Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between strategic human resource management and firm performance

Purpose – Previous studies suggest that strategic human resource management (SHRM) is beneficial to firm performance. This study seeks to investigate the moderating effect of product market strategy (PMS), one of the contextual factors, on the relationship between SHRM and firm performance.Design/methodology/approach – This study conducted a survey on 235 Taiwanese firms and hierarchical regression analysis was performed.Findings – The results failed to support the “universalistic” SHRM perspective. Only the interaction between an innovative PMS and SHRM exerted a significant effect on firm performance, which supporting the argument of the “contingency” perspective. The findings of this study confirmed the validity of the contingency model in an Asian society.Research limitations/implications – Different from most previous studies conducted in a Western context, this study examined the data of Taiwan, and thus examined a very different cultural and institutional environment. Although this study obtained v.
Neural Dynamics in Inferior Temporal Cortex during a Visual Working Memory Task

Intelligent organisms are capable of tracking objects even when they temporarily disappear from sight, a cognitive capacity commonly referred to as visual working memory (VWM). The neural basis of VWM has been the subject of significant scientific debate, with recent work focusing on the relative roles of posterior visual areas, such as the inferior temporal cortex (ITC), and the prefrontal cortex. Here we reexamined the contribution of ITC to VWM by recording from highly selective individual ITC neurons as monkeys engaged in multiple versions of an occlusion-based memory task. As expected, we found strong evidence for a role of ITC in stimulus encoding. We also found that almost half of these selective cells showed stimulus-selective delay period modulation, with a small but significant fraction exhibiting differential responses even in the presence of simultaneously visible interfering information. When we combined the informational content of multiple neurons, we found that the accuracy with which we could decode memory content increased drastically. The memory epoch analyses suggest that behaviorally relevant visual memories were reinstated in ITC. Furthermore, we observed a population-wide enhancement of neuronal response to a match stimulus compared with the same stimulus presented as a nonmatch. The single-cell enhancement preceded any match effects identified in the local field potential, leading us to speculate that enhancement is the result of neural processing local to ITC. Moreover, match enhancement was only later followed by the more commonly observed match suppression. Altogether, the data support the hypothesis that, when a stimulus is held in memory, ITC neurons are actively biased in favor of task-relevant visual representations and that this bias can immediately impact subsequent recognition events.
Epilepsy surgery in children: outcomes and complications.

OBJECT Ideal epilepsy surgery would eliminate seizures without causing any functional deficits. The aim of the present study was to assess seizure outcomes and complications after epilepsy surgery in children with intractable epilepsy. METHODS Data obtained in 134 children (75 boys and 59 girls) age 17 years or younger who underwent epilepsy surgery at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1993 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Epilepsy surgery included temporal resection (59 cases), extratemporal resection (56 cases), functional hemispherectomy (7 cases), callosotomy (9 cases), multiple subpial transection (1 case), and disconnection of a hamartoma (2 cases). The mean follow-up duration was 62.3 months (range 12-168 months). RESULTS The overall seizure-free rate was 69% (93 of 134 cases). The seizure-free rate was significantly higher in children who underwent temporal resection than in those in whom extratemporal resection was performed (88 vs 55%, p < 0.05). The most frequent causes of treatment failure were related to the absence of structural abnormality demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging, development-associated disease, widespread disease documented by postoperative electroencephalography, and limited resection due to the presence of functional cortex. There were no postoperative deaths. Visual field defects were the most common complication after temporal resection (22% [13 of 59 cases]), whereas hemiparesis (mostly transient) was the most common morbidity after extratemporal resection (18% [10 of 56 cases]). CONCLUSIONS Epilepsy surgery is an effective and safe therapeutic modality in childhood. In children with extratemporal epilepsy, more careful interpretation of clinical and investigative data is needed to achieve favorable seizure outcome.
Augmenting Clozapine Response in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

