Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The professional socialization of diploma of higher education in nursing students (Project 2000): a longitudinal qualitative study.

This paper presents a new theory of professional socialization in relation to diploma of higher education in nursing students (Project 2000). It was derived from a 3-year, grounded theory, longitudinal study exploring the effects of supernumerary status and mentorship on students undertaking practice placements. A purposive sample of 17 students was used. Ten students volunteered to be interviewed on five separate occasions throughout their course and to keep a diary to record their experiences of mentorship during their practice placements. Their diary acted as an aide memoir during their tape-recorded interviews. The other seven students participated by diary only and kept written accounts of their experiences of being supernumerary and having a mentor whilst on practice placements. Data were analysed with the aid of NUD.IST and subjected to the constant comparative method of analysis. Findings indicate that the mentor is the linchpin of the students' experience and that some students develop intuition much earlier than previous work has stated.
Assessment of Environmental Impacts of an Aging and Stagnating Water Supply Pipeline Network

Aging urban infrastructure is a common phenomenon in industrialized countries. The urban water supply pipeline network in the city of Oslo is an example. Even as it faces increasing operational, maintenance, and management challenges, it needs to better its environmental performance by reducing, for instance, the associated greenhouse gas emissions. In this article the authors examine the environmental life cycle performance of Oslo's water supply pipelines by analyzing annual resource consumption and emissions as well as life cycle assessment (LCA) impact potentials over a period of 16 years, taking into account the production/manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and retirement of pipelines. It is seen that the water supply pipeline network of Oslo has already reached a state of saturation on a per capita basis, that is, it is not expanding any more relative to the population it serves, and the stock is now rapidly aging. This article is part of a total urban water cycle system analysis for Oslo, and analyzes more specifically the environmental impacts from the material flows in the water distribution network, examining six environmental impact categories using the SimaPro (version 7.1.8) software, Ecoinvent database, and the CML 2001 (version 2.04) methodology. The long‐term management of stocks calls for a strong focus on cost optimization, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness. Global warming and abiotic depletion emerge as the major impact categories from the water pipeline system, and the largest contribution is from the production and installation phases and the medium‐size pipelines in the network.
The “White Ocean” Hypothesis: A Late Pleistocene Southern Ocean Governed by Coccolithophores and Driven by Phosphorus

Paleoproductivity is a critical component in past ocean biogeochemistry, but accurate reconstructions of productivity are often hindered by limited integration of proxies. Here, we integrate geochemical (phosphorus) and micropaleontological proxies at millennial timescales, revealing that the coccolithophore record in the Subantarctic zone of the South Atlantic Ocean is driven largely by variations in marine phosphorus availability. A quantitative micropaleontological and geochemical analysis carried out in sediments retrieved from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1089 (Subantarctic Zone) reveals that most of the export productivity in this region over the last 0.5 my was due to coccolithophores. Glacial periods were generally intervals of high productivity, with productivity reaching a peak at terminations. Particularly high productivity was observed at Termination V and Termination IV, events that are characterized by high abundance of coccolithophores and maxima in the phosphorus/titanium and strontium/titanium records. We link the increase in productivity both to regional oceanographic phenomena, i.e., the northward displacement of the upwelling cell of the Antarctic divergence when the ice-sheet expanded, and to the increase in the inventory of phosphorus in the ocean due to enhanced transfer of this nutrient from continental margins during glacial lowstands in sea level. The Mid-Brunhes interval stands out from the rest of the record, being dominated by the small and highly calcified species Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica that provides most of the carbonate in these sediments. This likely represents higher availability of phosphorus in the surface ocean, especially in mesotrophic and oligotrophic zones. Under these condition, some coccolithophore species developed an r-strategy (opportunistic species; growth rate maximized) resulting in the bloom of G. caribbeanica. These seasonal blooms of may have induced “white tides” similar to those observed today in Emiliania huxleyi.
An application of probit analysis to factors affecting small-scale farmers' decision to take credit: a case study of the Greater Letaba Local Municipality in South Africa.

