Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualization on Spherical Displays: Challenges and Opportunities

Spherical displays offer unique characteristics that can enhance perception and provide a natural environment for geo-visualization. Recently, digital artists have begun using the curvature of these displays to create art that works with the medium. These displays are mainly used for outreach and education in public spaces such as museums and focus exhibits where researchers, journalists and artists can have a far-reaching outlet for data, information and art, dissemination and presentation. The form factor of the display is well-liked and understood by the general masses. In this paper, we focus primarily on the challenges and opportunities of the spherical display format in public and educational venues. We present critical design considerations for works created for a spherical display and provide examples from different domains
Private climate change reporting: an emerging discourse of risk and opportunity?

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the nature of the emerging discourse of private climate change reporting, which takes place in one-on-one meetings between institutional investors and their investee companies. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from 20 UK investment institutions to derive data which was then coded and analysed, in order to derive a picture of the emerging discourse of private climate change reporting, using an interpretive methodological approach, in addition to explorative analysis using NVivo software. Findings – The authors find that private climate change reporting is dominated by a discourse of risk and risk management. This emerging risk discourse derives from institutional investors' belief that climate change represents a material risk, that it is the most salient sustainability issue, and that their clients require them to manage climate change-related risk within their portfolio investment. It is found that institutional investors are using the private reporting process to compensate for the acknowledged inadequacies of public climate change reporting. Contrary to evidence indicating corporate capture of public sustainability reporting, these findings suggest that the emerging private climate change reporting discourse is being captured by the institutional investment community. There is also evidence of an emerging discourse of opportunity in private climate change reporting as the institutional investors are increasingly aware of a range of ways in which climate change presents material opportunities for their investee companies to exploit. Lastly, the authors find an absence of any ethical discourse, such that private climate change reporting reinforces rather than challenges the “business case” status quo. Originality/value – Although there is a wealth of sustainability reporting research, there is no academic research on private climate change reporting. This paper attempts to fill this gap by providing rich interview evidence regarding the nature of the emerging private climate change reporting discourse.
Assessing sustainability of faith‐based enterprises in Kenya

Purpose – This paper is concerned with sustainable development (supporting profit-making enterprises as alternatives to providing relief efforts in developing countries) of faith-based enterprises in Kenya focusing on the question of measuring social enterprises as a strategy for the developing the sector. The purpose of the paper is to review existing literature and policy experience on this topic, whilst also reporting some results from a pilot investigation, undertaken in Kenya in 2004. Design/methodology/approach – The paper used five theoretical foundations to advance discussions on sustainable social enterprises as a component of economic development in the country. Eleven social enterprise programs were selected using church networks and a series of qualitative interviews conducted to determine sustainability measures and motivations for commitment to developing such enterprises. A modified design of ethnography for listening and asking questions in the context of sociological and anthropological studies was applied. Findings – Findings show that indeed there are other important measures of social enterprises and that the faith-based organizations (FBOs) embrace the idea of supporting profit-making enterprises as alternatives to providing relief. Incubating enterprises for older project beneficiaries yields better outcomes as they tend to be more motivated to build their enterprises, while younger ones see the projects as a step to something else. Enterprises succeed in part because FBOs provide a support structure that includes marketing (local and international), micro-finance and training. The lack of monitoring and evaluation constrains the development of this emerging sector. Research limitations/implications – In view of the qualitative, in-depth nature of this research, the author recognizes that the small sample size, and the regional focus of the study, mean that the findings must be viewed in context. As a consequence, the study does not seek to generalize the findings, but rather treat the cases as individual events from which evidence and themes can be drawn. Originality/value – Whilst this is not a new topic, a number of recent trends suggest there may be greater scope for developing an understanding of social enterprises in the future than in the past. These include: a paradigm shift towards creating sustainable development programs, new sources of micro-financing and social enterprises themselves, increasing signs of micro and small enterprises internationalizing their operations rather than simply exporting from their domestic base, emergence of creative marketing networks, as well as a continued increase in globalization.
Prostaglandin E2 upregulates EGF‐stimulated signaling in mitogenic pathways involving Akt and ERK in hepatocytes

