Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conceptualizing the process of supporting youths' psychological needs and intrinsic motivation within school based agricultural education programs : a mixed methods study

x CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION . 1 Background and Setting . 1 Statement of the Problem . 3 Theoretical Framework . 3 Philosophical Perspective . 5 Purpose of the Study . 6 Research Objectives and Questions . 6 Definition of Terms . 7 Limitations of the Study . 9 Basic Assumptions . 9 Need for the Study . 10 CHAPTER 2—REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 13 Self-Determination Theory . 13 Intrinsic Motivation . 17 Positive Youth Development Programs . 19 Intrinsic Motivation Within PYD Programs . 22 Support and Hindrance of Psychological Needs Support in PYD Programs . 25 Intrinsic Motivation Within Formal Classroom Settings . 27 Support and Hindrance of Psychological Needs in Formal Classroom Settings . 29
The relationship between tourism, CO2 emissions and economic growth: a case of Mediterranean countries

ABSTRACT This study explores the impact of tourism on economic growth considering CO2 emissions utilizing panel data techniques for a sample of Mediterranean countries. The cointegration tests reveal that there is a positive long-run equilibrium between tourism, CO2 emissions and economic growth. This positive long-run relationship may suggest that tourism increases the level of CO2 emissions and has a statistically significant impact on economic growth in Mediterranean countries. Emirmahmutoglu and Kose (2011. Testing for Granger causality in heterogeneous mixed panels. Economic Modelling, 28(3), 870–876. ) test results reveal that the tourism-led growth hypothesis, which suggests that tourism contributes to economic growth, is valid for Egypt, Italy, and Spain. Additionally, there exists a bidirectional relationship between tourism and economic growth both in Morocco and Turkey.
A Soluble brain molecule related to epidermal growth factor receptor is a mitogen inhibitor for astrocytes

The astrocyte mitogenic activity of normal and injured rat brain extracts was greatly enhanced by antibodies to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The antibodies appear to act by removing from the extracts inhibitory molecules immunologically related to EGFR. Three molecular species recognized by anti‐EGFR antibody in brain extracts (molecular weights 41, 52, and 69 kilodaltons) did not seem to originate from EGFR proteolysis. The increase in astrocyte mitogenic activity in brain tissue following injury correlated with a reduction in the levels of soluble EFGR‐cross‐reacting material and a decrease in mitogen inhibitory activity. The decrease in EGFR‐related mitogen inhibitor also correlated with a large increase in astrocyte membrane EGFR immunoreactivity, and intracerebral injection of antibodies to EGFR caused the appearance at the injection site of numerous EGFR‐positive reactive astrocytes. Invasion of brain tissue by EGF/EGFR‐related blood components may be the signal that initiates astrocyte activation. EGFR‐related immunoreactive molecules are also present in extracts of other tissues and may have a general role in the control of cell division.
Dorsally Sequestered Cervical Disc Herniation

Study Design. A case report of dorsally sequestered cervical disc herniation. Objective. To present an unusual case of dorsally sequestered cervical disc herniation and to briefly review the literature on this condition. Summary of Background Data. There have been few reports of migration of cervical disc herniation to the posterior surface of the spinal canal. Methods. A 72-year-old man experienced a sudden episode of weakness of both lower extremities after playing golf, which gradually progressed, resulting in inability to walk without aid. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined, oval mass lesion on the left dorsal aspect of the spinal canal, which compressed the dural sac at the level of C7. The mass lesion was isointense on T1-weighted images and heterogeneously hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated peripheral enhancement of the mass lesion. Results. The patient underwent surgery consisting of decompressive laminoplasty of C6 to C7, partial laminectomy of T1, and removal of the mass lesion. Histologically, the mass lesion was diagnosed as a dorsally sequestered disc herniation. After surgery, the weakness of both lower extremities gradually resolved, and the patient was able to walk without assistance at 2 weeks after surgery. Conclusion. It is important to appropriately differentiate dorsally sequestered disc herniation from other epidural mass lesions such as extradural tumor before operation and essential to perform early and sufficient surgical decompression of the spinal cord to prevent poor postoperative course in cases of acute onset and rapid progression of the paralysis caused by disc herniation.
Liver histology in ICU patients dying from sepsis: a clinico-pathological study.

