Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chinese multinational corporations’ responses to host country trade unions: An eclectic approach

This paper explores Chinese multinational corporations’ responses to trade unions in host countries. Using an in-depth case study analysis of the policies on union representation and union–management relations in six Chinese multinational corporations, this paper demonstrates that Chinese multinational corporations’ responses to host country unions are primarily shaped by home and host institutions, rational choices of firms, and organizational learning. It concludes that while rational choice and institutional theory, the two dominant lenses used in existing literature, are helpful in understanding the industrial relations practices in multinational corporations, they need to be supplemented with an organizational learning perspective in an analysis of industrial relation practices in multinational corporations from emerging markets.
Biomphalaria Glabrata (SAY), a Suitable Organism for a Biotest

Abstract The embryonic development of a tropical freshwater snail (Biomphalaria glabrata, Say: Gastropoda, Pulmonata) is presented as a tool for monitoring pollutants in water. Laboratory rearing of the animal and four different embryonic stages, which are easily to recognize are described. In this paper the results of a study on the effect of Copper are reported.
It hurts when it really matters

Do political parties’ shifts on sociocultural issues, which signify the withdrawal of ideological commitment and disturb their supporters, cause vote loss? We argue that the negative electoral impact of positional shifts is constrained by party supporters’ opinion as well as parties’ ideological strength on sociocultural issues. Using data on party positions and ideologies in Western Europe from 1990 to 2008, we find that only parties holding strong ideologies on sociocultural issues lose votes by shifting their positions on these issues. Even these parties, however, do not lose votes when their position shifts in the same direction as that of their supporters. The results indicate that niche parties are straightforwardly affected by position shifts regarding sociocultural issues; they should adopt different strategies between values they endorse and those they reject; and political parties should not be worried about vote loss from position shifts as long as they follow their supporters’ opinions.
Antispasmodic activity on rat smooth muscle of polyphenol compounds caffeic and protocathechic acids

Caffeic and protocatechic acids demonstrated a non‐specific antispasmodic action on smooth muscle in several isolated organs of the rat. This action appeared to be related to calcium concentration. At certain doses, the test compounds enhanced the noradrenergic response in a manner similar to that of cocaine.
Environment trumps predation and spatial factors in structuring cladoceran communities from Boreal Shield lakes

Understanding local and regional controls on communities is a major theme in ecology. Are communities mainly determined by local environmental gradients, local biotic interactions, and (or) dispersal processes? To address this, subfossil Cladocera were enumerated from the surface sediments of 50 remote Boreal Shield lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada, to examine three ecologically relevant explanatory categories. Variation partitioning analyses were used to test and quantify the unique and shared effects of local abiotic measures, local predation factors, and spatial variables as predictors of community composition. Thirty-nine taxa were identified and communities were typically composed of pelagic taxa, such as Bosmina, daphniids, and Holopedium gibberum. Environmental variables (i.e., pH, lake surface area, specific conductivity, and lake water total aluminum concentration) explained uniquely 8.8% of the variation, which was 2.5 times greater than the unique contributions of predation or dispersal-re.
Expression of α4β7 and E‐selectin ligand by circulating memory B cells: implications for targeted trafficking to mucosal and systemic sites

We have examined the expression of homing receptors on circulating memory B cells subsets. Blood IgD+ (naive) B cells homogeneously express a high level of intestinal homing receptor, α4β7, but IgD− (putative memory) B cells comprise distinct α4β7+ and α4β7− subsets. Naive and α4β7+ memory B cells but not α4β7− cells bind MAdCAM‐1, suggesting that α4β7 expression may predict B cell intestinal homing. In contrast, α4β7+ and α4β7− B cells bind well to VCAM‐1, possibly allowing recruitment of both subsets to extra‐intestinal sites, including those tissues of the “common mucosal immune system” characterized by vascular VCAM‐1 expression. sIgA+ B cells, which are associated with mucosal immunity in the gut and elsewhere, are heterogeneous in homing receptor expression—with discrete subsets expressing α4β7, L‐selectin, and cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA). sIgA+ CLA+ B cells are enriched by binding to E‐selectin, suggesting that CLA may participate in B cell homing to nonintestinal mucosal tissues characterized by vascular E‐selectin expression, such as chronically inflamed bronchial or oral mucosal. We conclude that circulating human peripheral blood memory B cells, like T cells, consist of discrete homing receptor‐defined subsets. This diversity in homing phenotypes is apparent even among sIgA (presumptive mucosal) memory B cells, implying heterogeneity in trafficking mechanisms to different target mucosal surfaces.
Embryonic endocrine pancreas and mature β cells acquire α and PP cell phenotypes upon Arx misexpression

