Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NPM merger mania Lessons from an early case

A central doctrine of NPM requires the adoption of commercial management techniques to address the espoused goals of saving money and improving collaboration and service co-ordination. This article examines the evidence base for NPM mergers and uses study data to explain how two ingrained features of professional work helped to produce unintended outcomes at an early UK case involving a specialist mental health provider and an acute trust. The emergence of a de facto mental health trust within the merged entity arose from senior professionals' capacity to ‘buffer’ the work of colleagues from the rationalizing spectre of the merger. The persistence of ‘loosely coupled’ practices and structures restricted improvements in collaboration and service co-ordination. It is argued that these two enduring characteristics of professional organization will shape the outcomes of future NPM mergers in mental health care e.g. the creation of social care trusts and mental health ‘super-trusts’) and in other fields such as higher education.
Rice Production Response in Cambodia

This paper analyzes how Cambodian farmers and the government can respond to the rise of rice price. The study estimates rice production response in Cambodia using the Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys (CSES) conducted in 2004 and 2007. The results indicate that agricultural productivity is far from its potential and can be increased substantially by using modern technology and inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation. Our findings also suggest that the Cambodian government needs to design its investment strategy to relax constraints in rural infrastructure such as transportation and electricity in order to increase its agricultural production and productivity and boost farmers’ income.
PERSONAL LIFE FACTORS AS RELATED TO EFFECTIVENESS AND SATISFACTION OF SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL TEACHERS

The quality of education being delivered is a critical issue in American society. Teachers who are satisfied with their work and have a strong sense of purpose tend to have programs which produce successful students. Researchers have found that the quality of education being delivered is a function of the teacher’s level of of job satisfaction (Bowen, 1981) and degree of teacher effectiveness (Miller, Kahler & Rheault, 1989). Because the performance of secondary agricultural teachers is important to the success of agricultural education programs, factors that influence teacher effectiveness and satisfaction must be identified. Consequently, several important questions must be asked. How satisfied and effective are teachers currently. What factors influence the satisfaction and effectiveness of secondary agricultural education instructors. What conditions must exist for teachers to be more satisfied and effective?
Defective Potassium Channel Kir2.1 Trafficking Underlies Andersen-Tawil Syndrome*

Andersen-Tawil syndrome is a skeletal and cardiac muscle disease with developmental features caused by mutations in the inward rectifier K+ channel gene KCNJ2. Patients harboring these mutations exhibit extremely variable expressivities. To explore whether these mutations can be correlated with a specific patient phenotype, we expressed both wild-type (WT) and mutant genes cloned into a bi-cistronic vector. Functional expression in human embryonic kidney 293 cells showed that none of the mutant channels express current when present alone. When co-expressed with WT channels, only construct V302M-WT yields inward current. Confocal microscopy fluorescence revealed three patterns of channel expression in the cell: 1) mutations D71V, N216H, R218Q, and pore mutations co-assemble and co-localize to the membrane with the WT and exert a dominant-negative effect on the WT channels; 2) mutation V302M leads to channels that lose their ability to co-assemble with WT and traffic to the cell surface; 3) deletions Δ95-98 and Δ314-315 lead to channels that do not traffic to the membrane but retain their ability to co-assemble with WT channels. These data show that the Andersen-Tawil syndrome phenotype may occur through a dominant-negative effect as well as through haplo-insufficiency and reveal amino acids critical in trafficking and conductance of the inward rectifier K+ channels.
Complement Depletion Reduces Macrophage Infiltration and Activation during Wallerian Degeneration and Axonal Regeneration

After peripheral nerve injury, macrophages infiltrate the degenerating nerve and participate in the removal of myelin and axonal debris, in Schwann cell proliferation, and in axonal regeneration.In vitro studies have demonstrated the role serum complement plays in both macrophage invasion and activation during Wallerian degeneration of peripheral nerve. To determine its rolein vivo, we depleted serum complement for 1 week in adult Lewis rats, using intravenously administered cobra venom factor. At 1 d after complement depletion the right sciatic nerve was crushed, and the animals were sacrificed 4 and 7 d later. Macrophage identification with ED-1 and CD11a monoclonal antibodies revealed a significant reduction in their recruitment into distal degenerating nerve in complement-depleted animals. Complement depletion also decreased macrophage activation, as indicated by their failure to become large and multivacuolated and their reduced capacity to clear myelin, which was evident at both light and electron microscopic levels. Axonal regeneration was delayed in complement-depleted animals. These findings support a role for serum complement in both the recruitment and activation of macrophages during peripheral nerve degeneration as well as a role for macrophages in promoting axonal regeneration.
Valuing blue flag status and estuarine water quality in margate, South Africa

