Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermophilic Streptomyces alkaline proteinase. I. Isolation, crystallization, and physicochemical properties.

Abstract The isolation and crystallization of thermostable alkaline proteinases (A and B) from a thermophilic Streptomyces by sulfoethyl-Sephadex and diethyl-(2-hydroxypropyl)aminoethyl-Sephadex column chromatography are described. The purified preparations were essentially homogeneous by such criteria as sedimentation analysis in the ultracentrifuge and disc electrophoresis. The physicochemical properties of the proteinase B are as follows: the molecular weight determined by gel filtration and sedimentation equilibrium, 21,500; the sedimentation coefficient, s20,w = 3.00 S; the intrinsic viscosity, [η] = 0.030 dl per g; the isoelectric point, pH 9.5; the partial specific volume, v = 0.719 ml per g; the nitrogen content, 16.3%; E1%1 cm at 280 nm, 18.2. The enzyme is composed of 210 residues of amino acid per molecule (Lys8, His3, Arg4, ½Cys1, Asp26, Thr17, Ser22, Glu10, Pro9, Gly25, Ala33, Val16, Met1, Ile10, Leu7, Tyr11, Trp5, amide-N25). The enzyme contains 1 cysteine residue, but no disulfide bond. The NH2- and COOH-terminal residues were found to be tyrosines. Optical rotatory dispersion studies showed that the enzyme was a compact globular protein having 10 to 15% α helix. The properties of the A component were largely identical with those of the B component, except for the amide content.
Entrepreneurial intention benefitting from education, training and competence: Egypt and Iran

The question is, for adults in Egypt and Iran, are education, training and competencies positively interrelated and is this human capital benefitting intention to start a business? - Data on people's human capital and intentions have been collected by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in 2008. The sample is 2,068 adults in Egypt and 2,610 adults in Iran who were not owning-managing a starting or operating business. Multivariate analyses reveal considerable effects of human capital in Egypt and Iran. Education benefits training, training during schooling benefits training after schooling, education and training largely benefit competencies such as self-efficacy and opportunity-alertness and education, training and competencies all benefit intention to start a business, but effects differ between Egypt and Iran. The study is valuable and original by demonstrating considerable effects of higher education that are channelled through training and competencies and raise performance, with generalisation from samples to adults in Egypt and Iran.
Policy Shocks, Market Intermediaries, and Corporate Strategy: 'The Evolution of Business Groups in Chile and India'

Numerous countries have undergone rapid transitions in their economic environments. Yet, little is known about firms' responses to such transitions. We use field-collected data to study the evolution of eighteen large and diversified business groups in Chile (1987-1997) and India (1990-1997). The chosen periods correspond to significant deregulation in the primary markets in both countries. Conventional wisdom suggests that the intermediation roles played by business groups ought to decrease during these periods. However, we find an increase in group scope, an increase in the strength of the social and economic ties that bind together group firms, an increase in self-reported intermediation attempts by the groups, and some evidence that these actions are associated with improvements in accounting and stock-market performance of the group affiliates. We suggest that the slow development of market intermediaries, in a manner suggested by institutional economics, and the attendant lack of reduction in transaction costs in primary markets, can explain these findings. Copyright (c) 1999 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The validity of the Antisocial Process Screening Device as a self-report measure of psychopathy in adolescent offenders.

There is a growing interest in the assessment of adolescent psychopathy to enable early treatment and intervention. Recently, a self-report measure has been developed to assess psychopathic traits in adolescents. The Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD), a self-report measure of psychopathic traits, and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV), a clinical rating scale, were administered to a sample of 100 incarcerated male adolescent offenders to assess the concurrent validity of the APSD. Results indicated that the APSD had limited concurrent validity with respect to the PCL:YV and that there appears to be a method effect in the measurement of psychopathy. Thus, it appears the APSD did not assess psychopathy in a manner parallel to that of the PCL:YV.
Multi-Technology Corporations: Why They Have “Distributed” Rather Than “Distinctive Core” Competencies

Technological diversity in corporations is a driving force behind four major features of contemporary business: corporate growth; increasing RD increasing external linkage for new technologies by various means and opportunities to engage in technology-related new businesses. Corporate technological competencies are dispersed over a wider range of sectors than their production activities, and this range is increasing. Technologies are not the same as products arid must be dealt with differently. Increases in technological diversity in both companies and products challenge conventional wisdom and a number of widely accepted management concepts. This article challenges four of these notions: first, that for every company there exists a narrow set of core technological competencies on which the company should focus; second, that major new innovations are often associated with major "competence destruction;" third, that companies should not only downsize but disintegrate and out-source technological competencies just like production; and fourth, that companies should focus or specialize on a narrow set of core businesses. These notions do contain some truth, and they do apply in sonic companies in some periods of their life. However, as with any simple concept, they can be dangerous when carried to extremes
Cutaneous and Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis in Swine

