Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: A Critical Review

This study provides an extensive critical review of the theoretical perspectives applied on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure literature. From a CSR standpoint we review and discuss, in detail, legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory, social contract theory, and signalling theory to identify the situations that suit each of these perspectives. The findings show that there is no universal theory applicable on corporate social responsibility disclosure for all situations or societies. While legitimacy theory suggests CSR disclosures are part of a process of legitimation, stakeholder theory offers an explanation of CSR accountability to stakeholders. Legitimacy theory seems to be more suitable for organizations working in developed countries, on the other hand, stakeholder theory appears to be most suitable for organizations working in developing countries; where a corporation can manage its stakeholders and the pressure to comply with existing legislation is less as compared to the developed countries. Social contract theory is appropriate for developed/emerged economies, as CSR disclosure exists due to an implicit social contract between business and society, which implies some indirect obligations of business towards society. Signalling theory will suit a situation where firms are competing for resources. A firm willing to demarcate from other firms will engage in more CSR practices. It is also important that the signal reaches the target audience by reporting on CSR.
Stressors and Positive Coping Strategies among Patients with New Limb Amputation

Background. Amputation is a profound loss that affects both the individual and family on all levels. Amputation poses challenges on many levels: physical, emotional, social, and financial. How people cope with their amputation depends upon their unique make-up, previous life experiences, support systems, and the meaning they give to their amputation. Aim of this study was two folds: firstly, identify the stressors and coping strategies among patients with new limb amputation, secondly, examines the relationship between stressors and coping strategies among patients with new limb amputation. Design a descriptive correlation research design was selected to fulfill the aim of the study and answer the research questions. Setting was the general surgery, orthopedic and/or vascular disorder departments at El Manial University Hospital. Sample a total of convenience of fifty limb amputated patients were recruited in this study. Tools, data were collected utilizing the following tools: 1) Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, 2) Amputation Related Stressors Questionnaire, and 3) Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Results of the study findings revealed that the new limb amputated patients facing different stressors related to, firstly social life, followed by nature of illness, work situation, body image changes, while hospital stay perceived as the least source of stress. The most common way of positive coping strategies that amputated patients used was minimize the situation followed by active coping strategy. There were statistically significant differences among the study subjects in relation to different coping strategy postoperatively. Recommendations. Comprehensive nursing management protocol dealing with amputation related stressors should be available to help such patients for adjustment. [Hanan A. El Sebaee and Labiba A. Mohamed. Stressors and Positive Coping Strategies among Patients with New Limb Amputation. Journal of American Science 2011;7(9):726-736]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience. org.
Preliminary Evaluation of Genetic Diversity among Iranian Red Fleshed Apples Using Microsatellite Markers

Red fleshed apples have high levels of anthocyanins in their flesh. Iran enjoys a large variety of these apples due to its location in Central Asia. In the present study, 20 genotypes including eight Iranian red fleshed and 12 commercial Iranian and foreign apples were selected for the study of genetic diversity of red fleshed apples. We used a set of 11 microsatellite markers (SSRs) to determine genetic diversity and the linkage between these SSRs and red fleshed color. Seven SSRs were amplified and revealed adequate performance. On the whole, 56 alleles were detected ranging from 3 to 11, with an average of 8 alleles per locus. Cluster analysis was performed by the UPGMA algorithm and Dice similarity coefficient through NTSYS-pc ver. 2.02 software. The obtained dendrogram classified the studied genotypes into seven categories. Heterozygosity and Shannon Index were estimated using POPGEN 1.32 software. The genetic diversity for the two populations (Iranian and foreign) were calculated using Gene Alex ver. 6.3 software. These findings can be helpful for conservation and selection of these genetic resources and future breeding programs.
Awareness of Vitamin A Deficiency among Middle Aged Men-Research

Aim: To create awareness about Vitamin A deficiency among middle aged men. Objective: The objective of this study is to find the etiology, diet, symptoms and factors affecting Vitamin A deficiency among middle aged men. Background: Vitamin A is an unsaturated organic compound. It is present as retinoids in animals and betacarotene in plants. This vitamin is responsible for maintaining good vision, immunity and helps in development but the deficiency of vitamin A is the key cause of night blindness and other vision disorders. Vitamin A deficiency is due to the lack of information among the people about nutritional eating, since diet is the major cause of this deficiency. Along with diet, many infections are present in developing countries which drain the vitamin A reserve leading to a deficit making the individual more susceptible to infections. So awareness is the key to prevention. Vitamin A deficiency is common in developing countries, and is said to cause blindness to cause in over 500,000 children year. Reason: To create awareness among men so that they could influence their families to become healthier and prevent the newer generations to become affected by this disease.
Tracking atmospheric and riverine terrigenous supplies variability during the last glacial and the Holocene in central Mediterranean

