Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fostering Frontline Employees’ Innovative Service Behavior: The Role of Workplace Friendship and Knowledge Sharing Process

Abstract Background and purpose: The hospitality industries need to create benevolent work environment and social activities that stimulate frontline service employees (FLEs) innovative behavior. Drawing on social capital theory, this study aims to examine the influence of workplace friendship on promoting FLEs’ innovative service behavior. This study also examines the mediating role of knowledge sharing process (knowledge collecting and knowledge donating) on the relationship between workplace friendship and FLEs’ innovative service behavior. Design/Methodology/Approach: For data collection, the convenience sampling method is applied to survey 163 frontline employees in 3- and 4-stars tourist hotels located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The present study performed structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) software Smart-PLS v3.0 to test the hypotheses. Results: The result showed that workplace friendship has significant influence on FLEs’ innovative service behavior. Also, this study empirically found that workplace friendship influence FLEs’ innovative service behavior directly and indirectly trough knowledge collecting. Interestingly, knowledge donating has insignificant effect on FLEs innovative service behavior. Conclusion: We conclude that workplace friendship could create a favorable work environment that fostering FLEs innovative service behavior trough knowledge sharing process. Therefore, this research adds to the body of knowledge by pointing out the influence of workplace friendship and knowledge sharing process on FLEs innovative service behavior. This present study also provides the human resource practice regarding how to nurturing workplace friendship that stimulates FLEs innovative work behavior.
Investigation of the rapid immunochromatographic test performance in the diagnosis of syphilis; comparison of four serological methods

Abstract Objectives To test the performance of the newly available rapid test for syphilis, we compared it with Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA). Additionally, we investigated the performance of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays (CMIA) at our laboratory using TPHA as a gold standard. Methods The serum samples of 595 patients with the pre-diagnosis of syphilis were studied by four serological methods. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of RPR, CMIA, and syphilis rapid test were assessed by utilizing TPHA as a gold standard for the diagnosis of syphilis. Results Of the patients, 6.2% (37/595) had positive RPR, 5.5% (33/595) had positive CMIA, 5.5% (33/595) had a positive rapid immunochromatographic method and 5% (30/595) had positive TPHA. When TPHA results were taken as the reference, the sensitivity of the rapid test for syphilis was 100%, the specificity was 99.5%, PPV was 90.9%, and NPV was 100.0%. Conclusions It was observed that the rapid test for syphilis used in the study was quite successful, its cost was appropriate, and the test was very fast and easy to apply. At the same time, the agreement between syphilis rapid test and TPHA was found to be excellent.
Sulfur application alleviates chromium stress in maize and wheat

Abstract This study aimed to examine the influence of increasing doses of chromium (Cr) (26, 39, and 52 mg kg−1 soil) and elemental sulfur (S) (60 mg kg−1 soil) on growth, yield, and mineral nutrition in wheat and maize. Macro- and micronutrients and Cr concentrations were determined in the aboveground parts of plants. All examined doses of Cr caused a marked decrease in the fresh and dry weight of maize. Wheat was more tolerant than maize, and lower Cr doses caused a small but statistically significant increase in the total yield. Wheat accumulated more than twofold Cr than maize, and the concentrations increased with higher Cr concentrations in the soil. The application of S significantly improved the total biomass production and lowered the Cr content in both plants. Cr changed the mineral nutrition in both cereals, but the pattern of changes observed was not the same. Applying S alleviated some adverse effects caused by the Cr. Hence, it is concluded that the application of elemental S may be an effective strategy to reduce adverse effects in plants grown on soil contaminated by heavy metals, especially Cr.
Early Season Defoliation of Bird Cherry Influences Autumn Colonization by the Bird Cherry Aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi

Bird cherry trees Prunus padus which were artificially defoliated early in the season suffered significantly less damage from late season defoliators than those trees which were undefoliated or suffered only slight defoliation. In the autumn, trees with little or no early season defoliation were colonized with significantly greater numbers of the aphid, Rhopalossphum padi, than those trees which had suffered defoliation in excess of 50%. Defoliation also resulted in significant differences in leaf chemistry; nitrogen levels in leaves of defoliated trees being significantly greater at time of aphid colonization than in trees that had not been defoliated
Money Supply, Inflation and Economic Growth: Co-Integration and Causality Analysis

Abstract The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between money supply, inflation rate, and economic growth in the context of Algeria, using various econometric procedures as co-integration without and with structural breaks in addition to three different ways of causality test for the period 1970-2018, the results confirm the long-run relationship between the variables with more than three structural breaks, but with the absence of the effects of money supply and inflation rate on economic growth both in short run and long run terms, on the other hand, the causality results confirmed the existence of hidden causalities among the variables running from the cumulative components not from the natural series, and all the results support the Monetarist view of inflation though the absence of any effect of money supply on economic growth.
Prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from various clinical samples in China

