Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reading exposure: a (largely) environmental risk factor with environmentally-mediated effects on reading performance in the primary school years.

BACKGROUND It is widely believed that there are reciprocal links between reading achievement and reading exposure: children who read more do better at reading, and reading achievement itself promotes reading. We tested the hypotheses that these links arise because children's genetically influenced reading performance is correlated with their leisure-time reading exposure, and reading exposure, in turn, may have an environmentally mediated effect on later reading performance. METHOD The sample consisted of 3039 twin pairs from the UK Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). Reading exposure was assessed at age 10 using the Author Recognition Test (ART). Reading performance was assessed at ages 7 and 12 using the Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE). RESULTS ART scores were moderately correlated with TOWRE scores at ages 7 and 12. Shared environmental variance in 7-year TOWRE performance accounted for most of the contribution made by 7-year TOWRE scores to the prediction of 10-year ART scores. Genetic influences on ART scores were modest, but this genetic variance almost completely reflected genetic variance in 7-year TOWRE scores. After controlling for genetic and environmental influences that overlapped between 7-year TOWRE and 10-year ART scores, there was evidence for a separate link between 10-year ART and 12-year TOWRE that was due to shared environmental influences. CONCLUSIONS Genetic influences on early reading achievement contribute to later propensities to seek out reading experiences that might, in turn, reciprocally influence reading achievement through shared environmental paths.
Driving Factors of Household Adoption of Water Conservation Behaviors

Using survey data of 5000 households from Beijing,the authors identify the driving factors of household adoption of three water conservation behaviors by estimating probit models of household's probability to make such choices.The results indicate that both price and environmental attitudes are strong predictors of adoption of household conservation behaviors.It is find that environmental attitudes are especially vital factors of three conservation behaviors in magnitude,while the price only plays an important role in the improvement and adoption of water efficient equipments.In terms of policy,it is not always effective to regard price as the incentives for household water conservation.However,environmental attitudes should be given its credit in the water management policy design.
Social, psychological and physical correlates of eating problems. A study of the general adolescent population in Norway

SYNOPSIS The characteristics and concurrent predictors of eating problems were identified. Ninety-seven per cent of a representative sample of Norwegian adolescents (N = 11315) completed a questionnaire containing a 12-item version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and measures of a large number of physiological, psychological and social factors previously suggested to be of aetiological importance. Social class, drug use and indicators of ‘the model child’ (high grades, high occupational aspirations and much homework) were not related to eating problems. Logistic regression analyses identified perceived obesity as the strongest associated factor, followed by gender, depression, excessive exercise and unstable self-perceptions. In addition, adopting idols with perfect bodies, body dissatisfaction, low self-worth, feminine sex-role orientation, lack of parental care, early pubertal timing, age and number of alcohol intoxications all added to the probability of eating problems. About 6% perceived themselves as obese in spite of subnormal BMI. Such misperceptions increased the risk of high scores on EAT.
Moving from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law: the challenges of realising the intent of employment equity and affirmative action

The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law is an idiomatic antithesis which suggests that in interpreting a law there are two choices. One can approach a law literally or one can instead focus on its intent. The relevance of this idiomatic opposition to the Employment Equity Act and its provision for affirmative action is interrogated through the presentation of two case studies demonstrating the obstacles to fully embracing equity and valuing the diversity of South African society.
Four-year outcome for cognitive behavioral treatment of residual symptoms in major depression.

OBJECTIVE The authors' goal was to determine whether cognitive behavioral treatment of residual symptoms of depression might have a significant effect on relapse rate. METHOD In an earlier study, 40 patients with primary major depressive disorder who had been successfully treated with antidepressant drugs were randomly assigned to either cognitive behavioral treatment of residual symptoms or standard clinical management. In both types of treatment, antidepressant drugs were gradually tapered and discontinued. In this study, a 4-year follow-up assessment was performed. RESULTS Cognitive behavioral treatment resulted in a substantially lower relapse rate (35%) than did clinical management (70%). CONCLUSIONS Cognitive behavioral treatment of residual symptoms reduces the risk of relapse in depressed patients, probably by affecting the progression of residual symptoms to prodromes of relapse.
Relationship of Ornithine Decarboxylase activity and histological findings in human hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the correlation between the polyamine metabolism and the degree of malignancy in hepatocellular carcinoma, we measured ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine concentrations in neoplastic tissue and adjacent noncancerous tissue from resected specimens of liver from 30 patients. Ornithine decarboxylase activity, polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) and ornithine decarboxylase mRNA levels were significantly higher in hepatoma tissue than in noncancerous tissue. The activity of this enzyme in the tumor tissue had a negative correlation with the histological degree of differentiation judged according to a modification of the Edmondson and Steiner classification. Resected hepatoma tissue was stained immunohistochemically with antibodies for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (also called cyclin), a marker of cell proliferation. We noted correlation between ornithine decarboxylase activity and the number of cells stained for this antigen (r = 0.882, p < 0.001). These results indicate that ornithine decarboxylase activity is high in human hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to increased intracellular concentrations of polyamines. Ornithine decarboxylase activity also reflected the rate of tumor proliferation and was correlated with the histological findings. (Hepatology 1994;20:1179–1186).
Health Insurance for the Poor: Myths and Realities

