Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Public service reforms mostly depend on high levels of motivation and commitment on the part of leaders to solve complex problems associated with implementation and restructuring initiatives. While transformational leaders have been advocated as productive under such conditions and evidence suggests that the leader practices do contribute to organizational performance, majority of existing literature has been on the effects of transformational leadership on organizational performance. Little evidence is however available as to which attributes of the transformational leader actually result in organizational performance and even fewer studies have focused on the possible mediators in this relationship. This study aimed at establishing the effects of transformational leadership on organizational performance with specific interest in the mediating role of employee engagement. A survey data obtained from 252 civil servants from eighteen State Corporations in Kenya was used to explore the existing relationships. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the respondents for the study and primary data collected using structured questionnaires. Data collected was prepared and analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The findings revealed that both transformational leadership and employee engagement are positively related to organizational performance. Three out of the four attributes of transformational leader; inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration were found to be positively related to both employee engagement and organizational performance. Idealized influence of leader was however found to be negatively related to both constructs. Employee engagement mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational performance. The researcher thus recommends HR departments should
Effect of low-dose cyclosporin A on systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of low-dose cyclosporin A (CSA) treatment on disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS All patients in the study had active disease as defined by at least the presence of a low CH50 level. Patients were initially given 3 mg/kg/day of CSA. Dosages were adjusted individually at every visit, according to both clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS Eleven women with SLE were enrolled in the study; 10 were evaluable. After 20 weeks of CSA treatment, the mean score for disease activity on the SLE Disease Activity Index decreased significantly, from 10.6 to 3.8 (P = 0.02). The titer of antinuclear antibodies decreased in 8 patients and the level of anti-DNA antibodies decreased in 5. Side effects included hypertension (40%), hypertrichosis (30%), gingival hypertrophy (10%), and a rise in the blood urea nitrogen level. Serum creatinine levels remained unchanged. CONCLUSION The favorable responses observed in our patients strongly suggest that low-dose CSA can reduce the disease activity of SLE.
Iterative Demodulation and Channel Estimation for Asynchronous Joint Multiple Access Reception

Iterative demodulation with integrated channel estimation is investigated for multiple access systems as alternative to separate estimation/demodulation, which is the current state-of-the-art method. While basic theoretical system performance is well understood, practical aspects such as those arising from estimating the time-varying channels due to parameter drifts or inherent channel dynamics are not so well explored. The integration of adaptive estimators for these time-varying channels into the iterative receiver is studied, and it is shown that simple correlation-based estimators are sufficient to allow adequate tracking even for time-varying channels in a multiple access environment, and that near-ideal performance of the receiver is achievable. The requirements of the estimators and their performance in the demodulation loops are investigated via system convergence functions. Quantitative analytical results are verified with selected simulation examples. Spread-spectrum access is used to illustrate the principles of iterative demodulation and other potential areas for application are identified and discussed.
Evaluating the effect of aging on interference resolution with time-varying complex networks analysis

In this study we used graph theory analysis to investigate age-related reorganization of functional networks during the active maintenance of information that is interrupted by external interference. Additionally, we sought to investigate network differences before and after averaging network parameters between both maintenance and interference windows. We compared young and older adults by measuring their magnetoencephalographic recordings during an interference-based working memory task restricted to successful recognitions. Data analysis focused on the topology/temporal evolution of functional networks during both the maintenance and interference windows. We observed that: (a) Older adults require higher synchronization between cortical brain sites in order to achieve a successful recognition, (b) The main differences between age groups arise during the interference window, (c) Older adults show reduced ability to reorganize network topology when interference is introduced, and (d) Averaging network parameters leads to a loss of sensitivity to detect age differences.
DIRECT CALCULATION OF THE TURBULENT DISSIPATION EFFICIENCY IN ANELASTIC CONVECTION

The current understanding of the turbulent dissipation in stellar convective zones is based on the assumption that the turbulence follows Kolmogorov scaling. This assumption is valid for some cases in which the time frequency of the external shear is high (e.g., solar p modes). However, for many cases of astrophysical interest (e.g., binary orbits, stellar pulsations, etc.), the timescales of interest lie outside the regime of applicability of Kolmogorov scaling. We present direct calculations of the dissipation efficiency of the turbulent convective flow in this regime, using simulations of anelastic convection with external forcing. We show that the effects of the turbulent flow are well represented by an effective viscosity coefficient, we provide the values of the effective viscosity as a function of the perturbation frequency and compare our results to the perturbative method for finding the effective viscosity of Penev et al. that can be applied to actual simulations of the surface convective zones of stars.
Assessment of Residents' Attitudes and Satisfaction Before and After Implementation of a Smoke-Free Policy in Boston Multiunit Housing.

