Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Academics' Perceptions of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) for Sustainable Development

In light of business leaders’ failings, including corporate corruption, the financial crisis and various ecological system crises there is a growing expectation that management education institutions should be leading thought and action on issues related to corporate responsibility and sustainability. Therefore, there is a need to ascertain management education institutions’ ability to ensure responsible and sustainable management education. This paper seeks to assess academics’ perceptions of how the University of KwaZuluNatal has adopted the United Nation (UN) supported initiative, Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), to ensure responsible and sustainable management education in South Africa. The sample was drawn using the probability sampling technique called cluster sampling. Permanent academic staff from the Graduate School of Business and Leadership and the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance who responded to the structured, self-administered questionnaire formed the sample. Questions asked related to fostering a sustainable culture, strategically adapting curriculum, creating learning environments, aligning research, fostering sustainable partnerships and encouraging constant dialogue with regards to PRME. In order to assess the implementation of the PRME for sustainable development, a quantitative research design was adopted. This is the first study, to the researcher’s knowledge, to examine the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership and the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance’s motives, effects and challenges of engaging in PRME. The study has also explored key aspects such as the adaptation of teaching practices by the academic staff, the role of academics and diversification that influences the decision of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership and School of Management, Information Technology and Governance to participate in PRME. The results indicate that academic staff in both schools is engaging in activities that pursue the cause of sustainable development. There is evidence of addressing modern societal and environmental challenges by fostering change in design in curricula, fostering a sustainable culture and creating a learning environment. However, evidently more careful and deliberate attention needs to be given to fostering constant dialogue and aligning PRME and research to enhance economic, environmental and social development. This study provides a model/framework to present current practices and obstacles/setbacks experienced in adopting PRME and will present recommendations to facilitate the adoption of PRME by UKZN.
Alpine river ecosystem response to glacial and anthropogenic flow pulses

Alpine glacier-fed river hydrology, chemistry, and biology can vary significantly in space and over diurnal to interannual time scales as a function of dynamic inputs of water from snow, ice, and ground water. The sensitivity of biota to these water-source dynamics potentially makes them susceptible to hydrological changes induced by anthropogenic activities, such as flow regulation, but most alpine studies have been focused on intact rivers during summer only. We examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of physicochemical habitat and macroinvertebrate assemblages in a high-altitude (>2000 m) floodplain in the European Alps over an 18-mo period. We present a novel insight into the river system and macroinvertebrate assemblage responses to natural glacier-melt-driven expansion–contraction of unregulated river sites and to intermittent flow pulses caused by hydropower regulation. Mainstem glacier-fed sites had cyclical seasonal dynamics in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition that shifted to be partly reminiscent of groundwater tributaries in winter then back to melt water in the following spring. Significant unimodal relationships were found between glacial influence and macroinvertebrate assemblage density, richness, Simpson’s diversity, evenness, and β diversity. These relationships suggest that glacial influence can positively affect biodiversity where glacier melt water mixes with nonglacial water and habitat diversity is maximized. Regulation-induced flow pulses led to inconsistent responses among macroinvertebrates, with no significant effects in summer 2008 but increased density and decreased taxonomic richness in 2009. Assemblage composition was unaffected by reservoir releases despite significant increases in water temperature and discharge at these times. The effects of alpine river management for hydropower production on macroinvertebrate assemblages in this river system appear to be relatively minor, but further studies should be undertaken in other alpine locations to assess the generality of this finding.
Predictive validity in middle childhood of short tests of early childhood development used in large scale studies compared to the Bayley-III, the Family Care Indicators, height-for-age, and stunting: A longitudinal study in Bogota, Colombia

There is increasing global commitment to establish early childhood interventions that promote the development of the millions of disadvantaged children in low- and middle-income countries not reaching their developmental potential. However, progress is hindered by the lack of valid developmental tests feasible for use at large scale. Consequently, there is an urgent need for such tests. Whilst screeners and single-domain tests (‘short tests’) are used as alternatives, their predictive validity in these circumstances is unknown. A longitudinal study in Bogota, Colombia began in 2011 when 1,311 children ages 6–42 months were given the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III) by psychologists and randomized to receive one of two batteries of short tests under survey conditions. Concurrent validity of the short tests with the Bayley-III (‘gold standard’) was reported. In 2016, at 6–8 years, 940 of these children were given tests of IQ (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, WISC-V) and school achievement (arithmetic, reading, and vocabulary) by psychologists. We compared the ability of the short tests, the Family Care Indicators (FCI), height-for-age, stunting (median height-for-age <-2 SD), and the Bayley-III to predict IQ and achievement in middle childhood. Predictive validity increased with age for all tests, and cognition and language were usually the highest scales. At 6–18 months, all tests had trivial predictive ability. Thereafter, the Bayley-III had the highest predictive validity, but the Denver Developmental Screening Test was the most feasible and valid short test and could be used with little validity loss compared with the Bayley-III. The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory at 19–30 months and the FCI under 31 months predicted IQ and school achievement as well as the Bayley-III. The FCI had higher predictive validity than stunting and height-for-age, and could be added to stunting for use as a population-based indicator of child development.
Idebenone Has Distinct Effects on Mitochondrial Respiration in Cortical Astrocytes Compared to Cortical Neurons Due to Differential NQO1 Activity

