Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining Conspiracist Beliefs About the Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

ABSTRACT Previous studies have suggested that conspiracist ideation forms part of a monological belief system in which one conspiracist idea acts as evidence for new conspiracist ideas. Here, we examined this possibility in relation to an event lacking reliable or conclusive evidence, namely the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan. A total of 914 members of the British general public completed scales measuring their beliefs about the disappearance of Earhart and Noonan, belief in conspiracy theories, the Big Five personality factors, support for democratic principles, political cynicism, self-esteem, and self-assessed intelligence. Results showed that belief in conspiracy theories was associated with the endorsement of less plausible explanations for the disappearance of Earhart and Noonan. In addition, belief in less plausible explanations was also significantly associated with lower self-assessed intelligence, greater political cynicism, lower self-esteem, and higher Agreeableness scores. These results are discussed in relation to monological belief systems.
Permeability of the cell wall of Mycobacterium smegmatis

The cell wail of Mycobacterium smegmatis me2155 was shown to be an effective permeability barrier to hydrophilic compounds. Permeability coefficients to β‐lactams ranged from 10 × 10 −7 to 0.5 × 10 −7 cm s−1. Cell wall proteins were solubilized with EDTA and Genapol and were tested for channel‐forming activity by reconstitution into lipid bilayers. Proteins were able to induce a voltage‐gated cation‐selective channel. The mycobacterial porin channel appeared to be water‐filled since the single‐channel conductance followed the mobility sequence of hydrated ions in the aqueous phase. On the basis of the Renkin equation and the single‐channel conductance, the channel diameter was estimated to be around 3 nm. Model calculations showed that cation selectivity may be caused by four negative point‐charges at the channel mouth. The permeability properties of the cell wall of intact cells were in good agreement with those of the reconstituted channel. Negatively charged cephalosporins, cefamandole and cephalothin, diffused at a 10‐ to 20‐fold lower rate than the zwitterionic cephaloridine. The mycobacterial porin represents a major hydrophilic pathway of the cell wall of M. smegmatis.
Cross-linguistic similarity affects L2 cognate representation: blu vs. blue in Italian-English bilinguals

In a psycholinguistic study we explored semantic shifts of focal colours for ‘blue’ terms in Italian-English bilinguals. Italian speakers require more than one basic colour term to name blue colours: blu ‘dark blue’ and azzurro ‘light/medium blue’; celeste ‘sky/light blue’ is salient, too [1-2]. Participants were Italian-English bilinguals residing in Liverpool (N=13). Their naming data, collected in two languages (L1, L2), were compared to those of Italian (N=13) and English (N=16) monolinguals. An unconstrained colour naming method was used to name each Munsell chip (M=237) embracing the BLUE area of colour space. Participants also indicated the best example focal colour) of blu, azzurro and celeste(Italian) or blue and light blue (English). Here we report two main findings: (i) Lightness shift: for the majority of the bilinguals, their L2 blue foci are semantically down-shifted towards L1 blu ‘dark blue’ foci. The semantic shift is thought to result from cross-linguistic similarity between the homophone Italian blu and English blue, facilitating asymmetric L1–L2 mediation in favour of the dominant language representation; (ii) Hue shift: proficient bilinguals revealed a hue shift of the L1 azzurro focus from azure, characteristic of Italian monolinguals, towards that of English monolinguals’ blue, with a purplish hint. The findings indicate Whorfian effects, or modulation of semantic-lexical representations, in proficient bilinguals immersed in L2 and, in addition, point to their integrated mental lexicon.
Ergonomics action research II: a framework for integrating HF into work system design

