Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Organizational Justice and Employee Engagement on Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Case of Private Sector Universities in Peshawar

The preset study was an attempt to find out the effect of organizational justice and employees engagement on organizational citizenship behavior. Organizational justice was further measured by distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice. Organizational citizenship behavior was measured by five sub variables. There was altruism, civic virtue, conscientiousness, courtesy arid sportsmanship. The data was collected from the faculty members of private sector universities operating in Peshawar. The results of the study showed that organizational justice had significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior. Employee engagement also was found to have significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior. The three facets for organizational justice (distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice) were also found to have significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior.
Brain superoxide as a key regulator of the cardiovascular response to emotional stress in rabbits

Cardiovascular reactivity, an abrupt increase in blood pressure and heart rate in response to emotional stress, is a risk factor for hypertension and heart disease. Brain angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of cardiovascular reactivity. Given that a wide variety of AT1 receptor signalling pathways exists in neurones, the precise molecular mechanisms that underlie central cardiovascular actions of Ang II during emotional stress are yet to be determined. Growing evidence, however, indicates that reactive oxygen species, and in particular superoxide (·O2−), are important intracellular messengers of many actions of brain Ang II. In particular, studies employing microinjection of ·O2− scavengers directly into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and dorsomedial hypothalamus of rabbits have shown that the activation of AT1 receptor–·O2− signalling is required for full manifestation of the cardiovascular response to emotional stress. This role of ·O2− appears to be highly specific, because ·O2− scavengers in the RVLM do not alter the sympathoexcitatory response to baroreceptor unloading or sciatic nerve stimulation. The subcellular mechanisms for the stress‐induced ·O2− production are likely to include the activation of NADPH oxidase and are essentially independent of nitric oxide. This review summarizes current knowledge of redox‐sensitive signalling mechanisms in the brain that regulate cardiovascular effects of stress. Additionally, it presents initial evidence that ·O2− may be less important in the activation of central pressor pathways mediating cardiovascular arousal associated with appetitive events, such as food anticipation and feeding.
Early predictors of 15-year end-stage renal disease in hypertensive patients.

There has been a continuing increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States, including the fraction that has been attributed to hypertension. This study was done to seek relationships between ESRD and pretreatment clinical data and between ESRD and early treated blood pressure data in a population of hypertensive veterans. We identified a total of 5730 black and 6182 nonblack male veterans as hypertensive from 1974 through 1976 in 32 Veterans Administration Hypertension Screening and Treatment Program clinics. Their mean age was 52.5 +/- 10.2 years, and their mean pretreatment blood pressure was 154.3 +/- 19.0/100.8 +/- 9.8 mm Hg. During a minimum of 13.9 years of follow-up, 5337 (44.8%) of these patients died and 245 developed ESRD. For 1055 of these subjects, pretreatment systolic blood pressure (SBP) was greater than 180 mm Hg; 901 were diabetic; 1471 had a history of urinary tract problems; and 2358 of the 9644 who were treated had an early fall in SBP of more than 20 mm Hg. We used proportional hazards modeling to fit multivariate survival models to determine the effect of the available pretreatment data and early treated blood pressure levels on ESRD. This model demonstrated the independent increased risk of ESRD associated with being black or diabetic (risk ratio, 2.2 or 1.8), having a history of urinary tract problems (risk ratio, 2.2), or having high pretreatment SBP (for SBP 165 to 180 mm Hg, risk ratio was 2.8; for SBP > 180 mm Hg, risk ratio was 7.6). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Localization of Tuberous Sclerosis 2 mRNA and its Protein Product Tuberin in Normal Human Brain and in Cerebral Lesions of Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC), an autosomal dominant disorder, is characterized by malformations, hamartomas and tumors in various organs including the brain. TSC is genetically linked to two loci: TSC1 on chromosome 9q34 and TSC2 on 16p13.3. TSC2 has been cloned, sequenced and encodes a protein (tuberin) which functions as a tumor suppressor. We have analyzed the distribution of TSC2 mRNA and tuberin in the brains of TSC patients and non‐affected individuals using both autopsy and biopsy material. High levels of transcript and protein expression were observed in choroid plexus epithelium, ependymal cells, most brainstem and spinal cord motor neurons, Purkinje cells and the external granule cell layer of the cerebellum in both TSC and control cases. Individual balloon cells from TSC patients showed very faint expression while other glia showed no expression of either transcript or tuberin. Neocortical and hippocampal neurons expressed high levels of TSC2 transcript, but only modest levels of tuberin. The internal granule cell layer of the cerebellum expressed abundant transcript but low levels of tuberin. These observations suggest either that tuberin expression is controlled at the level of both transcription and translation or the antibody and in‐situ hybridization recognize different splice variants of the TSC2 gene. In TSC patients, dysmorphic cytomegalic neurons expressed high levels of tuberin and transcript, particularly when in an ‘ectopic’ location. Individual cells within subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) and hamartomas from TSC patients expressed moderate to high levels of TSC2 transcript and tuberin. While the TSC2 transcript is widely expressed primarily within neurons, tuberin is demonstrable primarily within dysplastic/cytomegalic cells of the cortex and subependymal hamartomas/SEGAs. CIMS expression of tuberin is unique in that primarily non‐dividing cells express it in this location, whereas extra‐CNS expression of tuberin is mainly found in actively proliferating cell types such as epithelium.
An X-band GaN HEMT hybrid power amplifier with low-loss Wilkinson division on AlN substrate

