona Hathaway, Darren Hawkins, Stathis Kalyvas, Judith Kelley, Paul Lagunes, Jeffrey Lewis, Ellen Lust-Okar, Nikolay Marinov, Lisa Martin, Covadonga Meseguer, Layna Mosley, Louis Pauly, Daniel Posner, Kal Raustiala, Dan Reiter, Darius Rejali, Ronald Rogowski, Peter Rosendorff, Mike Tomz, Jana Von Stein, Christine Wotipka, and especially the two anonymous reviewers. I am also grateful for comments from participants at the Kellogg Institute International Political Economy Seminar at Notre Dame; the UCLA International Institute Global Fellows Seminar; the University of Southern California Center for International Studies Workshop; the UCSD Project on International Affairs Seminar; and the Emory University Globalization, Institutions, and Conflict Seminar. For support, I thank the UCLA International Institute, the ETH Zurich, and the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.
Distant Transfer in Coincident Timing as a Function of Variability of Practice

An assumption of Schmidt's schema theory is that variable practice will enhance the development of schema which will in turn facilitate transfer to situations requiring novel responses. This assumption has been supported in research with both open and closed tasks as defined by Poulton. In an open task-study the novel response was within the range of responses previously experienced by subjects. The present study using an open task concerned whether acquisition of novel responses outside the range of the subjects' past experience would be facilitated by variability of practice. The results confirmed schema theory. Subjects with variable practice showed greater transfer to a novel speed outside the range of training than subjects trained under constant practice. A generalization gradient was obtained. Further the novel conditions were from training conditions, the poorer the transfer appeared to be. However, generalization decrement was attenuated with variable practice.
Effect of scanner acoustic background noise on strict resting-state fMRI

Functional MRI (fMRI) resting-state experiments are aimed at identifying brain networks that support basal brain function. Although most investigators consider a ‘resting-state’ fMRI experiment with no specific external stimulation, subjects are unavoidably under heavy acoustic noise produced by the equipment. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of auditory input on the resting-state networks (RSNs). Twenty-two healthy subjects were scanned using two similar echo-planar imaging sequences in the same 3T MRI scanner: a default pulse sequence and a reduced “silent” pulse sequence. Experimental sessions consisted of two consecutive 7-min runs with noise conditions (default or silent) counterbalanced across subjects. A self-organizing group independent component analysis was applied to fMRI data in order to recognize the RSNs. The insula, left middle frontal gyrus and right precentral and left inferior parietal lobules showed significant differences in the voxel-wise comparison between RSNs depending on noise condition. In the presence of low-level noise, these areas Granger-cause oscillations in RSNs with cognitive implications (dorsal attention and entorhinal), while during high noise acquisition, these connectivities are reduced or inverted. Applying low noise MR acquisitions in research may allow the detection of subtle differences of the RSNs, with implications in experimental planning for resting-state studies, data analysis, and ergonomic factors.
Job stress, incivility, and counterproductive work behavior (CWB): the moderating role of negative affectivity

The current study was designed to replicate findings from previous research regarding the relationships between job stressors, negative affectivity, and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) using peer-reported data and to assess the effects of workplace incivility on employee satisfaction and CWB. Results indicate that incivility, organizational constraints, and interpersonal conflict were negatively related to job satisfaction and positively related to CWB. Support was also found for the role of negative affectivity as a moderator of the relationship between job stressors and CWB, although only one significant moderator was found using peer-reported CWB. In general, the relationships between job stressors and CWB were stronger for individuals high in negative affectivity than for individuals low in negative affectivity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.