Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational Legitimacy And The Strategic Use Of Accounting Information: Three Studies Related To Social And Environmental Dis

This dissertation consists of three separate, but inter-related, studies overarching a common theme labeled “the role played by social and environmental accounting disclosures using different methodologies and framed within legitimacy theory. ” The first study investigates the use of different language techniques in social and environmental disclosures (SED) and tests whether the impression management hypothesis holds when disclosures are measured as such. The second study extends the “legitimacy on the Internet” arguments of Patten and Crampton (2004) by examining the content and presentation of corporate website environmental disclosure in relation to firm environmental performance of four size-matched sample groups constructed based on industry environmental sensitivity and America’s Toxic 100 membership (the top 100 polluters in the US). The third study investigates whether and how Total, one of the world’s largest integrated oil and gas companies headquartered in France, utilized legitimation strategies such as social and environmental disclosures, to respond to two significant environmental incidents. Taken together, these three studies build upon prior theoretical and empirical work to substantiate and advance social and environmental accounting research using various methodological lenses and perspectives.
'Ménage à trois': a selfish genetic element uses a virus to propagate within Thermotogales.

Prokaryotic viruses play a major role in the microbial ecology and evolution. However, the virosphere associated with deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems remains largely unexplored. Numerous instances of lateral gene transfer have contributed to the complex and incongruent evolutionary history of Thermotogales, an order well represented in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The presence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) loci has been reported in all Thermotogales genomes, suggesting that these bacteria have been exposed to viral infections that could have mediated gene exchange. In this study, we isolated and characterized the first virus infecting bacteria from the order Thermotogales, Marinitoga piezophila virus 1 (MPV1). The host, Marinitoga piezophila is a thermophilic, anaerobic and piezophilic bacterium isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal chimney. MPV1 is a temperate Siphoviridae-like virus with a 43.7 kb genome. Surprisingly, we found that MPV1 virions carry not only the viral DNA but preferentially package a plasmid of 13.3 kb (pMP1) also carried by M. piezophila. This 'ménage à trois' highlights potential relevance of selfish genetic elements in facilitating lateral gene transfer in the deep-sea biosphere.
The Phosphomannosyl Recognition System for Intracellular and Intercellular Transport of Lysosomal Enzymes

Speculation that specific receptors might play a role in pinocytosis and in transport of acid hydrolases to lysosomes originated from observations made by Neufeld and co-workers in the late 1960s. Initially, they observed that normal fibroblasts secreted “corrective factors” (later identified as acid hydrolases) that, when added to fibroblasts from patients with mucopolysaccharidoses, could be taken up by these mutant fibroblasts with resultant correction of their storage abnormalities [1-4]. The selectivity and saturability of the uptake process suggested an adsorptive pinocytosis mechanism [3] and, in turn, implied the presence of a recognition marker on the enzyme and pinocytosis receptors on the cell surface. The inappropriate extracellular excess and intracellular deficiency of multiple hydrolytic activities in I-cell disease fibroblasts led Hickman and Neufeld [5] to propose that a whole family of lysosomal enzymes share a common recognition marker necessary for their uptake by cell surface receptors. This early work focused attention exclusively on the role of the recognition marker on acid hydrolases and its receptor in the recapture of secreted acid hydrolases. However, more recent evidence suggests that both the recognition marker and its receptor play a significant role in the intracellular transport of newly synthesized acid hydrolases to lysosomes.
Model-based prediction of workload for adaptive associate systems

This article describes a method for predicting future mental states and workload of military helicopter crews, and how adaptive technical assistance is derived. A mission plan and a model of pilot tasks are the basis for predicting future task situations. Combined with knowledge of the mental resource demands of these task situations, workload peaks can be identified before they occur. A task-based, context-rich representation of the crews' mental state enables an adaptive associate system to support the crew, while preventing high-workload task situations. Therefore, the associate system changes the task sharing between the human operator and the automated system online by using different levels of automation and a restrained intervention strategy. This concept is implemented as software agent in a helicopter mission simulator and will be evaluated in pilot-in-the-loop experiments in the near future.
Teaching and Learning with Technology: Effectiveness of ICT Integration in Schools

