Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Employees’ perceived effectiveness of the performance management system at a North-West provincial government department

Orientation: The implementation of the performance management system (PMS) within a specific North-West provincial government department appears to be ineffective.Research purpose: To measure employees’ perceived effectiveness of the PMS.Motivation for the study: Employees’ experiences of employee PMSs may be different from that which it intends. The motivation for this study was to quantify employees’ perceptions of PMS effectiveness.Research approach/design and method: The researchers used a quantitative research approach and collected data using self-administered e-mail questionnaires on a total population of 247 employees at a North-West provincial government department.Main findings: Utilising two measurement constructs, namely, performance management accuracy and fairness, the study revealed that employees perceived the PMS as effective. However, some deficiencies were identified. The major shortcomings related to the lack of coaching provided and manager’s non-compliance with procedural, distributive and procedural justice principles. The overall mean score of the perceived accuracy was slightly above the midpoint of the range, indicating that employees perceived PMS as accurate, and were generally satisfied with the implementation of the system. However, employees perceived the PMS as unfair.Practical/managerial implications: A perception of effective and accurate PMS does not translate into perceptions of fairness. When employees feel unfairly treated during the appraisal system, morale and performance are likely to be adversely affected. Coaching and/or training related to PMS remains imperative.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the body of knowledge by quantifying the perceptions of employees regarding the factors that determine the effectiveness of PMS, namely, accuracy and fairness. It contributes towards the theory and practice regarding employees’ perceived effectiveness of the PMS.
Sex Differences in QEEG in Psychopath Offenders

Introduction. Functional brain differences related to sex in psychopathic behavior represent an important field of neuroscience research; there are few studies on this area, mainly in offender samples. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of electrophysiological differences between male and female psychopath offenders; specifically, we wanted to assess whether the results in quantitative EEG, low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA), and changes in synchronous brain activity could be related to sex influence. Sample and Methods. The study included 31 male and 12 female psychopath offenders, according to the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised criteria from 2 prisons located in Havana City. The EEG visual inspection characteristics and the use of frequency domain quantitative analysis techniques are described. Results. The resting EEG visual analyses revealed a high percentage of EEG abnormalities in both studied groups. Significant statistical differences between the mean parameters of cross spectral measures between psychopathic offender groups were found in the beta band at bilateral frontal derivation and centroparietal areas. LORETA showed differences especially in the paralimbic and parieto-occipital areas Synchronization likelihood revealed a significant group effect in the 26 to 30 Hz band. These results indicate that combining quantitative EEG, LORETA analysis, and synchronization likelihood may improve the neurofunctional differentiation between psychopath offenders of both sexes.
Some Linguistic Problems Facing Arab Learners of English

It is only comparatively recently that researchers have begun to develop hypotheses about the process of second language acquisition. This work would help teachers to analyse students’ errors by using certain techniques. They can also attribute a cause to an error with some degree of precision and find out whether, for example, mother tongue interference, or teaching techniques or problems in the target language are the major cause of their students’ error. So, error analysis actually deals with errors comitted by learners of a second language. deals with errors comitted by learners of a second language. This study could be of significance to the foreign language learners. Error evaluation makes learners aware of the importance of communication in language learning and thus aware of the more serious types and consequently may try to avoid them.
The Pinboard and the Paradox of Pain: An Experiment of Post-Epistemological Method in Representing the Lived Experience of Persistent Pain

This thesis is about the crisis in representation that accompanies the attempt to account for lived experience, with particular reference to bodily pain in social science. The diagnosis of this problem of experience identifies epistemology as an inappropriate means of knowing that initiates a translational paradox unable to satisfy the simultaneous demands of making lived experience familiar in representational form yet retaining the foreignness of the original experience at the same time. This problem of simultaneity is not a problem, however, if it is built into a way of knowing, something that escapes epistemological conditions of possibility with its either/or of singularities. To know in such ‘double vision’, or fractionally, characterises post-epistemological thinking. This thesis draws on a relatively underdeveloped method for practicing a fractional means of knowing from post- actor-network theory, that of the pinboard, and explores how it might be usefully applied to the problem of experience. The thesis constitutes an experiment in producing a social science account of the lived experience of chronic pain using this method as an alternative to conventional epistemological techniques that initiate the problem of experience. Through initial theoretical discussion, followed by reflection on its practical application involving the construction of fractional accounts of lived experience for five participants experiencing chronic pain (interviewed individually over several sessions), the pinboard is developed as a technique that seeks to maintain ‘double vision’ whilst inherently resisting attempts to resolve the juxtaposition it makes visible, enacting and engaging in an ontological politics with conventional methods of social analysis. This includes discussion of how the method might be transported from methodological knowledge spaces to effectively intervene on such conventional methods.
The inclusion of the family members as primary carers in music therapy sessions with children in a special education centre; How does this help the child and the carer?

