Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Training in Reducing Poverty: The Case of Agricultural Workers Receiving Microcredit in Bangladesh

The policy of providing microcredit and skill training to poor agricultural workers in developing countries is well‐established. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the effectiveness of the training part of that policy. BRAC (formerly the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee), the largest non‐governmental organization in Bangladesh, is making efforts to alleviate poverty by providing microcredit and relevant training to landless and marginal borrowers, who have less than 1.5 acres of land, in order to enhance their standard of living. The study aims to assess the effects of BRAC's training programs on the recipients' total household expenditure. Primary data were collected from female borrowers who participated in the microcredit programs of BRAC and these data reflect the key role women play in agricultural work and the lack of research on their status. The study shows that the training provided to the borrowers failed to create any significant impact on their household expenditure because only a small percentage of borrowers received training and the duration of the training was limited (on average three days per person). Moreover, many of those who received training experienced only a modest income effect. The findings are important not just for the practical purpose of influencing policies for reducing poverty in Bangladesh but also for their contribution to the understanding of the effectiveness of training. The existing literature is concerned mainly with the effectiveness of training in the context of business and other organizations in developed countries. Research on the effectiveness of training in developing countries, particularly in alleviating poverty, is less evident. Moreover, the present research is also exceptional as it focuses only on female trainees.
General method for determining anaerobic biodegradation potential

A simple, generalized method was refined and validated to test whether an organic chemical was susceptible to anaerobic degradation to CH4 + CO2. The method used digested sewage sludge diluted to 10% and incubated anaerobically in 160-ml serum bottles with 50 micrograms of C per ml of test chemical. Biodegradation was determined by the net increase in gas pressure in bottles with test chemicals over the pressure in nonamended sludge bottles. Gas production was measured by gas chromatography and by a pressure transducer. The latter method is recommended because of its speed, accuracy, and low cost. Sewage sludge from municipal digesters with 15- to 30-day retention times was found to be suitable. The sludge could be stored anaerobically at 4 degrees C for up to 4 weeks with satisfactory test results. p-Cresol, phthalic acid, and ethanol are suggested as reference chemicals to confirm sludge activity and method reliability. A revised anaerobic salts medium was developed which minimizes problems of a biological gas production (CO2), avoids precipitation, and meets the requirements of the anaerobic microbiota. When greater than 75% of the theoretical gas production was observed, the chemical was judged to be degradable, and when 30 to 75% of the expected gas was produced, it was termed partially degradable. This method has been tested on more than 100 chemicals of various physical properties and found to reproducibly determine anaerobic biodegradation potential. Of the chemicals tested, 46 were found to be anaerobically degraded. Sludges from nine different municipal treatment plants were surveyed for their ability to degrade nine chemicals which differed in susceptibility to degradation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Serum IgG and total protein concentrations in dairy calves fed two colostrum replacement products.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of 2 commercially available colostrum replacement products on serum IgG and total protein concentrations in dairy calves. DESIGN Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS 84 Holstein bull calves from a single dairy. PROCEDURES Calves were randomly assigned to be given 4 quarts of colostrum (group 1; n = 21), 2 packages of a colostrum replacement product (product A; group 2; 21), 1 package of a different colostrum replacement product (product B; group 3; 21), or 2 packages of product B (group 4; 21). Treatments were given within 3 hours after birth, and blood samples were collected 24 hours later and submitted for determination of serum total protein and IgG concentrations. RESULTS Group 1 calves had significantly higher serum total protein and IgG concentrations than did calves in the other 3 groups. However, the percentage of calves with adequate passive transfer (ie, serum IgG concentration > 1,000 mg/dL) was not significantly different among groups 1 (90%), 3 (81%), and 4 (95%). In contrast, only 10% of calves in group 2 had adequate passive transfer. It was predicted that calves fed product B that had serum total protein concentrations > 5.2 g/dL would have serum IgG concentrations > 1,000 mg/dL at least 90% of the time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that product B could be considered as an alternative to colostrum in dairy calves, but product A failed to routinely provide adequate serum IgG concentrations when fed according to label directions.
Revenue adequate bidding strategies in competitive electricity markets

