Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Good Jobs, Screening, and Labour Productivity

Accumulating evidence shows that firm success is closely related to choosing the "right" mix of human resource management practises. This paper uses survey data from a representative sample of the British economy (WERS 2004) to identify clusters of policies which predict labour productivity. First, firms which leave their employees substantial discretion in working processes report (weakly) higher labour productivity despite increased shirking opportunities. Second, firms which pay high income to employees in addition to allowing discretion ("good jobs") are highly successful if they screen job candidates for personality. This result is consistent with gift-exchange behaviour between employers who pay high wages and employees who voluntarily exert high effort, as screening for personality predicts reciprocal behaviour. Third firms offering "good jobs" but abstain from screening (efficiency wage hypothesis) or rely on agent's "work ethic" without providing high wages (Huang and Cappelli, 2010) report significantly lower labour productivity than firms offering "good" jobs and screen for personality. Forth, tests aiming to uncover job candidate's ability in combination with "good" jobs predict beneficial firm outcomes substantially worse, implying that not screening itself but screening for personality is decisive for offering "good" jobs to predict high labour productivity.
In Vivo Examination of Mouse APOBEC3- and Human APOBEC3A- and APOBEC3G-Mediated Restriction of Parvovirus and Herpesvirus Infection in Mouse Models

ABSTRACT APOBEC3 knockout and human APOBEC3A and -3G transgenic mice were tested for their ability to be infected by the herpesviruses herpes simplex virus 1 and murine herpesvirus 68 and the parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM). Knockout, APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G transgenic, and wild-type mice were equally infected by the herpesviruses, while APOBEC3A but not mouse APOBEC3 conferred resistance to MVM. No viruses showed evidence of cytidine deamination by mouse or human APOBEC3s. These data suggest that in vitro studies implicating APOBEC3 proteins in virus resistance may not reflect their role in vivo. IMPORTANCE It is well established that APOBEC3 proteins in different species are a critical component of the host antiretroviral defense. Whether these proteins also function to inhibit other viruses is not clear. There have been a number of in vitro studies suggesting that different APOBEC3 proteins restrict herpesviruses and parvoviruses, among others, but whether they also work in vivo has not been demonstrated. Our studies looking at the role of mouse and human APOBEC3 proteins in transgenic and knockout mouse models of viral infection suggest that these restriction factors are not broadly antiviral and demonstrate the importance of testing their activity in vivo.
Investigation of MGF mRNA expression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using parallel in vivo and in vitro approaches

In an animal model of ALS, intramuscular administration of MGF, the IGF-I Ec gene splice variant, improved muscle strength and increased both motor unit and motor neuron survival. Here we investigated whether there is a deficit in MGF production in the muscles of patients with ALS. We used complementary in vivo and in vitro techniques to study the IGF-I splice variant response of human muscle to exercise or mechanical stretch. We assessed the levels of MGF and IGF-IEa mRNA in muscle biopsy samples from healthy subjects and patients with ALS, before and after exercise. We used primary muscle cells to build three-dimensional collagen constructs and subjected them to a ramp stretch. Patients with ALS had similar baseline levels of MGF and IGF-IEa mRNA to healthy controls. No up-regulation was seen in either group within a short time of a single bout of low intensity exercise. Three-dimensional human muscle constructs also detected no response to a mechanical stretch from either control subjects or ALS. We conclude that the pathology of ALS does not include a deficit in baseline levels of MGF and IGF-IEa mRNA splice variants in muscle.
Accountability in Children's Development Organizations

This study investigates the use of five broad accountability mechanisms by gathering the perceptions of charities involved in the Canadian effort to reduce under-5 mortality abroad. While annual deaths in children under the age of 5 declined from an estimate of over 24.0 million in 1960 to under 8.0 million in 2010, mortality reduction goals have been established and missed for decades. As worldwide economies worsen, the amount of funds available for development assistance can be expected to decrease. This study seeks to determine if having accountability mechanisms is perceived to improve organizational behaviour, results and/or reduce costs. It uses a mixed methods approach including: a literature review to gain an understanding of accountability, effectiveness, development and under-5 mortality; key informant interviews to gain an understanding of funders, charities and development; a survey to gather the information required to answer the research questions; and a multiple-case study to gain a better appreciation of how accountability is used and to gather evidence of survey responses. The study investigates: which accountability mechanisms charities have, why they have them and the associated accountability holders; standards body memberships; the relationship between accountability mechanisms and various organizational characteristics; and the perceived effects of accountability mechanisms on organizational behaviour, results and costs. The survey finds that: charities say that they adopt accountability mechanisms because it is a good management practice that is perceived to improve organizational behaviour and results while not incurring costs in excess of the benefits; charities are more likely to adopt accountability mechanisms due to internal pressures than external pressures; the use of accountability mechanisms increases with organization size; and there is a greater difference in use of
Improving physician clinical documentation quality: evaluating two self-efficacy-based training programs.

