Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Resource Practices and Job Performance in Pakistan, Analysis of a Hypothesized Model

Human resource management is an emerging field of study in Pakistan. The purpose of this study is to identify the best human resource practices in the context of Job performance and offer recommendations for future research. This study reviewed many published articles in the major academic journals, focusing on the most important human resource practices, the relations between human resource practices and job performance. This study finds that Pakistan-based research on the human resource practices has been actively discussed in the major theoretical debates in the literature, and that Pakistan-based studies have extended previous models by identifying additional intervening variables. A hypothesized model on the basis of extensive review of the literature has been developed. It is recommend that future research in this area be more responsive to emerging methodological concerns of the field, and pay more attention to Pakistan-specific issues that may have significant organizational consequences.
Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements : Detangling the Noodle/Spaghetti Bowl

Following the global financial crisis, economic growth and international trade growth have been sluggish. Current projections indicate that growth may continue to be sluggish in the medium term. These continuing trends will limit income raising productivity growth needed to maintain and improve living standards with population ageing across many economies. It will also limit capacities needed to raise living standards amongst lower income regions. Gaining public acceptance of productivity improving policies and the contribution that trade openness makes, however, is getting harder due to re-emerging national protectionist sentiments. This note looks at possible ways to improve trade policy formulation at the national, regional and global levels through evidence to bolster the case for greater openness and economic reform. Growth could be revived if G20 countries act to implement deeper and wider trade and economic reforms, and avoid policies that limit productivity growth prospects.
Personality traits as correlates of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation in young adults

Background. Adults in their twenties appear to be at high risk for suicidal behaviors (SBs) and there is substantial evidence suggesting that certain personality traits may increase individual vulnerability to suicide. Method. We investigated relationships of personality traits with two SBs in a cohort (n=1140) of 21- to 24-year-old adults, representative of the general population of Quebec. Subjects were assessed using a series of structured diagnostic and personality trait questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify personality trait correlates of suicide-attempt history and serious suicidal ideation in the context of other known risk factors, such as psychopathology and experiences of childhood sexual and physical abuse. Results. Traits of conduct problems contributed to both suicide attempts [odds ratio (OR) 1·03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01–1·06] and suicidal ideation (OR 1·04, 95% CI 1·02–1·07), while identity problems (OR 1·10, 95% CI 1·07–1·13) and gender-moderated impulsivity contributed exclusively to suicidal ideation. Conclusions. Personality traits may make independent contributions to current suicidal ideation and previous suicide attempts in certain subgroups of suicidal individuals. In order to further explore their utility as markers of suicide risk and targets of intervention further investigation in clinical samples and other cultural and age groups is necessary.
Major Neurologic Improvement following Endovascular Recanalization Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: We aimed to identify the rate of major neurologic improvement (MNI) at 24 h following endovascular recanalization therapy (ERT) for acute ischemic stroke and its association with short-term outcome. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients presenting to our institution over 4 years and undergoing ERT. Angiograms were independently reviewed. Data on demographics, medical history, initial NIHSS score, 24-hour NIHSS score, site of acute vascular lesion, pre- and posttreatment Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scores, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (within 36 h of intervention that was associated with a 4-point decline in NIHSS score) and discharge disposition were collected. We used logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of MNI (defined as ≥8-point improvement in NIHSS or a score of 0–1 at 24 h) and favorable discharge status (defined as home or acute rehabilitation). Results: Sixty-eight patients were included (median age = 71 years, 60% women, median NIHSS score = 19.5, anterior circulation = 75%). The modes of ERT were pharmacologic only (28%), mechanical only (35%) and multimodal therapy (37%). Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 2 or 3 recanalization was achieved in 64.7% (mechanical only 46%, pharmacologic only 63% and multimodal 84%). The outcomes were: symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (11.8%), MNI (26.5%) and favorable discharge (41.2%). Age (OR = 0.93, p = 0.003) and cardioembolic stroke subtype (OR = 6.0, p = 0.018) were independent predictors of MNI. MNI was a strong predictor of favorable discharge status (OR = 46.4, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite initial stroke severity, MNI occurred in over one fourth of the patients and independently and strongly predicted favorable discharge outcome.
Transcriptome comparison between inactivated and activated ovaries of the honey bee Apis mellifera L

