Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the relationship between proactive personality and career success

With increasing levels of employee autonomy and responsibility in today's workforce, proactive behavior and the performance of discretionary, extra-role work behaviors are being recognized as vital to effective organizational functioning. This study examined one mechanism that may explain how proactive personality relates to career success: through a person's extra-role behaviors including innovation, contextual performance, and organizational citizenship behavior. Data were collected from 302 employees of a large manufacturing organization in the Midwestern United States. Hierarchical regression and multiple mediation analyses showed that the relationship between personality and career success is at least partially mediated by the extra-role behaviors, even after controlling for demographic and personality variables (age, sex, and Five Factor Model traits). On the tree potential mediators, innovation was the most prominent factor.
Interaction of 5-HTT and HTR1A Gene Polymorphisms in Treatment Responses to Mirtazapine in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract We tested for the association of HTR1A and 5-HTT genetic polymorphisms with treatment response to mirtazapine and evaluated the interactive effect between the polymorphisms in 283 patients with major depressive disorder. Korean subjects with diagnosis of major depressive disorder using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I disorders were recruited. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD-17) Scale at baseline and after 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment with mirtazapine. The genetic association of 5-HTTLPR and HTR1A+272G>A with treatment response was analyzed. We found a significant association of the 12.12-repeat genotype of 5-HTT various number tandem repeat (VNTR) with a large percentage decline in HAMD-17 Scale score after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment with mirtazapine. We also found that the frequency of the 12.12-repeat genotype was higher in responders than in nonresponders at week 8. The HTR1A+272GG genotype was significantly associated with a large percentage decline in HAMD-17 Scale score at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, although the genotypic frequencies were comparable between responders and nonresponders during the study period. Patients with the 12.12-repeat 5-HTT VNTR and GG of HTR1A+272G>A showed the highest HAMD-17 Scale percentage reduction during the study period and a better treatment response status after 4 weeks. These results suggest that the interaction between HTR1A+272G>A and 5-HTT VNTR is involved in the response to mirtazapine treatment and that a combination of these may be a useful marker for predicting treatment response to mirtazapine.
The Influence of Semantically Related and Unrelated Text Cues on the Intelligibility of Sentences in Noise

Objectives: In two experiments with different subject groups, we explored the relationship between semantic context and intelligibility by examining the influence of visually presented, semantically related, and unrelated three-word text cues on perception of spoken sentences in stationary noise across a range of speech-to-noise ratios (SNRs). In addition, in Experiment (Exp) 2, we explored the relationship between individual differences in cognitive factors and the effect of the cues on speech intelligibility. Design: In Exp 1, cues had been generated by participants themselves in a previous test session (own) or by someone else (alien). These cues were either appropriate for that sentence (match) or for a different sentence (mismatch). A condition with nonword cues, generated by the experimenter, served as a control. Experimental sentences were presented at three SNRs (dB SNR) corresponding to the entirely correct repetition of 29%, 50%, or 71% of sentences (speech reception thresholds; SRTs). In Exp 2, semantically matching or mismatching cues and nonword cues were presented before sentences at SNRs corresponding to SRTs of 16% and 29%. The participants in Exp 2 also performed tests of verbal working memory capacity and the ability to read partially masked text. Results: In Exp 1, matching cues improved perception relative to the nonword and mismatching cues, with largest benefits at the SNR corresponding to 29% performance in the SRT task. Mismatching cues did not impair speech perception relative to the nonword cue condition, and no difference in the effect of own and alien matching cues was observed. In Exp 2, matching cues improved speech perception as measured using both the percentage of correctly reported words and the percentage of entirely correctly reported sentences. Mismatching cues reduced the percentage of repeated words (but not the sentence-based scores) compared with the nonword cue condition. Working memory capacity and ability to read partly masked sentences were positively associated with the number of sentences repeated entirely correctly in the mismatch condition at the 29% SNR. Conclusions: In difficult listening conditions, both relevant and irrelevant semantic context can influence speech perception in noise. High working memory capacity and good linguistic skills are associated with a greater ability to inhibit irrelevant context when uncued sentence intelligibility is around 29% correct.
Distribution and diversity of rhizobia nodulating agroforestry legumes in soils from three continents in the tropics

