Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RateMyProfessors com versus formal in-class student evaluations of teaching

Using data for 426 instructors at the University of Maine, we examined the relationship between RateMyProfessors.com (RMP) indices and formal in-class student evaluations of teaching (SET). The two primary RMP indices correlate substantively and significantly with their respective SET items: RMP overall quality correlates r = . 68 with SET item, Overall, how would you rate the instructor? ; and RMP ease correlates r = . 44 with SET item, How did the work load for this course compare to that of others of equal credit? Further, RMP overall quality and RMP ease each correlates with its corresponding SET factor derived from a principal components analysis of all 29 SET items: r = . 57 and . 51, respectively. While these RMP/SET correlations should give pause to those who are inclined to dismiss RMP indices as meaningless, the amount of variance left unexplained in SET criteria limits the utility of RMP. The ultimate implication of our results, we believe, is that higher education institutions should make their SET data publicly available online.
Prevention of parent-to-child transmission of HIV: an experience in rural population.

To prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has come forward with Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PPTCT) programme. In this programme the women attending antenatal care programme are enrolled and HIV testing and reporting are done after proper pre-test and post-test counselling. Nevirapine therapy is administered to HIV positive women and their babies after delivery. This programme to prevent mother-to-child transmission has already been extended to 225 antenatal clinics and is the largest national antenatal screening programme in the world. (excerpt)
Effects of a startle on heart rate in patients with multiple system atrophy

The patient cooperation usually required for neurophysiological assessment of autonomic cardioregulatory function is difficult to obtain from patients with bradykinesia. A particularly interesting condition occurs in multiple system atrophy (MSA), which features both bradykinesia and autonomic dysfunction. Another characteristic of patients with MSA is their normal motor reaction to a startling stimulus. We used startle as a stimulus for testing autonomic cardioregulatory function in patients with MSA, thus avoiding the need for patient cooperation. In 10 healthy volunteers and 8 MSA patients, we recorded the electrocardiographic QRS complex with surface electrodes attached over the chest and delivered an acoustic startle stimulus after 8 seconds of baseline recording. We calculated the ratio between the pre‐stimulus and the post‐stimulus heart beat intervals (R–R ratio) by dividing the mean prestimulus R–R interval by the shortest R–R interval obtained within 10 seconds poststimulus. Healthy volunteers had a significant shortening of the R–R interval. The peak of the effect occurred after 2 to 5 seconds, with a mean R–R ratio of 1.14 (S.D. = 0.09). In contrast, R–R shortening was markedly reduced in patients, even though they had a normal motor response. The mean R–R ratio in patients was 1.03 (S.D. = 0.03), significantly lower than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.01). Our results demonstrate an abnormally reduced modulation of the heart beat frequency in patients with MSA, compatible with a dysfunction on pathways responsible for autonomic regulation. The method described here may be useful in the assessment of cardioregulatory function in poorly cooperative patients with normal startle responses. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Use and Acceptance of Social Media Among Health Educators

Abstract Background: As social media use grows in popularity, health educators are challenged to think differently about how to communicate with audiences. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore social media use and factors that determine acceptance of social media use among health educators. Methods: A random sample of Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) (N = 503) completed an online survey consisting of items related to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Results: Findings revealed that health educators most commonly used social networking sites (34.8%), podcasts (23.5%), and media sharing sites (18.5%) within their organizations. Social influence (P < 0.0001) and performance expectancy (P < 0.0001) were both positively associated with increased behavioral intentions to use social media for health promotion. Reasons for lack of use included employers monitoring or blocking social media, difficulty of use among older health educators, and the belief that social media would not enhance job performance. Discussion: Many health educators are using social media and intentions to use in practice are associated with social influence and performance expectancy. Translation to Health Education Practice: Social media use holds promise as a supporting methodology to enhance health education practice. Implementation should include attention to guidelines and best practice.
CEO Succession: Choosing Between Family Member or Outsider?