Based on primary data collected in the Greater Letaba Local Municipality from 73 small-scale farmers in the 2006 season, this study used the probit modelling approach to analyse the influence household characteristics have on farmers’ decision to use credit. The model predicted 84.93 per cent of the sample correctly. The results revealed that farming experience, gender and marital status have positive significant effect on farmers’ decision to use credit. In contrast, farmers’ age, education level and membership to farmers’ association had negative significant effect. The study recommends training on the benefits of farm credit among both borrowers and non-borrowers in rural areas. Most borrowers as male-headed and this imply that targeting female-headed households will most likely improve their likelihood of taking credit. It is recommended that the full rollout of Micro Agricultural Finance Institutions of South Africa (MAFISA) and the imminent implementation of the Communal Land Rights Act (CLARA) will ease the collateral problems of these categories of farmers. Key words: Small-scale farmers, decision, credit, probit analysis.
Understanding the Returns to Delayed Childbearing for Working Women

Since women began entering the workforce in large numbers in the latter half of the twen? tieth century, they have faced important and difficult trade-offs between family and work. One such trade-off involves the timing of fer? tility. Biological constraints such as declining fecundity by age encourage early childbearing. However, researchers have found evidence of a wage premium to delay. Amalia Miller (2007) uses miscarriages as a source of variation in the timing of first birth, and finds an additional year of delay is associated with a 3 percent increase in wage rates and a 10 percent increase in earnings. David Ellwood, Ty Wilde, and Lily Batchelder (2004) show that wage profiles for high-skilled women flatten out at the point of the first birth, resulting in' significantly greater lifetime earn? ing for delayers.1 Understanding the causes of this wage pre? mium is essential to understanding the choices working women face and the decisions they make. This paper examines how much of the delay premium can be explained by differ? ences in human capital among early and late child bearers. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), I find a raw return of approximately 3 percent per year of delay for hourly wages in 2003. Using the full NLSY panel and a fixed-effects framework, I show that there is a wage penalty to motherhood that increases with time since the birth, and that these penalties are greatest for high-skilled women. However, this effect is attenuated for women who delay childbirth. Next, I show that there are significant differ? ences in women's observable characteristics by age at first birth. Women who delay are more skilled, more educated, more likely to be in pro? fessional or managerial careers, and have more experience? even conditional on completed fer? tility. I return to estimating the return to delay, adjusting wages for differences in observable characteristics. I find that as much as 90 percent of the return to delay can be explained by differ? ences in observable characteristics. Education, experience, and age at first marriage have the most explanatory power. These results support a human capital theory for the delay premium.
The Regulation of Predatory Firms

This article investigates the issue ofpredation by a regulated firm. Since it has private information, a regulated firm obtains higher rents in case of successful predation: the fewer the competitors, the higher the marginal social value of the regulated firm's effort and the higher the informational rents. Both principals (the investor of a "target" firm and the regulator) have to provide some incentives to prevent predation: the investor has to reduce the sensitivity of refinancing to predation; the regulator has to lower the gain of successful predation. It is shown that there is a trade-off between the power of the regulatory incentive scheme and the regulated firm's incentives to prey. In addition, as deterring predation is costly, the investor and the regulator compete when offering contracts: each wants to free-ride on the other. Hence, predation may occur in equilibrium although it makes both principals worse off. Copyright (c) 1997 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Efficacy of interleukin‐10 gene electrotransfer into skeletal muscle in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis

Gene therapy is very promising in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Electrotransfer is a recent method reported to enhance in vivo intramuscular DNA transfection. Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) has antiinflammatory effects in RA and in collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), a murine model of RA. In order to improve our strategy of gene therapy, we used electrotransfer to enhance penetration into skeletal muscle with CIA of plasmids encoding IL‐10.
Does Auditor Choice Matter to Foreign Investors? Evidence from Foreign Mutual Funds Worldwide

This study explores whether a firm’s auditor choice affects its ability to access foreign equity capital. Using the equity holdings of 35,665 foreign mutual funds from 30 countries for the period 1998–2009, we find evidence that appointing a Big 4 auditor is associated with the increased level of foreign mutual fund ownership in firms. Our results are robust when conditioned on firm-level information asymmetries, country-level information disclosure quality, and when employing the Enron–Andersen fiasco as the natural experiment. Furthermore, appointing Big 4 auditors is particularly important for firms to attract foreign capital during the 2008 global financial crisis.
Cancer stem cells versus phenotype‐switching in melanoma

Tumours comprise multiple phenotypically distinct subpopulations of cells, some of which are proposed to possess stem cell‐like properties, being able to self‐renew, seed and maintain tumours, and provide a reservoir of therapeutically resistant cells. Here, we use melanoma as a model to explore the validity of the cancer stem cell hypothesis in the light of accumulating evidence that melanoma progression may instead be driven by phenotype‐switching triggered by genetic lesions that impose an increased sensitivity to changes in the tumour microenvironment. Although at any given moment cells within a tumour may exhibit differentiated, proliferative or invasive phenotypes, an ability to switch phenotypes implies that most cells will have the potential to adopt a stem cell‐like identity. Insights into the molecular events underpinning phenotype‐switching in melanoma highlight the close relationship between signalling pathways that generate, maintain and activate melanocyte stem cells as well as the inverse correlation between proliferation and invasive potentials. An understanding of phenotype‐switching in melanoma, and in particular the signalling events that regulate the expression of the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor Mitf, points to new therapeutic opportunities aimed at eradicating therapeutically resistant stem cell‐like melanoma cells.
On the Corporate Social Responsibility Perceptions of Equity Analysts

