Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The validity and utility of selection methods in personnel psychology: Practical and theoretical implications of 85 years of research findings.

This article summarizes the practical and theoretical implications of 85 years of research in personnel selection. On the basis of meta-analytic findings, this article presents the validity of 19 selection procedures for predicting job performance and training performance and the validity of paired combinations of general mental ability (GMA) and Ihe 18 other selection procedures. Overall, the 3 combinations with the highest multivariate validity and utility for job performance were GMA plus a work sample test (mean validity of .63), GMA plus an integrity test (mean validity of .65), and GMA plus a structured interview (mean validity of .63). A further advantage of the latter 2 combinations is that they can be used for both entry level selection and selection of experienced employees. The practical utility implications of these summary findings are substantial. The implications of these research findings for the development of theories of job performance are discussed. From the point of view of practical value, the most important property of a personnel assessment method is predictive validity: the ability to predict future job performance, job-related learning (such as amount of learning in training and development programs), and other criteria. The predictive validity coefficient is directly proportional to the practical economic value (utility) of the assessment method (Brogden, 1949; Schmidt, Hunter, McKenzie, & Muldrow, 1979). Use of hiring methods with increased predictive validity leads to substantial increases in employee performance as measured in percentage increases in output, increased monetary value of output, and increased learning of job-related skills (Hunter, Schmidt, & Judiesch, 1990). Today, the validity of different personnel measures can be determined with the aid of 85 years of research. The most wellknown conclusion from this research is that for hiring employees without previous experience in the job the most valid predictor of future performance and learning is general mental ability ([GMA], i.e., intelligence or general cognitive ability; Hunter & Hunter, 1984; Ree & Earles, 1992). GMA can be measured using commercially available tests. However, many other measures can also contribute to the overall validity of the selection process. These include, for example, measures of
A Fast, Reciprocal Pathway between the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus and Visual Cortex in the Macaque Monkey

Neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) not only provide feedforward input to primary visual cortex (V1), but also receive robust feedback from the cortex. Accordingly, visual processing in the LGN is continuously influenced by previous patterns of activity. This study examines the temporal properties of feedforward and feedback pathways between the LGN and V1 in the macaque monkey to provide a lower bound on how quickly the cortex can influence the LGN. In so doing, we identified a subclass of corticogeniculate neurons that receives direct, suprathreshold input from the LGN that is similar in latency to that directed to other recipient neurons (4.2 ± 0.4 vs 4.0 ± 0.2 ms). These neurons also provide feedback to the LGN that is significantly shorter in latency than that supplied by corticogeniculate neurons lacking LGN input (5.1 ± 1.3 vs 11.1 ± 2.3 ms, respectively). Across our sample of corticogeniculate neurons, the shortest combined visual response latency and feedback latency was 37 ms (mean, 52.5 ± 3.8 ms), indicating that visual signals can rapidly travel from the periphery to the cortex and back to the LGN.
First-Episode Medication-Naive Major Depressive Disorder Is Associated with Altered Resting Brain Function in the Affective Network

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with abnormal structure and function of the brain's affective network, including the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). However, it is unclear if alterations of resting-state function in this affective network are present at the initial onset of MDD. Aims To examine resting-state function of the brain's affective network in first-episode, medication-naive patients with MDD compared to healthy controls (HCs). Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed on 32 first-episode, medication-naive young adult patients with MDD and 35 matched HCs. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal and amygdala-seeded functional connectivity (FC) were investigated. Results Compared to HC, MDD patients showed reduced ALFF in the bilateral OFC and increased ALFF in the bilateral temporal lobe extending to the insular and left fusiform cortices. Enhanced anti-correlation of activity between the left amygdala seed and the left OFC was found in MDD patients but not in HCs. Conclusions Reduced ALFF in the OFC suggests hypo-functioning of emotion regulation in the affective network. Enhanced anti-correlation of activity between the amygdala and OFC may reflect dysfunction of the amygdala-OFC network and additionally represent a pathological process of MDD.
Mediating Role of Psychological Contract in the Relationship between Workplace Spirituality and Affective Commitment

