Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internships Adrift? Anchoring Internship Programs in Collaboration

This article discusses how experiential knowledge has become institutionalized as “for credit” internships in schools of public affairs and administration. It presents an overview of the history of internships, along with associated research that has been conducted in this area. Following that review, the authors advance a model depicting the interdependent links between students, their university, and a government agency or nonprofit organization that hosts interns. The model offers a simplified tool for understanding the complex activities and collaborations necessary for creating successful internships. The processes described in the component parts of the model are substantiated by previous research and survey data derived from department chairs in NASPAA-accredited programs in 2010.
Voluntary greenhouse gas emission disclosure impacts on accounting-based performance: Australian evidence

ABSTRACT Using a cost-benefit framework, this research examines the impact of voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) disclosure on accounting-based performance. Previous studies suggest that the implementation of carbon management and reporting may be associated with the improvement of accounting-based performance by the identification of cost savings opportunities or the introduction of innovation opportunities in products and services. This study is the first that applies several proxies of accounting-based performance, such as, return on assets, return on equity and return on sales, to empirically examine the association between voluntary GHG disclosure by non-GHG registered Australian companies and accounting-based performance. The level of GHG disclosure is scored through content analysis of the annual reports of sample organisations for the financial years 2009 to 2011. This research highlights that GHG disclosure is positively associated with ROA in the year following disclosure. The findings are consistent with the predictions of the cost-benefit framework. It indicates that companies bear the extra voluntary disclosure costs to gain the perceived benefits of voluntary disclosure. Our findings are useful for organisations and stakeholders who are concerned about the cost-benefit of voluntary carbon disclosure.
Microplate Subtractive Hybridization To Enrich for Bacteroidales Genetic Markers for Fecal Source Identification

ABSTRACT The ability to identify sources of fecal pollution plays a key role in the analysis of human health risk and the implementation of water resource management strategies. One approach to this problem involves the identification of bacterial lineages or gene sequences that are found exclusively in a particular host species or group. We used subtractive hybridization to enrich for target host-specific fecal Bacteroidales rRNA gene fragments that were different from those of very closely related reference (subtracter) host sources. Target host rRNA gene fragments were hybridized to subtracter rRNA gene fragments immobilized in a microplate well, and target sequences that did not hybridize were cloned and sequenced for PCR primer design. The use of microplates for DNA immobilization resulted in a one-step subtractive hybridization in which the products could be directly amplified with PCR. The new host-specific primers designed from subtracted target fragments differentiated among very closely related Bacteroidales rRNA gene sequences and distinguished between similar fecal sources, such as elk and cow or human and domestic pet (dog).
Diabetes mellitus in midlife and the risk of dementia three decades later

Objective: To examine the association between diabetes in midlife (1963–1968) and dementia more than three decades later (1999–2001). Methods: The authors characterized dementia using standard methods for 1,892 participants among 2,606 survivors of 10,059 participants in the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease study, a longitudinal investigation of the incidence of and risk factors for cardiovascular disease among Jewish male civil servants in Israel. Face to face interviews were conducted with the 652 subjects identified as possibly demented by the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of diabetes with dementia controlling for sociodemographic and cardiovascular variables compared to those with no cognitive impairment. Results: Of 1,892 assessed subjects (mean age 82 at assessment), 309 (16.3%) had dementia. Diabetic subjects had significantly more dementia than non-diabetic subjects (χ2 = 7.54, df = 1, p = 0.006, OR 2.83 [95% CI = 1.40 to 5.71]). Those who survived to the time of this study were younger and healthier than those who died. Conclusions: Evidence for diabetes as a risk factor for dementia was found, similar to other epidemiologic studies. In contrast to the earlier studies, however, the authors linked diabetes in midlife to dementia more than three decades later in the very old survivors of a large male cohort.
Differential Current Decay Profiles of Epithelial Sodium Channel Subunit Combinations in Polarized Renal Epithelial Cells*

