Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making the case for biodiversity in South Africa : re-framing biodiversity communications

Background : Biodiversity education and public awareness do not always contain the motivational messages that inspire action amongst decision-makers. Traditional messages from the biodiversity sector are often framed around threat, with a generally pessimistic tone. Aspects of social marketing can be used to support positive messaging that is more likely to inspire action amongst the target audience. Objectives : The South African biodiversity sector embarked on a market research process to better understand the target audiences for its messages and develop a communications strategy that would reposition biodiversity as integral to the development trajectory of South Africa. Method : The market research process combined stakeholder analysis, market research, engagement and facilitated dialogue. Eight concept messages were developed that framed biodiversity communications in different ways. These messages were tested with the target audience to assess which were most relevant in a developing-world context. Results : The communications message that received the highest ranking in the market research process was the concept of biodiversity as a ‘national asset’. This frame places biodiversity as an equivalent national priority to other economic and social imperatives. Other messages that ranked highly were the emotional message of biodiversity as ‘our children’s legacy’ and the action-based ‘practical solutions’. Conclusion : Based on the findings, a communications strategy known as ‘Making the case for biodiversity’ was developed that re-framed the economic, emotional and practical value propositions for biodiversity. The communications strategy has already resulted in greater political and economic attention towards biodiversity in South Africa.
Emotion processing in infancy: Specificity in risk for social anxiety and associations with two-year outcomes

The current study examined the specificity of patterns of responding to high and low intensity negative emotional expressions of infants of mothers with social phobia, and their association with child outcomes at two years of age. Infants of mothers with social phobia, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) or no history of anxiety were shown pairs of angry and fearful emotional expressions at 10 weeks of age. Symptoms of social withdrawal, anxiety and sleep problems were assessed at two years of age. Only infants of mothers with social phobia showed a tendency to look away from high intensity fear faces; however infants of mothers with both social phobia and GAD showed a bias towards high intensity angry faces. Among the offspring of mothers with social phobia, anxiety symptoms at two years of age were associated with a preference for high intensity fear faces in infancy. The reverse pattern was found amongst the offspring of non-anxious mothers. These findings suggest a possible specific response to emotional expressions among the children of mothers with social phobia.
Competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises in North Cyprus: A firm level analysis

This study aims at investigating discriminating factors of low and high performance small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in terms of the perception of the SME owners/managers about profit goal achievement in North Cyprus. The study employs the recent and only available micro-data from Manufacturing Industry’s Profile and Expectations Surveys (2009 and 2010) initiated by Chamber of Industry and conducted by Small Business Development and Research Centre (SBDRC). Surveys’ sample covers approximately 70% of the companies in the manufacturing sector. Findings of the Discriminant Analysis (DA) indicates that performing (competitive) manufacturing firms are those who have more competent entrepreneurs, low labor unit cost, high capacity utilization and growth phases of companies. Variables like age of owners/manager, age of the firms, number of employees, target market (domestic or foreign), legal structure of the enterprise, investment on technology and quality have not been statistically significant.
The Relationship Between DNA Replication and the Induction of Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

6-(p-Hydroxyphenylazo)uracil (HPUra), which is thought to be a specific inhibitor of DNA replication in many Gram-positive bacteria, has been used to investigate the relationship between DNA replication and the induction of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. Gene frequency analysis of samples removed from sporulating cultures indicates that sporulating cells terminate their final round of DNA replication at the same time as they escape from the inhibitory effect of HPUra. If the rate of DNA replication during starvation is slowed down by the use of sub-inhibitory concentrations of HPUra, the onset of this escape is delayed. When cells containing only completed chromosomes are transferred from a rich growth medium to a poor sporulation medium they initiate new rounds of DNA replication in the sporulation medium and then subsequently sporulate. The results are consistent with the hypothesis of Mandelstam & Higgs (1974) that induction of sporulation occurs 15 to 20 min after the initiation of a round of DNA replication.
Group, Team, or Something in Between? Conceptualising and Measuring Team Entitativity.

The main aim of this study includes bridging the gap between strict team and broader group research by describing the distinction between strict teams and mere collections of individuals as the degree of team entitativity or teamness. The concept of entitativity is derived from social psychology research and further developed and integrated in team research. Based upon the entitativity concept and the core team definitions, the defining features shaping teams’ degree of entitativity are determined: shared goals and responsibilities; cohesion (task cohesion and identification); and interdependence (task and outcome). In a next step, a questionnaire is developed to empirically grasp these features. The questionnaire is tested in two waves of data collection (N1=1320; N2=731). Based upon a combination of Classical Test Theory analyses (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) and Item Response Theory analyses the questionnaire is developed. The final questionnaire consists of three factors: shared goals and cohesion, task interdependence, and outcome interdependence. Further psychometric analyses include the investigation of validity, longitudinal measurement invariance, and test-retest reliability. This manuscript describes frontline research by: (1) developing a novel conceptualisation bridging groups and teams based upon two research traditions (social psychology and team research) and (2) combining two methodological traditions regarding questionnaire development and validation (Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory).
Emerging treatment approaches in acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemias

