Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Total Factor Productivity Growth of Manufacturing Sector in Punjab

The present article is an attempt to analyse the performance of Punjab’s manufacturing sector. For this, data used is of 12 two-digit industrial groups from 1980–81 to 2007–08. Dividing the entire data into pre-reform and post-reform period, the results of total factor productivity (TFP) of Punjab’s manufacturing sector revealed that it experienced meagre improvement (1.6 per cent per annum) during the last 28 years. Technical efficiency change (TEC) contributed more than technical change (TC) to TFPG. Paper and paper products (28), followed by non-metallic mineral products (32) and cotton, wool, silk and jute products (23 + 24 + 25) are most productive industrial groups. Wood and wood products (27) and leather and leather products (29) are least productive industrial groups. Among all the industrial groups, chemical and chemical products (30) acted as an innovator for maximum number of years, that is, 13 years. Panel data results highlighted that output, labour skills, size of factory and good emoluments to employees have a positive significant influence on TFP of Punjab’s manufacturing sector. The study concludes by giving policy implications.
Tuberculosis screening in patients with HIV: An audit against UK national guidelines to assess current practice and the effectiveness of an electronic tuberculosis-screening prompt

A retrospective clinical audit was performed to assess if the British HIV Association 2011 guidelines on routine screening for tuberculosis in HIV are being implemented in a large UK urban clinic, and if a tuberculosis-screening prompt on the electronic patient record for new attendees was effective. Of 4658 patients attending during the inclusion period, 385 were newly diagnosed first-time attendees and routine tuberculosis screening was recommended in 165. Of these, only 6.1% of patients had a completed tuberculosis screening prompt, and 12.1% underwent routine tuberculosis screening. This audit represents the first published UK data on routine screening rates for tuberculosis in HIV and demonstrates low rates of tuberculosis screening despite an electronic screening prompt designed to simplify adherence to the national guideline. Reasons why tuberculosis screening rates were low, and the prompt ineffective, are unclear. A national audit is ongoing, and we await the results to see if our data reflect a lack of routine tuberculosis screening in HIV-infected patients at a national level.
Influence of genital heat stress on semen quality in humans

The concept that an elevation of testicular temperature results in impairment of spermatogenesis is widely accepted. Here, current knowledge concerning genital heat stress and its consequences in men is reviewed. Duration of sitting during work positively correlates with daytime scrotal temperatures and daytime scrotal temperature negatively correlates with semen quality. However, the assumed negative correlation between duration of sitting and semen quality could not be shown in the available studies. Fertility parameters of professional drivers with long periods of sitting in vehicles were impaired; however, for predominantly affected drivers of vans, trucks or industrial heavy machinery potential confounders have to be considered. Wearing tight fitting compared with loose‐fitting underwear is associated with significantly higher scrotal temperatures. However, available observations suggesting a link between tight‐fitting underwear or trousers and impaired semen quality are not convincing. Studies addressing professional exposure to high temperatures delivered conflicting results concerning fertility parameters. The postulated negative impact of sauna visits on semen quality is not sufficiently underlined by the available studies. Oligozoospermic men with a varicocele have significantly higher scrotal temperatures than normozoospermic men, and according to several studies varicocelectomy normalises scrotal temperatures. A further link has been reported between fever and deteriorated semen quality. Contraception via genital heat stress has been demonstrated using hot sitting baths or insulating suspensors. However, down‐regulation of spermatogenesis is inconsistent and unsafe. On the other hand, scrotal and consecutively testicular cooling is able to improve semen quality.
Psychosis of Epilepsy: A Neurologist's Perspective

Psychosis of epilepsy (POE) comprises a group of disorders that are closely associated with epileptic seizures. These include interictal POE, postictal psychosis, and alternative psychosis (also known as "forced normalization"). Neurologists have, in general, played a limited role in the evaluation and management of patients with POE. Yet, as reviewed in this paper, a good understanding of electrophysiologic, neuroradiologic, and neuropathologic variables associated with POE can yield valuable data in the evaluation of the seizure disorder of these patients. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the clinical, neuroradiologic, neurophysiologic, and neuropathologic aspects of POE that can assist in the evaluation and management of the associated seizure disorder and to identify the circumstances in which a timely therapeutic intervention by neurologists can avert or minimize the occurrence of a psychotic episode. Specifically, the clinical characteristics of interictal POE and ictal, postictal, and alternative psychotic episodes are highlighted together with their potential pathogenic mechanisms and the associated treatment issues. Finally, discussions of psychotic disorders following epilepsy surgery and the pharmacotherapy of psychotic disorders in patients with epilepsy are presented.
Transforming neighborhoods: Explaining effectiveness in community-based development organizations

