Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem Management: Adaptive Strategies for Natural Resources Organizations in the Twenty-First Century

People have always managed their critical natural resources with care and respect. However, the definition of what is and is not perceived as a resource critical for their survival varies by time, place and culture. Documenting some of the perceptions, strategies and actions of some natural resource agencies as they seek to respond to the changed reality influencing their policies and practices, this book provides ample evidence that the traditional models guiding natural resource agencies and professionals have exceeded the point of declining return. Many of the chapters contend that there remains a certain trained incapacity in natural resource agencies as they seem to accept the opinion that people are a natural part of the ecosystem and then sidestep the full implications in actually trying to justify such an assertion. The text examines the nature of some of the challenges and responses and identifies some tools and ideas from applied environmental social science that may provide more effective and efficient natural resource policy, planning and management activities.
Diversification prospects in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) equity markets: a synthesis and an update

This study investigates the extent to which Eurozone and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) equity markets are integrated, to assess any potential diversification benefits across the two sets of markets. In addition to cointegration analysis, we analyse time-varying conditional correlations, which are then modelled as a smooth transition logistic trend model to permit the determination of the speed at which the two sets of markets are becoming more or less integrated. Optimal portfolios based on a combination of equity assets in both sets of markets are constructed to assess possible gains from diversification. We compare the performances of these portfolios using a variety of performance measures, taking into account the implications of higher moments of return distribution unlike several studies. Whilst our findings do not indicate Eurozone–MENA integration, there is mixed evidence on the correlation trends between the sets of markets. Moreover, the changes in correlations occur at a very slow pace. Overall, our analysis indicates the existence of diversification benefits in MENA equity markets. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and they do not reflect the opinions of the World Bank or any of its affiliates, and should not be construed as representing the positions of the World Bank or any of its affiliates.
Decisive Situations Affecting Partners’ Support to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure–Treated Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Critical Incident Technique Analysis of the Initial Treatment Phase

Background and Research Objective:Effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can reduce morbidity and mortality, but adherence rates are low. The partner has an important role in supporting the patient, but this role may be adversely affected by difficulties during the early phase of the CPAP initiation. The aim of this study was to explore and describe decisive situations affecting partners’ support to patients with OSAS and how the partners manage these situations during the initial phase of CPAP treatment. Subjects and Methods:A qualitative descriptive design using critical incident technique was used. A total of 542 decisive situations affecting partners’ support and 222 situations describing managing were collected by means of interviews with 25 strategically selected partners of patients with CPAP treated OSAS. Results:Adverse effects, limited effect, practical and psychosocial problems, limited presence, and inappropriate initiation emerged as negative influences on the partners’ support. A well-functioning treatment, improvements, high motivation, and receiving support from others were identified as positive influences on the partners’ support. The partner managed the situations by letting the patient handle the CPAP treatment by himself/herself, by handling the treatment together with the patient, or taking over the handling of CPAP treatment. Conclusion:Increased knowledge about the different situations that affect the partners’ support negatively or positively and how these situations are managed by partners can be used in educational situations involving both patients and partners during CPAP initiation.
Do Speculators Drive Crude Oil Futures Prices?

Abstract The coincident rise in crude oil prices and increased number of financial participants in the crude oil futures market from 2000-2008 has led to allegations that “speculators” drive crude oil prices. As crude oil futures peaked at $147/bbl in July 2008, the role of speculators came under heated debate. In this paper, we employ unique data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to test the relation between crude oil prices and the trading positions of various types of traders in the crude oil futures market. We employ Granger Causality tests to analyze lead and lag relations between price and position data at daily and multiple day intervals. We find little evidence that hedge funds and other non-commercial (speculator) position changes Granger-cause price changes; the results instead suggest that price changes precede their position changes.
Broadband E-shaped patch antennas for 5-6 GHz wireless computer networks

Several probe-fed L-shaped microstrip patch antennas, which are targeted at wireless computer networks and other similar systems operating in the 5.0-6.0 GHz frequency range are presented. The gap between the patch and the ground plane is filled by foam or air. The effect of the height of the antenna and the size of the ground plane on the antenna bandwidth is investigated. Both theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the required bandwidth can be achieved with a height of about 3.5 mm.
Test pattern generation for circuits with tri-state modules by Z-algorithm

An algorithmic test pattern generation method named ZALG* for circuits including tri-state modules that have been extensively used in recent MOS VLSI is presented. For the circuits, special attention must be paid to bus clash and memory retention in order to avoid device destruction in testing. Since ZALG* takes complete measures against bus clash and memory retention and uses a multiple-path sensitization method, like PODEM, it is a complete algorithm in the sense that all possible combinations of input values will be tried in the worst case. ZALG* is implemented by FORTRAN, and some experimental results for circuits with two to three thousand gates are reported. >
The Comparative Performance of Public and Private Enterprise

