Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consequences of “greenwashing”

Purpose – This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate, drawing upon influential discounting behavior theory and cognition – affect – behavior (C-A-B) paradigm, consumers’ reactions to the phenomenon of “greenwashing” in the lodging industry. More specifically, this paper proposed and tested a theoretical model that examined whether recognizing the ulterior motive caused consumer skepticism about hotels’ environmental claims, which in turn influenced consumers’ intention to participate in linen reuse program and intention to revisit the hotel. Additionally, the moderating effects of ecological concern on the relationship between skepticism and intention to participate and between skepticism and intention to revisit were examined. Design/methodology/approach – A quasi-experimental design was used with two conditions (control vs ulterior motive) employing staff members of a US public university as study participants. In total, 638 useful responses were received. Findings – The results of this study re.
Effectiveness of motivational interviewing interventions for adolescent substance use behavior change: a meta-analytic review.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) interventions for adolescent substance use behavior change. METHOD Literature searches of electronic databases were undertaken in addition to manual reference searches of identified review articles. Databases searched include PsycINFO, PUBMED/MEDLINE, and Educational Resources Information Center. Twenty-one independent studies, representing 5,471 participants, were located and analyzed. RESULTS An omnibus weighted mean effect size for all identified MI interventions revealed a small, but significant, posttreatment effect size (mean d = .173, 95% CI [.094, .252], n = 21). Small, but significant, effect sizes were observed at follow-up suggesting that MI interventions for adolescent substance use retain their effect over time. MI interventions were effective across a variety of substance use behaviors, varying session lengths, and different settings, and for interventions that used clinicians with different levels of education. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of MI interventions for adolescent substance use behavior change is supported by this meta-analytic review. In consideration of these results, as well as the larger literature, MI should be considered as a treatment for adolescent substance use.
Determinants of continuous positive airway pressure level for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the factors that account for the variability in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) levels required to abolish obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with this disorder, and (2) to examine the feasibility of predicting the lowest effective pressure (CPAPmin) from simple anthropometric and polysomnographic variables easily available in all patients considered for home CPAP therapy. To accomplish these tasks we studied a group of 208 patients with OSA all of whom were treated with nasal CPAP at home. We first analyzed a model set of 38 patients all of whom had at least two polysomnographic studies (the diagnostic one and a subsequent one to determine CPAPmin for home use), anthropometric measurements (including body mass index, neck circumference, and waist circumference), pulmonary function measurements (lung volumes, airways resistance, and flow-volume curves), pharyngeal and glottic cross-sectional areas at functional residual capacity and residual volume, and nasal airflow resistances. We compared patients requiring CPAP > 10 cm H2O with those who required CPAP < 5 cm H2O. The high CPAP group was characterized by a greater degree of obesity, more severe sleep apnea, and more collapsible pharynx. Multiple linear regression analysis using principal components and Mallows C(P) statistics revealed that the optimal set of predictors for CPAPmin consisted of only three variables: apnea/hypopnea index, body mass index, and neck circumference. This model accounted for 76% of the variability in CPAP. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Angiography of primary central nervous system angiitis of childhood: conventional angiography versus magnetic resonance angiography at presentation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To systematically analyze conventional angiographic (CA) features of children with primary central nervous system angiitis (cPACNS), to compare and correlate CA and MR angiography (MRA) lesion characteristics, and to define the sensitivity and specificity of MRA with CA as a reference standard. METHODS A retrospective, single-center cohort study of consecutive patients with cPACNS was performed. Patients with CA and MRA studies at diagnosis were included. Imaging studies were blindly reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists using a standard analysis protocol. CA and MRA studies were compared using nonparametric analysis. RESULTS Of 45 patients with MRA at diagnosis, there were 25 for whom CA and MRA studies were performed within 1 month of each other. These comprised the study group. The CA distribution of lesions was multifocal (76%) and proximal (86%) (P < .05) with a trend toward unilaterality (P = .06) with anterior circulation involvement (P = .08). The sensitivity and specificity of MRA for CA abnormality was 70% and 98%, respectively. There was no significant difference between MRA and CA for lesion detection or characterization (P = .87), and the modalities showed a fair correlation (kappa = 0.4). CONCLUSION Angiographic lesions are multifocal and occur proximally and unilaterally within the anterior circulation. There is no significant difference in the ability of MRA to detect and characterize lesions when compared with CA.
Firm Dynamics and Productivity Growth

