Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Watershed Development Programmes: Experiences and Evidences from Tamil Nadu

The overall performance of watershed development programmes has been examined in the state of Tamil Nadu. The impacts of major watershed development programmes have been outlined in terms of biophysical impacts, environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts and overall economic impacts. It is pointed out that the watershed development activities have made significant positive impacts on various biophysical aspects such as soil and water conservation, soil fertility, soil and water erosion in cropped area, changes in cropping pattern, cropping intensity, production and productivity of crops. Watershed development activities have shown significant positive impacts on water table, perenniality of water in wells, water availability for cattle and other domestic uses, etc. The overall economic impacts have been evaluated in terms of NPV, IRR and BCR. The peoples’ participation in watershed development activities has been found satisfactory but the optimal level is yet to be achieved. Training of farmers has been found effective in disseminating technical knowledge. According to the study, the future strategy should be the movement towards a balanced approach of matching the supply-driven menu with a set of demand-driven activities. Peoples’ participation, involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions, local user groups and NGOs along side institutional support from different levels, viz. the Union Government, the state, the district and block levels should be ensured to make the programme more participatory, interactive and cost-effective. Convergence of various rural development programmes around the watershed could be ensured to promote holistic development of watersheds. For its continued success, the programme, should be economically efficient, financially viable, technically feasible and socially acceptable while ensuring equity. For, sustainable development, regular and routine monitoring of environmental parameters is important as environmental enhancement increases the credibility and acceptability of the programme.
Moving through predeath grief: Psychological support for family caregivers of people with dementia

When caring for a family member with dementia, continuous losses and predeath grief can adversely affect the caregivers’ physical and mental health. Interventions for caregivers should therefore also aim at coping with loss and managing predeath grief. It was the objective of the present study to describe sources of grief caregivers report during therapy and to investigate how therapists can support caregivers. Two caregivers who participated in a randomized controlled trial were selected for this case study. Both caregivers received an intervention based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy with grief-focused content that consisted of 12 sessions within six months. Three therapy sessions per participant were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results illustrate that both caregivers experienced a loss of companionship with their respective care recipient and ambiguous loss that resulted in intense grief that they found difficult to manage. Therapists responded by supporting the caregivers to acknowledge their losses and identify individual ways to cope with and accept loss and grief. Both caregivers reported higher well-being and an increased ability to manage their grief-related emotions after the therapy ended. The identified intervention strategies fit well into a theoretical framework for grief interventions for dementia caregivers, i.e. the dementia grief model.
The practice of talent management: a framework and typology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a deeper understanding of the conceptual and empirical boundaries of talent management (TM) so that scholars and practitioners may enhance their knowledge of what TM actually is and how it is carried out. Design/methodology/approach A comparative study was conducted of the TM practices of 30 organizations based in Sweden. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 56 organizational representatives. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings The findings comprise a typology consisting of four distinct TM types that exist in practice: a humanistic type, a competitive type, an elitist type and an entrepreneurial type. Descriptions are provided that probe into how specific practices are differently shaped in the different types. Research limitations/implications The study design enabled the generation of an empirically rich understanding of different TM types; however, it limited the authors’ ability to draw systematic conclusions on the realized outcomes of different types of TM. Practical implications The descriptions of different TM types give practitioners insight into how TM may be practiced in different ways and point to important decisions to be made when designing TM. Originality/value The paper addresses two main shortcomings identified in the academic literature on TM: conceptual ambiguity and the paucity of in-depth empirical research on how TM is carried out in actual organizational settings. The empirically derived typology constitutes an important step for further theory development in TM.
Determinants of behavioural intentions in the audit market

PurposeThis study uses conceptualizations and models of service quality and behavioural intentions from the service marketing and audit quality literature to investigate the influence of supervisory board members’ perceptions about various dimensions of audit quality on their behavioural intentions. These dimensions pertain to auditor’s technical competence, functional (service) quality and auditor independence.Design/methodology/approachA survey of supervisory board members of large and medium companies in The Netherlands is made to identify audit quality dimensions. The multivariate analysis is used to identify the quality dimensions influencing supervisory board members’ behavioural intentions.FindingsOverall, the author’s results indicate that the quality dimensions identified in this study have significant influence mainly in the supervisory board members’ intention to refer their auditors to an acquaintance. In this regard, the salient determinants are the functional quality dimensions and auditor independence. The technical quality dimensions are not found to be crucial. In contrast, most of the quality dimensions are not significant determinants of supervisory board members’ intention to retain or recommend the purchase of non-audit services from the auditor albeit having a minor influence. The results have some implications for regulators and audit firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe author’s results are limited by the low response rate that did not allow us to conduct factor analysis on all the functional and technical variables at the same time.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to integrate service quality and behavioural intentions concepts from the marketing literature and auditing literature and apply it in a corporate governance setting.
Application of the Vector Measure Construction Method and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity Ideal Solution for the Analysis of the Dynamics of Changes in the Poverty Levels in the European Union Countries