Integration of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) will assist teachers to the global requirement to replace traditional teaching methods with technology-based teaching and learning tools and facilities. In Malaysia, ICT is considered as one of the main elements in transforming the country to future development. The Ministry of Education, through the latest Education Blueprint (2013-2025), insights the importance of technology-based teaching and learning into the schools’ national curriculum. This study aims to analyze teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of ICT integration to support the teaching and learning process in the classroom. A survey questionnaire was distributed randomly to a total of 101 teachers from 10 public secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The data for this quantitative research were analyzed for both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS (version 21) software. The results indicate that ICT integration has great effectiveness for both teachers and students. Findings indicate that teachers’ well-equipped preparation with ICT tools and facilities is one of the main factors in the success of technology-based teaching and learning. It was also found that professional development training programs for teachers also played a key role in enhancing students’ quality learning. For future studies, there is a need for consideration of other aspects of ICT integration especially from a management point of view concerning strategic planning and policymaking.
The effect of Al mole fraction of DBRs on the GaN-based VCSELs performance

Nitride-based wide-bangap ternary alloys are ideal for fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LD) and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). The semiconductor lasers based on wide-gap GaN, AlN and InN semiconductor materials and their solid solutions are very attractive due to their potential applications in full-color displays and high density optical storage [1]. The bandgaps of III-nitride materials are direct, and they cover a very large energy scale at room temperature, therefore they have become essential materials for semiconductor devices because of their excellent mechanical strength [2].
Peer-Facilitated Reflection: A Tool for Continuing Professional Development for Faculty

Reflective practice enhances self-awareness and facilitates deeper understanding of complex problems without obvious solutions (1). There are several excellent reviews of reflection and its educational benefits, including improvement in competencies, clinical performance, and management of systems and patients (2–4). Reflective journaling, critical incident-analysis, andportfolio development are examples of reflective practice used for medical education (5–9). Disciplines such as nursing and physical therapy recommend reflective practice throughout the life of the professional for continuous professional development, beyond the training phase (10, 11). However, to our knowledge, there is littlewritten about the use of reflection for physician faculty development, outside of applications for professionalism. Faculty development leaders are now advocating for faculty development activities situated specifically within the participants’work environment and/or community of practice (12). In keeping with this recommendation to embed activitieswithin theworkenvironment,wesuggest anovel application of reflection: structured, peer-facilitated reflection (PFR) as a faculty development strategy to help individuals solve “real-life” problems while also fostering a community of practice. Our suggested reflective practice occurs in the workplace context, where faculty participants are practicing experts with a shared knowledge domain. We describe a specific strategy to be used by groups of faculty colleagues, guidance on executing such a program at another institution, and a case example of our activities as an illustration. Our recommendations are based on the existing literature on reflection and our own experiences using this technique.
Exercise in cancer survivors: an overview of research.

PURPOSE To provide an overview of research that has examined exercise in cancer survivors including recently completed trials at the University of Alberta. METHODS A search of published studies using electronic data bases and previous review articles. The review is divided into breast and nonbreast cancers, during and after treatment, and trials from the University of Alberta. RESULTS Forty-seven published studies were located and summarized plus four trials from the University of Alberta. Almost all studies showed beneficial effects of exercise in breast and nonbreast cancer groups alike as well as during and after cancer treatment. CONCLUSION Preliminary research suggests that exercise may be an effective intervention for enhancing quality of life (QOL) in cancer survivors. The effects of exercise on biomarkers, cancer recurrence, other diseases, and overall survival are unknown. Future research is needed to extend our knowledge beyond breast cancer survivors, conduct second generation studies in breast cancer survivors, examine mechanisms for changes in QOL, compare exercise with other QOL interventions, and examine biomarkers, cancer recurrence, and survival.
Gadolinium‐DTPA as a Contrast Agent in MR Imaging—Theoretical Projections and Practical Observations

The theoretical basis for the use of paramagnetic agents to enhance proton relaxation is described. Factors of importance in the design of contrast agents are considered. Measurements of changes in T1 and T2 in vitro due to Gd3+-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) are used to predict changes in the intensity of transverse magnetisation seen with different sequences in magnetic resonance imaging. The use of Gd3+-DTPA in clinical cases is illustrated.
Differential Interactions of Promoter Elements in Stress Responses of the Arabidopsis Adh Gene