The natural rhizobial populations of Calliandra calothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Sesbania sesban were assessed in soils from nine sites across tropical areas of three continents. The rhizobial population size varied from undetectable numbers to 1.8 × 104 cells/g of soil depending on the trap host and the soil. Calliandra calothyrsus was the most promiscuous legume, nodulating in eight soils, while S. sesban nodulated in only one of the soils. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and the internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes were used to assess the diversity and relative abundance of rhizobia trapped from seven of the soils by C. calothyrsus, G. sepium and L. leucocephala. Representatives of the 16S rRNA RFLP groups were also subjected to sequence analysis of the first 950 base pairs of the 16S rRNA gene. Eighty ITS groups were obtained, with none of the ITS types being sampled in more than one soil. RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA yielded 23 ‘species’ groups distributed among the Rhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium and Agrobacterium branches of the rhizobial phylogenetic tree. The phylogeny of the isolates was independent of the site or host of isolation, with different rhizobial groups associated with each host across the soils from widely separated geographical regions. Although rhizobial populations in soils sampled from the centre of diversity of the host legumes were the most genetically diverse, soil acidity was highly correlated with the diversity of ITS types. Our results support the hypothesis that the success of these tree legumes in soils throughout the tropics is the result of their relative promiscuity (permissiveness) allowing nodulation with diverse indigenous rhizobial types.
Systematic Review of the Effect of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Dosing Schedules on Vaccine-type Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Among Young Children

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) are being implemented globally using a variety of different schedules. The optimal schedule to maximize protection of vaccinated children against vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (VT-IPD) is not known. Methods: To assess the relative benefit of various PCV dosing schedules, we conducted a systematic review of studies published in English from 1994 to 2010 (supplemented post hoc with studies from 2011) on PCV effectiveness against VT-IPD among children targeted to receive vaccine. Data on 2-dose and 3-dose primary series, both with and without a booster (“2+0,” “2+1,” “3+0” and “3+1”), were included. For observational studies using surveillance data or case counts, we calculated percentage reduction in VT-IPD before and after PCV introduction. Results: Of 4 randomized controlled trials and 31 observational studies reporting VT-IPD among young children, none evaluated a 2+0 complete series, 7 (19%) evaluated 2+1, 4 (11%) 3+0 and 27 (75%) 3+1. Most (86%) studies were from North America or Europe. Only 1 study (observational) directly compared 2 schedules (3+0 vs. 3+1); results supported the use of a booster dose. In clinical trials, vaccine efficacy ranged from 65% to 71% with 3+0 and 83% to 94% with 3+1. Surveillance data and case counts demonstrate reductions in VT-IPD of up to 100% with 2+1 (6 studies) or 3+1 (17 studies) schedules and up to 90% with 3+0 (2 studies). Reductions were observed as early as 1 year after PCV introduction. Conclusions: These data support the use of 2+1, 3+0 and 3+1 schedules, although most data of PCV impact on VT-IPD among young children are from high-income countries using 3+1. Differences between schedules for impact on VT-IPD are difficult to discern based on available data.
Muscarinic Depolarization of Layer II Neurons of the Parasubiculum

The parasubiculum (PaS) is a component of the hippocampal formation that sends its major output to layer II of the entorhinal cortex. The PaS receives strong cholinergic innervation from the basal forebrain that is likely to modulate neuronal excitability and contribute to theta-frequency network activity. The present study used whole cell current- and voltage-clamp recordings to determine the effects of cholinergic receptor activation on layer II PaS neurons. Bath application of carbachol (CCh; 10–50 µM) resulted in a dose-dependent depolarization of morphologically-identified layer II stellate and pyramidal cells that was not prevented by blockade of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Bath application of the M1 receptor antagonist pirenzepine (1 µM), but not the M2-preferring antagonist methoctramine (1 µM), blocked the depolarization, suggesting that it is dependent on M1 receptors. Voltage-clamp experiments using ramped voltage commands showed that CCh resulted in the gradual development of an inward current that was partially blocked by concurrent application of the selective Kv7.2/3 channel antagonist XE-991, which inhibits the muscarine-dependent K+ current I M. The remaining inward current also reversed near EK and was inhibited by the K+ channel blocker Ba2+, suggesting that M1 receptor activation attenuates both I M as well as an additional K+ current. The additional K+ current showed rectification at depolarized voltages, similar to K+ conductances mediated by Kir 2.3 channels. The cholinergic depolarization of layer II PaS neurons therefore appears to occur through M1-mediated effects on I M as well as an additional K+ conductance.
Inhibitors of protein geranylgeranyltransferase-I lead to prelamin A accumulation in cells by inhibiting ZMPSTE24

Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitors, generally called “FTIs,” block the farnesylation of prelamin A, inhibiting the biogenesis of mature lamin A and leading to an accumulation of prelamin A within cells. A recent report found that a GGTI, an inhibitor of protein geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I), caused an exaggerated accumulation of prelamin A in the presence of low amounts of an FTI. This finding was interpreted as indicating that prelamin A can be alternately prenylated by GGTase-I and that inhibiting both protein prenyltransferases leads to more prelamin A accumulation than blocking FTase alone. Here, we tested an alternative hypothesis—GGTIs are not specific for GGTase-I, and they lead to prelamin A accumulation by inhibiting ZMPSTE24 (a zinc metalloprotease that converts farnesyl–prelamin A to mature lamin A). In our studies, commonly used GGTIs caused prelamin A accumulation in human fibroblasts, but the prelamin A in GGTI-treated cells exhibited a more rapid electrophoretic mobility than prelamin A from FTI-treated cells. The latter finding suggested that the prelamin A in GGTI-treated cells might be farnesylated (which would be consistent with the notion that GGTIs inhibit ZMPSTE24). Indeed, metabolic labeling studies revealed that the prelamin A in GGTI-treated fibroblasts is farnesylated. Moreover, biochemical assays of ZMPSTE24 activity showed that ZMPSTE24 is potently inhibited by a GGTI. Our studies show that GGTIs inhibit ZMPSTE24, leading to an accumulation of farnesyl–prelamin A. Thus, caution is required when interpreting the effects of GGTIs on prelamin A processing.
Effects of Dexmedetomidine-Fentanyl Infusion on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate during Cardiac Surgery in Children

Background. The purpose of this study was to access the effects of dexmedetomidine-fentanyl infusion on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) before surgical stimulation, on their changes to skin incision, and on isoflurane requirement during cardiac surgery in children. Methods. This study had a prospective, randomized, and open-label design. Thirty-two children aged 1 month to 10 years undergoing surgery for repair congenital heart disease (CHD) with CPB were randomly allocated into two groups: group MDZ received midazolam 0.2 mg·kg−1·h−1 and group DEX received dexmedetomidine 1 μg·kg−1·h−1 during the first hour followed by half of these rates of infusions thereafter. Both group received fentanyl 10 μg·kg−1, midazolam 0.2 mg·kg−1 and vecuronium 0.2 mg·kg−1 for induction. These same doses of fentanyl and vecuronium were infused during the first hour then reduced to half. The infusions started after induction and maintained until the end of surgery. Isoflurane was given briefly to control hyperdynamic response to skin incision and sternotomy. Results. In both groups, systolic blood pressure (sBP) and heart rate (HR) decreased significantly after one hour of infusion of the anesthetic solutions, but there were significantly less increase in diastolic blood pressure, sBP, and HR, and less patients required isoflurane supplementation to skin incision in the patients of the DEX group. Discussion. Dexmedetomidine infusion without a bolus appears to be an effective adjunct to fentanyl anesthesia in control of hemodynamic responses to surgery for repair of CHD in children.
Positive Histological Inflammatory Margins Are Associated With Increased Risk for Intra-abdominal Septic Complications in Patients Undergoing Ileocolic Resection for Crohn’s Disease

BACKGROUND: Rates of postoperative complications are particularly high among patients with Crohn’s disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether positive inflammatory histological margins, among other factors, pose a risk for intra-abdominal septic complications in patients with Crohn’s disease undergoing ileocolic resection. DESIGN: A retrospective study of patient records, during 2000–2010, was conducted. SETTINGS: This investigation was performed at a single medical center. PATIENTS: Included were 166 individuals with Crohn’s disease (85 males, mean age 35.6). INTERVENTION: Ileocolic resection with primary anastomosis was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcomes measured were postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (15%) developed intra-abdominal septic complications, including anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscesses and collections, and enterocutaneous fistulas. There were no postoperative deaths. Univariate analysis revealed that a long course of disease before surgery, an emergency surgery, steroid treatment of more than 3 months before surgery, additional sigmoidectomy, and positive surgical margins detected on histopathological examination were associated with intra-abdominal septic complications. In a multivariate analysis, only disease duration longer than 10 years (OR 4.575 (CI 1.592–13.142), p = 0.005), additional sigmoidectomy (OR 5.768 (CI 1.088–30.568), p = 0.04), and positive histological resection margins (OR 2.996 (CI 1.085–8.277), p = 0.03) were found to be independent risk factors. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the incomplete data regarding preoperative albumin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Positive histological margins, disease duration of more than 10 years, and added sigmoidectomy are independent risk factors that are associated with postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications in patients undergoing ileocolic resection for Crohn’s disease. These risk factors should be considered when the need for a diverting stoma is questionable. A frozen section of the margins may assist in the decision as to a temporary ileostomy construction.
Galectin-1 Acts as a Soluble Host Factor That Promotes HIV-1 Infectivity through Stabilization of Virus Attachment to Host Cells1

