Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outreach : volunteer motivations in Namibian LGBT rights-based organisations

Namibia continues to face an ongoing struggle in protecting the rights and civil liberties of its LGBT population with LGBT rights-based organisations in the country strongly relying upon their volunteers to take advantage of political opportunities and manage multiple visibilities. Despite a growing body of international research into volunteer motivation and the beneficial application of such knowledge in volunteer management strategies, a dearth of literature exists on the motives of volunteers within LGBT rights-based organisations. This study uses data from qualitative interviews with 6 formal volunteers from Namibian LGBT rights-based organisations to explore volunteer motivations. A thematic analysis of the research findings reveal the complex motivations underlying volunteering in these organisations. Volunteer motivations in Namibian LGBT rights-based organisations included: (a) addressing and promoting humanitarian concerns; (b) improved social interaction, integration and support; (c) self-regulatory opportunities for personal enhancement; (d) developing career prospects; and (e) responding to past homophobic incidents. Barriers to volunteering were also identified and included: (a) strained organisational resources; (b) LGBT discrimination; and (c) complacency. For volunteer recruitment and retention strategies to be effective, organisations need to recognise and satisfy volunteers’ motives while also properly training and assisting volunteers in their respective roles. Also, given the local LGBT community’s sense of complacency, Namibian LGBT rights-based organisations would greatly benefit by strategically engaging community members and working to overcome the community’s lack of urgency. iv Namibian LGBT Rights-Based Organisations
Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants: Preparation and application methods by traditional healers in selected districts of southern Ethiopia

Aim: The aim was to document the ethnoveterinary medicinal plants, their preparation, and application methods used by traditional healers in treating different animal diseases, in four districts with different culture and languages in southern Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: Information of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants was obtained through in-depth direct interview with the local healers and field observations. A descriptive statistics was used to analyze the reported ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. The informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated for each category of diseases to identify the agreements of the informants on the reported cures. Preference ranking was used to assess the degree of effectiveness of certain medicinal plants against most prevalent animal diseases in the area. Results: The healers had a very high intention to keep their traditional knowledge secrete and none of them was ready to transfer their knowledge either freely or on incentive bases to other people; they need to convey their knowledge only to their selected scions after getting very old. A total of 49 plant species used to treat 26 animal ailments were botanically classified and distributed into 34 families. The most commonly used plant parts for remedy preparations were leaves (38.8%), followed by whole roots (20.4%). Calpurnia aurea (Ait.) Benth was the most preferred effective treatment against external parasite and skin problem, which is the most prevalent disease with the highest ICF (0.68). Conclusion: The study suggests that the community of the study districts depend largely on ethnoveterinary medicinal plants for the treatment of different animal ailments though the healers have a very high intention to keep their traditional knowledge secrete. Commonly reported plant species need to be tested for their antimicrobial activities in vitro and validated their active ingredients in order to recommend effective preparations and treatments to this community.
Cartilage tissue enhances proteoglycan retention by nucleus pulposus cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of cartilage on nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue in an in vitro model. METHODS Cells were isolated from bovine NP or articular cartilage and allowed to form tissue in vitro. The NP tissue was grown either alone or in the presence of cartilage tissue (coculture) for up to 4 weeks and examined for histologic appearance, gene expression, and biochemical composition. For selected experiments, NP tissue was grown in coculture with fragments of cartilage end-plate. RESULTS Coculture of in vitro-formed NP tissue with cartilage end-plate tissue resulted in a significant increase in proteoglycan content in the NP tissue by 2 weeks, compared with NP tissue grown alone. Substituting in vitro-formed cartilage tissue for cartilage end-plate also had a positive effect on the NP tissue, suggesting that it was an appropriate substitute for cartilage end-plate. Coculture of NP with in vitro-formed cartilage for 2 weeks increased aggrecan and collagen gene expression compared with that in NP tissue grown alone, and also reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5. NP cells from older and younger animals responded similarly to in vitro-formed cartilage. Expression of genes for tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and TACE in NP cells was higher when grown in the absence of cartilage. This corresponded with increased TNFα protein levels in the absence of cartilage. CONCLUSION The data suggest that chondrocytes may secrete a factor(s) that positively enhances tissue growth, perhaps by inhibiting TNFα production. This could be a potential mechanism explaining how loss of the cartilage end-plate may contribute to the development of NP degenerative changes.
Business Models Outside the Core: Lessons Learned from Success and Failure

