Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequence-dependent extrusion of a small DNA hairpin at the N4 virion RNA polymerase promoters.

Bacteriophage N4 virion RNA polymerase promoters contain five to seven-base inverted repeats separated by three bases and centered at position -12 from the site of transcription initiation. We have previously shown that these inverted repeats extrude as hairpins at physiological superhelical densities in a Mg(II)-dependent manner. Mg(II)-dependent hairpin extrusion at promoters P1 and P2 displays quantitative differences in reactivity to structural probes at different DNA superhelical densities, with extrusion at P2 being more favored at low superhelical density. Analyses of mutant promoters using structure-specific probes revealed that specific sequences, at the closing base-pair of the hairpin and at the loop (i.e. 5'-C-GXA-G-3' where X=G, A, T), are required for extrusion of the small promoter hairpins at physiological superhelical density. The sequence-dependent requirements for extrusion of the small N4 promoter hairpins may be generally applicable for other such sequences found both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes.
Restructuring Teachers’ Work and Trade Union Responses in England: Bargaining for Change?

A key feature of current school-sector reform in England is the restructuring of teachers’ work and the increased use of support staff to undertake a range of activities previously undertaken by teachers. Supporters speak of a new teacher professionalism focused on the “core task” of teaching. Critics fear deprofessionalization through a process of deskilling, work intensification, and labor substitution. This article uses labor process theory and empirical data to analyze recent developments in teachers’ work and links these to the different ways in which teacher trade unions have bargained over reform. The article argues that workforce reform cannot be analyzed separately from the trade union strategies that seek to influence policy and that the emergence of a type of “reform unionism” in England represents the integration of product and process in policy.
Evaluation of Micro Finance in Harda and Hoshangabad Districts of MP

Microfinance is gathering momentum to become a significant force in India. The Self Help Group (SHG) model with bank lending to groups of (often) poor women without collateral has become an accepted part of rural finance. The paper discusses the state of SHG-based microfinance in India and the opportunity untapped because of the huge existing demand-supply gap. With traditionally loss-making rural banks shifting their portfolio away from the rural poor in the post-reform period, SHG-based microfinance, nurtured and aided by NGOs, have become an important alternative to traditional lending in terms of reaching the poor without incurring a fortune in operating and monitoring costs. The government and NABARD have recognized this and have emphasized the SHG approach and working along with NGOs in its initiatives. In spite of the impressive figures, the supply side of microfinance in India is still presently grossly inadequate to fill the gap between demand and supply but it holds the promise to act as a great opportunity for the financial sector and the economy as a whole. This paper evaluates the different aspects of microfinance in Harda and Hoshangabad districts of MP.
Advertising Functional Foods: The Effects of Physical Body Size and Appeal Type on Ad Credibility and Purchase Intentions

When advertising functional foods, whether these are in solid or liquid form, marketers can choose different appeal types in combination with different endorser characteristics. In this research study, the authors examine how the credibility of such an ad and purchase intentions for the advertised product are influenced by the physical body size of the endorser and the appeal type used. Based on a 2 × 2 full factorial design, they find that in an ad for an energy drink, endorser body size has an effect on both of these dependent variables, while no differences are found between a functional and an emotional appeal.
Public sector reform in Northern Ireland: policy copying or a distinctive model of public sector modernization?

This article examines the range of reforms and structural changes in Northern Ireland since the restoration of devolution in 1999, together with the principles put forward in accompanying rationales. Comparisons are made with England, Scotland and Wales to explain the factors driving Northern Ireland's pattern of public sector reform. There has been a tendency to focus on the practical, and controversial issues have been avoided. Elements of the streamlining model which Northern Ireland has adopted could now have a wider appeal as a response to cuts in public spending through reducing and simplifying the number of public bodies.
Migration Intentions of Rural Youth in Iceland: Can a Large-Scale Development Project Stem the Tide of Out-Migration?

Rural communities in Iceland have been profoundly affected by natural resource management policies. As part of a regional development strategy, a large aluminum smelter and 650-megawatt hydroelectric plant were built in the sparsely populated Eastfjords region. This project was aimed at revitalizing the region and creating employment, enabling youth to stay in their home communities. Using surveys from 1992 through 2007, changes in migration expectations are compared among Eastfjords, equally rural Westfjords far from the project, and the urban capital region. The majority of rural youth want to out-migrate and the project had no discernable effect on such intentions. Regardless of employment opportunities, rural youth increasingly want to move to urban areas or abroad. Gender differences disappeared over time as “female flight” became “youth flight. ” Findings suggest large-scale natural resource projects alone are not sufficient, and more comprehensive rural development policies are needed to stem the tide of rural youth out-migration.
Evidence of Assurance Enhancing the Quality of Voluntary Environmental Disclosures: An Empirical Analysis