ABSTRACT Community-based nonprofits have been recognized by funders and policymakers as a vital component in the revitalization process in distressed neighborhoods. Though research on the effectiveness of these organizations has expanded in recent years, very little is yet known about what internal management characteristics and conditions in their local environments contribute to their performance. This article seeks to address this gap in the literature. Using survey data from 122 NeighborWorks nonprofit organizations in the United States, this article examines what internal management factors and external environmental factors influence the effectiveness of community-based nonprofits. The findings from an ordinary least squares regression model suggest that performance indicators, political capacity, board governance, and organizational age are important predictors of community-based nonprofit effectiveness.
A Critical Review Of The Environmental Uncertainty Literature Since 1987

Environmental uncertainty has been a central construct of organizational theorists and strategic management researchers for many decades. The number of empirical studies using the uncertainty construct also continues to be significant. However, the confusion surrounding the conceptualization and measurement of the uncertainty construct remains a subject of scholarly debate. Through our comprehensive review of 77 empirical studies over the last 20 years and related theoretical and methodological work, we intend to (1) review the conceptualization trends and persisting issues that are apparent in uncertainty research, (2) review empirical issues particularly important to uncertainty work and illustrate how researches have or have not overcome some of these challenges, and (3) suggest directions for future research using the uncertainty construct.
Anastrozole versus tamoxifen as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer in 668 postmenopausal women: results of the Tamoxifen or Arimidex Randomized Group Efficacy and Tolerability study.

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and tolerability of anastrozole (Arimidex; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, and Macclesfield, United Kingdom) with that of tamoxifen as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer (ABC) in postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS This randomized, double-blind, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy of anastrozole 1 mg once daily relative to tamoxifen 20 mg once daily in patients with tumors that were hormone receptor-positive or of unknown receptor status who were eligible for endocrine therapy. The primary end points were time to progression (TTP), objective response (OR), and tolerability. RESULTS A total of 668 patients (340 in the anastrozole arm and 328 in the tamoxifen arm) were randomized to treatment and followed-up for a median of 19 months. Median TTP was similar for both treatments (8.2 months in patients who received anastrozole and 8.3 months in patients who received tamoxifen). The tamoxifen:anastrozole hazards ratio was 0.99 (lower one-sided 95% confidence limit, 0.86), demonstrating that anastrozole was at least equivalent to tamoxifen. Anastrozole was also as effective as tamoxifen in terms of OR (32.9% of anastrozole and 32.6% of tamoxifen patients achieved a complete response [CR] or partial response [PR]). Clinical benefit (CR + PR + stabilization of > or = 24 weeks) rates were 56.2% and 55.5% for patients receiving anastrozole and tamoxifen, respectively. Both treatments were well tolerated. However, incidences of thromboembolic events and vaginal bleeding were reported in fewer patients treated with anastrozole than with tamoxifen (4.8% v 7.3% [thromboembolic events] and 1.2% v 2.4% [vaginal bleeding], respectively). CONCLUSION Anastrozole satisfied the predefined criteria for equivalence to tamoxifen. Together with the lower observed incidence of thromboembolic events and vaginal bleeding, these findings indicate that anastrozole should be considered as first-line therapy for postmenopausal women with ABC.
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis

2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis John N. Galgiani, Neil M. Ampel, Janis E. Blair, Antonino Catanzaro, Francesca Geertsma, Susan E. Hoover, Royce H. Johnson, Shimon Kusne, Jeffrey Lisse, Joel D. MacDonald, Shari L. Meyerson, Patricia B. Raksin, John Siever, David A. Stevens, Rebecca Sunenshine, and Nicholas Theodore Valley Fever Center for Excellence, and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Arizona, Tucson, and Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of California, San Diego, and Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, California; Division of Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Medicine, Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, California; Department of Rheumatology, University of Arizona, Tucson; Department of Neurosurgery School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and Division of Neurosurgery, John H. Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois; Arizona Pulmonary Specialists, Ltd, Phoenix; Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, California; Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Division of State and Local Readiness, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Sustainability of a national arts festival