This qualitative study aims to explore the parents’ or other family members’ experiences in participating in music therapy sessions with their children with special needs. This aim leads to three research questions which were; 1) Can music therapy help to achieve aims set out for individual children with special needs and their parents or other family members 2) What are the functions of music therapy in nurturing communication between the parents or other family members and their children? and 3) How can the music therapist develop ways in which parents or other family members can use music to help their children? Six children who are attending the Special Education Centre, region 9 in Thailand, aged four to twelve years old with their family members who are their primary carers, participated in 24 music therapy sessions. Each session was videoed and the video recordings were discussed every two weeks with the carers. The carers were interviewed three times by the research assistants. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employ to evaluate data collected from interviews. Furthermore, there were two home visits, one after a month when the 24th session was finished and another visit was two months after the 24th session was finished. From the interview analysis, there are 28 themes under five categories namely: 1) The carers’ expectations of the music therapy 2) The carers’ experience of seeing their children in the music therapy sessions 3) The carers’ experiences of seeing themselves in the sessions 4) The carers’ experiences of reviewing the video recordings from the music therapy sessions and 5) The carers’ experiences of using music at home. It can be summarised that music therapy made a positive impact on the children and their carers. The finding highlighted how the music therapy enhanced the social and communication skills of the children. Moreover, involving the carers in the sessions enabled the carers to have positive experiences with their children and these experiences led the carers to see and interact with their children differently. The findings suggest the ways to work with the carers in a therapeutic process and how to encourage the carers to use music at home with their children
What are the most common memory complaints following stroke? A frequency and exploratory factor analysis of items from the Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised

Abstract Objective: Memory problems are commonly reported following stroke; however, the specific nature and frequency of memory complaints experienced by stroke survivors has not been sufficiently investigated. We aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised (EMQ-R) in stroke survivors with memory complaints, and identify the most commonly endorsed items. Method: A total of 91 stroke survivors completed the EMQ-R prior to participation in a memory rehabilitation trial. A principal components analysis was carried out on the EMQ-R data and reliability analyses were conducted on the resulting subscales. We described the average frequency of occurrence of specific memory complaints in one month, as reported by stroke survivors. Results: The factor analysis yielded a two-component solution which accounted for 60.12% of the variance, suggesting that two subscales termed Forgetting and Attention would be most appropriate for clinical use with stroke survivors. These subscales demonstrated strong internal reliability. A total of 87.9% of the participants reported having word-finding difficulties more than once monthly. Of all EMQ-R items, participants rated word-finding problems as occurring at the highest frequency (once or more daily). Conclusions: Stroke survivors’ everyday memory complaints fall into two distinct categories relating to memory and attentional processes. Calculating scores on the two EMQ-R subscales separately may assist clinicians to understand the nature of memory complaints reported by stroke survivors who participate in memory rehabilitation programs, and may enable more targeted outcome measurement in research trials.
Comparison of Function-Based, Nonfunction-Based, and Combined Treatments for Escape-Maintained Aggression in a Child With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Study

In applied behavior analysis, the use of function-based treatments to reduce problem behavior is well-supported. However, in some cases, function-based treatments alone may not be as effective as nonfunction-based treatments or function-based treatments with additional, nonfunction-based components. In this case study, we compared the delivery of preferred edible items (a nonfunction-based treatment), a break from a task (a function-based treatment), and an enhanced break, which consisted of a break plus access to a preferred tangible item (combination of a nonfunction-based and function-based treatment), to treat escape-maintained aggression exhibited by a young child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Across all three treatments, reinforcement (i.e., edible, break, or enhanced break) was delivered contingent upon compliance with instructions and problem behavior resulted in escape. The nonfunction-based treatment and the combination treatment reduced aggression to zero levels; the function-based treatment did not. Finally, we allowed the participant to choose which of the three treatments he preferred to experience; he selected the combination treatment most often.
Research on Adolescent Perception of Family Communication and family Religious Functions