Prostaglandins (PGs) such as PGE2 enhance proliferation in many cells, apparently through several distinct mechanisms, including transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) as well as EGFR‐independent pathways. In this study we found that in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes PGE2 did not induce phosphorylation of the EGFR, and the EGFR tyrosine kinase blockers gefitinib and AG1478 did not affect PGE2‐stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In contrast, PGE2 elicited EGFR phosphorylation and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐sensitive ERK phosphorylation in MH1C1 hepatoma cells. These findings suggest that PGE2 elicits EGFR transactivation in MH1C1 cells but not in hepatocytes. Treatment of the hepatocytes with PGE2 at 3 h after plating amplified the stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis of EGF administered at 24 h and advanced and augmented the cyclin D1 expression in response to EGF in hepatocytes. The pretreatment of the hepatocytes with PGE2 resulted in an increase in the magnitude of EGF‐stimulated Akt phosphorylation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and kinase activity, including an extended duration of the responses, particularly of ERK, to EGF in PGE2‐treated cells. Pertussis toxin abolished the ability of PGE2 to enhance the Akt and ERK responses to EGF. The results suggest that in hepatocytes, unlike MH1C1 hepatoma cells, PGE2 does not transactivate the EGFR, but instead acts in synergism with EGF by modulating mitogenic mechanisms downstream of the EGFR. These effects seem to be at least in part Gi protein‐mediated and include upregulation of signaling in the PI3K/Akt and the Ras/ERK pathways. J. Cell. Physiol. 214: 371–380, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parents and adolescents discuss gambling advertising: A qualitative study

Since 2011, Australia has witnessed a rapid increase inthe amount of gambling advertising for some forms ofgambling products in community spaces. Most obviouslyhas been the proliferation of advertising for wageringproducts within professional sport. Concern has beenraised from the community, academics and governmentsabout this specific type of advertising, with questionsraised about the long and short term effect on thegambling attitudes and behaviours of some populationsubgroups – in particular young men and children.
Cucurbitacins from the Leaves of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad

Two new tetracyclic cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of Citrullus colocynthis leaves together with four known cucurbitacins. Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data (mainly NMR and mass spectrometry). Evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds against two human colon cancer cell lines (HT29 and Caco-2) and one normal rat intestine epithelial cell line (IEC6), revealed that one of the isolated compounds presented interesting specific cytotoxic activity towards colorectal cell lines.
Association between common variants near the melanocortin 4 receptor gene and severe antipsychotic drug-induced weight gain.

CONTEXT Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are increasingly used in the treatment of many psychotic and nonpsychotic disorders. Unfortunately, SGAs are often associated with substantial weight gain, with no means to predict which patients are at greatest risk. OBJECTIVE To identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with antipsychotic drug–induced weight gain. DESIGN Pharmacogenetic association study. SETTING The discovery cohort was from a US general psychiatric hospital. Three additional cohorts were from psychiatric hospitals in the United States and Germany and from a European antipsychotic drug trial. PARTICIPANTS The discovery cohort consisted of 139 pediatric patients undergoing first exposure to SGAs. The 3 additional cohorts consisted of 73, 40, and 92 subjects. INTERVENTION Patients in the discovery cohort were treated with SGAs for 12 weeks. Additional cohorts were treated for 6 and 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We conducted a genomewide association study assessing weight gain associated with 12 weeks of SGA treatment in patients undergoing first exposure to antipsychotic drugs. We next genotyped 3 independent cohorts of subjects assessed for antipsychotic drug-induced weight gain. RESULTS Our genome-wide association study yielded 20 single-nucleotide polymorphisms at a single locus exceeding a statistical threshold of P<10(-5). This locus, near the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene, overlaps a region previously identified by large-scale genome-wide association studies of obesity in the general population. Effects were recessive, with minor allele homozygotes gaining extreme amounts of weight during the 12-week trial. These results were replicated in 3 additional cohorts, with rs489693 demonstrating consistent recessive effects; meta-analysis revealed a genome-wide significant effect (P=5.59 X 10 (-12). Moreover, we observed consistent effects on related metabolic indices, including triglyceride, leptin, and insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS These data implicate MC4R in extreme SGA-induced weight gain and related metabolic disturbances. A priori identification of high-risk subjects could lead to alternative treatment strategies in this population.
Rights Offerings and Expropriation by Controlling Shareholders

We investigate rights issues and open offers in Hong Kong. We observe that the greater the severity of firms’ management-agency problems, the more unfavourably shareholders tend to react, leading to more negative cumulative abnormal returns or rights forfeiture. Controlling shareholders do not forfeit rights, and may increase their percentage ownership at deep price discounts by underwriting rights offerings. Our results suggest that, although certain rights offerings can be described as value-enhancing, many other rights offerings closely resemble the expropriation activities of controlling shareholders.
REVIEW ARTICLE: Theories of noise and vibration transmission in complex structures