INTRODUCTION In 2012, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) in Massachusetts implemented a smoke-free policy prohibiting smoking within its residences. We sought to characterize BHA resident experiences before and after the smoke-free policy implementation, and compare them to that of nearby residents of the Cambridge Housing Authority, which had no such policy. METHODS We recruited a convenience sample of nonsmoking residents from the BHA and Cambridge Housing Authority. We measured residents' awareness and support of their local smoking policies before and 9-12 months after the BHA's policy implementation, as well as BHA respondents' attitudes towards the smoke-free policy. We assessed tobacco smoke exposure via saliva cotinine, airborne apartment nicotine, and self-reported number of days smelling smoke in the home. We evaluated predictors of general satisfaction at follow-up using linear regression. RESULTS At follow-up, 91% of BHA respondents knew that smoking was not allowed in apartments and 82% were supportive of such a policy in their building. BHA residents believed enforcement of the smoke-free policy was low. Fifty-one percent of BHA respondents indicated that other residents "never" or "rarely" followed the new smoke-free rule and 41% of respondents were dissatisfied with policy enforcement. Dissatisfaction with enforcement was the strongest predictor of general housing satisfaction, while objective and self-reported measures of tobacco smoke exposure were not predictive of satisfaction. At follow-up, 24% of BHA participants had complained to someone in charge about policy violations. CONCLUSIONS Resident support for smoke-free policies is high. However, lack of enforcement of smoke-free policies may cause frustration and resentment among residents, potentially leading to a decrease in housing satisfaction. IMPLICATIONS Smoke-free housing laws are becoming increasingly prevalent, yet little is known about satisfaction and compliance with such policies post-implementation. We evaluated nonsmoking residents' attitudes about smoke-free rules and their satisfaction with enforcement 1 year after the BHA implemented its comprehensive smoke-free policy. We found that while residents were supportive of the policy, they believed enforcement was low, a perception that was associated with a drop in housing satisfaction. Our findings point to a desire for smoke-free housing among public housing residents, and the importance of establishing systems and guidelines to help landlords monitor and enforce these policies effectively.
LIPOCALIN-2 Is a Major Acute-Phase Protein in a Rat and Mouse Model of Sterile Abscess

Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) is a 25-kDa secretory protein currently used as a biomarker for renal injury and inflammation. Its source and cause of the increased serum levels are unclear. The current study compares LCN-2 gene expression with known major acute-phase proteins in the liver in a rat and mouse model of turpentine oil–induced sterile abscess. Serum LCN-2 concentrations increased dramatically up to 200-fold (20 &mgr;g/mL) at 48 h after turpentine oil injection. A strong elevation of LCN-2 mRNA in rat liver was observed starting from 4 h up to 48 h after injection, with a maximum (8,738 ± 2,104-fold) at 24 h, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis. In contrast, the increases in gene expression of &agr;2-macroglobulin, the major acute-phase protein, and hemoxygenase 1, a positive acute-phase protein, were only 1,025 ± 505-fold and 47 ± 12-fold, respectively, during acute-phase reaction (APR). No considerable change was observed in LCN-2 mRNA in rat kidney and other organs as compared with liver. Using wild-type mice, a massive increase in gene expression of LCN-2, with a maximum of 2,498 ± 84-fold in liver, which is similar to that for serum amyloid A (2,825 ± 233-fold), a major mouse acute-phase protein. However, such an increase was significantly inhibited in interleukin 6 knockout mice during APR. Interleukin 6–treated rat hepatocytes induced a significant time-dependent upregulation of LCN-2. Lipocalin-2 is the major acute-phase protein in rat as compared with &agr;2-macroglobulin and hemoxygenase 1 and comparable with serum amyloid A in mouse whose gene expression is mainly controlled by interleukin 6. The liver is the main source of serum LCN-2 in the case of APR. &NA; ABBREVIATIONS—LCN-2—lipocalin-2—&agr;2M—&agr;2-macroglobulin—HO-1—hemoxygenase 1—IL-6—interleukin 6—SAA—serum amyloid A—TO—turpentine oil—APR—acute-phase reaction
Hemodynamic effects of calibrated stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery in conscious rats with portal vein stenosis