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between adolescent perceptions of family communication patterns and religious functions in the family. This study uses a correlational method with Pearson correlation test, and the two measurement instruments used are the Family Communication Pattern Revised (FCPR) from Koerner and Fitzpatrick and Family Religious Function (FRF) which are explored according to family function parameters from Indonesia National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), to answer the two proposed hypotheses. The results of the study show that the moral values of religiousness in the family are significantly related to the FRF, these moral values can be indicators in the measurement of the family religious function as further research. In addition, family communication perceived by adolescents through the dimensions of conversation and conformity is reported to have a positive relationship to the FRF, but is not significant. An important finding produced in this study is that family communication perceived by adolescents is negatively related to moral values of faith, polite attitude and rule compliance, this complements the findings of previous research about the value of individual faith that cannot be standardized, different polite meanings and rules of regulation agreed by parents and adolescent. While family communication perceived by adolescents has a significant positive relationship to tolerance, this can be an input and intervention for parents in the family to be able to provide conversations and uniformity of insights to respect diversity and equality. Keywords—Family Communication Pattern (FCP); Conversation; Conformity; Religiousity Moral Values; Family Religious Function (FRF)
Vegetarian, vegan, activist, radical: Using latent profile analysis to examine different forms of support for animal welfare

There are many different ways that people can express their support for the animals that exist in factory farms. This study draws on insights from the social identity approach, and adopts novel methods (latent profile analysis [LPA]) to examine the qualitatively different subgroups or profiles that comprise broader community positions on this issue. North American participants (N = 578) completed measures of the frequency with which they engaged in 18 different animal welfare actions. LPA identified 3 meaningful profiles: ambivalent omnivores (n = 410; people who occasionally limited their consumption of meat/animal products), a lifestyle activist group (n = 134; limited their consumption of animal/meat products and engaged in political actions), and a vegetarian radical group (n = 34; strictly limited their consumption of animal/meat products and engaged in both political and radical actions). Membership of the 3 populations was predicted by different balances of social identities (supporter of animal welfare, vegan/vegetarian, solidarity with animals), and markers of politicization and/or radicalization. Results reveal the utility of adopting person-centred methods to study political engagement and extremism generally, and highlight heterogeneity in the ways that people respond to the harms perpetrated against animals.
Bcl11b, a T-cell commitment factor, and its role in human immunodeficiency virus-1 transcription

Advancements of antiretroviral therapies (ART) have made significant strides in reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral loads in patients to undetectable levels. Upon interruption of ART, viral load rebounds and AIDS symptoms return. Latent reservoirs of virus are responsible for this phenomenon because they contain integrated provirus, which is transcriptionally silent, thus unaffected by ART and hidden from host immune surveillance. A commonly proposed mechanism for HIV latency is the presence of host cell transcription factors that lead to transcriptional silencing. CD4 T cells and other immune cells, whether due to their subset phenotype, activation state, or stage in development, will vary in their battery of transcription factors. Of particular interest is Bcl11b, a critical transcription factor involved in the commitment to a Tcell fate during thymocyte development that has recently been shown to play a role in silencing HIV-1 transcription. Bcl11b is required for inhibiting the development of natural killer cell-like traits during the early development of T cells. The repressive role of this zincfinger transcription factor has recently been shown to inhibit HIV-1 transcription in the context of microglial cells via recruitment of chromatin remodeling factors. Also, Bcl11b has been shown to interact with other HIV-1 transcriptional silencing
Autoimmune hepatitis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: A case series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Abnormal liver chemistry is a common problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Common causes of abnormal liver enzymes in this population include viral hepatitis B/C or opportunistic infection, drug toxicity, and neoplasm. Autoimmune hepatitis is a rare cause of hepatitis in HIV-infected individuals; however, this condition has been increasingly reported over the past few years. CASE SUMMARY We present 13 HIV-infected patients (5 males and 8 females) who developed autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after their immune status was restored, i.e. all patients had stable viral suppression with undetectable HIV viral loads, and median CD4+ counts of 557 cells/× 106 L. Eleven patients presented with chronic persistent elevation of aminotransferase enzyme levels. One patient presented with acute hepatitis and the other patient presented with jaundice. The median levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes were 178 and 177 U/mL, respectively. Elevation of immunoglobulin G levels was present in 11 (85%) patients. Antinuclear antibody and anti-smooth muscle antibody were positive in 11 (85%) and 5 (38%) patients. Liver biopsy was performed in all patients. They had histopathological findings compatible with AIH. The patients were started on prednisolone for remission induction, with good response. After improvement of the liver chemistry, the dose of prednisolone was tapered, and azathioprine was added as life-long maintenance therapy. At the last follow-up visit, all were doing well, without HIV viral rebound or infectious complications. CONCLUSION This report underscores the emergence of autoimmune hepatitis in the context of HIV infection.
Character strengths in the Brazilian northeast region: Contributions of personality beyond age and sex