Energy trading in a competitive electricity market can be modeled as a two-level optimization. At the top level a centralized economic dispatch (CED) uses a priority list method to solve the fundamental problem of reliable market clearing with price discovery. The lower level consists of a set of decentralized bidding (DB) subproblems. The DB model uses a self-unit scheduling simulator based on parametric dynamic programming to produce hourly bid curves for the central dispatch coordinator. Unit operating constraints and costs such as the unit minimum-up and minimum-down times, ramp rates, and the unit start-up, no-load and sunk capital costs are internalized in the bid curves through the simulator. A special algorithm is presented to solve the revenue adequacy problem for marginal units. Both CED and DB models are based on the revenue maximization in contrast with the cost minimization criteria used in the conventional unit commitment (UC). The proposed method has been tested in a study case and some interesting results have been demonstrated.
‘New’ Governance in European Union Policy Making: Policy Innovation or Political Compromise in European Telecommunications?

This article makes a contribution to research on soft or ‘new’ governance in EU policy making by examining the recent history of telecommunications policy as a case study, a sector hitherto not widely recognised for displaying this kind of governance. Training its focus on the process leading to the agreement of the latest iteration of the EU's Electronic Communications Regulatory Framework, the article finds strong evidence that soft governance has been used within hard governance legislative frameworks primarily as a tool of political compromise, in respect of the classic problem of securing a balance of regulatory power distribution between the national and EU level. Soft governance employed in this way casts doubt over its ability to achieve openness, common purpose, innovativeness and regulatory efficacy.
Structural heterogeneity and ligand gating in ferric methanosarcina acetivorans protoglobin mutants

Protoglobin from Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A (MaPgb), a strictly anaerobic methanogenic Archaea, displays peculiar structural and functional properties within members of the hemoglobin superfamily. In fact, MaPgb‐specific loops and a N‐terminal extension (20 amino acid residues) completely bury the heme within the protein matrix. Therefore, the access of diatomic gaseous molecules to the heme is granted by two apolar tunnels reaching the heme distal site from locations at the B/G and B/E helix interfaces. The presence of two tunnels within the protein matrix could be partly responsible for the slightly biphasic ligand binding behavior. Unusually, MaPgb oxygenation is favored with respect to carbonylation. Here, the crucial role of Tyr(B10)61 and Ile(G11)149 residues, located in the heme distal site and lining the protein matrix tunnels 1 and 2, respectively, on ligand binding to the heme‐Fe‐atom and on distal site structural organization is reported. In particular, tunnel 1 accessibility is modulated by a complex reorganization of the Trp(B9)60 and Phe(E11)93 side‐chains, triggered by mutations of the Tyr(B10)61 and Ile(G11)149 residues, and affected by the presence and type of the distal heme‐bound ligand. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(5): 287–294, 2011
Systematic review of clinical effectiveness of pressurised metered dose inhalers versus other hand held inhaler devices for delivering β2agonists bronchodilators in asthma

