Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Salmonella Infections in the Pennsylvania Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and spatial distribution of Salmonella infection in Pennsylvania raccoons (Procyon lotor), common wildlife mammals known to occupy overlapping habitats with humans and domestic food animals. The Pennsylvania Game Commission provided a total of 371 raccoon intestinal samples from trapped and road‐killed raccoons collected between May and November 2011. Salmonella was isolated from the faeces of 56 (15.1%) of 371 raccoons in 35 (54%) of 65 counties across Pennsylvania. The five most frequently isolated serotypes were Newport (28.6%), Enteritidis (19.6%), Typhimurium (10.7%), Braenderup (8.9%) and Bareilly (7.1%). Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of the Salmonella isolates and subsequent comparison to the Pennsylvania Department of Health human Salmonella PFGE database revealed 16 different pulsetypes in Salmonella isolates recovered from raccoons that were indistinguishable from pulsetypes of Salmonella collected from clinically ill humans during the study period. The pulsetypes of seven raccoon Salmonella isolates matched those of 56 human Salmonella isolates by month and geographical region of sample collection. Results from Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and Multi‐Virulence Locus Sequence Typing (CRISPR‐MVLST) analysis corroborated the PFGE and serotyping data. The findings of this study show that several PFGE pulsetypes of Salmonella were shared between humans and raccoons in Pennsylvania, indicating that raccoons and humans might share the same source of Salmonella.
Solving the Present Crisis and Managing the Leverage Cycle

The present crisis is the bottom of a recurring problem that I call the leverage cycle, in which leverage gradually rises too high then suddenly falls much too low. The government must manage the leverage cycle in normal times by monitoring and regulating leverage to keep it from getting too high. In the crisis stage the government must stem the scary bad news that brought on the crisis, which often will entail coordinated write downs of principal; it must restore sane leverage by going around the banks and lending at lower collateral rates (not lower interest rates), and when necessary it must inject optimistic capital into firms and markets than cannot be allowed to fail. Economists and the Fed have for too long focused on interest rates and ignored collateral.
The effect of downsizing on the financial performance and employee productivity of Korean firms

Purpose – The paper's objective is to explore the effect of downsizing on both a firm's financial performance in terms of profitability and efficiency, and a firm's employee productivity.Design/methodology/approach – Analyzed six‐year longitudinal financial data of 258 listed Korean firms between 1997 and 2002 along with survey data of 2000. Using multiple regression, the paper investigated the relationship between downsizing and three measures of financial performance and two measures of organizational performance: return on assets, asset turnover, operating income per employee, sales per employee, and value added per employee. Five dependent variables were standardized by industry average.Findings – First, firms implementing downsizing tended to suffer more financial difficulties than their counterparts. Second, downsizing showed a positive effect by improving a firm's profitability and efficiency, but no effect on employee productivity. Third, the improvement of financial performance (ROA) by downsizin.
Persistence of antibody after accelerated immunisation with diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the persistence of antibody to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in children receiving an accelerated schedule of primary immunisation. DESIGN--Controlled study of antibody testing of blood samples from children immunised according to various schedules: three doses of triple vaccine completed at 8-13 calendar months, 6-7 calendar months, before 6 calendar months, or three doses followed by diphtheria/tetanus before age 2. SETTING--Plymouth Health Authority. SUBJECTS--129 children aged 4 years who had received three doses of diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine with or without a diphtheria/tetanus booster. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin concentrations and antibody titres to pertussis toxin, filamentous haemagglutinin, and agglutinogens 2 and 3. RESULTS--All children had protective concentrations of antitoxin to diphtheria and tetanus (greater than or equal to 0.01 IU/ml). There was no evidence of a significant difference in diphtheria or tetanus antitoxin concentrations and pertussis antibody titres in children immunised with an accelerated course (third dose of triple vaccine before 6 months) compared with those who received a longer course (third dose at 8-13 months) with no booster (geometric mean antitoxin concentration 0.411 (95% confidence interval 0.273 to 0.618) v 0.426 (0.294 to 0.616) for diphtheria and 0.358 (0.231 to 0.556) v 0.299 (0.197 to 0.453) for tetanus; geometric mean antibody titres 903 (500 to 1631) v 1386 (848 to 2266) for pertussis filamentous haemagglutinin, 179 (130 to 248) v 232 (167 to 322) for pertussis toxin, and 2002 (1276 to 3142) v 3591 (2220 to 5809) for agglutinogens 2 and 3). CONCLUSION--Immunisation with three doses of triple vaccine at monthly intervals completed before 6 months of age probably provides adequate protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough which will persist until the age of the preschool booster.
Mitigating Contractual Hazards: Unilateral Options and Contract Length