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which is associated with nosocomial infections and causes various diseases including urinary tract infection, pneumonia, soft-tissue infection and sepsis. The emergence of P. aeruginosa-acquired metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) is most worrisome and poses a serious threat during treatment and infection control. The objective of this study was to identify antibiotic susceptibility, phenotypic detection of MBL production and to determine the prevalence of MBL genes in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from different clinical samples. Methods A total of 329 non-duplicate P. aeruginosa isolated from various clinical samples from two hospitals in China between September 2017 and March 2019 were included in this study. Phenotypic detection of MBL was performed by the combined detection method using imipenem and imipenem-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) discs. MBL-encoding genes including bla VIM-1 , bla VIM-2 , bla IMP-1 , bla IMP-2 , bla SPM-1 , bla SIM , bla NDM-1 and bla GIM were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Of the 329 P. aeruginosa, majority of the isolates were resistant to imipenem (77.5%) followed by meropenem (64.7%). Of the 270 P. aeruginosa isolates tested, 149 (55.2%) isolates were found to be positive for MBL detection. Of the different samples, 57.8% (n = 26) of P. aeruginosa isolated from blood were found to be positive for MBL production. Of the various MBL genes, bla IMP-1 (28.2%) was the most predominant gene detected followed by bla VIM-2 (18.8%), bla VIM-1 (16.1%), bla NDM-1 (9.4%), bla IMP-2 (6.7%), bla SIM (6.0%), bla SPM-1 (4.0%) and bla GIM (1.3%) genes. Conclusions The high resistance of P. aeruginosa toward imipenem and meropenem and the high prevalence of bla IMP-1 and bla VIM-2 set the alarm on the increasing, perhaps the increased, carbapenem resistance. In addition to routine antibiotic susceptibility testings, our results emphasize the importance of both the phenotypic and genotypic MBL detection methods in routine practice for early detection of carbapenem resistance and to prevent further dissemination of this resistant pathogen.
Changes in nitrogen cycling following the clearcutting of drained peatland forests in southern Finland

The effects of forest clearcutting on the leaching of organic N, NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N and the processes likely to influence them were studied in two Norway spruce (Picea abies) dominated catchments located on nutrient-rich old peatland drainage areas in southern Finland. The concentrations of NH 4 + -N in precipitation reaching the ground increased after clearcutting. Those of NO 3 - -N increased in the area where the atmospheric N deposition was average, but decreased in the area subjected to higher than average N deposition. Ammonium-N concentrations in percolation water passing through the surface peat increased, both under slash-piles and in slash-free areas. Gaseous N 2 O and N 2 emissions or leached amounts of N 2 O were not influenced by clearcutting. Organic N concentrations in runoff increased immediately after clearcutting, whereas the concentrations of NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N only increased after the first growing season after cutting. The causes for increased runoff nitrogen concentrations are discussed.
TAK1 preserves skeletal muscle mass and mitochondrial function through redox homeostasis

Skeletal muscle atrophy is debilitating consequence of a large number of chronic disease states, aging, and disuse conditions. Skeletal muscle mass is regulated through coordinated activation of a number of signaling cascades. Transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a central kinase that mediates the activation of multiple signaling pathways in response to various growth factors, cytokines, and microbial products. Accumulating evidence suggests that TAK1 promotes skeletal muscle growth and essential for the maintenance of muscle mass in adults. Targeted inactivation of TAK1 leads to severe muscle wasting and kyphosis in mice. However, the mechanisms by which TAK1 prevents loss of muscle mass remain poorly understood. Through generation of inducible skeletal muscle‐specific Tak1‐knockout mice, we demonstrate that targeted ablation of TAK1 disrupts redox signaling leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and loss of skeletal muscle mass and contractile function. Suppression of oxidative stress using Trolox improves muscle contractile function and inhibits the activation of catabolic signaling pathways in Tak1‐deficient muscle. Moreover, Trolox inhibits the activation of ubiquitin‐proteasome system and autophagy markers in skeletal muscle of Tak1‐deficient mice. Furthermore, inhibition of oxidative stress using Trolox prevents the slow‐to‐fast type fiber transition and improves mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle of Tak1‐deficient mice. Overall, our results demonstrate that TAK1 maintains skeletal muscle mass and health through redox homeostasis.
Effect of Eccentric Cycling and Plyometric Training on Physiological and Performance Related Parameters of Trained Junior Track Cyclists

