Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rethinking the Extraverted Sales Ideal

Despite the widespread assumption that extraverts are the most productive salespeople, research has shown weak and conflicting relationships between extraversion and sales performance. In light of these puzzling results, I propose that the relationship between extraversion and sales performance is not linear but curvilinear: Ambiverts achieve greater sales productivity than extraverts or introverts do. Because they naturally engage in a flexible pattern of talking and listening, ambiverts are likely to express sufficient assertiveness and enthusiasm to persuade and close a sale but are more inclined to listen to customers’ interests and less vulnerable to appearing too excited or overconfident. A study of 340 outbound-call-center representatives supported the predicted inverted-U-shaped relationship between extraversion and sales revenue. This research presents a fresh perspective on the personality traits that facilitate successful influence and offers novel insights for people in choosing jobs and for organizations in hiring and training employees.
Removal of ethylene and bioaerosol by chlorine dioxide using a chemical scrubbing system in a fruit and vegetable storage facility

Ethylene (C2H4) and bioaerosol are commonly present in the inside atmosphere of postharvest fruit and vegetable storage facilities, which may affect the aging of postharvest fruit and human health. We have assessed the feasibility of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) as the scrubbing solution in a chemical scrubbing tower for simultaneously removing C2H4 and bioaerosol emissions from a gas stream. Parameters such as the ClO2concentration, contact time, and liquid-to-gas (L/G) ratio were examined with the aim of determining the optimal operating conditions. Using the system reported here, the optimal C2H4 removal efficiency was 99.5% when 500 ppm ClO2 was used at a reaction time of 30–60 s under a continuous non-recycle ClO2 flow mode. In terms of C2H4 removal, a greater L/G resulted in a higher C2H4 removal efficiency up to the optimal ratio of 12.5. In terms of the simultaneous removal of C2H4 and bioaerosol, the removal efficiency of C2H4 was 99.2% and those for the bioaersols of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were 99.92 and 99.10%, respectively, under a continuous non-recycle flow mode. Our results also indicate that oxidation reduction potential (ORP) can be a valuable indicator for the timing of the replacement of the scrubbing solution in the system under a continuous recycle flow mode. Additional confirmation of the feasibility of the ORP as an indicator of C2H4 and bioaerosol removal in situ was obtained in a 3-month test of our system in continuous recycle flow mode with the periodical replacement of scrubbing solution, ClO2. The removal efficiencies for C2H4, bacterial and fungus aerosol, and total hydrocarbon compounds (THC) were 83.4, 96.8, 96.1, and 76.5%, respectively. Our results prove that ClO2 is an excellent scrubbing solution in the chemical scrubbing tower for the removal of C2H4 emissions and bioaerosol. We demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility of this system in a fruit and vegetable storage facility.
Prospective study of esophageal botulinum toxin injection in high-risk achalasia patients.

OBJECTIVES Intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin has been reported as a safer treatment alternative to balloon dilation or myotomy in achalasia. We studied botulinum toxin injection in achalasia patients who are at high surgical risk because of age or concomitant medical problems. METHODS Consecutive patients who were elderly (age > 60 yr) or who had significant medical problems or both were enrolled after confirming achalasia by history, manometry, and esophageal scintigraphy. Patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and 20 units of botulinum toxin were injected into each of four quadrants of the lower esophageal sphincter. Patients were interviewed at 1, 3, 5, and 6 months, and esophageal scintigraphy was repeated at 1 month. RESULTS Sixteen patients with increased surgical risks were studied: many had serious coronary heart disease, diabetes, or obstructive lung disease. At 1 month, 12 of 16 patients had a clinical response but 5 developed recurrent symptoms within 6 months. One developed reflux, and two were found to have esophageal wall inflammation, loss of tissue planes, and mediastinal adhesions at subsequent myotomy. CONCLUSIONS Intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection may be appropriate in those achalasia patients who are elderly or have concomitant medical problems but concern persists regarding the length of the response and untoward side effects.
Magnesium-induced Linear Self-association of the FtsZ Bacterial Cell Division Protein Monomer