Abstract Objectives: To determine the clinical effectiveness of pressurised metered dose inhalers compared with other hand held inhaler devices for delivering short acting β2 agonists in stable asthma. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Data sources: Cochrane Airways Group specialised trials database (which includes hand searching of 20 relevant journals), Medline, Embase, Cochrane controlled clinical trials register, pharmaceutical companies, and bibliographies of included trials. Trials: All trials in children or adults with stable asthma that compared the pressurised metered dose inhaler (with or without a spacer device) against any other hand held inhaler device containing the same β2 agonist. Results: 84 randomised controlled trials were included. No differences were found between the pressurised metered dose inhaler and any other hand held inhaler device for lung function, blood pressure, symptoms, bronchial hyperreactivity, systemic bioavailability, inhaled steroid requirement, serum potassium concentration, and use of additional relief bronchodilators. In adults, pulse rate was lower in those using the pressurised metered dose inhaler compared with those using Turbohaler (standardised mean difference 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.84); patients preferred the pressurised metered dose inhaler to the Rotahaler (relative risk 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.78); hydrofluoroalkane pressurised metered dose inhalers reduced the requirement for rescue short course oral steroids (relative risk 0.67, 0.49 to 0.91). Conclusions: No evidence was found to show that alternative inhaler devices are more effective than standard pressurised metered dose inhalers for delivering acting β2 agonist bronchodilators in asthma. Pressurised metered dose inhalers remain the most cost effective delivery devices. What is already known on this topic Many different inhaler devices are available for administration of short acting β2 agonists in asthma Current guidelines for their use are inconsistent and not evidence based What this study adds This systematic review found no evidence that alternative inhaler devices are more effective than pressurised metered dose inhalers for administering inhaled β2 agonist bronchodilators Pressurised metered dose inhalers (or the cheapest inhaler device) should be used as first line treatment in all patients with stable asthma who require β2 agonists
The Global Financial Crisis and Investors’ Behaviour; Evidence from the Karachi Stock Exchange

The present study empirically examines the short term under and overreaction effect in the Karachi Stock Exchange, Pakistan, in the context of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis considering the period from September 2007 to 2009. This crisis has been considered as the largest and most severe financial event since the Great Depression. The study findings reveal a consistent pattern in relation to prior studies on the subject, reflecting absence of any prominent evidence of short term under or overreaction effect in the case of Karachi Stock Exchange both during and after the financial crisis events. The evidence implies that the stocks that displayed a large price increase (winners portfolio) did not display any significant evidence of overreaction atleast for the first four weeks following the crisis news specifically for the financial sector. While the stocks that displayed large price decline (losers portfolio) did not reveal any kind of significant under or overreaction. The abnormal returns differential overall indicates significant but disproportionate levels of overreaction in the first two weeks and later on underreaction is observed in the financial sector in the short run highlighting the returns reversal for the two portfolios. On the other hand, both the winner and loser portfolios individually do not provide any indication of either under or overreaction. However, the abnormal returns differential signifies some level of underreaction which is insignificant in nature. Thus, the return reversals are particularly pronounced only in case of the financial sector as an after math of the global financial crisis indicating presence of a diminished degree of both under and overreaction after the crisis which may be attributable to the performance persistence behaviour of investors i.e. the momentum effect and the limited international financial market linkages that averted the contagion impact of the subprime financial crisis of 2008.
Archaeosomes as Adjuvants for Combination Vaccines

The present study evaluated the potential of archaeosomes, prepared from the total polar lipids extracted from Methanobrevibacter smithii, as adjuvants for combination (multivalent) vaccines. Groups of Balb/c mice were immunized subcutaneously at day 0 and 21 with one of the following vaccines: a trivalent vaccine formulated by the simultaneous co‐encapsulation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), ovalbumin (OVA) and hen egg lysozyme (HEL) into archaeosomes (CEC vaccine); an univalent archaeosome vaccine (UVE vaccine) containing either BSA, OVA or HEL; or an admixture vaccine (AMC vaccine) consisting of the three UVE vaccines. Serum specific antibody (IgG + M) responses were determined at day 32, 112 and 203, and specific IgG1 and IgG2a responses were determined at day 112. Mice immunized with the CEC or AMC vaccine developed strong and sustained specific antibody responses to all three antigens at a magnitude similar to those seen in control mice immunized with UVE vaccines. Moreover, the serum BSA‐, OVA‐, and HEL‐specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels in the CEC and AMC immunized mice were overall comparable to those of the UVE immunized control mice. Boosting CEC and AMC vaccinated mice with antigens alone at day 203 elicited strong antibody memory responses, comparable to those in the UVE vaccinated groups. These results show that archaeosomes could be used as adjuvants in developing combination vaccines.
Still focusing on the “essential 2:1”: exploring student attitudes to extra-curricular activities

