Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial Diversity and Task Performance: The Roles of Formalization and Goal Setting in Government Organizations

Previous studies on demographic diversity have yielded inconsistent results with respect to several individual and organizational outcomes. The current study proposes that structural characteristics can enhance the positive influence of racial diversity on employee outcomes. Specifically, this study examines the roles of formalization as a moderator and goal setting as a mediator in the relationship between racial diversity and employee task performance. Using a sample of New York state employees from 42 state agencies, this study found that (a) in organizations where tasks are formalized, the effects of racial diversity on employee perception of goal specificity and goal difficulty were positive and (b) some of the interaction effects between racial diversity and formalization were, in turn, positively related to task performance through perception of the goal difficulty. Overall, while the results confirm the complex nature of diversity effects mentioned in previous research, they contribute further evidence regarding the positive impact of racial diversity and the notion that the contextual environment of public organizations—in this case, formalization—contributes to positive performance in demographically diverse workforces.
Bond Offerings in China

This study appraises the value created by a bond offering in China, where high levels of state ownership and insider ownership raise concerns about the use of the proceeds. To estimate the impact of a bond issue on the firm's value, we apply an eventâ€ study methodology on a sample of 481 issues of 347 Chinese companies over the period 2009â€“2013. It turns out that state ownership has a positive impact on the value of a bond offering for shareholders, which is consistent with an implicit guarantee of the issue by the state. For privately owned companies, insider ownership exerts a nonlinear impact on the firm's value, supporting an aligning effect in the use of the proceeds. Overall, the study confirms the key role of ownership structure in Chinese firms.
The Differential Effects of Computer Use on Academic Performance of Students from Immigrant and Gender Groups: Implications on Multimedia Enabled Education

To explore the implications on multimedia enabled education, this study examined the differential effects of computer use in diverse learning settings on the math performance of students from immigrant and gender groups. The concept of learner control was applied in order to link computer use in various sites with academic outcomes. The study employed multiple regression models using a nationally representative database of ELS 2002. The study found a significant effect of computer use in diverse contexts and its differential effects for immigrant and gender groups. Computer use for schoolwork had significantly positive effect on achievement for overall students although the same effect was not significant for immigrant students. The effect of computer use for their own learning was significantly lower for female students than male. The study results had implications for the theory and practice of multimedia use.
The combined effects of heavy metals (copper and zinc), temperature and food (Chlorella vulgaris) level on the demographic characters of Moina macrocopa (Crustacea: Cladocera)

In this work we evaluated the effect of temperature (22° and 27°C), algal density (Chlorella vulgaris 0.5 × 106 and 2.0 × 106 cells/mL) and different combinations of 2 heavy metals (Zn at 25.25–101.0 μ g/L and Cu at 17.75–71.0 μ g/L) on the population level variables of Moina macrocopa. Median lethal concentration (24 h bioassay at 1 × 106 cells/mL of algal diet) of Zn and Cu for M. macrocopa were 1010 μ g/L and 710 μ g/L, respectively. In the survivorship curves at 27°C there was a reduction in the survival of cladocerans exposed to Cu compared to controls or Zn. The fecundity curves (m x ) indicated a steady reproductive output throughout the life span of M. macrocopa, but the negative impact of copper was more than that of zinc. Reproductive phase of M. macrocopa was longer at 22°C than at 27°C. The average lifespan was higher at 22°C and at the higher food level. It was significantly affected by temperature, food level and toxicant concentration, as well as their interaction. The net reproductive rate was also influenced by food and temperature but not by the toxicant level. The generation time ranged between 4-8 days and was lower at 27°C. The population growth rate (r) derived from life table experiments varied from 0.6 to 0.9 per day, depending on the treatment. Regardless of the toxicant level, at 22°C, the population growth was higher at the higher food level. In treatments containing only Cu, the population growth of M. macrocopa was lower than when present together with Zn. Peak population densities of around 30 ind. /mL were reached under high food conditions. Higher temperature and lower food level had an adverse effect on M. macrocopa in treatments containing only Cu. In the presence of higher food density, the adverse impact of copper was not evident. The r derived from growth study ranged from 0.25 to 0.64 per day depending on the test conditions. Data were interpreted in terms of sensitivity M. macrocopa for its possible use as a complement, but not as an alternative to Daphnia magna for evaluating the toxicity of heavy metals.
Irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin combination chemotherapy in advanced colorectal carcinoma: a phase II study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a combination of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin in advanced colorectal cancer (ACC). Twenty-six consecutive patients with ACC and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were treated with a combination of oxaliplatin (120 mg/m2 intravenously [i.v.] for 2 hours) on day 1, irinotecan (250 mg/m2 i.v. for 90 minutes) on day 1, and 5-FU (2600 mg/m2 plus leucovorin 500 mg/m2 i.v. in a 24-hour infusion) on day 1 and 15, every 4 weeks. Five of the patients (19.2%) had shown previous chemoresistance. One hundred sixty-two cycles were administered (median, 6; range, 3-13 cycles). All patients were evaluated for toxicity; 23 were evaluable for response. According to intention-to-treat, the overall response rate was 69.2% (18 patients; 95% CI: 48.2%-85.7%), including 3 complete remissions (11.5%). Four additional patients (15.3%) had stable disease, and only 1 (3.8%) progressed. Major toxicities were neutropenia and diarrhea. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 9 patients (34.6%), and grade 4 occurred in 1 patient (3.8%). Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 8 patients (30.7%) and grade 4 in 1 patient (3.8%). Other toxicities were mild. After a median follow-up of 15.5 months, the median progression-free survival was 14 months. Seventeen patients (65.4%) are still alive, and the median overall survival has not been reached yet. This combination of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-FU/leucovorin is fairly well tolerated and shows promising activity in ACC. This treatment merits further comparison with other combination regimens.
Detection of oncogene amplifications in medulloblastomas by comparative genomic hybridization and array-based comparative genomic hybridization.