In response to investor and public concerns about harm to the environment, companies are increasingly disclosing environmental information. To enhance the quality of corporate environmental disclosures in a largely voluntary context, various stakeholders are also demanding independent assurance. This study uses a stakeholder‐agency theoretical perspective to examine whether the quality of voluntary environmental disclosures is enhanced when assured. This study also examines the difference in the quality of voluntary environmental disclosures when assurance is provided by either professional accountant assurers or private consultants. Our sample comprises listed companies voluntarily disclosing environmental information in stand‐alone reports, annual reports, and websites. We use an index based upon the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to measure the quality of company environmental reporting. Results of this matched pairs study show that the quality of voluntary environmental disclosures scores significantly higher for assured companies than unassured companies. For assured companies, the quality is no different when assured by accountants or consultants. Additional analysis provides preliminary evidence that experience improves the quality of environmental disclosures.
The first murine zygotic transcription is promiscuous and uncoupled from splicing and 3′ processing

Initiation of zygotic transcription in mammals is poorly understood. In mice, zygotic transcription is first detected shortly after pronucleus formation in 1‐cell embryos, but the identity of the transcribed loci and mechanisms regulating their expression are not known. Using total RNA‐Seq, we have found that transcription in 1‐cell embryos is highly promiscuous, such that intergenic regions are extensively expressed and thousands of genes are transcribed at comparably low levels. Striking is that transcription can occur in the absence of defined core‐promoter elements. Furthermore, accumulation of translatable zygotic mRNAs is minimal in 1‐cell embryos because of inefficient splicing and 3′ processing of nascent transcripts. These findings provide novel insights into regulation of gene expression in 1‐cell mouse embryos that may confer a protective mechanism against precocious gene expression that is the product of a relaxed chromatin structure present in 1‐cell embryos. The results also suggest that the first zygotic transcription itself is an active component of chromatin remodeling in 1‐cell embryos.
Conclusion: an institutional approach to American foreign economic policy

It may well be that Poincaré's observation is correct, that natural scientists discuss their results and social scientists their methods. if so, it is because our guides to social reality are so frail. Approaches to political investigation are difficult to separate from the substantive puzzles that drive inquiry and the results that follow. In collective enterprises, such as this volume, the problem of approach or method becomes all the more central. We are left with no choice but to reflect on the tools that we use as well as the social reality that they promise to reveal.
Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Firm Performance: A Study of Select Indian Firms

A number of studies have analysed the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance but those have primarily been in the context of Western countries. In this paper, we examine the relationship between four corporate governance mechanisms such as: a) size of board; b) composition of board; c) board activity; d) CEO duality and firm performance with economic value added (EVA) as the primary performance measurement metric. Using data for NSE listed firms, we conclude, in particular, that the board size has a significantly positive association with firm performance.
Coping with the Asian economic crisis: the rightsizing strategies of small- and medium-sized enterprises

Hong Kong has been, over the last two years, experiencing the worst economic downturn in decades. What small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have done to overcome the setback, and how and to what extent, remains unknown. Given the apparent importance of retrenchment to the survival of small firms for success in economic turmoil, this paper examines the processes of the rightsizing strategies of Chinese-owned small and medium-sized firms in Hong Kong. The research results suggest that SMEs in Hong Kong follow different human resources practices at different stages. In the 'restricting stage', SMEs reduce or stop hiring new staff and restrict overtime for the existing staff to deal with decreases in sales and the oversupply of manpower. In the 'trimming stage', SMEs scale down or streamline their operations. In the 'proactive stage', SMEs employ existing staff in overtime work and start to hire new staff at lower pay but with higher technological competencies to prepare for recovery. A tentative model for rightsizing strategies of Chinese small and medium-sized firms in Hong Kong is proposed.
Does Market Risk Really Explain the Size Effect?