Idebenone is a synthetic quinone that on reduction in cells can bypass mitochondrial Complex I defects by donating electrons to Complex III. The drug is used clinically to treat the Complex I disease Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), but has been less successful in clinical trials for other neurodegenerative diseases. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) appears to be the main intracellular enzyme catalyzing idebenone reduction. However, NQO1 is not universally expressed by cells of the brain. Using primary rat cortical cells pooled from both sexes, we tested the hypotheses that the level of endogenous NQO1 activity limits the ability of neurons, but not astrocytes, to use idebenone as an electron donor to support mitochondrial respiration. We then tested the prediction that NQO1 induction by pharmacological activation of the transcription factor nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) enables idebenone to bypass Complex I in cells with poor NQO1 expression. We found that idebenone stimulated respiration by astrocytes but reduced the respiratory capacity of neurons. Importantly, idebenone supported mitochondrial oxygen consumption in the presence of a Complex I inhibitor in astrocytes but not neurons, and this ability was reversed by inhibiting NQO1. Conversely, recombinant NQO1 delivery to neurons prevented respiratory impairment and conferred Complex I bypass activity. Nrf2 activators failed to increase NQO1 in neurons, but carnosic acid induced NQO1 in COS-7 cells that expressed little endogenous enzyme. Carnosic acid–idebenone combination treatment promoted NQO1-dependent Complex I bypass activity in these cells. Thus, combination drug strategies targeting NQO1 may promote the repurposing of idebenone for additional disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Idebenone is used clinically to treat loss of visual acuity in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Clinical trials for several additional diseases have failed. This study demonstrates a fundamental difference in the way idebenone affects mitochondrial respiration in cortical neurons compared with cortical astrocytes. Cortical neurons are unable to use idebenone as a direct mitochondrial electron donor due to NQO1 deficiency. Our results suggest that idebenone behaves as an NQO1-dependent prodrug, raising the possibility that lack of neuronal NQO1 activity has contributed to the limited efficacy of idebenone in neurodegenerative disease treatment. Combination therapy with drugs able to safely induce NQO1 in neurons, as well as other brain cell types, may be able to unlock the neuroprotective therapeutic potential of idebenone or related quinones.
Component analysis for quantitative traits in ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L.]

Genetic variability, heritability (h2), genetic advance, character association and path analysis were carried out in 22 accession of ridgegourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L. ] during rainy season of 2006. Highly significant differences between genotypes were recorded for all the characters. Maximum range of mean values was observed for fruit weight followed by yield per plant and fruit length. High degree of variability was observed for fruit weight, yield per plant, fruit length, node at which I” female flower appears and fruits per plant. High estimates of heritability in broad sense were obtained for fruit weight and fruit length suggesting hereby both these traits are governed by additive gene action. Positive and significant association of yield per plant was observed with fruit length and fruit weight at both genotypic and phenotypic level indicating that selection based on these characters either in combination or alone will result in identifying the genotypes having high yield potential. The average fruit weight, fruits per plant and days taken to initiation of l female flower had maximum direct effect on yield followed by number of primary branches per plant. Therefore, fruit weight, fruits per plant, days taken to initiation of l female flower and number of primary branches per plant should be considered as selection criteria for yield improvement in ridgegourd breeding.
Forage Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Alfalfa Applied with Silicon under Water Deficit Conditions

