Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family supportive organization perceptions and employee outcomes: the mediating effects of life satisfaction

Social exchange theory was used to understand employee perceptions of organizational support for work–family issues in this study of 373 employees from 40 New Zealand firms. These perceptions of family support were found to positively influence job and life satisfaction, and negatively influence turnover intentions and job burnout. Consequently, there is strong support for firms supporting work–family issues leading employees to reciprocate with superior outcomes. In addition, the mediating effects of life satisfaction were explored, as there have been calls to test the effects of existing relationships outside the workplace. While life satisfaction was not found to fully mediate any attitude, it did partially mediate all outcomes. Similarly, life satisfaction was also a significant predictor of all outcomes. This indicates that the role of firms in providing a supportive work–family climate is important and can consistently contribute to employee outcomes. Furthermore, the role of non-work attitudes is also important to acknowledge, and highlights the need to explore non-work aspects as potential mediators of work outcomes in social exchange relationships.
Juristic Disagreement: The Collective Fatwā Against Islamic Banking in Pakistan

PART I The Contemporary Islamic Finance Landscape 2 Contemporary Islamic Economic Thought 19 Mohammad Omar Farooq 3 The Legal Framework of Islamic Finance 39 Cynthia Shawamreh 4 Globalization and Islamic Finance: Flows and Consciousness 63 Karen Hunt-Ahmed 5 Islamic Science and the Critique of Neoclassical Economic Theory 75 Waleed El-Ansary 6 Juristic Disagreement: The Collective Fatwā Against Islamic Banking in Pakistan 103 Shoaib A. Ghias 7 Managing Liquidity Risk in Islamic Finance 121 Dr. Muhammad Al-Bashir Muhammad Al-Amine 8 Elements of Islamic Wealth Management 147 Paul Wouters 9 Sukūk and the Islamic Capital Markets: An Introduction 165 Michael J. T. McMillen
Design and Mechanical Stress Analysis of a Toroidal-Type SMES Magnet

This paper investigates the mechanical stresses of a toroidal-type superconducting magnet (TSM). The TSM is designed by 3D CAD program. The Bi-2223 high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire made by soldering brass on both sides of the superconductor is used for the magnet winding. The TSM consists of 30 double pancake coils (DPC). Single pancake coils (SPC) constituting the double pancake coils are arranged at an angle of 6 from each other based on the central axis of the TSM. The mechanical stresses due to the Lorentz force caused by the operating current are analyzed using FEM. These fundamental data will effectively be applied to design a toroidal-type superconducting magnetic energy storage.
Optimal Management of Tax-Sheltered Employee Reimbursement Programs

Flexible reimbursement programs for medical and dependent care expenses offer significant tax advantages to employees. Since amounts sheltered must be designated at the start of each year, the employee must estimate expenses subject to uncertainty. The correct amount to be sheltered is similar to the solution of a newsboy problem and is solved in this paper.
Design of a High-Frequency Very Low-Power Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizer

This paper presented a low-power Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizer (DDFS) using non-uniform sine-weighted digital-to-analog convertor (DAC). To avoid the need for a sharp filter to generate signals near and beyond the Nyquist frequency, parallel DACs, which cause to speed relaxation in a single DAC as well, and return-to-zero (RZ) technique were used. To reduce the area and power in parallel DACs, non-uniform sine-weighted DAC design method was proposed. This technique causes to reduce power consumption in DACs up to 48.47%, and nearly the same amount of reduction in the area. Meanwhile, by modifying weights of DAC cells, Gilbert cell, the latter block in DDFS structure, was omitted. Although these proposed methods are quite frequency independent, simulations with MATLAB and Cadence in 0. 18μm CMOS technology were used to demonstrate those. Then, the designed DDFS with 5-bit frequency resolution could generate different output sine signals with acceptable spurious free dynamic range (SFDR).
The requirement for protein O-mannosylation for Ustilago maydis virulence seems to be linked to intrinsic aspects of the infection process rather than an altered plant response

Fungal plant pathogenesis involves complex crosstalk between fungi and their plant hosts. In the case of biotrophic fungi, the host interaction is finely controlled to maintain plant viability during infection since the fungus depends on the survival of colonized plant cells. Many proteins which participate in this process are thought to be glycosylated. Thus, defects in the glycosylation of fungal proteins might alter the normally attenuated plant response and consequently affect fungal progression. O-mannosyltransferases are responsible for adding mannose residues onto target proteins, with each O-mannosyltransferase having individual target specificities. In an earlier study, we showed that O-mannosylation is essential for Ustilago maydis virulence. We found that the loss of O-mannosyltransferase PMT4 was associated with a reduced formation frequency of the invasive morphogenic structure known as the appressorium, combined with a loss in their ability to penetrate plant cuticle. Here, we discuss the possible molecular causes of these phenotypes and present additional evidence, which argue against an alteration of plant response to fungal infection as the primary cause of the Δpmt4 phenotype.
Teachers' Perceptions of the Availability and Need of a Support Program for Students with Learning Difficulties Attending Elementary Schools in the Atlantic Union Conference