A systemic vasculitis involving particularly the skin and kidneys has been recently described in swine under the name dermatitis/nephropathy syndrome. Twelve pigs with gross cutaneous lesions typical of this condition were necropsied, and morphologic, immunohistochemical, microbiologic, and epidemiologic characteristics were studied. The pigs were divided into three groups comprising eight pigs with acute lesions, two with chronic lesions, and two with acute lesions kept for sequential skin biopsies. Acute skin lesions consisted of round to irregular, red to purple macules and papules that often coalesced to form large, irregular patches and plaques. With time, the lesions became covered by crusts and faded gradually, sometimes leaving scars. Characteristic distribution included the perineal area of the hindquarters, limbs, dependent parts of the abdomen and thorax, and margins of the ears. In the acute phase of the disease, necrotizing and leucocytoclastic vasculitis of small-caliber blood vessels were observed within the dermis and panniculus and in various extracutaneous locations such as the renal pelvis and synovial membranes. All pigs had macroscopic evidence of pneumonia and generalized lymphadenopathy. Microscopically, they had interstitial pneumonia and perivascular cuffing of mononuclear cells in various tissues including skin. The presence of immunoglobulins and complement was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in and around necrotic vessels of the skin in the early stages. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (PRRSV) antigens were detected by immunohistochemistry in macrophages located around vessels of the tissues examined (skin and kidneys) in acute and chronic cases. PRRSV RNA was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in lung and spleen homogenates from all pigs. The PRRSV was isolated in cell culture from 11 of the pigs. These findings suggest that PRRSV infection may play a role in the pathogenesis of this systemic vascular disease of swine.
Intrinsically Worthless Objects as Media of Exchange: Experimental Evidence

This article reports results from an experiment that examines whether an intrinsically worthless, "token" object serves as a medium of exchange in a laboratory implementation of Kiyotaki and Wright's search model of money. The theory admits Nash equilibria in which the token object is or is not used as a medium of exchange. We find that subjects nearly always offer to trade for the token object when such a trade lowers their storage costs. However, subjects frequently refuse to offer to trade the token object for more costly-to-store goods when the theory predicts they should make such trades. Copyright Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Thougth-Shape Fusion Questionnaire

The objectives of the study were to analyze the psychometric properties, factor structure and internal consistency of the Spanish version of the Thought-Shape Fusion Questionnaire (TSF-Q), as well as to determine its validity by evaluating the relationship of the TSF-Q to different instruments. Two groups were studied: one comprising 146 patients with a diagnosis of anorexia (n = 82), bulimia (n = 33) or unspecified eating disorder (n = 31), and another group of 115 undergraduates with no history of psychological disorder. All participants completed the TSF-Q, TAF-Q, EDI-2, STAI, BDI and SCL-90-R. Differences in TSF-Q scores between the diagnostic subgroups were also analyzed. Two factors were obtained which coincided with the two sections indicated by the authors of the questionnaire: conceptual and interpretative. The internal consistency of the TSF-Q and its subscales was determined by means of Cronbach's alpha, with values ranging between . 93 and . 96. The correlations with other instruments reflected adequate validity. There were no significant differences between the diagnostic subgroups. The Spanish version of the TSF-Q meets the psychometric requirements for measuring thought-shape fusion and shows adequate internal consistency and validity. Los objetivos del estudio fueron analizar las características psicométricas del Thougt-Shape Fusion Questionnaire (TSF-Q), su estructura factorial y consistencia interna, así como las relaciones del TSFQ con diferentes instrumentos para determinar su validez. Se estudiaron 146 pacientes con anorexia (n = 82), bulimia (n = 33) o trastorno de la conducta alimentaria no especificado (n = 31), y un grupo de 115 estudiantes sin antecedentes de interés psicopatológico. Todos completaron el TSF-Q, TAF-Q, EDI-2, STAI, BDI y SCL-90-R. Las diferencias en las puntuaciones del TSF-Q entre los subgrupos diagnósticos fueron también analizadas. Se obtuvieron dos factores, coincidentes con las dos secciones conceptual e interpretativa señaladas por los autores del cuestionario. La consistencia interna del TSF-Q y de sus subescalas se determinó mediante el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, que osciló entre . 93 y . 96. Las correlaciones con otros instrumentos reflejaron una adecuada validez. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los subgrupos diagnósticos. El TSF-Q, en su versión española, cubre los requisitos psicométricos para medir la fusión pensamientoforma y presenta adecuada consistencia interna, así como una adecuada validez.
Hybrid knowledge for understanding complex agri-environmental issues: nitrate pollution in Italy