In many epithelial tissues in the body, the rate of Na+ reabsorption is governed by the activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). The assembly, trafficking, and turnover of the three ENaC subunits (α, β, and γ) is complex and not well understood. Recent experiments suggest that ENaC must be proteolytically cleaved for maximal activity and may explain the discrepancies reported in prior biochemical approaches focused on quantitating the trafficking and half-life of full-length subunits. As an alternative approach to examining the dynamics of ENaC subunits, we have generated doxycycline-repressible replication-defective recombinant adenoviruses encoding individual epitope-tagged mouse ENaC subunits and expressed these in polarized MDCK I cells. Co-infection with these viruses encoding all three subunits generates robust amiloride-sensitive currents in polarized MDCK cells. Significant current was also observed in cells expressing α- and γ-mENaC in the absence of β-mENaC. These currents did not appear to result from association with endogenous canine β-ENaC. Treatment of αβγ-expressing cells with cycloheximide (CHX) resulted in the rapid inhibition (within 3 h) of ∼50–80% of the initial current; however, a sizable fraction of the initial current remained even after 6 h of CHX. By contrast, CHX addition to cells expressing only α- and γ-mENaC resulted in rapid decay in current with no residual fraction. Our data suggest that ENaC channels of differing stoichiometries are differentially trafficked and degraded and provide support for the possibility that noncoordinate trafficking of ENaC subunits may function in vivo as a mechanism to modulate ENaC activity.
Differentiation and Organizational Performance: Empirical Evidence from Jordanian Companies

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between differentiation strategy and organizational performance. To investigate this relationship, 33 industrial companies listed at Amman Stock Exchange by the beginning of 2010 were surveyed. Industrial companies listed at Amman Stock Exchange were surveyed. The result of multiple regression analysis indicates that the differentiation strategy has not significant effect on organizational performance of such companies. One important practical implication of this result is for the Jordanian companies to incorporate the different dimensions of product differentiation strategy correctly to improve their performance. However, implication and limitations are discussed along with future research agenda.
U.S. Low and Minimum Volatility Indexes: An EmpiricalAnalysis of Factor Exposure

This study investigates the major low and minimum volatility indexes used as benchmarks for the largest ETFs in the space. The authors contend that the findings on low and minimum volatility investing in the academic literature are captured by the indexes. Specifically, they find that the indexes examined provide superior risk-adjusted performance relative to a market capitalization benchmark. They also find that factor exposures are significant, on average, and explain away the significant alphas in the large-/mid-cap but not small-cap indexes examined. Further, they find that factor exposures, particularly value and momentum, are time-varying and can be of either sign, whereas investment and profitability exposure are generally positive and consistent. Smart-beta and factor investors should be aware of the nature of the factor exposures that low and minimum volatility strategies contribute to a portfolio.
The financial and educational outcomes of Bachelor degree non-completers

ABSTRACT Student attrition is an area of constant concern for higher education managers and policymakers alike, yet little is known of the outcomes of those who depart higher education prematurely. We examine the educational and financial outcomes of students who start, but do not complete, a Bachelor-level course using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We find that the number of non-completers is remarkably high, but also that the majority of Bachelor non-completers have completed some other form of tertiary-level qualification. Consistent with other research, we also find that Bachelor non-completers report higher incomes than those who have not attempted a Bachelor degree. The results suggest that the current sectoral focus on preventing student attrition is limited. Further strategies are required to re-engage students who have withdrawn from higher education and to understand the trajectories of partial completers and the impacts of partial completion.
Temporality of Couple Conflict and Relationship Perceptions

Using 5 waves of longitudinal survey data gathered from 3,405 couples, the present study investigates the temporal associations between self-reported couple conflict (frequency and each partner’s constructive and withdrawing behaviors) and relationship perceptions (satisfaction and perceived instability). Autoregressive cross-lagged model results revealed couple conflict consistently predicted future relationship perceptions: More frequent conflict and withdrawing behaviors and fewer constructive behaviors foretold reduced satisfaction and conflict frequency and withdrawal heightened perceived instability. Relationship perceptions also shaped future conflict, but in surprising ways: Perceptions of instability were linked with less frequent conflict, and male partner instability predicted fewer withdrawing behaviors for female partners. Higher satisfaction from male partners also predicted more frequent and less constructive conflict behavior in the future. These findings illustrate complex bidirectional linkages between relationship perceptions and couple conflict behaviors in the development of couple relations.
Long-Term Comparison of GOS-E Scores in Patients Treated With Phenytoin or Levetiracetam for Posttraumatic Seizure Prophylaxis After Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Much debate exists on the optimal medication for posttraumatic seizure prophylaxis after traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is some evidence that levetiracetam (LEV) could be neuroprotective and provide long-term benefits in this patient population. Objective: The primary objective was to compare the Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended (GOS-E) 6 months or more after severe TBI. Secondary end points were presence of early seizures (0 to 7 days post-TBI) or late seizures (8 days post-TBI to phone interview), use of anticonvulsant medication when interviewed, medication-related hospital complications, and a summary of phenytoin (PHT) and LEV dosing regimens. Methods: This was an IRB-approved, single-center, prospective cohort analysis. Patients were identified by cross-referencing a list of patients receiving LEV or PHT, with a list of patients with ICD-9 code consistent with TBI. After study inclusion, patients were contacted by telephone, and the GOS-E was administered. Data for secondary end points were gathered by retrospective chart review. Results: In all, 19 patients were included in the final analysis. There was no difference in the GOS-E score assessed ≥6 months after injury (5.07 ± 1.69 vs 5.60 ± 2.07, P = 0.58). There was no difference in the secondary end points of early seizures (P = 0.53) or late seizures (P = 0.53). However, the PHT group experienced a higher rate of hospital days with recorded fever (0.20 ± 0.22 vs 0 ± 0; P = 0.014). Conclusions: Long-term functional outcome in patients who experienced a TBI was not affected by treatment with PHT or LEV; however, patients treated with PHT had a higher incidence of fever during hospitalization.
Influence of microfinance services on entrepreneurial success of women in Sri Lanka

