Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prepareness and Attitude of Female Workers in Kwara State Towards Retirement

The study investigated the preparedness and attitude of female workers towards retirement. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to select 300 female workers from ministries, teaching service commission, tertiary institutions as well as private establishments in Kwara State. The “Preparedness and Attitude of Female Workers Toward Retirement Questionnaire” (PAFWTRQ) was administered to the respondents to collect relevant data. The t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to test five generated null hypotheses. The findings showed that there were no significant differences between and among respondents' preparation and attitude towards retirement based on religious affiliation, marital status, academic qualification and job type. Significant differences were, however, found among the female workers based on age group. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made. Amongst them are: professional counsellors in Nigeria should step up efforts at establishing their own counselling clinics where they would be able to provide assistance to serving workers on preparedness for retirement and counsellors should effectively utilize their general counselling skills through the different non governmental organizations (NGOs), women organizations and groups in enlightenment campaigns on preparedness for retirement. The Nigerian Journal of Guidance Counselling Vol. 10 (1) 2005: pp. 62-77
Brain pathology contributes to simultaneous change in physical frailty and cognition in old age.

OBJECTIVE First, we tested the hypothesis that the rate of change of physical frailty and cognitive function in older adults are correlated. Next, we examined if their rates of change are associated with the same brain pathologies. METHODS About 2,167 older adults participating in the Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project had annual clinical evaluations. Bivariate random coefficient models were used to estimate simultaneously the rates of change in both frailty and cognition, and the correlation of change was characterized by a joint distribution of the random effects. Then, we examined whether postmortem indices from deceased were associated with the rate of change of frailty and cognition. RESULTS During an average follow-up of 6 years, frailty worsened by 0.09 unit/y and cognition declined by 0.08 unit/y. Most individuals showed worsening frailty and cognition (82.8%); 17% showed progressive frailty alone and <1% showed only cognitive decline. The rates of change of frailty and cognition were strongly correlated (ρ = -0.73, p < .001). Among deceased (N = 828), Alzheimer's disease pathology, macroinfarcts, and nigral neuronal loss showed independent associations with the rate of change in both frailty and cognition (all ps < .001). In these models, demographics explained about 9% of the variation in individual rate of change in frailty, and neuropathologies explained about 8%. In contrast, demographics and neuropathologies accounted for 2% and 30%, respectively, of the variance in the cognitive decline. CONCLUSION The rates of change in frailty and cognition are strongly correlated and this may be due in part because they share a common pathologic basis.
N-Methyl d-Aspartate Receptor-mediated Bidirectional Control of Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Activity in Cortical Neuronal Cultures*

N-Methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) was examined in primary cortical cultures. Tetrodotoxin, NMDA receptor antagonists, or reduced extracellular calcium (0.1 mm) greatly decreased basal levels of phospho-ERK2, indicating that activity-dependent activation of NMDA receptors maintained a high level of basal ERK2 activation. This activity-dependent activation of phospho-ERK2 was blocked by pertussis toxin and inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase but not by inhibition of protein kinase C or cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Addition of a calcium ionophore or 100 μm NMDA decreased phospho-ERK2 in the presence of 1 mm extracellular calcium but enhanced phospho-ERK2 in 0.1 mm extracellular calcium. The reduction in basal phospho-ERK2 by 100 μm NMDA was also reflected as a decrease in phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases and serine/threonine phosphatases protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), PP2A, and PP2B did not prevent the inhibitory effect of NMDA. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, NMDA produced a bell-shaped dose-response curve with stimulation of phospho-ERK2 at 10, 25, and 50 μm NMDA and reduced stimulation at 100 μm NMDA. NMDA (50 μm) stimulation of phospho-ERK2 was completely blocked by pertussis toxin and inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and was partially blocked by a calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II inhibitor. These results suggests that NMDA receptors can bidirectionally control ERK signaling.
Exploring Individual and Contextual Antecedents of Attitudes Toward the Acceptability of Cheating and Plagiarism