Because superior mesenteric arterial blood flow is increased in portal hypertension and plays a role in elevated portal pressure, mechanical reduction of artery diameter should induce decreases in portal pressure and superior mesenteric arterial blood flow. In this study, calibrated superior mesenteric artery stenosis (induced with a 22‐gauge needle) was performed in rats simultaneously with portal vein stenosis or 2 wk after creation of portal vein stenosis. Hemodynamic studies were performed 3 wk after induction of portal vein stenosis in conscious, unrestrained rats. At that time, neither weight loss nor digestive tract alterations were observed in rats with arterial stenosis. In neither group of rats with arterial stenosis was portal tributary blood flow significantly different from that of normal rats; nor was it significantly lower than in rats with portal vein stenosis without arterial stenosis. In both groups of rats with arterial stenosis, portal pressure was significantly lower (12.1 ± 1.6 mm Hg and 12.5 ± 1.8 mm Hg, respectively) than in rats subjected to portal vein stenosis (15.4 ± 1.5 mm Hg) but significantly higher than in controls (7.2 ± 1.0 mm Hg). In rats with arterial stenosis, cardiac index was also significantly lower than that in rats with portal vein stenosis but higher than that in controls. In conclusion, this study shows that both early and late superior mesenteric artery stenosis significantly reduce the degree of portal hypertension and the hyperkinetic state of rats with extrahepatic portal hypertension. Thus we can speculate that superior mesenteric artery stenosis might provide a new therapeutic approach for portal hypertension.
Test Manager: A regression testing tool

CWRU has participated in a joint project with IBM in developing an internal regression testing tool called Test Manager. The objective of Test Manager is to aid in regression testing at the unit testing, integration testing, or function testing levels and also to produce a reduced regression test set to verify the software changes indicated by the user. A conceptual basis for the tool, called a firewall, and a description of the factors which influenced the design of the tool are given. The tool utilizes a Prolog database; a set of experiments that determined how that database should best be structured is described. Timing and space requirements and future work and enhancements to the tool are discussed. <<ETX>>
Does Market Transparency Matter? A Case Study

We analyse a change in the degree of transparency of MTS, the electronic inter-dealer market for Italian Government bonds, namely the July 1997 move to the anonymity of quotes. Our evidence supports the hypothesis that a decrease in transparency makes liquidity traders worse-off, whereas large/informed traders find it less costly to execute block trades. The evidence is also consistent with the i? ½waiting gamei? ½ hypothesis of Foster and Viswanathan (1996): under anonymity, traders tend to delay their trades in an attempt to acquire information through the order flow. From a public welfare perspective, our results indicate that the move to anonymity has been accompanied by an increase in market liquidity and by a reduction in volatility, a phenomenon that is also partly explained by the growth in Italyi? ½s prospects for early participation in the EMU. The speed of information aggregation on MTS increases, as shown by an improvement of the MTS lead over the futures market. In a European perspective, the current organisation and performance of MTS place the market in a competitive position with respect to other sovereign bond markets and may contribute to their integration under the single currency.
Biomolecules Electrochemical Sensing Properties of a PMo11V@N-Doped Few Layer Graphene Nanocomposite

A novel hybrid nanocomposite, PMo11V@N-doped few layer graphene, was prepared by a one-step protocol through direct immobilization of the tetrabutylammonium salt of a vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate (PMo11V) onto N-doped few layer graphene (N-FLG). The nanocomposite characterization by FTIR and XPS confirmed its successful synthesis. Glassy carbon modified electrodes with PMo11V and PMo11V@N-FLG showed cyclic voltammograms consistent with surface-confined redox processes attributed to Mo-centred reductions (MoVI→MoV) and a vanadium reduction (VV→VIV). Furthermore, PMo11V@N-FLG modified electrodes showed good stability and well-resolved redox peaks with high current intensities. The observed enhancement of PMo11V electrochemical properties is a consequence of a strong electronic communication between the POM and the N-doped few layer graphene. Additionally, the electro-catalytic and sensing properties towards acetaminophen (AC) and theophylline (TP) were evaluated by voltammetric techniques using a glassy carbon electrode modified with PMo11V@N-FLG. Under the conditions used, the square wave voltammetric peak current increased linearly with AC concentration in the presence of TP, but showing two linear ranges: 1.2 × 10−6 to 1.2 × 10−4 and 1.2 × 10−4 to 4.8 × 10−4 mol dm−3, with different AC sensitivity values, 0.022 A/mol dm−3 and 0.035 A/mol dm−3, respectively (detection limit, DL = 7.5 × 10−7 mol dm−3).
Platinum Priority – Collaborative Review – Prostate Cancer MicroRNA in Prostate , Bladder , and Kidney Cancer : A Systematic Review

a Institute for Cancer Studies and Academic Urology Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK b University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain c Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden d Department of Urology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA e Department of Urology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany f Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK g Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership in Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland h Prostate Cancer Centre, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany i Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland E U R O P E A N U R O L O G Y X X X ( 2 0 1 1 ) X X X – X X X
Fractionation of Golgi, Endoplasmic Reticulum, and Plasma Membrane from Cultured Cells in a Preformed Continuous Iodixanol Gradient

A continuous iodixanol gradient within the range 0-30% (w/v) iodixanol can resolve the major membrane compartments of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi membranes, and plasma membrane from a postnuclear supernatant prepared from a cultured cell homogenate. The precise density range of the gradient and the centrifugation conditions (100,000-200,000 g for 2-16 h) vary with the type of cell and the requirements of the separation. The strategy is widely used to study the processing of proteins within cells.
Role of structural birth defects in preterm delivery.