This research studies the impact of microfinance services on the entrepreneurial success of users of such services who are mostly women of the lowest income categories. Three microfinance financial services namely, microcredit, micro-savings and micro-insurance have been identified through literature among other non -financial services. In this study, researcher has studied only the influence of financial services of microfinance on entrepreneurial success of women entrepreneurs. An empirical investigation is carried out among a sample of 464 women receiving microfinance services, selected using stratified random sampling technique. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face to face interviews. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) (version 21) is employed to test the relationships between these microfinance services and entrepreneurial success. The sample of this study captures only the women entrepreneurs from Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) registered with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The results have discovered that microcredit and micro-savings have a positive relationship with entrepreneurial success of women, while micro-insurance has not shown such a relationship. These findings can be helpful to the policy makers in developing the microfinance sector and microfinance institutions to design their service offers. The research identifies some important areas for future research as well. Key words: Microfinance, microfinance services, microfinance institutions, entrepreneurial success.
Better is the Neighbor?

Abstract This study applies the Sequential Panel Selection Method (SPSM), to investigate the convergence properties of the military expenditure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the period of 1990–2015. Compared to the traditional methods, SPSM considers fundamentally general spatial homogeneous and heterogeneous relationships with countries and examines the evolution of military expenditure. We find that four-fifths of NATO member countries have been convergent with the UK, but no country’s military expenditure is convergent with the US. This means that there is no significant linkage effect in the US for NATO military expenditure. While they are allies of the US, the majority of NATO member countries’ military expenditures are consistent with UK military expenditure. The main reasons are due to the geographical space layout and the international relationship convergence. The results indicate that more than four-fifths of NATO member countries have been coordinated with convergence theory and spillover effect.
Half Mode Substrate Integrated Waveguide (HMSIW) Bandpass Filter