The purpose of this study was to identify the relative contribution of individual and contextual predictors to students’ attitudes toward the acceptability of cheating and plagiarism. A group of 324 students from a tertiary institution in New Zealand completed an online survey. The findings indicate that gender, justice sensitivity, and understanding of university policies regarding academic dishonesty were the key predictors of the students’ attitudes toward the acceptability of cheating and plagiarism, both as agents of dishonest conduct and as witnesses of misconduct among their peers. The implications of these findings for the development of policies and initiatives in tertiary institutions are discussed.
The Effect of Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm Laser in the Treatment of Onychomycosis In Vivo

In this prospective clinical study, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser (Light Age, Inc., Somerset, NJ, USA) was used on 131 onychomycosis subjects (94 females, 37 males; ages 18 to 68 years). Mycotic cultures were taken and fungus types were detected. The laser protocol included two sessions with a one-month interval. Treatment duration was approximately 15 minutes per session and patients were observed over a 3-month time period. Laser fluencies of 14 J/cm2 were applied at 9 billionths of a second pulse duration and at 5 Hz frequency. Follow-up was performed at 3 months with mycological cultures. Before and after digital photographs were taken. Adverse effects were recorded and all participants completed “self-evaluation questionnaires” rating their level of satisfaction. All subjects were well satisfied with the treatments, there were no noticeable side effects, and no significant differences were found treating men versus women. At the 3-month follow-up 95.42% of the patients were laboratory mycologically cured of fungal infection. This clinical study demonstrates that fungal nail infections can be effectively and safely treated with Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser. It can also be combined with systemic oral antifungals providing more limited treatment time.
Multiple‐Dose Evaluation of Intravenous Hydromorphone Pharmacokinetics in Normal Human Subjects

We measured the pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone in normal volunteers given three doses of the drug (10, 20, and 40 μg/kg) as intravenous 45-s injections on different days. Concentrations of hydromorphone in plasma from serial blood samples were measured by a high‐performance liquid chromatography method specific for hydromorphone with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL. In all cases, plasma hydromorphone concentration versus time data for individual subjects were best described by a triexponential (instead of mono- or biexponential) function. Furthermore, we found that the pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone was independent of dose across the range studied. Averaged across doses, the distribution and terminal elimination half‐lives were 1.27 min (t1/2π), 14.7 min (t1/2α), and 184 min (t1/2β), respectively. Average values for systemic clearance, initial dilution volume, and steady‐state volume of distribution were 1.66 L/min (Cl), 24.4 L (Vc), and 295 L (Vdss). Our results indicate that hydromorphone pharmacokinetic parameters are linear across a fourfold range of doses that are usually employed clinically and that previously reported pharmacokinetic values for hydromorphone (based on radioimmunoassay measurements) deserve reconsideration.
School-Based Tests of the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence: Three Settings, Three Samples, Three Syllabi☆

Abstract Three studies were conducted at the middle and high school levels to assess the effectiveness of triarchically based instruction and assessment—which emphasizes analytical, creative, and practical thinking and learning skills as well as memory-oriented skills—to conventional instruction and assessment. Interventions emphasized reading in the context of instruction in language arts, math, physical sciences, social sciences, history, foreign languages, and the arts. There were 809 fifth-grade students in Study 1, 62 middle school students in Study 2, and 432 high school students in Study 3. Almost all students were from relatively lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, and they were highly diverse in terms of ethnic background. In all studies, triarchic instruction was more effective than conventional instruction in improving student reading achievement.
Continental shelf limits : the scientific and legal interface