OVERVIEW: Leaders at incumbent firms increasingly recognize that in order to sustain growth and protect their companies from disruption, they must innovate “outside the core”—beyond the familiar markets and competencies on which the company has built its existing business. Outside-the-core innovation projects, which target new customers or non-consumers in new markets, can lead to high growth. However, they are also very risky: the odds of success for outside-the-core projects rapidly drop with each step outside the core. In a study of six outside-the-core projects using a business model perspective, we found that, contradictory to common wisdom, the likelihood of failure is not related to how many steps the project is outside the core. Instead, the risk of failure is influenced by false assumptions about the distribution channels, cost structure, unit margins, and velocity elements of the innovation, which are often carried over from the incumbent business model.
Head Pain in Non-Traumatic Carotid Artery Dissection: A Series of 65 Patients

In order to assess the prevalence and characteristics of cephalic pain in internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, and to compare clinical and angiographic features of patients with painful and non-painful dissections, we observed 65 patients with angiographically diagnosed extracranial ICA dissection from 1972 to 1990. Forty-eight patients (74%) complained of a cephalic pain which was inaugural in 38 (58.5%). It was homolateral to the dissection in 79% of cases and lasted from 1 h to 30 days, with a median of 5 days. Signs of cerebral or retinal ischemia were observed in 79% of patients, often delayed and occurring up to 29 days after the onset of pain. A painful Horner's syndrome was present in 31% of patients, and was the only manifestation of dissection in 16%. The clinical presentation of the dissections and angiographic findings were similar in patients with and without pain except for a past history of migraine which was more frequent in patients with painful dissections. Cephalic pain is frequent and often inaugural in carotid dissection. Its recognition is important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Chromosome studies in thyroid neoplasia

Cytogenetic studies in thyroid neoplasia were performed by G‐banding of chromosome preparations obtained from the in vitro cultures of nine adenomas, one follicular carcinoma, five papillary carcinomas, and two medullary carcinomas. Complex structural chromosome aberrations were found in one adenoma. Two more adenomas, both composed of Hürthle cells, showed multiple numerical chromosome deviations with trisomy 4 and tetrasomy 7 in common. Six metastasizing carcinomas were characterized by normal stemlines, which indicates that malignancy in thyroid neoplasia cannot be excluded by cytogenetic techniques used currently. Comparisons between cytogenetic findings and cytophotometric DNA measurements in the material studied illustrate that euploid tumors represent a heterogenous group including cases with various gross structural chromosome aberrations of yet unknown clinical significance. Further studies of additional material with long‐term follow‐up are called for by our findings of structural and numerical chromosome aberrations in follicular neoplasms that are benign according to histologic criteria.
A Structural Model of Transcription Elongation

The path of the nucleic acids through a transcription elongation complex was tracked by mapping cross-links between bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) and transcript RNA or template DNA onto the x-ray crystal structure. In the resulting model, the downstream duplex DNA is nestled in a trough formed by the β′ subunit and enclosed on top by the β subunit. In the RNAP channel, the RNA/DNA hybrid extends from the enzyme active site, along a region of the β subunit harboring rifampicin resistance mutations, to the β′ subunit “rudder. ” The single-stranded RNA is then extruded through another channel formed by the β-subunit flap domain. The model provides insight into the functional properties of the transcription complex.
Promoter-specific trans-activation by the adenovirus E1A12S product involves separate E1A domains

Recent studies have shown that the adenovirus E1A12S product can trans-activate transcription by activating the transcription factor E2F. However, E2F cannot be the only target for the E1A12S product, since several cellular promoters have been found to be activated by the E1A12S protein even though they lack E2F sites. Indeed, we now show that activation of the hsp70 promoter by the E1A12S product requires the TATAA sequence. Moreover, activation of the hsp70 promoter requires the N-terminal domain of the E1A protein and does not require the conserved region 2 sequences which are required for the E2F-dependent activation of transcription. We conclude that the targeting of distinct transcription factors, leading to trans-activation of transcription of multiple promoters, involves distinct domains of the E1A proteins that are also required for oncogenic activity.
Regulation of beta catenin signaling and parathyroid hormone anabolic effects in bone by the matricellular protein periostin

Periostin (Postn) is a matricellular protein preferentially expressed by osteocytes and periosteal osteoblasts in response to mechanical stimulation and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Whether and how periostin expression influences bone anabolism, however, remains unknown. We investigated the skeletal response of adult Postn−/− and Postn+/+ mice to intermittent PTH. Compared with Postn+/+, Postn−/− mice had a lower bone mass, cortical bone volume, and strength response to PTH. PTH-stimulated bone-forming indices were all significantly lower in Postn−/− mice, particularly at the periosteum. Furthermore, in vivo stimulation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling by PTH, as evaluated in TOPGAL reporter mice, was inhibited in the absence of periostin (TOPGAL;Postn−/− mice). PTH stimulated periostin and inhibited MEF2C and sclerostin (Sost) expression in bone and osteoblasts in vitro. Recombinant periostin also suppressed Sost expression, which was mediated through the integrin αVβ3 receptor, whereas periostin-blocking antibody prevented inhibition of MEF2C and Sost by PTH. In turn, administration of a Sost-blocking antiboby partially restored the PTH-mediated increase in bone mass in Postn−/− mice. In addition, primary osteoblasts from Postn−/− mice showed a lower proliferation, mineralization, and migration, both spontaneously and in response to PTH. Osteoblastic gene expression levels confirmed a defect of Postn−/− osteoblast differentiation with and without PTH, as well as an increased osteoblast apoptosis in the absence of periostin. These data elucidate the complex role of periostin on bone anabolism, through the regulation of Sost, Wnt-β-catenin signaling, and osteoblast differentiation.
Pakistan: a demographic report.