This study estimates the costs associated with reduced water quality and withdrawal of Blue Flag status in Margate, Kwazulu-Natal, based on travel costs and contingent behaviour (reported change in visits contingent on a hypothetical scenario). Costs associated with hypothetical loss of Blue Flag status (based on reduced visits) range between R17 and R25 million per annum. Interestingly, Blue Flag status was withdrawn shortly after completion of the survey, owing to reduced water quality. This study therefore provides an estimate of the associated welfare losses, and of the benefits of actions to improve water quality and restore Blue Flag status. Copyright (c) 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation (c) 2008 Economic Society of South Africa.
Behavioral Approaches to Optimal FDI Incentives

Countries attempt to attract foreign investors by offering them a set of incentives. The most common types of foreign direct investment incentives are grants and tax relief. Although the amount of the grant is independent of future situations, the value of a tax relief depends on future profits. Our study used the behavioral approach to test experimentally the preferences of managers regarding the desired types of incentives under various conditions. We found, 'Regret Effect', 'Statues Quo Bias', and 'Insurance Effect' in subjects' decision making. A country can improve the incentives it offers by considering the various behavioral biases of the companies' managers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modélisation de la Prévision de Défaillance Bancaire Une Application aux Banques des Pays Emergents

Notre travail s'inscrit dans le courant consacre a la prevision de la defaillance bancaire. Il se propose de tester la validite de la typologie de type CAMEL dans le cadre de la modelisation de la prevision du defaut bancaire dans les pays emergents. Son originalite reside dans l'application aux pays emergents. En appliquant un modele logit a une base de donnees de banques defaillantes dans les pays emergents, nous retrouvons les principaux resultats des modeles de prevision de la defaillance bancaire qui suivent la typologie CAMEL. Les variables proxies de la solvabilite bancaire, de la qualite des actifs, plus particulierement la politique de provisionnement des credits, de la qualite de gestion, de la rentabilite et de la liquidite des actifs et du taux d'intermediation ont un impact significativement negatif sur la probabilite de defaillance a un an.
Currency substitution, policy rule and pass-through: evidence from Turkey

In this article we analyse empirically currency substitution and exchange rate pass-through in the Turkish Economy, where their ongoing presence could undermine the implementation of a successful monetary policy, especially in a flexible exchange rate regime. Even though a considerable time has passed after the implementation of a flexible exchange rate regime in Turkey, by using Vector Error Correction model for the period from 1987 to 2004, we find that the currency substitution and exchange rate pass-through still have importance in the Turkish Economy and the monetary policy stance has been considerably strong, possibly, as a response of ongoing presence of them. If this is the case, to avoid the undesired consequences of this strong monetary policy, Turkey should consider some policy measures to reduce the degree of pass-through and currency substitution.
Antifibrotic effect of xanthohumol in combination with praziquantel is associated with altered redox status and reduced iron accumulation during liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinogenesis

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) caused by infection of the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, (Ov) is the major public health problem in northeast Thailand. Following Ov infection the subsequent molecular changes can be associated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced chronic inflammation, advanced periductal fibrosis, and cholangiocarcinogenesis. Notably, resistance to an activation of cell death in prolonged oxidative stress conditions can occur but some damaged/mutated cells could survive and enable clonal expansion. Our study used a natural product, xanthohumol (XN), which is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, to examine whether it could prevent Ov-associated CCA carcinogenesis. We measured the effect of XN with or without praziquantel (PZ), an anti-helminthic treatment, on DNA damage, redox status change including iron accumulation and periductal fibrosis during CCA genesis induced by administration of Ov and N-dinitrosomethylamine (NDMA) in hamsters. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: group I, Ov infection and NDMA administration (ON); group II, Ov infection and NDMA administration and PZ treatment (ONP); the latter 2 groups were similar to group I and II, but group III received additional XN (XON) and group IV received XN plus PZ (XONP). The results showed that high 8-oxodG (a marker of DNA damage) was observed throughout cholangiocarcinogenesis. Moreover, increased expression of CD44v8-10 (a cell surface in regulation of the ROS defense system), whereas decreased expression of phospho-p38MAPK (a major ROS target), was found during the progression of the bile duct cell transformation. In addition, high accumulation of iron and expression of transferrin receptor-1 (TfR-1) in both malignant bile ducts and inflammatory cells were detected. Furthermore, fibrosis also increased with the highest level being on day 180. On the other hand, the groups of XN with or without PZ supplementations showed an effective reduction in all the markers examined, including fibrosis when compared with the ON group. In particular, the XONP group, in which a significant reduction DNA damage occurred, was also found to have iron accumulation and fibrosis compared to the other groups. Our results show that XN administered in combination with PZ could efficiently prevent CCA development and hence provide potential chemopreventive benefits in Ov-induced cholangiocarcinogenesis.
Postbankruptcy Performance and Management Turnover