AIM To determine end-stage pathologic changes in the liver of septic patients dying in the intensive care unit. METHODS Needle liver biopsies obtained immediately after death from 15 consecutive patients with sepsis and no underlying liver disease were subjected to routine histological examination. Liver function tests and clinical monitoring measurements were also recorded. RESULTS Liver biochemistries were increased in the majority of patients before death. Histology of liver biopsy specimens showed portal inflammation in 73.3%, centrilobular necrosis in 80%, lobular inflammation in 66.7%, hepatocellular apoptosis in 66.6% and cholangitis/cholangiolitis in 20% of patients. Mixed hepatitic/cholestatic type of liver injury was observed in 6/15 (40%) patients and hepatitc in 9/15 (60%). Steatosis was observed in 11/15 (73.3%) patients affecting 5%-80% of liver parenchyma. Among the histological features, the presence of portal inflammation in liver biopsy was associated with increased hospitalization in the ICU prior death (P=0.026). CONCLUSION Features of hepatitis and steatosis are the main histological findings in the liver in the majority of patients dying from sepsis.
Comparison of intraarterial MR angiography at 3.0 T with X-ray digital subtraction angiography for detection of renal artery stenosis in swine.

PURPOSE To compare the accuracy of catheter-directed intraarterial (IA) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography at 3.0 T with that of x-ray digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the measurement of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in swine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Unilateral hemodynamically significant RAS (>50%) was induced surgically in six pigs with use of reverse cable ties. One to two weeks after surgery, each pig underwent x-ray DSA and MR angiography before and after percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA). X-ray DSA was performed before and after PTA of RAS by injection of iodinated contrast agent through a 5-F multiple-side hole angiographic catheter placed in the abdominal aorta under fluoroscopic guidance. MR angiography of RAS was performed before and after PTA of RAS on a 3.0-T clinical MR imager with use of gadolinium-based contrast agent. MR angiography and DSA images were analyzed with the full width at half maximum method. Percent stenosis measurements between x-ray DSA and MR angiography were compared with a paired t test and were correlated with linear regression and Bland Altman analysis (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS Six cases of RAS were induced and imaged successfully with DSA and MR angiography techniques before and after PTA. On x-ray DSA, median stenoses was 64% (95% CI 57%-80%) before PTA and 20% (95% CI 5%-32%) after PTA. Corresponding MR angiography median stenosis measurement was 69% (95% CI 58%-80%) before PTA and 26% (95% CI 16%-36%) after PTA. A paired t test comparison did not show a difference between DSA and MR angiography (P = .16). RAS measurements on MR angiography correlated closely (P < .01) with DSA measurements (r(2) = 0.92). CONCLUSION In swine, the accuracy of catheter-directed IA MR angiography with use of a clinical 3.0-T MR imaging unit for the measurement of RAS was similar to that of conventional x-ray DSA.
IDDM in BB Rats: Enhanced MHC Class I Heavy-Chain Gene Expression in Pancreatic Islets

Modulation in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene expression correlates with the inflammatory reactions that occur during graft rejection and autoimmune disease. We analyzed the expression of class I and II MHC genes in the pancreatic islets of prediabetic and newly diabetic BB rats by immunohistochemistry of tissue sections and Northern blotting of RNA extracted from isolated islets. We show that enhanced levels of MHC class I heavy-chain RNA are present in pancreatic islets before overt inflammation and the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed enhanced class I antigen expression throughout the pancreatic islets of newly diabetic animals but no induction of class II antigen on endocrine cells within the islet. Varying degrees of inflammatory infiltrate were observed in the sections exhibiting enhanced class I antigen expression or in nearby serial sections. Southern blot analysis revealed no restriction-fragment-length polymorphism or amplification of the endogenous class I heavy-chain genes compared with those of seroidentical disease-resistant Wistar-Furth rats. I-Aα and I-Eα hybridizing RNA appeared de novo before overt diabetes, although concomitantly with T-lymphocyte-receptor β-chain and interferon-γ gene hybridizing RNA and after MHC class I heavy-chain RNA enhancement was observed. These data indicate the possibility that enhanced class I heavy-chain gene expression plays a role in the progression of IDDM.
Expression of Penaeus monodon ortholog of Niemann–Pick type C‐2 in the spermatic tract, and its role in sperm cholesterol removal

Protein and lipid composition of sperm plasma membrane are modified as these gametes continue to mature during their transit along the spermatic tract. Our previous study revealed that during its journey through the spermatic duct of the black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon, sperm cholesterol content decreases through the action of lipid‐binding proteins within the luminal environment. In this study, the full cDNA sequence of epididymal secretory protein E1 (HE1), or Niemann–Pick C2 (NPC2), was cloned from P. monodon (termed Pmnpc2), and its conserved cholesterol/lipid‐binding domain was characterized. The putative tertiary structure of PmNPC2 showed high similarity with the structure of Bos taurus NPC2. Pmnpc2 is expressed in many tissues, including the spermatic tract (i.e., testis, vas deferens, terminal ampoule) and the female thelycum. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of Pmnpc2 transcripts in the vas deferens, terminal ampoule, and thelycum epithelia, suggesting that PmNPC2 could be secreted into the lumen of the spermatic duct. A recombinant hexahistidine‐tagged PmNPC2 (rPmNPC2‐6His) was able to bind cholesterol and sperm lipid extracts, while co‐incubation of sperm from the vas deferens with rPmNPC2‐6His resulted in the depletion of cholesterol from these gametes. Together, these results suggest that PmNPC2 participates in sperm cholesterol efflux during the sperm maturation process in P. monodon. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 259–270, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Influence of Family on the Family Business Succession Process: a Multi-Generational Perspective