Theories for analysing the vibrational behaviour of complex structures are examined, parallels being drawn with several other areas of physics in which problems of wave propagation in inhomogeneous media are studied. There are three main stages to the investigation. First, the response to random driving of a single, essentially homogeneous, system is examined. The second, and much more detailed, discussion concerns energy transport between discrete coupled subsystems. In particular, the authors investigate an approach to this problem which is known as statistical energy analysis. The third main topic is the phenomenon of Anderson localisation as it applies to certain problems of sound and vibration transmission-the phenomenon is much better known in the field of solid-state physics. Applications of it to vibration are of interest in themselves, and also shed light on the theoretical basis of statistical energy analysis, which is a diffusive transport theory.
Earnings management as a predictor of future profitability of Finnish firms

This study investigates whether the level of current earnings management can be used to predict future profitability of Finnish firms. Earnings management is assumed to predict future profitability, because firms use discretional accruals to manage this year's earnings upwards/downwards, if they believe that the next year's earnings will be high/low. Finnish data are used because the extent of the earnings management can be directly measured from the published Finnish financial statements. The results indicate that the lagged earnings management is significantly related to the future profitability of a firm. The lagged earnings management also contains incremental information relative to past profitability or stock prices when predicting future profitability.
[Renal disease as a cardiovascular risk factor].

An estimated 10% of the American population has some degree of renal disease, although asymptomatic. In Brazil, no data are available on the prevalence of chronic renal disease. A number of studies show a direct and close relationship between the degree of renal dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk. This increased CVD risk, despite being maximal in end-stage renal failure, begins to be noticed with slight declines in renal function. In addition, the presence of renal injury, even with normal renal function, evidenced by proteinuria or microalbuminuria, is also a potent CVD risk factor. At present, the primary causes of renal disease are diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephrosclerosis, accelerated by cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia. Hence, increased CVD risk in patients with chronic kidney disease may be secondary to the accumulation of these classical risk factors; however, frequency of CVD events in these patients is higher than that predicted by equations that take into account such classical factors. Therefore, there may be mechanisms intrinsic to renal lesion capable of accelerating systemic atherosclerosis. Accordingly, uremic toxicity itself, increased oxidative stress, change in the coagulation cascade, changes in lipid levels and hypervolemia are involved in the genesis of early atherosclerosis in patients with chronic kidney disease. It is incumbent on clinicians, nephrologists, hypertension specialists, and cardiologists to identify these patients through urinalysis, serum creatinine measurement, and microalbuminuria screening in order to reduce, through intensive treatment, to revert at least in part, the high CVD risk of that diseased portion of the population.
Determinants of women participation in food crop marketing in Abia State, Nigeria.

This study has it objectives as to describe the types of crops marketed by the women; to determine the factors that influence women participation in marketing of food crops in the study area and make recommendations based on the findings. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed in the study. First, two Local Government Areas were selected from each of the three agricultural zones, this was followed by the random selection of twenty respondents from the selected Local Government Areas, bringing the total number of respondents to a hundred and twenty. Descriptive statistics and the probit model were used in analyzing the data collected from a set of questionnaire administered on the respondents selected. The results of the analysis showed that cassava, maize, water yam, sweet potatoes and cocoyam were the major food crops marketed by the women. The probit results indicate that age, experience, output, source of capital and source of labour were significant at different probability levels and with different signs. The study recommended that sources of income whether formal or informal sources should be made more accessible to women, amongst other things.
''I Think Home is More than a Building'': Young Home(less) People on the Cusp of Home, Self and Something Else

This paper explores research undertaken with young home(less) people in Sydney in which I specifically pursue ideas of home and belonging in the inner city. In a context in which young home(less) people are seen to 'lack' both identity and place, the responses of young people indicate the fragility and importance of relations of space and self.
Immunologic and virologic responses to HAART in severely immunocompromised HIV-1-infected children.