BACKGROUND Clinical documentation is critical to health care quality and cost. The generally poor quality of such documentation has been well recognized, yet medical students, residents, and physicians receive little or no training in it. When clinical documentation quality (CDQ) training for residents and/or physicians is provided, it excludes key constructs of self-efficacy: vicarious learning (e.g., peer demonstration) and mastery (i.e., practice). CDQ training that incorporates these key self-efficacy constructs is more resource intensive. If such training could be shown to be more effective at enhancing clinician performance, it would support the investment of the additional resources required by health care systems and residency training programs. PURPOSES The aim of this study was to test the impact of CDQ training on clinician self-efficacy and performance and the relative efficacy of intervention designs employing two versus all four self-efficacy constructs. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Ninety-one internal medicine residents at a major academic medical center in the northeastern United States were assigned to one of two self-efficacy-based training groups or a control group, with CDQ and clinical documentation self-efficacy measured before and after the interventions. A structural equation model (AMOS) allowed for testing the six hypotheses in the context of the whole study, and findings were cross-validated using traditional regression. FINDINGS Although both interventions increased CDQ, the training designed to include all four self-efficacy constructs had a significantly greater impact on improving CDQ. It also increased self-efficacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS CDQ may be significantly improved and sustained by (a) training physicians in clinical documentation and (b) employing all four self-efficacy constructs in such training designs.
[Efficacy of integrative respiratory rehabilitation training in exercise ability and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable phase: a randomized controlled trial].

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important clinical disease, and its global prevalence and mortality rates are high. It is meaningful to investigate the efficacy of integrative respiratory rehabilitation training in quality of life and respiratory physiology of COPD patients in stable phase. OBJECTIVE To observe the efficacy of integrative respiratory rehabilitation training in exercise ability and quality of life of COPD patients in stable phase. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS Eighty outpatients and inpatients with COPD from Department of Respiratory Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Yunyang Medical College were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 20 patients in each group. The patients in group A only received drug therapy, the patients in group B received traditional qigong training, the patients in group C received modern rehabilitation training, and the patients in group D received integrative respiratory rehabilitation training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ), 6-minute walking distance and Borg score in each group were examined before and after one-, three-, and six-month and one-year treatment. RESULTS The 6-minute walking distance, Borg score and CRQ score in group A had no significant changes after treatment (P>0.05). After one-month treatment, there were no significant differences in 6-minute walking distance and Borg score in groups B, C and D as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After three-month treatment, 6-minute walking distance and Borg score were improved in groups B, C and D (P<0.05). After six-month and one-year treatment, 6-minute walking distance, Borg score and CRQ score in groups B, C and D were improved as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and there were significant differences between group D and any of groups A, B and C (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Modern rehabilitation training, traditional qigong training and integrative respiratory rehabilitation training programs all can improve the quality of life and exercise ability of COPD patients, and integrative respiratory rehabilitation training program is better than modern rehabilitation training and traditional qigong training programs. The efficacy of respiratory rehabilitation training is time-dependent, and need long-time adherence to the therapy.
Betulinic acid inhibits high glucose‐induced vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells may perform a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. The principal objective of this study was to determine the effects of betulinic acid (BA) on human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation induced by high glucose (HG). In this study, [3H]‐thymidine incorporation under 25 mM HG was accelerated significantly as compared with 5.5 mM glucose, and this increase was inhibited significantly by BA treatment. We utilized Western blotting analysis to evaluate the effects of BA on cell‐cycle regulatory proteins. HG induced the expression of cyclins/CDKs and reduced the expression of p21waf1/cip1/p27kip1. However, BA also attenuated the expression of HG‐induced cell‐cycle regulatory proteins. The results of gelatin zymography demonstrated that the HG‐treated HASMC secreted gelatinases, probably including MMP‐2/‐9, which may be involved in the invasion and migration of HASMC. Additionally, BA suppressed the protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP‐2/‐9 in a dose‐dependent manner. BA inhibited the production of HG‐induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the formation of DCF‐sensitive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further, BA suppressed the nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IκB‐α of NF‐κB under HG conditions. Our results showed that BA exerts multiple effects on HG‐induced HASMC proliferation and migration, including the inhibition of both MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 transcription, protein activity, and the downregulation of ROS/NF‐κB signaling, thereby suggesting that BA may be a possible therapeutic approach to the inhibition of diabetic vascular disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 1501–1511, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The frequency of human platelet antigen (HPA) genotypes in the Polish population

