Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Dimensionality of Managers' Performance Feedback to Subordinates

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensional structure of managers' performance feedback to subordinates. Three hundred and sixty pairs of managers and subordinates from over 50 organizations located in three countries participated in the study. Both members of each pair completed an instrument assessing the timeliness, specificity, frequency, and sensitivity of the manager's positive and negative performance feedback. The relationship among these dimensions was examined using both confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. The results offer little evidence that these dimensions actually exist as distinct features of managers' performance feedback behavior. Instead, they appear to covary so strongly as to be empirically indiscriminable. This covariation is most extreme within the positive and negative feedback domains. It is substantially less, though still present, across domains. These results suggest that it may be more appropriate to examine the overall quality of managers' performance feedback than to focus on each dimension separately.
Social Competence at School: Relation Between Social Responsibility and Academic Achievement

This article reviews the literature on social responsibility and academic achievement. Both theoretical and empirical work suggest that student social responsibility is not only a valued outcome in and of itself but that it can be instrumental in the acquisition of knowledge and the development of cognitive abilities. This review describes research on the value of social responsibility for parents and teachers and on how it is promoted within the classroom. It is proposed that social responsibility can facilitate learning and performance outcomes by promoting positive interactions with teachers and peers and, from a motivational perspective, by providing students with additional incentives to achieve.
Neuromyelitis Optica and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Patients in Turkish Cohort: Demographic, Clinical, and Laboratory Features

Background:Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an immune-mediated, chronic relapsing, inflammatory disease characterized by severe attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. Objective:To determine the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features; antibody status; and treatment modalities of patients with NMO and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in a Turkish cohort from 11 centers. Methods:A total of 182 patients were included in this study. Data on age at disease onset, sex, type of attacks, clinical presentation, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, serum antiaquaporin-4 antibody status, annual progression index, and medical and family histories were collected. Results:Mean age was 38.43±12.40 years (range, 13 to 75 y), and mean age at disease onset was 31.29±12.40 years (median, 29 y; range, 10 to 74 y). In NMO group, the rate of NMO immunoglobulin (Ig)G positivity was 62.5%. The annual progression index was significantly higher in the longitudinally extending spinal cord lesion. The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score was higher in the late than early-onset NMO group. Conclusion:Our results revealed a lower rate of NMO IgG positivity, more severe disability in patients with NMO/neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders presenting with either transverse myelitis or late-onset NMO, and no correlation between disability and NMO IgG status.
Exploring impaired consciousness: the MRI approach

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the application of advanced MRI sequences such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI for the evaluation of patients with altered consciousness. Recent findingsMagnetic resonance spectroscopy, volumetry and diffusion tensor imaging have shown promising results in the evaluation of traumatic or anoxo-ischaemic brain lesions and can detect damage of the brainstem, basal ganglia and white matter tracts not visible on conventional sequences. A diffusion tensor imaging study has raised the possibility of detecting ongoing axonal regrowth many years after the initial injury in minimally conscious patients. Functional MRI studies have shown that a high level of brain activities, such as recognizing one's own name or imagining playing tennis, can be preserved in vegetative patients. SummaryThe development of quantitative imaging could lead to a more objective evaluation of the extent of destruction or preservation of critical brain areas at the acute phase of brain injury, which could be integrated in multi-parametric decisional strategies for these patients. Functional imaging could help define borders between the various levels of altered consciousness and detect the presence of cryptic residual functions in vegetative or minimally conscious patients. This approach could eventually help determine the neurological outcome and make individual blueprints of the preserved brain activities in severely brain injured patients.
Inhibition of Volatile Fatty Acid Production in Granular Sludge from a UASB Reactor

Abstract Inhibition of volatile fatty acids (VFA), namely acetate, butyrate, and propionate, on the activity of acetoclastic methanogens within a full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was investigated using specific methanogenic activity (SMA) test. SMA tests were carried out at acetate concentrations in a range of 1000–25,000 mg l−1, butyrate concentrations in a range of 3000–25,000 mg l−1 and propionate concentrations between 500–10,000 mg l−1. Maximum potential methane production (PMP) rates were obtained as 389 ml CH4 gTVS−1 . d−1 at 3000 mg l−1 acetate concentration, 432 ml CH4gTVS−1.d−1 at butyrate concentration of 5000 mg l−1, and 162 mlCH4gTVS−1.d−1 at 1000 mg l−1 propionate concentration. App. 50% and 100% inhibition occurred at acetate concentrations of 13,000 mg l−1 and 25,000 mg l−1, butyrate concentrations of 15,000 mg l−1 and 25,000 mg l−1, and propionate concentrations of 3500 mg l−1 and 5000 mg l−1, respectively.
Processing APL properties to generate verification-ready MDG model