Abstract This paper critically evaluates the claim in recent papers that precisely estimated betas explain the cross-sectional differences in expected returns across size-based portfolios. In these studies, the correlations between firm size and betas across the test portfolios are close to one in magnitude, yielding potentially spurious inferences. This paper shows that when the test portfolios are constructed so that the correlations between firm size and beta are small, the betas explain virtually none of the cross-sectional differences in portfolio returns.
In search of word accents in Estonian Swedish

This study focuses on the word accent opposition in a lesser known and endangered variety of Swedish–Estonian Swedish. The variety has been described as not making the tonal distinction between Accent 1 and Accent 2 words, but no systematic acoustic phonetic investigation has been carried out previously to confirm these descriptions. As materials, disyllabic words from read sentences, spontaneous dialogues and elicited speech produced by nine elderly Estonian Swedish speakers were used. The comparison of tonal patterns of Words with Accent 1 and Accent 2 showed that there is no consistent word accent opposition in this variety. However, some variation was found in the realisation of pitch contours in different speech styles, which might refer to possible traces of an earlier accent distinction. (Less)
TESTING THE WEAK-FORM EFFICIENCY OF THE FINNISH AND SWEDISH STOCK MARKETS

he theoretical models of Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) imply that the future price of a stock is unpredictable with respect to currently available information. In this study, the weak form efficiency of the Finnish and Swedish stock markets has been investigated by employing a serial correlation test, an Augmented Dickey-Fuller test and a variance ratio test proposed by Lo and Mckinlay (1988) for the hypothesis that the Finnish and Swedish stock market indices follow a random walk. The tests are performed using ten years’ daily the OMX Helsinki and OMX Stockholm indices data from 2003 to 2012. Daily returns are found to violate the assumption of normal distribution. Overall, the results conclude that daily prices and returns do not follow random walks in any of the two countries. This implies that both the Finnish and Swedish stock markets are not weak form efficient.
Fiscal Shocks and the Exchange Rate in a Generalized Redux Model

type="main" xml:lang="en"> This paper studies how the interaction between the monetary policy regime and the degree of home bias in public consumption affects the exchange-rate response to fiscal shocks in a generalized version of the Redux model of Obstfeld and Rogoff ( ). We show that the joint presence of home bias in public consumption and endogenous monetary policy overturns the result of the Redux model implying an exchange-rate appreciation in response to an expansionary fiscal shock.
Family‐based association study of the serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms in Korean ADHD trios

The dopamine (DA) system has been implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on pharmacologic evidence. Because of an interaction between the serotonin (5‐HT) and DA systems, the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has been considered as a candidate ADHD susceptibility gene. Two common polymorphisms, 5‐HTTLPR and the intron 2 VNTR, have been studied for association in ADHD, with both positive (increased frequency of long allele of 5‐HTTLPR and decreased frequency of 12 repeats of the intron 2 VNTR) and negative findings. However, there has not been an association study in an East Asian ADHD population. In this study, we examined the genotypes of these two polymorphisms in 126 Korean ADHD families and investigated linkage disequilibrium (LD) between SLC6A4 and ADHD, using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and haplotype analysis. Additionally, association with quantitative measures of inattention, hyperactivity‐impulsivity, and overall severity was tested using logistic regression and QTDT analysis. TDT of both polymorphisms and haplotype analysis failed to detect LD. However, after excluding ADHD NOS subtype, TDT revealed nominally significant LD between 5‐HTTLPR and ADHD (χ2 = 4.9, P = 0.036). QTDT revealed positive association between 12 repeats of the intron 2 VNTR and attention (P = 0.031), but case‐control and TDT logistic regression analyses were negative. These markers have low heterozygosity in the Korean population, which would be expected to reduce the power of association. This result suggests that future studies should include more polymorphic markers and subjects to thoroughly investigate a potential association between SLC6A4 and ADHD in the Korean population. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeted case finding for dementia in primary care: Surrey Downs dementia diagnosis project

Abstract Currently less than half of the estimated number of people with dementia in England receive a formal diagnosis of dementia or have contact with specialist dementia services. Case finding focused on high risk groups may be an effective way to identify the undiagnosed. This joint Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group and Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust quality improvement project aimed to increase the rate of dementia diagnosis across Surrey Downs using specialist link nurses (SLNs). Thirty three GP surgeries covering the entire Surrey Downs area took part in the project. Individuals at high risk of developing dementia were identified from GP electronic disease registers, and were offered screening at their GP practices by SLNs, using a combination of mini cognitive test (Mini-Cog) and functional assessment questionnaire (FAQ). Suitable individuals who screened positive were seen by their GP and where appropriate referred to secondary care services for further evaluation. Based on the presence of risk factors, 6657 (11.9%) people were identified from a total population of 55 845 over 65s, and 1980 (29.7%) completed the screening assessment. Three hundred and fifty eight (18.1%) individuals screened positive and were referred to their GP, who referred 205 (57.2%) of them to the memory services for further assessment. Of those referred, 164 (80%) had a comprehensive specialist assessment. Forty one (20%) declined further assessment, and their GPs were informed. The mean age of the cohort who completed the comprehensive assessment was 82.3 years (SD=4.26), and were predominantly white and male. Fifty four (32.9%) had mild cognitive disorder (MCD), and 101 (61.6%) patients were diagnosed with dementia. The most common dementia was mixed type (43; 42.6%), followed by Alzheimer’s dementia (32; 31.7%). The most common risk factor among patients with cognitive impairment (MCD or dementia) was hypertension (69; 44.5 %), followed by ischemic heart disease (64, 41.3%). Nurse led case finding for cognitive impairment in a high risk population identifies people with dementia who are not yet formally diagnosed. The combined use of brief instruments to assess cognitive functioning and functional capabilities is helpful in identifying individuals with possible dementia.
Parents perceptions of stress in a neonatal intensive care unit in Rwanda

