Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfering Owners or Meddling Advertisers: How Network Television News Correspondents Feel About Ownership and Advertiser Influence on News Stories

With the owners of television news networks growing more diversified, critics say that pressure for profits may affect news. A survey of network news correspondents was conducted to determine if they felt any story influence from owners or advertisers. Results showed that about 20% felt some ownership pressure to report or censor stories and 7% reported some advertiser pressure. CNN correspondents perceived more ownership pressure than the other four networks surveyed. A t test revealed that correspondents who reported ownership pressure had statistically significantly lower job satisfaction rates than did those who reported no pressure.
Using Fuzzy Set Theory to Analyse Investments and Select Portfolios of Tangible Investments in Uncertain Environments

This paper shows how Fuzzy Set Theory can be used in investment analysis when, as usual, these investments are developed under uncertainty, i.e. the investor has only subjective estimates based on his experience or knowledge about the future cash-flows of the investments, the discount rate, etc. In particular, we will develop basic concepts for investment analysis as the Net Present Value and the Internal Rate of Return by assuming that the initial data are fuzzy numbers. Later we will analyse how to rank investments and how to select the tangible investment portfolios when the magnitudes are estimated subjectively by comparing fuzzy numbers and with possibilistic mathematical programming.
Environmental engagement, organizational capability and firm performance

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to understand the connection between the motivations that drive firms to adopt green commitments and the impact of these engagements on firm performance.Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical underpinnings for the hypotheses are drawn from the existent literature on corporate environmental responsibility and the constructivist framework. These hypotheses are then tested through a SEM with data from a mail survey with 195 Spanish manufacturing firms that have adopted the international environmental management system ISO 14001.Findings – The results suggest that in the process of implementing green commitments, not only instrumental and ecological motivations play a key role, but also the internal organizational activities, in addition to the outcomes of the implementation itself.Research limitations/implications – This research study uses perceptual measures of a single informant from each Spanish firm. Research studies that add objective data and extrapolate the analy.
Note on Audit Fee Premiums to Client Size and Industry Specialization

This research note examines the impact of client size on the estimation of audit fee premiums in the Australian market for audit services. Previous research suggests that higher audit fees are expected for both larger clients and for industry specialization. We find that in the Australian market for audit services, the fee premium attributed to industry specialist audit firms is concentrated in the audit fees paid by the largest clients in each industry. One reason for higher fees paid by larger clients is the demand for additional audit services. We find higher fees for companies cross-listed on US exchanges. We also find that fee premiums to auditors that are city-industry leaders are strongly related to client size.
A pilot study of Helicobacter pylori genotypes and cytokine gene polymorphisms in reflux oesophagitis and peptic ulcer disease.

Helicobacter pylori causes various diseases such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. While majority of the people infected with H. pylori is asymptomatic, 15-20 % of them develop such diseases. The main factors, which determine the development of H. pylori related diseases might be bacterial virulence, host genetic and environmental factors.The aim of this study was to reveal the factors that play a role in the disease development in patients with reflux esophagitis and peptic ulcer, infected with Helicobacter pylori. Environmental factors such as medical agents, smoking and body mass index were evaluated. The factors specific to bacteria such as vacA, CagA, babA and iceA virulence genotypes and the host factors such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-γ, TNF-α, ve TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms were compared between the two groups.H. pylori infected twenty five patients with reflux esophagitis and peptic ulcer were enrolled in the study. There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding environmental factors. IL-2 -330T +166T (p=0.037) and IL10 -1082A; -819C (p=0.049) gene polymorphisms were significantly more common in the group of patients with peptic ulcer compared to the group with reflux esophagitis. In both groups of patients, either with reflux esophagitis or peptic ulcer, multiple H. pylori virulence genotypes (cagA, vacA, babA) (mean values 74 %, 78 %, 54 % respectively) were observed.In this study, we revealed that cytokine gene polymorphisms may play a role in the development peptic ulcer while H. pylori virulence genotypes seem to be crucial for the development of associated diseases (Tab. 4, Ref. 51).
Children’s Rights in Policy and Poverty: An Analysis of Iceland, Norway & the UK

This article presents the analysis of three areas oFchild policy assumed by scholars and recent research to relieve child pover-ty: child benefits, child support and early childhood education and care (ECEC) from a children's rights perspective by com-paring Iceland, Norway and the UK, 1991-201 I asking when, ifand how do children's rights emerge in these policies. A new framework was created combining both children's rights and child poverty theories with comparative analysis. The results indicate that when and in what Form children's rights emerged riot only suggests a classification orthe three states: Iceland as an Equality-Integrity Rights based system; Norway an Integri-ty Rights based system; and the UK a Family-Centred/Social Investment system. It also opened up an understanding of the three policy areas studied; i.e. that the triangular relationship between the state, parent and child is very important and poli-cy specific. These results can help guide policymakers in their se-arch for evidence-based policies, as well as offering activists, researchers and social workers a simple, sophisticated tool to gauge children's rights in policies
CEO Tenure and Earnings Management

