Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Income Maintenance for the Unemployed in Britain and the Response to High Unemployment

In principle, the modern welfare state provides income support for the unemployed, guaranteeing a certain level of income. This is no doubt one of the reasons why the high unemployment rates in Britain in the late 1970s and 1980s have met with so little public and electoral response. Many people believe that there is an effective system of social insurance, coupled with an income-tested safety net. In practice, income maintenance for the unemployed in Britain is incomplete and inadequate, and in the face of unemployment measured in millions,,the reaction of the government was to make the scheme less, rather than more, generous. As described in Section I of this article, the majority of the measures taken in Britain over the past decade have been to limit the extent and coverage of National Insurance unemployment benefit and to reduce the effectiveness of the safety net. In the same way, in the United States G. Burtless has shown how there has been a tightening of eligibility requirements, and reduction in the extended benefit program, which has been associated with a 25 percent drop in the number of recipients of unemployment insurance relative to the number of job losers. ' Section II of the article examines some of the motives for providing unemployment benefit and how far they can explain why the response to rising unemployment was not to remedy the inadequacies of benefit but to make the system less generous. Was this the response chosen by the majority of the electorate? Has there been a shift in the attitudes of the employed majority? Section III develops the analysis further in con-
Subcontracting in commercial and residential construction: an empirical investigation

Some twenty years ago Robert Eccles argued for the theoretical existence of the quasifirm, a semi-integrated form of production in the construction industry, following a field study of home building firms in the USA. The study was aimed at substantiating some aspects of Williamson's transaction cost theory. The present work has similar intents, and illustrates the results of two recent field studies of homebuilders and commercial contractors, and the specific features of their subcontracting practice. Given the difficulty of an effective measurement of transaction costs in construction, Williamson's concept of atmosphere is suggested to explain the different approaches observed in subcontracting.
Bayesian Modeling of Age‐Specific Survival in Bird Nesting Studies under Irregular Visits

Summary. In this article, a Bayesian model for age‐specific nest survival rates is presented to handle the irregular visit case. Both informative priors and noninformative priors are investigated. The reference prior under this model is derived, and, therefore, the hyperparameter specification problem is solved to some extent. The Bayesian method provides a more accurate estimate of the total survival rate than the standard Mayfield method, if the age‐specific hazard rates are not constant. The Bayesian method also lets the biologist look for high‐ and low‐survival rates during the whole nesting period. In practice, it is common for data of several types to be collected in a single study. That is, some nests may be aged, others are not. Some nests are visited regularly; others are visited irregularly. The Bayesian method accommodates any mix of these sampling techniques by assuming that the aging and visiting activities have no effect on the survival rate. The methods are illustrated by an analysis of the Missouri northern bobwhite data set.
The Association of Health Reform and Infant Health: Evidence from Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVE To estimate whether the incidence of low birthweight and rates of infant mortality were associated with Massachusetts health reform in the overall population and for subgroups that are at higher risk for poor health outcomes. DATA SOURCES Individual-level data on birthweight were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics detailed natality files, and aggregated county-level mortality rates were generated from linked birth-death files. We used restricted versions of each file that had intact state and substate geographic identifiers. RESEARCH DESIGN We employed a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design. PRINCIPAL RESULTS We found small and statistically nonsignificant associations between the reform and the incidence of low birthweight and infant mortality rates. Results were consistent across a number of subgroups and were robust to alternative comparison groups and alternative modeling assumptions. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence that the Massachusetts reform was associated with improvements in individual low birthweights or county-level infant mortality rates, despite increasing health insurance coverage rates for adult women of child-bearing age. Because our mortality analysis was ecological, we are not able to draw conclusions about how an individual-level health insurance intervention for uninsured pregnant women would affect the mortality outcomes of their infants.
The attitudes of SFI-teachers and their importance for the integration of immigrants : A phenomenological study in the context of introductory programmes in Sweden

The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore what role teachers at introductory programmes (SFI-schools) play in the integration of immigrants, how the teachers experience their work and what they feel about the situation in which their students, the immigrants, are. To what extent and in what way do the teachers contribute to facilitating the integration of the immigrant students? The study was conducted at two different schools, Lernia and Varldens Hus (n=17), located in Malmo, Sweden. An open question was used and the self-reports were analyzed with MCA-Minerva (Meaning Construction Analysis). The result showed that teachers at both schools speak about an existing gap between the Swedish society and the immigrants and it is evident that introductory programmes can serve as a bridge connecting the two. Several interesting questions and issues about introductory programmes and integration have arisen during our study, which can lead to further research in the field of acculturation.
EMERGING CONTAMINANTS – INVESTIGATING BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANT LEVELS IN SOIL AND SEDIMENT FROM FIJI ISLANDS