This paper presents a conceptual framework that can support efforts to integrate human factors (HF) into the work system design process, where improved and cost-effective application of HF is possible. The framework advocates strategies of broad stakeholder participation, linking of performance and health goals, and process focussed change tools that can help practitioners engage in improvements to embed HF into a firm's work system design process. Recommended tools include business process mapping of the design process, implementing design criteria, using cognitive mapping to connect to managers’ strategic goals, tactical use of training and adopting virtual HF (VHF) tools to support the integration effort. Consistent with organisational change research, the framework provides guidance but does not suggest a strict set of steps. This allows more adaptability for the practitioner who must navigate within a particular organisational context to secure support for embedding HF into the design process for improved operator wellbeing and system performance. Practitioner Summary: There has been little scientific literature about how a practitioner might integrate HF into a company's work system design process. This paper proposes a framework for this effort by presenting a coherent conceptual framework, process tools, design tools and procedural advice that can be adapted for a target organisation.
Financial Performance of banks in Pakistan

Banks are the most important financial institutions which play a vital role throughout the world’s economic system. The banking system of Pakistan comprises not only of the Public sector but also the private sector. Some of the banks after the independence of Pakistan didn't perform well and they were then privatized but later again they were nationalized. The banking sector of Pakistan has undergone through various stages of crisis. Currently, a very healthy competition between the banking sector has been observed in both the Public and Private sector banks. Many individual and groups are interested in the data appearing in a firm's financial statements, including managers, owners, prospective investors, creditors, labor unions, governmental agencies, and the public. These parties are usually interested in the profitability and financial strength of the firm in question; although such factors as size, growth and the firm's efforts to meet its social responsibilities may also be of interest.This book gives an insight into the banking information in the past and deals in how to use the information for analysis, and is very much helpful for students, performing analysis in Finance.
The Book-to-Market Anomaly in the Chinese Stock Markets

This paper examines the existence of value premium in the Chinese stock markets and empirically provides its explanation. Our results suggest that the value premium does exist in the Chinese markets, and investor sophistication is significant in explaining its existence. In particular, there is supporting evidence that the value premium could be driven by individual investors, whereas stocks that are mostly held by institutional investors are value-premium free. We briefly discuss the implications of our findings.
Advice and Consent: Senate Responses to Executive Branch Nominations 1885- 1996

The fact that presidential nominations to executive branch positions are routinely approved by the Senate obscures great variance in the length of time that the confirmation process requires. Nominees can expect to wait anywhere from a few days to several months to learn their fates. We argue that long delays are made possible by Senate procedures that allow and encourage partisan and ideological opponents of the nomination to engage in dilatory tactics. Based on more than 3500 executive branch nominations from 1885-1996, we find substantial evidence for our hypotheses. In particular, we find that confirmations take substantially longer not only in periods of divided government but also in periods in which the Senate is ideologically polarized. Finally, we discuss the likely impact of these delays on the president's appointment decisions and his ability to lead the bureaucracy.
Detection of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Other Eubacteria in Ticks from the Thai-Myanmar Border and Vietnam

ABSTRACT A total of 650 ticks, including 13 species from five genera, were collected from animals, from people, or by flagging of the vegetation at sites on the Thai-Myanmar border and in Vietnam. They were tested by PCR to detect DNA of bacteria of the order Rickettsiales. Three Anaplasma spp. were detected in ticks collected in Thailand, including (i) Anaplasma sp. strain AnDa465, which was considered a genotype of Anaplasma platys (formerly Ehrlichia platys) and which was obtained from Dermacentor auratus ticks collected from dogs; (ii) Anaplasma sp. strain AnAj360, which was obtained from Amblyomma javanense ticks collected on a pangolin; and (iii) Anaplasma sp. strain AnHl446, which was closely related to Anaplasma bovis and which was detected in Haemaphysalis lagrangei ticks collected from a bear. Three Ehrlichia spp. were identified, including (i) Ehrlichia sp. strain EBm52, which was obtained from Boophilus microplus ticks collected from cattle from Thailand; (ii) Ehrlichia sp. strain EHh324, which was closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis and which was detected in Haemaphysalis hystricis ticks collected from wild pigs in Vietnam; and (iii) Ehrlichia sp. strain EHh317, which was closely related to Ehrlichia sp. strain EBm52 and which was also detected in H. hystricis ticks collected from wild pigs in Vietnam. Two Rickettsia spp. were detected in Thailand, including (i) Rickettsia sp. strain RDla420, which was detected in Dermacentor auratus ticks collected from a bear, and (ii) Rickettsia sp. strain RDla440, which was identified from two pools of Dermacentor larvae collected from a wild pig nest. Finally, two bacteria named Eubacterium sp. strain Hw124 and Eubacterium sp. strain Hw191 were identified in Haemaphysalis wellingtoni ticks collected from chicken in Thailand; these strains could belong to a new group of bacteria.
Investigation of wall-slip behavior in lead-free solder pastes and isotropic conductive adhesives