The bacterial cell division protein FtsZ fromEscherichia coli has been purified with a new calcium precipitation method. The protein contains one GDP and one Mg2+ bound, it shows GTPase activity, and requires GTP and Mg2+ to polymerize into long thin filaments at pH 6.5. FtsZ, with moderate ionic strength and low Mg2+concentrations, at pH 7.5, is a compact and globular monomer. Mg2+ induces FtsZ self-association into oligomers, which has been studied by sedimentation equilibrium over a wide range of Mg2+ and FtsZ concentrations. The oligomer formation mechanism is best described as an indefinite self-association, with binding of an additional Mg2+ for each FtsZ monomer added to the growing oligomer, and a slight gradual decrease of the affinity of addition of a protomer with increasing oligomer size. The sedimentation velocity of FtsZ oligomer populations is compatible with a linear single-stranded arrangement of FtsZ monomers and a spacing of 4 nm. It is proposed that these FtsZ oligomers and the polymers formed under assembly conditions share a similar axial interaction between monomers (like in the case of tubulin, the eukaryotic homolog of FtsZ). Similar mechanisms may apply to FtsZ assembly in vivo, but additional factors, such as macromolecular crowding, nucleoid occlusion, or specific interactions with other cellular components active in septation have to be invoked to explain FtsZ assembly into a division ring.
A single gene encoding the fiber is responsible for variations in virulence in the fowl adenoviruses

Intertypic recombinant fowl adenoviruses (FAVs) were generated to determine regions of the viral genome involved in virulence. Recombinants were produced with two serotype 8 FAVs, mildly virulent CFA 3 and hypervirulent CFA 40. Restriction endonuclease fragments from the genomes of the two FAVs were used to transfect primary chicken kidney cells. Virulence testing of these recombinants located the region responsible for differences in virulence to an 8.4-kb fragment of the genome located between kb 26.6 and 35.0. According to data available for a serotype 10 FAV that had been partially characterized in the laboratory, this segment of the genome contained three genes of known identity (100K, 33K, and pVIII) and a region between kb 31 and 35 with unknown coding potential (although this information subsequently became available for a serotype 1 FAV, CELO). Therefore, the region between kb 30.5 and 34.5 was sequenced. The results revealed that the unknown region encoded a fiber gene on the right strand and several small open reading frames of unknown identity on the left strand. Further recombinant viruses containing defined exchanges within the 4-kb fragment were constructed, and virulence testing of these viruses indicated that the fiber was responsible for differences in virulence for CFA 40 and CFA 3.
Extramitochondrial citrate synthase activity in bakers' yeast

We isolated the gene for citrate synthase (citrate oxaloacetate lyase; EC 4.1.3.7) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ablated it by inserting the yeast LEU2 gene within its reading frame. This revealed a second, nonmitochondrial citrate synthase. Like the mitochondrial enzyme, this enzyme was sensitive to glucose repression. It did not react with antibodies against mitochondrial citrate synthase. Haploid cells lacking a gene for mitochondrial citrate synthase grew somewhat slower than wild-type yeast cells, but exhibited no auxotrophic growth requirements.
The miniaturization and electrical performance improvement of base station array antenna with artificial magnetic conductor

In this paper, a base station array antenna with AMC in PCS frequency band is proposed. Due to the 0° reflection phase on AMC, the thickness (43.2 mm) of the base station array antenna can be reduced into 10.3 mm without the destructive interaction of forward/backward waves. In addition, due to the surface wave suppression by the high surface impedance on AMC, the FBR (24.8 dB) of the base station array antenna is improved into 35.9 dB. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the base station array antenna can be made as low profile and the electrical performance is highly improved by AMC.
The Tropospheric Jet Response to Prescribed Zonal Forcing in an Idealized Atmospheric Model