The Adh (alcohol dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.1.1.) gene from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. can be induced by dehydration and cold, as well as by hypoxia. A 1-kb promoter fragment (CADH: -964 to +53) is sufficient to confer the stress induction and tissue-specific developmental expression characteristics of the Adh gene to a [beta]-glucuronidase reporter gene. Deletion mapping of the 5[prime] end and site-specific mutagenesis identified four regions of the promoter essential for expression under the three stress conditions. Some sequence elements are important for response to all three stress treatments, whereas others are stress specific. The most critical region essential for expression of the Arabidopsis Adh promoter under all three environmental stresses (region IV: -172 to-141) contains sequences homologous to the GT motif (-160 to -152) and the GC motif (-147 to -144) of the maize Adh1 anaerobic responsive element. Region III (-235 to -172) contains two regions shown by R.J. Ferl and B.H. Laughner ([1989] Plant Mol Biol 12: 357–366) to bind regulatory proteins; mutation of the G-box-1 region (5[prime]-CCACGTGG-3[prime], -216 to -209) does not affect expression under uninduced or hypoxic conditions, but significantly reduces induction by cold stress and, to a lesser extent, by dehydration stress. Mutation of the other G-box-like sequence (G-box-2: 5[prime]-CCAAGTGG-3[prime], -193 to -182) does not change hypoxic response and affects cold and dehydration stress only slightly. G-box-2 mutations also promote high levels of expression under uninduced conditions. Deletion of region I (-964 to -510) results in increased expression under uninduced and all stress conditions, suggesting that this region contains a repressor binding site. Region II (-510 to -384) contains a positive regulatory element and is necessary for high expression levels under all treatments.
Developing Contemporary Performance Measurement System Performance Model for Co-operatives in Malaysia: Is it Necessary?

Cooperatives in Malaysia have crucial roles in developing business systems, and making it possible for the country to join the global cooperatives society and sophisticated economies. Therefore, top management in Malaysian Cooperatives are aggressively designing and executing their strategic plan through performance measurement system. This paper will discuss whether contemporary performance measurement system can be apply in Malaysian cooperatives. The existence of strategic, comprehensive and dynamic in cooperative performance measurement system is needed as it will provide co-operatives’ management with valuable insights the role of contemporary performance measurement system model which could assist them in aligning their performance measurement system.
Successful treatment of pulmonary metastatic salivary ductal carcinoma with trastuzumab‐based therapy

Salivary ductal carcinoma (SDC) is an uncommon malignant tumor of the salivary glands. Although there is no known standard of care for the treatment of advanced disease, the vast majority of patients with SDC may be offered palliative systemic therapy. We report a case of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive metastatic submandibular SDC with a complete and durable clinical response to treatment with trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy.
TB and HIV: joint problems, joint solutions?

This paper presents the commentary of Gijs Elzinga and Paul Nunn on the article by Harries and colleagues on tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. It notes that despite heroic and successful efforts to establish directly observed treatment short course programs in sub-Saharan Africa TB continues to rise in countries with significant HIV epidemics. Possible solutions to this problem are also discussed.
Current Perspectives on Management of Co-Morbid Depression in COPD

Individuals with COPD have a higher prevalence of co-morbid depression than either the general population or patients with other chronic illnesses. The best estimates report a prevalence of approximately 40% in COPD patients, compared to 15% in the general population. Depression in COPD patients leads to a lower quality of life, greater objective impairment in function, and decreased adherence to therapeutic interventions. While many depressed COPD patients have been treated empirically with antidepressants—subjecting them to antidepressant side effects, toxicities, and costs—there is a surprising lack of evidence supporting or directing that treatment. We review the current literature regarding the management of depression in COPD, suggest strategies for management, and future research needs.
An enactment theory model of supplier financial disruption risk mitigation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine supplier financial risk through the lens of Enactment Theory, to explore the role of transparency and communication on buyers’ perceptions of supplier default risk. The authors develop a theoretical model proposing that buyer communication with suppliers leads to preemptive actions that may prevent supplier financial default and fewer supply disruptions. The results suggest that reducing equivocality in buyers through communication with suppliers leads to understanding of financial factors not captured through third-party financial indicators, leading to proactive risk mitigation activities that prevent disruptions during recessionary economic cycles. This research proposes that transparency and communication reduces equivocality in buyers, spurring them to take contractual actions that reduces, financial default in key suppliers, which leads to fewer supply disruptions. Design/methodology/approach Survey data collected from 175 firms in the North America and Brazil during a period of the global recession is used to test the impact of communication with suppliers on supply chain disruptions in periods of economic crisis. This relationship is mediated by proactive contract renegotiation and supplier financial health, supporting a model grounded in Enactment Theory. Findings Results show that buyers who regularly assess and develop an understanding of their key suppliers’ financial conditions are more likely to re-negotiate contracts that revise payment terms, leading to improved supplier working capital and fewer supply chain disruptions. Research limitations/implications Validation of industry-specific financial ratios and figures could provide a richer set of insights and some quantitative measures for establishing baseline on what levels of financial ratios actually result in disruptions. However, future research should consider using a cross-sectional sample and, in addition, a qualitative approach to capture risk from a greater variety of industries and supply chain dynamics. Originality/value The notion of effective communication flows as a means for reduction of supplier disruption risk is aligned with Enactment Theory views that emphasize the benefits of risk reduction. Equivocality is reduced in buyers through information exchange and formal assessments in complex environments. This research suggests that while such communication does not have a direct effect on supply disruption risk, it is mediated through proactive buyer actions to improve supplier financial health and contract re-negotiation mechanisms that may preempt financial distress. These are important lessons learned that provide guidelines for supply chain executives in future economic recessions that may occur in the coming years.
Supplemental Oxygen after Ambulatory Surgical Procedures