The establishment of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection is initiated by the stable attachment of the virion to the target cell surface. Although this process relies primarily upon interaction between virus-encoded gp120 and cell surface CD4, a number of distinct interactions influence binding of HIV-1 to host cells. In this study, we report that galectin-1, a dimeric β-galactoside-binding protein, promotes infection with R5, X4, and R5X4 variants. Galectin-1 acts as a soluble adhesion molecule by facilitating attachment of HIV-1 to the cell surface. This postulate is based on experiments where galectin-1 rendered HIV-1 particles more refractory to various agents that block HIV-1 adsorption and coreceptor binding (i.e., a blocking anti-CD4, soluble CD4, human anti-HIV-1 polyclonal Abs; stromal cell-derived factor-1α; RANTES). Experiments performed with the fusion inhibitor T-20 confirmed that galectin-1 is primarily affecting HIV-1 attachment. The relevance of the present findings for the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection is provided by the fact that galectin-1 is abundantly expressed in the thymus and lymph nodes, organs that represent major reservoirs for HIV-1. Moreover, galectin-1 is secreted by activated CD8+ T lymphocytes, which are found in high numbers in HIV-1-positive patients. Therefore, it is proposed that galectin-1, which is released in an exocrine fashion at HIV-1 replication sites, can cross-link HIV-1 and target cells and promote a firmer adhesion of the virus to the cell surface, thereby augmenting the efficiency of the infection process. Overall, our findings suggest that galectin-1 might affect the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.
Learning of Temporal and Spatial Movement Aspects: A Comparison of Four Types of Haptic Control and Concurrent Visual Feedback

In literature, the effectiveness of haptics for motor learning is controversially discussed. Haptics is believed to be effective for motor learning in general; however, different types of haptic control enhance different movement aspects. Thus, in dependence on the movement aspects of interest, one type of haptic control may be effective whereas another one is not. Therefore, in the current work, it was investigated if and how different types of haptic controllers affect learning of spatial and temporal movement aspects. In particular, haptic controllers that enforce active participation of the participants were expected to improve spatial aspects. Only haptic controllers that provide feedback about the task's velocity profile were expected to improve temporal aspects. In a study on learning a complex trunk-arm rowing task, the effect of training with four different types of haptic control was investigated: position control, path control, adaptive path control, and reactive path control. A fifth group (control) trained with visual concurrent augmented feedback. As hypothesized, the position controller was most effective for learning of temporal movement aspects, while the path controller was most effective in teaching spatial movement aspects of the rowing task. Visual feedback was also effective for learning temporal and spatial movement aspects.
Assessing for cognitive impairment in people with an acquired brain injury : validation of a brief neuropsychological assessment battery

Cognitive complaints are common following an acquired brain injury and require careful assessment in order to guide treatment and care. There is a need for brief, comprehensive and psychometrically valid tests of cognitive function that can be used in neuro-rehabilitation services by a range of health professionals. The Short Parallel Assessments of Neuropsychological Status (SPANS) was purpose-designed to meet this need. The current study assessed the reliability, discriminative validity and factor structure of the SPANS. Participants were 61 people with an acquired brain injury, 35 people with a long-term neurological condition, and 122 healthy controls. Cronbach’s alphas were adequate to excellent for the clinical groups though poor for the healthy controls due to limited variance in the scores. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that SPANS indices were significantly able to discriminate between people with a neurological condition and healthy controls as well as between left and right hemisphere damage. Exploratory factor analysis suggested the retention of 25 subtests representing three factors that largely followed the purported structure of the test: Memory and Learning, Language, and Visual-motor Performance. Limitations of the study, clinical/theoretical implications and research directions are considered. It is concluded that the SPANS is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of cognitive function in people with an acquired brain injury, though further validation studies are required.
Nonrepetitive list colourings of paths

A vertex colouring c of a graph G is called nonrepetitive if for every integer r ≥ 1 and every path P = (v1,v2,…,v2r) in G, the first half of P is coloured differently from the second half of P, that is, c(vj)≠c(vr+j) for some j = 1,2,…,r. This notion was inspired by a striking result of Thue asserting that the path Pn on n vertices has a nonrepetitive three‐colouring, no matter how large n is. A k‐list assignment of a graph G is a mapping L which assigns a set L(v) of k permissible colours to each vertex v of G. The Thue choice number of G, denoted by πch(G), is the least integer k such that for every k‐list assignment L there is a nonrepetitive colouring c of G satisfying c(v) ∈ L(v) for every vertex v of G. Using the Lefthanded Local Lemma we prove that πch(Pn) ≤ 4 for every n. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 2011