Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iodine nutrition, cognition and school achievement of Bangladeshi school children.

Two studies were conducted concerning the association between iodine deficiency and levels of school achievement, cognition and motor skills in Bangladeshi school children. In 3 rural, severely iodine-deficient areas, 2003 children were screened for T4 and TSH. 170 children with T4 <45 nmol/L (hypothyroid) were identified and compared with 170 children with T4 >70 nmol/L (euthyroid), matched for school and grade on the following: Wide Range Achievement Test, 8 cognitive function and 3 fine motor function tests, anthropometry and social background. The hypothyroid children performed worse than the euthyroid children on reading and spelling and in one cognitive function test. A factor analysis of cognitive and motor function tests yielded 2 factors, a general cognitive and a fine motor one. There was a significant difference between the groups in the general cognitive factor, after controlling for socio-cultural and biological variables. Parental education, food deprivation, household possessions and home stimulation made significant independent contributions to the children’s development. An unplanned increase in T4 levels occurred in all groups between the time of screening and enrolment, though urinary iodine measures remained moderately deficient. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 305 hypothyroid children (screening T 4 <51 nmol/L) and 304 euthyroid children ( T 4 >60 nmol/L). Four months after treatment, urinary iodine levels improved in the iodinetreated group, but there was no effect on T4 or TSH. No benefit was observed on any cognitive function test. Post-hoc analyses showed that change in T4 levels was significantly associated with changes in two cognitive function tests and one fine motor function test. The results o f the case-control study suggest that iodine deficiency associated with hypothyroidism detrimentally affects school achievement and cognition. However, the treatment trial indicates that children with moderate iodine deficiency in the presence of normal T4 may not benefit in these functions from IPSO treatment. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract Table of
Trust and Feedback: An exploratory study of the impact of trust on upwards feedback in a Multisource Feedback Review

Trust and feedback have long been considered critical elements of successful employment relationships. This qualitative study explores the impact that trust has on the provision of upwards feedback as part of a multisource feedback (MSF) review. Previous research suggests that trust within an employment relationship can improve the quality of feedback between individuals and reduce the fear associated with giving and receiving feedback. For this study, employees of an Irish Higher Education Institution (HEI) were interviewed. These participants had recently provided feedback to their supervisors as part of a developmental MSF review. The goal was to explore the participants’ perceptions of trust within their employment relationship and to discover whether this perception of trust, or lack of trust, had any impact on the feedback they provided. While it is impossible to confirm that the presence or absence of trust was the only influencing factor on the feedback, the primary finding was that participants who trusted the motivation of their supervisors in requesting the feedback were more open and honest with the feedback they provided. Those participants who did not trust that their supervisors were seeking feedback for the purpose of development were more cautious with their feedback and less willing to be critical. This finding has practical implications for the future implementation of MSF reviews, particularly for developmental purposes. Practitioners should ensure that feedback recipients are undertaking the review for the purpose of development and this should be clearly communicated to those providing feedback. Very little research has considered the impact of trust on feedback as part of an MSF review. Very few studies have considered feedback from the perspective of the feedback provider rather than the feedback recipient. This study confirms the findings of previous research into trust, feedback and MSF reviews while addressing these gaps in the literature.
First evidence for a latitudinal body mass effect in extant Crocodylia and the relationships of their reproductive characters

Relationships between distribution patterns and body size have been documented in many endothermic taxa. However, the evidence for these trends in ectotherms generally is equivocal, and there have been no studies of effects in crocodylians specifically. Here, we examine the relationship between latitudinal distribution and body mass in 20 extant species of crocodylians, as well as the relationships between seven important reproductive variables. Using phylogenetically independent contrasts to inform generalized linear models, we provide the first evidence of a latitudinal effect on adult female body mass in crocodylians. In addition, we explore the relationships between reproductive variables including egg mass, hatchling mass and clutch size. We report no correlation between egg mass and clutch size, upholding previously reported within-species trends. We also find no evidence of a correlation between measures of latitudinal range and incubation temperature, contrasting with the trends found in turtles.
Final results of a randomized, double-blind, phase II study of gemcitabine plus vandetanib or plus placebo in the treatment of advanced (stage IIIB/IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) elderly patients (ZELIG study NCT00753714).