Aristaless-related homeobox (Arx) was recently demonstrated to be involved in pancreatic alpha cell fate specification while simultaneously repressing the beta and delta cell lineages. To establish whether Arx is not only necessary, but also sufficient to instruct the alpha cell fate in endocrine progenitors, we used a gain-of-function approach to generate mice conditionally misexpressing this factor. Mice with forced Arx expression in the embryonic pancreas or in developing islet cells developed a dramatic hyperglycemia and eventually died. Further analysis demonstrated a drastic loss of beta and delta cells. Concurrently, a remarkable increase in the number of cells displaying alpha cell or, strikingly, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cell features was observed. Notably, the ectopic expression of Arx induced in embryonic or adult beta cells led to a loss of the beta cell phenotype and a concomitant increase in a number of cells with alpha or PP cell characteristics. Combining quantitative real-time PCR and lineage-tracing experiments, we demonstrate that, in adult mice, the misexpression of Arx, rather than its overexpression, promotes a conversion of beta cells into glucagon- or PP-producing cells in vivo. These results provide important insights into the complex mechanisms underlying proper pancreatic endocrine cell allocation and cell identity acquisition.
Transposon Tn5 Mutagenesis of Genes Encoding Reaction Centre and Light-harvesting LH1 Polypeptides of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Summary: The puf operon of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides encodes reaction centre and B875 (LH1) antenna polypeptides of the photosynthetic apparatus. This region of the genome was used to establish the applicability of random transposon Tn5 mutagenesis in this bacterium. Four Tn5 insertions have been mapped and one of the mutants characterized using a variety of techniques in order to establish that the fluorescence properties and polypeptide composition were consistent with the absence of reaction centre polypeptides. Following the “rescue” of the transposon along with flanking regions of the puf operon, re-introduction of this construction into wild-type Rb. sphaeroides yielded the original mutation. This demonstrates that following homologous recombination, localized mutagenesis can direct Tn5 into a predetermined region of the Rb. sphaeroides chromosome. Accordingly, puf genes borne on plasmid pSRC2 were mutagenized with Tn5 in Escherichia coli, and the sites of insertion mapped physically. pSRC2 derivatives containing Tn5 were transferred to wild-type Rb. sphaeroides. puf genes have been mapped by correlating the photosynthetic properties of resulting strains with the sites of Tn5 insertion into pSRC2.
Dialogic Pedagogy and Educating Preservice Teachers for Critical Multiculturalism

The study investigates the potentials of educating preservice teachers for critical multiculturalism through dialogic pedagogy. The study findings suggest that dialogic pedagogy experienced some successes in encouraging preservice teachers to revise their worldview about certain topics in the multicultural curriculum about which they were not initially open to dialogue. The study should contribute to the literature of dialogic pedagogy and multicultural education in terms of suggesting more democratic educational approaches toward teaching the controversial topics of the multicultural curriculum.
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) response to nitrogen fertilizer following different previous crops

This study was conducted in the crop years 2007-1010 and aimed to evaluate the effects of previous crops and use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on rapeseed productivity in Ahwaz, Iran. The previous crops were: i) barley + clover; ii) rapeseed; iii) corn; iv) mung-bean; v) rice; and vi) wheat. N fertilizer was applied to rapeseed at rates of 0, 100, 160 and 220 kg ha-1. The effects of management on yield, and product oil content and oil yield were assessed. The effect of the previous crop and the use made of N fertilizer both affected rapeseed productivity. The results of two repeated experiments showed that the lowest seed and oil yields were obtained when unfertilized rapeseed followed rice. The highest seed and oil yields were obtained when rapeseed production followed mung-bean as the previous crop (range 160-220 kg ha-1 N rate). Among yield components, previous crops and N rates significantly influenced the silique number per unit area, and this showed a similar variation to that of seed yield. Data averaged across 2-year periods indicated that the highest oil content occurred in unfertilized rapeseed plots when the effects of the previous crop were not significant. Nevertheless, rapeseed following mung-bean receiving 150-220 kg ha-1 N rates produced the highest yield in the two years in which the experiment was repeated. Rapeseed following mung-bean and receiving 160 kg N.ha-1 had also the highest nutrient use efficiency parameters.
Nitrogen concentrations in spring wheat at several growth stages

Abstract Diagnosis of N deficiency in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important in the North Central region because it is the principal grain crop and N is the nutrient most often limiting its growth. Plant analysis may provide a means by which this objective can be realized. This study was undertaken to establish N levels of sufficiency and deficiency in spring wheat at several growth stages. Five cultivars of spring wheat were grown in the field at rates of 0, 40, 80, and 160 kg/ha of N on a Maddock sandy loam (sandy, mixed Udorthentic Haploborolls) for two years. Plant samples were collected at Feekes growth stages 3, 5–6, 9–10, and 10.5–10.5.1. Nitrogen concentration trends in the plant tissue showed a rapid drop between stages 3 and 10.5–10.5.1. Nitrogen concentration growth curves exhibited a curvilinear pattern at stages 5–6, 9–10 and 10.5–10.5.1, and a linear relationship at stage 3. For the whole plant samples N concentrations of 5.2–5.6%, 4.2–5.1%, 2.4–3.5% and 1.8–2.6% at stages 3, 5–6, .
Reproductive biology of Chinese minnow Hemiculterella sauvagei Warpachowski, 1888 in the Chishui River, China

