Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competitive Marketing and Planning Strategy in Higher Education

With growing business markets, an increasingly large pool of nontraditional students, companyimplemented diversity initiatives, and a dire need for a well-trained workforce; American institutions ofhigher learning are facing a huge challenge. When it comes to the nuances of sales and marketing,most people do not consider the relevance to colleges and universities. Many colleges and universitiesare facing some daunting financial challenges. These schools are facing some tremendousperplexities in attracting new students because they tend to cost more than state colleges anduniversity. Liberal arts colleges charge tuitions that range from $15,000 to $25,000, which is lower thanan Ivy League institution but much higher than what is charged by public universities and communitycolleges (Zhao 2002).
Persuading young consumers to make healthy nutritional decisions

Abstract There is widespread concern that consumers are making inappropriate decisions about what they eat, leading to a growing incidence of obesity and chronic illness, which will strain public-health budgets and damage economic competitiveness. Inappropriate nutritional decisions and obesity are of particular public-policy importance where young consumers are concerned. The paper investigates how consumers, particularly young consumers, can be persuaded to make better nutritional decisions voluntarily, and how government and commercial persuasive communications can be deployed to facilitate such decisions. The key conclusions are that the mass media are not a reliable vehicle for bringing about the desired behavioural changes, but that new media, such as the Internet and ‘text messaging’, should be used to deliver tailored messages to individuals, particularly younger consumers.
Fiscal centralization, government control and corporate tax burden: Evidence from China

This paper examines the relationship between government control and the tax burden of firms in China. We develop a new corporate tax burden measurement taking turnover taxes into account, because in China turnover taxes actually constitute the main component of tax burden. We find that the tax burden of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is lower than non-SOEs, indicating that non-SOEs are facing tax discrimination. Among SOEs, the tax burden of local SOEs is higher than that of central SOEs, and the lower the local governments’ level, the higher the tax burden of SOEs under their control. We interpret these findings as the result of local governments’ tax competition and tax grabbing behaviors under China’s current highly centralized fiscal system. In addition, we find that our results are mainly caused by firms’ differences in tax refunds and the Value-Added Tax (VAT) burden.
Age‐associated mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle: Contributing factors and suggestions for long‐term interventions

It has been established that the impairment of mitochondrial function is associated with various disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, mitochondria have been implicated in the progression of cellular aging through a multitude of studies that connect increased mitochondrial dysfunction, such as increased reactive oxygen species production and decreased ATP synthesis, with skeletal muscle undergoing sarcopenia. Studies reveal an inverse relationship between mitochondrial biogenesis and aging such that as an individual increases in age, mitochondrial function, and content decreases. This review aims to summarize the relationship of mitochondria with skeletal muscle function, the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, and the alterations in skeletal muscle and mitochondrial function that result due to the aging process. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(3): 201–214, 2009
Institutional Ownership and Social and Sustainability Reporting in Green Companies

This research study explores the social and financial performance and sustainability costs on institutional ownership companies. The quantitative research method is used for this research study. The sample comprised of top forty US environmental companies from 2012 to 2014. The research question for this study is, what relationship is there between the corporate governance, corporate social and environmental performance, employee participation, and market and financial performance? This research finds that there is a positive correlation among all the variables except for the sustainability costs. The social performance has a significant correlation with the institutional ownership than sustainability costs. The social performance had a positive impact on stock price than sustainability costs. The increased strategy of the CSR practices didn’t motivate employee participation in the company’s ownership structure, a negative correlation. Institutional ownership had a very weak positive effect on the employee stock ownership. Employee stock ownership had a strong correlation with the stock price. The quality and frequency of the CSR reporting varies from company to company; hence, the investors, stakeholders, and shareholders had to depend on the management goodwill.
Characteristics of the Defense Mechanism Technique modified (DMTm) as Related to Age and Gender of Adolescent Inpatients at a Psychiatric Clinic

A cross-sectional developmental study of 326 non-psychotic inpatients at a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic was carried out making use of the Defense Mechanism Technique modified (DMTm). The 139 girls and 187 boys were divided into three age groups: 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17 year olds. It was predicted on the basis of previous research that the younger boys would exhibit the defense of inclusive affect isolation more frequently than the older ones. This was found to be the case, this same age-related difference being found for the girls and for the group as a whole. The sign of disappearance of hero/heroine (H) was found more frequently in the younger than the older subjects, and the sign of H sad more frequently in the 14-15 year olds. As expected, the girls were scored for the identity defense of denial through reversal III more often than the boys. Other characteristics found more frequently in the girls than the boys were repression at the site of the attribute (A-repression) and the signs of H sad and A a child. The identity defense of denial through reversal I and the sign of splitting (split H) were characteristics more often observed in the boys than the girls. The findings were interpreted in terms of the Andersson developmental and psychodynamic model of the mind. (Less)
Ten‐year course of schizophrenia—the Madras longitudinal study