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the response in terms of forage yield components and water use efficiency (WUE) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants to silicon (Si) application (4 kg K2SiO3 per pot) at varying soil moisture environments [35%, 50%, 65% and 80% of field water capacity (FWC)]. Alfalfa forage biomass and number of branches increased with increase in soil moisture level. Application significantly increased both parameters only at 50% and 65% of FWC. It also increased the instantaneous WUE of alfalfa plants at all soil moisture levels. On the other hand, the increase in cumulative WUE with Si application was significant only at 50% and 60% FWC. Si concentration in the shoot was highest at 65% of FWC, while in the roots, higher concentrations were obtained at 50% and 65% of FWC relative to the other soil moisture levels. Si application reduced both the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance but had no effect on photosynthetic rate. The results revealed that the promotive effect of Si application on biomass and WUE was regulated by the soil moisture conditions. Key Words: alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. , silicon, soil moisture condition, water use efficiency, yield component
The Impact of Leadership Styles on the Entrepreneurial Orientation of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

The critical role Small and Medium Enterprises play in the economic prosperity of nations cannot be understated. SMEs actively contribute towards economic growth and development through their active role as innovators and agents for change. The authors of this paper believe that leadership styles exercised by SME owners have a bearing on the innovative ability of SMEs. Hence, this paper aimed at investigating the impact of leadership styles on the entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Polokwane Municipality. A quantitative research method was used and 103 SMEs participated in the survey. The random sampling technique was used. Self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data in a survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearsonâ€™s correlation and regression analysis. Reliability of the data collection instruments was measured using the Cronbachâ€™s alpha. The results indicated that the SMEs display average levels of entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, the results showed that SMEs display average levels of leadership styles inclined towards transformational leadership style. Furthermore, the results showed a significant positive relationship between the independent variables: leadership styles with the dependent variable (EO) of SMEs. SMEs were recommended to provide flexible leadership styles that will make EO to flourish in their businesses. Furthermore, the policy makers and relevant authorities were recommended to devise and implement a consortium of strategies and policies that can increase the level of entrepreneurial orientation among SMEs in South Africa.
The South Asiatic Polyorthini with notes on species of Polyortha Dognin (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)

CONTENTS Introduction 4 Polyorthini Obraztsov 6 Key to the genera of Polyorthini 10 Polyortha Dognin 11 Notes on species of Polyortha Dognin in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History) 13 Lophoprora Meyrick 18 L. cyanostacta Meyrick ♂ ♀ 19 Lopharcha Diakonoff 21 Species group 1 23 L. quinquestriata Diakonoff ♂♀ 23 L. chalcophanes (Meyrick) ♀ 25 L. chionea spec. nov. ♀ 30 L. halidora (Meyrick) ♂♀ 31 L. deliqua spec. nov. ♀ 33 L. herbaecolor (Diakonoff) ♂♀ 36 L. angustior (Diakonoff) ♀ 38 L. rapax (Meyrick) ♂♀ 38 L. orthioterma (Diakonoff) ♀ 40 L. erioptila (Meyrick) ♂ ♀ 43 L. cryptacantha spec. nov. ♂♀ 45 L. maurognoma spec. nov. ♂ 49 L. siderota (Meyrick) ♀ 50 Species group 2 50
Source-sink relationships in wheat leaves infected with powdery mildew. II. Changes in the regulation of the Calvin cycle

Alterations in the regulation of the Calvin cycle were studied in wheat leaves infected with powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici ) during disease development. During infection the triazole fungicide hexaconazole (trade name ANVIL, Zeneca Agrochemicals) was applied to leaves to determine if removal of the fungal sink reversed any pathogen-induced alterations in host physiology. In mildewed and fungicide treated leaves the rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area declined but was largely unchanged per unit chlorophyll. In addition, the proportion of excitation energy used photochemically (qP) decreased, the proportion dissipated non-photochemically (qN) increased and a loss of chlorophyll was observed in these leaves. By five days after inoculation triose-phosphates and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate had significantly increased while 3-phosphoglyceric acid, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate and the maximum extractable activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and the stromal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase had decreased in mildewed leaves. In fungicide treated leaves the amount of specific metabolites and the activity of enzymes was generally intermediate between those in a mildewed, and a healthy leaf. These data indicate a down-regulation of the Calvin cycle as a result of a decreased amount of Calvin cycle enzymes. It is suggested this caused an inhibition of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain and ultimately, the rate of photosynthesis in both mildewed and fungicide treated leaves.
The role of transcriptional repression in Shh signalling and patterning of the ventral neural tube