Studies discussing on having a family chief executive officer (CEO) or outsider to manage family companies are widely discussed in overseas but little research that actually taking place in Malaysia. Thus, this study examines the relationship between the choices of family or outside CEO with company performance. The sample size of this study was 888 family companies listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2003 to 2007. Interestingly, the findings indicate as expected that family CEO enhanced company performance greater than outside CEO. Within the family company, CEO-successor enhanced the firm value greater than the CEO-founder. More importantly, family companies prefer to have family CEO to manage the company because of strong family cultures, high sense of family unity and belongings within the
Individual Investors' Attention to Accounting Information: Message Board Discussions

Accounting standard setters and financial information providers are interested in individual investors’ use of accounting information but find it difficult to assess with conventional data sources. Financial message boards provide a unique medium with which to analyze individuals’ attention to accounting information on a large scale and in great detail. I examine accounting-related content in 1.94 million messages for 1,852 firms and find that individual investors pay considerable attention to accounting information. In accordance with the expectation that investors react to relevant information events, I find that accounting-related discussion is significantly elevated around the filings of earnings releases, 8-K reports, and quarterly (annual) reports of all (the smallest) firms. I also provide significant descriptive detail on the nature of this discussion. I find that investors expand their accounting information acquisition and processing efforts in poor information climates, as evidenced by elevated discussion for firms with low analyst coverage, high analyst forecast dispersion, or high trading volume. Higher accounting discussion around the release of earnings announcements is associated with increased earnings response and somewhat reduced information asymmetry at that time, but not with reduced post-earnings-announcement drift in stock price.
Activities of endothelin‐1 in the vascular network of the rabbit ear: a microangiographic study

1 The effects of endothelin‐1 on perfusion pressure and on arterial and venous diameters were examined simultaneously in a rabbit isolated ear preparation perfused with physiological buffer. The effects of hypoxia and inhibition of endothelium‐derived relaxant factor (EDRF) activity on vascular responses to endothelin‐1 were also investigated. 2 Endothelin‐1 was potent at increasing perfusion pressure (ED50 = 46.7 ± 11.0 pmol; Rmax = 85.3 ± 5.3 mmHg). The potency and maximum reactivity were not significantly affected by hypoxia, inhibition of EDRF activity with 50 μm N‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (NAME) or a combination of hypoxia and NAME. 3 Endothelin‐1 caused equipotent dose‐dependent constrictions of the first four generations of arterial branch vessels (G1‐G4) but did not influence the diameter of the central ear artery except at high doses of the peptide when ‘paradoxical dilatation’ was observed. The peptide was also equipotent at causing constriction of the smaller venous vessels (V1‐V4) but did not affect the large veins (V0). 4 Under conditions of hypoxia the potency of endothelin‐1 was reduced in G2 and G3, was unaffected in G4 and the peptide did not significantly constrict either G0 or G1. Hypoxia reduced the potency of endothelin‐1 in the smaller venous vessels (V1‐V4), but conversely unmasked a marked constriction of the large veins (V0), which was not observed under normoxic conditions. 5 NAME 50 μm abolished the vasodilator effects of acetylcholine in this preparation. Inhibition of EDRF activity with NAME under normoxic conditions did not influence the constrictor activity of endothelin‐1 on the arterial or venous branch vessels. However, inhibition of EDRF activity under hypoxic conditions prevented the reduction of potency of endothelin‐1 as a constrictor of arterial and venous branch vessels which occurred in hypoxia. In the presence of NAME endothelin‐1 constricted V0 in both normoxia and hypoxia with equipotency but the maximum effect was greatest in hypoxia. 6 In conclusion, endothelin‐1 is a powerful vasoconstrictor which acts with greater potency in veins than arteries in the rabbit isolated ear. Although hypoxia does not influence pressor responses it nevertheless alters the spatial pattern of vasoconstriction. In particular hypoxia unmasks constriction of the large veins by endothelin‐1. Constriction of these veins was also observed in the absence of EDRF in normoxia, but to a much lesser degree so that the effect of hypoxia may only be partially due to reduced EDRF activity. Hypoxia may therefore directly or indirectly increase the sensitivity of the main veins to endothelin‐1.
Irrigation Water Pricing Policy in Rural China

The goal of this paper is to analyze the potential of reforming water pricing as a way to encourage water conservation and to assess its impacts on crop production and producer welfare in rural China. To meet this goal, we develop an approach that can inform policy makers about the effectiveness of water pricing policy as well as how water pricing policy should be implemented. The first step in the approach involves estimating a set of crop-specific production frontiers as well as household level technical inefficiency parameters. The estimation results aid us in measuring the relationship between water and crop output as well as the value of water to households. Our results indicate that there is a large gap between the value of water and the current water cost in many places. Simulation analyses show that reforming water pricing can induce water savings but the price of water needs to be raised to a relatively high level. We also find that a water pricing policy that takes into account this gap (the informed policy) can be more effective than a policy that ignores it (the uninformed policy) in that it generates larger water savings given the same increase in the average price of water. Raising the price of water negatively affect crop production and crop income, which means supplementary polices should be used to compensate farmers. Higher water prices do not adversely affect the distribution of household income.
Homeless People who are Animal Caretakers: A Comparative Study