Part A: Setting the Scene 1. Introduction 2. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 3. Legal Aspects of the Continental Shelf 4. Characteristics of Continental Margins 5. Resources of the Continental Shelf Part B: Methodology 6. Geodetic Techniques 7. Historical Methods of Positioning at Sea 8. Satellite Positioning Methods 9. Historical Methods of Depth Measurement 10. Present Day Methods of Depth Measurement 11. Interpretation of Bathymetry 12. Seismic Reflections and Refraction Methods 13. Gravity and Magnetic Methods 14. Geological Techniques 15. Data Sources, Management, and Presentation Part C: Establishing the Case 16. Initial Assessment 17. The Practical Realization of the Continental Shelf Part D: Other Issues 18. Ridge Issues 19. Deep Sea Fan Issues 20. Delimitation Issues Part E: Annexes Technical Glossary of Terms Key Provisions UNCLOS 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf Acronyms
Achieving Integrative, Collaborative Ecosystem Management

Abstract: Although numerous principles have been identified as being important for successfully integrating social and ecological factors in collaborative management, few authors have illustrated how these principles are used and why they are effective. On the basis of a review of the ecosystem management and collaboration literature, we identified eight factors important for integrative, collaborative ecosystem management—integrated and balanced goals, inclusive public involvement, stakeholder influence, consensus group approach, collaborative stewardship, monitoring and adaptive management, multidisciplinary data, and economic incentives.We examined four cases of successful ecosystem management to illustrate how the factors were incorporated and discuss the role they played in each case's success. The cases illustrate that balancing social and ecosystem sustainability goals is possible. Collaborative efforts resulted in part from factors aimed at making plans economically feasible and from meaningful stakeholder participation in ongoing management. It also required participation in monitoring programs to ensure stakeholder interests were protected and management efforts were focused on agreed‐upon goals. Data collection efforts were not all‐inclusive and systematic; rather, they addressed the ecological, economic, and social aspects of key issues as they emerged over time. Economic considerations appear to be broader than simply providing economic incentives; stakeholders seem willing to trade some economic value for recreational or environmental benefits. The cases demonstrate that it is not idealistic to believe integrative, collaborative ecosystem management is possible in field applications.
Auto/paracrine nicotinergic peptides participate in cutaneous stress response to wounding

Restoration of epidermal barrier (epithelialization), is a major component of cutaneous response to stress imposed by wounding. Learning physiologic regulation of epithelialization may lead to novel treatments of chronic wounds. The non-canonical ligands of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors SLURP (secreted mammalian Ly-6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-related proteins)-1 and -2 are produced by keratinocytes (KCs) and inflammatory cells to augment physiologic responses to non-neuronal acetylcholine, suggesting that they can affect wound epithelialization and inflammation. In this study, recombinant (r)SLURP-1 and -2 exhibited dose dependent effects on migration of cultured KCs, and monoclonal antibodies inactivating auto/paracrine SLURPs in mouse skin delayed wound epithelialization. While effects of rSLURPs on migration were opposite, with rSLURP-1 inhibiting and rSLURP-2 stimulating migration of KCs, each anti-SLURP antibody produced a negative effect on epithelialization in vivo, suggesting their more extensive than regulation of keratinocyte migration involvement in wound repair. Since inflammation plays an important role in stress response to wounding, we measured inflammation biomarkers in wounds treated with anti-SLURP antibodies. Both anti-SLURP-1 and -2 antibodies, or their mixture, caused significant elevation of wound myeloperoxidase, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα. Taken together, results of this study demonstrated that SLURP-1 slows crawling locomotion of KCs, and exhibits a strong anti-inflammatory activity in wound tissue. In contrast, SLURP-2 facilitates lateral migration of KCs, but shows a lesser anti-inflammatory capacity. Thus, combined biologic activities of both SLURPs may be required for normal stress response to skin wounding, which favors clinical trial of rSLURP-1 and -2 in wounds that fail to heal.
Sympathetic Modulation of Endothelium‐Derived Relaxing Factor