Based on a survey in seven locations, this article finds that most Indians are willing to pay 1.35 per cent of income or more for health insurance and most people prefer a holistic benefit package at basic coverage over high coverage of only rare events. The needs of the poor, and their demand for health insurance, depend on local conditions.
A Classification and Comparison Framework for Cloud Service Brokerage Architectures

Cloud service brokerage and related management and marketplace concepts have been identified as key concerns for future cloud technology development and research. Cloud service management is an important building block of cloud architectures that can be extended to act as a broker service layer between consumers and providers, and even to form marketplace services. We present a three-pronged classification and comparison framework for broker platforms and applications. A range of specific broker development concerns like architecture, programming and quality are investigated. Based on this framework, selected management, brokerage and marketplace solutions will be compared, not only to demonstrate the utility of the framework, but also to identify challenges and wider research objectives based on an identification of cloud broker architecture concerns and technical requirements for service brokerage solutions. We also discuss emerging cloud architecture concerns such as commoditisation and federation of integrated, vertical cloud stacks.
Metabolic Effects of Low-Dose Insulin Therapy on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic Ketoacidosis

The effect of low-dose insulin treatment (5–10 U/h) on hepatic glucose production (HGP) and peripheral glucose disposal was determined in 5 insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) subjects who were admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA; plasma glucose 598 ± 50 mg/dl, blood pH 7.20 ± 0.06, plasma bicarbonate 12 ± 2 meq/L). Basal hepatic glucose production (4.3 ± 0.5 mg · kg1 min1) in the DKA patients was 1.5- to 2-fold greater (P < .01) than in controls (2.1 ± 0.1 mg · kg−1 · min−1) and nonketotic IDDM subjects (2.9 ± 0.3 mg · kg−1 · min−1), whereas tissue glucose disposal was significantly reduced (1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 mg kg−1 min−1 P < .05). After the institution of insulin therapy (1 mU · kg−1 · min−1), the plasma glucose concentration fell at the rate of 60 ± 5 mg· dl−1 h−1 to reach a value of 220 ± 10 mg/dl, which was maintained constant for 2 h (insulinclamp technique). Blood pH (7.21 ± 0.06 to 7.35 ± 0.05) and plasma bicarbonate (12 ± 3 to 18 ± 2 meq\L) both increased during insulin therapy (P < .01). The decline in plasma glucose concentration during insulin therapy primarily resulted from a suppression of HGP (from 4.3 ± 0.5 to 1.7 ± 0.2 mg · kg−1 min−1 P < .01) and to a lesser extent from the stimulation of tissue glucose disposal (1.7 ± 0.2 to 2.6 ± 0.3 mg kg−1 min−1 P < .01). At this time, urine glucose excretion decreased from 2.6 ± 0.2 to 0.6 ± 0.1 mg kg−1 min−1. During the 2-h period of the insulin clamp (steady-state plasma glucose 220 ± 1 0 mg/dl, plasma free insulin 85 ± 5 (ill/ml), HGP in the DKA patients was further suppressed (1.70 ± 0.20 to 1.00 ± 0.20 mg · kg−1 min−11) but remained well above (P < .01) rates observed in control subjects (0.1 ± 0.02 mg · kg−1 · min−1) and nonketotic diabetic subjects (0.2 ± 0.1 mg · kg−1 · min−1). At the end of the 2-h insulin-clamp period, the rate of tissue glucose uptake (3.2 ± 0.3 mg kg−1 · min−1) had not increased significantly above the rate observed at the start of the clamp (2.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg). Urinary glucose losses during the insulin-clamp period averaged 0.10 ± 0.01 mg · kg−1 · min−1. In summary, in DKA, 1) hyperglycemia results from both a markedly increased rate of HGP and a modest decrease in tissue glucose uptake, 2) the ability of insulin to suppress HGP and to stimulate tissue glucose uptake is severely impaired, and 3) during the initial 6-h period of insulin therapy, urinary glucose losses (0.4 mg kg−1 min−1), stimulation of tissue glucose uptake (increment 1.5 mg kg−1 min−1), and suppression of HGP (decrement 3.3 mg · kg−1 · min−1) all contributed to the decline in plasma glucose. However, from the quantitative standpoint, inhibition of HGP is the most important determinant in the decline in plasma glucose concentration after institution of insulin therapy.
Atrial natriuretic factor reduces vasopressin and angiotensin II but not the ACTH response to acute hypoglycaemic stress in normal men

