Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forms of discipline practised at two rural schools

The study aims to research discipline in schools and I explored alternative forms of discipline. The literature indicates that alternative forms of discipline exist to the canings that were inflicted in the past, which have now been outlawed. However, effective alternatives to corporal punishment are not obvious. Before deciding on alternatives, it is advisable that teachers go through an experimental phase, and be prepared to make adjustments along the way. The literature also shows that classes with fewer behavioural problems have teachers who tend to use non-violent and child-centred approaches to classroom discipline. Studies show that the vast majority of disciplinary problems result from the circumstances in which such learners find themselves, which are characterised by problems at home, learning barriers, trauma, and ineffective teaching methods. I conclude that the application of corporal punishment aggravates such problems, rather than solving them. Present-day educators are required to fill a greater pastoral role than they did in the past, as learners nowadays tend to face many more difficult challenges than they used to do in the past and also are likely to experience less support outside the school. Most educational psychologists recommend that educators place learners, in cases of them suffering from emotional problems, child abuse, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS, or alcohol and drug abuse, in an intensive process of counselling, with them being referred to experts in the fields of reference (Porteus et al., 2001:45). I conclude that attempts to improve classroom discipline can be effective if the whole school community is involved. One of the ways in which the whole school community can become involved in attaining a better discipline system is through the adoption of a code of conduct that is arrived at by means of consultation, persuasion and agreement with all role-players concerned. The maintenance of such a code is, however, only likely to be successful if it is strictly enforced and the appropriate sanctions are imposed against those who violate it.
Harnessing the Information Society? European Union Policy and Information and Communication Technologies

Around two-thirds of European Structural Funds are allocated to Objective One regions, classified as such because their level of GDP per head is less than 75 percent of the EU average. In the spending round 2000-2006, four UK areas qualified and, as a result, these areas combined could receive up to £3b from Brussels and also additional funding from the UK Treasury to maximize the `call down' of funds. This Euro-commentary questions whether all four areas should have qualified and also the criterion of qualification itself. One conclusion is that although all four technically qualify, it is only because of the way the area boundaries were drawn. This was rather more economically justified in the case of Merseyside and South Yorkshire than in West Wales and the Valleys and Cornwall. Redrawing boundaries in other areas could have resulted in a different set of qualifying areas. In any event, a second conclusion is that GDP per head is a rather poor indicator of economic performance at least on its own. A more sensible choice of indicators might have cast doubt on the inclusion of all four of the present set of UK Objective One regions and particularly those of Cornwall and Merseyside. These findings are of relevance to the wider European case.
PKC‐permitted elevation of sarcolemmal KATP concentration may explain female‐specific resistance to myocardial infarction

The female myocardium, relative to that of the male, exhibits sustained resistance to ischaemic tissue injury, a phenomenon termed sex‐specific cardioprotection (SSC). SSC is dependent upon the sarcolemmal KATP channel (sarcKATP), and protein kinase C (PKC). Here we investigate whether PKC‐mediated regulation of sarcKATP concentration can explain this endogenous form of protection. Hearts from male (M) and female (F) rats were Langendorff‐perfused for 30 min prior to either regional ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R), or global ischaemia (GISC). For both protocols, pre‐ischaemic blockade of PKC was achieved by chelerythrine (Chel) in male (M + C) and female (F + C) hearts. Additional female hearts underwent sarcKATP antagonism during I/R by HMR‐1098 (HMR), either alone or in combination with Chel (HMR + Chel). GISC hearts were fractionated to assess cellular distribution of PKCɛ and sarcKATP. Sex‐specific infarct resistance was apparent under control I/R (F, 23 ± 3%vs. M, 36 ± 4%, P < 0.05) and abolished by Chel (F + C, 36 ± 3%). Female infarct resistance was susceptible to sarcKATP blockade (Control, 16 ± 2%vs. HMR, 27 ± 3%), and PKC blockade had no additional effect (HMR + Chel, 26 ± 2%). The prevalence of Kir6.2 and SUR2 was higher in the sarcolemmal fractions of females (Kir6.2: F, 1.24 ± 0.07 vs. M, 1.02 ± 0.06; SUR2: F, 3.16 ± 0.22 vs. M, 2.45 ± 0.09; ratio units), but normalized by Chel (Kir6.2: F, 1.06 ± 0.07 vs. M, 0.99 ± 0.06; SUR2: F, 2.99 ± 0.09 vs. M, 2.82 ± 0.22, M; ratio units). Phosphorylation of sarcolemmal PKCɛ was reduced by Chel (p‐PKCɛ/PKCɛ: control, 0.43 ± 0.02; Chel, 0.29 ± 0.01; P < 0.01). We conclude that PKC‐mediated regulation of sarcKATP may account for the physiologically sustainable dependence of SSC upon both PKC and sarcKATP, and that this regulation involves PKC‐permitted enrichment of the female sarcolemma with sarcKATP. As such, the PKC‐sarcKATP axis may represent a target for sustainable prophylactic induction of cardioprotection.
How prudent are rural households in developing transition economies