In 1973 Pakistan was the worlds ninth most populous nation. The growth rate has been estimated at 3.5% the birth rate at 48 per 1000 population and the death rate at 13. Migration and agricultural problems exist. There is an urgent need to formulate plans and programs that will cause the fertility rate to drop sharply and quickly. The sharp decline in the mortality rates in the 1930s and 1940s is still being felt. Studies have shown that Pakistani couples wish to have 2 male offspring who will survive past the age of 25. The parents anticipate the need for support in old age. It has been estimated that between 6-7 children would be needed to guarantee 2 males who would attain adulthood. The government should aim at programs to reduce the infant mortality rate for when the parents see that there are not as many infant deaths in their community they realize that they do not have to have so many children to achieve the desired number of sons. When schooling increases beyond the primary level and when jobs become available to large numbers of women fertility rates will be substantially affected. In 1960 family planning became part of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. A program costing $64 million to provide contraceptive services to 1.2 million failed. The program was passive and family planning was relegated to second place in the Minstry. In 1961 a pilot project in family planning began in Comilla. The underlying assumption was that the family size was the accidental outcome of sexual activity. A program was formulated to reduce the birth rate by 10 per 1000 within 5 years (1965-1970). The program depended on the village midwife. The IUD was used. Later vasectomy became popular but in each program the young couple just beginning to have children was not reached. In the future more emphasis must be placed on education and health.
Individual Variation in Hunger, Energy Intake, and Ghrelin Responses to Acute Exercise

Purpose This study aimed to characterize the immediate and extended effect of acute exercise on hunger, energy intake, and circulating acylated ghrelin concentrations using a large data set of homogenous experimental trials and to describe the variation in responses between individuals. Methods Data from 17 of our group's experimental crossover trials were aggregated yielding a total sample of 192 young, healthy males. In these studies, single bouts of moderate to high-intensity aerobic exercise (69% ± 5% V˙O2 peak; mean ± SD) were completed with detailed participant assessments occurring during and for several hours postexercise. Mean hunger ratings were determined during (n = 178) and after (n = 118) exercise from visual analog scales completed at 30-min intervals, whereas ad libitum energy intake was measured within the first hour after exercise (n = 60) and at multiple meals (n = 128) during the remainder of trials. Venous concentrations of acylated ghrelin were determined at strategic time points during (n = 118) and after (n = 89) exercise. Results At group level, exercise transiently suppressed hunger (P < 0.010, Cohen's d = 0.77) but did not affect energy intake. Acylated ghrelin was suppressed during exercise (P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.10) and remained significantly lower than control (no exercise) afterward (P < 0.024, Cohen's d = 0.61). Between participants, there were notable differences in responses; however, a large proportion of this spread lay within the boundaries of normal variation associated with biological and technical assessment error. Conclusion In young men, acute exercise suppresses hunger and circulating acylated ghrelin concentrations with notable diversity between individuals. Care must be taken to distinguish true interindividual variation from random differences within normal limits.
Measuring Local Individual Housing Returns from a Large Transaction Database

Housing returns are an important element in households' housing tenure choices (buy/rent) and investors' portfolio compositions. Usually in the absence of individual data, practitioners resort to the ratio of the average of rents to transaction prices over large areas to proxy these returns, but this measure may not capture the different responses to shocks of each variable varying with the heterogenous characteristics of the dwellings, and it does not take into account the vacancy risk for the investors. Working with a panel of 40,000 rented flats or houses surveyed on a yearly basis by the OLAP and with the database of the registration by notaries of all the housing transactions between 1996 and 2007 in the greater Paris area, we develop econometric models of prices, rents, occupation, and vacancy spells, and develop statistical procedures to produce local measures of rental returns, capital gains, and the associated risks depending on physical characteristics. This allows us to illustrate a significant and persistent heterogeneity in rental returns and the impact of vacancy depending on the type of dwellings. Areas with initial high rental returns seem to experience higher capital gains which negatively impact the rental returns afterwards. Finally, the variance of returns varies with location and these differences are persistent. All these features should be taken into account when investing in housing.
Gene Transcript Assay by Real-Time Rt-PCR in Epithelial Breast Cancer Cells Selected by Laser Microdissection

