Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Work Satisfaction and Age: Some Evidence for the ‘Job Change’ Hypothesis

Previous research on work satisfaction has consistently shown that older people are more satisfied with their jobs than younger people. The present paper addresses three possible explanations for this tendency: (1) the "1now generation" of workers subscribes to a set of post-material values that contradict the demands of the industrial system and cause greater work discontent; (2) the standards of the old are systematically eroded by their years in the system, such that they learn to be satisfied with less; and (3) older workers simply have better jobs. A decisive choice among these hypotheses cannot be made without longitudinal data; nonetheless, the bulk of the evidence presented here (for economically active, salaried white males, drawn from the University of Michigan's 1972-73 Quality of Employment survey) clearly favors the last hypothesis. The academic literature on job satisfaction encompasses something in excess of 3000 independent studies (Campbell et al.; Kahn). Much of the existing research has focused on one of three basic topics: the sheer amount of satisfaction; the relationship between satisfaction and productivity; and the relationship between satisfaction and status, occupation, or social class. Concerning the first, the near-unanimous finding is that there is relatively little outright discontent; most people say they are "pretty satisfied" with their work (Kahn, 169). 1 There is much less consensus on the second. Kahn's review, for example, concludes that "satisfaction is related to productivity in some circumstances and not in others, and that these circumstances have yet to be defined" (193). As for the link to social class, Jencks and associates have argued that the correlations between work satisfaction and various measures of social status "are surprisingly weak" (247). Prior studies, they suggest, simply "stress the importance of small differences between occupations. " In contrast to the voluminous literature on work satisfaction and SES, there has not been much analysis of the relation between satisfaction
The Object Repository: Pulling Objects out of the Ecosystem

In this paper we propose the idea of constructing an Object Repository -- a repository of code snippets that, when executed, produce an instance of some class. Such a repository may be useful for several software engineering tasks like augmenting software documentation, testing object inspectors, improving program comprehension etc. We mine code snippets from existing software systems via brute force execution of code segments obtained through converting AST nodes of methods to source code. The gathered snippets are known to be executable, and this is a novelty which is not possible with existing approaches. We show that applying the proposed approach to 141 open source Pharo projects results in an Object Repository that can instantiate almost 80% of the available classes in these projects.
Strategic Information Systems Control Practices in New Zealand

A very important issue for business management is how well Information Systems (IS) strategy is supporting its business strategy and direction, in the current and future business and information technology (IT) circumstances. The issue of monitoring, reviewing and maintenance of IS strategies from a strategic perspective, (strategic IS control), have enjoyed little attention by IS researchers in the past. The paper reports on a study to investigate current strategic IS control practices in New Zealand and to measure their level of effectiveness. A field survey of 123 New Zealand organisations provided the data for the study. The results show about 80% of NZ organisations practising IS planning also practise strategic oriented control over their strategic IS plans one way or another, and with varying degrees of effectiveness. Also, strategic IS control is found to significantly influence the performance of the strategic IS plan. In addition to increasing our understanding of the issue of strategic IS control and its current approaches, the significance of the study is two folds. First, the study proves the fact that strategic IS control impacts IS plan performance, and second, it provides a criteria that help IS practitioners to evaluate and set up their strategic IS control systems.
Quantitative analysis of p 53-targeted gene expression and visualization of p 53 transcriptional activity following intratumoral administration of adenoviral p 53 in vivo