Ovarian activity not only influences fertility, but is also involved with the regulation of division of labour between reproductive and behavioural castes of female honey bees. In order to identify candidate genes associated with ovarian activity, we compared the gene expression patterns between inactivated and activated ovaries of queens and workers by means of high‐throughput RNA‐sequencing technology. A total of 1615 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was detected between ovaries of virgin and mated queens, and more than 5300 DEGs were detected between inactivated and activated worker ovaries. Intersection analysis of DEGs amongst five libraries revealed that a similar set of genes (824) participated in the ovary activation of both queens and workers. A large number of these DEGs were predominantly related to cellular, cell and cell part, binding, biological regulation and metabolic processes. In addition, over 1000 DEGs were linked to more than 230 components of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, including 25 signalling pathways. The reliability of the RNA‐sequencing results was confirmed by means of quantitative real‐time PCR. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in ovary activation and reproductive division of labour.
How to Select the Right Public Partner in Smart City Projects

Firms that want to exploit Smart City's opportunities need to cooperate with local governments. From a managerial point of view, there is scant research on how to select public partners in Smart City projects. In fact, while there are several cities claiming to be ‘smart’, not all cities fulfil the essential requirements for successful Smart City projects. This paper shows how to build successful public–private alliances in Smart Cities and, more specifically, how to select the right city to test, develop or sell smart technologies. This study uses a multiple-case research design and follows an exploratory and qualitative methodology. The results show that firms improve the success of their projects if they assess three main aspects of partner selection, these being partner complementarity, commitment and compatibility. The paper, therefore, provides several managerial implications regarding how firms may be more effective in selecting where to start their Smart City projects and how public organisations may become more attractive. Finally, academic implications, limitations and future lines of research are presented.
Teacher Education Perceptions of a Proposed Mobile Classroom Manager

In a knowledge-driven enterprise, mobile learning introduces new ways for students to learn and educators to teach. This paper investigates the acceptability of a mobile classroom manager among teacher educators in Central Visayas, Philippines. Specifically, this paper presents findings from an empirical investigation on the level of perceived usefulness and ease of use of the mobile classroom manager. A total of 383 responses from 76 private and public higher education institutions were included in the analysis. The instrument used in data gathering was a survey questionnaire adopted from the first Technology Acceptance Model by Davis (1989). The study reveals that a mobile class record application is highly useful as perceived by the respondents (x̄ = 5.48). A mobile class record application is also perceived to be good in terms of its ease of use (x̄ = 5.32). The result implies that the respondents will assuredly accept and use the mobile tool in their classroom. It can be concluded that teacher educators will strongly adopt the proposed instructional tool and integrate it into their teaching and learning activities. It is highly recommended that the mobile classroom manager application will be developed in accordance with the teaching practices of the teacher educators.
An Equilibrium Model with Computationally Constrained Agents

We study a large economy in which firms cannot compute exact solutions to the non-linear equations that characterize the equilibrium price at which they can sell future output. Instead, firms use polynomial expansions to approximate prices. The precision with which they can compute prices is endogenous and depends on the overall level of supply. At the same time, firms' individual supplies, and thus aggregate supply, depend on the precision with which they approximate prices. This interrelation between supply and price forecast induces multiple equilibria, with inefficiently low output, in economies that otherwise have a unique, efficient equilibrium. Moreover, exogenous parameter changes, which would increase output were there no computational frictions, can diminish agents' ability to approximate future prices, and reduce output. Our model therefore accommodates the intuition that interventions, such as unprecedented quantitative easing, can put agents into "uncharted territory".
Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Cassava Farmers in Selected Local Government Areas In Kogi State, Nigeria

The study examined the technical efficiency of 110 smallholder cassava farmers selected from two Local Government Areas in Kogi State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function were used to analyze the primary data collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The maximum likelihood estimates showed that labour (0.5054), planting material (0.432) and land resource (0.1388) were the important production factors and directly related to cassava output. The parameters that increased technical efficiency are education, farming experience and extension contacts while age, membership of farmers’ group and household size reduced technical efficiency with mean technical efficiency of 0.9489 (94.89%). The estimates indicated that the farmer have not fully utilized the variable resources as the return to scale was 1.7724. The study concluded that there were still some levels of inefficiency of 0.0511 (0.5.11%) among the cassava farmer; and that the significant production and inefficient factors should be manipulated by the farmers and policy makers to increase the technical efficiency and invariably the output. Young and educated men and women should be encouraged to take up cassava production by providing them access to credit, improved varieties, farm mechanization implements and adequate extension services.
Order Imbalances and Market Efficiency: Evidence from the Taiwan Stock Exchange