Multiway Decision Graphs (MDGs) are special decision diagrams that subsume Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) and extend them by a first-order formulae suitable for model checking of datapath circuits. In this paper we propose a new specification language, Abstract Property Language (APL), for the MDG model-checker. The APL language eradicates the restrictions present in the existing LMDG specification language and introduces new operators to improve expressiveness. The paper also presents the design of a front-end translator that accepts specification in APL and builds composite MDG model with the specification directly embedded into its MDG-HDL representation. Finally, some experimental results are presented to show the performance of the APL-Tool and the analysis of the generated code executed on benchmark properties.
Educational Brokers in Global Education Markets

This article undertakes a text analysis of the promotional materials generated by two educational brokers, the British Council’s Education Counselling Service (ECS) and Australia’s International Development Programme (IDP-Education Australia). By focusing on the micropractices of branding, the constructions of the “international student” and “international education” are examined to uncover the relations between international education and globalisation.The conclusion reached here is that the dominant marketing messages used to brand and sell education are unevenly weighted in favour of the economic imperative.International education remains fixed in modernist spatiotemporal contexts that ignore the challenges presented by globalisation.Developing new notions of international education will require a more critical engagement with the geopolitics of knowledge and with issues of subjectivity, difference, and power.Ultimately, a more sustained and comprehensive engagement with the noneconomic dimensions of globalisation will be necessary to achieve new visions of international education.
PROMOTING MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTER SELF-CONCEPT AMONG FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS: IS THERE A ROLE OF SINGLE-SEX SECONDARY EDUCATION?

At a time when women remain significantly underrepresented in many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in college and in the workforce, it is important to consider how educational environments contribute to women’s beliefs about their STEM-related skills and abilities. This study examines how one strategy—single-sex secondary education—correlates with mathematical and computer self-concept among women entering college. The study uses multilevel modeling to address secondary school-level effects in a national sample of college-going women. The analyses suggest that allgirls secondary schools—whether independent or Catholic-affiliated—produce graduates who enter college marginally more confident in their mathematical and computer skills than women from equivalent backgrounds who attend coeducational schools. For the most part, the small predictive power of school gender remains significant even after accounting for the confounding role of student background characteristics, school-level features, and peer contexts within each school. This examination comes at a time of renewed national interest in the value and appropriateness of single-sex education, especially as changes to Title IX have expanded the opportunities to establish single-sex classes and activities.
Gelatinase B deficiency protects against endotoxin shock

Gelatinase B or matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) is stored in the tertiary granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These cells are key effectors in acute inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. Endotoxin leads to rapid release of gelatinase B from these granules in vitro and in vivo, but the role of this enzyme in bacterial sepsis and endotoxin shock remains unclear. We studied the clinical course of endotoxinemia and its relation with the expression of gelatinase B from the pool of circulating leukocytes in adult as well as in young mice in a model of endotoxin‐induced shock and compared wild‐type with gelatinase B‐deficient mice. The gelatinase B‐deficient mice were resistant to endotoxin shock, which implies that specific MMP‐9 inhibition constitutes anapproach for the treatment of septic shock syndromes.
Presentation and analysis of data on radiographic outcome in clinical trials: experience from the TEMPO study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate different methods of presentation and analysis of radiographic data in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) randomized controlled trial. METHODS A double-blind randomized controlled trial including 682 patients with active RA who were treated with methotrexate, etanercept, or a combination of the 2 drugs was used for this study. Probability plots of the change from baseline to year 1 were produced to visualize progression, and were compared with usual descriptive statistics. The primary analysis of the trial (based on annualized actual mean change from baseline in total Sharp score at 1 year, using linear imputation) was challenged using various ways of handling missing information with alternative imputation methods, and by various statistical analyses including analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and mixed model analysis on both raw and log-transformed data. RESULTS Probability plots provided detailed insight into the differentiated treatment effects between the 3 arms of this study. As adjuncts to formal hypothesis testing, these plots were more useful for presenting data than were summary descriptive statistics or use of preset cutoff points to define lack of progression. Additional analyses presented here support the results obtained with the per-protocol analysis that showed an advantage of the combination treatment compared with the monotherapy arms and for etanercept versus methotrexate alone. Various ways of handling missing information confirmed the robustness of the results. In addition, both ANCOVA and mixed model analyses on raw and on log-transformed data produced similar results. CONCLUSION We suggest a panel of alternative analysis methods and alternative ways of handling missing information to verify that the radiographic results reported in an randomized controlled trial are not influenced by technical factors, such as interpolation, handling of missing data, and choice of statistical tests.
Mandatory retirement for older professional drivers: an exploration of experiences for older Singaporean taxi drivers