Malaysian banking sector is facing commitment challenge of their employees especially in the current highly competitive business environment. Now banks want to retain and engage their competent employees so there is a need to create or enhance their affective commitment because this affective commitment is a key to retain and engage competent employees. Previous research explains that effective commitment provide employees emotional attachment with their organisation so there is a need to explore those factors through which organisations can develop the affective commitment of their employees. Healthy amount of research has been conducted to deal with employee attitude and commitment. As time goes on new concepts are coming up with new management ideas. One such new area of research is workplace spirituality. Previous research in this field discovered numerous benefits of workplace spirituality to the organization and employee as well as organizational and employee development, and commitment. Literature review pointed out that Malaysian banking sector is facing the problem of employee commitment. Present research is an attempt to deal this problem of employee commitment with the help of workplace spirituality along with psychological contract as a mediator. Subjects for this research were 350 bank employees working in commercial banks in Malaysia. Structural equation modelling SEM – PLS was the main statistical technique utilized in this study. All the main relationships were found to have significant effect on employees affective commitment, Overall, the results indicate that the model provide good understanding of the workplace spirituality’s influence on employees commitment in banking sector of Malaysia.
An adaptive access control model for medical data in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have recently attracted a lot of interest in the research community. The security mechanism with large overhead of computation and communication, are infeasible to apply in WSNs due to many constraints such as limited energy, resource and memory, and low computation capability. Current access control models cannot make an effective access decision in many events because access decisions are based on predefined access policies and roles. Sometimes, users may need to access important data urgently but apart from those predefined access policies, other user request will not be granted. An adaptive access control model is proposed aiming to provide a flexible and an effective access decision on user access request at any time. The proposed model is developed in Ponder2 framework with additional extensions to adapt the unexpected events by using privilege overriding and also adjust its decision based on users' behaviour trust value. A medical scenario is used as an example application to develop and evaluate the proposed model in Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) and WSNs. In this paper, detailed design, implementation phase, evaluation result and policies testing for the proposed adaptive access control model are presented. Based on an evaluation result, all the modules in the proposed access control model are cooperated to make an effective access decision.
Selection of an avian retrovirus mutant with extended receptor usage

Receptor recognition by avian retroviruses is thought to involve the interaction of two regions of the SU protein, hr1 and hr2, with the host cell surface receptor. These regions exhibit considerable variation, concordant with differences in receptor usage among the many avian leukosis virus subgroups. We hypothesize that some retroviruses have altered receptor usage in response to selective pressures imposed by receptor polymorphisms in their hosts. To test this hypothesis, we passaged td-Pr-RSV-B on cocultured permissive chicken (C/E) and nonpermissive quail (QT6/BD) cells. A variant virus with an expanded host range was identified at passage 29 and ultimately shown to be identical in sequence to td-Pr-RSV-B, except for changes at codons 155 and 156 of SU amino acid corresponding to two amino acid changes within hr1. Superinfection resistance studies suggest that the variant virus recognizes the subgroup B receptor on chicken cells and the subgroup E receptor on quail cells. These findings indicate that altered receptor usage can be conferred by small changes in env and may point to a key region for receptor interaction. Further, they demonstrate the evolutionary potential of retroviral env genes to alter receptor usage in response to appropriate selective pressure.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: a right temporal lobe syndrome?

In a recent paper (Georgopoulos et al 2010 J. Neural Eng. 7 016011) we reported on the power of the magnetoencephalography (MEG)-based synchronous neural interactions (SNI) test to differentiate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subjects from healthy control subjects and to classify them with a high degree of accuracy. Here we show that the main differences in cortical communication circuitry between these two groups lie in the miscommunication of temporal and parietal and/or parieto-occipital right hemispheric areas with other brain areas. This lateralized temporal-posterior pattern of miscommunication was very similar but was attenuated in patients with PTSD in remission. These findings are consistent with observations (Penfield 1958 Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 44 51–66, Penfield and Perot 1963 Brain 86 595–696, Gloor 1990 Brain 113 1673–94, Banceaud et al 1994 Brain 117 71–90, Fried 1997 J. Neuropsychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 9 420–8) that electrical stimulation of the temporal cortex in awake human subjects, mostly in the right hemisphere, can elicit the re-enactment and re-living of past experiences. Based on these facts, we attribute our findings to the re-experiencing component of PTSD and hypothesize that it reflects an involuntarily persistent activation of interacting neural networks involved in experiential consolidation.
Ligand‐induced recruitment of a histone deacetylase in the negative‐feedback regulation of the thyrotropin β gene

We have investigated ligand‐dependent negative regulation of the thyroid‐stimulating hormone β (TSHβ) gene. Thyroid hormone (T3) markedly repressed activity of the TSHβ promoter that had been stably integrated into GH3 pituitary cells, through the conserved negative regulatory element (NRE) in the promoter. By DNA affinity binding assay, we show that the NRE constitutively binds to the histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) present in GH3 cells. Significantly, upon addition of T3, the NRE further recruited the thyroid hormone receptor (TRβ) and another deacetylase, HDAC2. This recruitment coincided with an alteration of in vivo chromatin structure, as revealed by changes in restriction site accessibility. Supporting the direct interaction between TR and HDAC, in vitro assays showed that TR, through its DNA binding domain, strongly bound to HDAC2. Consistent with the role for HDACs in negative regulation, an inhibitor of the enzymes, trichostatin A, attenuated T3‐dependent promoter repression. We suggest that ligand‐dependent histone deacetylase recruitment is a mechanism of the negative‐feedback regulation, a critical function of the pituitary–thyroid axis.
Understanding sovereign leadership as a response to terrorism: A post-foundational analysis