The human platelet antigens (HPA1–5) in the Polish population were investigated using the PCR with sequence specific primers (SSP). The HPA gene frequency was: 1a — 0.874, 1b — 0.126; 2a — 0.898, 2b — 0.102; 3a — 0.592, 3b — 0.408; 4a — 1.00, 4b — 0.00; 5a — 0.937, 5b — 0.063. The HPA2 and HPA5 differed from those observed in some other European populations — German and both German and Austrian, respectively. The HPA5 alleles frequency was most similar to those observed in the Finnish population. The modification of SSP described allowed the genotyping of HPA1–4 under the same PCR conditions.
Dietary Phytoestrogens Activate AMP-Activated Protein Kinase With Improvement in Lipid and Glucose Metabolism

OBJECTIVE— Emerging evidence suggests that dietary phytoestrogens can have beneficial effects on obesity and diabetes, although their mode of action is not known. Here, we investigate the mechanisms mediating the action of dietary phytoestrogens on lipid and glucose metabolism in rodents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Male CD-1 mice were fed from conception to adulthood with either a high soy–containing diet or a soy-free diet. Serum levels of circulating isoflavones, ghrelin, leptin, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were quantified. Tissue samples were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting to investigate changes of gene expression and phosphorylation state of key metabolic proteins. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp were used to assess changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. In addition, insulin secretion was determined by in situ pancreas perfusion. RESULTS— In peripheral tissues of soy-fed mice, especially in white adipose tissue, phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase was increased, and expression of genes implicated in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis was upregulated. Soy-fed mice also showed reduced serum insulin levels and pancreatic insulin content and improved insulin sensitivity due to increased glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. Thus, mice fed with a soy-rich diet have improved adipose and glucose metabolism. CONCLUSIONS— Dietary soy could prove useful to prevent obesity and associated disorders. Activation of the AMPK pathway by dietary soy is likely involved and may mediate the beneficial effects of dietary soy in peripheral tissues.
Ophthalmological findings in a closed herd of Lipizzaners.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY There are no studies on the ophthalmic health status in the Lipizzaner breed. OBJECTIVE To perform an ophthalmological survey in a closed herd in 3 housing systems. MATERIALS All horses at the Federal Stud Piber, Heldenberg and the Spanish Riding School Vienna were subjected to ophthalmological examination. Findings were documented and correlated with factors such as age, gender, location and housing situation. The interrelation of abnormalities of different regions was determined by calculating accuracy. Pedigree analysis of horses affected by cataract was performed. RESULTS A total of 267 horses met the inclusion criteria of this study. Of these, 172 horses were stabled in Piber, 72 in Vienna and 23 in Heldenberg. Ophthalmological examination revealed 203 cases with ocular findings, predominantly involving the conjunctiva (44.6%), cornea (21.7%) and fundus (37.5%). In 24 (8.9%) horses a diagnosis of cataract was made. There was no interrelation between different eye diseases. Horses stabled at Piber were significantly more affected by conjunctival and fundic abnormalities. Fewer abnormalities were found in horses stabled in open boxes. Access to free stalls resulted in more cases of conjunctivitis. Pedigree analysis showed no evidence of inbreeding as a cause of cataract formation. CONCLUSION AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Acquired corneal abnormalities were over-represented in this study. This survey may serve as a basis for further research on the pathogenesis of ophthalmic diseases in Lipizzaners.
Transcriptional suppression of the human T-cell leukemia virus type I long terminal repeat occurs by an unconventional interaction of a CREB factor with the R region

To analyze regulation of the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) long terminal repeat (LTR), cell lines were generated from LTR-tax x LTR-beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) doubly transgenic mouse fibroblastic tumors. The HTLV-I LTR directs expression of both the tax and lacZ genes, and Tax up-modulates both promoters in primary cells. However, once cells were transformed by tax, beta-Gal but not tax expression was suppressed. Supertransformation of these cells with v-src suppressed both beta-Gal and tax expression. This suppression was reversed by treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A or protein kinase A inhibitor H8. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated augmented binding in the R but not U3 region. This binding was competitively inhibited by a high-affinity CREB oligodeoxynucleotide and super-shifted with a specific CREB antibody. Treatment of cells with the cyclic AMP analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP also transiently increased the R region binding dramatically. In vitro DNase I footprint analysis identified a protein-binding sequence in the R region which corresponded with suppression. However, this target sequence lacked a conventional CREB-binding site. A 70.5-kDa DNA-binding protein was partially purified by affinity chromatography, along with a 49-kDa protein which reacted with CREB-specific sera. These data demonstrate that HTLV-I LTR suppression is associated with CREB factor binding in the R region, probably by direct interaction with a 70.5-kDa protein, and provide a novel mechanism for maintenance of viral latency.
TENET: Tail-Event Driven NETwork Risk