In the context of the development of countries, the issue of sustainability is one of the most important aspects that are currently dealt with by scientists and organizations worldwide. There are developed concepts, sustainable development objectives, as well as indicators and tools for measuring sustainability. Following the scientific approach, which aims at operationalization of the concept of sustainable development, the authors propose the application of their own Vector Measure Construction Method for evaluation of sustainable development progress. This method enables creation of aggregated measures with the use of discretionary configuration of indicators and it can be applied for establishing rankings, classifications, and for analyzing dynamics of changes. The research was conducted for European Union countries based on data related to execution of one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (No Poverty). The results may constitute the recommendation on the selection of methodological approach for activities related to evaluation of sustainable development.
Quantitative Magnetoencephalography of Spontaneous Brain Activity in Alzheimer Disease: An Exhaustive Frequency Analysis

Quantitative magnetoencephalography (qMEG) was used to investigate differences in the 2 to 60 Hz spectral power, between Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and control subjects. Twenty-two AD patients and 21 age-matched control subjects participated in this study. MEG signal analysis comprised the division of the entire 2 to 60 Hz spectrum in 2 Hz-width subbands. Both the relative power and the contribution of each subband to the correct classification of AD patients and controls were calculated. The relative power in 2 bands comprised between 2 to 4 Hz and 16 to 28 Hz was selected by a restrictive multiple-comparison test, among the entire 2 to 60 Hz spectrum. Using 2 to 4 Hz values it is possible to choose a classification rule with an estimate sensitivity and specificity given by 68% and 76% respectively. Alternatively, when 16 to 28 Hz values are used, it is possible to obtain a better classification rule with an estimate sensitivity and specificity given by 81% and 80%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first electroencephalography or MEG study where a so exhaustive analysis of the magneto-electric spectrum has been performed. This study supports the notion that more attention should be devoted to the study of β band in AD.
Quinone Reductase Inhibitors Block SAPK/JNK and NFκB Pathways and Potentiate Apoptosis*

A variety of environmental stresses stimulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEKK) > stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)-ERK kinase (SEK) > SAPK/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) stress-activated protein kinase cascade and coordinately activate the transcription factor NFκB. Mechanisms of stress activation upstream of MEKK1 have not been precisely determined. Redox mechanisms involving sulfhydryls are likely because N-acetyl-cysteine at millimolar concentrations blocks stress signals. Because intracellular sulfhydryl concentrations can be regulated through redox cycling involving reactive quinones (1), we tested the ability of quinone reductase inhibitors to alter stress signaling. Several quinone reductases are inhibited by dicoumarol, a coumarin derivative. Dicoumarol prevented SAPK activation in vivo by chemical cell stressors and also prevented SAPK activation induced by expression of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) receptor-associated protein TRAF2 but not by expression of truncated active MEKK1. Other coumarin derivatives failed to block SAPK activation, but other inhibitors of quinone reductases, particularly menadione, similarly blocked SAPK activation. Cells deficient in a major quinone reductase, NQO1, displayed hypersensitivity to dicoumarol stress inhibition, whereas SAPK in cells reconstituted with the NQO1 gene displayed relative dicoumarol resistance. Consistent with the proposed role of overlapping upstream signaling cascades in activation of NFκB, dicoumarol also blocked NFκB activation in primary macrophages stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide or TNFα. In addition, dicoumarol strongly potentiated TNFα-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells, probably by blocking the anti-apoptotic effect of NFκB. The ability of dicoumarol to simultaneously inhibit SAPK and NFκB activation and to potentiate apoptotic cell death suggests that SAPK is not an obligate participant in apoptosis. Dicoumarol, currently in clinical use as an oral anticoagulant, represents a potential therapeutic inhibitor of the SAPK and NFκB response.
Thrombomodulin-mediated Cell Adhesion