The importance of communicating corporate social responsibility (CSR) not only to socially responsible investors but also to the mainstream of the financial community is gaining importance in a more competitive capital market environment. This article looks at how equity analysts at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt – individuals who are not particularly involved in socially responsible investment (SRI) research – perceive economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibility strategies. The evidence obtained in our interviews suggests that responsibility issues are increasingly becoming part of mainstream investment analysis. However, for them to play a larger part in the future, investor relations personnel must frame responsibility strategies in a way that is more consistent with the financial community's perspective. In particular, the impact of CSR measures on strategic development, competitive anticipation and creating trust with stakeholders are key in leveraging CSR in financial communications.
A Neglected Aspect of the Housing Market

In housing markets in sub-Saharan Africa, construction is predominantly undertaken by individuals rather than by the state or private companies. Due to lack of housing finance, the construction process takes many years hence owners often engage live-in caretakers to protect their property. Based on fieldwork conducted in peri-urban Accra, this paper explores why the demand for caretakers arises, why there is a supply of caretakers, who the caretakers are and their living conditions. Although life as a caretaker is far from ideal, the demand for and supply of caretakers are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Caretaking is a form of housing tenancy which is overlooked in housing and labour laws and practices, and hence demands more attention from both researchers and policy-makers.
Environmental Policy in the United Kingdom and Germany

The essay examines developments within environmental policy making in the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany and asks: (i) can we identify patterns of convergence and/or divergence between the two countries? ; and (ii) to what extent does the European integration process impact upon these patterns? It uses an historical institutionalist framework within which to frame the analysis.
Earnings Attribution and Information Transfers

Management frequently attributes earnings news to various economic events. Using textual analysis, we identify the economic factors underlying earnings news from press releases. We document a wide range of industry-wide shocks and firm-specific actions to which the earnings news in management forecasts is attributed. As expected, earnings attributions significantly affect peer firms’ price reactions to the earnings news. Specifically, earnings news attributed to industry-wide trends or firm structural changes leads to positive information transfers but news attributed to firm competitive moves triggers negative information transfers. Further evidence reveals that the strength of information transfers varies with firm-level rivalry within the industry, the nature of industry-level rivalry, and the credibility of earnings attributions.
Efectos Dinámicos de la Política Fiscal

This paper identifies the dynamic effects of fiscal policy on economic activity (GDP) in the Chilean economy. We use a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) methodology. The main results are: a positive fiscal expenditure shock has a negative effect on output during the first quarter; afterwards the effect dies out. A positive tax shock also has a negative marginal impact on output for one quarter.
Assessment of the ex vivo biomechanical properties of porcine cornea with inflation test for corneal xenotransplantation

Objective: This study aims to obtain the biomechanical properties of porcine cornea so as to provide necessary biomechanical experimental basis for pig-to-human corneal xenotransplantation. Methods: Seventeen fresh porcine corneal specimens obtained from pigs aged 4–6 months were examined under inflation conditions to determine the constitutive relationships of the material through dynamic loading conditions (pressure range: 1.47–42.66 mmHg). The forward deflection of porcine anterior corneal apex was measured by the laser displacement sensor. The pressure deformation results were analysed on the basis of shell theory to estimate Young’s modulus of the cornea and derive its relationship with intraocular pressure (IOP). Results: The porcine corneas showed a nonlinear corneal forward displacement/IOP and stress/strain relationship with an initial low stiffness stage and a later high stiffness stage. In spite of the nonlinearity between the internal pressure and apex forward deflection, the relationship between the Young’s modulus and the IOP was almost linear. Conclusions: Compared with human corneas, porcine corneas exhibited a similar nonlinear behaviour but lower stiffness values. The biomechanical parameters of porcine cornea obtained from this test could be applied to numerical simulations of refractive surgery procedures and lay a foundation for pig-to-human corneal xenotransplantation.
Importance of preanalytical handling of samples for measurement of cardiac troponin T in coronary effluent from isolated rat hearts