The proportion of preterm births associated with structural birth defects has not been adequately quantified. We explored the proportion of preterm infants with structural birth defects diagnosed in the first year of life, as well as the specific phenotypes of birth defects occurring among preterm infants. The data used were from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, a population-based registry, as well as data from California vital records corresponding to births and fetal deaths in the period 1984-96. The prevalence of structural birth defects exceeded 8% among deliveries with gestational ages < or = 30 weeks, and prevalence decreased to 2% as gestational age increased to > or = 37 weeks gestation. The decreasing prevalence pattern with increasing gestational age was observed for a variety of anatomically defined birth defect groups suggesting that certain birth defects were not the sole contributors to the elevated prevalences among preterm births. Decreasing prevalence with increasing gestational age was also observed across strata of maternal race/ethnicities, ages, infant's sex and each year studied. These data indicate that structural birth defects may contribute significantly to the proportion of infants who are delivered before 37 weeks gestation.
Non-invasive brain stimulation and language processing in the healthy brain

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been used as a probe to modulate cognitive functions in humans for the last 20 years. The two most commonly reported techniques are transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which have both been used with different stimulation parameters to increase or decrease excitability in target cortical regions. Aims: In the present review, we highlight recent developments in TMS and tDCS in language research in healthy individuals. Main Contribution: We will first describe how tDCS and TMS have been employed to improve either performance of language tasks, or learning in the language domain (facilitatory brain stimulation). Then, we will show how these techniques were used as interference techniques (inhibitory brain stimulation) for understanding brain–behaviour interactions and to explore possible cause–effect links between altered activity in specific brain areas and particular behaviours. We will only review studies in healthy individuals, and first pilot trials in patient population with more general cognitive impairments (idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease). For tDCS studies in aphasia, see Holland and Crinion (2012); for TMS studies in aphasia, see Medina et al. (2012). Conclusions: In the healthy brain, NIBS can be used to delineate the functional significance of a particular brain region for the respective language task under study. Here, new possibilities of combining TMS or tDCS with functional imaging techniques offer unique opportunities to not only address the functional significance of a brain area underlying the coil or electrode, but in addition allow testing NIBS effects on an entire network. In this setting, TMS, both in its single-pulse and its repetitive form, allows the modulation of a specific function within milliseconds (single-pulse) or the order of seconds (particularly high-frequency rTMS trains), while tDCS has the disadvantage of requiring longer stimulation times. On the other hand, the relatively easy use of tDCS in the magnetic resonance scanner environment will render simultaneous recording of brain function and activation much more accessible, thus offering novel avenues in the study of network effects of NIBS. For proof-of principle studies to improve language learning in the healthy brain, tDCS may be the most fruitful approach due to its easy applicability and excellent safety profile. Subsequent use of this technique in parallel to training protocols to improve re-acquisition of language functions aphasic patients offers exciting possibilities in the realm of neurorehabilitation.
Microemulsion Formulation of Carbendazim and Its In Vitro Antifungal Activities Evaluation

The fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn is a widespread and destructive plant pathogen with a very broad host range. Although various pathogens, including R. solani, have been traditionally controlled using chemical pesticides, their use faces drawbacks such as environmental pollution, development of pesticide resistance, and other negative effects. Carbendazim is a well-known antifungal agent capable of controlling a broad range of plant diseases, but its use is hampered by its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, we describe an environmentally friendly pharmaceutical microemulsion system using carbendazim as the active ingredient, chloroform and acetic acid as solvents, and the surfactants HSH and 0204 as emulsifiers. This system increased the solubility of carbendazim to 30 g/L. The optimal microemulsion formulation was determined based on a pseudo-ternary phase diagram; its physicochemical characteristics were also tested. The cloud point was greater than 90°C and it was resistant to freezing down to −18°C, both of which are improvements over the temperature range in which pure carbendazim can be used. This microemulsion meets the standard for pesticide microemulsions and demonstrated better activity against R. solani AG1-IA, relative to an aqueous solution of pure carbendazim (0.2 g/L). The mechanism of activity was reflected in the inhibition of against R. solani AG1-IA including mycelium growth, and sclerotia formation and germination were significantly better than that of 0.2 g/L carbendazim water solution according to the results of t-test done by SPSS 19.