Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing conventional human resources practices as part of civil service reform in Qatar 2006-2016

Qatar in the Arabian Gulf is one of many states worldwide trying to improve governance. In 2008, Qatar introduced various ‘human resources management (HRM) practices to improve management of employees. However, there is a growing belief that importing undiluted systems based on other cultures may potentially erode local Arab culture significantly and harmfully. The research project aimed to evaluate if Government Ministries in Qatar can use principally Western HRM theory and practice to manage employees successfully while still allowing them to preserve and strengthen Arab and Islamic values and identity. Some months into the project which commenced in 2006, the State initiated further major reforms and introduced new Ministers and top executive teams in each of 13 newly created Ministries. This created much additional noise in the data making it difficult to separate the effects of wider reforms from those caused by new HRM practices. Given the difficulties of using more conventional statistical analysis techniques, research then adopted a Mixed-Methods Exploratory Sequential Research Design the research completed extensive and detailed research into HRM systems in place in each Ministry. It also collected data and information about perceptions of executives about HR reforms, leadership and management style and other salient factors. The research reached eleven important findings. Among these, the findings showed the people management systems bore much closer resemblance to classic personnel management system. This negated any likely benefits of introducing HRM. The findings also found considerable differences between the national culture of Qatar and that of the West, from where the State drew many of its new ideas for reform. Adoption of such culturally dissimilar systems had the potential to offset efforts to preserve the Gulf’s highly distinctive culture. The work also make practical recommendations with which reform efforts could be improved, though not at the expense of local culture. The thesis completes with recommendations for further research.
Verbal asomatognosia

Verbal asomatognosia is a form of neglect in which a patient denies ownership of a limb contralateral to a brain lesion. To establish the neuroanatomic substrate of this syndrome, we analyzed the CTs of 12 right-hemisphere stroke patients with neglect and verbal asomatognosia and 4 patients with neglect but without asomatognosia. Of 16 cortical and subcortical brain regions analyzed, supramarginal gyrus and its subcortical connections within posterior corona radiata were most consistently involved in the asomatognosia cases. One or both of these regions were spared in all cases of neglect without asomatognosia. Our data confirm Nielsen's localization of asomatognosia to the right supramarginal gyrus and thalamoparietal peduncle. Converging lines of evidence from experiments in humans and monkeys suggest that damage to area PF may be necessary for the production of personal neglect of a limb.
Bigger Pie, Bigger Slice: Liquidity Value and IPO Underpricing

Initial public offerings (IPOs) transform private firms into publicly traded ones, thereby improving liquidity of their shares. Better liquidity increases firm value, which we call "liquidity value". We use a simple model and hypothesize that issuers and IPO in- vestors bargain over the liquidity value, resulting in a discounted offer price, i.e., IPO underpricing. We find supporting evidence that underpricing is positively related to the expected post-IPO liquidity of the issuer, controlling for firm and deal characteristics and market conditions. We also explore two regulation changes as exogenous shocks to issuers' liquidity before and after IPO, respectively. With a difference-in-differences approach, we find that underpricing is more pronounced with better expected post-IPO liquidity or lower pre-IPO liquidity.
Knowledge and Use of Contraceptives among Tertiary Education Students in South Africa

This study investigated the knowledge, use and problems encountered with contraceptives among students at the University of Zululand. The study purposed to determine students’ levels of use and knowledge of contraceptives, to examine if the students’ use of contraceptives is determined by their knowledge of contraceptives and also to proffer useful solutions towards the use of contraceptives. Adopting a survey strategy and a sample size of 80 students (n = 66), data was collected using a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Scales was constructed using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Relationships between variables were discerned using bivariate correlations. The results of the study showed that students’ knowledge and use of contraceptives were determined by their social and demographic characteristics. The results further showed that there is a significant relationship between students’ knowledge use and experience of problems in the use of contraceptive. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that proper orientation about the correct use of contraceptives should be provided to new students. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n10p500
Ras gene mutation is not related to tumour invasion during rat tongue carcinogenesis induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate whether mutations in the genes H-ras and K-ras were related to the mechanism of invasion as a result of the immunoexpression of H-Ras, Ki-67, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO)-induced rat tongue carcinogenesis. METHODS Male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups of 10 animals each and treated with 50 ppm 4NQO solution through their drinking water for 4, 12 and 20 weeks. Ten animals were used as negative control. RESULTS Although no histopathological abnormalities were induced in the epithelium after 4 weeks of carcinogen exposure, Ki-67 was overexpresssed in the 'normal' oral epithelium. In pre-neoplastic lesions at 12 weeks following carcinogen exposure, the levels of Ki-67 were increased (P < 0.05) when compared to negative control. Ki-67, alpha-SMA and VEGF were also overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas induced after 20 weeks of treatment with 4NQO. No significant statistical differences (P > 0.05) were found in H-ras protein expression for all experimental periods evaluated that corresponded to normal oral mucosa, hyperplasia, dysplasia and squamous cell carcinomas. In the same way, no mutations in H-ras or K-ras genes were found. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the idea that expression of Ki-67 plays a crucial role during malignant transformation being closely related to neoplastic conversion of the oral mucosa cells. However, it seems that mutations in the ras genes are not involved to experimental tongue carcinogenesis induced by 4NQO.
Effect of increasing hemoglobin cutoff in male donors and increasing interdonation interval in whole blood donors at a hospital‐based blood donor center