This study examines changes in CEOs׳ incentive to manage their firms׳ reported earnings during their tenure. Earnings overstatement is greater in the early years than in the later years of CEOs׳ service, and this relation is less pronounced for firms with greater external and internal monitoring. These results suggest that new CEOs try to favorably influence the market׳s perception of their ability in their early years of service, when the market is more uncertain. Also, consistent with the horizon problem, earnings overstatement is greater in the CEOs׳ final year, but this result obtains only after controlling for earnings overstatement in their early years of service.
The lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin is a sensitive indicator of branching morphogenetic activity in the developing mouse metanephric collecting duct system

The urine collecting duct system of the metanephric kidney develops by growth and branching morphogenesis of an unbranched progenitor tubule, the ureteric bud. Bud branching is mainly dichotomous and new branches form from existing branch tips, which are also the main sites of cell proliferation in the system. This behaviour, and the fact that some genes (e.g. Wnt11, Sox9) are expressed only in tips, suggests that tip cells are in a specific state of differentiation. In this report, we show that the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), hitherto regarded and used as a general marker of developing renal collecting ducts, binds to most of the duct system but does not bind to the very tips of growing branches. The zone avoided by DBA corresponds to the zone that expresses Wnt11, and the zone that shows enhanced cell proliferation. If branching of the ureteric bud of cultured embryonic kidneys is inhibited in organ culture, by blocking the kidney's endogenous glial cell‐derived neurothrophic factor (GDNF)‐based branch‐promoting signals, the DBA‐binding zone extends to the very end of the tip but is lost from there when branching is re‐activated. Similarly, if excess GDNF is provided to growing kidneys, the DBA‐free zone expands. DBA‐staining status therefore appears to be a sensitive indicator of the morphogenetic activity of the collecting duct system.
Prevalence, control and treatment of arterial hypertension in Nobres - MT.

BACKGROUND Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH), considered a public health problem due to its high prevalence and difficult control, is also described as one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SAH, as well as characteristics related to its control and treatment, among individuals aging between 18 and 90 years from the urban region of Nobres, MT. METHODS Cross-sectional, population-based study, with random sampling and with replacement. For classification of SAH, criteria included blood pressure (BP) > or =140/90 mmHg or current use of antihypertensive drugs. Individuals were interviewed with standardized questionnaires previously tested. Variables were described as means +/- standard deviations and frequencies. Means were compared with the Student s t test and associations were determined with the Pearson chi-square test, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS SAH has a prevalence of 30.1% in the sample, composed of 1,003 individuals older than 18 years. Among hypertensive individuals (N = 302), 73.5% knew about their condition, 61.9% were under treatment and for 24.2% the BP was under control. A positive association was observed between SAH and age; illiteracy; less than 8 years education; BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2); high and very high waist circumference; waist-hip ratio (WHR) at risk level; sedentariness; and alcoholism. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that SAH represents an important public health problem even in a small district in the interior region of Brazil. Levels of control and treatment of hypertension in the population were higher than those observed in similar studies, but were considered not satisfactory.
Smart money? The impact of having top venture capital investors and underwriters backing a venture

One hundred and sixty two venture-capital-backed internet and software companies were examined that floated IPOs in 1998 and 1999 to see how the quality of the venture capital firm and the quality of the underwriter affected market capitalization. It was found that companies backed by top venture capital firms and taken public by top underwriters had higher market capitalizations and produced higher returns for their venture capitalists than other companies. In the post-IPO market, only the quality of the underwriter made a difference to the market capitalization. It was also found that there was a noticeable deterioration in the overall pre-IPO financial performance in the 1998-1999 era compared with the 1980s.
Clathrin-independent pathways do not contribute significantly to endocytic flux

Several different endocytic pathways have been proposed to function in mammalian cells. Clathrin-coated pits are well defined, but the identity, mechanism and function of alternative pathways have been controversial. Here we apply universal chemical labelling of plasma membrane proteins to define all primary endocytic vesicles, and labelling of specific proteins with a reducible SNAP-tag substrate. These approaches provide high temporal resolution and stringent discrimination between surface-connected and intracellular membranes. We find that at least 95% of the earliest detectable endocytic vesicles arise from clathrin-coated pits. GPI-anchored proteins, candidate cargoes for alternate pathways, are also found to enter the cell predominantly via coated pits. Experiments employing a mutated clathrin adaptor reveal distinct mechanisms for sorting into coated pits, and thereby explain differential effects on the uptake of transferrin and GPI-anchored proteins. These data call for a revision of models for the activity and diversity of endocytic pathways in mammalian cells. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.03970. 001
Field Evaluation of Some Insecticides on Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and Predator (Macrolophus caliginosus) on Brinjal and Tomato Plants