Ninety first‐episode patients fulfilling ICD‐9 criteria for schizophrenia were followed up prospectively for 10 years. Complete assessments were possible on 76. The pattern of illness was good in 67% of the cases, and the commonest patterns was one with recurrent episodes. Predictors of poor course and longer time spent in psychosis were identified. All positive and negative symptoms showed a steep decline at the end of 10 years. The results are discussed in the context of longitudinal research on the course of schizophrenia in developing countries.
Determination of Dual Effects of Parathyroid Hormone on Skeletal Gene Expression in Vivo by Microarray and Network Analysis*

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates bone formation when injected daily but causes severe bone loss with continuous infusion. The mechanism of its paradoxical effects is still elusive. In this study, we compared changes in the gene expression profile in bone induced by intermittent or continuous treatment with three different PTH peptides, PTH-(1-34), -(1-31), and -(3-34), in Sprague-Dawley female rats. PTH-(1-34) regulated numerous genes (∼1,000), but differentially, in both regimes. PTH-(1-31) regulated a similar number of genes in the intermittent regimen but fewer in the continuous regimen, consistent with its less potent catabolic effect. PTH-(3-34) regulated very few genes in both regimes, which suggests the protein kinase C pathway plays a limited role in mediating the dual effects of PTH, whereas the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A pathway appears to predominate. In the intermittent treatment, many genes encoding signaling mediators, transcription factors, cytokines, and proteases/protease inhibitors are regulated rapidly and cyclically with each PTH injection; genes associated with skeletal development show a slowly accruing pattern of expression. With continuous treatment, some genes are regulated from 6 h, and the mRNA levels are sustained with a longer infusion, whereas others show a kinetic decrease and then increase later. Significant up-regulation of genes stimulating osteoclastogenesis in the anabolic regime suggests a provocative and paradoxical theme for the anabolic effect of PTH that a full anabolic response requires a transient up-regulation of genes classically associated with a resorptive response. Ingenuity pathway analysis was performed on the microarray data. A novel signaling network was established that is differentially regulated in the two PTH treatment regimes. Key regulators are suggested to be AREG, CCL2, WNT4, and cAMP-responsive element modulator.
Emergence agitation prevention in paediatric ambulatory surgery: A comparison between intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine

Objective: Emergence agitation (EA), a short-lived, self-limiting phenomenon, arises frequently after the use of inhalational agents and hampers the implementation of pediatric ambulatory surgery in spite of using so many drugs with variable efficacy. Methods: In this prospective, double-blinded, parallel group study (2008-2009), 80 children of both sex aged 3-7 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grade I-II, undergoing sevoflurane-based general anesthesia for elective day care surgery were randomly assigned into groups C or D. Group C received 4 μg/kg intranasal clonidine, whereas group D received 1 μg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine, 45 min before induction of anesthesia. In postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the incidence of EA was assessed with Aonos four-point scale and the severity of EA was assessed with pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scale upon admission (T0), after 5 min (T5), 15 min (T15), and 25 min (T25). Extubation time, emergence time, duration of PACU stay, dose and incidence of fentanyl use for pain control were noted. Findings: Based on comparable demographic profiles, the incidence and severity of EA were significantly lower in group D as compared to group C at T0, T5, T15, and T25. But time of regular breathing, awakening, extubation, and emergence were significantly delayed in group D than C. The number and dose of fentanyl used in group C were significantly higher than group D. PACU and hospital stay were quite comparable between groups. Conclusion: Intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was more effective than clonidine 4 μg/kg in decreasing the incidence and severity of EA, when administered 45 min before the induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane for pediatric day care surgery. Dexmedetomidine also significantly reduced fentanyl consumption in PACU.
Organizational antecedents of second‐order competences

According to dynamic capability theory, some firms are better able than others at altering their resource base by adding, reconfiguring, and deleting resources or competences. This study focuses on the first form of dynamic capability: the competence to build new competences. Two such second‐order competences are studied: the ability to explore new markets and the ability to explore new technologies—referred to as marketing and R&D second‐order competences, respectively. Using two wave panel data on a sample of U.S. public manufacturing firms, five organizational antecedents of these second‐order competences are examined: willingness to cannibalize, constructive conflict, tolerance for failure, environmental scanning, and resource slack. Willingness to cannibalize, constructive conflict, scanning, and slack have contemporaneous effects, while scanning also has a lagged effect and slack has a U‐shaped lagged effect on marketing and R&D second‐order competences. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The aetiopathogenesis of acne vulgaris – what's new?