The high-power operation of a modular and compact power amplifier (PA) is demonstrated using gallium nitride (GaN) transistors and power-combining networks implemented on an aluminum nitride (AlN) substrate. The power-combining network, tuned for X-Band operation, includes matching circuits and Wilkinson power dividers (WPDs) with tantalum nitride (TaN) thin-film resistors. PA efficiency is increased by minimizing network thermal loss with the AlN substrate, which is an excellent thermal conductor. All system components were mounted on a metal carrier, and were interconnected through gold wire bonds. Large-signal measurements showed power added efficiency (PAE) of 44% and a peak output power of 6.5 W at 9.5 GHz with a 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 14%.
Dual actions of tetracaine on intramembrane charge in amphibian striated muscle

1 The effects of graded concentrations of tetracaine on the steady‐state and kinetic properties of intramembrane charge were examined in intact voltage‐clamped amphibian muscle fibres. 2 The micromolar tetracaine concentrations that were hitherto reported to abolish Ca2+ transients in skeletal muscle failed to affect significantly the steady‐state charge. Maximal reductions of such intramembrane charge required relatively high, 1–2 mm, concentrations of tetracaine. 3 The plots of maximum charge against tetracaine concentration suggested a saturable 1:1 drug binding that spared a fixed amount of tetracaine‐resistant (qβ) charge but inhibited a discrete fraction of susceptible (qγ) charge with a KD between 0.1 and 0.2 mm. 4 The qβ charge thus isolated by 2 mm tetracaine was conserved through a wide range of applied test voltages and pulse durations and regardless of whether the imposed transition from the holding potential (−90 mV) to the test potential took place in one or more steps. 5 Similarly, ‘on’ and ‘off’qβ currents that were elicited by voltage steps from fixed conditioning to varying test levels mapped onto non‐linear phase‐plane trajectories that nevertheless depended uniquely upon voltage. In contrast, the currents that followed voltage steps made from varying prepulse levels to fixed −90 or −20 mV test potentials mapped onto identical qβ phase‐plane trajectories that were independent of the prepulse history. 6 The charge movements that followed strong depolarizing voltage clamp steps to test potentials in the range −50 to 0 mV approximated simple monotonic decays that could empirically be described by a single time constant. Nevertheless, a complete inhibition of a tetracaine‐sensitive (qγ) charge movement by 2 mm tetracaine that left only qγ charge, sharply altered both the magnitude and the voltage dependence of these time constants. This establishes a distinct contribution of the qγ species to overall charge kinetics even at such test voltages. 7 Under such a criterion for the voltage dependence of charging kinetics, even the micromolar (0.05‐0.2mm) tetracaine concentrations that failed to markedly alter the steady‐state charge consistently increased the charging time constants yet did not influence their voltage sensitivity. 8 These findings demonstrate the existence of separate kinetic and steady‐state effects of tetracaine on intramembrane charge movements, at micromolar and millimolar anaesthetic concentrations, respectively. These parallel earlier effects of tetracaine that have been reported upon the transient and sustained components of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release. They also establish that maximally effective concentrations of tetracaine isolate a single distinct species of conserved (qβ) intramembrane charge.
Intestinal parasitic infections among children in central Albania