In this article we consider the ways in which the desire for efficient, low-cost adaptation to change influences the tradeoff between the design and duration of long-term contractual relationships. We examine the distortions in contract terms occasioned by nonprice competition for natural gas in the presence of wellhead price regulation. Deviations from optimal contract incentives significantly raise the cost of being bound to long-term agreements and shorten the duration of contracts. The approach we adopt suggests a method for empirically assessing the efficiency of alternative contracting practices and legal standards.
A matter of culture and cost? A comparison of the employment decisions made by mothers with a lower, intermediate and higher level of education in the Netherlands

This article is focused on financial-economic and socio-cultural factors in explaining differences in labour participation and working hours of Dutch mothers with diverging educational levels. The data used are taken from a survey held among approximately 1700 women in the Netherlands from two-parent households with children up to 12 years old. The models for participation and working hours are simultaneously estimated for different levels of education. It is found that socio-cultural factors have slightly more impact on the employment decisions of lower educated mothers compared to their higher educated counterparts, although the differences are only minor. Despite the level of education, socio-cultural factors appear to be more important in mothers’ employment decisions than financial-economic factors. In addition, both factors are better predictors for mothers’ decisions to participate than for their number of working hours; demographic variables are found to be the most important predictor for mothers’ working hours.
Allyn Young revisited

Allyn Young was, and continues to be, a much misunderstood economist. He was a profound thinker and so much ahead of his times that it is doubtful that even today we have grasped the full import of what he said. This paper examines Young's thinking from the perspective of five different schools and brings out a clearer picture of Young. Young's analysis of endogenous growth retains its relevance for the contemporary problems facing developing countries today. Also, seen from the Youngian perspective scarcity becomes an opportunity. This has the potential to transform the discipline of economics itself – from the economics of scarcity to the economics of opportunity.
Inovační aktivita firem a konkurence

The aim of the article is to investigate if there exists a systematic link between size of the firm, market concentration and R&D activity of firms. Three tentative results emerged from the regression analysis based on the firm balanced panel data 1998-2006. First it follows from a regression analysis that a positive relationship between size and R&D activity of the firm exists, which is non-linear however. Second the results indicate that a negative relationship between firm R&D personnel and industry concentration exists. If market concentration is a measure of competition than we can conclude that innovation is related to the competitive market structure. We arrived at the same conclusion when innovation was measured by intangible assets and competition was measured by Lerner index. Finally, our analysis concluded that although foreign firms are on average larger than domestic, a negative relationship between the foreign ownership of the firm and the number of R&D employees exists. In comparison to domestic firms, foreign firms have less R&D personnel.
Wages, Profits, and Capital Intensity: Evidence from Matched Worker‐Firm Data

Swedish data on workers matched with firms’ balance‐sheet reports are used to examine the relation between wages and firms’ ability to pay. Results indicate that experienced and highly educated workers are sorted into profitable firms. Wages are positively correlated with profits and the capital‐labor ratio, after controlling for worker quality, degree of effort supervision, job characteristics, local unemployment, firms’ employment history, and employer size. Lester’s “range of pay” due to rent sharing is around 12%–24% of the mean wage in Sweden, which is close to the estimates for the United States and United Kingdom.
The Activity of High-Frequency Vibratory Sensitive Neurons in Monkey Primary Somatosensory Cortex during the Initiation of Vibratory and Visually Cued Hand Movements.

Abstract : The activity of high-frequency vibratory sensitive (nFVS) neurons was recorded in monkey primary somatosensory cortex (SI) while animals performed wrist flexions and extensions in response to 27, 57 or 127 Hz palmar vibration or in response to visual stimuli serving as go-cues. HFVS neurons were distinguished by their best responsiveness to the highest frequency vibration (127 Hz) being better than to the lower frequencies. These neurons probably received input from Pacinian afferents. HFVS neurons formed a unique population that constituted
Adaptability of Mediterranean Agricultural Systems to Climate Change: The Example of the Sierra Mágina Olive-Growing Region (Andalusia, Spain). Part II: The Future