Clozapine has been identified as the drug of choice in refractory or treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, as many as 40–70% of individuals continue to demonstrate suboptimal clinical response. This, in combination with clozapine’s troublesome side effects, has driven the search for other options, and a new generation of antipsychotics is testimony to this goal. The present chapter focuses on controlled evidence available to guide clinical decision making in the face of clozapine partial response. Anecdotal reports suggest a plethora of viable strategies, although promising leads routinely disappear in the face of more rigorous trials. Such work has increased substantially in recent years, with at least a dozen double-blind studies comparing clozapine to other second-generation antipsychotics, and some 25 such investigations examining the potential benefits of various strategies that might be used in combination with clozapine. At present, the evidence is neither clear nor abundant enough to offer specific recommendations. It does though underscore the need for substantially more work along these lines and, in the meantime, a clinical approach that follows a systematic controlled approach acknowledging our clear lack of evidence-based guidelines.
Pesticides, Gene Polymorphisms, and Bladder Cancer Among Egyptian Agricultural Workers

This study examined the associations between pesticide exposure, genetic polymorphisms for NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase I (NQO1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and urinary bladder cancer risk among male agricultural workers in Egypt. Logistic regression was used to analyze data from a multicenter case-control study and estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Exposure to pesticides was associated with increased bladder cancer risk (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.68 (1.23–2.29)) in a dose-dependent manner. The association was slightly stronger for urothelial (1.79 (1.25–2.56)) than for squamous cell (1.55 (1.03–2.31)), and among participants with combined genotypes for low NQO1 and high SOD2 (2.14 (1.19–3.85)) activities as compared with those with high NQO1 and low SOD2 genotypes (1.53 (0.73–3.25)). In conclusion, among male agricultural workers in Egypt, pesticide exposure is associated with bladder cancer risk and possibly modulated by genetic polymorphism.
Citrinin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis.

A compound active against sterol biosynthesis was isolated from the culture filtrate of the fungus Prthium ultimum IAM 6073 and identified as citrinin which had been isolated as an antibiotic. ') The sequence of reactions by which cholesterol is formed from acetyl-CoA is one of the most complex biosynthetic pathways in eukaryotic cells. In every vertebrate species so far studied, potent activity in cholesterol synthesis can be detected in the liver which seems to be the sole organ supplying plasma cholesterol. Because of the importance of the plasma cholesterol level in atherosclerosis, several approaches have been made to control it by decreasing cholesterol synthesis in the liver.2~4) The inhibition of endogenous cholesterol synthesis could lead to a lowering of its level in the plasma. This communication describes inhibition by citrinin of cholesterol and ergosterol synthesis and its hypocholesterolemic activity in rats. The enzymatic synthesis of cholesterol was assayed by measuring the radioactive nonsaponifiable products derived from 14C-acetate in a rat liver enzyme system by the method of KNAUSS et al.5) Culture filtrates of microorganisms including fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes were tested for inhibitory activity in this assay system, and Pvthium ultimum was selected as one of the producers of an inhibitor. The fungus was cultured aerobically in a medium containing 2.0% glucose, 2% peptone and 0.3 % corn steep liquor in a 30-liter fermentor for 4 days. The culture filtrate was adjusted to pH 2, and the active compound was extracted with benzene. The extract was concentrated in vacuo, resulting in the formation of yellowish crystals of the active compound. The compound was recrystallized from hot chloroform. Calcd. : C 62.39, H 5.64, O 31.97 Found: C 62.39, H 5.58, O 32.03 The chemical structure of 4,6-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3,4, 5-trimethyl 6 oxo3 H-2-benzopyran-7 carboxylic acid was suggested by n.m. r. spectrum. The identity with citrinin was proven by comparison with authentic samples (kindly supplied by Dr. S. UDAGAWA, National Institute of Hygienic Science, Tokyo). As shown in Fig. 1, citrinin strongly inhibited cholesterol synthesis from 14C-acetate. The concentration at which cholesterol synthesis was inhibited by 50 % was about 8.5 mcg/ml (3.4 x 10-5M). Under the same conditions, 14C-acetate incorporation into fatty acid fraction was also reduced by citrinin but to a lesser extent. The concentration of the inhibitor required for 50 inhibition of fatty acid synthesis was approximately 50 mcg/ml. Citrinin was also inhibitory in the sterol synthesizing system of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in which 14C-acetate incorporation into nonsaponifiable lipids was determined as described by KAWAGUCHI (Fig. 1). e) At a concentration of 100 mcg/ml, the inhibitor reduced the sterol synthesis by approximately 50%. For studies of hypocholesterolemic effect of
A model for expert finding based on social network structure and underlying information diffusion network