Although agri-environmental policies have been launched by the European Union to mitigate environmental pollution and sustain agricultural development, there is not much understanding of how to manage the asymmetries between the objectives and the effectiveness of the implementation of the policies on local scale. The nitrate directive (ND) is an emblematic case in this context. This research focused on the role of ‘hybrid knowledge’ (scientific and local) and the process of knowledge integration in understanding the nitrate problem as an agri-environmental issue emerging from a complex set of biophysical and social factors. We conducted an integrated analysis of a case study on nitrate pollution in an intensive dairy district under Mediterranean conditions. A participatory action research approach was applied to elicit stakeholders’ knowledge and perspectives and to create new learning spaces among farmers, researchers and policy makers at case study scale. We explored the effectiveness of social learning triggered due to participatory field experiments, by bringing together stakeholders to generate new ‘hybrid knowledge’ for agri-environmental sustainability. The dramatic shift from the initial defensive position of farmers to an agreement on concerted actions proved that the integration between local and scientific knowledge may contribute to an increase in the effectiveness of the ND.
State-Wide Middle Level Implementation: Lessons Learned

Abstract This paper examines the progress of one state in implementing the middle school concept. Results of a survey distributed in 1990 were compared to results of a similar survey distributed in the spring of 2004. Progress or the lack thereof has been noted. Implications from this survey can serve to heighten awareness and continue to improve the quality of middle level education.
Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of caregivers regarding children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among Arabic and Vietnamese-speaking communities in Sydney, Australia

Objective. The aim of this study was to inform the design of a culturally appropriate health communication campaign addressing exposure of young children to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) in homes and cars, targeted at caregivers of children aged 0–6 years in the Arabic and Vietnamese-speaking communities in Sydney, Australia. Design. Nine focus groups (five Arabic and four Vietnamese) were conducted by qualified bilingual facilitators, recorded, transcribed, then translated and analysed qualitatively. Results. Results revealed concerning levels of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding children's exposure to ETS. A poor understanding existed regarding what constituted passive smoking and the severity and extent of harm that ETS has on children. Smoking attitudes and behaviours described were not always consistent with the concern expressed about children's vulnerability to smoke. Initial changes in smoking patterns at home since the arrival of children were not always sustained. Despite awareness of the harm caused by smoking in the presence of their children, some caregivers continued to smoke in closed environments. Others felt it was sufficient protection to smoke in another room, with doors and/or windows open or by ensuring that visible smoke did not reach the child directly, whilst some smoked in the home or car only when children were not present. Smoking attitudes and behaviours in the presence of children were influenced by cultural and social norms associated with smoking. The desire to be sociable and hospitable often superseded concerns for children's health. Conclusion. The findings suggest that an effective communication campaign focusing on ETS and children in the Arabic and Vietnamese-speaking communities in Sydney should attempt to address knowledge deficits regarding ETS, as well as tackling entrenched culturally related attitudes and behaviours associated with smoking which are strongly linked to sociability and hospitality.
Incorporating Risk in Production Analysis

Risk is the farmer's perennial problem. Unfortunately, agricultural economists have made little progress in analyzing or measuring production risk in ways that provide useful information for farm management. Therefore, it is fair to say that the social returns to existing research on production risk are probably low. It is from this perspective that I will discuss incorporating risk in production analysis. My purpose is not to survey the literature or to catalog all the ways risk concepts have been incorporated in production models. Rather, I intend to evaluate critically some of the basic concepts and approaches in the literature, and to indicate the directions I believe research must take to arrive at a paradigm for incorporating risk in production analysis that could yield higher social returns. In my view the conventional conceptual framework used for risk analysis has not led agricultural economists to ask the most important questions about the effects risk has on agricultural decision making. The extension of the static neoclassical production model to incorporate price and production uncertainty has led agricultural economists to rationalize observed behavior in terms of the Arrow-Pratt risk aversion concept. This approach has led in turn to qualitative comparative static theorems which are appealing to theorists but have little relation to the decision problems farmers face. To increase the relevance of their models and methods, I believe agricultural economists need to understand specifically how risk affects agricultural production. This in turn will suggest how risk affects agricultural decision making and why farmers are or should be concerned with it. My analysis of these issues leads me to discount the hypothesis that risk matters primarily because of the psychic disutility it causes. Rather, I hypothesize that risk matters primarily because production is a dynamic phenomenon and, therefore, production and price uncertainty affect expected productivity and expected income. I hypothesize that these firstorder effects are why farmers are and should be concerned with risk. The analysis of dynamic, uncertain models shows that farmers' optimal decisions are affected by risk, whether they are "risk neutral" or "risk averse. " This suggests that dynamic, risk-neutral models may be more useful than conventional static, risk-averse models for understanding the role production risk plays in farm management.
Stress, song and survival in sparrows