Abstract Introduction. Some certain well-established training protocols exist for developing physical and physiological demands of a track cyclist. But still there is controversy on the effectiveness of combined training protocols. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of 4-week concurrent eccentric cycling and plyometric training on cycling performance of male cyclists at the pre-competitive phase. Material and methods. A paired study design was applied to 15 young (15.04 ± 1.01 yrs) Indian male track cyclists to assess the effects of proposed concurrent training protocol on body composition and various physical fitness parameters. Results. Hydration status [TBW (~1%) and ICW (~1%)], glycogen content (~3%), muscular strength (~6-11%), trunk flexibility (~5%), anaerobic power output (~9%), endurance capacity (~5%), acceleration (~7%), leg explosive strength (~7%) and agility (~2%) were found to be improved significantly after the 4-week concurrent training protocol. Conclusions. The concurrent intervening physical training protocol was intended to increase muscular hypertrophy, peripheral factor gradient, glycolytic and oxidative enzyme capacity with proper neuromuscular coordination which may ultimately help the cyclists to pedal at a faster rate with higher muscular power output even for longer time.
Evaluation of strawberry varieties under semi-arid irrigated region of Punjab

On the basis of two years evaluation studies, it can be concluded that Corel la and Fern cultivars are suitable for early planting and fresh fruit marketing, while Chandler may do better among late cultivars. Chandler may also do better as a dual purpose (suitable for fresh consumption and processing) cultivar owing to its more uniform fruit size during peak fruiting period, higher content of pulp, anthocyanin and dry matter in fruits. Cultivars like Dana and Selva gave highest juice recovery but due to their poor agronomical performance, these may not be recommended for cultivation under semi-arid irrigated region of Punjab.
Bacteriophage activity against and characterisation of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from colibacillosis cases in Uganda

A laboratory-based study aimed at establishing a stock of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) lytic bacteriophages, for future development of cocktail products for controlling colibacillosis as well as minimizing use of antimicrobial drugs in the poultry production systems in Uganda. Specifically, the study determined the antibiotic susceptibility; phylogenetic categories, occurrence of selected virulence genes among Escherichia coli stock isolates from cases of chicken colibacillosis; and isolation of specific bacteriophages. Fifty six isolates were confirmed as E. coli by standard phenotypic tests. All the 56 (100%) isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic while 50 (89.3%) isolates were resistant to at least three classes of antimicrobial drugs and were therefore designated as multi-drug resistant. Phylogenetically, APEC isolates mainly belonged to phylogroups A and D which represented 44.6% and 39.3%, respectively. Virulence genes, ompT and iutA were the most frequent with 33 (58.9%) and 32 (57.1%) isolates respectively; while iroN least occurred in 23 (41.1%) isolates. Of the 56 isolates, 69.6% harbored at least one virulence gene, while 50% had at least four virulence genes; hence confirmed as APEC. None of the isolates belonged to the selected serotypes O1, O2 and O78. Seven specific bacteriophages were isolated and their host range, varied from 1.8% to 17.9% (n=56 APEC isolates), while the combined lytic spectrum of all the phages was 25%. Phage stability was negatively affected by increasing temperatures with both UPEC04 and UPEC10 phages becoming undetectable at 70°C; however activity was detected between pH 2 and 12. The high occurrence of APEC isolates with resistance against the commonly used antibiotics supports the need for alternative strategies of bacterial infections control in poultry. The low host range exhibited by the phages calls for search for more candidates before more in-depth studies are done for phage characterization and application.
Submesoscale dynamics directly shape bacterioplankton community structure in space and time

Submesoscale eddies and fronts are recognized as important components of oceanic mixing and energy fluxes. These submesoscale phenomena occur in the surface ocean for a period of a few days on scales between several hundred meters and a few tens of kilometers. Remote sensing and modeling suggest that they may influence marine ecosystem dynamics, but their limited temporal and spatial scales make them challenging for observation and in situ sampling. Here, the study of a submesoscale filament in summerly Arctic waters (depth 0 - 400 m) revealed enhanced vertical mixing of Polar and Atlantic water masses, resulting in a ca. 4 km wide and ca. 50 km long filament with distinct physical and biogeochemical conditions. Compared to the surrounding waters the filament was characterized by a distinct phytoplankton bloom dominated by diatoms and two-fold higher bacterioplankton cell densities. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing of both bacterioplankton communities revealed 3-4 orders of magnitude higher sequence abundance of Synechococcus inside the filament, as well as tenfold higher sequence abundance of taxonomic groups typically found during summertime in aging phytoplankton blooms (e.g., Flavobacteriales). In contrast, the surrounding waters contained severalfold higher sequence abundance of winterly taxonomic groups that are also associated with polar water masses (e.g., SAR202 clade). Altogether, our results show that physical submesoscale processes in the ocean can shape distinct biogeochemical conditions and microbial communities within a few kilometers. Furthermore, our results underline the importance of such submesoscale features for our understanding of surface ocean diversity and biogeochemical processes.
Corticospinal neurons encode complex motor signals that are broadcast to dichotomous striatal circuits