Thrombomodulin (TM) is an integral membrane glycoprotein that is a potent anticoagulant factor. TM may also possess functions distinct from its anticoagulant activity. Here the influence of TM on cell adhesion was studied in TM-negative melanoma A2058 cells transfected with green fluorescent protein-tagged TM (TMG) or lectin domain-deleted TM (TMG(ΔL)). Confocal microscopy demonstrated that both TMG and TMG(ΔL) were distributed in the plasma membrane. TMG-expressed cells grew as closely clustered colonies, with TM localized prominently in the intercellular boundaries. TMG(ΔL)-expressed cells grew singly. Overexpression of TMG, but not TMG(ΔL), decreased monolayer permeability in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. The cell-to-cell adhesion in TMG-expressed cells was Ca2+-dependent and was inhibited by monoclonal antibody against the lectin-like domain of TM. The effects of TM-mediated cell adhesion were abolished by the addition of mannose, chondroitin sulfate A, or chondroitin sulfate C. In addition, anti-lectin-like domain antibody disrupted the close clustering of the endogenous TM-expressed keratinocyte HaCaT cell line derived from normal human epidermis. Double-labeling immunofluorescence staining revealed similar distributions of TM and actin filament in the cortex region of the TMG-expressed cells. Thus, TM can function as a Ca2+-dependent cell-to-cell adhesion molecule. Binding of specific carbohydrates to the lectin-like domain is essential for this specific function.
The role of China in the world economy: evidence from a global VAR model

ABSTRACT Since the 1980s, China has experienced very high economic growth, and its share in global trade has increased rapidly. Currently, however, the Chinese economy is rebalancing, and its growth is slowing. This paper investigates the spillover effects on other countries of a negative demand shock and negative stock price shock in the Chinese economy. We apply a global vector autoregressive model, which enables us to model international linkages between countries. Our results show that a one per cent negative China GDP shock reduces global growth by 0.22% in the short run. We find that GDP shock affects emerging economies more strongly than advanced economies. We also show that a stock price shock affects only emerging economies and does not affect advanced economies.
Surface interactions between two of the main periodontal pathogens: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia

Purpose Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia have been implicated as the major etiologic agents of periodontal disease. These two bacteria are frequently isolated together from the periodontal lesion, and it has been suggested that their interaction may increase each one’s virulence potential. The purpose of this study was to identify proteins on the surface of these organisms that are involved in interbacterial binding. Methods Biotin labeling of surface proteins of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was performed to identify surface proteins involved in the coaggregating activity between P. gingivalis and T. forsythia. Results It was found that three major T. forsythia proteins sized 161, 100, and 62 kDa were involved in binding to P. gingivalis, and P. gingivalis proteins sized 35, 32, and 26 kDa were involved in binding to T. forsythia cells. Conclusions LC-MS/MS analysis identified one T. forsythia surface protein (TonB-linked outer membrane protein) involved in interbacterial binding to P. gingivalis. However, the nature of other T. forsythia and P. gingivalis surface proteins identified by biotin labeling could not be determined. Further analysis of these proteins will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms that mediate coaggregation between P. gingivalis and T. forsythia.
Functional and Structural Interaction of (−)-Reboxetine with the Human α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

The interaction of the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (−)-reboxetine with the human α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in different conformational states was studied by several functional and structural approaches. Patch-clamp and Ca2+-influx results indicate that (−)-reboxetine does not activate hα4β2 nAChRs via interaction with the orthosteric sites, but inhibits agonist-induced hα4β2 activation by a noncompetitive mechanism. Consistently, the results from the electrophysiology-based functional approach suggest that (−)-reboxetine may act via open channel block; therefore, it is capable of producing a use-dependent type of inhibition of the hα4β2 nAChR function. We tested whether (−)-reboxetine binds to the luminal [3H]imipramine site. The results indicate that, although (−)-reboxetine binds with low affinity to this site, it discriminates between the resting and desensitized hα4β2 nAChR ion channels. Patch-clamp results also indicate that (−)-reboxetine progressively inhibits the hα4β2 nAChR with two-fold higher potency at the end of one-second application of agonist, compared with the peak current. The molecular docking studies show that (−)-reboxetine blocks the ion channel at the level of the imipramine locus, between M2 rings 6′ and 14′. In addition, we found a (−)-reboxetine conformer that docks in the helix bundle of the α4 subunit, near the middle region. According to molecular dynamics simulations, (−)-reboxetine binding is stable for both sites, albeit less stable than imipramine. The interaction of these drugs with the helix bundle might alter allostericaly the functionality of the channel. In conclusion, the clinical action of (−)-reboxetine may be produced (at least partially) by its inhibitory action on hα4β2 nAChRs.
Bone Marrow Angiogenesis and Progression in Multiple Myeloma: Clinical Significance and Therapeutic Approach

It is now well established that solid tumors depend on angiogenesis. Promoters and inhibitors of angiogenesis are in balance and antiangiogenic strategies aim at repressing the angiogenic process, thus retarding solid tumor progression. Recent data suggest the importance of angiogenesis in hematologic malignancies and several studies reveal an increased angiogenesis in active multiple myeloma. Angiogenesis seems to be a prominent feature of MM progression, and seems to be correlated with the prognosis and the resistance of MM to chemotherapy. Numerous cell populations and cytokines are involved in angiogenesis in multiple myeloma and antiangiogenic therapy with thalidomide is effective in patients with refractory or relapsed disease. The combination of thalidomide and of other immunomodulatory agents with other therapeutic regimens could lead to more effective management of patients with multiple myeloma.
Administration of clomipramine to neonatal mice alters stress response behavior and serotonergic gene expressions in adult mice

