Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Practices Related to Menstruation among Tribal (Gujjar) Adolescent Girls

Abstract The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstruation among tribal (Gujjar) adolescent girls. The sample for the study comprised of 200 girls in the age group 13-15 years. Both nomadic and semi-nomadic Gujjars were included. A combination of snowball and random sampling technique was used for selection of the sample group from various areas of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir State. Interview guide was developed and used to study the knowledge and practices related to menstruation among adolescent girls. Along with the Interview guide, the menstrual history of the sample group was recorded by the medical experts in the proforma devised for the purpose. The results revealed that sample girls lacked conceptual clarity about the process of menstruation before they started menstruating due to which they faced several gynaecological problems. The most common source of information about menstruation for the majority (83%) of the sample girls were friends. There were several socio-cultural taboos related to menstruation. The level of personal hygiene and management of menstruation was found to be quite unsatisfactory. 98% of the girls believed that there should be no regular bath during menstrual cycle. All the girls reported following these cultural practices without much questioning. The results hold implications for professionals involved in improvement of adolescent reproductive health in particular.
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures: health protection or protectionism?

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures exist to protect human, animal and plant health within a country by applying quality and safety standards on imported goods. Concern on whether these measures were used as hidden protectionism led to the creation of the SPS Agreement to which World Trade Organization (WTO) members are bound. Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), the maximum amount of pesticides allowed to remain on products, are sanitary measures included in the SPS. The goal of this paper is to examine whether MRLs are used to protect health or as a pro
A Preliminary Test of the Resonance Marketing Hypothesis: Guidance for Future Research Assessing Multi-Attribute Preferences in Horizontal Competition

The Resonance Marketing hypothesis suggests that in an era of nearly perfect online information consumers will be able to know everything about products that interest them, including their exact descriptions, the best available sellers, and prices throughout the market. Consumers will then purchase those products that offer the greatest consumer surplus, which may not be the products with lowest prices in areas where individual consumers have the strongest preferences. We divide the Resonance Marketing hypothesis into three testable subordinate hypotheses. We test one of the three, Verifiability: Consumers will not be deceived by false or manipulated content, and will be able to assess products and their reviews and be able to make rational purchase decisions. Preliminary data suggest that testing Verifiability will be difficult and will require complex experimental design. The paper ends with insights into how one would more completely test the Verifiability Hypothesis and suggestions for future research.
Participatory approach to identify interventions to improve the health, safety, and work productivity of smallholder women vegetable farmers in the Gambia

ObjectiveThis paper describes the qualitative, community-based participatory approach used to identify culturally-acceptable and sustainable interventions to improve the occupational health, safety, and productivity of smallholder women vegetable farmers in The Gambia (West Africa). Materials and MethodsThis approach was used to conduct: 1) analysis of the tasks and methods traditionally used in vegetable production, and 2) selection of interventions.ResultsThe most arduous garden tasks that were amenable to interventions were identified, and the interventions were selected through a participatory process for further evaluation.ConclusionsFactors contributing to the successful implementation of the participatory approach used in this study included the following: 1) ensuring that cultural norms were respected and observed; 2) working closely with the existing garden leadership structure; and 3) research team members working with the subjects for an extended period of time to gain first-hand understanding of the selected tasks and to build credibility with the subjects.
The effects of caregiver emotional stress on the depressive symptomatology of the care recipient

Objectives: Depression is a leading mental health issue affecting elderly individuals worldwide. Previous research widely neglects caregiver emotional stress as a probable contributing factor of depression in the elderly. This study investigated caregiver emotional stress as a chronic life stressor of an elderly care recipient using the life stress paradigm as the theoretical foundation. Methods: The relationships between caregiver emotional stress and care receiver depressive symptoms, as well as other social and psychological mediation factors, were investigated using the 2004 wave of the National Long-Term Care Study (NLTCS). The NLTCS is a nationally representative longitudinal study used to identify frail and disabled elderly Medicare recipients living in the United States. The analytic sample of this study included 1340 caregiver–care receiver dyads who were asked a series of questions concerning their mental health (i.e. emotional stress and depressive symptoms), as well as the availability of social and psychological resources. Results: Overall, the results showed that high levels of emotional stress reported by the caregiver were associated with a higher likelihood of the disabled care receiver reporting depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The findings of this investigation point to the importance of studying caregivers and care receivers as dyads as the stress associated with the caregiving role affects each member.
Do female black field crickets Teleogryllus commodus benefit from polyandry?