L'acne vulgaris est la dermatose la plus fréquemment diagnostiquée chez les patients entre 11 et 30 ans. On estime qu'il affecte environ 80% des personnes de ce groupe d'âge ou même, en tenant compte des lésions de faible intensité, 100% des jeunes. L'étiopathogénie de l'acné est multifactorielle. Chez tous les patients souffrant d'acné, les symptômes suivants se produisent: la production excessive de sébum, la kératose excessive des canaux excréteurs et les ouvertures de glandes sébacées, le développement de la flore bactérienne et la libération de médiateurs de l'inflammation de la peau. Le développement de la biologie moléculaire, la génétique et l'immunologie ont contribué à un progrès significatif dans les études sur la pathogenèse de l'acné.
Risk Attitudes and Profits among Small Enterprises in Nigeria

This paper analyses the effect of risk attitudes of firm owners on profits among micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Lagos, Nigeria. Higher risk perceptions are shown to have a significant positive effect on profits, whereas risk propensity has a negative or no effect. Education, age, being male, and firm size are all positively related to profit, while young firms earn lower profits. Overall, the results suggest that being aware and dealing cautiously with risk leads to higher profitability.
Parathyroid hormone‐related protein in the aetiology of fibrous dysplasia of bone in the McCune Albright syndrome

Fibrous dysplasia, observed in bone lesions in the McCune Albright syndrome (MAS), is thought to result from abnormalities in cells of the osteogenic lineage associated with over‐activation of the cAMP signalling pathway in affected cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in the aetiology of MAS, and to determine a possible therapeutic role for 1,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3).
Barriers and Effective Educational Strategies to Develop Extension Agents' Professional Competencies

The study reported here determined the barriers and effective educational strategies to develop Extension agents' professional competencies. This was a descriptive survey research conducted with a random sample of Extension agents. Increased workload and lack of time and funding were identified as the most constraining barriers of Extension agents acquiring competencies. Extension agents identified the face-to-face small group training workshop as the most effective educational delivery method for acquiring desired Extension competencies. This implies the need for using small group face-to-face training programs close to the work place as a viable alternative for achieving desired results.
Corporate Performance, Corporate Governance and CEO Dismissal in Malaysia

Objective – This study empirically examines the incidence of CEO dismissal in Malaysian Public Listed Companies (PLCs). Methodology/Technique – Logistic regression is used in this study to estimate the relationship between firm performance, corporate governance and CEO. Findings – Using 44 CEO turnover firms in 2010 among financial and non- financial institution, this study find that the firm performance, board multiple directorship, family ownership and institutional investors influence CEO dismissal. Specifically, firms that have lower performance, have a high proportion of board member multiple directorships and controlled by institutional investors are more likely to dismiss their CEOs. These results imply that poor performance together with board multiple directorship and controlled by large institutional investors are amongst major factor that contribute to CEO dismissal. In contrast, we find CEO dismissal is less likely occurred at firms that controlled by the family.This result may due to large control by family and in some cases the CEOs are among family members. Novelty – This paper study on the type of CEO turnover which segregate the type of turnover into forced and voluntary turnover. This research idea has limited finding globally as previous research on CEO turnover do not separate between forced and voluntary turnover Type of Paper: Empirical
Corporate Governance and its effects on the Nigerian Insurance Industry

Corporate organizations are major drivers of every economy and regarded as engines of growth and development. In developed and developing countries, corporate governance has become a major concern not only to business enterprise but also to the regulatory bodies and governments. If the Nigeria insurance industry is not adequately regula ted, it will result into persistent illiquidity, insolvency, undercapitalization, and weak corporate governance. This paper examines the relationship between corporate governance and organ izational profitability. It also investigates the level of profitability of the industry before and after the 2007 insurance recapitalization exercise i Nigeria. Data for this study were collected from fi ve insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Reliability and statistical inferen ce analytical tools were used. The result revealed that there is significant relationship between corp orate governance and insurance industry financial performance. Also recapitalization of insurance ind ustry does not have a significant effect on corporate governance. The study concludes that divi dend yield of insurance industry is dependent on the return on equity and profit margin among other factors. Insurance companies in Nigeria should therefore adopt good corporate governance that will attract investment into the industry.
Association Between Betelnut Chewing and Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults

