Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived Organizational Support and Extra-Role Performance: Which Leads to Which?

L. Rhoades and R. Eisenberger (2002) reported the meta-analytic finding of a highly statistically significant relation between perceived organizational support (POS) and performance but concluded that the reviewed studies' methodology allowed no conclusion concerning the direction of the association. To investigate this issue, the authors assessed POS and extra-role performance 2 times, separated by a 3-year interval, among 199 employees of an electronic and appliance sales organization. Using a cross-lagged panel design, the authors found that POS was positively associated with a temporal change in extra-role performance. In contrast, the relation between extra-role performance and temporal change in POS was not statistically significant. These findings provide evidence that POS leads to extra-role performance.
First principles of motivation to learn and e3‐learning

Technology‐assisted learning systems are being developed at ever increasing rates, and the labels applied to such systems are growing with them. For example, not only do we have e‐learning, but we also have hybrid learning, online learning, and mobile learning (m‐learning), to mention only a few. Considering that technology is being incorporated in virtually all courses, this article uses the single term e3‐learning, as introduced by Spector and Merrill in this special issue to refer to these systems collectively with the emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency, and engagement. Learning concerns learner motivation. Five first principles of motivation and volition that characterize learning systems that effectively motivate students are introduced in this article.
Control implementation for an integrated robotic and virtual mirror therapy system for stroke rehabilitation

Stroke affects approximately 2% of the population, and with advances in modern technology, more patients are surviving the event and requiring rehabilitation, placing further demand on already stretched medical systems. Because of this, an emergent area of research has arisen, investigating the use of robotics as a means to aid in the rehabilitation of patients affected by stroke. Projects such as the MIT Manus have provided evidence of the efficacy of robotic rehabilitation for stroke patients, but further research is required to provide ongoing improvements to this approach. Further to this, mirror therapy, a treatment initially found to be useful in the treatment of phantom pain syndrome in amputees, has also shown promise in the rehabilitation of stroke, though further research into the mechanisms behind mirror therapy need further investigation. A novel prototype robotic rehabilitation system was developed to investigate the integration of these two emergent approaches to stroke rehabilitation as a more comprehensive approach to stroke rehabilitation. This system was developed around a small industrial robot, utilising motion capture and force feedback for control of the robot with a virtual mirror therapy system to provide visual stimulation for the patient. The operation of the prototype was verified, however further development is required to produce a system suitable for patient trials.
The Legal and Policy Implications of the “Flexibility Stigma”

American workplace law prohibits employment decisions based on gender stereotypes and forbids retaliation against employees who take certain job-protected family leaves. Yet new studies documenting the "flexibility stigma" -- the bias against workers who take caregiving leave or take advantage of flexible work policies -- indicate popular perceptions and attitudes that run counter to these legal proscriptions. Three key aspects of the flexibility stigma as documented in these studies suggest legal and policy implications. First, because the flexibility stigma is rooted in gender stereotypes, its effects may be litigable under federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in employment. Second, workplace policies that provide leave or flexible scheduling must also recognize and address bias against those who use them or the policies risk being undermined by workers engaging in bias avoidance. Third, the flexibility stigma operates in workplaces across the class spectrum, indicating a greater urgency for public policy to counteract its effects.
Attitudes toward Working Single Parents: Initial Development of a Measure

Three studies describe the development and refinement of a measure designed to assess Attitudes TowardWorking Single Parents (AWSP). Study 1 consisted of content validation of items written to assess respondent attitudes regarding the effect of single parenthood on two dimensions viewed as most central to the life experiences of single parents: work and family. Study 2 involved exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis of the scores on the target measure. Finally, in Study 3, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate scale dimensionality, and discriminant, convergent, and subgroup validity coefficients were examined. The final scale may prove useful in guiding future research aimed at understanding the unique challenges faced byworking single parents.
Hemodynamic variability and cerebrovascular control after transient cerebral ischemia