OBJECTIVE We determined the effects of physiological (non‐hypotensive) increments of plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the vasopressin and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia. DESIGN Single blind, placebo controlled, randomized study of the effect of vehicle alone or ANF (2.5 pmol/kg/min for 120 minutes) commencing 30 minutes before bolus administration of insulin (0 15 U/kg body weight).
The Effects of Expert and Consumer Endorsements on Audience Response

ABSTRACT This study examines the process by which audiences integrate expert and consumer endorsements into their product evaluations and how endorsement consensus affects this process. The results suggest that positive expert and consumer endorsements both enhance audiences' attitudes toward the endorsed product. However, positive consumer endorsements and higher perceived credibility of consumer endorsements, rather than expert endorsements, enhance audiences' behavioral intents when audiences are already interested in the endorsed product.
Spatial Association between Environmental Noise Levels and Occurrence of Children Hearing Impairments in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Reports in the past few decades indicate that Nigerian cities have high noise levels that is claimed to impact the health of residents negatively. The present article therefore examine the relationship between levels of environmental noise in selected residential areas in Ibadan metropolis with varying reported cases of hearing impairments (HI). Data on cases of HI were collected from one hospital; noise monitoring was conducted with the aid of a noise level meter while copies of questionnaire were administered to residents to elicit information on public perception. The distribution of reported cases of HI among residential areas in Ibadan city showed varying magnitude (p<0.001). About 75% of children diagnosed with HI cases were within ages of 4-12 and female children suffered more (53.9%). Sensorineural and conductive impairments accounted for 88.2% of all reported HI cases. Monitored noise levels vary significantly among the selected residential area at each of morning, after-noon and evening (p<0.05). Noise levels at morning and evening showed significant correlation with cases of HI reported at each of the 10 selected residential areas (r = 0.81; 0.82). Regression analysis showed that noise level explained 70.1% of the spatial pattern of HI cases. Residents indicated that their neighbourhoods were noisy, that noise levels were on the increase and that ceremonies and generator use were major sources of noise. An integrated strategy for noise control is urgently required to stem the tide of noise pollution so as to safeguard human health in Nigerian cities.
When the Former CEO Stays on as Board Chair: Effects on Successor Discretion, Strategic Change, and Performance

Prior research on CEO succession has omitted consideration of a critical institutional reality: some exiting CEOs do not fully depart the scene but instead remain as board chairs. We posit that predecessor retention restricts a successor’s discretion, thus dampening their ability to make strategic changes or deliver performance that deviates from pre-succession levels. In short, a predecessor’s continuing presence suppresses a new CEO’s influence. Based on analysis of 181 successions in high-technology firms, and with extensive controls (for circumstances associated with succession, the firm’s need and capacity for change, and for endogeneity), we find substantial support for our hypotheses. In supplementary analyses, we find that retention has a more pronounced effect in preventing new CEOs from making big performance gains than in preventing big drops.
Serum growth hormone, serum immunoreactive insulin and blood glucose response to oral and intravenous diazepam in man.

The effect of diazepam on blood glucose, serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), and growth hormone (GH) were studied in 10 volunteers who received diazepam in oral doses of 5 and 10 mg, and intravenously 10 mg. They also received placebo and saline treatment. There was a dose-dependent rise in GH after diazepam administration, and the rise was related to the peak plasma level of the drug. A highly significant correlation between the concentrations of serum GH and plasma diazepam was found. During the i.v. and oral administration of 10 mg of diazepam, the peak GH levels, reached in 30 and 60 minutes (19.6+/-2.9 and 15.2+/-3.2ng/ml, respectively), were significantly higher than those during saline and placebo periods (4.3+/-0.8 and 5.9+/-1.1 ng/ml, respectively). There was a tendency to a rise of blood glucose levels, but no significant changes of serum IRI.
Biorthogonal Series Solution of Stokes Flow Problems in Sectorial Regions

In this paper we develop an eigenfunction expansion method for solving Stokes flow problems in sectorial cavities that arise in fluid dynamics. The method leads to the development of a set of eigenfunctions, adjoint eigenfunctions, biorthogonality conditions, and an algorithm for the computation of the coefficients of the eigenfunction expansion. The resulting infinite system of linear equations is then solved by truncation. These biorthogonality conditions are properties satisfied by the eigenfunctions and adjoint eigenfunctions, which are used to compute the coefficients of the eigenfunction expansion solution. The biorthogonality conditions are derived for a class of fourth-order boundary value problems with variable coefficients that arise from separating variables of the governing Stokes equation. The method is applied to the slow, steady flow in a two-dimensional sectorial cavity; the fluid is set into motion by the uniform translation of a covering plate or belt.
Research on corporate diversification: A synthesis