Abstract This paper explores the tropospheric jet shift to a prescribed zonal torque in an idealized dry atmospheric model with high stratospheric resolution. The jet moves in opposite directions for torques on the jet’s equatorward and poleward flanks in the troposphere. This can be explained by considering how the critical latitudes for wave activity absorption change, where the eastward propagation speed of eddies equals the background zonal mean zonal wind. While the increased zonal winds in the subtropics allow the midlatitude eddies to propagate farther into the tropics and result in the equatorward shift in the critical latitudes, the increased winds in the midlatitudes accelerate the eastward eddy phase speeds and lead to the poleward shift in the critical latitudes. In contrast, the jet moves poleward when a westerly torque is placed in the extratropical stratosphere irrespective of the forcing latitude. The downward penetration of zonal winds to the troposphere displays a poleward slope for the .
The effects of lactogenic hormone on post parturient unsuckled mammary glands of the mouse

Experiments utilizing gonadectomy, transplantation of ovaries, and the injection of natural or synthetic estrogens and progestin have all contributed to the evidence which has elucidated the ovary’s important role in mammotrophic processes. Similarly, hypophysectomy and injections of pituitary extracts have confirmed the hypophysis ’ position as the source of ‘the hormonal factor which is usually termed lactogenic (Frederickson, ’39; Turner, ’39a and b ; Riddle and Bates, ’39 for reviews). Such studies have demonstrated the essentiality of an intact anterior lobe of the hypophysis or of adequate replacement therapy for the induction and maintenance of lactation. It is generally agreed that suckling following the elimination of gestational influences at parturition initiates and maintains lactation, and further that there is a termination of secretion and an involution of the mammary parenchyma subsequent to the cessation of suckling. In relation to the induction and continuation of full lactation the mechanism indicated by the term “s~ckling’’ entails not only the possible neuro-hormonal phenomenon initiated by tactile stimulation of the nipple but also the regular and effective removal of the secreted product (Ernst, ’29 ; Cannon and Bright, ’31 ; Ingelbrecht, ’35 ; Selye, ’34 ; Reece and Turner, ’36, ’37, a and b; Hooker and Williams, ’40; Williams, ’41). On the basis of evidence derived from numerous studies it is well established that the mouse mammary gland follows the same general
QUENCHING STAR FORMATION AT INTERMEDIATE REDSHIFTS: DOWNSIZING OF THE MASS FLUX DENSITY IN THE GREEN VALLEY

The bimodality in galaxy properties has been observed at low and high redshifts, with a clear distinction between star-forming galaxies in the blue cloud and passively evolving objects in the red sequence; the absence of galaxies with intermediate properties indicates that the quenching of star formation and subsequent transition between populations must happen rapidly. In this paper, we present a study of over 100 transiting galaxies in the so-called green valley at intermediate redshifts (z ∼ 0.8). By using very deep spectroscopy with the DEIMOS instrument at the Keck telescope we are able to infer the star formation histories of these objects and measure the stellar mass flux density transiting from the blue cloud to the red sequence when the universe was half its current age. Our results indicate that the process happened more rapidly and for more massive galaxies in the past, suggesting a top-down scenario in which the massive end of the red sequence is forming first. This represents another aspect of downsizing, with the mass flux density moving toward smaller galaxies in recent times.
Equilibrating the Marriage Market in a Rapidly Growing Population: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh

Date: August 2000Equilibrating the Marriage Market in a RapidlyGrowing Population: Evidence from Rural BangladeshAndrew D. FosterBrown UniversityNizam U. KhanUniversity of Colorado, ICDDRBThis research supported by the Mellon Foundation and NIH Grant HD10379 for support for thisresearch. We would like to thank Michael Strong, formerly of the ICDDRB, for giving access tothese data.
Performance characterization of a harmonically mode-locked erbium fiber ring laser