The nationalised industries' performance was unsatisfactory during the 1970s. However the same can be said of much of the private sector. Poor management and low productivity are by no means confined to public enterprise and financial assistance, which has had such an adverse effect on the efficiency of the nationalised concerns, might-in the absence of public ownership-have been afforded to private firms in the way that it has abroad. Moreover, for many of the industries the alternative to state ownership is not competition under private ownership but private monopoly operating under public regulation. Hence many of the weaknesses which appear to spring from public ownership could be the result of monopoly. It is therefore a matter of judgement as to whether the ownership of the nationalised industries by the state helps to explain why they have, in general, performed so badly. In my latest book The Nationalised Industries: Policies and Performance since 1968 I concluded that public ownership has had a deleterious effect but this was at best no more than an informed opinion (and in an earlier survey of the industries, which covered the period up to 1968, I reached a different verdict).
ESOPs and Profit - Sharing Plans: Do They Link Employee Pay to Company Performance?

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the impact of pay systems on company performance. However, clear results on the impact of these pay plans have not been achieved. We argue here that stronger results have been elusive because compensation systems which supposedly create a pay/performance linkage often do so only weakly, if at all. In most of the companies that we studied, we find that these nominally performance-contingent pay systems provide less of a financial incentive to the achievement of company-wide performance goals than does basic salary and wage compensation. It is therefore not surprising that empirical studies would find these plans to be mixed in their effectiveness.
Integrated optical spectrum analyzer with internal gain

The first scanning integrated optical spectrum analyzer (IOSA) with resolution enhancement due to intracavity loss compensation in an amplifying Ti:Er:LiNbO/sub 3/-waveguide is reported. The active IOSA of about 1.423 GHz free spectral range has been diode-pumped at /spl lambda//sub p/=1479 nm (E/sub p//spl par/c) slightly below the lasing threshold at 1531 nm (P/sub p,th//spl cong/40 mW). Linear scanning of the cavity resonances has been achieved by driving the phase modulator (U/sub x//spl cong/10.4 V) with a sawtooth voltage. A finesse up to 205 has been achieved at /spl lambda//sub s//spl cong/1546 nm. <<ETX>>
SNAP-29-mediated Modulation of Synaptic Transmission in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons*

Identifying the molecules that regulate both the recycling of synaptic vesicles and the SNARE components required for fusion is critical for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. SNAP-29 was initially isolated as a syntaxin-binding and ubiquitously expressed protein. Previous studies have suggested that SNAP-29 inhibits SNARE complex disassembly, thereby reducing synaptic transmission in cultured superior cervical ganglion neurons in an activity-dependent manner. However, the role of SNAP-29 in regulating synaptic vesicle recycling and short-term plasticity in the central nervous system remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the effect of SNAP-29 on synaptic transmission in cultured hippocampal neurons by dual patch clamp whole-cell recording, FM dye imaging, and immunocytochemistry. Our results demonstrated that exogenous expression of SNAP-29 in presynaptic neurons significantly decreased the efficiency of synaptic transmission after repetitive firing within a few minutes under low and moderate frequency stimulations (0.1 and 1 Hz). In contrast, SNAP-29 did not affect the density of synapses and basal synaptic transmission. Whereas neurotransmitter release was unaffected during intensive stimulation, recovery after synaptic depression was impaired by SNAP-29. Furthermore, knockdown of SNAP-29 expression in neurons by small interfering RNA increased the efficiency of synaptic transmission during repetitive firing. These findings suggest that SNAP-29 acts as a negative modulator for neurotransmitter release, probably by slowing recycling of the SNARE-based fusion machinery and synaptic vesicle turnover.
Comparison of intrathecal clonidine and magnesium sulphate used as an adjuvant with hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower abdominal surgery

Background and Aims: Use of various adjuvants to spinal anaesthesia is a well-known modality to provide intra- and post-operative analgesia. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the analgesic efficacy of clonidine and magnesium when used as an additive to intrathecal 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Methods: Ninety patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status grade I or II, scheduled for lower abdominal surgery under spinal anaesthesia, were randomly allocated into three groups. Group B received 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 1 mL of normal saline, Group C received 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 1 mL (30 μg) of clonidine and Group M received 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 1 mL (50 mg) magnesium sulphate. The primary outcome variable was duration of analgesia and secondary outcome variables included onset and duration of sensory and motor block, sedation level and adverse effects. Data were analysed with ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and Chi-square tests. Results: The time to first rescue analgesia was significantly (P < 0.01) longer in the Group C (330.7 ± 47.7 min) than both Groups. Group M (246.3 ± 55.9 min) showed significantly prolonged analgesia than Group B (134.4 ± 17.9 min). Group C and Group M showed significantly prolonged duration of both sensory and motor block compared to Group B. Conclusion: Intrathecal clonidine added to bupivacaine prolongs the duration of post-operative analgesia, and hastens the onset and prolongs the duration of sensory and motor block compared to magnesium or controls.
Calcification Rates in Corals