BACKGROUND: The NHANES‐III survey found hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of more than 13.5 g/dL and more than 12.0 g/dL in normal Caucasian males and females. In the United States, a Hb of least 12.5 g/dL is required for blood donation, which allows “anemic” males to donate while excluding “normal” females. Low Hb is the major cause of deferral in donors and deferrals are associated with decreased donor return rates. Additionally, frequent blood donations are associated with depletion of body iron stores. Analysis of the effect of various Hb cutoffs and interdonation intervals on our center's blood supply is presented.
Lateral geniculate nucleus unitary discharge in sleep and waking: state- and rate-specific aspects.

The relationship between behavioral state, discharge pattern, and discharge rate was investigated in 26 lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) units recorded in cats in the dark during waking (W), synchronized sleep (S), and desynchronized sleep (D). A distinctive state-dependent discharge pattern was the presence of stereotyped bursts of 2-7 spikes that occurred in 63% of the units. These bursts were most frequent in S, much less frequent in D, and rarely occurred in W. Lack of association with discharge rate changes between states showed the bursting to be a true state-dependent phenomenon. A burst consisted of 2-7 spikes, with each successive interspike interval being longer than the preceding one; in the 200 ms prior to burst occurrence, discharge probability decreased markedly. This structure of burst organization suggested a model of generation wherein each burst was caused by a unitary event of varying intensity, perhaps a rebound following a hyperpolarization. Spectral and autocorrelational analyses showed bursts occurred rhythmically in three cells at a frequency of 3-4 Hz and in two cells at a frequency of 10-12 Hz, indicating a possible linkage with slow-wave generators. While the number of bursts in the various behavioral states was a state-dependent phenomena, other aspects of discharge pattern were shown to be rate dependent. To evaluate discharge pattern apart from the occurrence of bursts, a "primary event spike train" was formed; this consisted of individual spikes and the first spike of each burst. This analysis showed that, within S, the probability of burst occurrence was highest when the primary spike rate was low. Quantitative analyses showed that first-order pattern measures (the form of the interspike interval histogram, IH) were dependent on the mean interspike interval (ISI, the inverse of mean rate). This association explained 83-89% of the variance in a power series approximation of IH form. Joint interval histograms (JIH) were used to evaluate the signature of bursts and of the form of the primary spike train. As with interval histograms, the main features of the form of the primary spike JIH were dependent on the primary spike rate. Thus, we concluded that first- and second-order discharge patterns of primary events were rate dependent and not state dependent. Our data are compatible with a model where in the absence of retinal input, the frequency of LGN primary spikes over behavioral state changes is largely determined by brain stem reticular formation input. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Exercise Duration and Blood Lactate Concentrations Following High Intensity Cycle Ergometry

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in blood lactate accumulation following 10 and 20 sec of maximal cycle ergometer exercise. Body mass, stature, and age of the group was determined prior to testing (82.57 ± 5.94 kg 177 ± 5.94 cm and 21.42 ± 1.61 yrs, respectively). Eight male rugby union players performed two maximal sprints in a random fashion of 10 and 20 sec duration on a cycle ergometer. During the 10 and 20 sec trial, blood lactate levels measured were as follows 1.58 ± 0.78, 4.43 ± 1.4, and 3.5 ± 1.2 mmol.l−1 vs. 1.72 ± 0.65, 6.14 ± 2, and 5.68 ± 2.22 mmol.l−1, respectively. Differences were found (P < 0.01) from rest to 5 and 10 min postexercise in both groups. Differences in concentration also were found between groups at both postexercise stages (P < 0.01). The reduction in blood lactate concentrations observed between the 5 to10 min recovery stages were 0.91 ± 0.58 mmol.l−1 vs. 0.46 ± 0.48 mmol.l−1 following 10 and 20 sec of maximal exercise, respectively (P > 0.05). The concentrations observed are interesting and may influence recovery time and subsequent exercise performance.
A Lifespan Portrait of Aging Expectations and Health Behaviors