This study seeks to better understand how notions of sovereign power as a response to terrorism are built and bolstered through use of the signifier ‘leadership’. Through a post-foundational analysis of the speeches, press conferences and writings of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, we theorise ‘sovereign leadership’ as the deployment of the signifier leadership in ways that foreclose language so as to normalise the discourse and acts of sovereign power. Our key finding is that sovereign leadership offers a (misleadingly) straightforward solution to the complex problem of terrorism through foreclosing language so that alternative responses are excluded. In exploring articulations of sovereign leadership, we illuminate its contingency, and therefore, also its contestability, within a system of discursive resources. We posit three foreclosing moments that are drawn upon to bolster the urgency, affective salience and justness of sovereign leadership: emergency, positivity and vulnerability. We conclude by reflecting on the implications of our study for interpreting articulations of leadership in everyday organisational and political life.
Market Risk and Model Risk for a Financial Institution Writing Options

Derivatives valuation and risk management involve heavy use of quantitative models. To develop a quantitative assessment of model risk as it affects the basic option writing strategy that might be followed by a financial institution, we conduct an empirical simulation, with and without hedging, using data from 1976 to 1996. Results indicate that imperfect models and inaccurate volatility forecasts create sizable risk exposure for option writers. We consider to what extent the damage due to model risk can be limited by pricing options using a higher volatility than the best estimate from historical data. Copyright The American Finance Association 1999.
Dietary Patterns High in Red Meat, Potato, Gravy, and Butter Are Associated with Poor Cognitive Functioning but Not with Rate of Cognitive Decline in Very Old Adults1234

Background: Healthy dietary patterns (DPs) have been linked to better cognition and reduced risk of dementia in older adults, but their role in cognitive functioning and decline in the very old (aged ≥85 y) is unknown. Objective: We investigated the association between previously established DPs from the Newcastle 85+ Study and global and attention-specific cognition over 5 y. Methods: We followed up with 302 men and 489 women (1921 birth cohort from Northeast United Kingdom) for change in global cognition [measured by the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE)] over 5 y and attention (assessed by the cognitive drug research attention battery) over 3 y. We used 2-step clustering to derive DPs and mixed models to determine the relation between DPs and cognition in the presence of the dementia susceptibility gene. Results: Previously, we characterized 3 DPs that differed in intake of red meat, potato, gravy, and butter and varied with key health measures. When compared with participants in DP1 (high red meat) and DP3 (high butter), participants in DP2 (low meat) had higher SMMSE scores at baseline (P < 0.001) and follow-ups, and better initial attention (P < 0.05). Membership in DP1 and DP3 was associated with overall worse SMMSE scores (β = 0.09, P = 0.01 and β = 0.08, P = 0.02, respectively) than membership in DP2 after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, multimorbidity, and body mass index (BMI). Additional adjustment for apolipoprotein (apoE) ε4 genotype attenuated the association to nonsignificant in women but not in men in DP1 (β = 0.13, P = 0.02). Participants in DP1 and DP3 also had overall worse concentration (β = 0.04, P = 0.002 and β = 0.028, P = 0.03, respectively) and focused attention (β = 0.02, P = 0.01 and β = 0.02, P = 0.03, respectively), irrespective of apoE ε4 genotype, but similar rate of decline in all cognitive measures over time. Conclusion: DPs high in red meat, potato, gravy (DP1), or butter (DP3) were associated with poor cognition but not with the rate of cognitive decline in very old adults.
Outcome of primary root canal treatment: systematic review of the literature -- Part 2. Influence of clinical factors.