Abstract. A multiproxy study – coupling mineralogical, grain size and geochemical approaches – was used to tentatively retrace eolian and fluvial contributions to sedimentation in the Sicilian–Tunisian Strait since the last glacial. The eolian supply is dominant over the whole interval, excepted during the sapropel S1 when riverine contribution apparently became significant. Saharan contribution increased during the Bolling–Allerod, evidencing the persistence of aridity over North Africa although the northern Mediterranean already experienced moister and warmer conditions. The Younger Dryas is marked by proximal dust inputs, highlighting intense regional eolian activity. A southward migration of dust provenance toward Sahel occurred at the onset of the Holocene, likely resulting from a southward position of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone that was probably associated with a large-scale atmospheric reorganization. Finally, a peculiar high terrigenous flux associated with drastic modifications of the mineralogical and geochemical sediment signature occurred during the sapropel S1, suggesting the propagation of fine particles derived from major floodings of the Nile River – resulting from enhanced rainfall on northeastern Africa – and their transportation across the Sicilian–Tunisian Strait by intermediate water masses.
Managing e-Learning: what are the real implications for schools?

This paper is concerned with the use of e-learning in secondary education. It is based on research that has taken place over a period of two years with students aged 14-16 (Key Stage 4). The paper considers the current research in e-learning and identifies the challenges faced by students, the changing role of the learner, and the impact e-learning can have on students. The author argues that preparation needs to be carried out at the school level prior to introducing e-learning into the Key Stage 4 curriculum. It concludes by discussing the findings of the research which identifies a range of issues schools may want to consider, when embracing e-learning.
Investigating the presence of Pfkelch gene mutations in Ugandan children with severe malaria

iv List of Tables.vi List of Figures.vii List of Abbreviations.ix Introduction.1 1.1 A general overview.1 1.2 Parasite life-cycle . 2 1.3 Malaria pathogenesis.4 1.4 Severe malaria . 4 1.5 Treatment.6 1.6 Malaria drug resistance.10 1.7 Mechanism of artemisinin resistance.12 1.8 Research objectives.15 Methods and Materials.17 2.1 Study description.17 2.2 Main study design.17 2.3 Sample processing and DNA extraction.21 2.4 PCR amplification of Pfkelch13.22 2.5 DNA sequencing.28 2.6 Statistical Tests.29 Results . 30 3.1 The study and baseline characteristics.30 3.2 Detection of Pfkelch13 gene mutations.32 3.3 Frequency distribution of Pfkelch13 alleles in CM, SMA and CC children.34
Living Dendrolitic Microbial Mats in Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia

Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia, is home to the largest and most diverse assemblage of living marine stromatolites, with shapes and sizes comparable to ancient structures. A recent field-intensive program revealed seasonally ephemeral occurrences of modern dendrolitic microbial mats forming in intertidal, low energy settings. Dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria, dendrolitic microbial mats are formed when filaments provide a supporting framework as a result of gliding mobility, to build a shrubby morphology. Dendrolites, known throughout the rock record, refer to macroscopic microbialites with mesostuctures composed of unlaminated arborescent structures called shrubs. In these modern examples, thick filaments of Lyngbya aestuarii form the “trunk” of the bush, with finer filaments of Lyngbya fragilis, Phormidium sp. and Schizothrix sp. forming the “branches” These biologically-influenced dendrolitic structures provide insight into the complex interplay of microbial communities and the environment, broadening our understanding of shrub and dendrolite formation throughout the rock record.
The X-ray puzzle of the L1551 IRS 5 jet

Protostars are actively accreting matter and they drive spectacular, dynamic outflows, which evolve on timescales of years. X-ray emission from these jets has been detected only in a few cases and little is known about its time evolution. We present a new Chandra observation of L1551 IRS 5’s jet in the context of all available X-ray data of this object. Specifically, we perform a spatially resolved spectral analysis of the X-ray emission and find that (a) the total X-ray luminosity is constant over almost one decade, (b) the majority of the X-rays appear to be always located close to the driving source, (c) there is a clear trend in the photon energy as a function of the distance to the driving source indicating that the plasma is cooler at larger distances and (d) the X-ray emission is located in a small volume which is unresolved perpendicular to the jet axis by Chandra. A comparison of our X-ray data of the L1551 IRS 5 jet both with models as well as X-ray observations of other protostellar jets shows that a base/standing shock is a likely and plausible explanation for the apparent constancy of the observed X-ray emission. Internal shocks are also consistent with the observed morphology if the supply of jet material by the ejection of new blobs is sufficiently constant. We conclude that the study of the X-ray emission of protostellar jet sources allows us to diagnose the innermost regions close to the acceleration region of the outflows.
Historical variations in African water resources

