Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The State and Political Corruption in Nigeria: An Anatomy of a Perverse Pathology

Corruption is a terrible and endemic sickness of developing world; Nigeria inclusive Embezzlement, fraud, bribery, payoff, nepotism and extortion are so common in the activities of Nigerians since from colonial era to post independence, military and civilian regimes. The paper examined the problem of corruption in Nigeria with special reference on corrupt practices by different governments (1960-20013). Secondary source of data was employed in this study. The paper traced the background of corrupt practices in Nigeria which emerged since colonial era, then first indigenous elites as well as the military regimes (1966-1979) and (19831999), second and third republic down to the current democratic dispensation of fourth republic. The paper reveals that political corruption paved the way for the elites to institutionalize other forms of corruption such as bureaucratic, electoral, economic, judiciary and among others which has negative effect on national development. The paper recommended among others that the federal government should make a law for executing corrupt people as in the case of China as well as to strengthen its anti-graft agencies (i.e. EFCC and CPC) with fairness and equity to all tiers of government and private sectors.
The Dirty Side of Work: Biologization of Physically Tainted Workers

The present studies aim to expand research on dehumanization in the work domain by exploring the biologization – an unexplored form of dehumanization that involves the perception of others as infected and contagious – of physically tainted workers. By integrating the literature on biologization with that of disgust and physically dirty work, we expected that the biologization of workers would be explained by their dirty work environment and by increased feelings of disgust towards them. In Study 1, we showed that focusing on a dirty work environment (vs. on the person performing the work) increased feelings of disgust towards workers and, in turn, their biologization. Coherently, in Study 2, we found that a physically tainted occupation (vs. baseline condition) increased participants’ feelings of disgust and biological dehumanization towards the worker. In contrast, a non-physically tainted occupation (vs. baseline condition) had no effects on disgust and biologization. The theoretical and practical implications are considered.
Langasite surface acoustic wave gas sensors: modeling and verification

We report finite element simulations of the effect of conductive sensing layers on the surface wave velocity of langasite substrates. The simulations include both the mechanical and electrical influences of the conducting sensing layer. We show that three-dimensional simulations are necessary because of the out-of-plane displacements of the commonly used (0, 138.5, 26.7) Euler angle. Measurements of the transducer input admittance in reflective delay-line devices yield a value for the electromechanical coupling coefficient that is in good agreement with the three-dimensional simulations on bare langasite substrate. The input admittance measurements also show evidence of excitation of an additional wave mode and excess loss resulting from the finger resistance. The results of these simulations and measurements will be useful in the design of surface acoustic wave gas sensors.
Contents and Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility Website Reporting in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Seven-Country Study

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developing countries has recently received increasing attention, and scholars have pointed to the strong contextuality of CSR in the respective regions. Regarding the latter, however, sub-Saharan Africa has been scrutinized only marginally by academia. Moreover, empirical research on the impact of the institutional context has been scant, despite its attributed importance for CSR. Our article seeks to fill a part of this research gap by investigating CSR website reporting of 211 companies in seven sub-Saharan countries. The study’s aim is twofold: First, we identify to what extent sub-Saharan companies report on CSR and which contents they disclose. Second, by building on institutional theory, we investigate how the socio-economic and political environments influence CSR reporting. For this purpose, we examine the impact of country-level and company-level determinants. We find that the sample African companies’ CSR efforts focus strongly on local philanthropy and therefore differ substantially from Western CSR approaches. Furthermore, we evidence that GDP and level of governance standard positively affect CSR reporting. Our study contributes to the literature by empirically evidencing the contextuality of CSR in Africa and by explaining how specific country- and company-level determinants contribute to or hamper the development of CSR in developing countries.
PENGARUH PARTISIPASI PENGANGGARAN, KEADILAN PROSEDURAL, DAN GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP KOMITMEN ORGANISASI

This study describes the influence of budgetary partisipation, procedural justice,and leadership style on organizational commitment. Sample of this research obtained fromemployee in hospitals and clinics in South of Tangerang. Final samples are 109 respondents.Respondents in this study were employees , because they can assess the variables of budgetparticipation, procedural fairness , and with good leadership style based on experiencesduring their daily work. This study is limited to employees who work in hospitals andclinics in the region of South Tangerang. Methods of sample selection is done by simplerandom sampling. Data analysis was perfomed using multiple regressions. Results ofthis research provide empirical support for budgetary participation, proceduraljustice, and leadership style on organizational commitment. Partisipasi penganggaran,Keadilan procedural, dan Gaya kepemimpinan memiliki pengaruh terhadap komitmen organisasi. DOI: 10.15408/akt.v7i1. 2643
Pyuria: its relationship to bacteriuria in spinal cord injured patients on intermittent catheterization.