Cover picture depicts an s10 chick spinal cord immunostained with antibodies against FoxA2 (red), Nkx2.2 (green) and Olig2 (blue). Till mormor och Roffe som inte hann se slutet på den här historien. " Meanwhile, slowly, beautifully the search for knowledge continues " Salman Rushdie ABSTRACT I ABSTRACT From flies to humans, members of the Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted signalling molecules play a vital role in determining cell fate and patterning during embryonic development. In vertebrates, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) act in a graded manner to establish distinct neural progenitor populations at different concentration thresholds in the ventral neural tube. This is achieved by regulating the expression pattern of progenitor homeodomain (HD) proteins. The expression profiles of these HD proteins define five progenitor domains in the ventral part of the neural tube that will each generate a distinct subtype of neuron. We set out to resolve the mechanism by which HD proteins mediate their patterning activities and found that most HD proteins involved in ventral neuronal patterning possess a conserved engrailed homology (eh1) motif related to the core region of the Engrailed (En) repressor domain. This domain mediates interactions of progenitor HD proteins with Groucho/TLE (Gro/TLE) corepressors and renders a repressor function to them that is essential for the neural patterning activity of these HD proteins in vivo. Taken together, our observations indicate that the pattern of neuronal generation in the ventral neural tube is achieved through the spatially controlled repression of transcriptional repressors – a derepression model of neuronal fate specification. Members of the Ci/Gli family of transcription factors have been implicated as being the down stream mediators of the Hh signal. In vertebrates three Gli genes (Gli1, Gli2 and Gli3) have been found that are all expressed in the neural tube. We examined the role of Gli proteins in patterning of the ventral neural tube by analysing mice lacking Gli3. Our data identify a role for Gli3 in patterning of the intermediate region of the spinal cord and also show that a repressor form of Gli3 is able to fully substitute for the full length gene in all aspects of dorsal-ventral patterning. Furthermore, analysis of Shh/Gli3 compound mutant mice substantiates the idea that ventral patterning may involve a mechanism independent, or parallel, to graded Shh signalling. In summary, our observations raise the possibility that Gli proteins act by integrating Shh signals and other sources of positional information, to control …
Latitudinal and altitudinal diversity patterns and Rapoport effects in north‐west European land snails and their causes

The latitudinal and altitudinal range sizes of north-west European land-snail species increase with increasing latitude/altitude. These Rapoport effects are not caused by northern/high-altitude species with wider latitudinal/altitudinal ranges and southern/low-altitude species with narrower latitudinal/altitudinal ranges, as predicted by the climatic variability hypothesis. They are instead caused mainly by different northern/upper borders of species occurring in the south part of the study area or at low and intermediate altitudes, respectively. This pattern indicates that the observed Rapoport effects are the result mainly of differential northward/upward expansion of species that were restricted to southern/low or intermediate altitude refugia during the glacials. Although all species occurring in a refugium experienced the same climatic conditions, there is stochastic variation in their climatic tolerance. Species with broader climatic tolerance were able to expand farer northwards/upwards postglacial. The altitudinal distribution of species richness in the analysed alpine faunas cannot be explained by the Rapoport-rescue hypothesis, because species richness peaks at intermediate altitudes and because there is no negative correlation between the number of range borders and altitude. The Rapoport-rescue hypothesis alone is probably also insufficient to explain the decrease in species richness with increasing latitude. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 87, 309–323.
Anti-herpes Simplex Virus type 1 Activity of Crude Ethyl Acetate Extract Derived from Leaves of Clinacanthus nutans Lindau

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau (C. nutans) is a well-known medicinal plant used in Thai folklore medicine for treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. To study the inhibitory activity of crude ethyl acetate extract of C. nutans against HSV type 1 strain F (HSV-1F), crude ethyl acetate extract of C. nutans was tested in vitro on the Vero cells by using plaque reduction assay. The results showed that crude extract did not exert cytotoxic effects against Vero cells at the concentration of 19 μg/ml or below and the CC ₅₀ was 76 μg/ml. The viruses were mixed with C. nutans crude extract at the subtoxic concentration of 19 μg/ml and adsorbed on Vero cells. The infected Vero cells were then incubated in medium containing with crude extract. The results revealed that C. nutans crude extract completely (100%) inhibited the HSV-1F plaque formation and the IC ₅₀ was 7.6 μg/ml. To study the possible mode of antiviral action of crude extract, the experiment was conducted separately on the pre-or post-infection stage. In the pre-infection stage, crude extract produced 97% plaque reduction in a time-dependent manner, whereas it did not exert the inhibitory effect in the post-infection stages. This study suggested that the antiviral mode of action of crude ethyl acetate extract of C. nutans was effective greatly at the pre-infection stage, which may be due to the virucidal activity, inhibition of the viral attachment or the penetration. Therefore, there is still a clear need to further identify the possible mechanism of antiviral infection at the pre-infection stage of C. nutans crude extract at both the molecular and cellular levels.