The report "Calcification in hermatypic and ahermatypic corals" by A. T. Marshall (2 Feb., p. 637) sheds light on the poorly understood relationship between photosynthesis and calcification in reef corals, but it does not provide a strong test of whether calcification proceeds at higher rates in hermatypic (reef-building) species compared with that in ahermatypic species. This hypothesis, if true, would validate the pivotal role of coral-algal symbiosis in the development of coral reefs in tropical waters. There are two reasons why I am not convinced. First, as Goreau and Goreau (1) and others have found, calcification rates can vary by as much as a factor of 10 between hermatypic species. Thus, hypotheses concerning calcification rates in hermatypic and ahermatypic corals are dealing with statistical phenomena and therefore require a sample size greater than one. Second, the use of the term (Marshall's included) "reef-building coral" is problematic. While all hermatypic corals are termed "reef-building," it is unlikely that all hermatypic corals make significant contributions to the construction of coral reefs. The steps between organismal-level calcification and the incorporation of this material in reef growth are complex (2) and poorly understood. However, a few species (that is, framework species) may make disproportionate contributions to reef accretion. Marshall says he chose the hermatype Galaxea fascicularis for his experiments because it has polyps of a size similar to those of the ahermatype Tubastrea faulkneri. It would also be useful to compare calcification rates in known framework species and in ahermatypes. David B. Carlon Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, 2208 Geology Building, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0424, USA E-mail: dcarlon@citrus.ucr. edu
Porcine factor VIII: current status and future developments

High‐purity porcine factor VIII (pFVIII) (Hyate:C, Ipsen, UK), with a specific activity of > 125 U mg−1 protein, has been shown to be effective in up to 90% of bleeds in patients with FVIII inhibitors. These inhibitors have been shown to have a median 15% cross‐reactivity to pFVIII, and even less cross‐reactivity in patients with acquired haemophilia. Its use is sometimes associated with a transient fall in platelet count and with transfusion reactions. Furthermore, it is not virally attenuated. Although pFVIII has not been shown to transmit any viral illness to its human recipients, it is extensively screened for porcine viruses using a 4‐cell line general screen. The source plasma is also screened for porcine parvovirus. To satisfy the demand for ever‐improved side‐effect profile and viral safety a third‐generation pFVIII is under consideration by Ipsen. This product will be purified from porcine plasma screened for porcine parvovirus, using immuno‐purification, ion‐exchange chromatography and washing. Spiking experiments using human FVIIIC (hFVIIIC) suggest that these purification steps may be associated with a 6‐log viral reduction. The product is also virally attenuated using the solvent‐detergent method. This should yield an ultra‐pure concentrate, lacking porcine von Willebrand factor, with a specific activity of approximately 5000 U mg−1 protein which does not require added albumin as stabilizer and which may be stored at 2–4°. One would anticipate that this product should be clinically effective and should be associated with enhanced viral safety and an improved side‐effect profile. It should not affect the platelet count and should be associated with a much reduced risk of transfusion reactions. Clinical trials are planned.
Elections for Sale: The Causes And Consequences of Vote Buying

Introduction: Why Study Vote Buying? - F.C. Schaffer. What Is Vote Buying? - F.C. Schaffer and A. Schedler. When and How Do Politicians Buy Votes? When Does a Market for Votes Emerge? Historical and Theoretical Perspectives - F.E. Lehoucq. How Do Rules and Institutions Encourage Vote Buying? - A.D. Hicken. The Logistics: How to Buy Votes - C. -S. Wang and C. Kurzman. How Does Vote Buying Shape Politics and the Economy? Is Vote Buying Undemocratic? - S. Stokes. How Does Vote Buying Shape the Legislative Arena? - S.W. Desposato. How Does Vote Buying Shape the Economy? - J.-M. Baland and J.A. Robinson. Is Reform Possible? How Effective are Institutional Reforms? - A.D. Hicken. How Effective Is Voter Education? - F.C. Schaffer. Conclusion. Lessons Learned - F.C. Schaffer.
Oxytocin and vasopressin in rat hypophysial portal blood: experimental studies in normal and Brattleboro rats.