No scientific data is available on emerging contaminants like brominated flame retardant (BFRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyl (BB 153) levels in the abiotic environment of Fiji Islands. Concentrations of PBDEs and BB 153 were determined in soil and sediment from various land-use types from Fiji Islands. Generally, total concentrations of PBDEs and BB 153 was <10 ng g -1 dwt, indicative of a relatively “low contaminated” environment. Total PBDE and BB 153 concentrations ranged from 300 2700 pg g -1 dwt and 0.1 -14 pg g -1 dwt, respectively. Noticeably, BDE 209 and 47 were typically the dominating congeners (up to 75% and 35% contribution to sum BDE, respectively). Comparatively higher levels of PBDE 209 and PBDE 47 were found near open dump sites within the vicinity of urban and industrial land-use areas. The presence of BB 153 in all soil and sediment samples and its correlation to BDEs in soil samples may indicate sources from some local anthropogenic activity.
Strategy, Priority-Setting, and Municipal Capital Budget Reform: Three Cases from the Great Recession

I examine three recent cases where local governments changed their processes for selecting capital projects. The central question is whether these changes institutionalized a more “strategic” outlook in capital improvement planning and budgeting for these jurisdictions? The findings suggest that local governments can set capital priorities strategically, but that the process of implementing those reforms must be adaptable to changing political circumstances. These findings add to the limited literature on the political, administrative, and other challenges that local governments must confront when reforming their capital improvement planning and budgeting processes.
FOOD ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM

Numerous public and private initiatives in the United States work to mitigate food insecurity and its unwelcome repercussions for children's health and well-being. An increasingly popular program, the Food For Kids program originated by the Arkansas Rice Depot, seeks to reduce hunger among school-aged children by distributing ready-to-eat food in backpacks for participating students to take home for evening and weekend meals. This study assesses reasons for participation in the program and its impact on school-level indicators of student behavior and academic performance. Sample statistics from unique surveys made available by the Arkansas Rice Depot, a faith-based food bank, indicate that some parents cannot or do not properly feed their children due to insufficient economic means, illness, drug addiction, or a lack of willingness. The analysis also finds improvements in participating students’ self-esteem and behavior at school. Additional results from fixed effects regressions using school report-card data indicate a positive and significant program impact on eighth-grade standardized test scores in math and literacy.
Body Composition and Metabolic Profile in Women with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Clinical and experimental data suggest that androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays a role on body composition, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. The effect of AR disruption on such parameters was not extensively investigated in human people. A group of young to middle-age adult women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS, n = 18, age 32.2 ± 9.3 years; women with testes removed n = 14) was investigated for body mass index (BMI), body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), serum glucose levels, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) and lipid profile. Mean BMI (24.2 ± 7.4 kg/m2) was not significantly increased (T-score 1.0 ± 2.5, p = NS vs Italian female reference values), but prevalence of obesity was higher in women with CAIS than that reported in age-related Italian females (16.7% vs 3.6%, respectively). The majority of obese individuals with CAIS was in the subgroup with intact testes (3/4). DXA assessment (n = 15) demonstrated values of total free fat mass similar to that of 46,XX female controls. Increased body fat was found in CAIS women in comparison with both female and male controls. Abnormal values of cholesterol (total and LDL) and HOMA-IR were present in a large subset of patients. Our data suggest that in women with CAIS disruption of AR signaling may increase body fat and affect some metabolic parameters. Assessment of body composition, metabolic profile and, likely, cardiovascular risk seems to be advisable with ageing in these individuals.
Circulating β2 glycoprotein I-IgG anti-β2 glycoprotein I immunocomplexes in patients with definite Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Beta2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI), a relevant antigen in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), binds anionic macromolecules including heparin (Hep). A possible formation of ternary complexes between β2GPI, antibodies and Hep in APS is thus possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate Hep-β2GPI interaction in patients with APS. The affinity of Heps of different length, including unfractionated Hep (UFH), low-molecular weight Hep (enoxaparin) and pentasaccharide (fondaparinux), to human β2GPI was estimated by fluorescence spectroscopy, yielding dissociation constant (Kd) values of 1.1, 24.0 and 89.4 µM, demonstrating that the longer UFH binds to β2GPI far more tightly than the shorter ones. Plasma and protein G-purified IgGs from eight patients with APS (i.e. five with thromboembolic disease and three with catastrophic APS), were fractionated by affinity chromatography using a Hep (UFH)-bound column, eluted with a linear NaCl gradient. For each chromatographic analysis, fractions were collected in the whole NaCl gradient and tested by ELISA for the presence of β2GPI and anti-β2GPI IgG. The results of Hep-affinity chromatography and ELISAs concurrently indicate that either β2GPI and anti-β2GPI IgG elute from the Hep column in the same chromatographic peak, at a retention time identical to that of the purified, isolated β2GPI, thus suggesting that circulating immunocomplexes containing β2GPI are present in patients with APS.
Exploring the relationship between trust, commitment and customer loyalty through the intervening role of customer relationship management (CRM)