eScholarship provides open access, scholarly publishing services to the University of California and delivers a dynamic research platform to scholars worldwide. Abstract: Data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange identify the originator of each submitted order, and there are no designated dealers or specialists. We study marketable order imbalances, i.e., the net order flow resulting from trades that demand immediacy. We distinguish imbalances by trader type (individuals, domestic institutions, foreign institutions) and by the usual size of each trader’s order. Day-to-day persistence in order imbalance is strongest for small foreign institutions and weakest for large individual traders. Such persistence emanates both from splitting orders over time and from herding, and there is little evidence that aggregate price pressures from such persistence last beyond a trading day, indicating that de facto market-making is quite effective. We attempt to discern which types of traders are de facto liquidity-providers, which are likely to be informed, and which trade for liquidity reasons. The evidence indicates that all trader classes are successful market-makers, large domestic institutions conduct the most informed trades, and large individuals are noise or liquidity traders. Abstract Data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange identify the originator of each submitted order, and there are no designated dealers or specialists. We study marketable order imbalances, i.e., the net order flow resulting from trades that demand immediacy. We distinguish imbalances by trader type (individuals, domestic institutions, foreign institutions) and by the usual size of each trader’s order. Day-to-day persistence in order imbalance is strongest for small foreign institutions and weakest for large individual traders. Such persistence emanates both from splitting orders over time and from herding, and there is little evidence that aggregate price pressures from such persistence last beyond a trading day, indicating that de facto market making is quite effective. We attempt to discern which types of traders are de facto liquidity-providers, which are likely to be informed, and which trade for liquidity reasons. The evidence indicates that all trader classes are successful market makers, large domestic institutions conduct the most informed trades, and large individuals are noise or liquidity traders.
PEG‐asparaginase allergy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol

L‐Asparaginase is an effective drug in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The use of L‐asparaginase may be limited by serious adverse events of which allergy is the most frequent. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical aspects of PEG‐asparaginase allergy in children treated according to the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL2008 protocol.
Lysosomal ubiquitin and the demise of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The antimicrobial activity of macrophages is mediated by both oxidative and non‐oxidative mechanisms. Oxidative mechanisms include the action of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates on bacteria. Non‐oxidative mechanisms include the maturation of the phagosome into an acidified, hydrolytically active compartment as well as the action of antimicrobial peptides. Mycobacterium tuberculosis parasitizes the host macrophage by arresting the normal maturation of its phagosome and resides in a compartment that fails to fuse with lysosomes. When bacteria are unable to regulate phagosome maturation, such as in activated macrophages, they are delivered to lysosomal compartments, where they are killed. Recent data indicate that the antimycobacterial mechanism of the lysosome is due in part to the action of ubiquitin‐derived peptides.
Lumbosacral stenosis in 29 military working dogs: epidemiologic findings and outcome after surgical intervention (1990-1999).

OBJECTIVE To study the outcome of military working dogs (MWDs) diagnosed with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLS) after surgical intervention and to determine what prognostic indicators affected outcome. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS Twenty-nine MWDs with DLS. METHODS The medical records of dogs diagnosed and surgically treated for DLS at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Service Hospital were reviewed. Retrieved data were signalment, clinical signs, survey radiograph results, and surgical findings. RESULTS Breed and sex were not found to have prognostic significance. Increasing age at surgery correlated with a poor surgical outcome. Twelve dogs (41%) returned to normal function, 11 (38%) improved, and 6 (20%) never returned to active duty. The average age at surgery was 74 months, 93 months, and 112 months for normal, improved, and dogs not returning to duty, respectively. Significant clinical findings associated with a poor prognosis were related to increasing neurologic severity. The only significant radiographic finding indicating a poor prognosis was foraminal narrowing. Surgical findings with negative prognostic significance were hypertrophic articular facets and interarcuate ligament. Recurrence rates were 16.7% and 54.5% for normal and improved dogs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MWDs with DLS have a good prognosis with surgical decompression if they are young dogs with mild clinical signs at the time of diagnosis. As age and severity of clinical signs increase, the prognosis for successful outcome decreases. Recurrence may be seen in some dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Information provided by this study should help military veterinarians determine the prognosis for working dogs with DLS after surgical treatment.
Clinical Utility of Natriuretic Peptides in Dialysis Patients