Female insects that mate multiply tend to have increased lifetime fitness, apparently because of greater access to male‐derived resources (e.g. sperm, nuptial gifts) that elevate fertility/fecundity. Experiments that standardize the number of matings per female also show that polyandry can improve aspects of offspring performance, most notably early embryo survival (egg hatching success). This improvement is widely attributed to genetic benefits which would arise if polyandrous females skew paternity to produce fitter offspring. In two separate experiments with field crickets (Teleogryllus commodus) polyandrous females (two, three or four mates) did not have higher egg hatching success than monandrous females (effect sizes: r = 0.03 and 0.08 for the respective experiments), which is consistent with our finding of no sire effect on hatching success. Polyandry also had no effect on post‐hatching offspring survival. Polyandrous females’ offspring took significantly longer to mature but their sons were not heavier and their daughters were actually significantly smaller than those of monandrous females. Finally, after controlling for relative male size, monandrous females’ sons were more successful when directly competing for a mate.
The effect of shipping knowledge and absorptive capacity on organizational innovation and logistics value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine what types of shipping knowledge are crucial in order for shipping companies to survive in dynamic business environment, and to investigate how the shipping knowledge affects the company’s performance (i.e. organizational innovation and logistics value). This paper also diagnoses the moderating effect of absorptive capacity on the relationship between the shipping knowledge and its effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature, a theoretical framework and relevant hypotheses are established so as to show associated relationships between shipping knowledge, absorptive capacity, and organizational innovation and logistics value. Data are collected for an empirical analysis and a moderated hierarchical regression analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings – Results show that a high level of shipping knowledge has a positive influence on the organizational innovation and logistics value of shipping companies. The findings als.
Eservice Quality For Customer Satisfaction Measurement: A Case Study On Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.

The purpose of the study is to identify customer satisfaction through e-service quality of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL). Buckley (2003:455) defines e- Service as the electronic provision of a service to customers whilst Santos (2003:234) describes e-service as the provision of consumers with a superior experience with respect to the interactive flow of information. The researchers used judgment sampling. Customers faced ATM service disorder, problems in using using sms banking services, prompt service from the bank. User-friendly, responsive online service experiences, educating customer how to use online service, training of employees will increase the e-service quality of IBBL in future.
UNDERPRICING AND BOARD STRUCTURES: AN INVESTIGATION OF MALAYSIAN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS (IPOs)

Using firm-level corporate governance data for 385 IPO (initial public offering) firms that sought to be listed on Bursa Malaysia from 1999 to 2008, this study examines the relationship between board structures and IPO underpricing, a performance indicator unique to the IPO context. The study finds that there has been recently a reasonably high level of underpricing in the Malaysian IPO market. Contrary to the prediction of this study, the results indicate that dual leadership structure and board reputation (i.e., multiple board memberships) are positively and significantly associated with the extent of IPO underpricing. It appears that the separation of board chair and CEO positions signals low quality for the IPO firm. Because of the risky nature of IPO firms, investors tend to favour continuity in leadership. Directors who hold outside board memberships with other firms also have a negative effect on investors' assessments of firm quality. Potential investors feel that directors with numerous board seats are inclined to become distracted in which case monitoring intensity is likely to suffer. Other board variables, namely, board independence (i.e., board composition) and board size, do not significantly link to underpricing. Finally, the study finds that both firm size and the total number of risks factors disclosed are negatively and significantly related to underpricing. Overall, these results provide evidence supporting that good corporate governance practices are likely to help potential investors identify quality IPO firms.
Regulation of CYP3A5 by Glucocorticoids and Cigarette Smoke in Human Lung-Derived Cells

CYP3A5 is the major CYP3A form in the human lung, and it is inducible by dexamethasone in the human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line. In the present study, we characterized the nature and mechanism of this induction process. The induction of CYP3A5 mRNA was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in A549 cells. About 4-fold induction was detected by nanomolar concentrations of dexamethasone and also by budenoside and beclomethasone dipropionate, glucocorticoids used for the inhalation treatment of bronchial asthma, whereas the CYP3A4 inducers mifepristone (RU486), rifampicin, clotrimazole, and nifedipine were without effect. The glucocorticoid induction was blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU486. In transient transfection assays to A549 cells, CYP3A5 5′ regulatory region was activated by the dexamethasone treatment. In contrast, dexamethasone was unable to induce CYP3A5 transcription in GR-deficient COS-1 cells, but the induction could be achieved after GR cotransfection. The CYP3A5 expression was measured in alveolar macrophages from patients with respiratory diseases. The CYP3A5 expression level was decreased by smoking, but glucocorticoid therapy had no statistically significant effect. In conclusion, CYP3A5 is induced in the A549 cells by glucocorticoids through a GR-mediated pathway, whereas smoking may be able to depress CYP3A5 expression.
Dividend Policy and Corporate Governance: An Analysis of Listed Indian Firms