The adaptability of olive-growing systems to climate change is studied in the Sierra Magina region (Andalusia) using an interdisciplinary approach that evaluates and makes associations across climate, water resources, and socioeconomic strategies. First, the evolution of rainfall and temperature during the twenty-first century is assessed at the local scale using 17 regional climate model (RCM) simulations. A 15%–30% rainfall reduction is expected in the fall combined with a 7%–9% annual reduction by 2030–50. Based on a regression model relating yields to rainfall, residual yields (independent of the increasing trend in the present period and from the biennial fruit bearing of the olive tree) are projected to decrease by 7% and 3.5% by 2030–50 for rainfed and irrigated olive groves, respectively. Substantial uncertainties in these results are discussed. A GIS analysis shows a reduction of ground and surface water resources, which are the basis of the present adaptation to rainfall variability, and an uneven potential for adaptation to climate change in the Sierra Magina region. Despite the important challenges faced by this rural region, there is no consensus among the local key actors regarding adaptation strategies. This is due in part to the diversity among farmers, but also to the different levels of awareness about climate change among all the stakeholders and farmers. Since the projected decline in medium-range future yields is not very high, there might be time and possibilities, especially in the northern part of the Sierra Magina, to build a local adaptability strategy within the next 20 years that would take into account improved methods of water management and a better economic valorization of olive oil. But at longer time scales, the adaptability of the olive-growing system to yield and water resource declines seems to be threatened.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION OF SPAZA SHOP ENTREPRENEURS EVIDENCE FROM A STUDY OF SOUTH AFRICAN AND SOMALI OWNED SPAZA SHOP ENTREPRENEURS IN KHAYELITSHA

Almost twenty years after democracy we find growing economic activity in the informal sector. The spaza market in Khayelitsha 1 can be seen as an example of entrepreneurial activity offering an entry point to many that are excluded from mainstream economic activities. This study included 352 participants and is comprised of South African (locals) and Somali (foreigners) owned spaza shop entrepreneurs operating in Khayelitsha. In recent years foreigners have become a dominant force in this market often resulting in the closure of many local businesses. This has often given rise to xenophobic violence resulting in deaths of innocent persons. We focus on the role of culture on business practices and entrepreneurial orientation on business performance. Entrepreneurial orientation is used as a psychological concept to reflect on the level of entrepreneurial potential within the informal sector. Business practices include rudimentary financial management practices that provide a measure of financial stability of the business.
Smoking prevalence among qualified nurses in the Republic of Ireland and their role in smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND Smoking is the leading preventable cause of premature mortality, killing approximately 6000 people in Ireland each year. On 29 March 2004, the Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. This study took place after the introduction of this smoking ban. An admission to hospital provides an opportunity to help people stop smoking. Nurses' role and wide availability puts them in a prime position to encourage people to quit smoking. AIM To examine the smoking prevalence among qualified nurses at a large university teaching hospital in Cork Southern Ireland and their role in smoking cessation. METHODS This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a calculated sample of 430 qualified nurses (with a 70% response rate). A structured questionnaire was used. FINDINGS It was found that 21% (n = 63) of nurses were smokers, 23% (n = 70) were ex-smokers and 56% (n = 167) were non-smokers. The highest prevalence of smokers was found in the age groups 20-25 years (28%, n = 17) and 26-30 years (34%, n = 21). Nurses working within psychiatric care (47.4%) and coronary care (33.3%) had the highest smoking prevalence among the nurses who smoked. The study found that there was a significant difference between the attitudes of smokers and non-smokers, 89% (n = 211) of non-smokers strongly agreed that cigarette smoke represents a major risk to health in comparison with only 65% (n = 41) of smokers. Only 14% (n = 43) of the nurses surveyed had received training in smoking cessation. Lack of time (74%) and lack of training (65%) were the two main reasons given by nurses for not giving smoking cessation advice to patients. CONCLUSION Nurses' potential in preventive health care has been largely under-utilized. Lack of time and training are major factors inhibiting nurses' role in smoking cessation with their patients.
International Service Transactions: Is Time a Trade Barrier in a Connected World?

Firms’ international fragmentation of production has recently widened its focus from outsourcing of intermediates to off-shoring of business services such as software program development and international call center networks. Although many services are intangible and non-storable, gravity model estimates show that geographical distance between business partners matters less for commercial service transactions. Rather, time zones can be a driving force of international service trade by allowing for continuous operation over a 24 hours business day (continuity effect) when a proper division of labor is feasible and countries are connected to electronic communications infrastructure (ICT). But even when ICT provides alternatives for face-to-face interaction, time zones can act as a barrier when coordination problems with sleeping business partners occur (synchronization effect). In this paper, we find empirical evidence for the continuity effect in trade of business services, which is robust to measurement and sample size. Even more important is that the effect of time zones on service trade depends on access to ICT. An improvement of ICT infrastructure will affect business service trade at long time zone distances significantly more than trade at short time zone distances.
Social Security and Retirement Income Adequacy