We investigated if hemodynamic variability, cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation, and their interrelationships differ between patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and controls. We recorded blood pressure (BP) and bilateral middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCAv) in a cohort of TIA patients (n = 17), and age‐matched controls (n = 15). Spontaneous fluctuations in BP and MCAv were characterized by spectral power analysis, and CBF regulation was assessed by wavelet phase synchronization analysis in the very low‐ (0.02–0.07 Hz), low‐ (0.07–0.20 Hz), and high‐frequency (0.20–0.40 Hz) ranges. Furthermore, cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity was assessed as a second metric of CBF regulation by inducing hypercapnia with 8% CO2 inhalation followed by hyperventilation driven hypocapnia. We found that TIA was associated with higher BP power (group effect, P < 0.05), but not MCAv power (P = 0.11). CBF regulation (assessed by wavelet phase synchronization and CO2 reactivity) was intact in patients (all P ≥ 0.075) across both hemispheres (all P ≥ 0.51). Pooled data (controls and affected hemisphere of patients) showed that BP and MCAv power were positively correlated at all frequency ranges (R2 = 0.20–0.80, all P < 0.01). Furthermore, LF phase synchronization index was a significant determinant of MCAv power (P < 0.05), while VLF and HF phase synchronization index, and TIA were not (all P ≥ 0.50). These results indicate that CBF stability and control is maintained in TIA patients, but BPV is markedly elevated. BPV attenuation may be an important therapeutic strategy for enhancing secondary stroke prevention in patients who suffer a TIA.
Genetic Structure and Molecular Variability Analysis of Citrus sudden death-associated virus Isolates from Infected Plants Grown in Brazil

Citrus sudden death-associated virus (CSDaV) is a monopartite positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that was suggested to be associated with citrus sudden death (CSD) disease in Brazil. Here, we report the first study of the genetic structure and molecular variability among 31 CSDaV isolates collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic trees in CSD-affected areas. Analyses of partial nucleotide sequences of five domains of the CSDaV genomic RNA, including those encoding for the methyltransferase, the multi-domain region (MDR), the helicase, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the coat protein, showed that the MDR coding region was the most diverse region assessed here, and a possible association between this region and virus adaption to different host or plant tissues is considered. Overall, the nucleotide diversity (π) was low for CSDaV isolates, but the phylogenetic analyses revealed the predominance of two main groups, one of which showed a higher association with CSD-symptomatic plants. Isolates obtained from CSD-symptomatic plants, compared to those obtained from asymptomatic plants, showed higher nucleotide diversity, nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates and number of amino acid changes on the coding regions located closer to the 5’ end region of the genomic RNA. This work provides new insights into the genetic diversity of the CSDaV, giving support for further epidemiological studies.
The role of metacognition in the relationship between objective and subjective measures of situation awareness

The present paper is concerned with the relationship between subjective and objective measures of situation awareness (SA) within the context of a realistic command and control (C2) scenario. A 2-day scenario involved a joint military–civilian C2 exercise relating to the (crisis) management of a large event held in a metropolitan area. The role of participants comprised both the acquisition and maintenance of SA of each crisis event and the coordination of an appropriate course of action. Two measures of SA were collected at the end of each day–Situation Awareness Rating Technique (SART) and Quantitative Assessment of Situation Awareness (QUASA). No correlation was found between QUASA confidence and accuracy scores. However, SART SA, SART S(upply) and SART U(nderstanding) scores showed a negative correlation with QUASA accuracy scores. These results are interpreted in light of Koriat et al.'s (Koriat, A., et al., 2008. Information-based and experience-based metacognitive judgement: evidence from subjective confidence. In: J. Dunlosky and R.A. Bjork, eds. Handbook of metamemory and memory. New York: Taylor & Francis, 117–135) framework of information- and experience-based metacognitive judgements and practical implications for the subjective measurement of SA are discussed. SA is a critical real-world concept, yet its measurement remains ambiguous. The relationship between subjective and objective SA measures was examined within the context of a realistic C2 scenario. Using theories of metacognition, unique insights were gained into how subjective SA plays a strategic role in the acquisition of SA.
A Double-Blind Randomized Phase I Clinical Trial Targeting ALVAC-HIV Vaccine to Human Dendritic Cells