Rural households in developing economies frequently use precautionary saving to cope with income risk. Such prudent behavior can be strengthened in transition economies where more risks are typically faced by households during and after reforms. This paper uses a rich panel of rural households in Zhejiang, China, to examine the correlation between income uncertainty and the target ratio of wealth to permanent income as suggested by the buffer-stock model. The empirical results suggest that Chinese rural households hold a significant level of wealth to mitigate the adverse impacts of income risk. Simulation results show that an increase in income risk leads to a sharp increase in household wealth and precautionary saving could drop substantially if income risk is eliminated. The high level of prudence of rural households under economic transition can help us better understand the developments in China, which will have policy implications for both developing and transition countries.
Service operations management: return to roots

Over the last 20 years we have witnessed the emergence of a large‐scale, world‐wide academic movement concerned with the management of services. This paper charts the role and impact of operations management on this movement and proposes that the current key focus for service academics should be with the application of frameworks and techniques. Also suggests that as the service movement has grown, with increasing overlap between the subjects of operations, marketing and HRM for example, there is a need to “return to roots”. Contends that service academics, in their bid to develop cross‐functional service management material, may have lost, or inadvertently ignored, the strength of their core disciplines. Re‐focusing on the traditional strengths of operations management, such as performance quality, design, and operational improvement, might help provide a greater rigour to the developing subject of service management. Discusses nine areas for service operations research and suggests specific research questions. The topics include linking operational performance to business drivers, performance measurement and operations improvement, service design, service technology, the design of internal networks and managing service capacity.
Critical growth factors of ICT start‐ups

Purpose – The present study in this paper seeks to deal with the crucial topic of growth determinants for ICT start‐ups. In this emerging industry high firm birth rates go hand in hand with a great risk of failure and only one firm out of three survives the first three years.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes 220 start‐ups of the ICT service sector and verifies the influence of individual and organisational factors on growth.Findings – The paper finds that human capital and working experience have no significant impact on the success of young ICT firms.Originality/value – The paper shows that critical growth factors are mostly financing and customer related variables (firm size and capital at start‐up, customer structure, regional market orientation, etc.).
Status of Genomic Imprinting in Epigenetically Distinct Pluripotent Stem Cells

Mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) derived from postimplantation embryos are developmentally and functionally different from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) generated from blastocysts. EpiSCs require Activin A and FGF2 signaling for self‐renewal, similar to human ESCs (hESCs), while mouse ESCs require LIF and BMP4. Unlike ESCs, EpiSCs have undergone X‐inactivation, similar to the tendency of hESCs. The shared self‐renewal and X‐inactivation properties of EpiSCs and hESCs suggest that they have an epigenetic state distinct from ESCs. This hypothesis predicts that EpiSCs would have monoallelic expression of most imprinted genes, like that observed in hESCs. Here, we confirm this prediction. By contrast, we find that mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) tend to lose imprinting similar to mouse ESCs. These findings reveal that iPSCs have an epigenetic status associated with their pluripotent state rather than their developmental origin. Our results also reinforce the view that hESCs and EpiSCs are in vitro counterparts, sharing an epigenetic status distinct from ESCs and iPSCs. STEM CELLS 2012; 30:161–168.
Human organic anion transporting polypeptide 8 promoter is transactivated by the farnesoid X receptor/bile acid receptor.

BACKGROUND & AIMS OATP8 (gene symbol: SLC21A8) is a multispecific uptake system for organic anions, xenobiotics, and peptides expressed at the basolateral (sinusoidal) membrane of human hepatocytes. We investigated whether OATP8 gene expression is regulated by the nuclear receptors farnesoid X receptor/bile acid receptor (FXR/BAR; NR1H4), pregnane X receptor (PXR), or liver X receptor (LXR). METHODS OATP8 promoter function was studied in reporter assays. OATP8 expression in cells was quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), a ligand of FXR/BAR, but not clotrimazole or 25-hydroxycholesterol, ligands of PXR or LXR, respectively, induced OATP8 promoter activity. An inverted hexanucleotide repeat motif (IR-1 element) in the promoter sequence was shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assays to bind the FXR (9-cis-retinoic acid receptor [RXRalpha]) heterodimer. Targeted mutagenesis of the IR-1 element abolished inducibility of the OATP8 promoter by CDCA, confirming its role as a bile acid response element. CDCA treatment increased OATP8 messenger RNA levels in human hepatoma cells, suggesting a physiologic role for FXR-mediated OATP8 gene regulation. CONCLUSIONS OATP8 gene expression is regulated by bile acids via FXR/BAR. Induction of OATP8 could serve to maintain hepatic extraction of xenobiotics and peptides in conditions of increased intracellular bile acids.
Work Ability Index in Israeli Hospital Nurses: Applicability of the Adapted Questionnaire