In this paper, we investigate the possible association between the firm’s ownership structure and dividend policy and whether the corporate governance practices adopted by the firm have any impact on dividend policy. In India the presence of family run firms, with concentrated ownership, is a reality and we try to understand whether such firms have any significantly different approach to dividend policy compared to non-family run companies. The use of debt by firms in its capital structure acts as an additional monitoring mechanism and we propose to analyse whether this has any impact on dividend policy. We explore the determinants of dividend policy of Indian firms. Thus, firm characteristics which seem to have an impact on dividend policy, like profitability, liquidity, growth, income volatility, size, and age are investigated. We use a panel of 51 top Indian listed firms, in terms of market capitalization (BSE 100 and NSE 100), over the five year period from 2007-08 to 2011-12 for our analysis. We conclude that foreign institutional ownership, board size and the proportion of non-executive directors on the board have significant impact on the dividend policy of the firm. Enterprise value to profits and the proportion of cash and cash equivalent to total assets also has an influence on the dividend policy. Growth opportunities and the size of the firm also impact the dividend policy of firms.
A Novel Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Protein Rcr1 Regulates Chitin Deposition in the Cell Wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

Congo red binds to the cell wall and inhibits the growth of yeast. In a screening for multicopy suppressor genes of Congo red hypersensitivity of erd1Δ mutant, we found that a previously uncharacterized gene, YBR005w, makes most of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains resistant to Congo red. This gene was named RCR1 (resistance to Congo red 1). An rcr1Δ null mutant showed an increased sensitivity to Congo red. RCR1 encodes a novel ER membrane protein with a single transmembrane domain. Molecular dissection suggested that the transmembrane domain and a part of the C-terminal polypeptide are sufficient for the activity. We examined the effect of RCR1 in various null mutants of genes related to the cell wall. The resistance of mutants to Congo red correlates with a reduction of chitin content. Multicopy RCR1 caused a significant decrease in the chitin content while the amount of alkali-soluble glucan did not change. The binding of Calcofluor white to the cell wall significantly decreased in these cells. Our results show that RCR1 regulates the chitin deposition and add firm genetic and biochemical evidences that the primary target of Congo red is chitin in S. cerevisiae.
Cooperativity between 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 and Hexose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase in the Lumen of the Endoplasmic Reticulum*

The functional coupling of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was investigated in rat liver microsomal vesicles. The activity of both enzymes was latent in intact vesicles, indicating the intraluminal localization of their active sites. Glucose-6-phosphate, a substrate for hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, stimulated the cortisone reductase activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate uptake by S3483, a specific inhibitor of the microsomal glucose-6-phosphate transporter, decreased this effect. Similarly, cortisone increased the intravesicular accumulation of radioactivity upon the addition of radiolabeled glucose-6-phosphate, indicating the stimulation of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. A correlation was shown between glucose-6-phosphate-dependent cortisone reduction and cortisone-dependent glucose-6-phosphate oxidation. The results demonstrate a close cooperation of the enzymes based on co-localization and the mutual generation of cofactors for each other.
A case of multiple jejunal diverticula causing chronic volvulus, and with associated megacolon

gastrectomized patients to avoid oranges and mushrooms. When obstruction occurs it is felt that conservative treatment, consisting of (I) gastric aspiration, (2) intravenous fluids, (3) twicedaily enemata, can safely be employed as long as the bowel-sounds persist and the pulse remains steady. Both these cases had a short period of fever, lasting I day in Case I and 3 days in Case 2, and it is felt that the patient should be afebrile for at least 48 hours before discharge. The only previous reference to the conservative management of this condition came from Powley (1961)~ who mentions 2 cases in whom conservative management was abandoned after 12 hours but does not state precisely what was done. A further case of his had had several similar bouts, as in the first case reported here, after meals of tripe, and these had subsided spontaneously. Rains and others (1956) report a normal person in whom the diagnosis of bolus obstruction due to chestnuts was made and the patient relieved by enema saponis. Management by laparotomy appears to have no mortality, although septic wounds have complicated several cases in whom enterotomy was performed. On the other hand, z fatal cases of orange-pith obstruction are recorded by Davies (1956) and Medico-legal Report (1954). Both patients died untreated 36 hours after the onset of symptoms. Obviously, if these cases are to be managed conservatively, care must be taken to watch the pulse and the abdomen. Conservative management of bolus obstruction is not advised if the patient has not had a gastrectomy, as frequently there will be found a predisposing cause (Davies and Lewis, 1959)~ such as a Meckel’s or jejunal diverticulum; nor should laparotomy be delayed if the pulse rises, the abdomen becomes silent, or abdominal tenderness increases or becomes generalized. Finally, it should be emphasized that a surgeon must take as much care to advise his gastrectomized patients to avoid eating citrus fruits as he does to tie the left gastric artery. Despite this, O’Donnell(1956) reports a case in which two episodes of orange-pith obstruction, both requiring laparotomy, occurred in the same patient !
An Empirical Investigation of Some Antecedents of Opportunism in a Marketing Channel