Background We conducted a novel pilot study comparing different delivery routes of ALVAC-HIV (vCP205), a canarypox vaccine containing HIV gene inserts: env, gag and pol. We explored the concept that direct ex vivo targeting of human dendritic cells (DC) would enhance the immune response compared to either conventional intramuscular or intradermal injections of the vaccine alone. Methodology/Principal Findings Healthy HIV-1 uninfected volunteers were administered ALVAC-HIV or placebo by intramuscular injection (IM), intradermal injection (ID) or subcutaneous injection (SQ) of autologous ex vivo transfected DC at months 0, 1, 3 and 6. All vaccine delivery routes were well tolerated. Binding antibodies were observed to both the ALVAC vector and HIV-1 gp160 proteins. Modest cellular responses were observed in 2/7 individuals in the DC arm and 1/8 in the IM arm as determined by IFN-γ ELISPOT. Proliferative responses were most frequent in the DC arm where 4/7 individuals had measurable responses to multiple HIV-1 antigens. Loading DC after maturation resulted in lower gene expression, but overall better responses to both HIV-1 and control antigens, and were associated with better IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ production. Conclusions/Significance ALVAC-HIV delivered IM, ID or SQ with autologous ex vivo transfected DC proved to be safe. The DC arm was most immunogenic. Proliferative immune responses were readily detected with only modest cytotoxic CD8 T cell responses. Loading mature DC with the live viral vaccine induced stronger immune responses than loading immature DC, despite increased transgene expression with the latter approach. Volunteers who received the autologous vaccine loaded mature DC developed a broader and durable immune response compared to those vaccinated by conventional routes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00013572
The Internal Fault Analysis of Brushless DC Motors Based on the Winding Function Theory

This paper presents a new approach to analyze the stator inter-turn fault of a brushless dc motor. It is essential to analyze the behavior of the machine under internal faults and design appropriate protection systems to avoid expensive failures that might occur to the machine in the near future. The winding functions and inductance change of stator windings under internal faults are explained in detail, and the informative simulation results, based on the winding function theory, are provided to analyze a current's abnormalities and torque pulsation under turn-to-turn faults. To verify the proposed analysis, the stator current, back-electromotive force, and resultant torque waveforms for both healthy and faulty machines are presented, utilizing both the finite-element method (FEM) and computer simulation based on dynamic equations. Finally, experimental results present the actual behavior under the stator faults. The detailed simulation and experimental results will be the guideline for early detection of internal failures in brushless dc motors.
Black Beans, Fiber, and Antioxidant Capacity Pilot Study: Examination of Whole Foods vs. Functional Components on Postprandial Metabolic, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) contain bioactive components with functional properties that may modify cardiovascular risk. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the ability of black beans to attenuate postprandial metabolic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses and determine relative contribution of dietary fiber and antioxidant capacity of beans to the overall effect. In this randomized, controlled, crossover trial, 12 adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) consumed one of three meals (black bean (BB), fiber matched (FM), and antioxidant capacity matched (AM)) on three occasions that included blood collection before (fasting) and five hours postprandially. Insulin was lower after the BB meal, compared to the FM or AM meals (p < 0.0001). A significant meal × time interaction was observed for plasma antioxidant capacity (p = 0.002) revealing differences over time: AM > BB > FM. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) was not different by meal, although a trend for declining oxLDL was observed after the BB and AM meals at five hours compared to the FM meal. Triglycerides and interleukin-6 (IL-6) increased in response to meals (p < 0.0001). Inclusion of black beans with a typical Western-style meal attenuates postprandial insulin and moderately enhances postprandial antioxidant endpoints in adults with MetS, which could only be partly explained by fiber content and properties of antioxidant capacity.
Police officers' acceptance of community policing strategy in Israel and their attitudes towards the Arab minority

Police racism and prejudice against minorities are believed to impede law enforcing agencies' ability to equitably perform their job. One factor driving police forces throughout the world to adopt community policing was their will to ameliorate relations with minority groups. In the Israeli case, a survey of 643 police officers and police managers reveals that positive attitudes towards community policing correlate with positive attitudes towards Arab citizens. This article discusses these findings and their implications.
The Instrumental and Symbolic Dimensions of Organisations' Image as an Employer: A Large‐Scale Field Study on Employer Branding in Turkey

Research on recruitment and employer branding has typically been situated in Western countries with predominantly individualistic cultures. The present study investigates the instrumental-symbolic framework for studying organisations' image and attraction as an employer in a non-Western collectivistic culture. In a large nationwide sample of Turkish university students, both instrumental (working conditions) and symbolic image dimensions (competence) were positively related to organisational attractiveness. Moreover, symbolic traits explained significant incremental variance beyond instrumental attributes and accounted for a greater amount of predictable variance. In addition, organisations were better differentiated from each other on the basis of symbolic image dimensions (sincerity and innovativeness) than on the basis of instrumental dimensions (task demands). Overall, these findings provide support for the applicability of the instrumental-symbolic framework across different countries, cultures, and organisations.
Indeterminate test results of T-SPOTTM.TB performed under routine field conditions