Background/Study Context: The Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire is widely used for evaluation of the work ability of workers. This is the first application of the validated Hebrew version of this questionnaire to Israeli nurses in order to evaluate factors affecting their work ability. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 515 nurses from two general hospitals in Israel (87.3% female). Results: A significant negative correlation was found between the WAI score and age, years in current job, and number of reported diagnoses. The most frequently reported illnesses (as diagnosed by a physician) were musculoskeletal disorders, endocrine/metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Agreement between illnesses as diagnosed by a physician and as self-reported by nurses was low, especially with respect to mental/emotional stress, (kappa statistics = 16.4%, p < .001). Conclusions: Mean WAI score found in Israeli hospital nurses is relatively high as compared with that of European nurses. It gradually decreases with age. The WAI questionnaire enables the early identification of those nurses with compromised work ability and who are in need of assistance in order to prevent early retirement. As retirement age is currently advancing, keeping elderly workers in the workforce is of prime importance.
The role of agency in cleavage formation

Through the analysis of Hungarian politics, this article demonstrates how parties become embedded in the social, cognitive and emotive structures of societies. The role of agency in cleavage formation is addressed, with a special emphasis on the mechanism through which political parties structure their environments. Next to the popularization of conflict perceptions and the consolidation of camp identities, the development of a more elaborate and segmented organizational structure is identified as an integral part of the process of cleavage formation. Such a structure enables parties to forge coalitions among previously separate social groupings and combine group interests into packages large enough to overcome institutional thresholds of power. The findings indicate that parties are potentially able to cross cleavage lines, re-structure relations within the party system and create new associations between party preferences, socio-structural categories and attitudes. Furthermore, parties seem to be able to alter the relationships between psychologically rooted attitudes and social categories. The study also shows, however, that deep-seated socio-cultural divides limit the power of agency even in new democracies.
Consumer Interest in Fish Information and Labelling

Abstract Consumers' cognitive mechanisms and their perception of product properties are markedly affected by information. This paper focuses on consumers' information needs and interests related to fish. The objective is to explore consumers' use of internal and external information sources and their use of information cues with regard to fish. Qualitative exploratory research was performed in May 2004 through focus group discussions in two European countries: Belgium and Spain. Personal sources are found as the most important information sources with regard to fish. Although a majority of consumers use mandatory information cues on fish labels, they express doubts whether information provided on the labels can be trusted. People who are more experienced and have higher familiarity with fish, seem to be more efficient insearching and using information. Instead of providing one message for the consumers, segmentation and targeted information provision is recommended.
Influence of Therapeutic Ceftiofur Treatments of Feedlot Cattle on Fecal and Hide Prevalences of Commensal Escherichia coli Resistant to Expanded-Spectrum Cephalosporins, and Molecular Characterization of Resistant Isolates

ABSTRACT In the United States, the bla CMY-2 gene contained within incompatibility type A/C (IncA/C) plasmids is frequently identified in extended-spectrum-cephalosporin-resistant (ESCr) Escherichia coli strains from both human and cattle sources. Concerns have been raised that therapeutic use of ceftiofur in cattle may increase the prevalence of ESCr E. coli. We report that herd ESCr E. coli fecal and hide prevalences throughout the residency of cattle at a feedlot, including during the period of greatest ceftiofur use at the feedlot, were either not significantly different (P ≥ 0.05) or significantly less (P < 0.05) than the respective prevalences at arrival. Longitudinal sampling of cattle treated with ceftiofur demonstrated that once the transient increase of ESCr E. coli shedding that follows ceftiofur injection abated, ceftiofur-injected cattle were no more likely than untreated members of the same herd to shed ESCr E. coli. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotyping, antibiotic resistance phenotyping, screening for presence of the bla CMY-2 gene, and plasmid replicon typing were performed on 312 ESCr E. coli isolates obtained during six sampling periods spanning the 10-month residence of cattle at the feedlot. The identification of only 26 unique PFGE genotypes, 12 of which were isolated during multiple sampling periods, suggests that clonal expansion of feedlot-adapted bla CMY-2 E. coli strains contributed more to the persistence of bla CMY-2 than horizontal transfer of IncA/C plasmids between E. coli strains at this feedlot. We conclude that therapeutic use of ceftiofur at this cattle feedlot did not significantly increase the herd prevalence of ESCr E. coli.
Which decision heuristics are used in consideration set formation