Observations made during a study of intermittently catheterized spinal cord injured patients suggested that leukocyte counts yield higher results in aliquots of terminal-catheter urine (TCU) than in midstream-catheter urine (MCU) or suprapubic aspirate (SPA). The purpose of this study was to confirm that observation, to examine the relationship of leukocyte counts in TCU, MCU, and SPA to the leukocyte excretion rate (LER), and of pyuria to bacteriuria in this population. We collected sets of urine specimens obtained by SPA and intermittent catheterization (for leukocyte counts and quantitative culture) and timed urine collections (for LER determination). Fifty-two patients were studied for an average of five days. Leukocyte counts were performed in 241 SPA, 250 MCU, and 236 TCU specimens, and LER in 131 timed collections. The mean of the logarithm of leukocyte counts differed significantly between TCU and both MCU and SPA (p less than .0001). The difference between TCU and MCU was greater than 150 leukocytes/mm3 for 25% of paired specimens (mean 624 leukocytes/mm3, median 15 leukocytes/mm3). The statistical correlation between LER and leukocyte counts in all catheter specimens was significant; however, SPA and MCU frequently underestimated LER and TCU overestimated LER. Estimates of pyuria do not clearly separate bacteriuric from abacteriuric specimens. In spinal cord injured patients on intermittent catheterization, aliquots of catheter urine are not suitable for estimation of pyuria, and estimation of pyuria is not a feasible screening test for bacteriuria.
Comparative Sequence Analysis of the Symbiosis Island of Mesorhizobium loti Strain R7A

ABSTRACT The Mesorhizobium loti strain R7A symbiosis island is a 502-kb chromosomally integrated element which transfers to nonsymbiotic mesorhizobia in the environment, converting them to Lotus symbionts. It integrates into a phenylalanine tRNA gene in a process mediated by a P4-type integrase encoded at the left end of the element. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the island and compared its deduced genetic complement with that reported for the 611-kb putative symbiosis island of M. loti strain MAFF303099. The two islands share 248 kb of DNA, with multiple deletions and insertions of up to 168 kb interrupting highly conserved colinear DNA regions in the two strains. The shared DNA regions contain all the genes likely to be required for Nod factor synthesis, nitrogen fixation, and island transfer. Transfer genes include a trb operon and a cluster of potential tra genes which are also present on the strain MAFF303099 plasmid pMLb. The island lacks plasmid replication genes, suggesting that it is a site-specific conjugative transposon. The R7A island encodes a type IV secretion system with strong similarity to the vir pilus from Agrobacterium tumefaciens that is deleted from MAFF303099, which in turn encodes a type III secretion system not found on the R7A island. The 414 genes on the R7A island also include putative regulatory genes, transport genes, and an array of metabolic genes. Most of the unique hypothetical genes on the R7A island are strain-specific and clustered, suggesting that they may represent other acquired genetic elements rather than symbiotically relevant DNA.
Variation Theory and Montessori Education

In this article we examine the relation between variation theory and Maria Montessori’s didactic theory. Montessori believed that training and sharpening of the child’s senses are crucial for their continued learning; she therefore developed specific sensorial materials to be used in Montessori preschools for such a purpose. As noted by interpreters of Montessori education, a key principle in this material, as well as in variation theory, is the use of variation and invariance. However, in this article, lessons in two different areas than the training of the senses are analysed from a variation-theoretical perspective on learning; these lessons originate from Montessori’s own writings and from extracts from Montessori training courses. The result shows that a systematic use of variation and invariance can be seen as a more fundamental part of Montessori’s didactic theory and is not only applied in the sensorial training. The article will offer theoretical concepts useful when explaining why lessons in various areas should be presented in the way they are described.
Rice planting systems, global warming and outbreaks of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