The choice of treatment approach in acute leukemia depends on well-established prognostic factors. A number of features can predict the outcome of treatment including cytogenetics and an increasing list of molecular features. These are increasingly being used to direct postinduction therapy and support risk-adapted treatments that should achieve optimal results while minimizing nonrelapse mortality. In addition, they are also molecular targets for a new generation of small molecule inhibitors that are in early development and promise to further improve outcomes in the coming decade.
Extrapolation Theory and the Pricing of REIT Stocks

This paper is the winner of the best paper on Real Estate Investment Trusts award (sponsored by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT)] presented at the 2005 American Real Estate Society Annual Meeting. This study evaluates the investment prospects of value stocks in the real estate investment trust (REIT) market. Value stocks are defined as those that carry low prices relative to their earnings, dividends, book assets, or other measures of fundamental value. The empirical results show that from 1990 onwards, value REITs provide superior returns without exposing investors to higher risks. The evidence is consistent with the extrapolation theory, which attributes the mispricing to investors over extrapolating past corporate results into the future. Interestingly, the findings reveal that such extrapolation is asymmetric in the REIT market. While value REITs are underpriced in accordance with the extrapolation theory, no evidence is found that growth REITs are overpriced. The value anomaly also exhibited several temporal traits. Firstly, the value premium varies over time. Secondly, the magnitude of the premium is inversely associated with the market performance. Finally, the value anomaly is not evident in the pricing of REITs in the 1980s.
No . 44 / 03 Competition between farmed and wild salmon : The Japanese Salmon Market by Frank Asche

This paper examines the Japanese market for salmon. This market is of interest since it is the largest and most diversified salmon market in the world with wild and farmed species, from Europe and South and North America, competing in the same market. In contrast to the EU and USmarket there have been neither trade conflicts nor trade restrictions. The Japanese market can hence provide information about the impact of bringing substantial quantities of a new product into a market, and the effect of large-scale aquaculture on traditional fisheries.
Stress in the equine

Horses are specially sensitive to stress. A strong answer to stress induces an increase in the concentrations of plasmatic cortisol. It mobilizes energy at short term, but the cortisol production in the long term contributes to exhaustion of muscles, hypertension and alterations of fertility and immune system. This chronic stress reaction alters the concentrations of plasmatic cortisol depending on the causing stimulus and the affected specie. In this paper, a bibliographic revision is done on this subject: stress caused by transport (depending on climatic, duration and transport conditions). Stress related to sport is also studied (taking into account factors
Antisepsis, Disinfection, and Sterilization: Types, Action, and Resistance, Second Edition

The theory and practice of controlling and eliminating microorganisms Antisepsis, Disinfection, and Sterilization: Types, Action, and Resistance, by Gerald E. McDonnell, is a detailed and accessible presentation of the current methods of microbial control. Each major category, such as physical disinfection methods, is given a chapter, in which theory, spectrum of activity, advantages, disadvantages, and modes of action of the methods are thoroughly and clearly presented. Sufficient background on the life cycles and general anatomy of microorganisms is provided so that the reader who is new to microbiology will better appreciate how physical and chemical biocides work their magic on microbes. Other topics in the book include: Evaluating the efficacy of chemical antiseptics and disinfectants, and of physical methods of microbial control and sterilization. Understanding how to choose the proper biocidal product and process for specific applications. Classic physical and chemical disinfection methods, such as heat, cold, non-ionizing radiation, acids, oxidizing agents, and metals. Newer chemical disinfectants, including, isothiazolones, micro-and nano-particles, and bacteriophages as control agents. Antisepsis of skin and wounds and the biocides that can be used as antiseptics. Classic methods of physical sterilization, such as, moist heat and dry heat sterilization, ionizing radiation, and filtration, along with newer methods, including, the use of plasma or pulsed light. Chemical sterilization methods that use ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, or a variety of other oxidizing agents. A detailed look at the modes of action of biocides in controlling microbial growth and disrupting microbial physiology. Mechanisms that microorganisms use to resist the effects of biocides. The second edition of Antisepsis, Disinfection, and Sterilization: Types, Action, and Resistance is well suited as a textbook and is outstanding as a reference book for facilities managers and application engineers in manufacturing plants, hospitals, and food production facilities. It is also essential for public health officials, healthcare professionals, and infection control practitioners. Hardcover, 432 pages, full-color illustrations, index.
A novel computed tomography method to detect normal from abnormal psoas muscle: a pilot feasibility study

Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle which can be detected by computed tomography (CT) by estimating total psoas muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA). Relying on total psoas CSA alone takes into account abnormal muscle and intramuscular fat, both of which may be increased in sarcopenic obesity. We developed a novel CT‐method to identify the proportion of normal to abnormal psoas muscle at the third lumbar (L3) level. The primary objective of our pilot study was to measure inter‐observer agreement between measuring total psoas CSA and proportion of normal and abnormal psoas muscle using a novel CT‐method. We hypothesized total psoas CSA and proportion of normal and abnormal psoas muscle would be reliably quantifiable.
Cracking the Code of Mass Customization

Fabrizio Salvador is Professor of Operations Management at the Instituto de Empresa Business School, adjunct professor at the MIT-Zaragoza Logistics Program and research affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Pablo Martin de Holan is the chairman of the Entrepreneurial Management Department of the Instituto de Empresa Business School and a professor of Strategy at INCAE Business School. Frank Piller is a chair professor of management at the Technology & Innovation Management Group of RWTH Aachen University in Germany. He is also a co-founder of the MIT Smart Customization Group and a founding partner of Think Consult, a management consultancy.
UC Santa Cruz Working Paper Series Title Adjustment of State Owned and Foreign-Funded Enterprises in China to economic reforms , 1980 s-2007 : a logistic smooth transition regression ( LSTR ) approach Permalink

This paper applies a logistic smooth transition regression approach to the estimation of a homogenous aggregate value added production function of the State Owned (SOE) and Foreign-Funded Enterprises (FFE) in China, 1980s-2007. The transition associated with the economic reforms in China is estimated applying a curvilinear logistic function, where the speed and the timing of the transition are endogenously determined by the data. We find high but gradually declining markups in both SOEs and FFEs during the early stages of the adjustment, with SOEs having a much larger scale and market size than the FFEs. However, over the transition process, returns to scale in industrial SOEs dropped sharply. For both FFEs and SOEs the transition is slow, with a midpoint about 7 and 14 years, respectively. We find significant increase of TFP growth rate for both FFEs and SOEs, by 0.1436 and 0.1971, respectively. Joshua Aizenman Economics E2 UCSC and the NBER 1156 High St. Santa Cruz CA 95064 jaizen@ucsc.edu Nan Geng Economics E2 UCSC 1156 High St. Santa Cruz CA 95064 ngeng@ucsc.edu
Could arbitrary imitation and pattern completion have bootstrapped human linguistic communication

The present study explores the idea that human linguistic communication co-opted a pre-existing population-wide behavioural system that was shared among social group members and whose structure reflected the structure of the environment. This system is hypothesized to have emerged from interactions among individuals who had evolved the capacity to imitate arbitrary, functionless behaviour. A series of agent-based computer simulations test the separate and joint effects of imitation, pattern completion behaviour, environment structure and level of social interaction on such a population-wide behavioural system. The results support the view that a system that could be co-opted for linguistic communication might arise in a population of agents equipped with arbitrary imitation for the purposes of pattern completion interacting in certain kinds of structured environments. Such pre-linguistic behavioural system could have bootstrapped communication and paved the way for biological capacities widely believed to be necessary for communication, such as shared intentionality and symbolicity, to evolve.
Novel Approaches to the Control of Oral Microbial Biofilms

Effective management of biofilm-related oral infectious diseases is a global challenge. Oral biofilm presents increased resistance to antimicrobial agents and elevated virulence compared with planktonic bacteria. Antimicrobial agents, such as chlorhexidine, have proven effective in the disruption/inhibition of oral biofilm. However, the challenge of precisely and continuously eliminating the specific pathogens without disturbing the microbial ecology still exists, which is a major factor in determining the virulence of a multispecies microbial consortium and the consequent development of oral infectious diseases. Therefore, several novel approaches are being developed to inhibit biofilm virulence without necessarily inducing microbial dysbiosis of the oral cavity. Nanoparticles, such as pH-responsive enzyme-mimic nanoparticles, have been developed to specifically target the acidic niches within the oral biofilm where tooth demineralization readily occurs, in effect controlling dental caries. Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) such as dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM), when incorporated into dental adhesives or resin composite, have also shown excellent and durable antimicrobial activity and thus could effectively inhibit the occurrence of secondary caries. In addition, custom-designed small molecules, natural products and their derivatives, as well as basic amino acids such as arginine, have demonstrated ecological effects by modulating the virulence of the oral biofilm without universally killing the commensal bacteria, indicating a promising approach to the management of oral infectious diseases such as dental caries and periodontal diseases. This article aims to introduce these novel approaches that have shown potential in the control of oral biofilm. These methods may be utilized in the near future to effectively promote the clinical management of oral infectious diseases and thus benefit oral health.
Physical Fitness and Body Composition in 10–12-Year-Old Danish Children in Relation to Leisure-Time Club-Based Sporting Activities