This study empirically investigates consumers’ use of five heuristics (conjunctive, disjunctive, lexicographic, linear additive, and geometric compensatory) in the consideration set formation, a critical first phase before actual choice behavior. Data were collected on the selection of beer brands and fast food outlets by real consumers. Using a decomposition approach in determining the consumers’ choice heuristics, it was found that the conjunctive heuristic is the most often used decision model in the consideration set formation for the two product classes. Implications for brand managers and future research directions are developed.
Making Participation Work When Interests Conflict: Moving from Facilitating Dialogue and Moderating Debate to Mediating Negotiations

Abstract This article uses a public management controversy in California to show how planners who work with contentious publics can learn from skillful mediators. Citizen participation often produces more heat than light, since conflict often yields little new understanding or dialogue, and even less negotiated agreement on public action. Yet skillful mediation may move beyond either dialogue or debate to craft mutually beneficial public agreements among contentious stakeholders. Mediated participation techniques can redirect conflict into joint inquiry, explore options rather than escalate demands, and achieve practical ends that will serve diverse interests.
An Interregional Hedonic Analysis of Noxious Facility Impacts on Local Wages and Property Values

Abstract Since the early work of Rosen, Roback, and more recently Blomquist, Berger, and Hoehn, economists have recognized that local environmental amenities influence wage rates and property values jointly. Moreover, local differentials in these prices can be used to implicitly value local amenities. Unfortunately, much of the empirical work on noxious facilities has focused on a narrow range of facility types, often within a single city. Generally, distance from the facility is used to proxy exposure to the disamenity, although it is possible that the mere existence of a noxious facility in a region has an impact on local residents. We employ an intercity hedonic model to measure the joint property value and wage effects of a broad range of noxious facilities. Using Public Use Microdata from the 1980 United States Census, we show that property values and / or wages are significantly influenced by the existence of noxious facilities. Calculated implicit prices reveal that local residents are most averse to the presence of petrochemical refineries and nuclear power plants.
Prostate adenocarcinoma in men younger than 50 years. A retrospective review of 151 patients

Background. Prostate adenocarcinoma is predominantly a disease of older men. Males younger than 50 years account for 1% of all patients with prostate cancer. The authors retrospectively examined cases of prostate adenocarcinoma in patients younger than 50 years of age to determine the natural history and prognosis of this malignancy in the younger population.
Natural killer cell and T-cell subset distributions and activation influence susceptibility to perinatal HIV-1 infection

Objective:To determine neonatal immunologic factors that correlate with mother-to-child-transmission of HIV-1. Design:This case–control study compared cord blood natural killer (NK) and T-cell populations of HIV-1 exposed infants who subsequently acquired infection by 1 month (cases) to those who remained uninfected by 1 year of life (controls). Control specimens were selected by proportional match on maternal viral load. Methods:Cryopreserved cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were thawed and stained for multiparameter flow cytometry to detect NK and T-cell subsets and activation status. CBMCs were also used in a viral suppression assay to evaluate NK cell inhibition of HIV-1 replication in autologous CD4+ T cells. Results:Cord blood from cases contained a skewed NK cell repertoire characterized by an increased proportion of CD16–CD56+ NK cells. In addition, cases displayed less-activated CD16–CD56+ NK cells and CD8+ T cells, based on HLA-DR+CD38+ costaining. NK cell suppression of HIV-1 replication ex vivo correlated with the proportion of acutely activated CD68+CD16–CD56+ NK cells. Finally, we detected a higher proportion of CD27–CD45RA– effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in cord blood from cases compared with controls. Conclusion:When controlled for maternal viral load, cord blood from infants who acquired HIV-1 had a higher proportion of CD16–CD56+ NK cells, lower NK cell activation and higher levels of mature T cells (potential HIV-1 targets) than control infants who remained uninfected. Our data provide evidence that infant HIV-1 acquisition may be influenced by both innate and adaptive immune cell phenotypes and activation status.
A pilot study for rehabilitation of central executive deficits after traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: An impairment of the central executive system (CES) of working memory (WM) is a common consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and may also explain deficits in divided attention, long-term memory and executive functions. Here we investigated the efficacy of a rehabilitative program (working memory training: WMT) targeting the CES in improving WM and other cognitive functions dependent on this system. Methods and procedures: Nine TBI patients with severe WM deficits underwent the WMT (experimental training). The WMT was preceded by a general stimulation training (GST; control training). Patients’ cognitive performance was evaluated at the admission, after the GST and at the end of the WMT. Main outcomes and results: Whereas the GST had no effect on patients’ performance, after the WMT patients improved in all the cognitive functions dependent on the CES, but not in those functions not thought to tap this system. Importantly, a beneficial WMT effect was found on patients’ everyday life functioning. Conclusions: The results support the efficacy of the WMT in recovering CES impairments.