OBJECT Few studies have been conducted to investigate the genomic survey of oncogene amplification in medulloblastoma. Low frequency of N-myc, C-myc, and epidermal grow factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification (< 10%) has been reported in medulloblastoma. Previous comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) study of primary medulloblastomas has revealed chromosomal amplification on 2p21, 3p, 5p15.3, 7q, 8q24, 11q22.3, and 17q. The aim of this study was to detect common oncogenes involved in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis. METHODS The authors studied a series of 14 samples by performing CGH and array-based CGH. The CGH analysis detected nonrandom losses on 8p, 17p, 16q, 8q, and 1p, whereas gains were found on 17q, 12q, 7q, and 1p. Array-based CGH was conducted to investigate amplification of 58 oncogenes throughout the genome of these samples. Gene amplifications identified for the first time included PGY1 at 7q21.1, MDM2 at 12q14.3-q15, and ERBB2 at 17q21.2. The highest frequencies of oncogene gain were detected in D17S1670 (61.5%), PIK3CA (46.2%), PGY1 (38.5%), MET (38.5%), ERBB2 (38.5%), and CSE1L (38.5%). The gain in gene copy numbers was confirmed in 34 additional archival medulloblastoma cases by using fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. CONCLUSIONS This is the first genome-wide survey of multiple oncogene amplifications involved in the development of medulloblastoma. Gains of several candidate oncogenes such as D17S1670, ERBB2, PIK3CA, PGY1, MET, and CSE1L were frequently detected. These genes may be used as molecular markers and therapeutic targets of medulloblastomas.
Is BMU‐Coupling a Strain‐Regulated Phenomenon? A Finite Element Analysis

Histologically, two types of bone reconstruction are distinguished: modeling and remodeling. Modeling changes the amount of bone and determines its geometrical form in relation to the prevailing mechanical loads and their resulting deformation (strain). Remodeling renews existing bone in a sequence of resorption and formation. However, in both processes the cells responsible for resorption and formation are the same: osteoclasts and osteoblasts. We studied if there is a relation between the activity of these cells and the deformation of the local bone tissue during remodeling. Two finite element models were built on a microscopic, supracellular level: (1) a secondary osteon in cortical bone and (2) a Howship's lacuna in a trabecula. Both models were loaded in the “natural,” that is, longitudinal direction. Equivalent strains were determined as a measure for the deformation of the bone tissue. In the first model, the strain field around the osteon showed a region of decreased deformation in front of the tunnel, just where osteoclasts excavate cortical bone tissue. Behind the cutting cone, elevated strain levels appear in the tunnel wall at locations where osteoblasts are active. The second model showed that a local excavation of a loaded trabecula leads to higher strains at the bottom of the lacuna, where resorption is stopped and osteoblasts are recruited to refill the gap. However, in the direction of loading reduced strain levels appear, just where resorption continues to proceed along the trabecular surface. We conclude that at the tissue level, strain distributions occur during the remodeling process that show a relationship to the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This suggests that BMU coupling, that is, the subsequent activation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts during remodeling, is a strain‐regulated phenomenon. (J Bone Miner Res 2000;15: 301–307)
Gray matter-specific changes in brain bioenergetics after acute sleep deprivation: a 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 4 Tesla.