To analyze the mechanism of the antitumor effect of an adenoviral vector expressing the p53 tumor suppressor (Ad-p53) in vivo, we quantitatively assessed p53-targeted gene expression and visualized transcriptional activity of p53 in tumors in nude mice treated with Ad-p53. Human lung cancer (H1299) xenografts established in nude mice were treated by intratumoral administration of Ad-p53. The levels of expression of exogenous p53 and p53-targeted genes p21, MDM2, Noxa, and p53AIP1 were quantified by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and induction of apoptosiswas observed histochemically on days1–3, 7, and 14 after treatment. Expression of mRNA of exogenous p53 and p53-targeted genes (except p53AIP1) was at its maximum 1 day after Ad-p53 treatment and then decreased rapidly; apoptosis was evident in situ 2–3 days after treatment. We developed a noninvasive and simple method for monitoring the transcriptional activity of exogenous p53 following intratumoral administration of Ad-p53 in nude mice. We established H1299 cells that express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene under the control of p53-responsive p21 promoter (i.e., the p53R-GFP reporter system). Xenografts of these cells in nude mice were treated by intratumoral administration of Ad-p53, and the transcriptional activity of exogenous p53 could be visualized as intratumoral GFP expression in real time by 3-CCD camera. Expression of GFP was maximal 3 days after treatment and decreased remarkably by 7 days after treatment. We demonstrated that Ad-p53 treatment rapidly induced p53-targeted genes and apoptosis in tumors and succeeded in visualizing p53 transcriptional activity in vivo. We also found that Ad-p53 infection induced phosphorylation of p53 at Ser in p53-sensitive H1299 cells in vitro but not in p53-resistant H226Br cells, suggesting that phosphorylation of Ser is involved in p53dependent apoptosis. Our data indicate that quantitative analysis of p53-targeted gene expression by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and visualization of p53 transcriptional activity in fresh xenografts by using the p53R-GFP reporter systemmaybe useful in assessing themechanisms of the antitumor effects of Ad-p53 and novel therapeutic approaches. [Mol Cancer Ther. 2004;3(1):93–100]
Compact, low-power, single-ended and differential SiGe W-band LNAs

Two compact, low-power, SiGe W-band LNAs are demonstrated, one single-ended (SE), and one differential (Diff) with an integrated input transformer balun. The LNAs are implemented in an advanced 90-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology, with fT/fmax of 300/350 GHz. The noise figure (NF) of the SE and Diff LNAs are measured to be 4.2 dB and 6.3 dB, respectively, at 94 GHz, while dissipating only 8.8 mW SE from a 2.2-V supply, which to the authors' best knowledge is the lowest reported power consumption for a Si-based W-band SE LNA. The designed LNAs are targeted for low-power phased-array radar integrated transceivers for active imaging applications. The measured gain at 94 GHz for the single-stage SE and Diff LNAs are 10 dB and 12 dB, respectively, and maintain an input reflection coefficient of less than -9.5 dB. The input -1dB compression point (P1dB) for the LNAs is measured to -11.5 and -8.8 dBm for the SE and Diff LNAs, respectively. These compact LNAs have a SE and Diff core size (without pads) of only 158 μm × 350 μm (0.055 mm2) and 288 μm × 430 μm (0.126 mm2) and the Diff LNA includes an input transformer balun.
Estimation of maximum hurricane wind speed using simulated CYGNSS measurements

A hurricane maximum wind retrieval experiment is conducted using CYGNSS (Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System) tracks simulated over a series of tropical cyclone scenes from the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting model (HWRF). This experiment makes use of a forward model relating simulated CYGNSS power-vs-delay waveforms to hurricane maximum winds. The forward model uses synthetic Willoughby modeled storms as `truth' data. 1148 HWRF storm scenes from the 2010-11 hurricane seasons, from both the Atlantic and Eastern pacific basins, are used as input wind field to the forward model. Retrieved maximum winds are compared to both NHC best-track and HWRF. Results show a definite potential in using the CYGNSS data in retrieving hurricane maximum winds, although the current retrieval performance is hindered due to the symmetrical nature of the modeled Willoughby storms.
Combining Variable Ordering Heuristics for Improving Search Algorithms Performance

Variable ordering heuristics are used in constraint satisfaction algorithms. Different characteristics of various variable ordering heuristics are complementary. Therefore we have tried to get the advantages of all heuristics to improve search algorithms performance for solving constraint satisfaction problems. This paper considers combinations based on products and quotients, and then a newer form of combination based on weighted sums of ratings from a set of base heuristics, some of which result in definite improvements in performance.
Predictors of Loss to follow-up in Patients Living with HIV/AIDS after Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy

Background: Long-term regular follow up of ART is an important component of HIV care. Patients who are lost to follow-up (LTFU) while on treatment compromise their own health and the long-term success of ART programs. Aim: This study was aimed at determining the incidence and risk factors for LTFU in HIV patients on ART at ART clinic of Mizan-Aman General Hospital, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 2133 people living with HIV/AIDS and attending an ART clinic between 2005 and 2013 was undertaken. LTFU was defined as not taking an ART refill for a period of 3 months or longer from the last attendance for refill and not yet classified as ‘dead’ or ‘transferred-out’. The log-rank test was used to measure differences in time to LTFU between groups and Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to measure predictors of LTFU. Results: Of 2133 patients, 53.9% were female. The mean (SD) age of the cohort was 31.5 (8.0), 16 (2.2), and 3.8 (3.0) years for adults, adolescents, and children, respectively. Around 574 (26.7%) patients were defined as LTFU. The cumulative incidence of LTFU was 8.8 (95% CIs 8.1-9.6) per 1000 person months. Patients with regimen substitution (HR 5.2; 95% CIs 3.6-7.3), non-isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis (HR 3.7; 95% CIs 2.3-6.2), adolescent (HR 2.1; 95% CIs 1.3-3.4), and had a baseline CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (HR 1.7, 95% CIs 1.3-2.2) were at higher risk of LTFU. WHO clinical stage III (HR 0.6; 95% CIs 0.4-0.9) and IV (HR 0.8; 95% CIs 0.6-1.0) patients at entry were less likely to be LTFU than clinical stage I patients. There was no significant difference in risk of LTFU in males and females. Conclusion: Overall, these data suggested that LTFU in this study was high. Patients phase of life, drug related factors, and clinical stages were associated with LTFU in this study. Effective control measures in the at-risk population need to be implemented to improve retention.
Biosynthesis and Biological Actions of Pineal Neurosteroids in Domestic Birds

The central and peripheral nervous systems have the capacity of synthesizing steroids de novo from cholesterol, the so-called ‘neurosteroids'. De novo synthesis of neurosteroids from cholesterol appears to be a conserved property across the subphylum vertebrata. Until recently, it was generally believed that neurosteroids are produced in neurons and glial cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, our recent studies on birds have demonstrated that the pineal gland, an endocrine organ located close to the brain, is an important site of production of neurosteroids de novo from cholesterol. 7α-Hydroxypregnenolone is a major pineal neurosteroid that stimulates locomotor activity of juvenile birds, connecting light-induced gene expression with locomotion. The other major pineal neurosteroid allopregnanolone is involved in Purkinje cell survival by suppressing the activity of caspase-3, a crucial mediator of apoptosis during cerebellar development. This review is an updated summary of the biosynthesis and biological actions of pineal neurosteroids.
Src binds cortactin through an SH2 domain cystine-mediated linkage

Summary Tyrosine-kinase-based signal transduction mediated by modular protein domains is critical for cellular function. The Src homology (SH)2 domain is an important conductor of intracellular signaling that binds to phosphorylated tyrosines on acceptor proteins, producing molecular complexes responsible for signal relay. Cortactin is a cytoskeletal protein and tyrosine kinase substrate that regulates actin-based motility through interactions with SH2-domain-containing proteins. The Src kinase SH2 domain mediates cortactin binding and tyrosine phosphorylation, but how Src interacts with cortactin is unknown. Here we demonstrate that Src binds cortactin through cystine bonding between Src C185 in the SH2 domain within the phosphotyrosine binding pocket and cortactin C112/246 in the cortactin repeats domain, independent of tyrosine phosphorylation. Interaction studies show that the presence of reducing agents ablates Src-cortactin binding, eliminates cortactin phosphorylation by Src, and prevents Src SH2 domain binding to cortactin. Tandem MS/MS sequencing demonstrates cystine bond formation between Src C185 and cortactin C112/246. Mutational studies indicate that an intact cystine binding interface is required for Src-mediated cortactin phosphorylation, cell migration, and pre-invadopodia formation. Our results identify a novel phosphotyrosine-independent binding mode between the Src SH2 domain and cortactin. Besides Src, one quarter of all SH2 domains contain cysteines at or near the analogous Src C185 position. This provides a potential alternative mechanism to tyrosine phosphorylation for cysteine-containing SH2 domains to bind cognate ligands that may be widespread in propagating signals regulating diverse cellular functions.
Males Resemble Females: Re-Evaluating Sexual Dimorphism in Protoceratops andrewsi (Neoceratopsia, Protoceratopsidae)