Interferon-γ release assays for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) can give indeterminate results. The prevalence of indeterminate test results (ITRs) among T-SPOTTM.TB tests was assessed. A retrospective analysis of samples processed in 2005 was performed. ITRs were assessed by age, sex, immunosuppression, distance to the laboratory and season. A subgroup of tests performed for specific indications (contact tracing, migrants with positive tuberculin skin test, TB suspects and immunosuppression) were analysed separately. Of a total of 1,429 tests, 49 (3.4%) were indeterminate. ITRs were significantly associated with old age (>75 versus 5–75 yrs; odds ratio (OR) 7.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.968–15.438) and the season during which samples were transported (autumn and winter versus spring and summer; OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.753–7.514). The incidence of ITR was 302 (2.0%) among TB contacts, 75 (1.6%) among immigrants, 156 (3.0%) in TB suspects and 32 (3.0%) among immunosuppressed patients. Sex, young age and distance to the laboratory were not associated with the rate of ITR. Of the 13 tests with ITR that were repeated, 10 gave a clear positive or negative result. Indeterminate test results with T-SPOTTM.TB under routine conditions were infrequent and more common in individuals aged >75 yrs than in children and younger adults. The incidence of indeterminate test results was low and similar among healthy tuberculosis contacts, immigrants with a positive tuberculin skin test, tuberculosis suspects and the immunosuppressed. The conditions of transportation may influence the incidence of indeterminate test results.
Students’ Food Acquisition Struggles in the Context of South Africa: The Fundamentals of Student Development

This article situates food at the heart of the fundamentals of student development, based on qualitative case study research. Food acquisition and food-related struggles in the context of the South African university are examined. Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis of the data, and are discussed in detail: depletion of food funds, acquiring food on campus, and awareness of others’ food struggles. The findings suggest that students struggling to acquire food are dominated by food acquisition issues and that inaccessibility of food on campus has a potentially detrimental impact on student development and involvement on campus.
Comprehensive effects of alcohol: Development and psychometric assessment of a new expectancy questionnaire.

A comprehensive measure of alcohol outcome expectancies was developed through the use of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The questionnaire assesses both positive and negative expected effects of alcohol as well as the subjective evaluation of those effects. The measure was found to demonstrate adequate internal consistency, temporal stability, and construct validity. Criterion validity was demonstrated through structural regression analyses of the independent and combined influences of outcome expectancies and subjective evaluation on three measures of alcohol use. Information on subjects' dose-related expectancies provided further validation of the expectancy construct and yielded information about the effects people associate with drinking different amounts of alcohol
Overcoming respondent resistance at elite interviews using an intermediary

This article promotes an interviewing technique that could be used when interviewing elite policy-making respondents who fear repercussions for divulging information and who, as a result, either become too emotionally unstable to allow for rapport or begin to resist disclosing information. Based on two independent research projects in Bulgaria and Cyprus, the article advocates the active use of a new type of research participant, the intermediary. This relatively new interview participant is used to introduce and vouch for the credibility of the researcher. The paper argues their inclusion in the interview decreases a respondent’s resistance by improving rapport and by preventing concealment of information. They achieve the former by: creating an aura of trust, by providing emotional support to the respondent and by converting the interview to a friendly conversation. They achieve the latter by intervening at the moments when they consider the respondent is deliberately or unintentionally withholding information.
The More the Better? The Number of Plans Predicts Health Behaviour Change

Background: Planning has been found to support behaviour change. How well planning interventions translate into behaviour change might vary according to the number of plans and baseline levels of behaviour. This study tested effects of the number of action plans and coping plans at two stages of change in physical activity, i.e. in motivated, less active persons (intenders) and active individuals (actors). Methods: Participants were 560 employees of a logistics service company who specified up to three action plans and coping plans or completed an active control intervention. Change in physical activity was measured 4 weeks later. Direct and indirect effects of baseline stage and number of action plans and coping plans were tested by variance analyses and regression procedures. Results: Intenders generated more action plans than actors, but stage groups did not differ regarding coping plans. Intervention effects on activity were strongest in intenders and those who specified more plans (two action plans, or three coping plans). The number of action plans mediated between baseline stage (intenders vs. actors) and changes in activity. Conclusions: The study underlines the effectiveness of action plans and coping plans, particularly in less active individuals. It further suggests identifying the optimum number of plans required to attain a satisfactory behaviour change.