Purpose – In order to compete for positional advantage in the graduate labour market students need more than a good degree classification. The evidence suggests that participation in extra-curricular activities (ECAs) can have a significant influence on labour market outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which undergraduates engage in ECAs during their studies and analyses the factors influencing their participation in such activities. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a sample of 21 undergraduates in the Business School at a “new” university. These students completed two questionnaires in their first year of study. These were followed-up by in-depth interviews which were carried out in their first and final year of study. Findings – The study found that many of these students were not participating in ECAs because they lacked an appreciation of the value of ECAs to graduate employers. The students were also influenced by social and peer norms, especially the f.
Who Knew? Hospice Is a Business. What that Means for All of Us

A seasoned gerontologist whose work has explored end-of-life care, I thought I knew what I was getting into when I undertook care for my brother Jim. In April 2014, Jim, whose health was then declining rapidly due to liver cancer, moved from his apartment in Minneapolis to my house in Santa Monica. Jim had come for a liver transplant evaluation at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). When the UCLA team declined to list him—his cancer was just too widespread—Jim elected to stay with my family and me, enrolling in hospice. I did my homework when shopping for a hospice provider. Colleagues in the field gave me referrals. I googled their recommendations and read the reviews. I interviewed admissions counselors. When Jim signed the admission papers, I was confident that we were in good hands with the agency we selected. For the most part, we were. Hospice is widely considered an effective program. Studies show that it prevents pain and suffering among dying patients and increases satisfaction with care. Although other health care programs are regularly pilloried in the press, hospice programs are often lauded. Indeed, they sometimes appear so mission driven that one might mistake them for charities. They are not. Whether for-profit or not-for-profit enterprises, they are businesses—and concerned about their bottom line. Through Jim’s story and mine, this article highlights the implications of this business orientation for patients and providers. Methods for evaluating hospice programs nationally are critiqued. Finally, recommendations for improving the business of hospice care are offered.
A Natural User Interface for Realistic Tactile Perception of Object Surface Texture

Haptic feedback can increase the realism when interacting with virtual objects in a virtual environment. In this study, a natural user interface for providing realistic tactile feedback for object surface textures was developed. Users can wear the interface device in a virtual environment and naturally interact with virtual objects as they interact with physical objects in the physical environment to perceive object surface texture. A recording device composed of an accelerometer and a force sensor was designed to record the surface texture of an object. A simulation device composed of an accelerometer, a force sensor, and a piezo actuator was designed to reproduce the tactile feedback. A neural network was used to train an approximate function to transform the recorded data to simulation data. User test shows that users can perceive the simulated surface texture with at least 70% of correct rate.
Phenotypic switch: The enigmatic white-gray-opaque transition system of Candida albicans

Candida albicans represents the most common commensal and opportunistic fungal pathogen colonizing humans. As a member of the normal microflora, it is present on the skin and the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and female genital tracts. It is therefore not transmitted. It lies in wait for a change in some aspect of the host physiology that normally suppress growth and invasiveness through an enigmatic phenomenon called Phenotypic Switch System or White-Opaque Transition. This system involves reversible and heritable switching between alternative cellular phenotypes. White–opaque switching in Candida albicans was first discovered in 1987. This was initially identified in strain WO-1. Switching has been demonstrated to occur at sites of infection and to occur between recurrent episodes of infection in select cases esp. AIDS and diabetes.
Mapping EU attitudes: Conceptual and empirical dimensions of Euroscepticism and EU support

Public attitudes towards the European Union (EU) are at the heart of a growing body of research. The nature, structure and antecedents of these attitudes, however, are in need of conceptual and empirical refinement. With growing diversification of the policies of the Union, a one-dimensional approach to attitudes towards the EU may be insufficient. This study reviews existing approaches towards theorizing EU public opinion. Based on this inventory, originally collected public opinion survey data (n = 1394) indicate the presence of five dimensions of EU attitudes: performance, identity, affection, utilitarianism and strengthening. The study furthermore shows that different predictors of EU public opinion matter to differing extents when explaining these dimensions. In light of these findings, we suggest tightening the link, conceptually and empirically, between attitudinal dimensions and their antecedents.
Total Program Efficacy: A Comparison of Traditionally and Alternatively Certified Agriculture Teachers.