Dialysis patients suffer a greatly heightened risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These patients also experience an extremely high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Thus, there is a clinical need to identify circulating biomarkers that have diagnostic value for cardiovascular disease and have prognostic importance so to facilitate earlier and more aggressive intervention. The natriuretic peptides, namely brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro‐BNP), belong to a family of vasopeptide hormones that are released from the heart and play a major role in blood pressure regulation and volume homeostasis through their direct effects on the kidney and systemic vasculature and represent a favorable aspect of neurohumoral activation. Testing for BNP or NT‐pro‐BNP has recently emerged as important diagnostic tool for heart failure and a useful biomarker for risk stratification in the general population. In dialysis patients, there has been interest in evaluating the potential of BNP and NT‐pro‐BNP as markers of volume status as they are frequently elevated in dialysis patients. However, the interpretation of their levels is confounded by impaired renal clearance and preexisting LV abnormalities which have limited their applicability as a surrogate marker of volume status. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology accounting for the elevation of natriuretic peptides in dialysis patients and review current evidence that supports their clinical utility as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in this population.
Serotonin transporter binding is reduced in seasonal affective disorder following light therapy

To investigate the effects of light therapy on serotonin transporter binding (5‐HTT BPND), an index of 5‐HTT levels, in the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices (ACC and PFC) during winter in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 5‐HTT BPND fluctuates seasonally to a greater extent in SAD relative to health. We hypothesized that in SAD, 5‐HTT BPND would be reduced in the ACC and PFC following light therapy.
Uncalibrated Stroke Volume Variations Are Able to Predict the Hemodynamic Effects of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Patients with Acute Lung Injury or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome after Liver Transplantation

Background:Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may reduce cardiac output and total hepatic blood flow after liver transplantation. Pulse pressure variation is useful in predicting the PEEP-induced decrease in cardiac output. The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between stroke volume variations (SVV) obtained with the Vigileo monitor (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA), and the hemodynamic effects of PEEP. Methods:Over 2 yr, patients presenting an acute lung injury or an acute respiratory distress syndrome in the 72 h after liver transplantation were prospectively enrolled. Patients were monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter (stroke volume) and with the Vigileo system (stroke volume and SVV). Measurements were performed in duplicate, first during zero end-expiratory pressure and then 10 min after the addition of 10 cm H2O PEEP. Results:Twenty-six patients were included. Six patients were excluded from analysis. On PEEP, SVV and pulse pressure variation increased significantly and stroke volume decreased significantly. PEEP-induced changes in stroke volume measured by pulmonary artery catheter were significantly correlated with SVV (r2 = 0.69; P < 0.001) and pulse pressure variation on zero end-expiratory pressure (r2 = 0.66, P < 0.001). PEEP-induced decrease in stroke volume measured by pulmonary artery catheter ≥ 15% was predicted by an SVV > 7% (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 80%) and by a pulse pressure variation > 8% (sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 100%). PEEP-induced changes in stroke volume measured by pulmonary artery catheter and Vigileo device were correlated (r2 = 0.51, P < 0.005). Conclusions:SVV obtained with Vigileo monitor is useful to predict decrease in stroke volume induced by PEEP. Moreover, this device is able to track changes in stroke volume induced by PEEP.
Particle Deposition Velocity Onto EUVL Masks in Vertical Airflow

Extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) masks are vulnerable to particulate contamination due to the unavailability of pellicles. Particle deposition velocity is used to assess the level of particulate contamination. The particle deposition velocity onto a circular disk or a square flat plate situated perpendicular to the airflow was investigated. The numerical and experimental methods employed in this paper were validated by comparing the numerically simulated mean Sherwood numbers or the experimentally determined particle deposition velocities with the theoretically predicted values for the circular disk, representing a wafer, exposed to vertical airflow. Then, an equation for predicting the particle deposition velocity onto a square flat plate, simulating a EUVL mask, in vertical airflow was suggested by numerically obtaining the mean Sherwood number correlation, and validated through experiments.