This paper surveys recent empirical studies exploring aggregate productivity growth based on firm dynamics, focusing on micro-data from OECD countries. Aggregate productivity growth can be analysed as a sum of two separate processes. i) Changes in productivity in individual firms at a given size (relative to market). And, ii) a reallocation process due to compositional effects arising from the expansion and contraction of existing firms as well as from entry and exit of firms (namely, firm dynamics). After reviewing theoretical explanations and empirical methods for firm dynamics and productivity growth, the paper looks into major findings from the manufacturing sector under three subsections: firm dynamics, productivity correlates, and productivity decomposition. The paper also reviews methodological issues and some findings from the emerging literature of empirical studies on the service sector .
Innovation and Development Around the World, 1960-2000

The authors present a database of indicators of innovative activity around the world since the early 1960s. The data include measures of innovation outcomes as well as variables related to innovation effort. The main indicator of innovation outputs is patents. The main variables related to innovation inputs are investment in research and development (R&D) and technical personnel (engineers, scientists) working in R&D activities. The sources of these data are publicly available (OECD, UNESCO, etc.), yet there have been few attempts at double checking the consistency of these data and digitizing observations dating back to the 1960s. After discussing the sources and definitions of the data, the authors examine trends and patterns of innovation outputs and inputs by looking at the over-time behavior of the relevant series and comparing the performance of developing and high-income countries. They also provide cross-regional comparisons and a detailed examination of trends in selected countries. In turn, the authors provide estimates of the impact of innovation on long-run development by following an emerging empirical literature on the determinants of levels of GDP per capita. The econometric results suggest that innovation might indeed have strong positive effects on long-run development, which might be stronger than the direct effects of institutions. The analysis pays close attention to issues related to the potential endogeneity of innovation (and institutions) with respect to the level of development.
Local Determinants of Exclusion and Inclusion in Rural Public Works Programmes

Rural India is set to experience another wave of rural public works programmes (PWP). The major inspiration in this venture is 25-year-old Employment Guarantee Scheme of the government of Maharashtra (MEGS). Though various evaluations have been done on the MEGS, the principle of self-targeting, the hallmark of the MEGS and being adopted in the proposed all-India PWP, has not been critically evaluated. This article is bridging this gap, and suggesting some cautions in applying the principle of self-selection to the ‘un-free’ rural labour market of India. Based on data of ethnographic fieldwork of eight months in the region of Marathwada, the article identifies political constraints that exclude some villages from being included in the MEGS. Even when public works are in place in the villages, the local elite who have informal ownership of these projects could block the entry of some of the poorest households to these programmes. Such local elite in liaison with some ethnic groups could ‘reward’ works to them, and exclude some other groups. Besides, the poorest households, trapped in the tied-labour markets seasonally migrating to different districts, may easily fall out from the benefits of such self-targeting.
The nutritional transition in Western Europe

Abstract In the early-nineteenth century total calorie consumptionper capitawas low in western Europe, and starchy staples provided two thirds or more of all calories. The diet was transformed in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries as food output supplemented by food imports allowed a more diverse diet. The rise of real incomes led to the purchase of more expensive foods. Hence as more animal foods, sugar, fruits, vegetables, oils and fats were consumed, the starchy staple ratio fell, as did eventually the absolute consumption of bread and potatoes. With the increased consumption of livestock products, animals became the chief source of protein rather than bread. From the late-nineteenth century fat consumption greatly increased, partly because of greater consumption of meat and dairy products, but also because oils could be extracted from tropical oilseeds for use in margarine. Sugar consumption, whose cost made it a luxury in the early-nineteenth century, grew rapidly after 1850 as beet and cane competed. The nutritional transition was prompted by the long term rise in real incomes that followed industrialization: as industrialization began at different dates in different regions, so the transition began at different times. By the 1960s most countries in western Europe—save the Mediterranean area—had gone through the transition and different trends in food consumption were appearing.
Reflections on Our Recent Subscriber Survey

In March 2005, we asked subscribers of the Cornell Quarterly (that is, those for whom we had e-mail addresses) to complete a short survey. At the time I am writing this, we had received 97 completed surveys from the 981 subscribers we had polled, for a response rate of 9.9 percent.
Photodynamic therapy can be effective as a treatment for herpes simplex labialis.

