Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa: exploring the perceptions of Ugandan SME's

As human beings, we cannot avoid the implications of non-sustainable programmes, activities or lifestyles by just ignoring them. Thus, sustainable development (SD) becomes everyone’s business. However, there is a belief – especially in developing economies – that SD is the responsibility of the government and/or large businesses. Nevertheless, things are shifting to emphasise the growing responsibility of everyone, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who broadly contribute towards the SD agenda by engaging with corporate social responsibility (CSR). Wider stakeholders in developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa are also beginning to actively engage with the sustainability notion. As a result, businesses especially SMEs, are faced with the need to respond to stakeholder demands for inclusive SME models that go beyond traditional CSR practices to alternatives that form synergies between themselves and SD goals. Worse still, the CSR research is fragmentary, and SMEs’ CSR engagement and contributions towards SD goals tend to go unnoticed, as more focus is put on large corporations (Smith and Thompson, 1991), despite SMEs’ undisputed economic importance. Using a form of analytic induction to evaluate qualitative case-study data from the SME perspective, this research project addresses this gap in the literature with the question: ‘What is the SME/CSR role and opportunity in addressing sustainability challenges in sub-Saharan African economies? ’ In such a weak and ambiguously regulated environment, the research endeavours to bridge the gap between SME/CSR research and stakeholders by exploring SMEs’ CSR understanding, drivers and nature, and how their engagement in CSR might contribute to SD. The research findings show that SME owner-managers’ CSR understandings are skewed towards solving societal development challenges. The study offers evidence that the firm’s size does not necessarily determine the context, nature and extent to which it engages with CSR, and thus contribute towards SD. The research contributes to knowledge by suggesting an alternative Stakeholder Engagement Framework (SHEF) and Co-productive Stakeholder Engagement Model (CPSEM) through which SMEs can co-produce solutions to global development challenges by achieving more, for more, with less.
Peritubular capillary C4d deposition and renal outcome in post‐transplant IgA nephropathy

Abstract: Backgrounds: Immunological staining of the transplanted kidney for C4d in peritubular capillaries (C4dPTC) has emerged as a useful method to detect antibody‐mediated rejection in situ. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the prevalence of C4dPTC deposition in allograft renal biopsies diagnosed of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and analysed its clinical significance.
Can a computerized tracking system improve faculty compliance with medical student evaluations?

Aim: We examined whether using a new personal digital assistant (PDA)-based computerized tracking system (PDAT) improved the rate of faculty evaluation of students compared to using written clinical encounter cards. Also, we examined whether the addition of e-mail reminders to PDAT affected the evaluation rate. Methods: Retrospective review of collected data on evaluation rates before and after implementation of the computerized tracking system, with and without e-mail reminders. Written encounter cards were available during all phases of the study. The study was conducted at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Results: Evaluation rates between three separate 3-month periods were compared: (1) written cards alone, (2) PDAT alone and (3) PDAT plus e-mail reminders to the faculty (PDAT-e). The odds ratio (OR) for faculty completion of evaluations was 2.97 when electronic and paper submission were available compared to paper-only evaluations (95% CI: 2.10–4.22, p-value <0.0001). With the addition of e-mail reminders, the OR was 4.19 (95% CI: 2.98–5.88, p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: PDAT significantly improved faculty compliance with medical student evaluations when compared with written cards alone. The addition of e-mail reminders further improved faculty compliance, but this was not statistically significant. The use of a PDAT appears to be an effective way to improve faculty compliance with medical student evaluations.
Analysis of ground bounce in deep sub-micron circuits

Ground bounce occurs in integrated circuits and can cause signal distortion and increase gate delay. This can result in improper circuit operation. In the past, the switching of input/output buffers was the primary cause of the ground bounce. In designs employing deep sub-micron technology high operating frequency, and short rise/fall times, ground bounce due to switching in internal circuitry becomes a potential problem. In this paper experiments based on realistic assumptions are performed to explore the properties of ground bounce. Experiments indicate that (1) ground bounce is generated in gates, irrespective of whether outputs switch from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0, (2) ground bounce is reduced when the load capacitance increases, and (3) ground bounce decreases when the number of gates that switch is held constant while the number of gates that don't switch increases. These conclusions are different from what has been found when input/output buffers switch and lead to new design, verification and test issues.
Structure-Based Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the UDP-MurNAc-Pentapeptide-Binding Cavity of the FemX Alanyl Transferase from Weissella viridescens