This study describes the reproductive biology of the Chinese minnow Hemiculterella sauvagei. The length-weight relationship, sex ratio, spawning season, size at first maturity, and fecundity were analyzed based on 685 specimens collected from the Chishui River between July 2011 and July 2012. The relationship between standard length (SL) and body weight (BW) were estimated as BW=2.14x10(-4)xSL(2.801) (R-2=0.839; N=413; P 12cm. Analyses of the monthly variation in the gonadosomatic index (GSI), the monthly proportions of macroscopic gonadal maturity, and the size distribution of oocytes consistently suggested a prolonged spawning season of H.sauvagei from March to August, with a peak from April to May. Logistic curves describing the relationship between proportion of maturity (P-r) at each length interval and standard length were estimated as P-r=1/(1+e(26.867-0.306SL)) (R-2=0.999; N=413; P<0.05) for females and P-r=1/(1+e(10.522-0.142SL)) (R-2=0.999; N=272; P<0.05) for males. Size at first maturity was estimated as 7.4cm for males and 8.8cm SL for females. Absolute fecundity varied from 563 to 5052, with a mean of 2413 +/- 874 oocytes per ovary. The relative fecundity was estimated to be 41-299, with a mean of 171 +/- 55 oocytes per ovary. The present study provides useful information for fishery management and resources conservation.
Estimating plant migration rates under habitat loss and fragmentation

Higgins, S. I. , Lavorel, S. and Revilla, E. 2003. Estimating plant migration ratesunder habitat loss and fragmentation. – Oikos 101: 354–366.Changes in the global environment are modifying the geographical locations ofhabitats suitable for plant growth. The capacity of plants to migrate to sites ofsuitable environmental quality will strongly inﬂuence future distributions of plantdiversity. However, it is not well understood how rates of plant migration areinﬂuenced by the habitat loss and habitat fragmentation that characterise contempo-rary landscapes. In this study we develop a model that can predict migration rates inboth intact landscapes (potential migration rate) and in fragmented landscapes(realised migration rates). Migration rates in fragmented landscapes might be slowerfor many reasons. In this study we focus on two, non-exclusive reasons. First, theprocesses that move seeds may break down in fragmented landscapes causing seedsto be dispersed shorter distances. Second, in fragmented landscapes some proportionof seeds will not be deposited in habitats suitable for recruitment. We describe thebreakdown of dispersal processes as a competing risk between the factors inﬂuencingdispersal in intact landscapes and the factors that may disrupt dispersal processes infragmented landscapes. We show how the parameters that inﬂuence dispersal infragmented landscapes can be estimated, and how these estimates can be used toforecast migration rates using an integrodifference equation (IDE). The forecasts ofthe IDE described the effects of reduced dispersal distances adequately. However, theIDE produced biased estimates of the effects of a reduction in plant habitat onmigration rates. Model analyses showed that, although we can expect realisedmigration rates to be lower than potential migration rates, we can also expect thesensitivity of migration rate to habitat loss to vary. In addition, simulations showedthat the qualitative nature of the responses of migration rate to habitat loss werevariable – some model species responded non-linearly to habitat loss, others re-sponded linearly. While our method provides guidelines for empirical data collectionand model parameterisation, we recognise that obtaining these data will be challeng-ing.
Interference of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) with snap beans

Abstract Snap beans are a common processing vegetable whose yield and quality can be reduced when a few weeds emerge with or soon after the crop. The effect of redroot pigweed's emergence time and density on snap bean growth and yield was studied. Redroot pigweed, at four densities, was seeded with snap beans (early) or at the first trifoliate leaf stage (late). In 1998 the yield loss at 8 redroot pigweed plants m−1 row was 42 and 58%, whereas in 1999 it was 39 and 48% for late- and early-planted redroot pigweed, respectively. The effect of redroot pigweed density on snap bean yield loss was predicted with the hyperbolic yield equation. Coefficient A (percent yield loss as weed density approaches infinity), determined from the hyperbolic equation, varied from 47 to 63% and coefficient I (percent yield loss as weed density approaches zero) varied from 10 to 32% depending on the year and time of weed emergence, with the greater values for early-emerging redroot pigweed. Snap bean pod number and biomass were reduced as the density of early-emerging redroot pigweed increased. Regardless of the density, late-emerging redroot pigweed had less effect on snap bean growth and yield than did early-emerging redroot pigweed. The hyperbolic yield loss equation may be useful for growers to predict the effect of redroot pigweed in their fields on snap bean yields. Nomenclature: Redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L. AMARE; snap bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Matador’.
An analysis of accounting history research in Portugal: 1990—2004