Abstract The objective was to verify to what extent the personality traits explain character strengths, controlling the effect of age and sex. A total of 251 individuals living in the Northeast region of Brazil (Mage = 18.51, SD = 9.03), 66.9% of which were women, answered a booklet containing the Character Strengths Scale, Five Major Factors Inventory (Big Five) and demographic issues. From the correlations, followed by multiple hierarchical regressions, it was found that age and sex were important to explain some strengths. Controlling the effect of these demographic variables, it was observed that the kindness, conscientiousness, extroversion and openness to experience personality traits directly explained these strengths, unlike the neuroticism trait, which did it inversely. Backed by the empirical evidence, it can be concluded that character strengths can be explained by personality traits and demographic variables (sex and age), collaborating with the expansion of knowledge in the area and understanding the positive aspects of the human being.
Functional and Neuroprotective Role of Striatal Adenosine A2A Receptor Heterotetramers

In the striatum, adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) are mainly expressed within the soma and dendrites of the striatopallidal neuron. A predominant proportion of these striatal postsynaptic A2AR form part of the macromolecular complexes that include A2AR-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) heteromers, Golf and Gi/o proteins, and the effector adenylyl cyclase (AC), subtype AC5. The A2AR-D2R heteromers have a tetrameric structure, constituted by A2AR and D2R homomers. By means of reciprocal antagonistic allosteric interactions and antagonistic interactions at the effector level between adenosine and dopamine, the A2AR-D2R heterotetramer-AC5 complex acts an integrative molecular device, which determines a switch between the adenosine-facilitated activation and the dopamine-facilitated inhibition of the striatopallidal neuron. Striatal adenosine also plays an important presynaptic modulatory role, driving the function of corticostriatal terminals. This control is mediated by adenosine A1 receptors (A1R) and A2AR, which establish intermolecular interactions forming A1R-A2AR heterotetramers. Here, we review the functional role of both presynaptic and postsynaptic striatal A2AR heterotetramers as well as their possible neuroprotective role. We hypothesize that alterations in the homomer/heteromer stoichiometry (i.e., increase or decrease in the proportion of A2AR forming homomers or heteromers) are pathogenetically involved in neurological disorders, specifically in Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome.
Effect of Co-inhabiting Coagulase Negative Staphylococci on S. aureus agr Quorum Sensing, Host Factor Binding, and Biofilm Formation

Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal colonizer of both humans and animals, but also an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a multitude of diseases. In recent years, colonization of pigs by methicillin resistant S. aureus has become a problem with increasing numbers of humans being infected by livestock strains. In S. aureus colonization and virulence factor expression is controlled by the agr quorum sensing system, which responds to and is activated by self-generated, autoinducing peptides (AIPs). AIPs are also produced by coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) commonly found as commensals in both humans and animals, and interestingly, some of these inhibit S. aureus agr activity. Here, we have addressed if cross-communication occurs between S. aureus and CoNS strains isolated from pig nares, and if so, how properties such as host factor binding and biofilm formation are affected. From 25 pig nasal swabs we obtained 54 staphylococcal CoNS isolates belonging to 8 different species. Of these, none were able to induce S. aureus agr as monitored by reporter gene fusions to agr regulated genes but a number of agr-inhibiting species were identified including Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus simulans, Staphylococcus arlettae, Staphylococcus lentus, and Staphylococcus chromogenes. After establishing that the inhibitory activity was mediated via AgrC, the receptor of AIPs, we synthesized selective AIPs to explore their effect on adhesion of S. aureus to fibronectin, a host factor involved in S. aureus colonization. Here, we found that the CoNS AIPs did not affect adhesion of S. aureus except for strain 8325-4. When individual CoNS strains were co-cultured together with S. aureus we observed variable degrees of biofilm formation which did not correlate with agr interactions. Our results show that multiple CoNS species can be isolated from pig nares and that the majority of these produce AIPs that inhibit S. aureus agr. Further they show that the consequences of the interactions between CoNS and S. aureus are complex and highly strain dependent.