The variability of African water resources is studied through historic flow records. Spatial variability is linked to rainfall distribution and areas of high runoff are limited in extent. Annual runoff is sensitive to rainfall variations and seven year moving averages on a number of rivers are presented and compared. The implications for water resources planning are discussed. Variations historiques des ressources en eau en Afrique RESUME La variabilite des ressources en eau en Afrique est etudiee a partir d'un historique des releves hydrometriques. La variabilite spatiale depend de la distribution de la pluviometrie et les sources d'ecoulements importants sont limitees en etendue. L'ecoulement annuel est sensible aux variations de la pluviometrie, et les moyennes mobiles sur sept ans des debits moyens sont presentees et comparees pour des fleuves divers. Les implications sur la gestion des ressources en eau sont discutees. *
Comparative Detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus by the two Commonly used Assays of NSP ELISA and RT-PCR In Uganda with Quantitative Real Time RT-PCR on Field Samples

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a viral disease of Ungulates; both Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla. The mortality rates are low in adult animals but it affects milk yield and international trade. In endemic countries, diagnosis can be based on clinical signs. But these are shared by other vesicular diseases, so a laboratory is needed to confirm the disease. In Uganda the commonly used assays for the laboratory diagnosis of FMD are NSP ELISA and RT-PCR. Serology using ELISA techniques may fail to distinguish between vaccinated and new infection so compromising its sensitivity. The gel passed PCR is involves a lot of advance sample treatment increasing errors due to carry over which also compromises its sensitivity. This work reports comparative the detection of foot-and-mouth virus by NSP ELISA and RTPCR with real time PCR which was taken as the gold standard. The assays were compared in terms of sensitivity, specificity and disease prevalence and likelihood ratios. A total of 176 cattle were used from which samples that included epithelial tissues (17.05%) and oral swabs (84.09%) were collected from outbreak cases in Eastern Districts of Mbale and Budaka.
Teacher perceptions of student social competence and school adjustment in elementary school

Abstract This study examined teacher perceptions of social competence and school adjustment in a Lithuanian sample of 403 elementary school children followed from the 1st to the 2nd grade. All children were aged 7 or 8 years in the 1st grade. The teacher–reported school adjustment indicators measured concurrently in the 1st and 2nd grade included academic achievement, student–teacher relationships, and school anxiety. Results indicated that in the 1st and 2nd grade both interpersonal and learning-related aspects of social competence as reported by teachers were significantly correlated with all aspects of teacher-assessed school adjustment measured in this study. Further analysis using structural equation modeling revealed that both aspects of social competence together accounted for about a third of variance in academic achievement in the 1st and 2nd grade. Learning-related social competence alone accounted for a similar amount of variance in student–teacher conflict, while interpersonal social competence was moderately linked to social anxiety in school and student–teacher closeness.
A New Ratio Estimator in Stratified Random Sampling

Abstract In this article, we suggest a new ratio estimator in stratified random sampling based on the Prasad (1989) estimator. Theoretically, we obtain the mean square error (MSE) for this estimator and compare it with the MSE of traditional combined ratio estimate. By this comparison, we demonstrate that proposed estimator is more efficient than combined ratio estimate in all conditions. In addition, this theoretical result is supported by a numerical example.
FOR RICHER OR POORER: RECENT TRENDS IN AUSTRALIA'S REGIONAL INCOME DYNAMICS

In this paper we examine trends in Australia's regional income dynamics over the twenty-five year period 1976-2001, with particular emphasis given to the final decade within this period. The measure of income is median weekly individual income, while dispersion is analysed in terms of population weighted and unweighted coefficients of variation, weighted mean absolute deviation, as well as sigma and beta convergence. The regions comprise both states and statistical divisions. Regardless of the level of regional analysis, the results point to a lack of significant cross-sectional convergence or divergence over the entire 25 years, with alternating sub-periods of both mild divergence and mild convergence. At the statistical division level, the beta convergence measure is significant suggesting 'catch-up' in terms of rates of economic growth between low and high income regions. Analysis of intrastate patterns of dispersion reveals some interesting contrasts. So, too, does grouping of regions by type (eg. metropolitan, agricultural-based, manufacturing-based, resource development oriented, warm climate coastal; and major provincial town) and analysis of the relative performance of the individual groups.
The chemistry of multiply deuterated species in cold, dense interstellar cores