The purpose of the study is to investigate customer relationship management (CRM) and its influence on customer loyalty at selected short-term insurance providers in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The target population included all South Africans who currently have a policy with at least one of the selected short-term insurance providers in the study. The convenience sampling method was applied, and a sample of 500 respondents was selected. An interview administered questionnaire was used for the gathering of data. The study indicated that a significant negative relationship existed between commitment and CRM. It was evident that no significant relationship existed between trust and CRM. The study also revealed that a strong positive relationship existed between CRM and customer loyalty at the four selected short-term insurance providers in South Africa. Strategies were also provided for ways in which the four selected short-term insurance providers can maintain and improve their relationships with their customers in order to encourage loyalty, and therefore increase profitability.
Bach1, a heme‐dependent transcription factor, reveals presence of multiple heme binding sites with distinct coordination structure

The mammalian transcription factor Bach1 functions as a repressor of the enhancers of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) gene (Hmox‐1) by forming heterodimers with the small Maf proteins such as MafK. The transcription of Hmox‐1 is regulated by the substrate of HO‐1, heme. Heme induces expression of Hmox‐1 in part by inhibiting the binding of Bach1 to the enhancers and inducing the nuclear export of Bach1. A dipeptide motif of cysteine and proline (CP motif) in Bach1 is essential for the heme‐mediated regulation. In this study, we show that five molecules of heme bind to Bach1 by the heme‐titration assay. The Bach1‐heme complex exhibits an absorption spectrum with a major Soret peak at 371 nm and Raman band at 343 cm‐1 in high amounts of heme and a spectrum containing the major Soret peak at 423 nm at low heme concentrations. The spectroscopic characterization indicates that Bach1 has two kinds of heme‐binding sites with different coordination structures. Mutagenesis studies have established that four molecules of heme bind to the cysteine residues of four CP motifs in the C terminus of Bach1. These results raise the possibility that two separated activities of Bach1, DNA‐binding and nuclear export, are regulated by heme binding at the different CP motifs of Bach1 respectively, but not by cooperative heme‐binding.
Prediction of Failure in Vancomycin-Treated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection: a Clinically Useful Risk Stratification Tool

ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of bloodstream infection (BSI) and is often associated with invasive infections and high rates of mortality. Vancomycin has remained the mainstay of therapy for serious Gram-positive infections, particularly MRSA BSI; however, therapeutic failures with vancomycin have been increasingly reported. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the factors (patient, strain, infection, and treatment) involved in the etiology and management of MRSA BSI to create a risk stratification tool for clinicians. This study included consecutive patients with MRSA BSI treated with vancomycin over 2 years in an inner-city hospital in Detroit, MI. Classification and regression tree analysis (CART) was used to develop a risk prediction model that characterized vancomycin-treated patients at high risk of clinical failure. Of all factors, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, with a cutoff point of 14, was found to be the strongest predictor of failure and was used to split the population into two groups. Forty-seven percent of the population had an APACHE-II score < 14, a value that was associated with low rates of clinical failure (11%) and mortality (4%). Fifty-four percent of the population had an APACHE-II score ≥ 14, which was associated with high rates of clinical failure (35%) and mortality (23%). The risk stratification model identified the interplay of three other predictors of failure, including the vancomycin MIC as determined by Vitek 2 analysis, the risk level of the source of BSI, and the USA300 strain type. This model can be a useful tool for clinicians to predict the likelihood of success or failure in vancomycin-treated patients with MRSA bloodstream infection.
MT-based Sentence Alignment for OCR-generated Parallel Texts

The performance of current sentence alignment tools varies according to the to-be-aligned texts. We have found existing tools unsuitable for hard-to-align parallel texts and describe an alternative alignment algorithm. The basic idea is to use machine translations of a text and BLEU as a similarity score to find reliable alignments which are used as anchor points. The gaps between these anchor points are then filled using BLEU-based and length-based heuristics. We show that this approach outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in our alignment task, and that this improvement in alignment quality translates into better SMT performance. Furthermore, we show that even length-based alignment algorithms profit from having a machine translation as a point of comparison.
Novel Insect Picorna-Like Virus Identified in the Brains of Aggressive Worker Honeybees