Social networks can play a crucial role in a range of diffusion of information and knowledge, from the adoption of political opinions and technologies, to educational and learning usages. Thus knowledge sharing is one of the main purposes of people for using these networks. The main problem regarding to using social networks as a knowledge source is lacking of a criterion for determine validity of the diffused knowledge in these networks. Finding experts in social networks and knowing the level of users' knowledge can help to solve this problem by ranking users and validating their posts. In this paper we proposed a model for finding experts in social networks. This model is based on the structure of corresponding network and implicit flow of information in network and proposed according to SNPageRank algorithm.
The promise of mediation : responding to conflict through empowerment and recognition

Introduction: The Future of Mediation: What's at Stake and Why It Matters. MEDIATION AT THE CROSSROADS. 1. The Mediation Movement: Four Diverging Views. 2. Losing Sight of the Goal of Transformation: The Focus on Satisfaction and Settlement. 3. Solving Problems: The Limits of Current Mediation Practice. THE TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH TO MEDIATION. 4. Changing People, Not Just Situations: A Transformative View of Conflict and Mediation. 5. Rethinking the Process: A Case Example of How Mediation Might Work. 6. Capturing Opportunities for Empowerment and Recognition: A Case Analysis of Transformative Mediation in Practice. PRACTICING THE TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. 7. Identifying Patterns for Practice: The Process of Transformative Mediation. 8. Avoiding Pitfalls in Transformative Mediation: The Connection Between Purpose and Practice. A LARGER CONTEXT FOR MEDIATION. 9. Underlying Values: Why Transformation Matters. 10. Implementing the Transformation Approach: Inroads and Obstacles.
Application of Different Imaging Methods in the Early Diagnosis of Primary Hepatic Carcinoma

Primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) is the one of the most common tumors and the common cause of cancer death in the world. Detecting PHC in its early stage by imaging methods may greatly increase survival rates of patients. Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography are common imaging methods in the diagnosis of PHC. In this paper, the application of different imaging methods in diagnosing the primary hepatic carcinoma will be discussed.
Hypochlorite Ion Decomposition: Effects of Temperature, Ionic Strength, and Chloride Ion.

The effects of pH, hypochlorite and chloride ion concentration, temperature, and ionic strength on the kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of concentrated hypochlorite ion and the formation of chlorate ion and oxygen in the pH 9-14 region has been investigated. In the absence of catalytic levels of transition-metal ions, the rate of chlorate ion formation is 8.7 times faster than the rate of oxygen formation for the concentration range of 0.7-3.0 M hypochlorite ion with various levels of chloride ion in 0.001-1.0 M OH(-) at 15-55 degrees C. Under these same conditions, the equation that describes the effect of temperature and ionic strength on the decomposition of OCl(-) is the following: log k(2) = 0.149&mgr; + log[2.083 x 10(10)T exp(-1.018 x 10(5)/RT) exp(-56.5/R)] where k(2) has units of M(-)(1) sec(-)(1) and &mgr; is between 1 and 6 molar. Numerical simulation of the decomposition of OCl(-) was carried out while taking into account the effect of each of the above experimental variables. Evidence is presented suggesting chloride ion catalyzed decomposition of hypochlorite ion in the pH 9-10 region that is in addition to the contribution of chloride ion to the ionic strength.
GABAA Receptor – Mediated Miniature Postsynaptic Currents and a-Subunit Expression in Developing Cortical Neurons