The effect treatments with the recommended application rates of avermectin, buprofezin, white oil, lambda-cyhalothrin and cyromazine on Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Aleyrodidae: Homoptera) was evaluated. Pesticides were applied against larvae infesting brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) plants in a natural environment of the Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. We also examined whether these pesticides affect the whitefly predator, Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae). Tested pesticides significantly reduced the larval populations of the whitefly and affect throughout the survey period. Similar effects were observed on the predator except for the white oil. Avermectin was the most effective insecticide against the population of T. vaporariorum. However, it was highly toxic to the predator, M. caliginosus. Considering relatively low mammalian toxicity of buprofezin and white oil, these two insecticides were more suitable for controlling whiteflies, particularly during fruiting period. Proper selection of effective pesticides against the pest, but less harmful to natural enemies and also good timing of their applications are essential in formulating an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme for whiteflies.
Participatory river basin management in the São João River, Brazil: A basis for climate change adaptation?

This paper describes an empirical case study of enhanced water management in the São João River basin on the southeast coast of Brazil between 1999 and 2008. The autonomous adaptation measures applied are assessed to derive lessons for more effective climate change adaptation. In response to severe eutrophication of their coastal lakes, effective, local multi-stakeholder institutions were established under the auspices of the Consórcio Intermunicipal Lagos São João from 1999 to improve basin management. Having significantly reduced the pollution problem, other environmental challenges are now being addressed. In managing environmental problems with multiple causes and effects, engaging multiple stakeholders and communicating the need to change environmental management, these local institutions have established the types of capacities needed for climate change adaptation. Factors contributing to the strengthening of this adaptive capacity include: engagement of local non-governmental organizations, companies and municipal governments; leadership and development of a collective identity; enabling national and state water laws; an ability to raise funds; and implementation of an iterative, adaptive management approach to environmental management.
PD‐1 Expression and IL‐2 Loss of Cytomegalovirus‐ Specific T Cells Correlates with Viremia and Reversible Functional Anergy

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) represents a major cause of infectious complications after transplantation. Recently, chronic infections with lymphocyte choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), HIV or HCV were shown to be associated with functionally exhausted T cells characterized by high expression of the programmed death (PD)‐1 molecule and altered cytokine expression patterns. We therefore hypothesized that functional exhaustion of CMV‐specific CD4 T cells may determine impaired CMV control in patients after renal transplantation. In viremic transplant recipients, a significantly higher proportion of CMV‐specific CD4 T cells was PD‐1 positive (median 40.9%, 17.0–88.7%) as compared to nonviremic transplant patients (8.8%, 0.8–80.5%), dialysis patients (8.8%, 0–36.7%) or controls (3.2%, 0.3–15.4%, p < 0.0001). In line with functional impairment, PD‐1‐positive T cells produced significantly less IFNγ as compared to PD‐1‐negative T cells (p < 0.0001). Moreover, unlike controls or nonviremic patients, CMV‐specific T cells from viremic patients showed a significant loss of IL‐2 production (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, functional anergy of CMV‐specific CD4 T cells was reversible in that antibody‐mediated blockade of PD‐1 signaling with its ligands PD‐L1/‐L2 led to an up to 10‐fold increase in CMV‐specific proliferation. In conclusion, expression of PD‐1 defines a reversible defect of CMV‐specific CD4 T cells that is associated with viremia, and blocking PD‐1 signaling may provide a potential target for enhancing the function of exhausted T cells in chronic CMV infection.
Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC): a major public health threat in Canada.