We present new models of interstellar deuterium chemistry that include more multiply deuterated species than previously considered. We first describe the updates that have been made, and compare the results given by two different underlying networks at the low temperatures and high densities characteristic of prestellar cores. We then use the models to explain recent observations of CO depletion and D 2 CO/H 2 CO ratios in prestellar cores. We find limited agreement between our models and observations for constant density scenarios, but for two of these cores we demonstrate reasonable agreement when we take the density structure of the core into account.
IRIS Simplified LERF Model

Westinghouse is currently conducting the pre-application licensing of the International Reactor Innovative and Secure (IRIS). One of the key aspects of the IRIS design is its safety-by-designTM philosophy and within this framework the PRA is being used as an integral part of the design process. The most ambitious risk-related goal for IRIS is to reduce the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) to within the exclusion area by demonstrating that the off-site doses are consistent with the US Protective Action Guidelines (PAGs) for initiation of emergency response so that the required protective actions would be limited to the exclusion area. As a first step, a model has been developed to provide a first order approximation of the Large Early Release Frequency (LERF) as a surrogate predictor of the off-site doses. A key-aspect of the LERF model development is the characterization of the possible paths of release. Four main categories have been historically pointed out: (1) Core Damage (CD ) sequences with containment bypass, (2) CD sequences with containment isolation failure, (3) CD sequences with containment failure at low pressure and (4) CD sequences with containment failure at high pressure. They have been reevaluated to account for the IRIS design features.
Evaluation of genomic selection training population designs and genotyping strategies in plant breeding programs using simulation

AbstrAct Genomic selection offers great potential for increasing the rate of genetic improvement in plant breeding programs. This research used simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of dif-ferent strategies for genotyping and phenotyp-ing to enable genomic selection in early genera -tion individuals (e.g., F 2 ) in breeding programs involving biparental or similar (e.g., backcross or top cross) populations. By using phenotypes that were previously collected in other bipa-rental populations, selection decisions could be made without waiting for phenotypes that pertain directly to the selection candidate to be collected, a process that would take at least three growing seasons. If these phenotypes were collected in biparental populations that were closely related to the selection candidates, only a small number of markers (e.g., 200–500) and a small number of phenotypes (e.g., 1000) were needed to achieve effective accuracy of estimated breeding values. If these phenotypes were collected in biparental populations that were not closely related to the selection can-didates, as many as 10,000 markers and 5000 to 20,000 phenotypes were needed. Increasing marker density beyond 10,000 markers did not show benefit and in some scenarios reduced the accuracy of prediction. This study provides a guide, enabling resource allocation to be opti -mized between genotyping and phenotyping investment dependent on the population under development.J.M. Hickey, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Vet-erinary Studies, Univ. of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Research Center, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; S. Dreisigacker, Global Wheat Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. 06600 Mexico D.F. , Mexico; J. Crossa and K. Mathews, Biomet -rics and Statistics Unit, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. 06600 Mexico D.F. , Mexico; S. Hearne, Genetic Resources Program, International Maize and Wheat Improve -ment Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. 06600 Mexico D.F. , Mexico; R. Babu and B.M. Prasanna, Global Maize Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Apdo. 06600 Mexico D.F. , Mexico; M. Grondona and A. Zambelli, Center for Biotechnol-ogy Research, Advanta Semillas, Ruta 226 Km 60.5, (7620) Balcarce, Argentina; V.S. Windhausen, Saaten Union Recherche, 160 Avenue de Flandre, 60190 Estrees Saint Denis, France; Gregor Gorjanc, Biotech-nical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domzale, Slovenia. Received 22 Mar. 2013. *Corresponding author (john.hickey@roslin.ed.ac.uk).
An Investigation into the Effect of Programme Music on Attention and Working Memory

The present study investigated the effects of programme music on attention and working memory, employing the use of both a modern instrumental music and no-music control. Previous research has established a positive association between music and increased performance on cognitively demanding tasks. The current sample (N=25) consisted of 11 males and 14 females, with ages ranging from 18-29. A between-groups, experimental design was employed, which featured three separate conditions, which were classified by the independent variable, which was type of music (programme, modern or no-music). Working memory was measured by the n-back, whilst attention was measured using The Continuous Performance Test. Results indicate that there was no significant difference in performance between groups on either of the dependent variables of attention and working memory, not supporting the hypotheses. A main effect was detected for inter-stimulus intervals on impulsivity, however the differences in impulsivity levels between the millisecond intervals were only slight. The effects of impulsivity and musical training on results were investigated in an exploratory manner. Implications of the current study and future recommendations are discussed.