Early life exposure to antidepressants frequently occurs when pregnant mothers take the medication during late pregnancy. Previous studies in animal models have shown that early exposure to certain antidepressants can alter some behaviors in adulthood. We examined whether the administration of clomipramine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, to neonatal mice could result in depression-related behavioral alterations in adult mice. In addition, in an attempt to uncover the mechanism underlying these behavioral changes, we examined the expression of candidate genes in different areas of the brain. Here we show that mice chronically injected with clomipramine specifically during early postnatal development demonstrated depression-like behavior as well as altered stress responses in adulthood. An analysis of the expression of serotonergic genes after exposure to social defeat stress revealed small but significant changes in the expression of 5-HT1A receptor gene (Htr1a) and 5-HTT gene (Slc6a4) in the mice treated with clomipramine compared with the mice injected with saline. We concluded that antidepressant exposure in early days of life could alter stress-related behavior in adulthood and that the behavioral alterations are accompanied by altered serotonergic gene expressions.
The MBOAT7-TMC4 Variant rs641738 Increases Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Individuals of European Descent.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver damage and is characterized by steatosis. Genetic factors increase risk for progressive NAFLD. A genome-wide association study showed that the rs641738 C>T variant in the locus that contains the membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 gene (MBOAT7, also called LPIAT1) and transmembrane channel-like 4 gene (TMC4) increased the risk for cirrhosis in alcohol abusers. We investigated whether the MBOAT7-TMC4 is a susceptibility locus for the development and progression of NAFLD. METHODS We genotyped rs641738 in DNA collected from 3854 participants from the Dallas Heart Study (a multi-ethnic population-based probability sample of Dallas County residents) and 1149 European individuals from the Liver Biopsy Cross-Sectional Cohort. Clinical and anthropometric data were collected, and biochemical and lipidomics were measured in plasma samples from participants. A total of 2736 participants from the Dallas Heart Study also underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure hepatic triglyceride content. In the Liver Biopsy Cross-Sectional Cohort, a total of 1149 individuals underwent liver biopsy to diagnose liver disease and disease severity. RESULTS The genotype rs641738 at the MBOAT7-TMC4 locus associated with increased hepatic fat content in the 2 cohorts, and with more severe liver damage and increased risk of fibrosis compared with subjects without the variant. MBOAT7, but not TMC4, was found to be highly expressed in the liver. The MBOAT7 rs641738 T allele was associated with lower protein expression in the liver and changes in plasma phosphatidylinositol species consistent with decreased MBOAT7 function. CONCLUSIONS We provide evidence for an association between the MBOAT7 rs641738 variant and the development and severity of NAFLD in individuals of European descent. This association seems to be mediated by changes in the hepatic phosphatidylinositol acyl-chain remodeling.
Oil economy phase plot: a physical analogy

A phase plot of the oil economy is built using the literature data of world oil production, price, and EROEI (Energy Returned on Energy Invested). An analogy between the oil economy and the Benard convection is proposed; some methods of interpretation and forecast of the system behavior are also shown based on "phase portrait" using as main variables the price, production and EROEI values. A scenery is proposed on this basis.
Comparison of liver SUV using unenhanced CT versus contrast-enhanced CT for attenuation correction in 18F-FDG PET/CT

AimThe aim of the study was to compare standardized uptake values (SUVs) in liver tissue obtained using whole-body unenhanced low-dose computed tomography (CT) with those obtained using contrast-enhanced high-dose CT for PET attenuation correction in PET/CT scanning. Materials and methodsTen patients scheduled for 18F-FDG PET and contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen were included in this study. PET data were corrected for attenuation using both unenhanced low-dose CT images and contrast-enhanced high-dose CT images. Differences in SUVmean and SUVmax were compared in three liver regions. ResultsThe average SUVmean and SUVmax of all regions were 2.43 and 2.91 g/cm3 in the unenhanced data set and 2.53 and 3.17 g/cm3 in the enhanced data set, respectively. ConclusionSUVmean and SUVmax were significantly elevated in liver tissue when using PET images corrected for attenuation with contrast-enhanced high-dose CT compared with PET images corrected with unenhanced low-dose CT. Although the differences may not be relevant in daily clinical practice, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT should not be selected randomly for attenuation correction if exact quantitative results are required.