The isolated, buffer-perfused heart is probably the most widely used model in experimental heart research, and the coronary effluent is often analysed for markers of myocardial injury. Adsorption to surrounding materials may be a serious problem of protein measurements in solutions with low protein concentrations. The aims of the present study were to investigate the importance of the preanalytical phase when measuring cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in a buffer perfusate and to investigate whether addition of albumin to the effluent might increase recovery of cTnT and improve the assay. Coronary effluent was collected in tubes of different materials and in tubes with 40 g/L bovine albumin, and then frozen. cTnT was analysed at different time points after withdrawal from the freezer. cTnT was 2.3-119 times higher in effluent with albumin. In effluent without albumin, cTnT concentration declined to 2% of the initial concentration after two episodes of freezing and thawing. The cTnT loss could not be prevented by using polystyrene or siliconized glass, but was partially inhibited in effluent with albumin. Furthermore, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were higher in effluent with albumin. The within-series coefficient of variation for cTnT was markedly improved when using effluent with albumin.
CT–Pathologic Correlation in Nodular Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma

Objective We retrospectively reviewed CT and pathologic examinations in resected nodular bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs) to correlate the histology with the appearance of the nodules on preoperative thin section CT images. Materials and Methods Thin section CT scans of 11 patients with nodular BAC were reviewed by two observers. In each case, size, tumor-lung interface, and internal characteristics of the nodule were recorded and correlated with histopathologic examinations. Results Computed tomography showed a large bronchus leading to or contained within the nodule in 36%; spiculated, lobulated, or irregular borders in 82%; pleural retraction in 36%; internal inhomogeneity in 45%; and a zone of intermediate attenuation surrounding a higher attenuation nodule and separating it from the surrounding lung parenchyma (the CT halo sign) in 18% of the 11 BACs. In two lesions internal serpentine radiolucencies could be seen. Histopathologic studies showed this correlated with the air-containing glandular spaces of the tumor. Conclusion The CT halo sign and serpentine radiolucencies should be added to the list of the CT findings of nodular BAC. However histologic examination is required to confirm the diagnosis of BAC.
Interobserver Reliability in the Gustilo and Anderson Classification of Open Fractures

Summary: The Gustilo and Anderson classification system is widely used to categorize open fractures. To assess its interobserver reliability, 10 patients with open fractures had photographic slides taken of their wound before and after operative treatment. These slides were then shown to a group of orthopaedic surgeons. After an explanation of the Gustilo and Anderson classification system and each patient's pertinent history and physical examination, the physicians were asked to classify the fracture. Agreement among the various raters was determined by Kappa analysis, which is the preferred measurement of interobserver reliability for nominal data such as classification schemes. Kappa analysis demonstrated only moderate agreement among the observers classifying open fractures using the Gustilo and Anderson system. This seems to indicate that, although useful, the Gustilo and Anderson open fracture classification system does have limitations; studies and treatment recommendations based on it should be interpreted with caution.
Does State AFDC Generosity Affect Child SSI Participation

In the early 1990s, the Social Security Administration substantially relaxed child eligibility criteria for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The expansions in child SSI eligibility increased child SSI participation and contributed to increased total program participation by children in the early 1990s. Child SSI participation increased more in states with lower Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) payments and higher state SSI supplementation payments. These results suggest that families use SSI and AFDC as substitutes. At least 32 percent of the increase in SSI is likely attributable to the SSI-AFDC benefit gap for the median AFDC benefit state. (Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 19(2): 275? 95. )
Heat shock proteins 70 and 90 increase calcineurin activity in vitro through calmodulin-dependent and independent mechanisms.

We have shown that heat shock proteins (HSPs) associated with steroid receptor complexes are involved in the activation of calcineurin by aldosterone and dexamethasone. To determine whether HSPs directly interact with calcineurin, we measured the effect of HSPs 90, 70 and 56 on calcineurin activity in a cell-free, in vitro system using a calcineurin-specific substrate. HSP-90 (75 or 100 nM) significantly increased calcineurin V(max) in the presence of calmodulin, while maximal stimulation by HSP-70 occurred at 50 nM. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and actin did not change basal calcineurin activity indicating that HSP-90 and HSP-70 specifically activate calcineurin. Neither HSP-70, HSP-56, nor ATP augmented HSP-90-induced activation of calcineurin. In the absence of calmodulin, HSP-90 restored calcineurin activity to basal levels while higher concentrations (333 and 500 nM) increased calcineurin activity. In contrast, HSP-70 failed to activate calcineurin activity in the absence of calmodulin. Immunoprecipitation of HSP-90 from in vitro mixtures as well as protein extracts from LLCPK-1 cells demonstrates that calcineurin co-precipitates with HSP-90. In summary: (1) HSP-90 and 70 stimulate calcineurin V(max) in vitro; (2) non-specific protein interactions do not activate calcineurin activity; (3) HSP-70 and HSP-56 do not enhance HSP-90-induced activation of calcineurin; (4) HSP-70 and HSP-90 activate calcineurin via a calmodulin-dependent and independent pathways; (5) Calcineurin co-precipitates with HSP-90 from LLCPK-1 cells as well as cell-free in vitro preparations.