Wall-slip plays an important role in characterising the flow behaviour of solder paste materials. The wall slip arises due to the various attractive and repulsive forces acting between the solder particles and the walls of the measuring geometry. These interactions could lead to the presence of a thin solvent layer adjacent to the wall, which gives rise to slippage. The wall slip effect can play an important role in ensure successful paste release after the printing process. Wall-slip plays an important role in characterising the flow behaviour of solder pastes and isotropic conductive adhesives. The study investigates the wall-slip formation in solder paste and isotropic conductive adhesives using flow visualisation technique. The slip distance was measured for parallel plate with different surface roughness in order to quantify the wallslip formations in these paste materials. An ink marker line was drawn between the parallel plate and the free surface of the sample. The parallel was rotated slowly at a constant shear rate of 0.05 sec−1 and the displacement of the ink marker was observed using a video microscope and image capturing software was utilised to capture the displacement of ink marker. From this study, it was found that the wall-slip effect was evident in all the paste materials. In addition, the different surface roughness of the parallel plates did not prevent the formation of wall-slip. This study has revealed that the wallslip effect could used to understand the flow behaviour of the paste in the stencil printing process.
Uso de remesas para la adquisición de tecnología agrícola en maíz en San José Chiapa, Puebla, México

The destination of remittances varies according to the needs of recipient households, although generally used in living expenses, and lower percentages are used for other items such as savings, educational expenses, improvements, expansion or construction of vi- hous- and investments such as buying land, or capitalization start a business and adquisi-tion of agricultural machinery. This research aimed to determine the contribution of remittances in the acquisition of agricultural technology for corn growers San Jose Chiapa, Puebla. Therefore it was applied in 2009 to a representative sample of 110 maize producers, a survey that included demographic, economic and agronomic aspects. With the information gathered was estimated on the one hand the level of technology adoption among farmers using the index Appropriation of Modern Technologies (IATM) and Grade Employment Peasant Technologies (GETC). Moreover, it was ranked the proproducers into two groups: without remittances and remittances. Data was analyzed using the descriptive-distichous, independent t tests for camparison middle and logistic regression to select the variables that explain the use of remittances. Significant dif-ferences were observed in socioeconomic variables where the family size, age and monthly expenditure per capita, the group with the highest remittances received values compared to the group without remittances. Regarding the management of maize increased use of modern technologies in various agricultural activities among peasant remittances, unlike the group without remittances was observed. As is understood that the Appropriation index Modern Technologies has resulted higher in the group with remittances (59.5 units). Also, this group had a higher yield with 2.92 t / ha. This situation reflects that remittances play an important role among corn growers in San Jose Chiapa, having impact on both the socioeconomic characteristics as in the management and productivity of maize.
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella Typhimurium from pork.