With more than 600 annual South African festivals to choose from, the ongoing sustainability of established festivals is uncertain. The rationale of sustainability usually rests on what renewable social, economic and cultural benefits the festival offers the community. However, changing visitor characteristics and economic difficulties putting more strain on the disposable income of households compel organizers and marketers to rethink their strategy in order to ensure the sustainability of festivals. This novel and exploratory study utilized a multistage DEA model to identify the presence of tendencies to overspend and budget mismanagement exhibited by visitors at the Innibos National Arts Festival. By identifying the sources of these inefficiencies, this study was able to formulate a framework that can guide organizers and marketers to develop price discounts or package combos that will ensure greater satisfaction which is a vital contributor to sustainability. The results accentuated the need to tailor these package combos to both male and female attendees, with the emphasis on improving satisfaction by limiting the tendencies to overspend that relate to paying for entrance fees, food and drinks.
Parallel fiber receptive fields: a key to understanding cerebellar operation and learning

In several theories of the function of the cerebellum in motor control, the mossy-fiber-parallel fiber input has been suggested to provide information used in the control of ongoing movements whereas the role of climbing fibers is to induce plastic changes of parallel fiber (PF) synapses on Purkinje cells. From studies of climbing fibers during the last few decades, we have gained detailed knowledge about the zonal and microzonal organization of the cerebellar cortex and the information carried by climbing fibers. However, properties of the PF input to Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurones have been largely unknown. The present review, which focuses on the C3 zone of the cerebellar anterior lobe, will present and discuss recent data of the cutaneous PF input to Purkinje cells, interneurons and Golgi cells as well as novel forms of PF plasticity.
Mechanical Reproductive Isolation Facilitates Parallel Speciation in Western North American Scincid Lizards

Mechanical reproductive barriers have been dismissed as a major driver of animal speciation, yet the extent to which such barriers cause reproductive isolation in most animal groups is largely unknown and rarely tested. In this study, we used hierarchical Bayesian modeling of mate compatibility experiments to show that body size divergence in lizards of the Plestiodon skiltonianus complex contributes to reproductive isolation in at least three ways: males preferably court females that are more similar in size, females reject males that are highly divergent in size, and the size difference of a male and female in copula constrains the ability to align the genitalia for intromission. We used a predictive model to estimate the contributions of behavioral and mechanical barriers to reproductive isolation between populations with differing degrees of size divergence. This model shows that the mechanical barrier is more important than behavioral barriers at small and intermediate degrees of size divergence, suggesting that it acts earlier during speciation when body morphology is more similar between diverging lineages. Given that correlated divergence in size and ecology is common in animals, similar constraints imposed by the geometry of the mating posture may apply to a variety of major animal lineages and merit further attention in speciation research.
The demands they are a-changin’

Smooth operators such as time trends are often applied to deal with unidentified demand shifters. However, if unknown factors affect demand irregularly, a time trend fails to capture the variation. We present an index approach for estimating irregular demand shifts, decomposing total demand shifts into predicted and unexplained effects. This allows separating demand shifts caused by known factors like income and substitution effects from unknown impacts on demand. Our application on farmed salmon shows unknown factors impact demand irregularly both between regions and within regions over time. Unknowns contribute to more than half of global salmon demand growth in recent years.
First Implementation of the WRF-CHIMERE-EDGAR Modeling System Over Argentina