Abstract Brown Planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) is one of the most serious pests of rice in both temperate and tropical regions of East and South Asia and has become especially problematic over the past few years. In order to analyze the effect of the change of rice cropping system on the population dynamics of BPH, field surveys of the occurrence and distribution of BPH were performed and other relevant data, including light trap data and ovary dissection data were collected in nearly 40 Chinese counties encompassing six provinces (or municipalities), including Hainan, Guangxi, Anhui, Shanghai, Fujian and Guangdong from April to October in 2007. The mixed planting areas of single- and double-cropping rice in China include Hubei, South and Central Anhui, North Hunan, and North Jiangxi. In these areas, double-cropping rice has now been greatly reduced and single-cropping rice has been rapidly increasing since 1997. The surveys revealed that when the immigration peak of BPH occurred in June and July, the single-cropping rice was at the tillering to booting stage and fit for BPH, but early rice had already matured and most of late rice had not yet been transplanted. BPH immigrants from southern rice areas prefer to inhabit and breed in single-cropping rice paddies. Moreover, farming activities between early rice and late rice interrupted the continuous growth of BPH populations in double-cropping rice paddies. As a result, in comparison with data collected 30 years ago, the spatiotemporal dynamics and migration patterns of BPH have dramatically changed in the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River. In the mixed planting areas, due to their high suitability, the BPH population in single-cropping rice grew so quickly that it caused serious local damage and there was mass emigration of macropterous progeny to the Yangtze River Delta in late August and early September. Global warming may also affect BPH populations, where results suggest steadily warmer autumns have occurred from the 1990s on, with such conditions gradually the norm. The combination of ‘cooler summer’ and ‘warmer autumn’ are conditions known to promote outbreaks of BPH in the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Immigrant BPH arrivals in late August and September now cause serious damage to late-maturing mid-season rice and late rice in the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
A new genus and two new species of Anteroporidae (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) from the darkspotted numbfish, Narcine maculata (Torpediniformes: Narcinidae), off Malaysian Borneo.

The cestode fauna of the darkspotted numbfish, Narcine maculata (Shaw) (Torpediniformes: Narcinidae), from Malaysian Bomrneo was examined for the first time. This work resulted in the discovery of a new genus and two new species of Anteroporidae (Lecanicephalidea). Sesquipedalapex comicus gen. n. , sp. n. was erected on the basis of the peculiarities of its scolex, in particular its possession of an extremely long apical modification of the scolex proper, which readily distinguishes it from the other genus in the family. The genus is also distinct in its possession of acetabula that are in the form of suckers, rather than bothridiate in form. This species was found to deeply embed its elongate apical structure for much of its length within the intestinal mucosa, provoking a papilliform expansion of the outer wall of the spiral intestine at the site of attachment. The second new species, Anteropora klosmamorphis sp. n. , is readily distinguished from its congeners on the basis of testis number and bothridial shape. Both new species are hyperapolytic. The diagnosis of Anteroporidae is amended to accommodate both new taxa. This increases the total number of genera in the family to two, and the total number of species to five.
Phenotypic differences determine drought stress responses in ecotypes of Arundo donax adapted to different environments

Arundo donax has been identified as an important biomass and biofuel crop. Yet, there has been little research on photosynthetic and metabolic traits, which sustain the high productivity of A. donax under drought conditions. This study determined phenotypic differences between two A. donax ecotypes coming from stands with contrasting adaptation to dry climate. We hypothesized that the Bulgarian (BG) ecotype, adapted to drier conditions, exhibits greater drought tolerance than the Italian (IT) ecotype, adapted to a more mesic environment. Under well-watered conditions the BG ecotype was characterized by higher photosynthesis, mesophyll conductance, intrinsic water use efficiency, PSII efficiency, isoprene emission rate and carotenoids, whereas the IT ecotype showed higher levels of hydroxycinnamates. Photosynthesis of water-stressed plants was mainly limited by diffusional resistance to CO2 in BG, and by biochemistry in IT. Recovery of photosynthesis was more rapid and complete in BG than in IT, which may indicate better stability of the photosynthetic apparatus associated to enhanced induction of volatile and non-volatile isoprenoids and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. This study shows that a large phenotypic plasticity among A. donax ecotypes exists, and may be exploited to compensate for the low genetic variability of this species when selecting plant productivity in constrained environments.
Salmonella induces death of CD8α+ dendritic cells but not CD11cintCD11b+ inflammatory cells in vivo via MyD88 and TNFR1