Dunning, D. D. , C. L. Hoover, I. Soltesz, M. A. Smith, and D. K. O’Dowd. GABAA receptor mediated miniature postsynaptic currents and a-subunit expression in developing cortical neurons. J. Neurophysiol.82: 3286–3297, 1999. Previous studies have described maturational changes in GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rodent somatosensory cortex during the early postnatal period. To determine whether alterations in the functional properties of synaptically localized GABAA receptors (GABAARs) contribute to development of inhibitory transmission, we used the whole cell recording technique to examine GABAergic miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) in developing cortical neurons. Neurons harvested from somatosensory cortices of newborn mice showed a progressive, eightfold increase in GABAergic mPSC frequency during the first 4 wk of development in dissociated cell culture. A twofold decrease in the decay time of the GABAergic mPSCs, between 1 and 4 wk, demonstrates a functional change in the properties of GABA ARs mediating synaptic transmission in cortical neurons during development in culture. A similar maturational profile observed in GABAergic mPSC frequency and decay time in cortical neurons developing in vivo (assessed in slices), suggests that these changes in synaptically localized GABAARs contribute to development of inhibition in the rodent neocortex. Pharmacological and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies were conducted to determine whether changes in subunit expression might contribute to the observed developmental alterations in synaptic GABA ARs. Zolpidem (300 nM), a subunit-selective benzodiazepine agonist with high affinity for a1-subunits, caused a reversible slowing of the mPSC decay kinetics in cultured cortical neurons. Development was characterized by an increase in the potency of zolpidem in modulating the mPSC decay, suggesting a maturational increase in percentage of functionally active GABAARs containinga1 subunits. The relative expression of a1 versusa5 GABAAR subunit mRNA in cortical tissue, both in vivo and in vitro, also increased during this same period. Furthermore, single-cell RT-multiplex PCR analysis revealed more rapidly decaying mPSCs in individual neurons in which a1 versusa5 mRNA was amplified. Together these data suggest that changes in a-subunit composition of GABAARs contribute to the maturation of GABAergic mPSCs mediating inhibition in developing cortical neurons.
Almost a proper Buddhist : the post-secular complexity of heritage Buddhist teen identity in Britain

This qualitative study explores how Buddhist affiliation relates to practice, how Buddhist teens define and experience their religious identity and which sociological paradigms are helpful in understanding the dynamics of Buddhist teen identity. Focus group methodology was used to examine attitudes to superstition, stereotypes, prejudice, religion and society, convictions, and friends for 65 heritage Buddhist teenagers from Britain. Shared identity was expressed in terms of spiritual teachers, eclecticism within the Buddhist tradition, Asian heritage, openness to the supernatural, relevance of Buddhism in the present day and temple-going. Practice rather than belief seemed to represent the operational difference between how Buddhist teens defined 'Buddhist' and 'proper Buddhist'. Buddhist teens experienced little negative prejudice on account of their religion but experienced being grouped with Buddhists of other ethnicities in others' eyes. Secularization, modernity, projection and especially post-secularism were found helpful as sociological paradigms for explaining various aspects of Buddhist teen identity.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals Proteins Involved in Seed Imbibition under Salt Stress in Rice