Air quality monitoring and research have been gaining importance in Argentina and Latin America, mainly in megacities where pollution reaches critical levels as in other places of the world. This work is a first attempt at simulating pollution levels at the country scale, in order to support air quality management and forecasting activities. We implemented the global scale inventory of anthropogenic emissions EDGAR v4.2 into the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model, driven by WRF meteorological fields, at a resolution of about 50 km, a performance evaluation of the modeling system is presented by the use of ground-based and satellite data. The lack of monitoring stations in the country constrained the evaluation to the March-May 2009 time period in three cities. We obtain a generally large underestimation of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, but a good simulation of the daily cycles. The magnitude of pollution levels is underestimated probably because of the misrepresentation of the monitoring stations (sites heavily affected by local traffic) and of the coarse resolution of the model. Nitrogen dioxide tropospheric column obtained by the OMI sensor (onboard Aura/NASA) was used to evaluate spatial correspondence with the simulation outputs, revealing that spatial features are broadly captured by the model. Further work would imply an emission inventory refinement and the use of other satellite data available considering other periods of time; however, a more dense and representative air quality monitoring network throughout the country is very much needed.
A Finnish model of teacher education informs a South African one: A teaching school as a pedagogical laboratory

In this study, we examined student teachers’ learning during their teaching placement period in Finland and South Africa. The setting of the inquiry in both countries was a ‘teaching’ school, affiliated to a university teacher education programme. The teaching school is also referred to as an educational innovation that was transferred from the Finnish context to the South African context. Data were collected through an interview protocol. The findings show that the students, like many of their counterparts in different parts of the world, focused on teaching tools and methods as well as classroom management as a gateway to their teaching career. The extended teaching placement period at both the university teaching schools was expected to yield some findings about the intersection of teaching practice and its supporting theories because of the close collaboration of the schools and the universities. Some of the findings satisfied this expectation while other parts did not, confirming that initial teacher education may be regarded as a platform for learning to be teachers, but it has its own limits even in a pedagogical ‘laboratory’. The transfer of the educational innovation was regarded as successful.
The prodomain of the Bordetella two‐partner secretion pathway protein FhaB remains intracellular yet affects the conformation of the mature C‐terminal domain

Two‐partner secretion (TPS) systems use β‐barrel proteins of the Omp85‐TpsB superfamily to transport large exoproteins across the outer membranes of Gram‐negative bacteria. The Bordetella FHA/FhaC proteins are prototypical of TPS systems in which the exoprotein contains a large C‐terminal prodomain that is removed during translocation. Although it is known that the FhaB prodomain is required for FHA function in vivo, its role in FHA maturation has remained mysterious. We show here that the FhaB prodomain is required for the extracellularly located mature C‐terminal domain (MCD) of FHA to achieve its proper conformation. We show that the C‐terminus of the prodomain is retained intracellularly and that sequences within the N‐terminus of the prodomain are required for this intracellular localization. We also identify sequences at the C‐terminus of the MCD that are required for release of mature FHA from the cell surface. Our data support a model in which the intracellularly located prodomain affects the final conformation of the extracellularly located MCD. We hypothesize that maturation triggers cleavage and degradation of the prodomain.
Family Violence: Toward a Family-oriented Public Policy

Domestic violence first surfaced as a national and public policy concern 20 years ago when women began to gain political attention in the early days of the women’s movement. The women who brought the issue to the attention of Congress wanted federal funding to establish shelters for women who were victims of spouse abuse. Given the historic inclination in American public policy to focus on the needs and rights of the individual, women as victims of violence continued to receive greater program and policy attention on Capitol Hill than did family violence during the past 16 years. The violence legislation that Congress finally passed in 1984, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (P.L. 98-457), contained very little funding for services to families. Scholars and researchers outside government, however, have not ignored family violence. Moreover, their research and study has been leading to the conclusion that families are a legitimate focus of public policy. Identifying the problem of family violence was the first step. Understanding the complex causes of family violence and its longrange consequences for American society is the task that now engages scholars and policy advocates. Their work will, in turn, influence the clinical treatment of families experiencing violent behavior. In a recent essay in this journal (Langley, 1991), I examined the new interest in families and family policy. Recognizing that the family is a powerful cultural transmitter of behavior, both negative and positive, and that many families in this country are at risk, has led state and federal policymakers to a new level of interest in the family. Public policy, however, still remains largely focused on individual “victims” and has consistently addressed the issue of family violence in the context of spouse and child abuse. Why is it important for policymakers to take the broader approach? The answer lies in not only that family violence is widespread, but that patterns of family behavior have long-range consequences for children and for society.