CoVaR is a measure for systemic risk of the networked financial system conditional on institutions being under distress. The analysis of systemic risk is the focus of recent econometric analyses and uses tail event and network based techniques. Here, in this paper we bring tail event and network dynamics together into one context. In order to pursue such joint efforts, we propose a semiparametric measure to estimate systemic interconnectedness across financial institutions based on tail-driven spillover effects in a high dimensional framework. The systemically important institutions are identified conditional to their interconnectedness structure. Methodologically, a variable selection technique in a time series setting is applied in the context of a single-index model for a generalized quantile regression framework. We could thus include more financial institutions into the analysis to measure their tail event interdependencies and, at the same time, be sensitive to non-linear relationships between them. Network analysis, its behaviour and dynamics, allows us to characterize the role of each financial industry group in 2007–2012: the depositories received and transmitted more risk among other groups, the insurers were less affected by the financial crisis. The proposed TENET - Tail Event driven NETwork technique allows us to rank the Systemic Risk Receivers and Systemic Risk Emitters in the US financial market.
Effect of Aluminum (Al3+) on Granulation in Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor Treating Low‐Strength Synthetic Wastewater

The effect of aluminum on agglomeration in the sludge bed and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency in laboratory‐scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors treating low‐strength synthetic wastewater (approximately 665 to 738 mg/L of COD) was investigated. Continuous application of aluminum chloride (200 mg/L) caused poor COD removal, less sludge density, and adversely affected agglomeration in the sludge bed. An adverse effect on granulation also was observed when 300 mg/L aluminum chloride was added only during the startup, and the effect continued even after it was discontinued. A lower concentration of aluminum chloride (50 mg/L) added for 30 days after the reactors reached steady‐state did not affect the COD removal efficiency, but adversely affected the growth of agglomerates and caused temporary degeneration of existing agglomerates. The adverse effect of aluminum appeared to stem from the precipitation of aluminum hydroxide on the surfaces of agglomerates. The effect of aluminum on agglomeration was shown to be a function of influent strength.
Drug susceptibility profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates at Jaipur.

PURPOSE To find prevalence of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients attending SMS Medical College, Jaipur during 1997-99. METHODS Sputum samples from 164 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were processed and cultured on Lowenstein Jensen medium and M. tuberculosis isolates were tested for drug sensitivity. RESULTS M. tuberculosis was isolated in 122/164 (74.3%) samples and comprised 97.6% (122/125) of mycobacterial isolates. There were only three isolates of nontuberculous mycobacteria -one each of M. kansasii, M. avium and M. fortutium. Primary drug resistance in M. tuberculosis was estimated to be 3/44 (6.8%) to rifampicin, 6/44 (13.6%) to isoniazid and 2 strains (4.5%) were multi drug resistant i.e. resistant to both rifampicin and isoniazid. Among the isolates from cases with previous history of treatment of varying duration (acquired drug resistance) resistance to rifampicin was estimated to be 28.2% and for isoniazid to be 39.7%. 24.3% strains of these drug resistant isolates were multi drug resistant. CONCLUSIONS While this information may not reflect true prevalence of drug resistance in the region this may help in further planning long term surveillance studies to know the trend of drug resistance in this area.
Adult-onset myopia: the Genes in Myopia (GEM) twin study.

PURPOSE To report the frequency of adult-onset myopia in a large cohort of Caucasian twins that were assessed as part of the Genes in Myopia (GEM) twin study and to quantify the genetic contribution in adult-onset myopia using the classic twin model. METHODS All twins aged 18 years or older were invited to participate in the GEM twin study through the Australian Twin Registry (ATR). Each twin completed a standard questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive eye assessment, including cycloplegic objective examination. Adult-onset myopia was defined as having the first spectacle/contact lens correction at the age of 18 years or older. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent worse than or equal to -0.50 D. RESULTS A total of 1224 twins (690 monozygotic [MZ] and 534 dizygotic [DZ]) between 18 and 86 years of age were recruited into the GEM study. A total of 96 twins (96/347 = 27.7%) comprising 50 MZ and 46 DZ twins were first prescribed optical correction for myopia at the age of 18 years or older. A significantly higher MZ intrapair correlation (r = 0.61) compared with that in DZ twins (r = 0.16, P < 0.01) for spherical equivalent was found in twins with adult-onset myopia. CONCLUSIONS Adult-onset myopia is a relatively common condition, with approximately one quarter of cases occurring in adulthood. To the authors' knowledge, the GEM twin study is the first study of its kind to provide evidence to support a genetic component in adult-onset myopia.