We describe the performance of a harmonically mode-locked, erbium fiber ring laser. Transform-limited pulses with durations of 20-50 ps at 5.044 GHz repetition rate are obtained. The modulation frequency can be detuned by up to /spl plusmn/70 kHz and the lasing wavelength can be varied over the entire erbium gain bandwidth. Pulsewidths and pulse bandwidths are measured as a function of modulation power and frequency detuning. The laser is actively stabilized by locking intra-cavity Fabry-Perot etalon passbands to the laser modes. <<ETX>>
Bank Customers ’ Perception of Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in Saudi Arabia

ustomers’ expectations and needs is a driving force for providing quality service to current customers as well as to attract new customers. This study identifies and measures the relevant determinants of Service Quality (SERVQUAL) vis-à-vis the overall customer satisfaction levels of Saudi bank customers. The survey revealed that they have a significant positive perception towards the six SERVQUAL determinants and customer satisfaction, at 1% level. Further all the six SERVQUAL determinants are significantly related to and explain about 84% of overall customer satisfaction. It was observed that the female customers perceived higher level of positive perception towards the SERVQUAL determinants and customer satisfaction as compared to male customers. Also, customers below 35 years had positive perception towards communication and those having bachelor’s degree and above perceive better reliability in banking services. This study provides insights to Saudi banks on appropriate banking service that suite customer needs.
Geographic Distribution and Clonal Diversity of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 1 Isolates

ABSTRACT Serotype 1 pneumococci are a major cause of serious disease and have been associated with outbreaks but are rarely carried. The high attack rate and lack of coverage of this serotype by the heptavalent conjugate vaccine prompted the characterization of a geographically diverse collection of 166 serotype 1 isolates from recent cases of invasive disease. The isolates were resolved by multilocus sequence typing into 16 clones, which clustered into three major lineages with very different geographic distributions. Lineage A isolates were exclusively from Europe and North America, lineage B isolates were predominantly from Africa and Israel, and lineage C isolates were mainly from Chile. There was no clear association between the presence of individual clones within a country and the prevalence of serotype 1 disease.
Electromagnetic field-induced converse cell growth during a long-term observation

Abstract Purpose: Professional and public concern about the potential adverse effects of man-made electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the human body has dramatically expanded in recent years. Despite numerous attempts to investigate this issue, the long-standing challenge of reproducibility surrounding alternating EMF effects on human health remains unresolved. Our chief aim was to investigate a plausible mechanism for this phenomenon. Materials and methods: Growth of cultured human cancer cells, DU145 and Jurkat, exposed to power frequency magnetic field (MF) (60 Hz, 1 mT) for 3 days, was determined using a 2-(4-Iodophenyl)- 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (WST-1) assay and a trypan blue exclusion assay. This experiment was repeated at incubators long-term monitoring period up to 5.3 years. A periodogram analysis was performed to investigate periodic patterns in the MF and sham effects on cell growth. Results: Unlike conventional assumptions, the MF effect on growth in both cell types was promotive or suppressive in a period-dependent manner. The converse cell growth induced by the MF was consistent in incubators, with little variation. Conclusions: Spatiotemporal evidence suggests that the period-dependent converse cell growth by the MF may contribute to the poor reproducibility and explain the adverse effects observed in previous experimental and epidemiological investigations. Additionally, the novel approach of this study may be applied to design features required to experimentally determine the effects of EMF on living organisms in a convincing manner.
Symptom Burden in Persons with Myotonic and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

ObjectiveThis study examines the prevalence of pain, fatigue, imbalance, memory impairment, and vision loss in persons with myotonic and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy and their association with functioning. DesignA survey (N = 170) included measures of severity (0–10 scales) and course of these symptoms as well as measures of social integration, home competency, mental health, and productive activity. Descriptive and regression analyses examined the associations between symptoms and functioning. ResultsFatigue (91%), imbalance (82%), and pain (77%) were the most commonly reported. The most severe symptom was fatigue (mean ± SD severity, 5.14 ± 2.81), followed by imbalance (4.95 ± 3.25). Symptoms were most likely to stay the same or worsen since onset. Controlling for potential medical and demographic confounds, symptoms were associated with 17% of the mental health variance, 10% of home competency, 10% of social integration, 16% of productive activity for myotonic dystrophy type 1, and 12% of productive activity for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. ConclusionsPain, fatigue, and imbalance are common in persons with muscular dystrophy. Interventions may be useful to mitigate their impact on functioning. Further research should examine these relationships to guide clinical practices.
Perineural Hematoma May Result in Nerve Inflammation and Myelin Damage