ABSTRACT Weissella viridescens FemX (FemXWv) belongs to the Fem family of nonribosomal peptidyl transferases that use aminoacyl-tRNA as the amino acid donor to synthesize the peptide cross-bridge found in the peptidoglycan of many species of pathogenic gram-positive bacteria. We have recently solved the crystal structure of FemXWv in complex with the peptidoglycan precursor UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide and report here the site-directed mutagenesis of nine residues located in the binding cavity for this substrate. Two substitutions, Lys36Met and Arg211Met, depressed FemXWv transferase activity below detectable levels without affecting protein folding. Analogues of UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide lacking the phosphate groups or the C-terminal d-alanyl residues were not substrates of the enzyme. These results indicate that Lys36 and Arg211 participate in a complex hydrogen bond network that connects the C-terminal d-Ala residues to the phosphate groups of UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide and constrains the substrate in a conformation that is essential for transferase activity.
Exercise and Diet, Independent of Weight Loss, Improve Cardiometabolic Risk Profile in Overweight and Obese Individuals

Abstract Diet and/or exercise are routinely advised as methods for weight loss in overweight/obese individuals, particularly those who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, physical activity and structured exercise programs rarely result in significant loss of body weight or body fat, and weight-loss diets have extraordinarily high recidivism rates. Despite only modest effects on body weight, exercise and ad libitum nutrient-dense diets for overweight/obese individuals have many health benefits, including skeletal muscle adaptations that improve fat and glucose metabolism, and insulin action; enhance endothelial function; have favorable changes in blood lipids, lipoproteins, and hemostatic factors; and reduce blood pressure, postprandial lipemia and glycemia, and proinflammatory markers. These lifestyle-induced adaptations occur independently of changes in body weight or body fat. Thus, overweight/obese men and women who are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes as a result of sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and excess body weight should be encouraged to engage in regular physical activity and improve their diet, regardless of whether the healthier lifestyle leads to weight loss.
The Role of Analyst Conference Calls in Capital Markets

textabstractMany firms conduct a conference call with analysts shortly after the quarterly earnings announcement. In these calls, management discusses the completed quarter, and analysts can ask questions. Due to SEC requirements, conference calls in the United States are virtually always live webcasted. A growing number of investors listens in on conference calls, suggesting that calls are useful for investor decision-making. This research clarifies the role of conference calls by analysing a large sample of conference call transcripts, analyst forecasts, and contemporaneous stock market reactions. The study investigates why conference calls are useful. The analysis shows that managers who provide little information in their presentation are actively probed by analysts, and the discussion with analysts becomes longer. Hence, the interactivity of the call enriches the information environment. In a second study, evidence is presented that information about intangible assets is one of the items in conference calls that moves stock markets. This study also shows that managers use the conference call to learn about the information needs of analysts with respect to intangible assets. A third study, suggests that sell-side analysts do not voice their true beliefs on conference calls in an attempt to favour their buy-side clients. Collectively, these results provide evidence that conference calls with analysts enrich the information environment, but their usefulness may be restricted by analyst incentives.
Onset of neuromuscular blockade with pancuronium in children with congenital heart disease.

It has been suggested that intravenous anesthetic agents have a more rapid onset of action in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who have right-to-left (R+ L) shunting of blood and a slower onset in those who have left-to-right (L + R) shunting of blood than in children without CHD (1,2). Maunuksela and Gahiker investigated the use of pancuronium in children with CHD (3). They found no difference in either the dose requirement of pancuronium or the time to the onset of neuromuscular blockade between children with R --s, L and L + R CHD. However, they assessed the neuromuscular blockade subjectively, by palpating the twitch of the abducted thumb. To assess neuromuscular blockade in a more quantitative fashion, we compared both the time to 95% twitch depression and the intubating conditions in children with R + L shunts with those with L + R shunts who were paralyzed with pancuronium. We then compared these two groups with a group of children without CHD described previously (4).
The Effect of Age on the Sinusoidal Harmonic Acceleration Test, Pseudorandom Rotation Test, Velocity Step Test, Caloric Test, and Vestibular-evoked Myogenic Potential Test

Objectives: Age-related anatomical and morphologic vestibular deterioration has already been elaborated. Demonstrating a corresponding degradation in physiologic function, however, entails a much higher challenge. The objective of this study was to investigate age-related changes using rotational tests, caloric tests, and the vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) test. Design: Eighty healthy human subjects (38 men and 42 women) ranging in age from 18 to 80 yrs participated in this study and were subjected to an extensive vestibular test battery. Function tests included sinusoidal harmonic acceleration tests, a pseudorandom rotation test, velocity step tests, a caloric test, and a VEMP test. Results: No significant age trends were noted for the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test and velocity step tests response parameters, in contrast to subtle decreasing gain values with advancing age for the pseudorandom rotation test. Increasing slow-component velocity values were measured with the caloric test, whereas the frequency parameter showed no relevant age changes. The largest age trends were detected with the VEMP, with decreasing amplitudes, increasing thresholds, and decreasing N1 latencies. All asymmetry parameters remained stable across the different age categories. Conclusions: Only subtle age changes could be demonstrated with the rotational and caloric tests, in contrast to more pronounced age trends with the VEMP.
THE MACROECONOMICS OF SHADOW BANKING