UNLABELLED Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a novel molecular detection method that is more rapid and simpler than PCR. Products can be detected by turbidity using one temperature without the need for expensive PCR equipment. Our objective was to sensitively detect Salmonella Typhimurium from pork products within 1 d using the LAMP assay. Pork chop and pork sausage samples (25 g) were inoculated with high (10(8) to 10(6) CFU) and low (10(5) to 10(0) CFU) inocula of S. Typhimurium. Serial dilutions in phosphate buffered saline were plated on XLT4 agar either immediately or after selective preenrichment in tetrathionate broth (225 mL) for 10-h at 37 degrees C. Nucleic acid was extracted using the TRIzol method from 1-mL samples. The LAMP assay using 6 specific invA gene primers and Bst DNA polymerase reaction mix was carried out at 62 degrees C for 90 min in a waterbath. Turbid products were detected visually and by agarose gel electrophoresis. Improved Salmonella detection at 10(2) CFU/25 g for both pork chop and sausage was obtained after 10-h enrichment and 10(6) CFU/25 g without enrichment for both products. This assay can detect Salmonella from pork within 1 d, significantly faster than traditional methods that take >5 d. This method shows tremendous potential for routine diagnostics and monitoring of Salmonella by the pork industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay is a rapid, specific, and sensitive method that has potential application for routine diagnostics of Salmonella from pork products. The isothermal method does not require expensive equipment such as a PCR thermocycler but only a simple waterbath for amplification within 90 min. Detection is even simpler by visual eye or turbidimeters that are less expensive than fluorescent spectrophotometers or real-time PCR machines. All these advantages make it a practical approach for routine use by processing industries to rapidly detect Salmonella in their environment and to implement appropriate control strategies. To improve detection sensitivities, preenrichment followed by selective enrichment may be necessary. Even so, the entire assay can be completed at the most within two 8-h working shifts.
Myelodysplastic syndromes in childhood: a population based study of nine cases

Nine cases of de novo myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in childhood from a population based study are presented. The annual incidence of MDS was 3·4/1000 000 in children less than 15 years old, corresponding to 8·7% of all haematological malignancies in childhood. Two patients had Down's syndrome. None of the remaining patients had constitutional anomalies.
Association of Common Haplotypes of Surfactant Protein A1 and A2 (SFTPA1 and SFTPA2) Genes with Severity of Lung Disease in Cystic Fibrosis

Most individual cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations appear not to correlate directly with severity of lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF). Components of innate immunity, namely, mannose‐binding lectin (MBL2), and surfactant protein A1 and A2 genes (SFTPA1 and SFTPA2), were shown to be critical in pulmonary host defenses. A pilot association study was conducted to identify genetic modifiers of lung disease in adult patients with CF. The structural and promoter (−221x/y) variants of MBL2, variants at codons 19, 50, 62, and 219 of SFTPA1, and at codons 9, 91, and 223 for SFTPA2, were studied in 135 adults with CF and compared to their forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1), diffusion of CO (DLCO), and other pulmonary scores. Predicted FEV1 was significantly lower in adults with the SFTPA1 6A3 allele and SFTPA2 1A1 allele (P = 0.01 and 0.009, respectively). The extended haplotype 6A3/1A1, which includes SFTPA1 and SFTPA2, was associated with lower pulmonary function, using FEV1 (P = 0.005) and poor pulmonary scores which were determined by American Medical Association, American Thoracic Society, and modified Shwachman‐Kulczycki scores. Lower FEV1 and DLCO values were associated with MBL2 coding variants in those who had the ΔF508 CFTR mutation (P = 0.03 and 0.004, respectively). These results support the current hypothesis that variants in pulmonary host defense molecules are potentially genetic modifiers of pulmonary disease in CF. Further work in larger populations is required to provide important new insights into the pathogenesis of CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A patient with hypophosphatemia, a femoral fracture, and recurrent kidney stones: report of a novel mutation in SLC34A3.