Background Protoceratops andrewsi (Neoceratopsia, Protoceratopsidae) is a well-known dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. Some previous workers hypothesized sexual dimorphism in the cranial shape of this taxon, using qualitative and quantitative observations. In particular, width and height of the frill as well as the development of a nasal horn have been hypothesized as potentially sexually dimorphic. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we reassess potential sexual dimorphism in skulls of Protoceratops andrewsi by applying two-dimensional geometric morphometrics to 29 skulls in lateral and dorsal views. Principal Component Analyses and nonparametric MANOVAs recover no clear separation between hypothetical “males” and “females” within the overall morphospace. Males and females thus possess similar overall cranial morphologies. No differences in size between “males” and “females” are recovered using nonparametric ANOVAs. Conclusions/Significance Sexual dimorphism within Protoceratops andrewsi is not strongly supported by our results, as previously proposed by several authors. Anatomical traits such as height and width of the frill, and skull size thus may not be sexually dimorphic. Based on PCA for a data set focusing on the rostrum and associated ANOVA results, nasal horn height is the only feature with potential dimorphism. As a whole, most purported dimorphic variation is probably primarily the result of ontogenetic cranial shape changes as well as intraspecific cranial variation independent of sex.
Post‐infectious irritable bowel syndrome: The past, the present and the future

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), once thought to be a psychosomatic disease, is being considered to be more organic. Post‐infectious IBS (PI‐IBS), defined as acute onset IBS (by Rome criteria) after gastrointestinal infection in an individual without prior IBS with two or more of the followings: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a positive stool culture. The recent and old literature of PI‐IBS will be reviewed. Future directions for research will be presented.
A cost-effectiveness model for the use of a cannabis-derived oromucosal spray for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Background: Severity of spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) directly correlates with the level and cost of care required. This study assessed whether a tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray for treatment of moderate-severe MS spasticity is a cost-effective use of healthcare resources in Wales. Methods: A Markov model was developed to compare THC/CBD plus standard of care (SoC) treatments with SoC alone. Results: At 30 years, total incremental cost for THC/CBD plus SoC treatment was estimated at £3,836/patient (ICER: £10,891/quality-adjusted life year [QALY]). Hospital admission costs had the greatest effect on the base case ICER. Inclusion of carer cost led to incremental cost of -£33,609/patient (ICER: -£95,423/QALY). Conclusions: The THC/CBD spray was found to be cost-effective for the treatment of spasticity in MS, and dominant, if home carer costs were included. Use of THC/CBD has the potential to generate cost savings by significantly improving the symptoms of moderate to severe MS spasticity.
INSIGHT: Internet-sensor integration for habitat monitoring

We present our experience with designing, developing, and deploying of an Internet accessible wireless sensor network for monitoring temperature, humidity, and illumination of a controlled environment. The design goals for our system, INSIGHT: Internet-sensor integration for habitat monitoring, are extended deployment lifetime, remote querying and configuration, ease of deployment, and reliability. We present results from our deployment of INSIGHT in a greenhouse
Learning and Contamination in Virtual Worlds