Background Having a newborn infant hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is an unexpected and stressful event for a family. A number of potential stressors to which family members of patients in these units may be exposed have been identified, although no studies about this issue have been conducted in Rwanda. Aim The aim of this study was to describe and analyse parental perception of stress that resulted from having their infant admitted to a NICU in Kigali, Rwanda. Method A quantitative survey was used to describe and analyse parents’ perceptions of stress when they had an infant admitted to a NICU. The Parental Stress Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was used to measure the level of stress that those parents experienced. Results The results indicated that parents experienced stress from having their infants cared for in a NICU. The most stressful events were the appearance and behaviour of the baby with a mean score of 4.02, whilst the subscale items related to sights and sounds were found to be the least significant source of stress for parents with a mean score of 2.51. In addition, the current study found that parents’ age, educational level, occupation, and infant birth weight were associated with parental stress. Conclusion The study established that a range of factors was responsible for parental stress when a baby was cared for in a NICU. Identification of these factors could enable health professionals from a hospital in Kigali, Rwanda, to facilitate parents’ adjusting and coping.
The acidocalcisome Ca2+‐ATPase (TgA1) of Toxoplasma gondii is required for polyphosphate storage, intracellular calcium homeostasis and virulence

A large proportion of intracellular Ca2+ in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites is stored within acidocalcisomes. These organelles are characterized by their acidic nature and high calcium and polyphosphate (polyP) content. The activity of a Ca2+/H+‐ATPase named TgA1 may be important for the accumulation of Ca2+ in these organelles. This enzyme belongs to a group of plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA) that lack a calmodulin‐binding domain and have vacuolar localization. To investigate the role of this enzyme, we have generated T. gondii mutants deficient in TgA1 through gene disruption. Proliferation of these mutants decreased dramatically because of deficient cell invasion. In addition, these cells had reduced virulence in a mouse model. Biochemical analysis revealed that the cell polyP content was drastically reduced, and the basal calcium levels were increased and unstable. Microneme secretion under the conditions of stimulation by ionophores was altered. Complementation of null mutants with TgA1 restored most functions. In summary, these results establish a link between TgA1, calcium homeostasis, polyP storage and virulence.
Risk factors for teenage pregnancy among sexually active black adolescents in Cape Town. A case control study.

MOTIVATION Teenage pregnancy is an important health and social problem in South Africa. So far research on adolescent sexual activity has been almost exclusively descriptive; as a result there is considerable knowledge about practices of adolescents in general and outcomes of their pregnancies, but very limited understanding of factors that place particular adolescents at increased risk of teenage pregnancy. Without this understanding, our ability to intervene effectively to reduce teenage pregnancy rates is limited. OBJECTIVE To undertake an exploratory study to investigate risk factors for teenage pregnancy among sexually active adolescents in an urban and peri-urban context. METHODS The study used a matched case-control design, with 191 cases and 353 age-matched controls from the same school or neighbourhood. Subjects were under 19 years of age and were recruited from township areas of Cape Town. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-economic factors, contraceptive knowledge and use, and sexual behaviour. Conditional logistical regression was used to analyse the relationship between teenage pregnancy and the factors investigated. RESULTS Teenage pregnancy was found to be most strongly associated with having frequent sex (risk ratio (RR) 30.81) without reliable contraceptive protection (RR 24.35), forced sexual initiation (RR 14.42), not owning a television set (RR 10.33), larger household size (RR 2.44), not living in a brick house (RR 5.09), not living with the biological father (RR 3.26), talking openly about sex with a boyfriend (RR 4.72), and perceiving most friends to be pregnant (RR 4.38). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest associations between the promotion of sexual health among adolescents and broader social development and promotion of gender equality. Although further research is needed, it is likely that important foci for short-term strategies should include developing assertiveness, enhancing decision-making competence, and promoting contraception and condoms as part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health educational interventions.