Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOTIVATION IN THE ELDERLY: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND SOME PROMISING FINDINGS

Despite a widespread concern with the well-being of elderly people, very little is known about the motivation behind everyday behaviours in old age. In this paper a theoretical framework that has been found useful in research on young adults is suggested as a promising direction for research on the psychology of motivation in the elderly. This framework (Deci & Ryan, 1985a) posits the existence of four types of motivation (intrinsic, self-determined extrinsic, nonself-determined extrinsic, and amotivation) which are assumed to have a number of consequences for adaptation and well-being. After presenting the theory, we review findings from an ongoing research program that has found that the four types of motivation can be reliably measured and are related to other important aspects of the lives of elderly people in a theoretically meaningful manner. Suggestions are made for further research and for potential applications.
Collaborative marketing in a premium wine region: the role of horizontal networks

Purpose – The purpose of this article was to explore why small wine producers in one of Australia’s premium wine regions engage in horizontal networking within both their sub-regions and at a state-wide level. The benefits of these formal network relationships are investigated from a collaborative marketing perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 33 wine producers. Industry informant interviews and secondary data collection enabled triangulation of the research findings. Findings – Overall the study found that producers join horizontal networks for commercial, social and strategic reasons. These motivations evolve over time as the owner/managers gain experience and presence in the region. Horizontal networks assist regions to build goodwill and industry norms, and share knowledge. Such social capital encourages collaboration among wineries and enables networks to effectively pursue shared objectives. Horizontal networks at a .
Performance and Style Shifts in the Hedge Fund Industry

We suggest a performance attribution model which is adapted to the requirements of hedge funds by a set of style-consistent benchmark indices obtained from a neural network based clustering procedure. We compare our approach with alternative models and analyze whether fund of hedge funds managers create added value. Employing factor loading-changes as a proxy for style changes, we show that style shifts are a characteristic feature of hedge funds and that style-consistency does not generally ameliorate performance. Finally, we demonstrate that while poor performers which change style can expect a subsequent performance improvement, the same does not hold for top performers.
Yeast colony northern: a fast method for detection of transcripts by colony hybridization.

We have developed a rapid and simple method for screening yeast colonies in order to detect changes in the level of a specific transcript. Total RNA from yeast colonies is immobilized on Nylon filters and hybridized to a radiolabeled DNA probe. Colonies differing about five-fold in the abundance of a specific RNA can be easily recognized. We are using this method to clone a nuclear gene influencing the abundance of the excised 1.1 kb 28w55 intron of the mitochondrial 21S rRNA gene (1). We believe this method can be applied to the cloning of any gene affecting specific RNA abundance. Colonies of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are grown on Hybond-N nylon membranes or are deposited on the membrane by use of a replicator. All subsequent steps are performed at the
The Token Woman

We examine gender diversity, its impact on firm performance and earnings quality and particularly whether a critical number of female directors are required to empower them to best fulfil their duties on corporate boards. The extant literature shows a positive association exists between diversity (measured as one woman on the board) and earnings quality, but no relationship with performance is documented. We propose these studies measure “tokenism” (having one woman on the board) rather than diversity (having enough female directors to empower them) and that a critical mass (number of women) is needed for “normalization” to occur allowing removal of the gender barrier (Asch, 1951). We therefore examine boards with three or more female directors in relation to firm performance and earnings management and show firms with at least three female directors significantly outperformed others and also have better earnings quality. True gender diversity therefore appears to be associated with improved performance; tokenism, on the other hand, is not.
Cognitive Condition of Seniors Living in Long-Stay Institutions