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) were measured by radioimmunoassay in hypophysial portal and peripheral blood from male Wistar rats and heterozygous and homozygous Brattleboro rats anaesthetized with urethane. In Wistar rats the concentrations of OT and VP were about 50 times greater than the concentrations in peripheral blood, whether or not the pituitary gland was left in situ during collection, and also considerably greater than the reported concentrations of the peptides in the cerebrospinal fluid. The release of both peptides was increased significantly by a lesion of the supraoptico-hypophysial tract that led to diabetes insipidus, but which left intact the external layer of the median eminence (ME). Concentrations of VP were undetectable in plasma from homozygous Brattleboro rats, but the portal plasma concentrations of VP in heterozygous Brattleboro rats were not significantly lower than in Wistar rats. The concentrations of OT in portal plasma from both types of Brattleboro rat were significantly higher than in Wistar rats. The output of VP and OT into hypophysial portal blood of Wistar rats was not significantly affected by electrical stimulation of the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic or paraventricular nuclei or the ME using two types of stimuli, one of which produced an increase in peripheral plasma concentrations of VP and OT in intact rats and a significant increase in the release of LH-releasing hormone into hypophysial portal blood. The output of VP and OT into portal blood was also not significantly affected by either adrenalectomy with or without injection of dexamethasone or the injection of either the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) synthesis blocker, parachlorophenylalanine, or the 5-HT uptake blockers, alaproclate or zimelidine. These results show that large amounts of OT as well as VP are released into hypophysial portal blood from fibres of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system that terminate in the external layer of the ME. Although distinct from the fibres that terminate in the pars nervosa (PN), the findings in Brattleboro rats show that the VP fibres of the ME system originate in neurones with a genomic mechanism for VP synthesis similar to that of the VP neurones that project to the PN. The lack of effect of adrenalectomy and the administration of 5-HT synthesis and uptake blockers must be interpreted with caution since the results obtained with electrical stimulation suggest that when the pituitary stalk is cut the release of OT and VP into portal blood approaches a maximum and may therefore be difficult to alter by experimental manipulation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ephic Perfective of the Managers and Profit Management

The effect of different factors on earnings management behavior is investigated in the study. Two important questions are issued in this study whether the moral status of the person plays a role in the likelihood of earnings management and whether the professional obligations of individuals affects on decision of earnings management or not? And provide hypotheses regarding to the determinants of earnings management behavior are compatible with pattern of the study or not. It has tried to identify the effects of ethical ideology on decision of earring management and relation of professional commitments of person on such decisions. Method of the study is selective and non-probabilistic which review the reports and documents in the first phase and distribute a questionnaire between cement and petrochemical company financial managers in the second phase to investigate the affecting factors on earnings management behavior through Pearson's correlation test and multiple regression model and simple linear. This study used financial executives of 37 cement and petrochemical companies accepted in Stock based on a proposed causal model that support from moral judgment about the difficulties in accounting or management. It is demonstrated empirically that individuals with higher levels of professional commitment are less likely to engage in earnings management operations and contrary to this, individuals with lower levels of profession commitment are more likely to engage in earnings management operations that are consistent with previous background. In addition the effect of earnings manipulation has been proven on both the moral status and professional commitment on individuals. This study suggests that when there is an opportunity to increase personal wealth temptation affects negatively on the moral status of the individual as well as the individual's professional commitment level. This result provides a better view of the importance of the ethical status on the behavior o
Ovulation inhibition by estetrol in an in vivo model

Background Currently, the synthetic steroid ethinylestradiol is the preferred estrogen in combined oral contraceptives. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the natural steroid estetrol (E4) as an ovulation inhibitor in rats when compared to ethinylestradiol. Study design Regularly cycling female rats were treated orally twice daily for four consecutive days, starting on the day of estrus, with E4 (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg), ethinylestradiol (0.0003, 0.001, 0.003, 0.01 or 0.03 mg/kg) or vehicle control (eight animals per group). In a second experiment conducted under the same experimental protocol, 2.0 mg/kg of E4 was administered as a single daily dose or as a dose of 1.0 mg/kg twice daily. In both studies, the primary endpoint was the number of ovulated oocytes in the genital tract. Results Estetrol at the twice-daily dose of 0.3 mg/kg and above inhibited ovulation. This effect was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The comparator, ethinylestradiol, significantly inhibited ovulation (p < 0.05) at the highest dose (0.03 mg/kg) administered twice daily. An E4 dose of 2.0 mg/kg administered once daily for four consecutive days inhibited ovulation in four of eight rats. In contrast, when the same dose was administered in two separate doses, that is 1.0 mg/kg twice daily, ovulation was inhibited in eight of eight rats. The ED50 for the ethinylestradiol and the E4 dose–response curves shows that ethinylestradiol is 18 times more potent than E4. Conclusion Twice-daily administration of E4 effectively inhibits ovulation in cycling rats. The effect is dose-dependent. The relative potency of E4 is about 18 times less compared to that of ethinylestradiol. We conclude that, based on these data, combined with available pharmacological and clinical data on the safety and efficacy of E4, the human fetal estrogenic steroid estetrol is a potential candidate to replace ethinylestradiol in combined oral contraceptives.