7550 Background: Vandetanib (V) is a once-daily oral inhibitor of VEGFR, EGFR and RET signaling. Single-agent gemcitabine (G) is a standard of care option for unselected patients (pts) unfit for doublet platinum based chemotherapy. This study assessed the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit of G+V compared to G plus placebo (P) in pts with advanced NSCLC aged ≥ 70 years. Methods: Eligible pts (stage IIIB/IV NSCLC; WHO PS 0-2; all histologies; chemonaive, aged ≥70) were randomized 1:1 to receive G 1200 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle, up to 6 cycles plus V 100 mg/day or plus P until progression/toxicity. The primary objective was PFS (80% power to detect a hazard ratio [HR] ≤ 0.667). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. Results: Between Oct 2008-May 2010, 124 pts (median age 75 yrs (70-84); 72.6% male; 57.2% WHO PS 0-1; 74.2% past/never-smoker; 58.1% adenocarcinoma; 89.5% stage IV) were randomized to G+V (.
Response of three mesic South African perennial grassland forbs to defoliation and competition

The importance of maintaining biodiversity in natural grasslands under livestock production systems has been recognised. Forbs contribute more to species richness than grasses in South African grasslands. However, little is known about the impact of grazing and grass competition on the population dynamics of forbs. The aim of this study was to determine the response of three mesic grassland perennial forb species to simulated intensive defoliation and interspecific competition from a neighbouring dominant grass, Themeda triandra, in a field experiment. Two of the selected forb species are sensitive to defoliation (Afroaster hispida and Gerbera ambigua) and one is potentially resistant to defoliation (Hypoxis hemerocallidea). Defoliation resulted in smaller plants of all three species following regrowth. Only A. hispida showed an interaction response to defoliation and competition. Thus, a competitive release was observed for A. hispida in that the height of defoliated plants was reduced by 45% compared with undefoliated plants under full competition, but there was no difference under partial or no competition. Gerbera ambigua was unaffected by competition. Hypoxis hemerocallidea was sensitive to competition irrespective of being defoliated or undefoliated. Findings of this study highlighted an individual response such that a general response cannot be predicted.
Study of genetic diversity in Tunisian local cattle populations using ISSR markers

Haifa EL HENTATI1*, Najia THAMRI2, Wissal DEROUICH1, Mouna HADHLI3, Taoufik BOUKHORSA4 National Gene Bank of Tunisia, Boulevard of the leader Yasser Arafat, Charguia (1) 1080 Tunis, Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia 2 Directorate of Genetic Improvement of Sidi Thabet, Office of Livestock and Pasture, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia Regional Directorate of the Office of Livestock and Pasture of Mateur, Av. Habib Bourguiba, 7030, Mateur, Bizerte, Tunisia Regional Direction of the Livestock and Pasture Office of Jendouba, Av. 9 Avril, B.P. 276, 8100, Jendouba, Tunisia *Corresponding author: Dr Haifa El-Hentati, National Gene Bank of Tunisia, Boulevard of the leader Yasser Arafat, Charguia 11080 Tunis, Tunisia E-mail: haifa_eh@yahoo.fr
Exploring How Employee Sense of Brand Community Affects Their Attitudes and Behavior

The success of hospitality brands relies heavily on employees, collectively, to transform the tacit brand promise and unique brand values into a coherent brand experience for their guests. Thus, employees are likely to develop a sense of community that coalesces around brand values. A sense of community contributes to members’ belongingness, social exchanges, and subjective well-being. However, the importance of an employee-based brand community has rarely been considered. This study proposes and examines the role of a volitional employee-based brand community in promoting employees’ brand-aligned performance. With 223 responses from U.S.-based hospitality employees, this study supports the positive role of employee sense of brand community, which emanates from the organization’s brand climate. In turn, such a community enhances employee belief in the brand as well as their subsequent brand-aligned performance.
Helicobacter pylori : Epidemiology, Premalignant Gastric Lesions, and Associations with Non-gastric Disease

markdownabstractThis thesis focuses on the current epidemiology of H. pylori in a multi-ethnic Western city (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). It further examines the associations of H. pylori with non-gastric disease, like asthmatic conditions, pregnancy complications and obesity. The studies include a large number of subjects, participating in the Generation R or Rotterdam Study. Finally, this thesis describes the yield of endoscopic surveillance in patients with premalignant gastric lesions.
Experiential research for understanding the complexity of teaching and learning English as a foreign language

Narratives reveal complex nets of experiences, typical of dynamic systems. Disentangling them reveals their nature, broadening and deepening the understanding of complex language teaching and learning processes. In this paper, we present over 20 years of research done in Brazil, focusing on foreign language teaching and learning experiences. Reviewing the motivation that led Author 1 to the emergence of experiential research, we discuss experience as a construct and unit of analysis and its complex nature; share visual representations of the complexity of teaching and learning experiences with illustrative data excerpts; and finally present teachers’ and students’ experiential frames of reference for research. To conclude, we defend experiential research as a successful approach to investigate language teaching and learning, hoping that other researchers may find it useful.
Effect of Biochar on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Robinia pseudoacacia L. In Karst Calcareous Soils