Purpose of the Study. Support programs have been known to be very effective in helping students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of the availability and need of a support program for students with learning difficulties who attend elementary schools operated by the Atlantic Union (AU) Conference. The study also identified elements of a support program that teachers perceived as both available and necessary for the academic growth and development of these students. Method. This study employed a survey research methodology in which survey questionnaires were used to gather information from teachers in Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools operated by the AU Conference. The study utilized self-administered survey questionnaires sent to 265 subjects, from 55 elementary schools operated by the AU Conference. Results. Approximately 43% of the teachers reported that support programs were available for students with learning difficulties attending schools in the AU conference. Not surprisingly, about 93% of the teachers indicated there is a need for such a support program. Except for ethnicity and Conferences, no relationships were found between reported availability and demographic characteristics ( p >0.05) and perceived need and demographic characteristics (p >0.05). Teachers employed by the New York (New York and Greater New York) Conference perceive that a comprehensive and collaborative system is available, whereas Northeastern teachers perceive that valuing and addressing diversity, assessment procedures, and comprehensive and collaborative systems are needed. The African American and Caribbean American teachers perceive a greater need for all elements of a support program with the exception of skills development and support. The responding teachers also believe that parents, teachers, and students experience various challenges in not having a support program and that there are many advantages in having such a program. Conclusions. Findings of this study indicate that the majority of AU Conference elementary school teachers perceive that there is a need for a support program to assist students experiencing learning difficulties. Findings also indicate that nearly half of AU Conference elementary school teachers perceive that although some elements of a support program (assessment procedures and positive learning opportunities) may be currently available, elements needed may strongly outweigh availability. These results strongly suggest that there may be a significant need for additional support programs for children with learning difficulties attending AU Conference elementary schools. This study also provides data that may be useful to policy makers and school administrators regarding the specific elements of a support program that teachers perceive as being needed.
Economic Growth, Economic Freedom, and Governance

This exploratory study examines the impact of various forms of economic freedom and various dimensions of governance, as well as a number of economic factors, on economic growth among OECD nations. Empirical estimation finds that the natural log of per capita purchasing-power-parity adjusted real GDP in OECD nations is positively impacted by business freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, and property rights security. Economic growth is found to be negatively affected by perceived government corruption while being positively impacted by both control of corruption and political stability. Other findings indicate that higher unemployment rates and higher long term nominal interest rates inhibit economic growth, while net export growth enhances economic growth.
Food Consumption Patterns in a Mediterranean Region: Does the Mediterranean Diet Still Exist?

Aims: To assess the food consumption patterns in the adult population of a Mediterranean region: the Balearic Islands (BI). Methods: A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in the BI between 1999 and 2000. A random sample (n = 1,200) of the adult population (16–65 years) was interviewed. Dietary habits were assessed by means of 24-hour recall during 2 non-consecutive days, the first in the warm season and the second in the cold season, and a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were also obtained. Results: Current food patterns in the BI are characterized by a prominent consumption of dairy products, vegetables, fruit, bread, soft drinks and meat. According to the dietary guidelines for the Spanish population, only appropriate consumption of olive oil and other fats, dairy products, nuts, and soft drinks have been achieved. Intakes of fruit, vegetables, fish, eggs, pulses, cereals and potatoes are below desirable levels. On the other side, intakes of sugary products, sweets and cakes are higher than desirable. Alcohol intake, in the context of the Mediterranean diet, can be considered as acceptable. Conclusions: The dietary patterns observed among the BI population are in harmony with the actual dietary trends in Spain and other Mediterranean countries. Mediterranean dietary habits still exist, but a progressive departure from the traditional Mediterranean diet is being observed mainly in younger generations. It would be desirable to increase the consumption of fish, vegetables, fruit, cereals and pulses and decrease the intake of food sources containing saturated fat.
Time Preference and Life Cycle Consumption with Endogenous Survival

We provide a structural theory of time preference and derive a functional form of intertemporal preferences by postulating that individuals make their life-cycle consumption choices as if to maximize expected lifetime. This yields a nontime-separable expected utility representation where the inverse of the coefficient of intertemporal substitution exceeds the coefficient of relative risk aversion. The rate of time preference depends on the inverse of expected remaining lifetime and the effect of age on the productivity of consumption in affecting health. The preference formulation is applied in a standard intertemporal consumption model to illustrate the implied life-cycle consumption choices (JEL D91, B41). Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF SELECTED SPECIES OF THE ORDER DINOPHYSIALES (DINOPHYCEAE)—TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS OF A DINOPHYSIOID RADIATION 1