Experts say that retirees need 70-80 percent of their prior earnings to keep up their standards of living in retirement. Social Security today replaces less than that – about 40 percent for an average earner at 65. Yet most retirees rely on Social Security for most of their income. For today’s retirees, pensions are a distant second to Social Security as a source of income, while income from assets ranks third. Achieving an adequate retirement income will be a growing challenge for future retirees. Social Security will replace a smaller share of earnings under current law and employers are shifting away from traditional pensions to 401(k) plans that expose workers and retirees to more risks. Most experts agree that an ideal pension system would have broad coverage, be fully portable, avoid “leakage” from early withdrawals, provide inflation-indexed benefits that last for life, continue benefits for widowed spouses, and have low administrative costs. Social Security has all these features. Policymakers concerned about retirement income adequacy – for boomers, their children and grandchildren – will need to consider how much to build on Social Security’s strengths and how much to focus on other parts of the retirement system. Su m m ar y
The role of human capital philosophy in promoting firm innovativeness and performance: test of a causal model

In the present study, we developed and tested a causal model of the relationships between firm strategy, industry environment, human capital philosophy, innovativeness, and firm performance. Our results indicate that a differentiation-oriented strategy influences the relative use of an empowerment-oriented human capital philosophy of the firm, moderated by a firm's industry environment. Moreover, firms' human capital philosophies moderated the relationship between strategy and firm innovativeness. We also found support for the proposition that innovativeness mediated the relationship between human capital philosophy and firm performance. In addition, results also indicate that industry dynamism influences new product sales directly and industry survival difficulty moderates the relationship between firm strategy and new product sales. Survival difficulty also had a negative effect on firm profit. Overall, we found support for the mediating roles of human capital philosophy and innovativeness in the relationships between firm strategy, industry environment and firm performance. Implications are discussed.
Immunogenetic Analysis of H‐2 Mutations

H‐2fa is a spontaneous mutation that occurred in an (A.CA × A)F1 female mouse and was later transferred on an A‐strain background [congenic line A.CA(M506) or M506]. Skin grafts exchanged between M506 and A.CA strains are rejected within 4 weeks after grafting. Significant reaction is observed when these two strains are used as responders and stimulators in mixed lymphocyte culture or in a splenomegaly graft‐versus‐host assay. The mutant antigen induces strong cell‐mediated lymphocytotoxicity. The mutation maps in the K end of the H‐2 complex. The capacity of mutant antigens to induce relatively strong lymphocyte proliferation is explained by hypothesizing that the T‐cell receptors reacting with K‐ or D‐region products can more easily recognize subtle than drastic alloantigenic differences.
Linking Reading and Writing in an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Classroom for National Reorientation and Reconsruction.

How developed, integrated and focused a nation has been is partly a function of her level of literacy. Hence, every nation desires full literacy that involves the two skills of reading and writing. Both skills are as elusive as they are rewarding, especially if they have to be acquired from a Second position, such as occupied by English in Nigeria. Over the years in the country, learner performance in the language has been a source of worry to the school system and other stakeholders. Nevertheless, the mutual, complementary teaching of the skills could make them fairly easy to acquire. This paper canvases that reading and writing be taught interactively in the English as the Second Language (ESL) context for effective learning.
Nutrition and hydration in dying patients: the perceptions of acute care nurses.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the perceptions of nurses regarding the provision and nonprovision of medical nutrition and hydration during the end stage of life when death is imminent in the acute care setting. BACKGROUND When people are dying, they often experience a loss of appetite and desire for drinking which are natural processes at this time. The cessation of eating and drinking challenges both family members and clinical staff. This article builds on previous studies that describe the perceptions of medical doctors and palliative care nurses regarding medical nutrition and hydration during the end stage of life when death is imminent. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive design. METHODS This study included three focus group meetings with ten nurses in an acute care setting in medical, oncology and haematology units. An interview schedule was used to guide the discussions. RESULTS The main theme to emerge from this study was 'finding a comfort space/ambiguous spaces of unrest' that included four subthemes: (1) limited involvement in decision-making, (2) comfort vs. discomfort, (3) uncertainty and (4) the comfort of withdrawing treatment. Finding a comfort space captures the challenges nurses faced when speaking about the concerns of patients and family. In this space, there were ambiguities that created unease and unrest: a reluctance to talk about death; a reluctance to engage with the patient and the family. CONCLUSIONS Acute care nurses need to be more cognisant of the palliative approach to care and become more engaged with decision-making during the end stage of life when death is imminent. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses in acute care settings need to be involved in decision-making and advocate for patients and family during the dying phase. Nurses in acute care need better understanding about the palliative approach to care and nutrition and hydration for people who are dying.