ABSTRACT Biochar is predicted to improve soil properties and facilitate plant growth, yet few studies verify such an effect on seed germination and seedling growth in karst calcareous soils. We evaluated the effect of rice husk and woodchip biochar at varying application rates (1%, 2% and 5% by weight) on seed germination and seedling growth of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in calcareous soils by a 240-day glasshouse pot experiment. The germination rate of Robinia pseudoacacia L. seeds in biochar-treated soils reached a peak on day 3, 2 days faster than the control. The shoot and root biomass of seedlings were significantly increased by adding 1% and 2% biochar. With increasing levels of biochar, the root to shoot ratio decreased sharply, which was related to the increased soil capillary water and nutrient supply (i.e., P and K). We found soil capillary water-holding capacity was significantly correlated with seed germination rate and shoot dry weight. The shoot dry weight was also significantly correlated with soil available-P. The studies indicated the addition of 1–2% biochar had a significantly positive impact on seed germination, shoot and root growth of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in karst calcareous soils during 240 days of biochar-soil incubation.
Immunohistochemical study on cell proliferation and vasculogenesis during carcinogenesis in rat tongue carcinoma induced by 4 NQO

We observed the process of carcinogenesis in a rat tongue carcinoma model induced by oral admlnistration of 4NQO, and correlated cell proliferation and vasculogenesis by immunohistochemical methods, As carcinogenesis progressed, the PCNA labeling and microvessel density were both and there was a significant correlation in their kinetics Microvessels appeared to be irregular and their density was increased in epithelial dysplasia compared with normal epithelia. During early invasional carcinomas and invasional carcinomas, microvessels were localized around the cancer nests, appeared more irregular, and had increased density, These data suggest tumor cell proliferation and vascu]ogenesis are depend-ent on the interrelation of the tumor cell and tumor stroma in the rat tongue carcinoma model induced by oral administration of 4NQO.
Nonresident Postsecondary Enrollment Growth and the Outcomes of In‐State Students

We study the effects of exposure to non-resident students on the outcomes of undergraduate in-state students during a period of high non-resident enrollment growth at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Our models leverage within-major, cross-time variation in non-resident exposure for identification. We find no evidence that increased exposure to domestic non-residents affects in-state student outcomes and our null results are precisely estimated. We find evidence of modest negative impacts on in-state students when their exposure to foreign students increases using our preferred specification. However, the identifying variation in exposure to foreign students in our data is limited and this result is not robust in all of our models.
The human B cell response to a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

The heptavalent pneumococcal polysaccharide-CRM197 conjugate vaccine (Pnc7) has been introduced to target the major disease causing pneumococcal serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F) in childhood where invasive pneumococcal disease remains a significant global cause of childhood mortality. The aim of this thesis was to address questions related to the pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide specific B cell response. One week after a single dose of Pnc7 vaccine it was possible to detect spontaneously secreting IgG plasma cells in the peripheral blood of 12 month old toddlers and young adults. The plasma cells were identified as either CD20+CD27+sIg+CD38+ or CD20-CD27+sIglo/-CD38+. Prior to immunisation memory B cells specific for pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides were present in 100% of young adults, but barely detectable in adults aged 47-65 years and were undetectable in toddlers. A single dose of Pnc7 induced elevated frequencies of IgG memory B cells in all age groups, but two doses were required in order to generate equivalent frequencies in adults and toddlers. The generation of IgG memory was dependent on age at time of immunisation and on the serotype polysaccharide. Generation of IgG memory requires previous natural exposure or immunisation to prime the immune system. Such exposure generates IgM memory in young children and enhancing IgM memory may be important for protection. The IgM response can be replaced by generation of a high avidity IgG response, enhance protection of the very young and elderly through immunisation.
African American Women Bloggers’ Lived Experiences with Digital Entrepreneurship: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study

African American Women Bloggers’ Lived Experiences with Digital Entrepreneurship: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study by Melissa McDowell Ed.M. , Harvard University, 2000 BA, Tuskegee University, 1998 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management
Prevalence of menopausal symptoms and perceptions about menopause among postmenopausal women attending Gynaecology OPD at GMC Idukki, India