OBJECTIVE To determine if there was a genetic contribution to our patient's unusual clinical presentation of nephrolithiasis and nonhealing stress fracture. METHODS We describe a 31-year-old man who had rickets as a child and developed a femur insufficiency fracture and recurrent nephrolithiasis as an adult after moving to the United States from India. The patient's clinical course and results from radiographic and biochemical analyses are described. Analysis of the SLC34A3 gene was performed using genomic DNA samples from the patient and his family members. RESULTS Before referral to the Yale Bone Center, the patient was treated with calcitriol, ergocalciferol, and phosphate. Changing therapy to phosphate alone led to clinical improvement. Genetic analysis revealed that the patient is a compound heterozygote for mutations in the SLC34A3 gene. On 1 allele, he has a previously described missense mutation in exon 7: c.575C>T (p.Ser192Leu). The other allele carries a novel nonsense mutation in exon 3: c.145C>T (p.Gln49X). One unaffected sibling is a carrier of the missense mutation and 1 sister with a history of flank pain is a carrier of the novel mutation. CONCLUSIONS Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria is a rare metabolic disorder associated with mutations in SLC34A3, the gene that encodes the renal sodium phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIc. Although hypercalciuria is a distinguishing feature of the disease, nephrolithiasis is rarely described. The patient's atypical clinical presentation illustrates that both environmental and genetic factors potentially affect phenotypic expression of SLC34A3 mutations.
Attachment of Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoites to MDCK cells in vitro

The initial attachment of Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoites to host cells in vivo may be a critical event in the pathogenesis of this infection. The molecular basis of attachment and the conditions influencing this host-parasite interaction have not been studied systematically. Therefore, we have developed a sporozoite attachment model by using paraformaldehyde-fixed Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Attachment of sporozoites to fixed MDCK cells was quantitated by indirect immunofluorescence and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Attachment in this system was time, temperature (37 degrees C), and pH (7.2 to 7.6) dependent. Dose-response studies demonstrated that the attachment of sporozoites to fixed MDCK cells was a saturable process. Attachment was enhanced in the presence of 10 mM manganese, 1 mM calcium, and 1 to 10 mM zinc. Attachment of sporozoites to MDCK cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by polyclonal anti-Cryptosporidium antisera and by purified immunoglobulin G (IgG). This model will be useful for the study of parasite and host cell molecules involved in the initial interaction of C. parvum sporozoites with their target cell.
(Re-)actions speak louder than words? A novel test method for tracking user behavior in web video services

Assuring user engagement has become a key issue for Internet Service Providers and Over-the-Top Providers. How long are users consuming a service? When are they likely to abandon it due to quality problems? Rather than just estimating perceived audiovisual quality, future quality prediction models will also factor in possible user behavior. This contribution presents a novel test method to assess short-term user behavior in web video services, in a controlled living-room-like environment. We show that typical behavioral responses (such as seeking, reloading, or selecting another video) can be elicited, with the real purpose of the test hidden from the viewers. We can also see that when users are not focused on judging quality, their perception of errors changes significantly. This paper highlights the strong impact of laboratory test situations on users' behavior and discusses the challenges revolving around finding valid test methods.
Apolipoprotein E promotes subretinal mononuclear phagocyte survival and chronic inflammation in age-related macular degeneration

Physiologically, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) expresses immunosuppressive signals such as FAS ligand (FASL), which prevents the accumulation of leukocytes in the subretinal space. Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with a breakdown of the subretinal immunosuppressive environment and chronic accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs). We show that subretinal MPs in AMD patients accumulate on the RPE and express high levels of APOE. MPs of Cx3cr1−/− mice that develop MP accumulation on the RPE, photoreceptor degeneration, and increased choroidal neovascularization similarly express high levels of APOE. ApoE deletion in Cx3cr1−/− mice prevents pathogenic age‐ and stress‐induced subretinal MP accumulation. We demonstrate that increased APOE levels induce IL‐6 in MPs via the activation of the TLR2‐CD14‐dependent innate immunity receptor cluster. IL‐6 in turn represses RPE FasL expression and prolongs subretinal MP survival. This mechanism may account, in part, for the MP accumulation observed in Cx3cr1−/− mice. Our results underline the inflammatory role of APOE in sterile inflammation in the immunosuppressive subretinal space. They provide rationale for the implication of IL‐6 in AMD and open avenues toward therapies inhibiting pathogenic chronic inflammation in late AMD.