AIMS (i) To carry out meta-analyses to quantify the influence of the clinical factors on the efficacy of primary root canal treatment and (ii) to identify the best treatment protocol based on the current evidence. METHODOLOGY The evidence for the effect of each clinical factor on the success rate (SR) of primary root canal treatment was gathered in three different ways: (i) intuitive synthesis of reported findings from individual studies; (ii) weighted pooled SR by each factor under investigation was estimated using random-effect meta-analysis; (iii) weighted effect of the factor under investigation on SR were estimated and expressed as odds ratio for the dichotomous outcomes (success or failure) using fixed- and random-effects meta-analysis. Statistical heterogeneity amongst the studies was assessed by Cochran's (Q) test. Potential sources of statistical heterogeneity were investigated by exploring clinical heterogeneity using meta-regression models which included study characteristics in the regression models. RESULTS Out of the clinical factors investigated, pre-operative pulpal and periapical status were most frequently investigated, whilst the intra-operative factors were poorly studied in the 63 studies. Four factors were found to have a significant effect on the primary root canal treatment outcome, although the data heterogeneity was substantial, some of which could be explained by some of the study characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Four conditions (pre-operative absence of periapical radiolucency, root filling with no voids, root filling extending to 2 mm within the radiographic apex and satisfactory coronal restoration) were found to improve the outcome of primary root canal treatment significantly. Root canal treatment should therefore aim at achieving and maintaining access to apical anatomy during chemo-mechanical debridement, obturating the canal with densely compacted material to the apical terminus without extrusion into the apical tissues and preventing re-infection with a good quality coronal restoration.
Biocontrol mechanism by root-associated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 – a review

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum FZB42 is a Gram-positive model bacterium for unraveling plant–microbe interactions in Bacilli. In addition, FZB42 is used commercially as biofertilizer and biocontrol agent in agriculture. Genome analysis of FZB42 revealed that nearly 10% of the FZB42 genome is devoted to synthesizing antimicrobial metabolites and their corresponding immunity genes. However, recent investigations in planta demonstrated that – except surfactin – the amount of such compounds found in vicinity of plant roots is relatively low, making doubtful a direct function in suppressing competing microflora including plant pathogens. These metabolites have been also suspected to induce changes within the rhizosphere microbial community, which might affect environment and plant health. However, sequence analysis of rhizosphere samples revealed only marginal changes in the root microbiome, suggesting that secondary metabolites are not the key factor in protecting plants from pathogenic microorganisms. On the other hand, adding FZB42 to plants compensate, at least in part, changes in the community structure caused by the pathogen, indicating an interesting mechanism of plant protection by beneficial Bacilli. Sub-lethal concentrations of cyclic lipopeptides and volatiles produced by plant-associated Bacilli trigger pathways of induced systemic resistance (ISR), which protect plants against attacks of pathogenic microbes, viruses, and nematodes. Stimulation of ISR by bacterial metabolites is likely the main mechanism responsible for biocontrol action of FZB42.
Correlation of Graph-Theoretical Indices

The correlation of graph characteristics, such as the number of independent vertex or edge subsets, the number of connected subsets, or the sum of distances, which also play a role in combinatorial chemistry, is studied by a generating function approach and asymptotic analysis. It is shown how an asymptotic formula for the correlation coefficient can be obtained when simply generated families of trees are investigated. For rooted ordered trees, the calculations are done explicitly. Further feasible correlation measures are discussed.
Contextualizing inclusive education in educational policy: the case of Sweden

ABSTRACT In this article, we regard inclusive education as a policy phenomenon that contains a range of ideas about the purpose of education, the content of education and the organization of education. As a political ideal expressed in policy, inclusive education competes with other political ideals regarding education, for instance economic discourses that prioritize effectivity and attainment as educational goals. Thus, inclusive education has to be realized in contexts where available options for action are restricted by several and often contradictory educational policies on different levels of the education system. We argue that while research and debate about inclusive education are important, both are insufficient without analyses of the context of national educational policy. Any interpretation of inclusive education is necessarily situated in a general education policy, and measures of what â€˜inclusive schoolsâ€™ are dependent upon for instance, political interpretation(s) of inclusive education, resource allocation and political discourse on both local and national educational level. Here, we will provide support for this argument through presentation of both research on inclusive education, an alignment of prior analyses of Swedish national education policies and our own analyses of government statements.
Using polymerase chain reaction to identify Streptococcus uberis in bovine milk: how does it compare with bacterial culture?

Rapid identification of the pathogen responsible for an intramammary infection in a dairy cow can support herd management decisions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become available to identify mastitis pathogens in milk, offering a rapid and sensitive test. The performance of a commercial, real-time PCR assay was compared with traditional bacterial culture for the identification of the most-frequent pathogen in New Zealand, Streptococcus uberis, during three stages of lactation. Aseptically collected quarter-milk samples (n=6,848) were analysed by culture, and a subset (n=315) selected for PCR analysis based on S. uberis infection status. Using culture as the reference test, PCR had a relative sensitivity of 89.0%, and a specificity of 64.3% (kappa=0.49) for detecting S. uberis in milk collected at the first milking post-calving. The relative sensitivity and specificity for samples collected in mid-late lactation were 89.3% and 97.7%, respectively, indicating a greater agreement between the two tests later in lactation (kappa=0.88). Accurate diagnostic tests are necessary for mastitis management. In early lactation, when S. uberis prevalence is high, bacterial culture should be used. The PCR assay tested in this study is most useful after the first month of lactation.