Although the risk of disease and disability clearly increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Research shows that over-attributing health conditions to old age is associated with less use of preventative health measures. In fact, older adults who have more positive self-perceptions of aging practice more preventative health behaviors than those with more negative perceptions. The current research examined expectations and attitudes about aging as related to health behaviors in younger adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Results reveal that senior women have the most negative attitudes toward health and aging while younger women have more positive health expectations, more internal control, and a greater health status. Most importantly this research shows that expectations are related to health appraisals and behaviors.
Handwritten alphanumeric character recognition by the neocognitron

A pattern recognition system which works with the mechanism of the neocognitron, a neural network model for deformation-invariant visual pattern recognition, is discussed. The neocognition was developed by Fukushima (1980). The system has been trained to recognize 35 handwritten alphanumeric characters. The ability to recognize deformed characters correctly depends strongly on the choice of the training pattern set. Some techniques for selecting training patterns useful for deformation-invariant recognition of a large number of characters are suggested.
Treatment of Ischemic Brain Damage by Perturbing NMDA Receptor- PSD-95 Protein Interactions

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate ischemic brain damage but also mediate essential neuronal excitation. To treat stroke without blocking NMDARs, we transduced neurons with peptides that disrupted the interaction of NMDARs with the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95. This procedure dissociated NMDARs from downstream neurotoxic signaling without blocking synaptic activity or calcium influx. The peptides, when applied either before or 1 hour after an insult, protected cultured neurons from excitotoxicity, reduced focal ischemic brain damage in rats, and improved their neurological function. This approach circumvents the negative consequences associated with blocking NMDARs and may constitute a practical stroke therapy.
Farmers Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Cocoa Certification in Southwest Nigeria

The study explored the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice of cocoa farmers in Southwest Nigeria towards certification process. It specifically examined the sources of information, factors militating the adoption of certification processes and identified the training needs. A set of pre-tested questionnaire was used to solicit information while multistage sampling procedure was used to select 60 respondents each from two locations Ilare in Osun and Ile-Oluji in Ondo States. Results revealed a mean age of 43.33 years, farming experience 22.70years, farm size 8.73ha and age of farm 22.15years while yield was recorded as 14.14 tons. It was also established that 86% could read and write, 52.50% of the respondents were aware of certification process while only 35% had extension contact. Correlation analysis showed a positive and significant relationship at (r= 0.315 p<0.007) between farmers’ knowledge and practice of cocoa certification process. However, the KAP analysis showed positive attitude (65%), knowledge (10.50%) and practice (6.45%). It was concluded that the farmers had positive attitude to what can increase their produce but low knowledge which is consequential to their low practice of cocoa certification procedure which by implication can affect their yield and bean quality negatively. It is recommended that for sustainable production of cocoa, training and re-training of farmers is needed for quality and exportable cocoa bean. Keywords : attitude, knowledge, and practice
Pronociceptive changes in response properties of rostroventromedial medullary neurons in a rat model of peripheral neuropathy

The spared nerve injury (SNI) model of peripheral neuropathy produces a robust and long‐lasting hypersensitivity. Previous behavioural studies suggest that brainstem–spinal pathways originating in or relaying through the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) contribute to neuropathic hypersensitivity. We determined whether SNI induces changes in response properties of RVM neurons that might influence descending modulation of nociception. RVM neurons included in the study were classified into presumably pronociceptive ON‐cells and antinociceptive OFF‐cells (giving excitatory or inhibitory responses to noxious stimulation, respectively). Spontaneous activity and the response to cold, pinch and colorectal distension were assessed under light anaesthesia in the rat, 1 week and 8 weeks following nerve injury or sham operation. Spontaneous activity was increased 1 week but not 8 weeks after nerve injury in ON‐cells but decreased in OFF‐cells at both time points. In the SNI group, cold‐evoked responses were enhanced particularly in ON‐cells, independent of the postoperative time point. Responses of ON‐cells to pinch and visceral stimulation were enhanced 8 weeks but not 1 week following nerve injury, whereas OFF‐cell responses to pinch or colorectal distension were not changed. The results indicate that SNI induces pronociceptive changes in spontaneous activities of ON‐cells and OFF‐cells and peripherally evoked responses of ON‐cells that vary with the postoperative time point. Increased ON‐cell activity and decreased OFF‐cell activity in the RVM are likely to enhance spinal nociception in a tonic fashion, whereas increased responses of ON‐cells to peripheral stimulation are likely to enhance ascending nociceptive signals by a positive feedback following peripheral noxious stimulation.
Inshore versus offshore length distribution of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) in the middle eastern Adriatic Sea