This article examines the performance of 197 public companies that emerged from Chapter 11. Over 40 percent of the sample firms continue to experience operating losses in the three years following bankruptcy; 32 percent reenter bankruptcy or privately restructure their debt. The continued involvement of prebankruptcy management in the restructuring process is strongly associated with poor postbankruptcy performance. The substantial number of firms emerging from Chapter 11 that are not viable or need further restructuring provides little evidence that the process effectively rehabilitates distressed firms and is consistent with the view that there are economically important biases toward continuation of unprofitable firms. Copyright 1995 by American Finance Association.
Diel oviposition periodicity of anopheline mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Americas: Anopheles albimanus Wieldemann and Anopheles freeborni Aitken.

The diel oviposition patterns of Anopheles albimanus and An. freeborni derived from Panama and California, U.S.A. , respectively, were studied in the laboratory by recording the egg-laying of individuals and colonies at 2-h intervals. Anopheles freeborni oviposition patterns were almost exclusively nocturnal, with 80% of eggs being laid during the scotophase. A large, well-defined peak of oviposition, comprising about 70% of eggs laid, occurred 4-6 h before sunrise. Anopheles albimanus oviposition patterns were bimodal with crepuscular and nocturnal components, 68% of eggs being laid shortly before lights went 'off' or 'on' and 32% during the scotophase. A small, well-defined peak of oviposition, comprising about 42% of eggs laid, occurred immediately following lights off (i.e. 18.00-20.00 hours). Nulliparous females allowed to engorge on human blood matured, on average, 104 follicles (range 80-142) for An. albimanus and 114 follicles (range 31-201) for An. freeborni.
Realization of an Ultracompact Low-Loss Photonic Crystal Corner Mirror

We report on the realization and characterization of an ultracompact, low-loss, and broadband corner mirror based on photonic crystals (PCs). By modifying the boundary layers of the PC region, extra losses of dB per corner mirror are achieved for transverse-electronic polarization for silicon-on-insulator ridge waveguides fabricated by electron beam lithography and inductively coupled plasma etching. Dimensions of the PC corner mirror are less than, which are only about one tenth of conventional waveguide corner mirrors.
Principals' Content Knowledge: Examining the Relationship between Principals' Reading Knowledge and Leadership Actions from Principals' and Teachers' Perceptions

Principals‘ leadership content knowledge in reading was investigated by examining the relationship between the perceived reading knowledge of principals and perceived leadership actions principals take to support reading instruction. Survey results from 78 principals and 1,876 teachers were analyzed. Results showed a positive, statistically significant correlation between principals‘ perceptions of their reading knowledge and principals‘ perceptions of the actions they take to support reading. A stronger positive, significant correlation between teachers‘ perceptions of their principal‘s reading knowledge and teachers‘ perceptions of their principal‘s actions was also demonstrated. These correlations substantiated studies that purported principals with more reading knowledge are more likely to take leadership actions to support effective reading instruction. In this study, reading knowledge was defined by both reading content and pedagogy. Significant but weak relationships were found between: teachers‘ perceptions of their principal‘s reading knowledge and type of school; teachers‘ perceptions of their principal‘s actions and type of school; and teachers‘ perceptions of their principal‘s actions and teachers‘ years of experience. Non-significant results were found for all other relationships examined. Comparisons of survey responses revealed discrepancies between principals‘ and teachers‘ perceptions of the degree of principals‘ reading knowledge and extent of their actions, which may be important since the literature suggests that differing levels of knowledge and ideas of actions a principal should take can stymie school progress. The study‘s results suggest: changes in principal
INHERITANCE PATTERN OF SOME FIBRE AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS IN COTTON (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton production in Pakistan is increasing progressively. It reflects, apart from the effect of other cotton production technology factors, the efforts of breeders for evolving varieties with higher yield potential. Without any doubt cotton is the only commodity of commerce which is maintaining and/or strengthening the economy of Pakistan through adding the biggest share in our foreign exchange earnings. Now with the changing trend of international market about the quality of fibre we should divert our attention towards improving fibre quality particularly fibre fineness and fibre length of our cotton without ignoring the side of higher yield. Apart from this cotton is the biggest oil producing crop in Pakistan. It contributes about 55% (Anonymous, 1991) to our local edible oil production. The characters like seed index can help improving this side of our cotton as there is positive correlation between seed index and oil content of the seed. For literature consult please. Anwar and Khan (1974), Chowhdry (1974), Khan et at. (I975), Gururaja Rao et al. (1977), Kohel (1978), Mirza and Khan (1984), Khan (1986), Lertprasertrat et al. (1987), Khan et al., (1989) and Khan et al. (1991). MATERIALS AND METHODS
Estimating the Malaria Attributable Fever Fraction Accounting for Parasites Being Killed by Fever and Measurement Error