BACKGROUND DATA AND OBJECTIVE Herpes is a common infectious disease that is caused by human herpesviruses. Several treatments have been proposed, but none of them prevent reactivation of the virus. This article describes the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a treatment for herpes lesions, and reports on four cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS PDT was used as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of herpes labialis in four patients. A special type of 0.01% (m/V) of methylene blue solution was applied to the vesicular stage of herpesviral disease and the lesions were irradiated with laser energy (wavelength 660 nm, energy density 120 J/cm(2), output power of 40 mW, 2 min per point, 4.8 J of energy/point, at four points). After 24 h the patients returned and phototherapy was repeated with the same equipment, this time with 3.8 J/cm(2) and 15 mW, for a total dose of 0.6 J. The same procedure was repeated 72 h and 1 wk later. RESULTS Treatment with low-level laser therapy can be considered as an option in the treatment of herpes labialis, and decreases the frequency of vesicle recurrence and provides comfort for patients. No significant acute side effects were noted and the lesions healed rapidly. CONCLUSION Treatment of herpes labialis with PDT was effective, had no side effects, and when associated with laser phototherapy, accelerated the healing process.
The ability of preoperative serum CA-125 to predict optimal primary tumor cytoreduction in stage III epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the ability of preoperative serum CA-125 to predict optimal primary tumor cytoreduction in patients with Stage III epithelial ovarian carcinoma. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of 100 consecutive patients with Stage III ovarian carcinoma who had a serum CA-125 drawn prior to primary cytoreductive surgery. We used a receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the CA-125 level with the maximal prognostic power in predicting optimal versus suboptimal cytoreduction. RESULTS The median CA-125 level for the 100 patients was 819 U/ml (range 5.6-26,200 U/ml). Optimal cytoreduction (diameter of largest residual tumor nodule < or =1 cm) was obtained in 45 cases (45%). The probability of performing optimal cytoreduction decreased with increasing CA-125 levels. A preoperative CA-125 level of 500 U/ml was identified as the value with the most predictive power. Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in 33 of the 45 cases (73%) with a CA-125 less than 500 U/ml compared to only 12 of the 55 cases (22%) with a CA-125 greater than 500 U/ml. Using a threshold level of 500 U/ml, the preoperative serum CA-125 level was able to predict optimal versus suboptimal cytoreduction with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 73%, positive predictive value of 78%, and negative predictive value of 73%. CONCLUSION The probability of performing optimal cytoreduction in patients with Stage III ovarian carcinoma and a preoperative CA-125 greater than 500 U/ml was approximately one in five. These patients may be candidates for initial laparoscopic evaluation to obtain a confirmatory tissue diagnosis and to determine resectability.
Ubiquitous visions and opaque realities: professionals talking about mobile technologies

It is essential for professionals to have flexible access to information sources and interaction with clients and colleagues. Mobile phones, e‐mail, pagers, laptops, and PCs all aim to facilitate the flexibility necessary for conducting their work. Ideally, professionals with intense demands on their time should not be supported by various information and interaction technologies, they should embed core domesticated technologies. This paper examines how the vision of iniquitous ICT support for professional work meets the harsh realities through interviews with 16 individual professionals from 16 different organisations. The paper aims to answer the question of the applicability and reality of ubiquitous computing in today's work environment and where technology is in terms of limitations for the professional. The study demonstrates that the joint life of professionals and their technologies is not one best characterised by the technical and the social merging seamlessly. It is instead one burdened by constant attention.
An integratable dual metal gate CMOS process using an ultrathin aluminum nitride buffer layer

We propose and demonstrate a novel approach for dual metal gate CMOS process integration through the use of a very thin aluminum nitride (AlN/sub x/) buffer layer between metal and gate oxide. This buffer layer prevents the gate oxide from being exposed to a metal etching process which potentially causes oxide thinning and damage. Subsequent annealing consumes the very thin AlN/sub x/ layer and converts it into a new metal alloy film by reacting with gate metals, resulting in no increase in EOT due to this buffer layer. The work function of the original gate metal is also modified as a result of its reaction with AlN/sub x/, making this approach extremely attractive for engineering the work function for dual metal gate CMOS applications.
Net cashflow models: Are they reliable?

This paper discusses the development of a reliable net cashflow model to be used by contractors at the tendering stage. The model is based on cost commitment curves instead of the usual value curves. As the model includes many simplified assumptions, there was a need to test its reliability. The model was tested on five building projects and produced good results. The possibility of building an ideal cost curve was examined by building an average curve from the available projects. The average curve was used to forecast net cash flows for the five projects. The results demonstrated the validity of the model as a forecasting tool.
Patterns of labour market exit in Germany and the UK

This study gives an overview of the pathways from work to retirement in Britain and Germany. Although the institutional incentives differ considerably, both countries face a trend towards early retirement. In Germany, this development was mostly attributed to the favourable conditions in the social security system. In the UK, the increasing coverage of occupational and private pensions seems to be responsible for the low labour force participation of older persons. For the duration analysis, a distinction is made between various exit paths from work. The results indicate that the social security or occupational pension schemes have a strong impact on the age a person leaves the labour force for retirement. Pension incentives can less explain the moves into other states of non-employment.
Balanced Budget Versus Golden Rule: On the Remediability of Fiscal Restrictions