Data from a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) were used to compare homeless people who report caring for animals with homeless people who do not report caring for animals, based on demographic variables and stated reasons for homelessness. Among homeless clients (N = 4,100; M age = 39 yr., SD = 13.2), 5.5% reported animal caretaking; demographic differences between caretaking and not caretaking homeless clients and life factors related to homelessness were most often associated with animal caretaking. 41% of participants (n = 1,664) were female, and 59% (n = 2,436) were male. Findings suggest that first-time homeless, Euro-American women who were homeless due to domestic violence were the most likely to say they were caring for animals. The use of such an information system could aid in identifying this subpopulation and coordinating services for animal care.
Malignant transformation of atypical oral lichen planus: a review of 32 cases.

AIMS To assess the prevalence of malignant transformation of atypical lichen planus in our medium and describe the clinico-pathological features of the cases that had a premalignant potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS we performed a retrospective analysis of the records of patients seen at the Stomatology Department of the School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, during the period 1991-1997. A total of 719 patients (7.02%) had oral lichen planus (481 women and 238 men). From a clinico-pathological point of view, 228 (31.7%) were typical forms and 491 (68.3%) were atypical forms. In all of the cases, lichen planus was confirmed histologically and a clinical protocol was followed. RESULTS Thirty-two (6.51%) patients were known to have developed malignant changes. In these cases the lesions had been diagnosed as atypical lichen planus at the outset. The most frequent clinical presentations were the keratotic (plaque-like) and erosive forms. Most of the lesions were on the tongue. The results support a premalignant potential for atypical lichen planus. CONCLUSION Oral lichen planus is a precancerous condition. The atypical form, particularly in its keratotic and erosive presentations, has a premalignant potential in our medium. The most frequent localization is the tongue.
The Impact of Social Media Features on Print Media Firms’ Online Business Models

Abstract Many newspapers and magazines have added “social media features” to their web-based information services in order to allow users to participate in the production of content. This study examines the specific impact of the firm’s investment in social media features on their online business models. We make a comparative case study of four Scandinavian print media firms that have added social media features to their online services. We show how social media features lead to online business model innovation, particularly linked to the firms’ value propositions. The paper discusses the repercussions of this transformation on firms’ relationship with consumers and with traditional content contributors. The modified value proposition also requires firms to acquire new competences in order to reap full benefit of their social media investments. We show that the firms have been unable to do so since they have not allowed the social media features to affect their online revenue models.
The mediating effect of innovation in the relationship between retailers' strategic orientations and performance

Purpose – This research focuses on the effects that three different strategic orientations have on firm performance in the specific domain of retailing. The paper also aims to deal with the mediating role that innovation plays in this relationship.Design/methodology/approach – Component analysis is used to find out which factors really build up each of the constructs involved. In order to analyze the convergence of the model a confirmatory factor analysis is performed by means of a structural equation model based on LISREL 8.54 technique.Findings – From the 244 responses the results show that market driving proved to be a strong predictor of performance in addition to innovation acting as a mediator between strategic orientations in retailers and business performance.Research limitations/implications – In a future research it would be advisable to include supplier and customer perceptions of the strategic orientation carried on by retailing firms. The study of different innovation categories should also b.
The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations

Considerable progress has been made in identifying market-driven businesses, understanding what they do, and measuring the bottom-line consequences of their orientation to their markets. The next challenge is to understand how this organizational orientation can be achieved and sustained. The emerging capabilities approach to strategic management, when coupled with total quality management, offers a rich array of ways to design change programs that will enhance a market orientation. The most distinctive features of market-driven organizations are their mastery of the market sensing and customer linking capabilities. A comprehensive change program aimed at enhancing these capabilities includes: (1) the diagnosis of current capabilities, (2) anticipation of future needs for capabilities, (3) bottom-up redesign of underlying processes, (4) top-down direction and commitment, (5) creative use of information technology, and (6) continuous monitoring of progress.
The Role of Social Capital and Cultural Biases in Finance: The Investment Behavior of Foreign High Tech Firms

We investigate the role of social capital and cultural biases in investment by foreign high-tech firms in China. We find social capital of provinces in the host country, social capital of the foreign company’s home country, and the cultural difference between the two countries are important factors in foreign direct investment. Provinces in China with a higher level of social capital attract more foreign investment. Foreign firms in provinces of higher social capital are more likely to establish joint ventures with local partners, invest more in research and development (R&D), and hire more R&D personnel. Foreign firms from countries with higher uncertainty avoidance and greater cultural difference from China give more weight to the provincial-level social capital in China. The conclusions do not change under instrumental variable regressions, and the results still hold with the city-level measure of social capital.
Role of IL-6 in angiotensin II-induced retinal vascular inflammation.