The author examines the determinants of opportunistic behavior in an interfirm relationship. Data from a franchise setting are examined for the effects of inter-organizational structure and interfirm influence on attitudes and opportunistic behavior. The results indicate that opportunism is affected by attitudes as well as such factors as interorganizational structure. Theoretical and managerial implications for the analysis of marketing channels are offered.
Reducing Bias and Inefficienry in the Selection Algorithm

A sheet which is a blend of water-insoluble fibers and pieces of film of a dry material which converts to a gel quickly on contact with a large amount of water. The blend is formed by suspending the fibers and film pieces in air. The sheet is useful in structures designed for absorbing body fluids, e.g. disposable diapers.
Option Backdating Announcements and Information Advantage of Institutional Investors

This article uses transaction-level fund trading data from the United States to study the information advantage of institutional investors. Our research design follows a two-step procedure. In the first step, we identify funds that sell shares in firms before their unexpected revelation of stock option backdating (BD) investigations, and thus establish fund–firm pairs of interest. In the second step, we focus on trading that takes place at other times and find that the funds are more likely to make correct trades before the earnings announcements of their paired firms and that their trading performance for paired firms is better in general. This superior performance, however, is more evident in the pre-BD-announcement period and for firms whose BD investigations are initiated internally. The results imply that although institutions have access to private information on certain firms, this advantage disappears after the BD revelation, possibly due to reduced information leakage.
The Microtubule-Associated Protein MAP1B Is Involved in Local Stabilization of Turning Growth Cones

For the development of the nervous system it is crucial that growth cones detect environmental information and react by altering their growth direction. The latter process is thought to depend on local stabilization of growth cone microtubules. We have obtained evidence of a role for the microtubule-associated protein MAP1B, in particular a mode 1 phosphoisoform of the molecule, P1-MAP1B, in this process. P1-MAP1B is tightly associated with the cytoskeleton and is present at highest concentrations in the distal axon and the growth cone of chick retinal ganglion cells. In growth cones turning at nonpermissive substrate borders, P1-MAP1B is restricted to regions which are stabilized. Unilateral neutralization of P1-MAP1B in one-half the growth cone by microscale chromophore-assisted laser inactivation changes growth cone motility, morphology, and growth direction. The results indicate a functional role for P1-MAP1B in local growth cone stabilization and thus growth cone steering.
An Evolutionary Model of Bertrand Oligopoly

We analyze the long-run outcome of markets in which boundedly rational firms with a decreasingreturns to scale technology compete in prices. The behavior of these firms is based on limitation ofsuccess and experimentation. In this framework, we introduce a new approach to model boundedlyrational behavior, based on the idea of behavioral principles, i.e. formal descriptions. Even with thesimplest ones, the result is that the prices announced are a strict refinement of the set of Nashequilibria. With more sophisticated behavioral principles, the long-run outcome corresponds to theconcept of central prices (wich are also Nash equilibria) introduced here. This is a robust andclear-cut prediction wich, under quadratic costs and arbitrary demand, essentially coincides with theWalrasian equilibrium.
Post‐engorgement dynamics of haemagglutination activity in the midgut of phlebotomine sandflies

Abstract. Haemagglutination activity (HA) was studied in gut extracts of both sexes of adults of six sandfly species. HA was sex dependent, with the activity in males more than 50 times lower man that of unfed females. In females, high HA was demonstrable in both the thoracic and abdominal midgut but not in the hindgut. In unfed flies the activity was similar in the midgut wall and the gut contents whereas, in fed females, a high increase was seen in the midgut contents. After blood‐feeding, HA was elevated, reaching peak titres 2 days later and then falling to the base level or less immediately after defaecation. The magnitude of the HA response differed according to species, ranging from 2‐fold in Lutzomyia carmelinoi up to 16‐fold in Phlebotomus duboscqi. Quantitative differences between sandflies in their HA response may influence their ability to support the development of Leishmania spp.