Background and Objectives Perineural hematoma may occur during performance of peripheral nerve blocks. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that an iatrogenic hematoma in the immediate vicinity of a peripheral nerve may cause histologic evidence of nerve injury. Methods Fifty milliliters of autologous blood was injected adjacent to the right sciatic nerve in 20 anesthetized female pigs. In order to discern between blood-related volume and immune effects, 50 mL of albumin was injected at the same location in an additional 22 pigs. Either blood or albumin was injected in random order. The left sciatic nerve served as a negative control in all animals, that is, either no needle placement or needle placement without injection. After 48 hours, the nerves were resected. The grade of nerve injury was scored from 0 (no injury) to 3 (severe injury) by histologic analysis of myelin tissue and inflammatory cells. Results Eighty-two nerve specimens were examined. Injury scores were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the blood injection (n = 20; median [interquartile range] 2 [2-2]) and albumin injection (n = 22, 1 [1–2]) conditions compared with the no needle placement (n = 22, 0 [0–1]) and “dry needle placement” (n = 20, 1 [0–1]) conditions. Widespread inflammatory changes were seen in the blood injection group, in which 15% of nerve specimens showed damage to myelin. Conclusions Our data suggest that hematoma adjacent to nerve tissue may result in structural nerve injury and inflammatory changes.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN DNA METHYLATION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO RISK OF PTSD AND DEPRESSION: A REVIEW OF EXISTING EVIDENCE

There are well‐established sex differences in the prevalence of certain mental disorders. Work in animal models has provided us with an emerging understanding of the role that epigenetic factors play in establishing sex differences in the brain during development. Similarly, work in animal models, and a more limited but growing literature based on human studies, has demonstrated that DNA methylation (DNAm) changes occur in response to environmental stress, with some of these occurring in a sex‐specific manner. In this review, we explore whether DNAm plays a role in contributing to the observed sex differences in prevalence of mental disorders in which stress contributes significantly to their etiologies, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. We propose that investigating sex differences in DNAm among genes known to influence brain development may help to shed light on the sexually dimorphic risk for, or resilience to, developing PTSD and depression.
Amphetamine induces apoptosis of medium spiny striatal projection neurons via the mitochondria‐dependent pathway

Amphetamine (AMPH) is a psychostimulant whose chronic abuse may cause impairments in attention and memory in humans. These cognitive deficits might be related to neurotoxic effects of the drug. One such toxic effect is the well‐described destruction of striatal dopaminergic terminals in mammals. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that AMPH might also cause neuronal apoptosis in the rodent striatum. Administration of a dose of the drug (10 mg/kg, 4 times, every 2 h) that is toxic to dopaminergic terminals resulted in the appearance of striatal cells that were positive for cleaved caspase‐3 and for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated biotin‐dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL), observations that are indicative of an ongoing apoptotic process. Dual immunofluorescence staining revealed that cleaved caspase‐3‐positive cells express calbindin and DARPP‐32, but not somatostatin, parvalbumin, or cholinergic markers. In addition, AMPH also caused increased expression of p53 and Bax at both transcript and protein levels; in contrast, Bcl‐2 levels were decreased after the AMPH injections. Moreover, Bax knockout mice showed resistance to AMPH‐induced apoptotic cell death but not to AMPH‐induced destruction of dopaminergic terminals. When taken together, these observations indicate that injections of doses of AMPH that are known to destroy striatal dopamine terminals can also cause apoptotic death of postsynaptic medium spiny projection neurons via mitochondria‐dependent mechanisms.
Genetic-Evidence That the Lewy Body Variant Is Indeed a Phenotypic Variant of Alzheimers-Disease

Lewy Body Variant (LBV) patients present as Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinically; about two-thirds also have mild extrapyramidal features. At autopsy, neocortical and brain stem Lewy bodies are present in addition to changes diagnostic of AD. We have found that the Apolipoprotein E4 allele is a major genetic risk factor for LBV as it is for "pure AD," in contrast to subjects with diffuse Lewy body disease or Parkinson's disease. This genetic evidence supports the concept that LBV--the second most common neurodegenerative form of dementia--is a phenotypic variant of AD.