ABSTRACT Singapore has an age-based mandatory retirement policy for taxi drivers. In 2006, the upper age limit of mandatory retirement was raised from 70 to 73 years for healthy, older taxi drivers. Retirement from taxi driving in Singapore often results in simultaneous retirement from work and forced driving cessation due to limited private vehicle ownership. While both retirement from work and driving cessation have been found to have negative implications for health and wellbeing in Western countries, little is known about the effects of mandatory retirement and driving cessation for healthy professional drivers in an Asian context. This study aimed to explore the mandatory retirement experience of older Singaporean taxi drivers, aged 70–73 years. In-depth interviews were conducted within a descriptive phenomenological approach with 23 older Singaporean taxi drivers who were retired or retiring drivers. Findings showed the experience to be dominated by retirement from work issues rather than by driving cessation. Three themes described the experiences: ‘stories of taxi driving’, ‘feeling lost in retirement’ and ‘contradictions of growing old in Singapore’. Taxi driving was a valued role. Despite an expected retirement, most participants were not prepared for the retirement transition. They struggled with emotional adjustment, financial vulnerability, identity, reduction in life-space and meaningful activity participation. Participants felt under-valued despite having personal achievements and support from family and ‘successful ageing’ policies. Work remained a preferred activity despite limited re-employment opportunities. The unique context of expected but forced retirement, financial need in a non-welfare system, high cultural value on work, and limited options for productive or meaningful activities and roles, predisposed this sub-group of older Singaporean men to be vulnerable retirees in terms of identity and wellbeing issues. Support for a stressful late-life transition is indicated for continued health and wellbeing.
Evolutionary psychology and design reincarnation: A reply to Peters

In this riposte it will be argued that the critique by Peters (2013) of the theoretical foundation of evolutionary psychology misses the mark, and, in the process, unfortunately repeats many common and egregious misunderstandings. This reply will attempt to outline the real position of evolutionary psychologists with respect to modularity and the development, flexibility, and learning capacities of cognitive adaptations. In particular, evolutionary psychologists’ concept of the developmental target of naturally selected design will be made salient. I also aim to provide a more accurate treatment of the neurobiological and genomic issues at stake. In sum, it will be shown that Peters’ rendering of the theoretical foundation of evolutionary psychology is a straw man representation and that the real position of evolutionary psychologists is far more interesting once some of the nuances of their theoretical foundation are brought to light.
Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity and Its Associated Factors among University Students from 22 Countries

Obesity among young people increases lifetime cardiovascular risk. This study assesses the prevalence of overweight/obesity and its associated factors among a random sample of university students from 22 universities in 22 low, middle income and emerging economy countries. This cross-sectional survey comprised of a self-administered questionnaire and collected anthropometric measurements. The study population was 6773 (43.2%) males and 8913 (56.8%) females, aged 16 to 30 years (mean 20.8 years, SD = 2.6). Body mass index (BMI) was used for weight status. Among men, the prevalence of underweight was 10.8%, normal weight 64.4%, overweight 18.9% and obesity 5.8%, while among women, the prevalence of underweight was 17.6%, normal weight 62.1%, overweight 14.1% and obesity 5.2%. Overall, 22% were overweight or obese (24.7% men and 19.3% women). In multivariate regression among men, younger age, coming from a higher income country, consciously avoiding fat and cholesterol, physically inactivity, current tobacco use and childhood physical abuse, and among women older age, coming from a higher income country, frequent organized religious activity, avoiding fat and cholesterol, posttraumatic stress symptoms and physical childhood abuse were associated overweight or obesity. Several gender specific risk factors identified can be utilized in health promotion programmes.
Canadian accountants: examining workplace learning

Purpose – This paper seeks to examine workplace learning strategies, learning facilitators and learning barriers of public accountants in Canada across three professional levels – trainees, managers, and partners.Design/methodology/approach – Volunteer participants from public accounting firms in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick completed a demographic survey, a learning activities survey, a learning barriers survey, and a learning facilitators survey. Quantitative analysis provided total scores for key variables and compared these across the three levels.Findings – The paper finds that accountants across different levels use a variety of formal and informal learning strategies, although informal strategies predominate. Accountants encounter numerous facilitators and barriers. There are variations in strategies, barriers and facilitators based on professional level; for example, trainees make more use of e‐learning than do either managers or partners.Research limitations/implications – Future research could .
Salvage of major amputation stumps of the lower extremity with latissimus dorsi free flaps