This letter presents the design and experiment of the half mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) bandpass filters. Three-pole and five-pole HMSIW filters are simulated by using CST software and fabricated with a single layer standard printed circuit board process. Different external-coupling approaches are adopted in the design of the two filters. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulated results. Low insertion loss and good selectivity are achieved
Prevalence and correlates of body image dissatisfaction in postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT Dissatisfaction with one’s body image is widespread and can have serious health consequences; however, research about its prevalence and correlates in older women is limited. We analyzed data from 75,256 women participating in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, a longitudinal study of postmenopausal women’s health. Measures used in the study were collected at baseline and/or the third year of follow-up between 1993 and 2002. The majority of participants (83%) in this study were dissatisfied with their bodies because they perceived themselves as heavier than their ideal. Overall, the multiple and significant correlates of body image dissatisfaction explained 36.2% of the variance in the body image dissatisfaction score, with body mass index (BMI) and change in BMI being the two most important contributors to explaining the variance. The results of this study suggest future research should focus on the utility of interventions to reduce dissatisfaction with body image in postmenopausal women that target either maintenance of a lower BMI through diet and exercise, and/or body acceptance. Further, future research should aim to identify factors in addition to body size that drive body image dissatisfaction.
Evaluation of TOP2A as a Predictive Marker for Endometrial Cancer With Taxane-Containing Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Objective Paclitaxel plus carboplatin and doxorubicin plus cisplatin are usually selected as adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer. However, biomarkers that can determine the appropriate chemotherapy regimen are not known. In the present study, we performed a retrospective investigation of the association between TOP2A, HER2 overexpression, and disease-free and overall survival in patients with endometrial cancer receiving taxane and platinum. Methods Eligible patients had a diagnosis of endometrial cancer based on histology and treated with an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen comprising taxane-platinum after surgery, and the HER2 and TOP2A status of the endometrial cancer regions was determined. Overall survival and disease-free survival between HER2 status and TOP2A status were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Results We identified 56 patients who fulfilled the previously described criteria. Median follow-up was 49 months (range, 18-110 months). HER2-positive tumors were detected in 11 patients (19.6%), and TOP2A-positive tumors were detected in 7 patients (12.5%). Overall survival was not significantly different between patients with HER2-positive tumors and those with HER2-negative tumors, although disease-free survival for patients with HER2-positive tumors was significantly lower than disease-free survival for patients with HER2-negative tumors (P = 0.049). In contrast, patients with TOP2A-positive tumors had significantly lower overall survival than did patients with TOP2A-negative tumors (P = 0.020), and disease-free survival for patients with TOP2A-positive tumors tended to be shorter than for those with TOP2A-negative tumors. Conclusions Patients with TOP2A overexpression have a worse prognosis compared with those with TOP2A nonexpression, and TOP2A may be a useful biomarker in patients receiving adjuvant taxane-platinum regimens with moderate- to high-risk endometrial cancer.
“Y” and “X” Stent-Assisted Coiling of Complex and Wide-Neck Intracranial Bifurcation Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted coiling with two stents has been described in some series for the treatment of complex and wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. Our aim was to report our experience of a stent-assisted coiling technique with double stents in “Y” and “X” configurations, with emphasis on safety, feasibility, and efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients for whom the strategic therapeutic option was the stent-assisted coiling technique in a Y or X configuration for neck scaffolding from June 2006 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred five aneurysms in 97 patients were treated during 100 consecutive procedures. There were 54.2% (57/105) MCA, 28.6% (30/105) anterior communicating artery, 16.2% (17/105) basilar tip, and 1.0% (1/105) ICA termination aneurysms. A Y stent placement was used to treat 87 aneurysms in 85 procedures; an X stent placement was used to treat 7 aneurysms in 6 procedures, while 9 procedures failed for 11 aneurysms. There were 10.0% (10/100) procedure-related permanent neurologic deficits and 1.0% (1/100) death. The immediate angiographic controls showed a complete occlusion in 47.6% (50/105) of the aneurysms and a partial (neck or sac remnant) occlusion in 52.4% (55/105). To date, 81.0% (85/105) of the aneurysms have been followed up (mean, 17 months) with angiography, disclosing a recanalization in 5.9% (5/85) and an improvement in 42.4% (36/85). At discharge and follow-up, the mRS score was 0 in 83.5% (81/97) of patients, 1 in 4.1% (4/97), 2 in 3.1% (3/97), 3 in 4.1% (4/97), 4 in 3.1% (3/97), and 6 in 2.1% (2/97). CONCLUSIONS: Y and X stent-assisted coiling of complex and wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms is an effective technique.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Chinese Foxtail Millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] Landraces

As an ancient cereal of great importance for dryland agriculture even today, foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is fast becoming a new plant genomic model crop. A genotypic analysis of 250 foxtail millet landraces, which represent 1% of foxtail millet germplasm kept in the Chinese National Gene Bank (CNGB), was conducted with 77 SSRs covering the foxtail millet genome. A high degree of molecular diversity among the landraces was found, with an average of 20.9 alleles per locus detected. STRUCTURE, neighbor-jointing, and principal components analyses classify the accessions into three clusters (topmost hierarchy) and, ultimately, four conservative subgroups (substructuring within the topmost clusters) in total, which are in good accordance with eco-geographical distribution in China. The highest subpopulation diversity was identified in the accessions of Pop3 from the middle regions of the Yellow River, followed by accessions in Pop1 from the downstream regions of the Yellow River, suggesting that foxtail millet was domesticated in the Yellow River drainage area first and then spread to other parts of the country. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay of less than 20 cM of genetic distance in the foxtail millet landrace genome was observed, which suggests that it could be possible to achieve resolution down to the 20 cM level for association mapping.
‘Post-truth’ schooling and marketized education: explaining the decline in Sweden's school quality

Abstract The Swedish school system suffers from profound problems with teacher recruitment and retention, knowledge decline, and grade inflation. Absenteeism is high, and psychiatric disorders have risen sharply among Swedish pupils. In this pioneering analysis of the consequences of combining institutionalized social constructivism with an extensive marketization of education, we suggest that these problems are to no small extent a result of an unlikely combination of a postmodern view of truth and knowledge, the ensuing pedagogy of child-centered discovery, and market principles. We show how the stipulated view of truth and knowledge and the design of the system impacts on the incentives for the various agents involved: pupils, parents, teachers, principals, school owners, the municipality, the central government, and, ultimately, the general public. Our study implies that caution is necessary for countries that have a tradition of social-constructivist practices in their education systems and are considering implementing or expanding market-based school reforms.