STUDY OBJECTIVES A principal function of sleep may be restoration of brain energy metabolism caused by the energetic demands of wakefulness. Because energetic demands in the brain are greater in gray than white matter, this study used linear mixed-effects models to examine tissue-type specific changes in high-energy phosphates derived using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) after sleep deprivation and recovery sleep. DESIGN Experimental laboratory study. SETTING Outpatient neuroimaging center at a private psychiatric hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 32 MRS scans performed in eight healthy individuals (mean age 35 y; range 23-51 y). INTERVENTIONS Phosphocreatine (PCr) and β-nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) were measured using 31P MRS three dimensional-chemical shift imaging at high field (4 Tesla) after a baseline night of sleep, acute sleep deprivation (SD), and 2 nights of recovery sleep. Novel linear mixed-effects models were constructed using spectral and tissue segmentation data to examine changes in bioenergetics in gray and white matter. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS PCr increased in gray matter after 2 nights of recovery sleep relative to SD with no significant changes in white matter. Exploratory analyses also demonstrated that increases in PCr were associated with increases in electroencephalographic slow wave activity during recovery sleep. No significant changes in β-NTP were observed. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that sleep deprivation and subsequent recovery-induced changes in high-energy phosphates primarily occur in gray matter, and increases in PCr after recovery sleep may be related to sleep homeostasis.
Retrospective Assessment of Transcription-Mediated Amplification-Based Screening for Trichomonas vaginalis in Male Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic Patients

ABSTRACT Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) enhances detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis from rectal and pharyngeal sources. The utility of TMA for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis has recently been described. We report on the performance of TMA for detection of sexually transmitted infection (STI) agents from extraurogenital sources, with a focus on T. vaginalis. Within a 21-month interval, 1,314 consecutive male patient encounters at an STI clinic resulted in collection of 2,408 specimens for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and T. vaginalis TMA screening. A total of 471 encounters were managed with a single specimen collection (94.9% urine), with 12.7% positive for at least one STI agent. This detection percentage increased to 14.4% with collection of specimens from two sources and to 20.3% with collection from three sources (P = 0.03 versus single-source sampling). A total of 44.4% of encounters were managed by collection of urine and pharyngeal specimens and 19.1% by the addition of a third (rectal) collection. While procurement of urine and rectal specimens resulted in greater detection of C. trachomatis (6.1% and 11.3% rates, respectively) than of other STI agents, 858 pharyngeal specimens yielded a 2.9% T. vaginalis detection rate compared with 2.1% for N. gonorrhoeae and 1.6% for C. trachomatis. All T. vaginalis pharyngeal detections were confirmed by TMA-based alternative target testing. A total of 38.1% of T. vaginalis-positive pharyngeal specimens were derived from symptomatic patient encounters. A total of 85.7% of males with T. vaginalis-positive pharyngeal collections indicated strictly heterosexual preference. Additional specimen source sampling is necessary to make STI screening comprehensive. Incorporation of extraurogenital sources into assessment for T. vaginalis detection may identify additional symptomatic and asymptomatic male STI carriers.
Analytical Study of Factors Affecting Investment in Saudi Arabia from the Period of 1990- 2017

This paper aims at estimating the effect of gross domestic product GDP and real effective exchange rate REER on investment. There is a long-run relationship between the model variables. Autoregressive distributed lag ARDL has been used for estimation covering the period 1970 – 2017. The results show that there is a long-term equilibrium relationship between the study variables and the effective real exchange rate. The one-unit increase in GDP increases the investment by 0.72 and the real effective single-unit exchange rate leads to an increase in GDP, Investment refers to the correction of the mistake that requires two years to reinvest the balance into equilibrium Since the exchange rate of the Saudi currency is pegged to the US dollar in the fixed term, The unit root tests reveal that all variable are integrated of order one and there one cointegrating equation relating them the Data have been transformed by natural logarithm to yield elasticities. Results gave the expected signs and all estimates are significan beside that economic policy makers in Saudi Arabia should pay attention to investing in the short and long term and create a good investment environment.
Anesthetic Concerns and Perioperative Complications in Repair of Myelomeningocele: A Retrospective Review of 135 Cases

Myelomeningocele (MMC) a complex congenital spinal anomaly, results from neural tube defect during first 4 weeks of gestation. Medical records of 135 children who underwent excision and repair of MMC from January 2003 to December 2006 were analyzed, retrospectively. Data on associated illnesses, anesthetic management, perioperative complications, and outcome were recorded. The patient population consisted of older infants with unrepaired MMC. The average age of presentation was 1 year and 8 months. The commonest site of presentation was lumbar (39.3%). Leaking MMC was present in 19.3% of cases, most had associated electrolyte imbalance. Hydrocephalus was the commonest association (67.4%) followed by Chiari-II malformation (58.4%). Renal abnormality was present in 9% of cases and 24.4% of children had scoliosis. Two infants (1.5%) presented with inspiratory stridor. Intraoperative cardiac and respiratory problems were observed in 15.6% and 11.1%, of cases, respectively. Two children (1.5%) suffered cardiac arrest; both had associated Chiari-II malformation and hydrocephalus. Postoperative ventilation was required in 8.9% of children, primarily due to inadequate reversal from neuromuscular blockade. Infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and pseudomeningocele were common surgical complications. Improvement of motor, sensory, and sphincteric function was observed in 30.5%, 22.9%, and 14.1%, respectively. To conclude, surgical repair of MMC may at times pose life-threatening complications mostly because of associated anomalies. Children with associated Chiari malformation and/or hydrocephalus need special attention during perioperative period.
Hip Fractures: I. Overview and Evaluation and Treatment of Femoral‐Neck Fractures