Abstract Although intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) among children remain a global issue, the current information on such infections in Albanian children is very limited. A cross-sectional study of the IPI in 321 children living in the Albanian counties of Tirana (152) and Elbasan (169) was therefore conducted in 2008, with a pre-tested standard questionnaire employed to gather the relevant personal and clinical data. Using formalin–ether concentration and permanent stains, stool samples were examined microscopically for the ova, cysts and oocysts of any parasites. The overall prevalence of IPI was 19% (61 of 321), with protozoan infections (11·5%) apparently more common than infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STH; 8·1%). Giardia duodenalis was the parasite most frequently detected (10·9%), followed by hookworm (5·6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1·9%), Trichuris trichiura (0·6%), Cryptosporidium (0·3%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0·3%). The results of a univariate analysis indicated that the children from Tirana county were significantly more likely to be found infected with STH compared with the children from Elbasan county (12·5% v. 4·1%; P = 0·006). Children sampled in the community were also more likely to be found STH-positive than the children sampled as they attended hospitals and health clinics (10·5% v. 6·0%) but this difference did not reach statistical significance. The children found STH-positive were five times more likely to be suffering from diarrhoea than the other children checked in clinical settings (P = 0·004) and were also more likely to be suffering from abdominal pain (P = 0·054) and/or diminished appetite (P = 0·016).
In vitro progenitor analysis in a Diamond Blackfan anaemia patient who responded once but not twice to interleukin‐3 therapy, using short‐term and long‐term cultures and c‐kit analysis

Interleukin‐3 (IL‐3) therapy as a treatment for Diamond Blackfan anaemia (DBA) patients has been largely disappointing despite early hope it would be suitable for stimulating arrested erythropoiesis. Initial hope came from in vitro discoveries that IL‐3 (+EPO) generated well‐haemoglobinized BFU‐E colonies in some patients, but was soon tempered by the realization that in vitro and in vivo IL‐3 response did not, in the majority of cases, correlate. Nevertheless in vitro testing has been the main focus in analysing the abnormality in the stem and progenitor cell compartment in DBA. Here we report in vitro analysis of a DBA patient who responded once to IL‐3 therapy, but not a second time following relapse, using short‐term culture, long‐term culture and c‐kit analysis. Progenitor numbers before and after the first therapy were in the high normal range, but after relapse were much reduced below normal levels. Long‐term cultures suggested some arrested progenitors had been reactivated into normal cycle by the first therapy, but may not have been replaced by more immature progenitors. c‐kit analysis revealed increased expression in all tested cell populations. These results imply that the first IL‐3 therapy reactivated some erythroid progenitors but left the progenitor pool depleted when more immature cells remained arrested.
Trade Patterns in Eastern Europe

In 2004 the EU faced its most extensive enlargement ever when ten new countries joined. One can speculate about the reasons for these countries to join the EU and one suggestion that is often found is the access to a larger market and the trade possibilities that would entail; the customs union effect. Therefore this thesis sets out to investigate whether this is plausible; do countries trade more with the EU-countries than their nonEU neighbours? The investigation is conducted through the use of a gravity model. It investigates not only the traditional GDP and distance variables, but also the effects on trade flows caused by sharing borders, being part of the EU and sharing a language. The results show that not much could be seen in the trade flows in 2004; the year of accession. This could be attributed to the existence of preferential trade agreements, which the Eastern European countries had with the EU prior to their accession. It was also found that both the effect of sharing a language and the effect of increased distance are diminishing over the years. In addition a clear difference could be seen in the export from Eastern Europe to EU 15 and the rest of the world; it seems that some extra variables need to be added to explain the non-EU trade. Thus it can be concluded that the motivation for joining the EU should not have been the increased trade possibilities, but rather other factors such as regional development and the possibility to being part of a larger power at international negotiations. Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank my tutors Lars Pettersson and Johan Larsson for their assistance throughout the writing process and my discussant Anneloes Muuse for her valuable comments. Secondly, I am grateful to my good friends Cathrine Roos and Nicoleta Stepman who have spent time on reading and commenting my work. Lastly, I am ever so grateful to my beloved Linus Wallin for all the support throughout this semester.
Actigraphic and Sleep Diary Measures in Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Discrepancy in Selected Sleep Parameters

Objective:To examine the discrepancy between sleep diary and actigraphic measures of sleep in Veterans with moderate-severe post–acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to explore whether these discrepancies vary according to participant characteristics. Setting:VA Medical Center in the Rocky Mountain United States. Participants:Nineteen males with moderate-severe post–acute TBI and insomnia symptoms as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index. Design:Descriptive, cross-sectional. Main Measures:Sleep diary, wrist actigraphy, Ohio State University TBI-Identification Method, Insomnia Severity Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results:There was poor agreement between actigraphic and sleep diary measurements of (1) total sleep time, (2) wake after sleep onset, and (3) sleep onset latency. On average, actigraphy measured greater duration of all 3 sleep parameters. Discrepancies were not found to be associated with specific TBI characteristics or mood-related symptoms. Conclusion:When measuring sleep-related outcomes among Veterans with moderate-severe post–acute TBI, notable mismatches were found between actigraphic and self-reported sleep diary data. Knowledge regarding measure-related limitations is important for both clinical and research practices among those with moderate-severe post–acute TBI.
Evaluation of Environmental Worldview from the Perspectives of Undergraduate Students in N. Cyprus