Almost 80 years ago, a radiation scheme based on structural resemblance was first outlined for the marine order Dinophysiales. This hypothetical radiation illustrated the relationship between the dinophysioid genera and included several independent, extant lineages. Subsequent studies have supplied additional information on morphology and ecology to these evolutionary lineages. We have for the first time combined morphological information with molecular phylogenies to test the dinophysioid radiation hypothesis in a modern context. Nuclear‐encoded LSU rDNA sequences including domains D1‐D6 from 27 species belonging to Dinophysis Ehrenb. , Ornithocercus F. Stein, Phalacroma F. Stein, Amphisolenia F. Stein, Citharistes F. Stein, and Histioneis F. Stein were obtained from the Indian Ocean. Previously, LSU rDNA has only been determined from one of these. In Bayesian analyses, Amphisolenia formed a long basal clade to the other dinophysioids. These diverged into two separate lineages, the first comprised species with a classical Phalacroma outline, also including the type species P. porodictyum F. Stein. Thus, we propose to reinstate the genus Phalacroma. The relationship between the genera in the second lineage was not well resolved. However, the molecular phylogeny supported monophyly of Histioneis and Citharistes and showed the genus Dinophysis to be polyphyletic and in need of a taxonomic revision. Species of Ornithocercus grouped with Citharistes, but this relationship remained unresolved. The phylogenetic trees furthermore revealed convergent evolution of several morphological characters in the dinophysioids. According to the molecular data, the dinophysioids appeared to have evolved quite differently from the radiation schemes previously hypothesized. Four dinophysioid species had identical LSU rDNA sequences to other well‐established species.
Abnormal Concentration of GABA and Glutamate in The Prefrontal Cortex in Schizophrenia.-An in Vivo 1H-MRS Study.

Background The etiology and pathomechanism of schizophrenia are unknown. The traditional dopamine (DA) hypothesis is unable to fully explain its pathology and therapeutics. The glutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) hypotheses suggest Glu or GABA concentrations are abnormal in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) show glutamate level increases in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) including the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) in those with schizophrenia. Aims To investigate the function of the glutamate system (glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid) in the etiology and pathomechanism of schizophrenia. Methods 24 drug naïve patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy volunteers were matched by gender, age, and educational level. The Siemens 3T MRI system was used to collect the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data of the subjects. The regions of interest included the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (IDLPFC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). LCModel software was used to analyze the concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) in the region of interest. Meanwhile, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) were used to assess the mental symptoms and severity of the disease. Results The median GABA concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex of the schizophrenia group and the healthy control group were 1.90 (Q1=1.55, Q3=2.09) and 2.16 (Q1=1.87, Q3=2.59) respectively; the mean (sd) Glu concentrations were 6.07 (2.48) and 6.54 (1.99); the median Gln concentrations were 0.36 (Q1=0.00, Q3=0.74) and 0.29 (Q1=0.00, Q3=0.59); the between-group difference of the GABA concentrations was statistically significant (Z=-2.95, p=0.003); the between-group difference of the GABA/(NAA+NAAG) was statistically significant (Z=-2.72, p=0.012); the between-group difference of Glu and Gln was not statistically significant. The age of the schizophrenia group was negatively correlated with the GABA concentration in the anterior cingulate (R=-0.494, p=0.014), and negatively correlated with GABA/ (NAA+NAAG) (R=-0.473, p=0.020). Yet there was no such correlation in the control group. After calibration, no significant correlation was found between the clinical symptoms and the concentrations of the metabolites. Conclusions The concentration of glutamate in the vemtromedial prefrontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia was abnormal, whereas the concentration of GABA in the anterior cingulate cortex decreased, supporting the hypothesis of abnormal glutamate -GABA in the brains of those individuals with schizophrenia. In patients with schizophrenia, the GABA in the anterior cingulate cortex had an accelerated decline with age. The clinical symptoms may be correlated to the metabolite concentration of the anterior cingulate cortex.
Adopting Environmental Transportation Practices

Nearly every supply chain in the United States includes motor transportation. Relationships between these carriers and their shippers are sometimes strong, but often tenuous. As environmental sustainability receives increased attention in supply chain management, shippers and carriers are beginning to consider how, if at all, this affects transport practices. To date, little research has been done to explain how shippers and carriers adopt environmental transport practices and the impact this adoption has on the relationship. Using conceptual theory building, this research addresses this gap through a study of a sample of US motor carriers and shippers. Association with a form of public–private partnerships, called voluntary environmental partnerships, plays a large role in the adoption of environmental transportation practices. However, the motivation that drives the association and subsequent adoption of practices influences whether the relationship benefits or suffers. A conceptual framework grounded in institutional theory is developed to address the research questions, and implications from the results are presented for shipper-carrier relationship management.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for predicting postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing hepatic resection surgery.