Background: Idukki is a hilly tract area in the state of Kerala. No studies regarding menopause has been reported from Idukki. This study is done among postmenopausal women in an attempt to shed light on the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and perceptions of postmenopausal women in a panchayat in Idukki district which is typically a rural area. Primary objectives of the study were to find the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in post-menopausal women attending the outpatient department of Government Medical College, Idukki, India and to find the perceptions about menopause among these post-menopausal women. Secondary objectives were to find the mean age and pattern of attainment of menopause among postmenopausal women and to find the treatment seeking behavior of the post-menopausal women residing in this area. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study is done among 100 postmenopausal women attending the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Questions are asked based on interview schedule. The results are then analyzed. Results: The mean age of menopause was 45.69± 4.35. 78% of population had one or more symptoms in the menopausal period. Only 19.5% of the symptomatic women took treatment. 77% had positive perceptions. Conclusions: The awareness of these women in this area is poor thus limiting the treatment seeking behavior. Improvement of awareness is a must to improve the quality of life of post-menopausal women.
Financial Liberalization and Nigerian Economic Growth: 1990-2018

This study examined the Effect of Financial Liberalization on Nigerian Economic Growth (1990-2018) using secondary data from Statistical bulletin of Central Bank of Nigeria. The research work selected Nigeria as its sample and used the ECM to test the effect of the independent variables (Foreign direct investment, Interest rate, Trade openness, Foreign portfolio investment, Currency exchange rate Aggregate savings) on the dependent variable, economic growth (proxy by Gross Domestic Product). The study found that financial liberalization had negative and insignificant effect on economic growth of Nigeria. The study therefore recommends among others that Government should aim at creating conditions which make private investment attractive, avoid drastic policy reversal and implement appropriate interest rate policies.
Optimizing Plant Spacing and Harvest Time for Yield and Glucosinolate Accumulation in Watercress (Nasturtium officinale L.) Grown in a Hydroponic System

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of plant spacing (14-, 20-, and 31-cm) on the lateral branch length, shoot fresh and dry weights, yield, and glucosinolate content of watercress at 35 and 56 days after transplanting (DAT) in a hydroponic culture system. Two-week-old seedlings were transplanted into three deep flow technique systems in a greenhouse with three plant spacing treatments: 31-cm (36 plants per bed), 20-cm (72 plants per bed), and 14-cm (144 plants per bed). Each treatment had three beds and the size of each bed was 3.24 m 2 . The lateral branch length, shoot fresh and dry weights, and yield were measured, and glucosinolate concentration in leaves and stems of watercress was analyzed at 35 and 56 DAT. Both lateral branch length and yield per unit area were significantly reduced by increasing plant spacing, whereas the shoot fresh and dry weights were significantly increased. The total concentration of glucosinolate in the shoots was higher at 56 DAT than at 35 DAT. Furthermore, at 35 DAT, the glucosinolate concentration was the highest in the leaves and stems of plants grown under 14-cm and 31-cm spacing, respectively, than under other spacing treatments. However, at 56 DAT, the total glucosinolate concentration was higher in the leaves and stems of plants grown under 20and 31-cm spacing and under 14and 20-cm spacing, respectively. The highest total glucosinolate content per shoot in a unit area was observed under 14-cm spacing at 35 DAT (6.58 mmol/shoot DW/m 2 ) and under 20-cm spacing at 56 DAT (51.99 mmol/shoot DW/m 2 ). These results suggest that watercress yield could be optimized by growing plants under 14-cm spacing and harvesting at 35 DAT, whereas growing plants under 20-cm spacing and harvesting at 56 DAT would be an optimal method for increasing glucosinolate content without negatively affecting the growth of plants grown under a hydroponic culture system in a greenhouse. Additional key words: days after transplanting, deep flow technique, greenhouse, shoot fresh and dry weight, unit area
Is exploring dynamic capabilities important for the performance of emerging market firms? The moderating effects of entrepreneurial orientation and environmental dynamism

Abstract In spite of the prominence of dynamic capabilities (DCs) perspective it is still unclear whether and under what conditions DCs contribute to firm performance. This study develops and tests an interactive view emphasizing the moderating effects of internal entrepreneurial orientation and external environmental dynamism on the contribution of the exploration of emerging market firms’ (EMFs) DCs to their performance. Using a unique sample of manufacturing firms in China’s emerging market, the study provides general support for such moderating effects. We find that exploring the DCs of EMFs is positively associated with their performance. The results indicate that although exploring DCs fosters the performance of EMFs, the benefits are conditional on the internal and external conditions of the firms. That is, entrepreneurial orientation strengthens, whereas environmental dynamism impedes, the positive effect of exploring DCs on the performance of EMFs.