To determine whether the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is sympathetically mediated, we studied the effects of β-blockade by propranolol, ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium, or mechanical pithing on the blood pressure response to EDRF inhibition in anesthetized rats. We inhibited EDRF with 10 mg/kg of either NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMM A) or Nω-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester (L-NAME). In controls, L-NMMA and L-NAME increased blood pressure by 14±1 (p < 0.01) and 22±2 mm Hg (P < 0.01), respectively. Propranolol lowered blood pressure from 98±3 to 72±4 mm Hg without altering the response to L-NAME (Δ26±3). This response correlated with the resting blood pressure (r = 0.87; p < 0.001). Hexamethonium (25 mg/kg) lowered blood pressure from 118±6 to 85±4 mm Hg but did not change the response to L-NMMA (Δ15±1). In pithed rats, blood pressure was lowered, but the pressor response to L-NAME was unchanged. When blood pressure was returned to normotensive levels by angiotensin II, norepinephrine, or phenylephrine, L-NAME increased blood pressure by 50±2, 68±8, and 109±7 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.001). We conclude that an intact autonomic nervous system is not needed for the pressor response to EDRF inhibition. The enhanced response in pithed rats treated with vasoconstrictors may be due to removal of the buffering effect of the baroreceptors and the absence of EDRF, which would oppose vasoconstriction. The correlation between blood pressure and the L-NAME response in the propranolol group may be due to the degree of preconstriction of the peripheral arterioles or to a direct relation between blood pressure and EDRF. The greater response to EDRF synthesis inhibition observed in the rats pretreated with phenylephrine suggests that EDRF synthesis may be stimulated by α1-receptors.
Genetic Analysis of Biosurfactant Production in Ustilago maydis

ABSTRACT The dimorphic basidiomycete Ustilago maydis produces large amounts of surface-active compounds under conditions of nitrogen starvation. These biosurfactants consist of derivatives of two classes of amphipathic glycolipids. Ustilagic acids are cellobiose lipids in which the disaccharide is O-glycosidically linked to 15,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid. Ustilipids are mannosylerythritol lipids derived from acylated β-d-mannopyranosyl-d-erythritol. Whereas the chemical structure of these biosurfactants has been determined, the genetic basis for their biosynthesis and regulation is largely unknown. Here we report the first identification of two genes, emt1 and cyp1, that are essential for the production of fungal extracellular glycolipids. emt1 is required for mannosylerythritol lipid production and codes for a protein with similarity to prokaryotic glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of macrolide antibiotics. We suggest that Emt1 catalyzes the synthesis of mannosyl-d-erythritol by transfer of GDP-mannose. Deletion of the gene cyp1 resulted in complete loss of ustilagic acid production. Cyp1 encodes a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase which is highly related to a family of plant fatty acid hydroxylases. Therefore we assume that Cyp1 is directly involved in the biosynthesis of the unusual 15,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid. We could show that mannosylerythritol lipid production is responsible for hemolytic activity on blood agar, whereas ustilagic acid secretion is required for long-range pheromone recognition. The mutants described here allow for the first time a genetic analysis of glycolipid production in fungi.
A COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT COMPARISON OF GRID-CONNECTED ROOFTOP AND GROUND-BASED PV SYSTEMS

The environmental impact and total system costs have been investigated for roof-top and ground-based crystalline silicon PV systems by using environmental and cost life cycle assessment. Greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts from Balance-Of-System components are relatively small, in comparison with those of the total PV system. In-roof systems have lower impact due to credit from avoided roof tiles. With proper design of the mounting structure ground-based systems can have low impacts as well. Although large ground-based systems use larger weights of mounting structure than small roof-top systems and occupy land, they have lower prices than small-scale roof-top systems due to efficient installation and bulk purchasing.
A preliminary investigation of olfactory function in olfactory and auditory-verbal hallucinators with schizophrenia, and normal controls