We propose a simple short-run Post-Keynesian model in which the key aspects of shadow banking, namely securitization and the production of structured finance instruments, are explicitly formalized. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to broaden purely real-side Post-Keynesian models and their traditional focus on shareholder-value orientation, the financialization of non-financial firms, and the profit-led vs. wage-led dichotomy. We rather put emphasis on the role of financial institutions and rentier-friendly environment in determining the predominance of specific growth and distribution regimes. First, we illustrate the macroeconomic rationale of shadow banking practices. We show how, before the 2007–08 crisis, securitization and shadow banking allowed for an increase in profitability for the whole financial sector, while apparently keeping leverage under control. Second, we define a variety of shadow-banking-led regimes in terms of economic activity, productive capital accumulation, and income distribution.
Description and behavioural biology of two Ufens species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), egg parasitoids of Homalodisca species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in southern California

Abstract The morphology, distribution, and hosts of two egg parasitoids, Ufens principalis Owen sp. n. and U. ceratus Owen sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), are described for the first time. These species are compared to U. niger (Ashmead), the only species of Ufens s. str. currently described from the Nearctic, and diagnostic differences are presented. The behavioural biology of U. principalis, and U. ceratus to a smaller extent, is also described for the first time. Ufens principalis exhibited rapid and long-distance response in the form of directional flight toward freshly laid eggs of Homalodisca species, its primary hosts in southern California. Parasitism involved aggregations of female U. principalis on fresh Homalodisca egg masses, which remained attractive to U. principalis for a relatively short time. The level of oviposition by U. principalis females was low during most of the day and peaked before sunset in tandem with a peak in Homalodisca oviposition. Oviposition behaviour of U. principalis is described and the distribution of ovipositor probe durations showed that most probes were generally of very short duration. Mating of both Ufens species occurred on the egg mass, with males showing aggressive behaviour towards each other as they competed for emerging females. Ufens ceratus males displayed greater aggression towards other males than U. principalis males. By contrast, fights among U. principalis males involved more individuals and lasted longer than corresponding fights between U. ceratus males.
Cancer caregiving and subjective stress: a multi‐site, multi‐dimensional analysis

Although research has emerged documenting the psychosocial impact of family care for cancer patients, few efforts capture the multi‐dimensional nature of cancer caregiving stress, particularly among socioeconomically diverse samples. Utilizing data collected from cancer caregivers at a non‐urban, Southern US site and an inner‐city, Northeastern US site (N=233), the present study identified predictors of multiple dimensions of caregivers' subjective stress (i.e. emotional appraisals of care demands). Various indicators representing the sociodemographic context of care, cancer care demands, and psychosocial resources were found to exacerbate or buffer caregivers from feelings of exhaustion, role entrapment, and loss of intimacy with the cancer patient. The multivariate regression model also emphasized the diffuse yet potent role care recipient mood problems and caregiver mastery/optimism have on multiple dimensions of subjective stress. The findings offer a number of recommendations for future research and practice focused on informal cancer care. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defining the biological basis of radiomic phenotypes in lung cancer

Medical imaging can visualize characteristics of human cancer noninvasively. Radiomics is an emerging field that translates these medical images into quantitative data to enable phenotypic profiling of tumors. While radiomics has been associated with several clinical endpoints, the complex relationships of radiomics, clinical factors, and tumor biology are largely unknown. To this end, we analyzed two independent cohorts of respectively 262 North American and 89 European patients with lung cancer, and consistently identified previously undescribed associations between radiomic imaging features, molecular pathways, and clinical factors. In particular, we found a relationship between imaging features, immune response, inflammation, and survival, which was further validated by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, a number of imaging features showed predictive value for specific pathways; for example, intra-tumor heterogeneity features predicted activity of RNA polymerase transcription (AUC = 0.62, p=0.03) and intensity dispersion was predictive of the autodegration pathway of a ubiquitin ligase (AUC = 0.69, p<10-4). Finally, we observed that prognostic biomarkers performed highest when combining radiomic, genetic, and clinical information (CI = 0.73, p<10-9) indicating complementary value of these data. In conclusion, we demonstrate that radiomic approaches permit noninvasive assessment of both molecular and clinical characteristics of tumors, and therefore have the potential to advance clinical decision-making by systematically analyzing standard-of-care medical images. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.23421. 001
Carbon accumulation of tropical peatlands over millennia: a modeling approach