In recent years, environmental issues have been under considerable debate within the scientific community. In this context, environmental worldview has become a significant area of focus. In the light of recent studies it is understood that there are disparate variables influencing environmental worldview. Additionally it has been suggested that environmental worldview is a variable influencing environmental behaviour itself. As it is a significant aspect among the younger generations to adopt an environmentally responsible lifestyle, this study aimed at understanding the impact of several demographic variables such as gender and nationality on environmental worldview. In this research, environmental behaviour is further examined within the university students in Nicosia. A total number of 111 undergraduate students were chosen for this research. In the first section, several subjects were asked about their environmental knowledge and awareness. In the second section, with the help of Dunlop and Van Liere’s New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale, environmental attitudes of participants were measured, in order to understand the level of their existing worldview. Keywords : Environmental Worldview, NEP Scale, Survey, Undergraduate Students, Nicosia, Cyprus
Comparative study of serum surfactant protein-D and KL-6 concentrations in patients with systemic sclerosis as markers for monitoring the activity of pulmonary fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE To clarify the clinical significance of surfactant protein-D (SP-D) and KL-6 in the diagnosis and monitoring of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to evaluate the differences between SP-D and KL-6. METHODS Serum SP-D and KL-6 concentrations were determined by ELISA in 42 SSc patients. In a retrospective longitudinal study, 83 serum samples from 6 SSc patients were analyzed during a followup period of 0.6-6.3 years. RESULTS SP-D and KL-6 concentrations at the first visit were higher in patients with SSc, especially those with PF, compared with healthy controls. Increased concentrations of SP-D were associated with decreased DLCO and decreased vital capacity in SSc patients more strongly than those of KL-6. The sensitivity and specificity for PF were 91% and 88% for SP-D and 39% and 100% for KL-6, respectively. In the longitudinal study, both SP-D and KL-6 concentrations were associated with activity of PF in patients with SSc. SP-D concentrations changed more rapidly than KL-6 concentrations, in parallel with the PF activity. CONCLUSION SP-D was a more sensitive marker for PF than KL-6. By contrast, KL-6 showed higher specificity than SP-D. Combined use of these 2 serum markers would be more helpful to diagnose and monitor the PF activity in patients with SSc than single use of each marker.
Severe Thrombocytopenia in Adults with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Impact of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Use

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use is perceived to cause thrombocytopenia (T), but the role of non-ECMO factors in the development of T remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the incidence and factors associated with severe T (platelet count ⩽ 50,000/&mgr;l) in adults with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) managed with or without ECMO. The ECMO (n = 32) versus the non-ECMO (n = 53) groups had a similar baseline platelet count (214,000 vs. 179,000/&mgr;l), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p = 0.13), unfractionated heparin (UFH) exposure (p = 0.62), and severe T incidence (25 vs. 19%, p = 0.5). Although the APACHE II score (p = 0.01), presence of liver failure (p = 0.08), and platelet transfusion (p = 0.0009) were different between the severe T (18/85 [21%]) and non-severe T groups (67/85 [79%]), the incidence of septic shock (p = 0.64), heparin infusion use (p = 0.41), exposure to non-heparin T-causing medications (p = 0.77) and ECMO use (p = 0.5) were not. An adjusted multivariate linear regression model revealed that only the APACHE II score was independently associated with the development of severe T (p = 0.01) but use of ECMO was not (p = 0.32) ECMO use may not affect the incidence of severe T among adults with severe ARDS. Larger studies that are prospective in nature are required to confirm this finding.
The Id2+ distal tip lung epithelium contains individual multipotent embryonic progenitor cells

The conducting airways (bronchi and bronchioles) and peripheral gas exchange (alveolar) regions of the mammalian lung are generated by a process of branching morphogenesis. Evidence suggests that during embryonic development, the undifferentiated epithelial progenitors are located at the distal tips of the branching epithelium. To test this hypothesis, we used an Id2-CreERT2 knock-in mouse strain to lineage trace the distal epithelial tip cells during either the pseudoglandular or canalicular phases of development. During the pseudoglandular stage, the tip cells both self-renew and contribute descendents to all epithelial cell lineages, including neuroendocrine cells. In addition, individual Id2+ tip cells can self-renew and contribute descendents to both the bronchiolar and alveolar compartments. By contrast, during the later canalicular stage, the distal epithelial tip cells only contribute descendents to the alveoli. Taken together, this evidence supports a model in which the distal tip of the developing lung contains a multipotent epithelial population, the fate of which changes during development.