PURPOSE The production of proinflammatory cytokines has been shown to play a critical role in a variety of retinal vascular diseases. Angiotensin II and VEGF have been implicated in the initiation of vascular inflammation and retinal vascular disease. However, detailed mechanisms of this process and interactions between inflammatory agonists and angiotensin II in promoting retinopathy are poorly understood. The present study was an investigation of the role of interleukin (IL)-6 in angiotensin II-induced retinopathy. METHODS Rats and IL-6-deficient and wild-type mice were treated with angiotensin II or IL-6, and their retinas were analyzed for leukocyte adhesion or for the expression and localization of VEGF or IL-6. Leukocyte adhesion was assayed by concanavalin A labeling. Vascular density was determined by morphometric analysis. NADPH oxidase activity was assayed by dihydroethidium imaging of superoxide. RESULTS Intravitreal injection of angiotensin II caused increases in IL-6 mRNA and protein and in leukocyte adhesion to the retinal vessels. IL-6 protein was localized to CD11b-positive microglia and macrophage-like cells. Angiotensin II treatment stimulated increases in retinal levels of VEGF expression and NADPH oxidase activity, which were associated with increased surface area and remodeling of the retinal vessels. These effects were blocked by knocking out IL-6. Intravitreal IL-6 directly induced leukocyte adhesion in both wild-type and IL-6-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that IL-6 expression is essential for angiotensin II-induced increases in retinal VEGF expression, leukostasis, and vascular remodeling. The data suggest a critical role for IL-6 in mediating angiotensin II-induced retinal vascular inflammation and remodeling.
Non-Gaussianities in models with a varying inflaton decay rate

We consider the expected level of primordial non-Gaussianities in models in which density perturbations are produced by spatial fluctuations in the decay rate of the inflaton. We consider both the non-Gaussianities resulting from the self-couplings of the field that controls the decay rate as well as from the non-linear relation between field and curvature perturbations. We show that in these scenario non-Gaussianities are of the "local" form, that is well described be the ansatz R =Rg + f_{NL} (Rg^2 - ). This is a consequence of the fact that they were created when modes were already outside the horizon. We show that f_{NL} is naturally of order a few in these models, much larger than what is expected in the standard one field models of inflation (f_{NL}\sim 10^{-2}) and possibly accessible to observations.
Being able to make (small) deposits and payments, anywhere

In this paper the authors put forth a vision in which people are able to make small deposits into their bank account through a variety of cash handling outlets right in their neighborhood. In fact, buying and selling deposits (i.e., depositing and withdrawing money from your current account) is just another product your local store or supermarket offers you, along with toothpaste and mobile prepaid cards. This focus note presents an alternative, systemic approach to branchless banking, a version 2.0, under which there is no need for a bank to have a contractual relationship with any of the hundreds or thousands of retail outlets through which it is absorbing deposits or meeting liquidity needs of its customers. This happens within a more fragmented ecosystem where each actor is playing a more specialized role suited to its commercial comparative advantages, but where the actors, together, are able to handle transaction risks more efficiently. With the appropriate mix of technology, business process, market conduct, and consumer protection regulations, trust may not need to be vested in the retail outlet by either depositors or their banks. The end result is that banks can create retailing strategies that are much more flexible.
New Consumer Products Branding, Packaging and Labeling in Nepal

This paper focuses on existing practice of branding, packaging and labeling of new products in consumer product manufacturing units. Product identification is not possible without brand name. Protection of product is also equally important to provide quality product for consumer satisfaction. Information regarding the product such as: ingredents, guidelines to use, price, produced and expiry date etc. are also concerned subject of the potential buyer. All these aspects have to be considered for effective promotion of product. It is useful for immediate introduction and recovery in the market by a new product. Key words: Product identification, promotion, protection, information, consumer satisfaction The Journal of Nepalese Business Studies Vol. V, No. 1, 2008, December Page: 16-24
Marketing and competitive performance: an empirical study

Hypothesises that high performance companies have a defined mission which includes specification of their target markets and broad goals. Competitive advantage is founded on customer satisfaction, which in turn is built on a market‐led strategy, effective systems and committed and empowered staff. All these building blocks are influenced by a changing and increasingly competitive international environment. Influential government reports on industrial competitiveness have ignored the contribution of marketing. This is partly because academics themselves have not shown the link between marketing effectiveness and business performance. Explores the contribution of marketing within a broader model of the determinants of competitiveness using an empirical study.