BACKGROUND Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) was first described in Canada during the 1980s as an emerging foodborne disease in association with morbidity and mortality in outbreaks of hemorrhagic colitis caused by E coli O157:H7. OBJECTIVE To describe the surveillance activities and epidemiological laboratory markers of VTEC that are used at the National Laboratory for Enteric Pathogens (NLEP) to investigate sporadic cases and outbreaks of E coli O157:H7 and non-O157 VTEC in Canada. METHODS Passive surveillance was conducted by obtaining data on laboratory confirmed cases of VTEC from the Provincial Laboratories of Public Health across Canada. The laboratory epidemiological markers generated for isolates of VTEC included biotyping, serotyping, phage typing, toxin detection and characterization, and molecular typing using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS Major outbreaks of VTEC O157:H7 disease have been associated with ground beef, unpasteurized apple juice, salami and untreated water. In 1999 and 2000, a total of 46 outbreaks of E coli O157:H7 disease were investigated. Among those, one outbreak was associated with contact at a petting zoo and a second with the consumption of salami. An outbreak in 2000 in Ontario was associated with water and resulted in more than 1000 cases of human illness, with six deaths. The NLEP has also identified more than 100 non-O157 VTEC serotypes from cattle and meat products. At least 23 VTEC serotypes found in humans were also identical to those found in cattle and meat products. CONCLUSIONS The laboratory-based information that is generated is used to define the incidence, sources of infection, risk factors, trends, distribution and transmission of VTEC to humans from food, water and animal sources. Prevention and control of outbreaks are high-priority health concerns.
Option Pricing Based on the Generalized Lambda Distribution

This article proposes the generalized lambda distribution as a tool for modeling nonlognormal security price distributions. Known best as a facile model for generating random variables with a broad range of skewness and kurtosis values, the generalized lambda distribution has potential financial applications, including Monte Carlo simulations, estimations of option‐implied state price densities, and almost any situation requiring a flexible density shape. A multivariate version of the generalized lambda distribution is developed to facilitate stochastic modeling of portfolios of correlated primary and derivative securities. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21:213–236, 2001
Public perceptions of animal experimentation across Europe

The goal of this article is to map out public perceptions of animal experimentation in 28 European countries. Postulating cross-cultural differences, this study mixes country-level variables (from the Eurostat database) and individual-level variables (from Eurobarometer Science and Technology 2010). It is shown that experimentation on animals such as mice is generally accepted in European countries, but perceptions are divided on dogs and monkeys. Between 2005 and 2010, we observe globally a change of approval on dogs and monkeys, with a significant decrease in nine countries. Multilevel analysis results show differences at country level (related to a post-industrialism model) and at individual level (related to gender, age, education, proximity and perceptions of science and the environment). These results may have consequences for public perceptions of science and we call for more cross-cultural research on press coverage of animal research and on the level of public engagement of scientists doing animal research.
Role of premorbid status and wound related factors in surgical site infection in a tertiary hospital in sub-saharan Africa

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the commonest hospital acquired infection in surgical patients globally. It has remained a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major source of worry to both the patients, doctors, hospitals and the community as a whole. Aim: To determine the role of premorbid status, wound class and cadre of surgeons on the prevalence rate of surgical site infections. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 200 randomly recruited surgical patients between April and June 2012 at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaires and laboratory test results were used to collect data, which were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 16. Results: The prevalence of surgical site infection was 15.5% (or 31 of 200) among the participants. Premorbid status, as well as, wound class, of the patients affected the rate of SSI (p=0.007) and (p=0.009), respectively. However, the wound location did not show any significant effect on the prevalence of SSI. Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of SSI which was dependent on the class of wound, and premorbid status of the patient.
Neutrophils mediate edema formation but not mechanical allodynia during zymosan‐induced inflammation

Inflammatory pain is based on stimulation and sensitization of peripheral endings of sensory neurons (nociceptors) by pronociceptive mediators. These mediators can be released by resident cells, as well as invading immune cells. Although neutrophils are known to release various mediators, which can stimulate or sensitize nociceptors, the extent of their contribution to nociceptive responses is unclear. Here, we studied the contribution of neutrophils to zymosan‐induced inflammatory pain, which is characterized by an early recruitment of high numbers of neutrophils. Surprisingly, antibody‐mediated neutrophil depletion caused a complete loss of edema formation but had no effect on mechanical pain thresholds. Blockage of the interaction between neutrophils and platelets or endothelial cells using antibodies directed against CD11b and CD162 reduced neutrophil recruitment to the site of inflammation. Again, the treatment decreased zymosan‐induced edemas without altering mechanical pain thresholds. Also, HLB‐219 mice, which have five to 10 times less platelets than WT mice, showed reduced neutrophil recruitment to the site of inflammation and decreased edema sizes, whereas, again, mechanical thresholds were unaltered. The effects observed in HLB‐219 mice were relatively small and not reproduced in vWF‐deficient mice or after antibody‐mediated blockage of GPIbα. Flow chamber and transmigration assays showed that platelets were not necessary for neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells but increased their transmigration. Taken together, zymosan‐induced mechanical allodynia is, in contrast to edema formation, independent of neutrophils, and recruitment of neutrophils is only partly influenced by interactions with platelets.