Sensorimotor cortex controls movement in part through direct projections to the spinal cord. Here we show that these corticospinal neurons (CSNs) possess axon collaterals that innervate many supraspinal brain regions critical for motor control, most prominently the main input to the basal ganglia, the striatum. Corticospinal neurons that innervate the striatum form more synapses on D1-than D2-striatal projection neurons (SPNs). This biased innervation strategy corresponds to functionally distinct patterns of termination in spinal cord. CSNs are strongly driven during a striatum-dependent sequential forelimb behavior, and often represent high level movement features that are not linearly related to kinematic output. Copies of these activity patterns are relayed in a balanced fashion to both D1 and D2 projection pathways. These results reveal a circuit logic by which motor cortex corticospinal neurons relay both kinematic-related and unrelated signals to distinct striatal and spinal cord pathways, where postsynaptic connectivity ultimately dictates motor specificity. Highlights Corticospinal neurons send axon collaterals most abundantly to the striatum Biases in striatal innervation correspond to biases in spinal innervation CSNs represent complex movement sequence information Corollary motor sequence signals are relayed to both striatal projection pathways eTOC Blurb Nelson, A. et al. detail the organization of corticospinal neurons and their coordinated cell type-specific targets in the dorsolateral striatum and spinal cord. Corticospinal neurons encode both kinematic-related and unrelated signals during motor sequences, and relay this information in a balanced fashion to dichotomous striatal pathways.
Defining substrate requirements for cleavage of farnesylated prelamin A by the integral membrane zinc metalloprotease ZMPSTE24

The integral membrane zinc metalloprotease ZMPSTE24 plays a key role in the proteolytic processing of farnesylated prelamin A, the precursor of the nuclear scaffold protein lamin A. Failure of this processing step results in the accumulation of permanently farnesylated forms of prelamin A which cause the premature aging disease Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), as well as related progeroid disorders, and may also play a role in physiological aging. ZMPSTE24 is an intriguing and unusual protease because its active site is located inside of a closed intramembrane chamber formed by seven transmembrane spans with side portals in the chamber permitting substrate entry. The specific features of prelamin A that make it the sole known substrate for ZMPSTE24 in mammalian cells are not well-defined. At the outset of this work it was known that farnesylation is essential for prelamin A cleavage in vivo and that the C-terminal region of prelamin A (41 amino acids) is sufficient for recognition and processing. Here we investigated additional features of prelamin A that are required for cleavage by ZMPSTE24 using a well-established humanized yeast system. We analyzed the 14-residue C-terminal region of prelamin A that lies between the ZMPSTE24 cleavage site and the farnesylated cysteine, as well 23-residue region N-terminal to the cleavage site, by generating a series of alanine substitutions, alanine additions, and deletions in prelamin A. Surprisingly, we found that there is considerable flexibility in specific requirements for the length and composition of these regions. We discuss how this flexibility can be reconciled with ZMPSTE24’s selectivity for prelamin A.
Identifications of novel avian and mammalian deltaviruses filled the large evolutionally gaps and revealed inter-family transmission of deltaviruses

Deltaviruses are unique satellite viruses requiring envelope protein from helper viruses to form infectious particles. Although human hepatitis delta virus (HDV), a satellite virus of a hepadnavirus, has been the only member of the genus Deltavirus until 2018, recent studies identified several deltaviruses in vertebrate and invertebrate animals. However, the evolution of deltaviruses, such as the origin of HDV and co-evolution with helper viruses, is still unclear due to the large phylogenetic gaps between the deltaviruses. In this study, by a combination of screening of publicly available RNA-seq datasets and RT-PCR, we identified five full-length, circular genomes of deltaviruses from passerine birds, woodchucks, and white-tailed deer. By mapping pubic RNA-seq data to the newly identified deltaviruses and RT-PCR, we found that the passerine deltaviruses have been circulating among the animal populations, including a bird caught from wild. Interestingly, the passerine deltaviruses show more than 98% nucleotide identities to each other and were detected from birds spanning at least four families in the order Passeriformes, suggesting the recent inter-family transmission events and the potential of broad host ranges of deltaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the newly identified deltaviruses are relatively closely related to known vertebrate deltaviruses and that newly identified mammalian deltaviruses are the closest relatives of HDV, suggesting the mammalian origin of HDV. Interestingly, there is no evidence that these mammalian deltaviruses express the large isoform of delta antigen that contains a farnesylation site required for HDV to utilize hepadnavirus envelope proteins. Also, there is no evidence of hepadnavirus infections in deltavirus-positive individuals. Therefore, the satellite-helper relationship between HDV and hepadnavirus may have been established relatively recently, after the divergence of the newly identified non-HDV mammalian deltaviruses and the HDV lineage. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the evolution and diversity of deltaviruses and raise the importance of further surveillance for deltaviruses in a wide range of animals.