The paper by Fottinger tackles the issue of proper budgetary rules and reporting requirements to ensure fiscal sustainability. The author points out that comparisons between alternative rules should be made with reference to their actual features, as determined by feasibility constraints, rather than to their theoretical properties. He argues that simple rules with modest informational requirements may be more effective in constraining opportunistic behaviour by politicians than more complex instruments with high informational requirements which would only deliver efficiency gains in a world without agency costs. Building on the correlation between the degree of transparency and the potential for creative accounting, Fottinger contrasts the potential merits of government balance sheets in increasing transparency about government net worth with the risks of using such accounts in the context of binding fiscal rules. He considers that the possibility of underinvestment determined by present EMU fiscal rules are not a convincing argument for the introduction of a “golden rule amendment” when compared with the high agency costs in terms of over-investment that such an amendment may entail. He argues that the benefits of accrual accounting in terms of transparency cannot be fully exploited because the primary source of national statistical offices accounting is still cash based. He notes that national accounts methodology was not developed with a view to control governments budgetary policy and finally supports the drafting of accounting standards specifically designed for the public sector.
The Intracellular Granzyme B Inhibitor, Proteinase Inhibitor 9, Is Up-Regulated During Accessory Cell Maturation and Effector Cell Degranulation, and Its Overexpression Enhances CTL Potency1

Granzyme B (grB) is a serine proteinase released by cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs) to kill abnormal cells. GrB-mediated apoptotic pathways are conserved in nucleated cells; hence, CLs require mechanisms to protect against ectopic or misdirected grB. The nucleocytoplasmic serpin, proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9), is a potent inhibitor of grB that protects cells from grB-mediated apoptosis in model systems. Here we show that PI-9 is present in CD4+ cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and at lower levels in B cells and myeloid cells. PI-9 is up-regulated in response to grB production and degranulation, and associates with grB-containing granules in activated CTLs and NK cells. Intracellular complexes of PI-9 and grB are evident in NK cells, and overexpression of PI-9 enhances CTL potency, suggesting that cytoplasmic grB, which may threaten CL viability, is rapidly inactivated by PI-9. Because dendritic cells (DCs) acquire characteristics similar to those of target cells to activate naive CD8+ T cells and therefore may also require protection against grB, we investigated the expression of PI-9 in DCs. PI-9 is evident in thymic DCs (CD3−, CD4+, CD8−, CD45+), tonsillar DCs, and DC subsets purified from peripheral blood (CD16+ monocytes and CD123+ plasmacytoid DCs). Furthermore, PI-9 is expressed in monocyte-derived DCs and is up-regulated upon TNF-α-induced maturation of monocyte-derived DCs. In conclusion, the presence and subcellular localization of PI-9 in leukocytes and DCs are consistent with a protective role against ectopic or misdirected grB during an immune response.
Effect of Seed Quality and Combination Fungicide-Trichoderma spp. Seed Treatments on Pre- and Postemergence Damping-Off in Cotton.

ABSTRACT Good quality seeds of cotton cultivars often escaped pre-emergence damping-off incited by Pythium spp. and Rhizopus oryzae, and they were resistant to postemergence damping-off incited by Rhizoctonia solani. Poor quality seeds, however, were highly susceptible to both phases of seedling disease and required seed treatment in order to survive. Pre-emergence damping-off incited by Pythium spp. and Rhizopus oryzae could be controlled by seed treatment with biocontrol preparations of a number of Trichoderma spp. , but these treatments were much less effective in controlling postemergence disease incited by Rhizoctonia solani. Postemergence seedling disease can be controlled by fungicides, but they were much less effective in controlling the pre-emergence phase of the disease. Combination seed treatments of poor quality cotton seeds with fungicides and Trichoderma spp. preparations, followed by planting in pathogen-infested soil, indicated that this technique will control both phases of seedling disease. Seed treatment with either the fungicides or the biocontrol agents alone did not achieve this goal. The optimum combination treatment for disease control was that of chloroneb plus Trichoderma spp. , followed by chloroneb plus metalaxyl (Deltacoat AD) plus T. virens strain G-6.
Lower respiratory infection and inflammation in infants with newly diagnosed cystic fibrosis

The nature and timing of lower respiratory infections in infants with cystic fibrosis is largely unknown1 because infants do not produce sputum and throat cultures may not predict lower respiratory pathogens.2 We performed a prospective cross sectional study of an unselected cohort of infants with cystic fibrosis in which bronchoalveolar lavage was used to determine lower respiratory infection and inflammation during the first three months of life. The state of Victoria, Australia (66000 births per year) has a cystic fibrosis screening programme, all patients being managed by one centre. Between February 1992 and September 1994 we recruited 45 (27 boys) of the 52 infants with newly diagnosed disease; 32 were identified by screening, 12 from meconium ileus, and one by failure to thrive, and all cases were confirmed by sweat testing. Sixteen infants had respiratory symptoms, and seven of them were receiving oral antibiotics when bronchoalveolar lavage was performed at a mean age of 2.6 (SD 1.6) months. Nine otherwise healthy infants (five boys) aged …