Introduction. It is well established that people with schizophrenia have impaired olfactory perception. However, another olfactory abnormality that occurs in schizophrenia—olfactory hallucinations (OHs)—has received almost no attention. Methods. This preliminary study compared a small sample of olfactory (OH; n=14) and auditory-verbal (AVH; n=11) hallucinators with schizophrenia, with matched healthy controls (NC; n=21), on tests of odour detection threshold, identification, and hedonics, and bespoke tests relating to possible causes of OHs. Results. Both OH and AVH participants were equally impaired on tests of odour identification, but neither had any impairment in detection. However, although the AVH group had hedonic impairments, these were not evident in the OH and NC groups. Examination of the possible causes of OHs revealed abnormalities in olfactory habituation. In addition, we observed a far greater rate of past episodes of brief unconsciousness in the OH group. Conclusions. The presence of habituation deficits and past episodes of brief unconsciousness, and absence of olfactory affective impairment, have not been identified before as correlates of OHs, suggesting these factors may be worthy of further investigation.
New Light on the “Dark Ages”

Based on a modest sample of skeletons from northern Europe, average heights fell from 173.4 centimeters in the early Middle Ages to a low of roughly 167 centimeters during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Taking the data at face value, this decline of approximately 6.4 centimeters substantially exceeds any prolonged downturns found during industrialization in several countries that have been studied. Significantly, recovery to levels achieved in the early Middle Ages was not attained until the early twentieth century. It is plausible to link the decline in average height to climate deterioration; growing inequality; urbanization and the expansion of trade and commerce, which facilitated the spread of diseases; fluctuations in population size that impinged on nutritional status; the global spread of diseases associated with European expansion and colonization; and conflicts or wars over state building or religion. Because it is reasonable to believe that greater exposure to pathogens accompanied urbanization and industrialization, and there is evidence of climate moderation, increasing efficiency in agriculture, and greater interregional and international trade in foodstuffs, it is plausible to link the reversal of the long-term height decline with dietary improvements.
Improved Methods for Tests of Long-Run Abnormal Stock Returns

We analyze tests for long-run abnormal returns and document that two approaches yield well-specified test statistics in random samples. The first uses a traditional event study framework and buy-and-hold abnormal returns calculated using carefully constructed reference portfolios. Inference is based on either a skewnessadjusted t-statistic or the empirically generated distribution of long-run abnormal returns. The second approach is based on calculation of mean monthly abnormal returns using calendar-time portfolios and a time-series t-statistic. Though both approaches perform well in random samples, misspecification in nonrandom samples is pervasive. Thus, analysis of long-run abnormal returns is treacherous. COMMONLY USED METHODS TO TEST for long-run abnormal stock returns yield misspecified test statistics, as documented by Barber and Lyon ~1997a! and Kothari and Warner ~1997! 1 Simulations reveal that empirical rejection levels routinely exceed theoretical rejection levels in these tests. In combination, these papers highlight three causes for this misspecification. First, the new listing or survivor bias arises because in event studies of long-run abnormal returns, sampled firms are tracked for a long post-event period, but firms that constitute the index ~or reference portfolio! typically include firms that begin trading subsequent to the event month. Second, the rebalancing bias arises because the compound returns of a reference portfolio, such as an equally weighted market index, are typically calculated assuming periodic ~generally monthly! rebalancing, whereas the returns of sample firms are compounded without rebalancing. Third, the skewness bias arises because the distribution of long-run abnormal stock returns is positively skewed, * Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis. This paper was previously entitled “Holding Size while Improving Power in Tests of Long-Run Abnormal Stock Re
Cultural Factors in the Development of Temporal and Spatial Ordering.

DAVIDSON, GRAHAM R. , and KLICH, LEON Z. Cultural Factors in the Development of Temporal and Spatial Ordering. CHiLD DEVELOPMENT, 1980, 51, 569-571. 2 free-recall tasks, one involving pictures and one objects, were administered to Australian Desert aboriginal 9-16-yearolds. Aborigines, unlike "normal" Western children, generally preferred spatial over temporal recall order. There were no significant age-related trends to reproduce the temporal rather than the spatial order. There were significantly more changes from temporal to spatial order than vice versa from the pictures to the objects task, where subjects' recall orders were different on the two tasks. Results were consistent with a socioecological model of aboriginal cognitive activity.