Tropical peatlands cover an estimated 440 000 km2 (~10% of global peatland area) and are significant in the global carbon cycle by storing about 40–90 Gt C in peat. Over the past several decades, tropical peatlands have experienced high rates of deforestation and conversion, which is often associated with lowering the water table and peat burning, releasing large amounts of carbon stored in peat to the atmosphere. We present the first model of long‐term carbon accumulation in tropical peatlands by modifying the Holocene Peat Model (HPM), which has been successfully applied to northern temperate peatlands. Tropical HPM (HPMTrop) is a one‐dimensional, nonlinear, dynamic model with a monthly time step that simulates peat mass remaining in annual peat cohorts over millennia as a balance between monthly vegetation inputs (litter) and monthly decomposition. Key model parameters were based on published data on vegetation characteristics, including net primary production partitioned into leaves, wood, and roots; and initial litter decomposition rates. HPMTrop outputs are generally consistent with field observations from Indonesia. Simulated long‐term carbon accumulation rates for 11 000‐year‐old inland, and 5 000‐year‐old coastal peatlands were about 0.3 and 0.59 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, and the resulting peat carbon stocks at the end of the 11 000‐year and 5 000‐year simulations were 3300 and 2900 Mg C ha−1, respectively. The simulated carbon loss caused by coastal peat swamp forest conversion into oil palm plantation with periodic burning was 1400 Mg C ha−1 over 100 years, which is equivalent to ~2900 years of C accumulation in a hectare of coastal peatlands.
On the Weighting of Individual Analyst Forecasts in the Consensus

A consensus forecast commonly represents a simple average, or equal weighting, of individual analyst forecasts. We demonstrate, however, that an equal-weight consensus generally does not aggregate information in individual analyst forecasts efficiently and that an aggregation scheme informed by forecast and analyst attributes results in a more accurate consensus forecast. For example, in the case of forecasts issued in the sixty days immediately preceding an earnings announcement, the mean squared error ("MSE") of an informed consensus forecast whose component weights are based on forecast age, broker size, and analyst experience is significantly less than that of a naive consensus. In this case, MSE-improvement ranges from three to fifteen percent, respectively, as the number of forecasts in the consensus varies from four to twenty.
Attitudes to Sex, Personality and LIE Scale Scores

8 sex-attitude items were found to have appreciable loadings on a psychoticism factor and a lie factor for random population samples of 228 men and 263 women. These factors were independent of each other, and of extraversion and neuroticism. The bearing of these results on the problem of dissimulation (“faking good”) on the sex attitude items is discussed.
Authority and Soft Information Production within a Bank Organization

We ask three questions to clarify the production of soft information and decision making within a bank organization: (1) In a hierarchical ladder within a bank organization, who has more soft information on borrowers (repository of soft information) and does the answer differ depending on bank- and/or firm-specific factors? ; (2) In the hierarchical ladder, who makes a decision to grant loans (decision maker) and does the answer have bank- and/or firm-specificity? ; (3) Does the authority distance between the repository of soft information and the decision maker reduce the benefit from the bank-firm relationship? Our empirical findings are the following: (1) Branch managers rather than loan officers have sufficient soft information on borrowers, and the repository is located at a higher level in the hierarchy for smaller banks; (2) Branch managers and executives in the headquarters have decision-making authority, but more authority is delegated at a lower level in the hierarchy for larger banks; and (3) A greater authority distance is harmful for borrowers because it invites more financial constraints.
Cytomegalovirus viremia in solid organ transplantation: does the initial viral load correlate with risk factors and outcomes?

Abstract: Consistent data for using CMV quantitative PCR (QnPCR) on initial presentation to predict outcomes after solid organ transplantation (SOT) are lacking. Recipients with measurable CMV QnPCR and either CMV‐V (asymptomatic viremia) or CMV‐D (symptomatic CMV infection) were analyzed over 24 months. Risk factors and outcomes were evaluated in relation to initial QnPCR by regression analysis and time‐to‐event curves. Twenty‐eight recipients were identified: five CMV‐V, 23 CMV‐D. Patients with CMV‐D had a higher median initial QnPCR (230 000 copies/mL) compared with CMV‐V (2500 copies/mL; p < 0.05). No patients with CMV‐V had an initial QnPCR > 10 000 copies/mL compared with 83% of the CMV‐D (p = 0.004). The initial QnPCR was higher (250 000 copies/mL) in patients who did not clear CMV PCR than those who cleared (8000 copies/mL) after 14 d of treatment (p = 0.03). Risk factors and indirect CMV effects were not associated with initial QnPCR. Our results highlight the importance of the initial CMV QnPCR in relation to the development of symptomatic CMV and a slower response to therapy. Alternatively, late asymptomatic viremia and recurrent CMV are associated with lower PCR levels and a low likelihood to progress and result in clinical disease.