Objective: This study was conduced to access the association between betelnut chewing and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3552 participants (1418 men and 2134 women) younger than 65 in this hospital-based cross-sectional study from 2003 to 2006. Results: A total of 198 (5.6%) participants were found to have CKD and 287 (8.1%) participants (268 male and 19 female) reported a history of betelnut use. The prevalence (9.4%) of CKD in betelnut users was significantly higher than that (5.2%) of participants without betelnut use (P = 0.003). In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes, betelnut use and body mass index were independently associated with CKD (P = 0.026 and P = 0.038). Conclusions: Betelnut use is associated with chronic kidney disease in adults younger than 65.
Vitamin E and Beta Carotene Composition in Four Different Vegetable Oils

Problem statement: Some vegetable oils contains natural antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin E namely tocopherol and tocotrienol. Different vegetable oils contained different amount of vitamin E and β-carotene. Approach: Study was carried out to investigate the natural antioxidants (vitamin E and beta carotene) composition in four different vegetable oils [Red Palm Olein (RPO), palm plein (PO), Corn Oil (CO) and Coconut Oil (COC)]. Results: The results showed that RPO contained the highest amount of vitamin E and β-carotene compared to the other three types of vegetable oils studied. Conclusion: The RPO can be considered as a good source of natural antioxidant (tocopherol, tocotrienol and β-carotene).
Microbial biofilms in the human gastrointestinal tract

The human gastrointestinal tract contains rich and diverse microbiotas along its length. However, while extensive studies have been made on lumenal bacterial communities in the gut, less work has been carried out on organisms growing in biofilms, where individual groups of bacteria exist in a multiplicity of different microhabitats and metabolic niches associated with the mucosa, the mucus layer and particulate surfaces in the gut lumen. Bacteria and yeasts also occur in biofilms attached to artificial surfaces and devices implanted in the host, such as in patients being fed via enteral tubes. Although we are just beginning to investigate the composition and metabolic activities of these structures, increasing evidence suggests that they are important to the host in both health and disease. There is mounting interest in mucosal biofilms in the colon, especially with respect to their role in inflammatory bowel disease. Because bacteria growing in biofilms are more resistant to antibiotics than unattached organisms, it is often difficult to modify the structure and composition of these communities, or to eradicate them from the body. However, recent work has shown that there is considerable potential to alter the species composition of mucosal biofilms in a beneficial way using synbiotics.
Grandmothers raising grandchildren: results of an intervention to improve health outcomes.

PURPOSE To examine the impact of an intervention to improve the health of grandmothers raising grandchildren in parent-absent homes. DESIGN A longitudinal, pretest-posttest design. METHODS The sample was composed of 529 female caregivers with a mean age of 56.7 years (range 38-83) who were predominantly low-income African Americans. Data were collected prior to the intervention and again at 12 months when the intervention was complete. The intervention involved home visitation by registered nurses and social workers, as well as other support services. The Short Form-36 was used to assess physical and mental health, using eight multi-item scales. RESULTS A comparison of pre- and posttest mean scores on the SF-36 indicated significantly (p < .003) improved mean scores for vitality, physical effects on role functioning, emotional effects on role functioning, and mental health. No significant differences were found for other attributes. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest that grandmothers raising grandchildren may benefit from a home-based intervention designed to improve health attributes. Implications for nursing practice, policy, and research are presented. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The health of grandmother caregivers is critical to their ability to parent grandchildren successfully. Nurses practicing in a variety of settings are in a unique position to identify and address the health challenges of grandmothers who are raising grandchildren.
Direct action of immunoglobulin G on primary sensory neurons through Fc gamma receptor I

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) binds specific antigens, and IgG‐antigen complexes primarily activate immune cells and the complement system. These immune reactions are known to affect neural functions through the production and release of mediators such as cytokines. The high affinity IgG receptor FcγRI, but not the low affinity receptors FcγRII and FcγRIII, was expressed on the mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, especially small‐ or medium‐sized neurons. IgG bound to DRG neurons and made a complex with antigen there. Ragweed pollen bound to nerve fibers in the skin of sensitized mouse in situ. The formation of IgG‐ragweed pollen complex increased the concentration of Ca2+ ions in the DRG neurons. This increase was inhibited by a Ca2+ chelator, L‐ and N‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel blockers, and anti‐FcγRI antibody. IgG‐antigen complex released substance P from DRG neurons, which was inhibited by L‐ and N‐type Ca2+ channel blockers. Thus, IgG and antigen combine on primary sensory neurons to directly activate them, which may be a novel type of immune‐neuron linkage.