The most recent advances of artificial life scientific research are opening up a new frontier: the creation of simulated life environments populated by autonomous agents. In these environments artificial beings can interact, reproduce and evolve [4, 6, 15], and can be seen as laboratories whereto explore the emergence of social behaviors like competition, cooperation, relationships and communication [5, 7] . It is still not possible to approach a reasonable simulation of the incredible complexity of human or animal societies, but these environments can be used as a scientific orartistic tool to explore some basic aspects of the evolution [1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. The combination of these concepts with robotics technology or with immersive-interactive 3D environments (virtual reality) are changing quickly well known paradigms like digital life, manmachineinterface, virtual world. The virtual world metaphor becomes interesting when the artificial beings can develop some form of learning, increasing their performances, adaptation, and developing the ability to exchange information with human visitors. In this sense the evolution enhances the creative power and meaningful of these environments, and human visitors experience an emotion of a shift from a simplified simulation of the reality to a real immersion into an imaginary life. We may think that these realization are the first sparks of a new form of life: simulated for the soft-alife thinkers, real for the hard-alife thinkers, or a simple imaginary vision for the artists.
Tip-surface forces, amplitude, and energy dissipation in amplitude-modulation (tapping mode) force microscopy

This work has been supported by the Direccion General de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnica (PB98-0471) and the European Union (BICEPS, BIO4-CT-2112). A. S. P. acknowledges financial support from the Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid.
The Effects of Music Training on Dyslexia: A Selected Literature Review

Abstract This article reviews research on the neurological bases of dyslexia, examines the effects of music training on dyslexia, and investigates interrelationships between music, the brain, and dyslexia. Recent results in studies on the neurobiology of dyslexia lend credence to the effects of music training on dyslexia. This article may be of interest to teachers and researchers in the areas of Special Education and Music, and those who wish to better understand dyslexia.
Selective absorption of stereo-isomers of amino-acids from loops of the small intestine of the rat.

the a method an active process in Krebs, The solutions introduced into the gut contained 150-25Opmol. /ml.andwere brought to pH7-4. Leucine and norleucine, which were not soluble the preparation of solutions of this concentration at 7 first dissolved with the aid of a small excess of alkali and brought to pH 7x4 by the addition of the required amount of HCI immediately before introduction into the gut.
Prevention of Contrast Nephropathy in Critically Ill Patients Using Acetylcysteine and Theophylline

Compared with periprocedural hydration alone, acetylcysteine with hydration significantly reduces the risk of contrast nephropathy in patients with chronic renal insufficiency by 50%. For elective contrast procedures, acetylcysteine should be given in a dose of 600 mg twice daily the day before and on the procedure day. For emergency procedures, a high dose intravenous regimen (150 mg/kg in 500 mL normal saline over 30 minutes immediately before contrast followed by 50 mg/kg in 500 mL normal saline over 4h) is effective. Given the low cost and good side-effect profile of acetylcysteine, it would seem prudent to give this drug with intravenous fluids to all critically ill patients scheduled for intravenous or intraarterial contrast procedures. Theophylline in a dose of 200 mg or 2.5 mg/kg IV 30 minutes before contrast may be an effective alternative for emergency procedures. Although its benefit compared with periprocedural hydration alone seems less well established, theophylline is a particularly attractive option for emergency procedures.
Probiotic Ferulic Acid Esterase Active Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 APA Microcapsules for Oral Delivery: Preparation and in Vitro Characterization

Probiotics possess potential therapeutic and preventative effects for various diseases and metabolic disorders. One important limitation for the oral delivery of probiotics is the harsh conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) which challenge bacterial viability and activity. One proposed method to surpass this obstacle is the use of microencapsulation to improve the delivery of bacterial cells to the lower GIT. The aim of this study is to use alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules to encapsulate Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 and characterize its enzymatic activity and viability through a simulated GIT. This specific strain, in previous research, was characterized for its inherent ferulic acid esterase (FAE) activity which could prove beneficial in the development of a therapeutic for the treatment and prevention of cancers and metabolic disorders. Our findings demonstrate that the APA microcapsule does not slow the mass transfer of substrate into and that of the FA product out of the microcapsule, while also not impairing bacterial cell viability. The use of simulated gastrointestinal conditions led to a significant 2.5 log difference in viability between the free (1.10 × 104 ± 1.00 × 103 cfu/mL) and the microencapsulated (5.50 × 106 ± 1.00 × 105 cfu/mL) L. fermentum NCIMB 5221 following exposure. The work presented here suggests that APA microencapsulation can be used as an effective oral delivery method for L. fermentum NCIMB 5221, a FAE-active probiotic strain.