Enhancement of salinity tolerance during seed germination is very important for direct seeding in rice. In this study, the salt-tolerant japonica landrace Jiucaiqing was used to determine the regulators that are involved in seed imbibition under salt stress. Briefly, the comparative proteomic analysis was conducted between dry (0 h) and imbibed (24 h) seeds with 150 mM NaCl. Under salt stress, the uptake of water increased rapidly before 24 h imbibition (Phase I), followed by a plateau of seed imbibition from 24 to 96 h imbibition (Phase II). We identified 14 proteins involved in seed imbibition, in which the majority of these proteins were involved in energy supply and storage protein. The early imbibition process was mediated by protein catabolism; the most of proteins were down-regulated after 24 h imbibition. Eleven genes in salt stress treated seeds were expressed early during the seed imbibition in comparison to control seeds. By comparison, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate-independent phosphoglycerate mutase (BPM), glutelin (GLU2.2 and GLU2.3), glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase large subunit (GAS8), and cupin domain containing protein (CDP3.1 and CDP3.2) were near the regions of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed dormancy, seed reserve utilization, and seed germination in Jiucaiqing. In particular, CDP3.1 was co-located in the region of qIR-3 for imbibition rate, and qGP-3 for germination percentage. The role of CDP3.1 was verified in enhancing seed germination under salt stress using T-DNA mutant. The identified proteins might be applicable for the improvement of seed germination under salt stress in rice.
About the relationship between people and discoverable Bluetooth devices in urban environments

People are frequently carrying their Bluetooth enabled mobile phones in their pockets while moving through public spaces. With only a small fraction of these being set to discoverable mode, it is possible to estimate the number of persons in proximity by conducting Bluetooth device inquiries. In this paper, we present a method for the measurement of the percentage of people with discoverable devices. We did experiments using this method in Bremen, Germany and San Francisco, US, suggesting that about 2%, respectively 6%, are detectable. Further, we show that this measurement can well be implemented on common mobile phones, and that specialized scanners are not necessary.
Heritability of resistance against ectoparasitism in the Drosophila–Macrocheles system

Abstract Ectoparasites are abundant in natural communities, can have pronounced deleterious fitness consequences to their host and are important vectors of transmissible parasitic disease. Yet very few studies have estimated the magnitude of heritable genetic variation underlying resistance against ectoparasitism, which significantly limits our ability to predict the evolution of this ecologically important character. The present paper reports results of artificial selection for increased resistance in Drosophila nigrospiracula against ectoparasitic, haematophagous mites, Macrocheles subbadius. In this system, which occurs naturally in the Sonoran Desert of North America, ectoparasitism significantly damages the expression of host fitness traits, including longevity, fecundity and male mating success. In the present study, resistance, which was modelled as a threshold trait, responded significantly to selection applied on either sex. Realized heritability, calculated as a mean across four replicates, was estimated to be 0.152 ± 0.014 (SE). The heritability estimate from selection on males did not differ from that on females, but both estimates differed significantly from zero. This documented presence of additive genetic variation for resistance, coupled with knowledge of the fitness consequences of ectoparasitism, indicates that the host population possesses significant evolutionary potential. Selection was applied on the pre‐attachment phase, thereby targeting behavioural forms of defence. This study therefore establishes parallels between insects and other animals in their ability to protect themselves and evolve behavioural defences against ectoparasites.
The Utility of Parent Report in the Assessment of Working Memory among Childhood Brain Tumor Survivors

Abstract Childhood brain tumor survivors are at increased risk for neurocognitive impairments, including working memory (WM) problems. WM is typically assessed using performance measures. Little is known about the value of parent ratings for identifying WM difficulties, the relationship between rater and performance measures, or predictors of parent-reported WM problems in this population. Accordingly, the current study examined the utility of parent report in detecting WM difficulties among childhood brain tumor survivors treated with conformal radiation therapy (n = 50) relative to siblings (n = 40) and solid tumor survivors not receiving central nervous system-directed therapy (n = 40). Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Participants were administered WM measures (digit span, self-ordered search tasks). Findings revealed parents rated brain tumor survivors as having significantly more WM problems (p < .01) compared to controls. However, the BRIEF-WM scale demonstrated poor sensitivity and specificity for detecting performance-based problems. Significant, albeit modest, correlations were found between the BRIEF-WM scale and performance measures (r = −.24–.22; p < .05) for the combined group. Age at testing, socioeconomic status, and IQ were significant predictors of parent reported WM problems. Rater and performance measures offer complimentary yet different information in assessing WM, which reiterates the importance of using both within the context of clinical assessment. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–10)