&NA; Hip fractures remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, and their incidence is increasing as the population ages. Surgical management followed by early mobilization is the treatment of choice for most patients with hip fractures. However, all comorbid medical conditions, particularly cardiopulmonary and fluid‐ electrolyte imbalances, must be evaluated and stabilized prior to operative intervention. Nondisplaced femoral‐neck fractures should be stabilized with multiple parallel lag screws or pins. The treatment of displaced femoral‐neck fractures is based on the patient's age and activity level: young active patients should undergo open reduction and internal fixation; older, less active patients are usually treated with hemiarthroplasty, either uncemented or cemented. Regardless of treatment method, the goal is to return the patient to his or her prefracture level of function.
Markov Switching Oil Price Uncertainty

We investigate whether the United States economy responds negatively to oil price uncertainty and whether oil price shocks exert asymmetric effects on economic activity. In doing so, we relax the assumption in the existing literature that the data are governed by a single process, modifying the Elder and Serletis (2010) bivariate structural GARCH‐in‐Mean VAR to accommodate Markov regime switching in order to account for changing oil price dynamics over the sample period. We find evidence of asymmetries, against those macroeconomic theories that predict symmetries in the relationship between real aggregate economic activity and the real price of oil.
Pamidronate Affects the Mandibular Cortex of Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

We hypothesized that mandibular cortical width (MCW) is smaller in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) than in healthy children and that pamidronate can improve the cortical mandibular thickness. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the MCW on dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) of children with normal bone mineral density (BMD) and with OI. We also compared the MCW of children with different types of OI regarding the number of pamidronate cycles and age at the beginning of treatment. MCW measurements were retrospectively obtained from 197 DPRs of 66 children with OI types I, III, and IV who were in treatment with a comparable dosage of cyclical intravenous pamidronate between 2007 and 2013. The control group had 92 DPRs from normal BMD children. Factorial analysis of variance was used to compare MCW measurements among different age groups and between sexes and also to compare MCW measurements of children with different types of OI among different pamidronate cycles and age at the beginning of treatment. No significant differences in results were found between male and female subjects in both OI and healthy children, so they were evaluated altogether (P > 0.05). There was an increase of MCW values related to aging in all normal BMD and OI children but on a smaller scale in children with OI types I and III. Children with OI presented lower mean MCW values than did children with normal BMD at the beginning of treatment (P < 0.05). A linear model estimated the number of pamidronate cycles necessary to achieve mean MCW values equivalent to those of healthy children. The thinning of the mandibular cortex depended on the number of pamidronate cycles, the type of OI, and the age at the beginning of treatment. DPRs could thus provide a way to identify cyclic pamidronate treatment outcomes in patients with OI.
NK Cells Promote Type 1 T Cell Immunity through Modulating the Function of Dendritic Cells during Intracellular Bacterial Infection

Dendritic cells (DC) play a key role in establishing protective adaptive immunity in intracellular bacterial infections, but the cells influencing DC function in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of NK cells in modulating the function of DC using a murine Chlamydia infection model. We found that the NK cell-depleted mice showed exacerbated disease after respiratory tract Chlamydia muridarum infection, which was correlated with altered T cell cytokine profile. Furthermore, DC from C. muridarum-infected NK-depleted mice (NK−DC) exhibited a less mature phenotype compared with that of DC from the infected mice without NK depletion (NK+DC). NK−DC produced significantly lower levels of both IL-12 and IL-10 than those of NK+DC. Moreover, NK−DC showed reduced ability to direct primary and established Ag-specific Th1 CD4+ T cell responses in DC–T coculture systems. More importantly, adoptive transfer of NK−DC, in contrast to NK+DC, failed to induce type 1 protective immunity in recipients after challenge infection. Finally, NK cells showed strong direct enhancing effect on IL-12 production by DC in an NK–DC coculture system, which was partially reduced by blocking NKG2D receptors signaling and virtually abolished by neutralizing IFN-γ activity. The data demonstrate a critical role of NK cells in modulating DC function in an intracellular bacterial infection.