The present study develops a process model of succession involving steps undertaken to prepare the family business for succession. The model examined multiple spheres of influence, including individual, group (family), organizational, and critical resource providers, as well as investigating the moderating effects of generational differences. Tests of this model used responses from a nationwide survey of family business owner/managers. The results support research expectations that various factors, especially family influence, positively affect the extent of succession planning. Further evidence is provided indicating that generation moderates revealed relationships.
Body size at birth and coronary heart disease-related hospital care in adult men – findings from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study

Abstract Aim: We investigated, among those who had been hospitalized at least once due to coronary heart disease (CHD), the relationship between ponderal index (PI, birthweight/length3) at birth, a measure of thinness, and the age at first hospitalization due to CHD, the number of CHD-related hospital care episodes, and cost of CHD-related hospital care from young adulthood to old age. Methods and results: Data from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study included 964 men born in Helsinki, Finland during 1934–1944, who had been hospitalized due to CHD and had birth anthropometrics data. PI (kg/m3) was categorized into low (<25.0), medium (25.0–27.5), and high (>27.5). CHD-related hospital care data were available from 1971 to 2013. We observed an earlier onset of (p = .014 for linearity) and a higher rate of CHD-related hospital care episodes among those in the lowest PI group (incidence rate ratio: 1.35 [95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.59, p < .001]), compared to the highest PI group. CHD-related hospital care costs in the lowest PI group were 25% (p = .001, 4% to 46%) higher compared to those in the highest PI group. Discussion: Thinness at birth is associated with earlier onset, higher prevalence, and higher accumulated costs of CHD-related hospital in-patient care among men who developed CHD. KEY MESSAGES Findings from this large birth cohort indicate that the onset of coronary heart disease (CHD)-related hospital in-patient care occurred at younger age during the 42-year time period among men who were born thin. Lower ponderal index (PI) was associated with a higher rate of CHD-related hospital in-patient care during the time period. We observed a linear increase in CHD-related hospital in-patient care costs across PI groups.
Returns Effect, Shocks and Volatility Transmission between Foreign Exchange-Stock Markets in Nigeria

The paper examined effect of passed return on current return, shocks spillover and volatility transmission between FX-Stock markets. Using result obtained from VAR-GARCH models, we also calculate the optimal weight and risk minimizing hedging ratio for FX-Stock markets and employed the newly developed bivariate GARCH framework Findings reveal evidence of short term predictability in both markets through time. One period lagged returns significantly impact current return in both markets, and impact was greater in FX market both VAR-GARCH and VAR-AGARCH models. There were evidence of bi-directional volatility transmission in both markets and uni-directional shocks spillover from stock to FX market in both models. VAR-AGARCH model showed evidence of leverage effect; bad news has more impact on volatility than positive news of the same magnitude. We showed that optimal polio of FX-Stock market should holds more foreign exchange to stocks in their asset polio. Our result showed evidence of effective hedging in FX-Stock markets in Nigerian. Hence, the inclusion of stocks in diversified polio of foreign exchange could improve it risks adjusted performance of hedging ratio.
Essays in the microeconometric evaluation of public policies

Chapter 1 examines the health benefits of the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP), an unconditional but labelled cash transfer given to elderly people above the female state pension age with the stated intent of help to deal with heating costs. We exploit the eligibility age cut-off to estimate the causal effect of the WFP on self- reports of chest infection, measured hypertension and biomarkers of infection and inflammation, such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. We find a robust reduction in the incidence of high levels of serum fibrinogen and some evidence of reductions in other disease markers that point to health benefits. In Chapter 2, we estimate the incidence of the housing subsidy on subsidised and unsubsidised tenants. Using a reform of the housing subsidies in the UK, we inves- tigate how the exogenous cut in the subsidy affected rents. We find that rents were not significantly reduced by the subsidy cut and the incidence mostly fell on tenants. These findings suggest that the rental market was not originally segmented between subsidised and unsubsidised tenants and the fall in the demand of subsidised tenants was offset by the recent expansion of the private rental market. In Chapter 3, we revisit and offer a reassessment of the literature on the impact of UK National Minimum Wage on employment. We highlight that this literature has em- ployed difference-in-difference designs, which have significant challenges in conducting appropriate inference and very low power when inference is conducted appropriately. In addition, the literature has focused on the binary outcome of statistical rejection of the null hypothesis, without attention to the range of employment effects. In our reanalysis of the data, we find that the data are consistent with both large nega- tive and small positive impacts of the UK National Minimum Wage on employment offering little guidance to policy makers.
A Simplified Equivalent Circuit Model of Series Resonant Converter