Diversification has emerged as a central topic of research in strategic management. Although this topic has been widely and intensively studied by scholars from other areas such as industrial organization economics, financial economics, organization theory, and marketing, a synthesis of these diverse streams of research is lacking. This paper attempts such a synthesis with a view to fostering further strategic management research in this area by taking a multi-disciplinary perspective on diversification. A wide-ranging search of the literature led to the development of an overarching research framework that facilitates the classification of a vast body of literature. Proceeding from the framework, a critique of the literature is performed with a particular emphasis on studies by strategic management researchers. Five key conceptual and methodological problems are identified and discussed. Suggestions are offered for future research on diversification.
Undrained Bearing Capacity of Two-Strip Footings on Spatially Random Soil

A probabilistic study on the interference of two parallel rough rigid strip footings on a weightless soil with a randomly distributed undrained shear strength performed. The problem is studied using the random finite element method, where nonlinear finite element analysis is merged with random field theory within a Monte Carlo framework. The variability of undrained shear strength is characterized by a lognormal distribution and an exponentially decaying spatial correlation length. The estimated bearing capacity statistics of isolated and two footings cases are compared and the effect of footing interference discussed. Although interference between footings on frictionless materials is not very great, the effect is shown to be increased by soil variability and spatial correlation length.
New Brands and the Existing Market

In as far as the brand is new, its ultimate sales performance will naturally be difficult to predict. But for packaged grocery products or 'fmcgs', it is known that the established brands all attract much the same patterns of buyer behaviour (e.g. Ehrenberg 1972; 1988). As a result, any sales target for the new brand can be translated into predictions about its penetration, repeat–buying rates, and competitive performance for when the new brand has 'settled down' and itself become an established brand. Such fleshing out of a brand’s sales target in consumer terms – which is the topic of this paper – provides yardsticks for judging the new brand concept, its proposed marketing support, and its pre–launch and early launch performance.
Leupaxin Is a Novel LIM Domain Protein That Forms a Complex with PYK2*

We have identified a novel cytoplasmic protein, leupaxin, that is preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells and is most homologous to the focal adhesion protein, paxillin. Leupaxin possesses two types of protein interaction domains. There are four carboxyl-terminal LIM domains in leupaxin that share 70% amino acid identity and 80% similarity with those in paxillin. Paxillin LIM domains mediate localization to focal contacts. In the amino-terminal region of leupaxin there are three short stretches of approximately 13 amino acids that share 70–90% similarity with paxillin LD motifs. Paxillin LD motifs have been implicated in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and vinculin binding resulting in the localization of FAK to focal adhesions. Leupaxin is expressed in cell types, such as macrophage, that lack FAK. We demonstrate here that leupaxin associates with a second FAK family member, PYK2. As leupaxin and PYK2 are both preferentially expressed in leukocytes they may therefore form a cell type-specific signaling complex. We also demonstrate that leupaxin is a substrate for a tyrosine kinase in lymphoid cells and thus may function in and be regulated by tyrosine kinase activity. Leupaxin is thus a phosphotyrosine protein with LD and LIM binding motifs most homologous to paxillin that may assemble and regulate PYK2 signaling complexes in leukocytes.
Harmonisation of food categorisation systems for dietary exposure assessments among European children

Within the European project called EXPOCHI (Individual Food Consumption Data and Exposure Assessment Studies for Children), 14 different European individual food consumption databases of children were used to conduct harmonised dietary exposure assessments for lead, chromium, selenium and food colours. For this, two food categorisation systems were developed to classify the food consumption data in such a way that these could be linked to occurrence data of the considered compounds. One system served for the exposure calculations of lead, chromium and selenium. The second system was developed for the exposure assessment of food colours. The food categories defined for the lead, chromium and selenium exposure calculations were used as a basis for the food colour categorisation, with adaptations to optimise the linkage with the food colour occurrence data. With this work, an initial impetus was given to make user-friendly food categorisation systems for contaminants and food colours applicable on a pan-European level. However, a set of difficulties were encountered in creating a common food categorisation system for 14 individual food consumption databases that differ in the type and number of foods coded and in level of detail provided about the consumed foods. The work done and the problems encountered in this project can be of interest for future projects in which food consumption data will be collected on a pan-European level and used for common exposure assessments.
Non-local models and effects in graphene nanointerconnects

A non-local formulation for the intraband dyadic conductivity of graphene is presented and applied to the study of electromagnetic propagation of modes supported by graphene nanoribbons. A semiclassical formulation for electron dynamics in graphene is adopted, which fully takes into account both spatial dispersion for arbitrary values of the wavevector and the presence of electrostatic bias. The resulting conductivity model is used in a method-of-moments modal approach; numerical results show that spatial dispersion considerably affects the propagation properties of the graphene nanoribbons and the relevant modal current distribution with respect to the conventional local models for the graphene conductivity.