OBJECTIVES Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may predict which patients are at risk for adverse outcomes after major abdominal surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether CPET variables are predicative of morbidity. METHODS High-risk patients undergoing elective, one-stage, open hepatic resection were preoperatively assessed using CPET. Morbidity, as defined by the Postoperative Morbidity Survey (POMS), was assessed on postoperative day 3. RESULTS A total of 104 patients underwent preoperative CPET and were included in the analysis. Of these, 73 patients (70.2%) experienced postoperative morbidity. Oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (V˙O2 at AT, ml/kg/min) was the only CPET predictor of postoperative morbidity on multivariable analysis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.66 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.76]. In patients requiring a major hepatic resection (three or more segments), a V˙O2 at AT of <10.2 ml/kg/min gave an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.68-0.86) with 83.9% sensitivity and 52.0% specificity, 80.6% positive predictive value and 62.5% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS The application of a cut-off value for V˙O2 at AT of <10.2 ml/kg/min in patients undergoing major hepatic resection may be useful for predicting which patients will experience morbidity.
Low-power dual quantization-domain decoding for LDPC codes

In this paper we propose a new dual quantization-domain LDPC decoder, which requires only 3-bit messages between the check nodes and the variable nodes. To reduce complexity and save power, check nodes processing is entirely in the 3-bit domain. However, to avoid loss in performance, the variable nodes processing is in a higher bit precision domain. A non-linear mapping is used to map the messages from one quantization domain to the other. Simulations and hardware evaluation of the proposed decoder showed greater than 50% reduction in power consumption with only 0.1 dB (0.2 dB) loss in bit-error-performance when compared to a reference 5-bits scaled Min-Sum decoder over the AWGN (fading) channel.
Designing inclusive transport surveys: Sampling disadvantaged people

This paper explores how travel surveys perform in covering socially disadvantaged people from a review of previous research and a description of sampling difficulties and how they were addressed in a study of transport disadvantage in Victoria. There are numerous challenges in targeting disadvantaged people and a range of methods for targeting them including "snowballing" and "location sampling" of specialist service providers and clubs. All are resource intensive and require special consideration of the needs and concerns of those being targeted. As part of a major research program examining links between transport disadvantage, social exclusion and well-being in Victoria a long (60-90 min) home interview questionnaire survey was required. A follow on survey using an existing household travel survey sample frame was adopted to reduce interview time and to better target specific social groups. Responses over-sampled older age and higher income groups due to the low "opt-in" rates from other groups and the low sample of low income groups in the sample frame. A separate special survey was devised using "snowballing" and "location sampling" of service providers to better target disadvantaged groups including the unemployed, single mothers, young people, disabled people and the homeless. This was resource intensive but achieved a much higher sample of these groups than identified in previous approaches. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for researchers and practitioners in the field. Amongst these a need to develop new methods for representative sampling of disadvantaged group is identified.
Isolated Bovine Spinal Motoneurons Have Specific Ganglioside Antigens Recognized by Sera from Patients with Motor Neuron Disease and Motor Neuropathy

Abstract: The gangliosides GM1 and GD1b have recently been reported to be potential target antigens in human motor neuron disease (MND) or motor neuropathy. The mechanism for selective motoneuron and motor nerve impairment by the antibodies directed against these gangliosides, however, is not fully understood. We recently investigated the ganglioside composition of isolated bovine spinal motoneurons and found that the ganglioside pattern of the isolated motoneurons was extremely complex. GM1, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b, which are major ganglioside components of CNS tissues, were only minor species in motoneurons. Among the various ganglioside species in motoneurons, several were immunoreactive to sera from patients with MND and motor neuropathy. One of these gangliosides was purified from bovine spinal cord and characterized as N‐glycolylneuraminic acid‐containing GM1 [GM1(NeuGc)] by compositional analysis, fast atom bombardment mass spectra, and the use of specific antibodies. Among seven sera with anti‐GM1 antibody activities, five sera reacted with GM1(NeuGc) and two did not. Two other gangliosides, which were recognized by another patient's serum, appeared to be specific for motoneurons. We conclude that motoneurons contained, in addition to the known ganglioside antigens GM1 and GDlb, other specific ganglioside antigens that could be recognized by sera from patients with MND and motor neuropathy.