This study analyses and reports on the development of accounting history research in Portugal across a period of 15 years spanning 1990 to 2004. In so doing, it builds a database of all the contributions on accounting's past appearing in Portugal and those of Portuguese authors disseminated abroad over this period. The study further explores publishing patterns in the Portuguese accounting journals, providing an array of evidence such as the number of accounting history articles per journal, the gender of authors and the time spans and subject areas examined. While the results indicate that there are topics and periods still unexplored or deserving wider examination in Portuguese accounting history, they also reveal a significant extension of the work in this field, especially from 2002 to 2004. This increasing trend is particularly visible in the number of articles published in international journals and the number of papers submitted to international congresses, providing Portuguese accounting history research with a growing international visibility.
Annual cycle of zooplankton biomass, abundance and species composition in the neritic area of the Balearic Sea, western mediterranean

Seasonal changes in zooplankton biomass, abundance and species composition were studied at a neritic station in the Balearic Sea between April 1993 and May 1994. Sampling was carried out every 10 days in a zone influenced by the main current circulating through the Mallorca channel. Three main peaks of zooplankton biomass and abundance were observed: (1) at the beginning of summer when the thermocline developed, (2) in autumn when the thermocline broke down, and (3) in early spring. The smaller zooplankton fraction (100–250 μm) comprised on average 32 % of the total biomass and 73 % of total abundance. Copepods were the predominant group (64 % of the total abundance) with Clausocalanus, Oithona and Paracalanus being the most abundant genera. Paracalanus parvus, Clausocalanus furcatus, Acartia clausi, Oithona plumifera, Temora stylifera, Centropages typicus and Oncaea mediterranea were found to be the most important species in the area. Other abundant groups were cladocerans (15 %) and meroplankton larvae (12 %), both of which were particularly numerous during the stratified period. The copepod community was characterized by the above-cited perennial species, which were abundant during the cycle studied. However, the influence of the hydrological conditions of the Balearic Sea, such as the Atlantic water influx and the physical structure of the water column (stratification and mixing), promoted the observed variability in zooplankton as well as the appearance of characteristic species during the annual cycle.
Maternally chosen nest sites positively affect multiple components of offspring fitness in a lizard

Maternal nest-site choice is a behavioral phenotype with transgenerational consequences that can appear at multiple stages of offspring ontogeny. In many reptiles, the microenvironment surrounding eggs (e.g., moisture) can affect multiple aspects of offspring fitness across several life stages (e.g., embryo survival, phenotypic development, and posthatching survival). Thus, natural selection should favor maternal nesting behaviors that positively affect both embryonic and postembryonic ontogenetic trajectories. We tested this hypothesis in a 2-part laboratory experiment using the brown anole lizard (Anolis sagrei). In the first experiment, gravid lizards were given a choice of nesting substrates containing 5 levels of moisture content. By incubating eggs at the same 5 moisture levels, our second experiment tested if maternal choice of nest substrate facilitates embryonic development and enhances offspring quality and viability. Females strongly preferred nesting substrates with high moisture content, and these conditions yielded high hatching success, large offspring size, and overall increased offspring survival. These results suggest that selection has adaptively matched maternal nesting behaviors, embryonic development, and posthatching phenotypes in ways that enhance both offspring and parental fitness. In addition, our results highlight the importance of incorporating multiple life-history stages when assessing the fitness consequences of transgenerational effects.
Bacteriological pattern of wound swab isolates in patients with chronic leg ulcer

PURPOSE: To determine the pattern of bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity profile in patients with infected chronic leg ulceration. METHODS: Sixty swab specimens obtained from chronic leg ulcer (CLU) patients were cultured aerobically and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the recovered organisms determined by the modified Kirby- Bauer disc-diffusion method. RESULTS: 47 (78.3%) of the ulcers were infected out of which 39 (83.0%) were culture positive. Most of the culture positive ulcers were on the distal third of the leg. The isolated bacteria from the wounds were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33%), Staphylococcus aureus (24%), Proteus spp (15%), Klebsiella spp (13%), Citrobacter spp (13%) and Escherichia coli (2%). None of the patient without clinical evidence of wound infection had bacterial positive wound swab culture. All isolates were sensitive to third generation cephalosporin and floroquinolones but majority were resistant to ampicillin. CONCLUSION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus. Proteus spp, Klebsiella spp, Citrobacter spp and Escherichia coli sensitive to third generation cephalosporin and floroquinolones have been recovered from 78% of patients with chronic leg ulcers in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Keywords: Bacteriology; Chronic leg ulcer; Wound swab