ABSTRACT To identify candidate genes involved in the aggressive behavior of worker honeybees, we used the differential display method to search for RNAs exclusively detected in the brains of aggressive workers that had attacked a hornet. We identified a novel, 10,152-nucleotide RNA, termed Kakugo RNA. Kakugo RNA encodes a protein of 2,893 amino acid residues that shares structural features and sequence similarities with various picorna-like virus polyproteins, especially those from sacbrood virus, which infects honeybees. The Kakugo protein contains several domains that correspond to the virion protein, helicase, protease, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domains of various picorna-like virus polyproteins. When the worker bee tissue lysate was subjected to sucrose density gradient centrifugation, Kakugo RNA, except for the material at the bottom, was separated into two major peaks. One of the peaks corresponded to the position of Kakugo mRNA, and the other corresponded to the position of the poliovirus virion. These results suggest that the Kakugo RNA exists as an mRNA-like free RNA and virion RNA in the honeybee. Furthermore, injection of the lysate supernatant from the attacker heads into the heads of noninfected bees resulted in a marked increase in Kakugo RNA. These results demonstrate that Kakugo RNA is a plus-strand RNA of a novel picorna-like virus and that the brains of aggressive workers are infected by this novel virus. Kakugo RNA was detected in aggressive workers but not in nurse bees or foragers. In aggressive workers, Kakugo RNA was detected in the brain but not in the thorax or abdomen, indicating a close relation between viral infection in the brain and aggressive worker behaviors.
Using a Prostate Exam Simulator to Decipher Palpation Techniques that Facilitate the Detection of Abnormalities Near Clinical Limits

Introduction: Prostate carcinoma (and other prostate irregularities and abnormalities) is detected in part via the digital rectal examination. Training clinicians to use particular palpation techniques may be one way to improve the rates of detection. Methods: In an experiment of 34 participants with clinical backgrounds, we used a custom-built simulator to determine whether certain finger palpation techniques improved one’s ability to detect abnormalities smaller in size and dispersed as multiples over a volume. The intent was to test abnormality cases of clinical relevance near the limits of size perceptibility (ie, 5-mm diameter). The simulator can present abnormalities in various configurations and record finger movement. To characterize finger movement, four palpation techniques were quantitatively defined (global finger movement, local finger movement, average intentional finger pressure, and dominant intentional finger frequency) to represent the qualitative definitions of other researchers. Results: Participants who used more thorough patterns of global finger movement (V and L) ensured that the entire prostate was searched and detected more abnormalities. A higher magnitude of finger pressure was associated with the detection of smaller abnormalities. The local finger movement of firm pressure with varying intensities was most indicative of success and was required to identify the smallest (5-mm diameter) abnormality. When participants used firm pressure with varying intensities, their dominant intentional finger frequency was about 6 Hz. Conclusions: The use of certain palpation techniques does enable the detection of smaller and more numerous abnormalities, and we seek to abstract these techniques into a systematic protocol for use in the clinic.
Understanding the training and support needs of crisis interventionists at an organisation for the abused.

Using a qualitative and interpretive approach, this research focuses on the training and support needs of crisis interventionists volunteering at an organisation for the abused. This research developed out of a need identified by the board for recommendations to be made in order to compile a new training manual as well as to explore and improve the support services offered to volunteers at the organisation. The research used a thorough examination of the current literature available dealing with crisis intervention and intimate partner violence both nationally and internationally to provide a framework and standard for all recommendations. This was then supplemented with a participatory and interpretive approach to understand the experiences of the crisis interventionists themselves currently volunteering at the organisation. The major themes that emerged from the data included an understanding of the current training process, the impact of volunteering for the desk, the impact and importance of organisational culture and the organisation and self care techniques used by the volunteers. These were then interpreted in terms of their relevance to the training and support needs of the volunteers looking specifically at the training process to ensure an ideological shift and information retention as well as explore supportive services that would be the most beneficial and accessible to the volunteer. The research was then able to provide the most appropriate recommendations for the organisation going forward.
The stock performance of family firms in the Portuguese market

The aim of this study is to analyse the stock performance of family firms from 1999 to 2008 in the Portuguese stock market, where these kinds of firms are frequently found. Consistent with previous research, we employ a methodology based on a portfolio formation approach. Furthermore, we study the performance of individual stocks using a panel data analysis. Our findings show that family firms outperform nonfamily ones, especially those family firms of smaller size. These results are relevant for investors, academics and the professional managers of these companies.