This study investigated whether the physical fitness and body composition of 10–12-year-old Danish children are related to participation in leisure-time club-based sporting activities. The study involved 544 Danish 10–12-year-old 5th-grade municipal schoolchildren (269 boys and 275 girls, 11.1 ± 0.4 years). After answering a questionnaire about leisure-time sporting activities, the children were divided into four groups: football club participation (FC; n=141), other ball games (OBG; n=42), other sports (OS; n=194), and no sports-club participation (NSC; n=167). The children completed a battery of health and fitness tests, including a 20 m sprint test, a standing long-jump test, the Yo-Yo IR1 children's test (YYIR1C), and body composition, blood pressure, resting heart rate (HRrest), and the flamingo balance test. The children engaged in club-based ball games (FC and OBG) had higher (p<0.05) lean body mass than NSC (FC: 17.5 ± 2.9; OBG: 18.4 ± 2.6; OS: 16.7 ± 2.9; NSC: 16.4 ± 2.8 kg), performed better (p<0.05) in the YYIR1C test (FC: 1083 ± 527; OBG: 968 ± 448; OS: 776 ± 398; NSC: 687 ± 378 m), and had lower (p<0.05) %HRmax after 1, 2, and 3 min of YYIR1C. Moreover, HRrest was lower (p<0.05) for FC than for OS and NSC (FC: 68 ± 9 vs OS: 72 ± 10 and NSC: 75 ± 10 bpm), and lower (p<0.05) for OBG than for NSC (OBG: 70 ± 10 vs NSC: 75 ± 10 bpm). This study found that 10–12-year-old Danish children engaged in club-based football and other ball games had better exercise capacity, lower resting heart rate, and higher muscle mass than children not engaged in leisure-time sports. Thus, participation in club-based leisure-time ball-game activities seems to be of importance for the fitness and health profile of prepubertal children.
Comparison of Induced Fields in Virtual Human and Rat Heads by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) shows significant values in both brain research and therapeutic applications of cognitive neuroscience, neurophysiology, and psychiatry. Animal studies of TMS provide a potential way for learning the biological mechanisms of actions of TMS. In this paper, we presented the comparison of human TMS and rat TMS by using the conventional figure-of-eight coil for the first time. Three-dimensional distributions of magnetic flux density and induced electric field in both virtual human and rat heads were obtained through the 3D impedance method. The results indicated that smaller TMS coils are needed for stimulation of the rat brain. A rat-specific figure-of-eight coil was designed by considering the coil radii, number of coil turns, and the injected coil currents. We found that the numerically designed Fo8 coil can be applied to the rat TMS with improved focality while also keeping high stimulation intensities.
OAuthGuard: Protecting User Security and Privacy with OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect

Millions of users routinely use Google to log in to websites supporting the standardised protocols OAuth 2.0 or OpenID Connect; the security of OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect is therefore of critical importance. As revealed in previous studies, in practice RPs often implement OAuth 2.0 incorrectly, and so many real-world OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect systems are vulnerable to attack. However, users of such flawed systems are typically unaware of these issues, and so are at risk of attacks which could result in unauthorised access to the victim user's account at an RP. In order to address this threat, we have developed OAuthGuard, an OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect vulnerability scanner and protector, that works with RPs using Google OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect services. It protects user security and privacy even when RPs do not implement OAuth 2.0 or OpenID Connect correctly. We used OAuthGuard to survey the 1000 top-ranked websites supporting Google sign-in for the possible presence of five OAuth 2.0 or OpenID Connect security and privacy vulnerabilities, of which one has not previously been described in the literature. Of the 137 sites in our study that employ Google Sign-in, 69 were found to suffer from at least one serious vulnerability. OAuthGuard was able to protect user security and privacy for 56 of these 69 RPs, and for the other 13 was able to warn users that they were using an insecure implementation.
Positive and Unlabeled Learning through Negative Selection and Imbalance-aware Classification

Motivated by applications in protein function prediction, we consider a challenging supervised classification setting in which positive labels are scarce and there are no explicit negative labels. The learning algorithm must thus select which unlabeled examples to use as negative training points, possibly ending up with an unbalanced learning problem. We address these issues by proposing an algorithm that combines active learning (for selecting negative examples) with imbalance-aware learning (for mitigating the label imbalance). In our experiments we observe that these two techniques operate synergistically, outperforming state-of-the-art methods on standard protein function prediction benchmarks.