OBJECTIVE To determine the long-term immunologic and virologic effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in children with AIDS. DESIGN A prospective observational study. SETTING Two pediatric HIV clinics. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-five protease-inhibitor naive HIV-infected children (aged 2-18 years) with advanced disease (CD4 < or =6%). INTERVENTION HAART (one protease inhibitor and one or more nucleoside analogs). Diphtheria and tetanus immunization in six patients after 18 months of therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Changes in percentage of CD4 cells and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels; post-treatment assays of lymphoproliferative responses to recall antigens; CD4 cell memory phenotype. RESULTS Median duration of follow-up was 18.8 months (range, 7.5-28 months). At baseline the CD4 cell percentage was 2% (range, 0-6%), this increased significantly to 16% (range, 3-48%) above baseline at 12 months (P = 0.002). The mean maximum CD4 cell increase was 20.7% (range 4-48%) which corresponds to 657x10(6) cells/l (range, 30-2240x10(6) cells/l) above baseline. By contrast, the median viral load was not significantly lower at 12 months than at baseline (P = 0.34), and only 25% of the patients had sustained undetectable viral load. Of the reconstituted CD4 cells 70% were naive, and none of the subjects had lymphoproliferative responses to tetanus and diphtheria although 40% did develop responses to Candida, an environmental antigen. A single immunization with diphtheria and tetanus toxoid produced lymphoproliferative responses to tetanus in three out of six patients. CONCLUSIONS HAART was associated with sustained increases in CD4 cell counts, despite a high incidence of 'virologic failure'. CD4 counts and the proportion of naive cells were higher than have been reported in adults, which may be a reflection of greater thymic activity in children. Memory cell clones for antigens encountered in the past which are not prevalent before therapy could not be expanded without additional antigenic exposure.
Substance misuse and risk of aggression and offending among the severely mentally ill

Background The aim of this study was to investigate whether ‘dual diagnosis' (substance misuse and severe mental illness) is associated with aggression and offending. Method Twenty-seven people meeting the criteria for both psychotic illness and a substance use disorder and 65 people with psychosis only were interviewed. Case notes were also examined and key workers asked to rate substance misuse and aggression. Results The severity of aggression and offending among this community treatment sample was low. Individuals with a dual diagnosis were significantly more likely than those with psychosis only to report any history of committing an offence (P=0.001), or recent hostile behaviour (P=0.001). Keyworkers were more likely to report recent aggression among the dually diagnosed (P=0.01). Significant differences persisted when we used logistic regression to control for potentially confounding demographic and clinical variables. Conclusions Dual diagnosis may be an important factor in aggression and offending among severely mentally ill individuals in inner-city areas. Accurate risk assessment requires examination of substance use.
A GRAVITY STUDY OF THE PROPOSED CHINA-ASEAN FREE TRADE AREA

The proposed China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) has drawn much interest both at the regional and international level. This interest is justified given the recent surge in regional trade agreements. The implications the FTA will have for the less developed economies of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (the CLMV economies) are of concern. How would trade between the integrating area and the rest of the world be affected? Will there be net trade creation or net trade diversion effects? What trading partners are likely to loose or gain following formation of the FTA in 2010? These are some of the issues that this article addresses by way of the Gravity Model of trade.
Real Effects of Uniformity in Accounting Measurement: A Common Understanding

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the effect of uniformity in accounting measurement on value enhancing coordination in the presence of strategic uncertainty. We use a setting where two agents have differential information due to non-uniform accounting structures about the gains from coordinated investment, and derive equilibrium predictions that coordination is expected to occur when each agent's behavior relies only upon their own beliefs of the fundamental uncertainty, while higher-order iterative reasoning of beliefs prevents coordination and wealth creation. Our experimental design allows us to control for various behavioral phenomena and examine participants' decisions across different accounting regimes as to isolate the coordination effect of strategic uncertainty resulting from non-uniform accounting measurement. Our results suggest that when both fundamental and strategic uncertainty arises from non-uniform accounting measurement, participants behave as if they exercise higher-order iterative reasoning, albeit only to a limited degree, that can potentially cause breakdown of welfare enhancing coordination. Therefore, not only the information, but also the shared understanding of the information, can affect wealth creation. These results can offer insight into when more uniform measurement rules are desirable.
Permanent Secretaries and Policy-Making in the 1980s

were thought often to lack imagination, ingenuity or sheer competence effectively to assist ministers in grappling with the issues of the day, sometimes obstructing rather than facilitating the objectives of democratically elected governments. Such views were given colour by the testimonies of ministers from both Left and Right, albeit with varying degrees of intensity and with differing emphasis as to the precise nature of the problem, be it an impersonal, institutional, conservatism inherent to bureaucracy or the active connivance of an elite group of policy saboteurs. If the conspiratorial thesis propounded by Brian Sedgemore in his proposed amendment to the English Report (1977) failed to find majority support in the Committee, the looser notion of ’government by civil servants’ nevertheless had a wider resonance among contemporaries. Fifteen years later such allegations, even in their milder form, seem overdrawn, perhaps fanciful. In his weighty treatise Middlemas (1991, p.422) observes wryly that mandarins have been relieved of an old incubus: no longer