ABSTRACT Malaria is a major health problem in many tropical regions. Fever is a characteristic symptom of malaria. The fraction of fevers that are attributable to malaria, the malaria attributable fever fraction (MAFF), is an important public health measure in that the MAFF can be used to calculate the number of fevers that would be avoided if malaria was eliminated. Despite such causal interpretation, the MAFF has not been considered in the framework of causal inference. We define the MAFF using the potential outcome framework, and define causal assumptions that current estimation methods rely on. Furthermore, we demonstrate that one of the assumptions—that the parasite density is correctly measured—generally does not hold because (i) fever kills some parasites and (ii) parasite density is measured with error. In the presence of these problems, we reveal that current MAFF estimators can be significantly biased. To develop a consistent estimator, we propose a novel maximum likelihood estimation method based on exponential family g-modeling. Under the assumption that the measurement error mechanism and the magnitude of the fever killing effect are known, we show that our proposed method provides approximately unbiased estimates of the MAFF in simulation studies. A sensitivity analysis is developed to assess the impact of different magnitudes of fever killing and different measurement error mechanisms. Finally, we apply our proposed method to estimate the MAFF in Kilombero, Tanzania. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Social Justice and Career Development: Views and Experiences of Australian Career Development Practitioners

Career development practice had its origins in social justice reform over 100 years ago. A social justice perspective requires practitioners to examine the environmental context of their work, including the social, economic and political systems that influence people's career development. Achieving socially just outcomes for clients may necessitate intervention in these systems. While social justice is receiving a resurgence of interest in the literature, little is known about career development practitioners' attitudes towards and knowledge of socially just practice. The present paper examines the views and experiences of Australian career development practitioners on social justice. Data was collected by means of an online survey. Participants offered descriptions of their understanding of social justice and also examples of critical incidents in which they had attempted social justice interventions. Findings related to how Australian career development practitioners describe and operationalise social justice in their work are presented, as well as recommendations for future research.
The Impact of Implementation of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology on the Surgical Treatment of Thyroid Nodules

Published data suggest that the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) is valuable in directing therapy of thyroid nodules. Literature examining the effect of the BSRTC on management when compared with pre BSRTC is lacking, however. This study evaluates the impact of applying the BSRTC retrospectively to a series of patients who underwent surgery after a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) classified using the pre BSRTC system, and investigates how the BSRTC application to the same population would have ultimately affected the management strategy. One hundred patients who had previously undergone both FNAB and thyroidectomy before implementation of the BSRTC were randomly selected. Each FNAB was examined by a single cytopathologist (blinded to both the original interpretation and the surgical pathology findings) and reclassified using the BSRTC. Accuracy of both systems was examined using the final pathology as the true diagnosis. Of 68 FNABs initially classified as indeterminate, 32 (47.1%) were reclassified as benign. There was no significant difference in overall rates of detection of malignancy on final pathology in specimens classified as benign, both pre and post application of the BSRTC (P = 0.70). Application of the BSRTC resulted in a significant percentage of indeterminate specimens being reclassified as benign, presumably due to more standardized criteria for interpretation and reporting. No significant change in detection of malignancy was observed. We conclude that application of the BSRTC may result in lower rates of thyroidectomy, while preserving the same diagnostic accuracy in the detection of thyroid malignancy.
Gambling on the S&P 500's Gold Seal: New Evidence on the Index Effect

This study examines the abnormal returns, trading activity and long term performance of stocks that were added to the S&P 500 Index during the period 1990 to 2002. By using a three-factor pricing model that allows for firm size and value characteristics as well as market risk, we are able to shed new light on the widely observed ‘index effect’. We argue that for the years 1990-1997 in particular, firm size mattered in the long-run and firm size effects cannot be captured by a single factor model for abnormal returns. We also find a transitory increase in trading volume between the announcement and a few days after the effective date. The “seal” of S&P 500 Index membership has very long term effects and inclusion is not an information-free event.