Dendritic cells (DCs), whose lifespan influences their ability to stimulate the immune system, are potent APCs that are critical for initiating immunity. Here, we show that oral infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium induces death of DCs in the gut‐draining lymph nodes. Although CD8α+ DCs were sensitive to Salmonella‐induced death, CD8α– DCs and in particular recruited CD11cintCD11b+ inflammatory cells, were resistant. Infecting mice deficient for MyD88 revealed that Salmonella‐induced death of CD8α+ DCs was dependent on this adaptor for TLR signaling. In addition, CD8α+ DCs in infected, TNFR1‐deficient mice were resistant to Salmonella‐induced death. These data, combined with the strict MyD88‐dependent production of TNF in Salmonella‐infected mice, suggest that MyD88‐dependent TNF mediates DC death. As recruited CD11cintCD11b+ cells were resistant to Salmonella‐induced death, they could compensate for the infection‐induced loss of DCs if they function as APCs. However, in contrast to DCs, CD11cintCD11b+ cells could not present the model antigen OVA expressed in Salmonella to OVA‐specific CD4 T cells. These results show that Salmonella induces DC death after oral infection via MyD88 and TNFR1, which could have a negative impact on the initiation of antibacterial immunity.
Comparison of efficacy and safety profile of topical calcipotriol ointment in combination with NB‐UVB vs. NB‐UVB alone in the treatment of vitiligo: a 24‐week prospective right–left comparative clinical trial

Narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) is an effective and safe treatment for vitiligo. Calcipotriol, a synthetic analogue of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 may regulate melanin synthesis. Several clinical studies have been conducted but the synergistic effect of addition of calcipotriol to NB‐UVB in the treatment of vitiligo is still debatable.
Eosinophilic Annular Erythema Associated with Churg-Strauss Syndrome

Vol. 29, No. 6, 2017 813 Received October 10, 2016, Accepted for publication November 11, 2016 Corresponding author: Young Min Park, Department of Dermatology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2258-6223, Fax: 82-2-599-9950, E-mail: yymmpark6301@hotmail.com This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright © The Korean Dermatological Association and The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology Fig. 1. Well-demarcated, annular and erythematous plaques with slightly elevated borders. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2017. 29.6. 813
Novel oral anticoagulants in patients with chronic kidney disease and atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia in common clinical practice and its prevalence is markedly increased among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The presence of CKD increases the incidence of AF and vice versa. Both AF and CKD increase the risk of stroke or systemic thromboembolism and oral anticoagulation is the mainstay for thromboembolic event prevention in patients with AF. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are nowadays often used in patients with AF and CKD, but they display a variable degree of renal elimination and the risk of accumulation and bleeding increases among patients with CKD in particular as kidney disease progresses. While recent data have demonstrated that patients with Stage 3 CKD benefit even more from oral anticoagulation therapies in comparison with patients with normal renal function, relatively little is known about the best choice of anticoagulation in patients with advanced and, in particular, end-stage renal disease, as these patients were excluded from all pivotal Phase 3 NOACs trials. This review summarizes current knowledge on the efficacy and safety of these agents in individuals with CKD and provides CKD stage-specific recommendations.
Thrombopoietin measurement in thrombocytosis: dysregulation and lack of feedback inhibition in essential thrombocythaemia

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET), a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) manifested by excessive platelet production, lacks a specific diagnostic test to facilitate differentiation from other thrombocytoses. We studied thrombopoietin (TPO) levels in 41 patients with thrombocytosis: 25 ET patients, eight with other MPD, and eight with reactive thrombocytosis. Mean age and platelet counts for these groups were comparable. TPO levels for 96 healthy individuals provided a reference range for normal. The majority of ET patients (19/25 or 76%) had normal TPO levels. No patient with ET had a TPO level below 75 pg/ml, compared with 57% of healthy donors and 8/16 (50%) patients with other thrombocytoses (P < 0.05). TPO levels in ET are not appropriately down‐regulated, as occurs with cytokines relevant to other MPD. In thrombocytosis, a TPO level <75 pg/ml indicates that ET is unlikely.
[The 6D Bias and the Equity-Premium Puzzle]: Comment

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An exploration of the experience of gaining awareness of deficit in people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury

Gaining awareness of deficits was explored in 10 people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) using a semi-structured interview and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Eight master themes emerged from the transcripts. Knowledge of deficits was acquired through personal discovery and the reactions of others, often outside the rehabilitation environment. Rehabilitation provided explanations and a normalising and supportive environment that facilitated people in acknowledging their deficits. Most participants spontaneously referred to denial and saw this as an active cognitive and behavioural process that both helped and hindered recovery. The emotional reaction to learning about deficits was described largely in terms of fear and loss and resonates with psychological models of grief.