The aim of this study was to determine the need for supplemental oxygen during recovery from general anesthesia for ambulatory surgery in healthy women without obesity or respiratory disease. Arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (Spo2) was monitored throughout the first postoperative hour in 164 patients. The patients breathed room air during recovery. Supplemental oxygen was given only to those who became hypoxemic (Spo2 ≥ 92%). It was discontinued at the end of 15 minutes and reinstituted for another 15 minutes if hypoxemia recurred. Twelve patients (7%) became hypoxemic and required supplemental oxygen for various periods of time up to 105 minutes. The need for supplemental oxygen increased with increasing age (P < 0.05) but was not associated with a history of cigarette smoking, tracheal intubation, amount of opioids or sedatives given intraoperatively, anesthetic duration, or level of consciousness during recovery. Hypoxemia was neither predictable nor clinically apparent. We recommend that, unless arterial oxygenation is monitored, ambulatory patients should routinely receive supplemental oxygen during recovery from general anesthesia.
The association of serum insulin-like growth factor-I with mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in the elderly: a population-based study.

CONTEXT Numerous studies have investigated the effect of serum IGF-I concentration on aging and different aging-related diseases, e.g. cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Decreased as well as increased levels have been reported to be associated with reduced life expectancy in humans. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the association of serum IGF-I concentration with all-cause and cause-specific mortality of community-dwelling older persons and the development of CVD and cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing multidisciplinary cohort study in the general Dutch population of older persons (≥65 yr old) where serum IGF-I was measured (n = 1273). The mortality information was ascertained using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, and the presence or absence of CVD and cancer by self-reports with a follow-up of 11.6 yr. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE We measured all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality and nonfatal CVD and cancer. RESULTS Fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated an increased risk of all-cause mortality for older persons with IGF-I values in the lowest quintile as compared to the middle quintile [hazard ratio (HR), 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.63]. A more than 2-fold increased risk of CVD mortality was revealed for both low-normal (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.22-4.66) and high-normal (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.02-4.06) IGF-I values. Significant associations of serum IGF-I with nonfatal CVD and fatal and nonfatal cancer were not observed. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest a U-shaped relationship between IGF-I level and mortality, with fatal CVD as the most critical outcome in community-dwelling older persons.
Gary Rachelefsky Corticosteroids Treating Exacerbations of Asthma in Children : The Role of Systemic of Pediatrics

ABSTRACT. Objective. To review the use of systemic corticosteroids to treat recurrent, acute asthma episodes in children, with a focus on the role of oral corticosteroids. Methods. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using the Medline database (January 1966–October 2002) and the Embase database (January 1980–August 2002). Results. The significant findings of 17 selected, controlled clinical trials of oral corticosteroids (OCSs) for acute exacerbations of asthma in children, compared with placebo or with other formulations of corticosteroids, can be summarized as follows: 1) OCSs are effective for the outpatient treatment of acute asthma, 2) pulmonary function tests may not be the best means of assessing the efficacy of OCSs for acute asthma, 3) early administration of OCSs for acute asthma reduces hospitalizations, 4) the critical factor for a positive outcome is early administration of the corticosteroid, and 5) OCSs are preferred for the outpatient treatment of acute asthma. Conclusions. Early treatment of acute asthma symptoms with OCSs in children with a pattern of recurrent acute asthma may decrease the severity of acute asthma episodes and reduce the likelihood of subsequent relapses. Attention should be given to identifying these children and standardizing a treatment approach based on accepted, consistent definitions of what constitutes an asthma exacerbation and recurrence. A suggested protocol is described. Pediatrics 2003;112:382–397; acute asthma, asthma exacerbation, asthma therapy, childhood asthma, emergency department, steroids, systemic corticosteroids, upper respiratory tract infection, wheeze.