The purpose of this study was to determine agriculture teachers’ perceived levels of efficacy as they relate to managing the total program of agricultural education, both for traditionally and alternatively certified teachers. The constructs used in this study were technical content, FFA/leadership development/SAE, teaching and learning, and program management. Respondents consisted of 136 traditionally certified teachers and 76 alternatively certified teachers at either the middle and/or high school level. Traditionally certified teachers were predominately male (81%); alternatively certified teachers were 63% male. Traditionally certified teachers had either earned a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree, alternatively certified teachers indicated having obtained a least a master’s degree. Ninety-six percent of traditionally certified teachers have an advisory committee versus 88% of alternatively certified teachers. Traditionally certified teachers were most efficacious in their program management abilities and least efficacious in the technical agriculture content knowledge. Alternatively certified agriculture teachers were most efficacious in their pedagogical strategies and least efficacious in their technical agriculture content knowledge. Technical content was the lowest teacher efficacy variable for both groups. Traditionally certified agriculture teachers exhibit more selfefficacy than alternatively certified teachers in technical content knowledge, in conducting FFA, leadership development, and SAE activities, and in managing the total program.
Souvenir Shopping Attitudes and Behavior Among Chinese Domestic Tourists: An Exploratory Study 中国国内游客购买旅游纪念品的态度及行为研究

The study reported herein was designed to examine the perceptions of souvenirs among domestic Chinese tourists and their attitudes and patterns of behavior when they go souvenir shopping. It was found that the five major criteria for the decision to purchase a particular type of souvenir among Chinese tourists include the souvenir's cultural expression, appropriateness as a gift, overall quality, workmanship, and its appropriateness as a representation/symbol of the attraction. Overall, the respondents were dissatisfied with their shopping experience at two of the most popular attractions in China. Significant differences in the level of satisfaction were observed in relation to the respondents' sex, age, income, and travel party type. Five factors of souvenir shopping attitudes were identified: collectability, display characteristics, store attributes, value, and functionality. These factors and shopping expenditure were examined in relation to the respondents' sex, age, income, educational level, travel frequency, and travel party type. The importance‐performance analysis (IPA) model was adopted to assess the perception of major souvenir attributes among the respondents. The results of the IPA illustrated that 4 out of 10 attributes were perceived to have a higher level of performance when compared with other attributes, and workmanship of the souvenir was considered to be an attribute that requires considerable improvement. 本文通过对一手数据的统计和分析，对中国国内旅游者购买旅游纪念品的态度和行为，及其对纪念品的感知进行了研究。 研究结果表明，中国国内旅游者在选购旅游纪念品时最看重的是纪念品的文化内涵，是否适合送礼，是否体现景区特色，以及纪念品的质量和工艺。 总体上看，受访者对其在中国最著名的两个景点的购物经验不甚满意，而受访者的性别、年龄、收入及出游团队类型对其满意度有显著影响。 本文运用因子分析法发现，受访者对于旅游纪念品的五项潜在的态度因素:：是否适合收藏，纪念品陈列特征，购物地点特征，纪念品价值，以及纪念品功能性。 方差分析结果表明这些态度因素以及购物花费与受访者的性别、年龄、收入、教育程度、出游频率及出游团队类型有一定关系。 此外，本文还运用重要度—满意度分析（(IPA分析)）法评估受访者对十项纪念品属性的感知。 研究结果表明，受访者对其中四项的满意度较高。 纪念品的做工则被认为是亟需改进的方面。