The cell type heterogeneity within clinical cancer tissue samples may affect the accuracy of gene expression analysis. In order to validate our laser microdissection (LMD) method using the Leica AS LMD system (LEICA Microsystems), we compared the mRNA levels of three major genes involved in breast cancer (ERα, PR, HER2), measured by means of real-time quantitative RT-PCR, in 5000 microdissected malignant epithelial cells and in corresponding bulk tumor ho-mogenates from 14 patients. We also compared the mRNA level results to protein expression measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the same tumors. For the three genes, significant correlations were found between mRNA results obtained on microdissected cells and IHC. Comparison between IHC and mRNA results obtained on microdissected cells and bulk tumors showed that in all cases microdissection enhanced the sensitivity of assessing target gene transcript levels and was essential for their accurate evaluation in heterogeneous tumors.
Towards a Better Understanding of Cellular Events in Mycosis Fungoides: An Immunohistochemical Study

In the present work, we have attempted to pay special attention to epidermal and dermal cellular events in Mycosis fungoides (MF). In the epidermis, the two dendritic cell populations, CD1+ and OKM5+, HLe‐1+, the adhesion molecules OKM5 and DR on the surface of epidermal cells (Ecs), and cytoskeletal proteins were studied. CD1+ dendritic epidermal cells were generally more abundant than OKM5+, HLe‐1+ ones with no interrelationship in their presence. OKM5+, HLe‐1+ dendritic cells prevailed in the second stage plaques. The staining pattern with anti‐spectrin polyclonal antibody gradually presented increased intensity from Pre‐MF to tumor stage. The activation‐proliferation related immunophenotype was also examined, as well as other useful markers, in an attempt to correlate their presence in different stages of MF. Special emphasis was given to the staining pattern with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) monoclonal antibody against three targets: epidermal, endothelial, and lymphoid cells. The presence of Ki‐67 proliferation marker in suprabasal epidermal layers and lymphoid cells in the dermal infiltrate was also of interest.
Strategic orientations, sustainable supply chain initiatives, and reverse logistics

Purpose – Global outsourcing shifts manufacturing jobs to emerging countries, which provides new opportunities for improving their economic development. The authors develop and test a theoretical model to predict first, how sustainable supply chain initiatives might influence reverse logistics outcomes and second, the impact of eco-reputation and eco-innovation orientation strategies on the deployment of sustainable supply chain initiatives. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed new model of antecedents and outcomes of sustainable supply chain initiatives underwent a rigorous empirical test through structural equation modeling with samples from an emerging market. Findings – The results show that firms that implement sustainable supply chain initiatives can realize positive reverse logistics outcomes; the study also provides new insights into eco-innovation and eco-reputation strategic orientations as theoretically important antecedents of sustainable supply chain initiatives. Research limitations/implications – Though the authors identify three components of sustainable supply chain initiatives, other components could exist, and ongoing research should investigate them. Practical implications – The findings have important implications for managers in emerging markets seeking to initiate ecologically friendly business practices. The authors offer strong evidence of the benefits obtained from reverse logistics in sustainable supply chain initiatives. Policy makers and firms attempting to nurture sustainable supply chain initiatives should not overlook the important role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations, which the results identify as important enablers. Originality/value – This study offers evidence of the critical role of eco-reputation and eco-innovation strategic orientations in deploying sustainable supply chain initiative programs, as well as of their mutual effects. This study also offers empirical evidence that implementing sustainable supply chain initiatives leads to reverse logistics, creating value, and a new source of competitive advantages.
Short-term Internet search using makes people rely on search engines when facing unknown issues

The Internet search engines, which have powerful search/sort functions and ease of use features, have become an indispensable tool for many individuals. The current study is to test whether the short-term Internet search training can make people more dependent on it. Thirty-one subjects out of forty subjects completed the search training study which included a pre-test, a six-day’s training of Internet search, and a post-test. During the pre- and post- tests, subjects were asked to search online the answers to 40 unusual questions, remember the answers and recall them in the scanner. Un-learned questions were randomly presented at the recalling stage in order to elicited search impulse. Comparing to the pre-test, subjects in the post-test reported higher impulse to use search engines to answer un-learned questions. Consistently, subjects showed higher brain activations in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex in the post-test than in the pre-test. In addition, there were significant positive correlations self-reported search impulse and brain responses in the frontal areas. The results suggest that a simple six-day’s Internet search training can make people dependent on the search tools when facing unknown issues. People are easily dependent on the Internet search engines.