Round sardinella, Sardinella aurita specimens (N= 2, 033) were caught in inshore (Virsko more) and offshore waters (Dugi otok) of the eastern middle Adriatic Sea by commercial purse seine, monthly from November 2007 to January 2009. Out of all specimens, 983 were male (48.4%), 1, 021 were female (50.2%) and 29 (1.4%) were undetermined specimens, giving an overall sex ratio of m/f=0.96. Round sardinella specimens from inshore waters (N=526) and offshore waters (N=1, 507) showed total length (LT) range 13.0-32.5 cm and 10.0-30.0 cm, respectively. In total, they showed positive allometry (b=3.2266). Fulton’s mean condition factor for round sardinella from inshore waters was =0.76 ± 0.23, and for samples from offshore waters, it was =0.73 ± 0.05. Females indicated better condition ( =0.75 ± 0.05) in both analyzed areas than males ( =0.74 ± 0.05).
The Financial Impact of ISO 9000 Certification in the US: An Empirical

The ISO 9000 series of quality management systems standards, introduced in 1986, has been adopted at over 560,000 locations worldwide. Anecdotal evidence suggests that firms can achieve internal benefits such as quality or productivity improvements, or that certification can help firms maintain or increase their market share, or both. Others argue that the standard is too generic to cause performance improvement, but can be seen as a signal of good management. In this paper, we track financial performance from 1987 to 1997 of all publicly traded ISO 9000 certified manufacturing firms in the US with SIC codes 2000-3999, and test whether ISO 9000 certification leads to productivity improvements, market benefits, and improved financial performance. We employ event study methods, matching each certified firm to a control group of one or more non-certified firms in the same industry with similar precertification size and/or return on assets. We find that firms’ decision to seek their first ISO 9000 certification was indeed followed by significant abnormal improvements in financial performance, though the exact timing and magnitude of this effect depend on the specification of the control group. Three years after certification, the certified firms do display strongly significant abnormal performance under all control group specifications. The degree to which the precise results vary across control group specifications indicates that event studies should always include extensive sensitivity analysis, for instance matching by size and performance separately and jointly, using both single firms and portfolios as controls.
The needs of freelancers and the characteristics of ‘gigs’: Creating beneficial relations between freelancers and their hiring organizations

More and more workers in Western economies are operating as freelancers in the so-called ‘gig economy’, moving from one project—or gig—to the next. A lively debate revolves around the question as to whether this new employment relationship is actually good for innovation in the 21st century economy. Proponents argue that in this gig process valuable knowledge is created and transferred from one organization to the next via freelancers through their sequence of temporary gigs or projects. Antagonists reason that freelancers are only hired as one-trick ponies on a transactional basis, where knowledge is neither created nor shared. In this study, we focus on the characteristics of gigs. Which project characteristics lead to increased engagement of freelancers, and hence to knowledge-sharing behavior? Our study suggests that the gig economy can indeed lead to increased knowledge sharing by and engagement of freelance workers, provided that organizations and freelancers structure and shape gigs in such a way that they: (1) not only suit the task requirements at hand and (2) fit with the acquired skills of the freelancer, but that these gigs also (3) leave ample of room for the freelancer’s individual growth and development of new skills. This suggests that innovative organizations will need to shape gigs in such a way that freelancers are not only hired for their expertise, but rather that gigs also provide a learning opportunity for freelancers.
Hydrophobic labeling of amino acids: Transient trapping–capillary/microchip electrophoresis

Transient trapping (tr‐trapping) was developed as one of the on‐line sample preconcentration techniques to improve a low concentration‐sensitivity in microchip electrophoresis (MCE), providing highly effective preconcentration and separation based on the trap‐and‐release mechanism. However, a poor performance to hydrophilic analytes limited the applicability of tr‐trapping. To overcome this drawback, tr‐trapping was combined with a sample labeling using a hydrophobic reagent in CE. Three commercially available fluorescent dyes, fluorescein isothiocyanate, succinimidyl esters of Alexa Fluor 488 and BODIPY FL‐X, were tested as derivatization reagents to increase the hydrophobicity of amino acids (AAs) that were undetectable due to no fluorescence/UV‐absorbance. As a result, it was confirmed that BODIPY labeling allowed various AAs to be analyzed in tr‐trapping–micellar electrokinetic chromatography (tr‐trapping–MEKC) by the increase in the hydrophobicity. In tr‐trapping–MEKC, both the improvement of the resolution and 106–125‐fold enhancements of the detectability of labeled AAs were achieved relative to the conventional capillary zone electrophoresis. The limit of detection of labeled phenylalanine was improved from 800 to 5 pM by applying tr‐trapping–MEKC. In tr‐trapping–microchip MEKC, furthermore, an 80–160‐fold enhancement of the peak intensity and a baseline separation was also achieved within 30 s. These results clearly demonstrate that the tr‐trapping technique with hydrophobic labeling will make CE/MCE more sensitive for various analytes.