The stress response—increases in circulating glucocorticoids following a stressor—is typically considered adaptive, but few studies address the fitness consequences of individual variation in stress response. Generally, due to negative consequences of prolonged elevation of glucocorticoids, animals should have a transient stress response just sufficient to cope with the stressor. In rodents, stress responsiveness is affected by early developmental experience, and hyper-responsiveness to stress is linked to morbidity and mortality. We assessed individual variation in stress responses in free-living song sparrows, Melospiza melodia, in relation to fitness-related measures including song and overwinter survival. Birds with greater increases in corticosterone 30 min following restraint stress were less likely to return to breed the following year. Stress responsiveness was also correlated with song complexity: males with fewer syllables in their song repertoires had greater stress reactivity. Our findings support the hypothesis that developmental stressors both impair song development and affect the adult stress response. Thus, individual variation in the stress response may relate to variation in fitness.
Arteriovenous Cross‐Flow Flap in Rats: A Novel Skin Flap

&NA; Angiosomes are blocks of tissues, composed of the integument and underlying deep structures, supplied and drained by a named artery and its accompanying vein. The purpose of the current study is to describe a new principle, which allows extension of the territory of an angiosome into the adjacent angiosome, thus enabling the creation of a large skin flap (arteriovenous cross‐flow flap). Epigastric skin flaps, measuring 8×8 cm, were raised in 30 Sprague‐Dawley male rats. In group A (single‐pedicle flap), the flaps were based on the epigastric artery and vein on the ipsilateral side, and the contralateral pedicle was divided. In group B (cross‐flow flap), the epigastric vein on the ipsilateral side and the epigastric artery on the contralateral side of the flap were divided. In group C (skin graft), the vascular pedicles were divided bilaterally. A definitive assessment was made on the seventh day. Digital images of the flaps were analyzed using an imaging software and the areas of skin survival and necrosis were determined. Lead oxide microangiogram was performed in another set of flaps both acutely and 1 week after flap elevation. The percent survival flap area in group A was 69.94, in group B was 89.07, and in group C was 13.00. All the groups are statistically different, with a p value < 0.001. The microangiograms showed striking differences in the vascular pattern in the cross‐flow and the single‐pedicle flaps. It is clearly demonstrated that the arteriovenous cross‐flow flaps have increased survival of skin when compared with the conventional axial‐pattern flaps. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 100: 1218, 1997.)
Judicial Incentives and Performance at Lower Courts: Evidence from Slovenian Judge-Level Data

Abstract Empirical studies of judicial behavior using judge-level data are scarce and almost exclusively focused on higher court judges in the U.S. The majority of disputes in any legal system, however, are adjudicated by lower court judges and conclusions about judicial behavior from one legal system cannot be generalized to other legal systems. This paper draws on unique judge-level data to study judicial performance at lower courts in Slovenia, a post-socialist member state of the European Union struggling with implementation of an effective judicial system. We first examine the determinants of judicial productivity and elucidate the role of a judge’s demographic characteristics, education, experience, salary, promotion concerns, and case specialization. We then explore the possible tradeoff between the quantity and the quality of judicial case resolution, shedding light on the benefits and costs of those legal reform measures that aim to increase judicial productivity in Slovenian lower courts.
Brazilian Hospital Employee Perceptions of the BSC

ABSTRACT This article discusses the relevance of the use of balanced scorecards (BSCs) in two Brazilian hospitals. The academic criticisms of BSCs were aggregated into 23 topics and presented to a sample of employees from two hospitals, one public and one private. This led to three sets of results: (1) according to respondents, the BSC is applicable to hospitals; (2) employee perception of the BSC's impact on the operations of these hospitals was generally positive and the BSC has allowed them to fix typical management issues, contributing to greater employee participation in strategic management; (3) several BSC criticisms were not rejected while two were accepted: the difficulty of establishing goals and the persistence of traditional budgetary processes. Thus, contrary to part of the technical literature, the BSC was found to be a robust tool because it was considered useful, despite its imperfections.