Objective: Investigate the cognitive conditions of seniors living in long-stay Institutions. Method: This is a descriptive, quantitative research, cross character, being selected 122 elderlies, long-stay institutions in the municipality of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba- Brazil. As data collection instrument was used to cognitive assessment scale Mini-Mental State examination. The data were processed with the aid of the SPSS computer package. 16.0, through descriptive statistics, presented in charts and tables for characterization and comparison of sample data and analysis of significance with the Boxplot. Results: It was observed that 67.2% (n=82) are female, aged 79 ± 10 years; 30.3% (n=37) 68 (55.7%) illiterate elderly showed cognitive deficit. It is also noted in one of the institutions, significantly lower results, with respect to the memory of Evocation. The instrument used in the study, proved effective in cognitive tracking, in addition to detect mild cognitive impairment, since the parameter that best predicts this disorder is the memory of evocation. Conclusion: The results are suggestive to use another psychometric scale, in the short term and routinely in these institutions, as a means to confirm the findings and implement measures to prevent the harms to health, considering that these deficits are capable of causing damage in the everyday life of the aged, and may interfere in the quality of life, being thus possible indications for treatment and interventions.
EFFECT OF DYSTOCIA ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND CALF STILLBIRTH IN IRANIAN HOLSTEINS

Calving records from April 1998 to September 2006 comprising 104,572 calving events from 16 dairy herds of Iran were used to analyze the potential effect of dystocia on calf stillbirth and productive traits in Iranian Holsteins. Statistical analyses of production traits were performed using a linear mixed model procedure. Also, a logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the effect of dystocia on calf stillbirth. The odds of stillbirth was greater after severe dystocia [P< 0.001; Odds Ratio (OR)= 29.66]. Also, the odds of stillbirth were the highest for primiparous cows which calved with severe dystocia (caesarian). Cows that experienced caesarian at calving had the lower 305-day milk yield than other classes of dystocia (P< 0.05). Cows that experienced caesarian at calving had the lower unadjusted, 305-day and mature equivalent fat yields than other classes of dystocia (P< 0.05). The results of this study indicated the scope of economic and animal welfare opportunities associated with the reduction of dystocia by management and breeding in dairy herds.
Spillovers and Contagion in the Sovereign CDS Market

This paper focuses on the relationship between sovereign credit default swaps (SCDS) referencing a group of selected developed and emerging economies during the recent sovereign debt crisis. Interdependence and contagion are found on the market dominated by a small number of big international participants. The results show that: (i) a strong commonality exists between global credit spreads (almost half of their variance can be attributed to a single component) with important regional resemblances, (ii) intra-regional spillovers are even more significant, as up to 80% of the forecast error variance of SCDS spreads comes from spillovers, (iii) there is a significant time-variation in spillovers, with contagion from distressed countries gradually diminishing over time as they lose access to bond markets, (iv) the impact of a country’s credit spread on the system appears to be largely liquidity-driven (up to 67% is explained by various liquidity measures).
Haplotypes of the EPCR gene, plasma sEPCR levels and the risk of deep venous thrombosis

Background: Binding of protein C (PC) to the endothelial cell PC receptor (EPCR) stimulates PC activation by increasing the affinity of PC for the thrombin‐thrombomodulin complex. A soluble form of this receptor (sEPCR) circulates in plasma and inhibits both PC activation and APC anticoagulant activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether variations in the EPCR gene or plasma sEPCR levels are risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Patients/methods: In a large case‐control study, the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS), sEPCR levels were measured by ELISA. All subjects were genotyped for three haplotype‐tagging SNPs, enabling us to detect all four common haplotypes of the EPCR gene. Results: The distribution of sEPCR levels in the control population was trimodal and was genetically controlled by haplotype 3 (H3). This haplotype explained 86.5% of the variation in sEPCR levels. Carriers of two H3 alleles had higher sEPCR levels (439 ng mL−1) than carriers of one H3 allele (258 ng mL−1), which had higher levels than non‐H3 carriers (94 ng mL−1). Haplotype 4 was associated with a slightly increased risk (OR = 1.4, 95%CI:1.0–2.2). The risk of subjects with sEPCR levels in the top quartile (≥ 137 ng mL−1) was increased compared to that of subjects in the first quartile (< 81 ng mL−1), but since there was no dose–response effect, it is most likely that low sEPCR levels reduce the risk of DVT. Conclusions: Our data do not suggest a strong association between EPCR haplotypes and thrombosis risk, but low sEPCR levels appear to reduce the risk of DVT.
Blood coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in 105 patients with hemorrhagic syndrome caused by accidental contact with Lonomia obliqua caterpillar in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil

Summary Haemostatic disorders caused by Lonomia obliqua caterpillars has reached epidemic proportions in southern Brazil. Here we evaluated coagulation and fibrinolysis in 105 patients after accidental contact with Lonomia obliqua caterpillars. Global coagulation tests were prolonged in most cases and patients were divided into 3 groups according to fibrinogen (Fg) level: 0.5 g/l (group A); 0.51–1.5 g/l (group B), >1.5 g/l (group C). There was a significant reduction of factors V, XIII, VIII and prekallikrein in group A, with no change in factors X, II and von Willebrand factor. Thrombin-antithrombin and prothrombin F1+2 were elevated in most patients. Antithrombin and protein S were not changed whereas protein C levels were reduced in group A. Plasminogen and alfa2-antiplasmin levels were significantly reduced in group A and D-Dimer levels were extremely high in all groups, showing that fibrinolysis had been activated, possibly secondary to fibrin production. Levels of t-PA were normal and PAI-1 was mildly elevated in group A. The platelet count remained above 150 × 109 platelets/ml in 97% of cases. In summary, our results suggest that Lonomia obliqua envenoming is characterized by a consumption coagulopathy and secondary fibrinolysis.
CD40 ligation decreases its protein half‐lifeat the cell surface

CD40 is expressed on a variety of tumors; anti‐CD40 agonists promote tumor cell apoptosis and subsequent tumor regression. Because the effectiveness of anti‐CD40‐ agonists is dependent upon CD40 surface expression, the current study examined ligation‐mediated changes in CD40 protein half‐life (t1/2) at the cell surface. This study utilized a CD40+ epithelial cell line (9HTEo‐), a CD40 null epithelial cell line (HT‐29) engineered to express either wild‐type (WT) or mutant (T254A, Q263A, E235A, Δ201) CD40, and the anti‐CD40 antibody G28.5. Ligation of endogenous CD40 expressed on 9HTEo‐ cells decreased CD40 surface protein t1/2 from 13 to 4 h (p <0.05). Ligation of WT‐, Q263A‐, or T254A‐CD40 expressed on engineered HT‐29 cells decreased CD40 surface protein t1/2 from an average of 8 to 4 h (p <0.05); T254A and Q263A contain mutated TNF receptor‐associated factor (TRAF)2/3‐binding sites. In contrast, ligation of E235A and Δ201‐CD40 had no affect on its surface protein t1/2 (p <0.05); E235A contains a mutated TRAF6‐binding site while Δ201 lacks an intact cytoplasmic tail. These results suggest that anti‐CD40 agonists decrease CD40 surface protein t1/2 via a mechanism that involves TRAF6 but not TRAF2/3. The therapeutic implications for CD40‐mediated tumor regression are discussed.
Renal Masses With Equivocal Enhancement at CT: Characterization With Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to retrospectively investigate in two radiology centers the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the characterization of renal masses with equivocal enhancement at CT (i.e., with a density increase of 10-20 HU between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans) not characterized with conventional ultrasound modes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-seven renal lesions (range, 0.8-7.7 cm; average, 2.6 cm) with equivocal enhancement at CT underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound using sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubbles. Examinations were digitally recorded for retrospective blinded evaluation by two radiologists with 20 and 10 years' experience in urologic imaging. Histologic results were available for 30 of 47 (64%) lesions (25 primary malignant tumors, two metastases, and three primary benign lesions). Two lesions increased in size and complexity during the follow-up and were considered malignant. One Bosniak category III and 14 category IIF cysts were stable after a follow-up of at least 3 years and were considered benign. ROC curve analysis was used to assess the capability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. RESULTS Twelve likely complex cystic lesions at gray-scale ultrasound were cystic also on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and reference procedures. Eleven of 34 lesions that appeared solid at gray-scale ultrasound were cystic on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and reference procedures. One lesion considered likely solid by one radiologist and possibly cystic by the other was a solid tumor at contrast-enhanced ultrasound and histologic analysis. The diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound to characterize the lesions as benign or malignant was high for both readers (AUC, 0.958 and 0.966, respectively). CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is effective for characterizing renal lesions presenting with equivocal enhancement at CT.
Obtaining Intangible And Tangible Benefits From Corporate Social Responsibility

The relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance has been heavily studied in past research. However, little theory has been developed on how CSR may lead to greater corporate financial performance. In this paper, the authors attempt to fill this theoretical gap by explaining how CSR leads to the tangible benefits of attracting better employees, reduced turnover rate, greater efficiency, and reduced operating costs, via the intangible benefits of firm reputation, organizational commitment, and learning. Thereafter, managerial implications and further research opportunities are discussed.
Fabricating Genetically Engineered High-Power Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Multiple Virus Genes

Viral Battery In developing materials for batteries, there is a trade-off between charge capacity, conductivity, and chemical stability. Nanostructured materials improve the conductivity for some resistive materials, but fabricating stable materials at nanometer-length scales is difficult. Harnessing their knowledge of viruses as toolkits for materials fabrication, Lee et al. (p. 1051; published online 2 April) modified two genes in the filamentous bacteriophage M13 to produce a virus with an affinity for nucleating amorphous iron phosphate along its length and for attaching carbon nanotubes at one of the ends. In nanostructured form, the amorphous iron phosphate produced a useful cathode material, while the carbon nanotubes formed a percolating network that significantly enhanced conductivity. A genetically modified virus is used to form an efficient cathodic battery material. Development of materials that deliver more energy at high rates is important for high-power applications, including portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. For lithium-ion (Li+) batteries, reducing material dimensions can boost Li+ ion and electron transfer in nanostructured electrodes. By manipulating two genes, we equipped viruses with peptide groups having affinity for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on one end and peptides capable of nucleating amorphous iron phosphate(a-FePO4) fused to the viral major coat protein. The virus clone with the greatest affinity toward SWNTs enabled power performance of a-FePO4 comparable to that of crystalline lithium iron phosphate (c-LiFePO4) and showed excellent capacity retention upon cycling at 1C. This environmentally benign low-temperature biological scaffold could facilitate fabrication of electrodes from materials previously excluded because of extremely low electronic conductivity.
Reply to: Alcohol consumption and ovarian cancer risk in a population‐based case–control study by Peterson et al.

Silvano Gallus*, Lorenza Scotti, Renato Talamini, Silvia Franceschi, Luigino Dal Maso, Eva Negri and Carlo La Vecchia Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘‘Mario Negri,’’ Milano, Italy Unita di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano (PN), Italy International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France Istituto di Statistica Medica e Biometria ‘‘Giulio A. Maccacaro,’’ Universita degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
The 5'-terminal nucleotides of hepatitis A virus RNA, but not poliovirus RNA, are required for infectivity

A series of plasmids containing hepatitis A virus (HAV) cDNA was constructed such that positive-strand HAV RNA could be transcribed with T7 RNA polymerase. The plasmids differed in the number of 5'-terminal nucleotides representing the junctions between vectors and HAV sequences that were present in the transcripts. When these transcripts were used to transfect cultured BS-C-1 cells, it was found that only those transcripts that contained all of the 5'-terminal HAV nucleotides, in addition to one or more nucleotides from the vector, were capable of initiating an infectious cycle leading to production of progeny virus. Transcripts that contained one 5'-terminal nucleotide from the vector sequence but were missing two uridylate residues corresponding to the first two nucleotides of HAV sequences, or were missing U and C residues corresponding to nucleotides 2 and 3 of the HAV sequence, were not infectious. A similar plasmid containing poliovirus cDNA was engineered to produce transcripts similarly lacking the first two uridylate residues of the poliovirus RNA sequence. These transcripts were infectious.
Stress Type Dependence of Expression and Cytoplasmic-Nuclear Partitioning of Glucocorticoid Receptor, Hsp90 and Hsp70 in Wistar Rat Brain