Equivalent circuit models are useful design tools for control and have already well served their purposes in pulse width modulation dc-dc converters. However, no simple equivalent circuit model is available yet for resonant-type dc-dc converters. Up to now, the most successful equivalent circuit model of series resonant converter (SRC) is based on extended describing function concept, which was proposed by Yang et al. However, the equivalent circuit is a complicated fifth order with the cross-coupling effect and no analytical solution is provided for transfer functions. This paper proposes a simple third-order equivalent circuit model of SRC. The equivalent circuit model is derived by simplification of the original fifth-order equivalent circuit, based on the fact that the resonant capacitor behaves like an equivalent resonant inductor with respect to the modulation frequency. The equivalent circuit model can predict the dynamic behavior very well when the switching frequency is below, close to, or above the resonant frequency. Furthermore, for the first time, analytical expressions of all transfer functions, i.e., control-to-output, input-to-output, output impedance, and input impedance are provided. These analytical transfer functions will serve as a useful tool for the feedback design. The equivalent circuit model is verified by Simplis simulation and experimental results.
Choice of Fixative Is Crucial to Successful Immunohistochemical Detection of Phosphoproteins in Paraffin-embedded Tumor Tissues

Protein phosphorylation is frequently used as an indicator of cellular signaling activity. Elevated phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase receptors plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis. However, phosphoproteins are usually poorly preserved in clinical tissue samples that are routinely fixed in 10% formalin. Nonetheless, in oncology clinical trials, use of phosphoproteins as biomarkers has been considered to be of great value in evaluating the effectiveness of a given drug candidate. Therefore, it is worthy of investigating whether alternative fixatives would improve the preservation of phosphoproteins in tissue. We compared the IHC staining of a number of phosphoproteins in xenograft and human surgical tumor tissues fixed in three different fixatives: 10% formalin, 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA), and Streck's tissue fixative (STF). We found that STF significantly enhanced the staining intensity of phosphoproteins compared with 10% formalin or 4% PFA. STF fixative also showed superiority of preservation of phosphoproteins in human surgical samples. Our results indicate that the choice of fixative could significantly affect the usability of clinical tissue samples for evaluating phosphoprotein by IHC.
Financial decisions and ownership structure as control mechanisms of agency problems: evidence from Italy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between financial decisions and ownership structure by using the control contests on a sample of Italian listed companies. Design/methodology/approach The analysis adopts a balanced panel data set of 984 firm-year observations for the period of 2002-2013, with estimation using a generalized method of moments. Findings The results appear to confirm both the hypotheses of the alignment of interests and the entrenchment effect. The entrenchment and alignment effects are not found to be alternatives but rather are found to co-exist. The presence of a coalition of minority shareholders acts as a tool to control agency costs, particularly when the coalition is instrumental in the contestability of corporate control. Practical implications These findings suggest that minority shareholders may have a larger impact than previously identified by strategically aligning with other shareholders to form coalitions. This study provides several practical implications. First, dividend payout is not necessarily a good instrument to control and monitor agency costs. This is because the payout can be used to expropriate benefits from the minority shareholders. Second, high ownership concentration does not always reduce agency costs. Third, a non-collusive coalition can be more useful in the monitoring of agency costs than other tools, such as the debt level. Originality/value This study shows that there is considerable value to the firm when individual blockholders come together in a contestable environment and become instrumental in making business decisions. The results support the contention that contestability is an excellent deterrent to dampen the expropriation of benefits to minority shareholders. This study also provides evidence that cash holding can be a good substitute for dividends and debt in the effort to limit agency costs.
A New Approach for Detecting High-Frequency Trading from Order and Trade Data

We suggest a two-step approach in detecting HFT activity from order and trade data. While the first step focuses on multiple actions of an order submitter in low latency, the second searches for the surroundings of these orders to link related orders. On a sample of 2015 data from Borsa Istanbul, we estimate that average HFT involvement is 1.23%. HFT activity is generally higher in large cap stocks (2.88%). Most HFT orders are in the form of very rapidly canceled order submissions. A robustness check reveals a mean accuracy rate of 97% in the linkage of orders.