In some severe lower limb injuries, the level of bone trauma enables preservation of the knee joint or adequate length of the femoral stump only if the soft tissues can be reconstructed over the exposed bone. The options for soft-tissue reconstruction of an amputation stump are to use a flap from the amputated distal part, a local flap possibly after tissue expansion or a free flap. To preserve an adequate length of stump we reconstructed 10 stumps with latissimus dorsi free flaps: above the knee in one patient and below the knee in nine. The reconstructions were done during an acute post-traumatic phase in five and for late problems with the stump in four patients. In one patient the reconstruction was done nine weeks after a below-knee amputation for ischaemic necrosis after septicaemia. All flaps survived, but the venous anastomosis had to be revised in three patients in the early postoperative period. All patients regained adequate ambulation for their daily activities. The flap was secondarily debulked in three patients. Every effort should be made to preserve an adequate stump length, particularly in young patients with crushing injuries of the extremities and when there is severe or recurrent late stump ulceration. A latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous soft-tissue reconstruction is a reliable and durable option for stump defects.
Prospective-memory functioning is affected during pregnancy and postpartum

Although there is considerable anecdotal and empirical evidence showing that retrospective memory may be adversely affected during pregnancy and postpartum, it remains unclear whether capacity for prospective memory is also impaired. In Phase 1 of the present study 20 participants in their third trimester of pregnancy were compared with 20 nonpregnant matched controls on a laboratory measure of prospective memory that closely represents the types of prospective-memory tasks that actually occur in everyday life, in addition to a naturalistic time-logging prospective-memory task that was conducted over a period of 7 days as part of their day-to-day lives. In Phase 2, 15 of the pregnant women were retested on the time-logging task approximately 13 months after giving birth. The results indicated that although pregnancy was not associated with deficits on the laboratory measure of prospective memory, significant impairment was observed on the naturalistic measure. These preliminary data therefore provide the first empirical evidence showing that pregnancy may be associated with increased difficulty in implementing delayed intentions in everyday life.
Self-Presentation and Interaction in Blogs of Adolescents and Young Emerging Adults

This article analyzed 124 blogs, chronological, journal-type entries published on public hosting Web sites, as new and popular places for adolescents and emerging adults aged 15 to 19 to play openly with their self-presentation, an important aspect of identity exploration. Findings indicate that most young persons write emotionally toned entries; focus on their daily activities, friends, and romantic relationships; and describe themselves, but less frequently their experiences, positively. Bloggers often alter content and appearance of their Web pages, most commonly with photographs of themselves. Number of friends ranges widely, and most blog entries receive no or one comment, most of which are supportive. The article also describes and discusses gender and age differences and concludes that blogs written by adolescents and young emerging adults are less about direct interaction with others than about careful self-presentation.
Differential left ventricular remodelling and longitudinal function distinguishes low flow from normal-flow preserved ejection fraction low-gradient severe aortic stenosis.

AIMS There is uncertainty in identifying patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, low flow, and low gradients (LFLG). Prior studies propose that these patients demonstrate significant concentric remodelling and decreased survival, while others suggest that they have features and survival similar to moderate AS. METHODS AND RESULTS We compared the clinical characteristics, echocardiographic features, and overall survival of LFLG AS patients (n = 38) to those with normal-flow, low-gradient (NFLG) severe AS (n = 75) and moderate AS (n = 70). Low-flow, low-gradient patients had the lowest end-diastolic volume index (43 vs. 54 vs. 54 mL/m², P < 0.001), highest relative wall thickness (RWT) (60 vs. 49 vs. 48%, P < 0.001), and lowest septal mitral annular displacement (1.0 vs. 1.5 vs. 1.5 cm, P < 0.001). New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV symptoms were the most frequent in the LFLG group (29 vs. 11 vs. 3%, P < 0.001). Survival at 3 years was significantly lower in LFLG compared with NFLG (P = 0.006) and moderate AS (P = 0.002), but not different between NFLG and moderate AS (P = 0.49). Higher NYHA classification (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.22-2.57), RWT > 50% (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.33-8.1), and septal displacement <1.1 cm (HR 3.93, 95% CI 1.96-7.82) but not low flow were independent predictors of survival in Cox proportional hazards analysis. CONCLUSION Preserved ejection fraction, LFLG AS patients exhibit marked concentric remodelling and impaired longitudinal functional-features that predict their poor long-term survival. Normal-flow, low-gradient AS patients have outcomes similar to moderate AS.