Chronic exposure to stress is associated with different behavioral and neurological syndromes including impaired excitability of nerve cells in hippocampus (HIPPO) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), regions of the brain that are important for adaptation. The successful adaptation to stress involves negative feedback at the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis provided by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is a steroid-dependent transcription factor found in a heterocomplex with heat shock proteins Hsp90 and Hsp70. In Wistar rats, chronic social isolation leads to a significant decrease in serum corticosterone (CORT), probably due to alterations in the GR signaling pathway. We exploited this type of stress, alone or in combination with acute immobilization, to define changes in the expression level and compartmental distribution of GR, Hsp90 and Hsp70 in HIPPO and PFC. The results indicated that in acute and combined stress, when CORT was increased, GR was translocated to the nucleus in both brain structures. Under chronic stress, when CORT was below the control level, GR was retained in the cytoplasm of PFC, and evenly distributed between compartments in HIPPO. Simultaneously, heat shock proteins partitioning in HIPPO seemed to be mainly stress type-independent, while that of PFC was dependent on stress type. Thus, the stress type-specific responses of GR and heat shock proteins were mainly detected in PFC rather than in HIPPO of Wistar rats. The observed alterations in protein expression and cytoplasmic-nuclear partitioning of the GR, Hsp90 and Hsp70 proteins may be related to maladaptive response of the HPA axis under chronic stress.
Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility by Multinational Enterprises

We investigate the market and societal effects of a socially responsible multinational enterprise's entry in a host market through exports and through FDI, the determinants of the multinational's decision between exports and FDI, as well as the respective host country's policies. We find that the multinational enterprise, seeking for a competitive advantage in the host market, strategically engages in CSR activities and meets the corresponding demand by socially conscious consumers. The tariff charged by the host government increases with the social consciousness of this country's consumers. We also find that CSR activities are welfare enhancing for consumers and firms and thus, they should be encouraged.
Disposition of 14~-sarafloxacin i Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, cod Gadus morhua and turbot Scophthalmus maximus, as demonstrated by means of whole-body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting

The absorption, distribution and elimination of I4C-labelled sarafloxacin hydrochloride were studied by means of whole-body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting. The drug was administered to Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, cod Gadus morhua and turbot Scophthalmus maximus, either intravenously or orally in a single dose of 9.6 (3.57) and 9.7 (3.44) mg kg-' (MBq kg-') respectively. The Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and cod were held in seawater at a temperature of 7.9 f 0.2"C, and the turbot at 12.1 + l . l ° C . In the intravenously dosed groups, the drug was rapidly distributed to all major tissues and organs except the central nervous system. After the distribution phase, the levels of radioactivity were higher in most organs and tissues than in blood The most noticeable differences between the species were the lower levels of radioactivity in the Liver, and the higher levels in the muscle tissue, of cod compared to the salmonids. lncomplete absorption was observed following oral administration of sarafloxacin to Atlantic salmon. rainbow trout and turbot. Most of the radioactivity remained in the gastrointestinal tract, high levels of radioactivity othenvise being observed only in the bile and to a certain extent in the liver. The maximum sarafloxacin concentrations (C,,,,,) in blood were calculated to be 0.60, 0.16 and 0.22 pg ml-' for Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and turbot respectively. In cod a significant degree of absorption took place, with high levels of radioactivity being detected in all major organs and tissues for the first 4 d after administration. The C,,, in blood was calculated to be 2.18 yg ml-l In all 4 species tested, traces of radioactivity remained in the kidney, and also to some extent in the skin, during the excretion phase.