Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological capital as a mediator of the relationship between leadership and creative performance behaviors: empirical evidence from the Indian R&D sector

The present study examines the relationships between leadership, psychological capital and employee creative performance behaviors in the Indian research and development (R&D) context. A survey-based study was conducted in 11 government-owned R&D laboratories across India and 496 usable responses were collected. Data analyses, performed using the structural equation modeling technique, revealed that psychological capital fully mediates the relationship between leadership and creative performance behaviors. R&D leaders who display positive behaviors are more likely to aid the development of their subordinates' positive psychological capacities. Employees with higher psychological capital engage in greater creative behaviors, improving the chances of producing creative outcomes. In addition, such employees will need less supervision and will be less dependent on leadership for directions and day-to-day work. The implication for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Assessing the Relative Importance of Inputs to a Production Function

Since the publication of Michael Lewis's book, Moneyball, there has been a commonly held belief that getting on-base percentage (OBP) is more important in run production than hitting for power slugging percentage (SLG). Implicit in that conclusion is an assumption that OBP and SLG are drawn from similar distributions. The author finds, however, that they are drawn from meaningfully different distributions. Controlling for those differences, the author finds no evidence that OBP is more important in run production than SLG. In fact, the author finds that from 1980 to 2007 SLG was more important in run production than OBP.
Islamic spiritual tourism: an innovative marketing framework

This conceptual paper presents an innovative marketing framework to recognise Islamic spiritual tourism as a significant type of Islamic tourism. The presentation of the theoretical conceptualisation of Islamic spiritual tourism is based on the study of literature and observations of innovative tourism business practices. The literature on Islamic, spiritual and innovative tourism marketing was reviewed. The innovative marketing framework suggests that Islamic spiritual tourism is a subset of Islamic and halal tourism, while pilgrimage and Muslim religious tourism are its subsets. This unique study emphasises upon the acceptance of the market for Islamic spiritual tourism that is a combination of religious travels among Muslims such as Hajj, Umrah, Rihla and Ziyara. Tourism marketers could focus on this niche market of Muslim spiritual tourists to design their innovative marketing strategies. An empirical study of attitudes and behaviour of Muslims engaged in Islamic spiritual tourism is a palpable future research direction.
Evaluation of thin wafer processing using a temporary wafer handling system as key technology for 3D system integration

In this paper we describe the process integration of a temporary wafer handling system for wafer thinning and thin wafer backside processing. Thin wafer handling is a key technology and enabler for the wafer level fabrication of through silicon via (TSV) based 3D architectures. The work was done as evaluation study to prove the compatibility of a thin wafer handling system with standard processes used for thinning and backside processing of “via-first” TSV wafers as well as for thinning of bumped wafers. The used thin wafer handling system is based on perforated carrier wafers, which are bonded by an adhesive to the customer wafer and de-bonded by solvent release of the adhesive. All wafers used in this work had 200 mm format. The evaluation was run systematically in three major phases. In the first phase the main process scenarios, which require thin wafer handling, were defined. In a second phase setup trials for bonding, thinning, backside processing and de-bonding were run on monitor wafers with different types of front side topography, but without TSVs. After finishing the setup trials in a third phase, the monitor wafers were replaced by wafers with copper filled TSVs, which were fabricated in “via-first” technology. Using the established thin wafer handling and processing sequence, silicon interposer wafers with 55 μm thickness were manufactured. The measured via chains have via pitches of 28 μm using 15 μm via diameter.
Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists

The molecular understanding of platelet function, together with an appreciation of the role of platelet thrombus in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and abrupt vessel closure following coronary intervention, lead to the development of the class of agents now referred to as platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibitors. Currently three parenteral GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are licensed for use in patients undergoing coronary intervention or as empirical therapy in non-ST elevation ACS (unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction). Clinical trials using these agents in patients undergoing coronary interventions have demonstrated a consistent reduction in ischaemic end points at 30 days that is sustained during long-term follow-up. Similar benefits have been found in patients with ACS who are managed medically or who proceed to revacularisation. Studies using prolonged platelet inhibition using oral GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients following coronary intervention or with ACS have produced disappointing results. Further investigation with existing and newer oral agents are ongoing. The use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in combination with fibrinolytic agents for optimal reperfusion in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) is an active area of interest. Angiographic outcomes with this approach have been encouraging and clinical outcome data are awaited. Beyond efficacy, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors have proven to be safe for clinical use. Haemorrhagic complications and thrombocytopenia are the most common adverse events, though infrequent. Unresolved issues regarding drug dosing, monitoring of effect, duration of therapy, head-to-head comparisons of agents, and use of adjunctive therapies are the subject of ongoing studies.
Analysis of the origin of atypical scanning laser polarimetry patterns by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE To analyze the physical origin of atypical scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) patterns. To compare polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) scans to SLP images. To present a method to obtain pseudo-SLP images by PS-OCT that are free of atypical artifacts. METHODS Forty-one eyes of healthy subjects, subjects with suspected glaucoma, and patients with glaucoma were imaged by SLP (GDx VCC) and a prototype spectral domain PS-OCT system. The PS-OCT system acquires three-dimensional (3D) datasets of intensity, retardation, and optic axis orientation simultaneously within 3 seconds. B-scans of intensity and retardation and en face maps of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) retardation were derived from the 3D PS-OCT datasets. Results were compared with those obtained by SLP. RESULTS Twenty-two eyes showed atypical retardation patterns, and 19 eyes showed normal patterns. From the 22 atypical eyes, 15 showed atypical patterns in both imaging modalities, five were atypical only in SLP images, and two were atypical only in PS-OCT images. In most (15 of 22) atypical cases, an increased penetration of the probing beam into the birefringent sclera was identified as the source of atypical patterns. In such cases, the artifacts could be eliminated in PS-OCT images by depth segmentation and exclusion of scleral signals. CONCLUSIONS PS-OCT provides deeper insight into the contribution of different fundus layers to SLP images. Increased light penetration into the sclera can distort SLP retardation patterns of the RNFL.
Commuting by Bicycle: An Overview of the Literature

Abstract Commuting by bicycle has advantages over other modes of transport, both for the commuter and for society. Although cycling is an option for many commuters, a considerable number of them choose to use other forms of transport. In order to underpin policies that promote commuting by bicycle, this paper investigates the determinants for commuting to work. As many bicycle commuters do not cycle every day, we also examine people’s daily choices, in terms of frequency. We conducted a survey of the current literature in order to identify the determinants for commuting by bicycle. We found many determinants, not all of which are addressed by conventional mode choice studies and models. This suggests that predicting and influencing bicycle use needs to be grounded in other kinds of knowledge than those currently available for motorized forms of transport.
A novel nonanticoagulant heparin improves splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage immune function after trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation.

Recent studies have shown that heparinization of animals prior to or even after hemorrhagic shock improves tissue perfusion and organ function. However, the anticoagulant properties of conventional heparin preclude its clinical use in trauma care. The aim of our study, therefore, was to determine whether chemically modified heparin, i.e., a novel nonanticoagulant heparin (GM1892), which does not have significant anticoagulant activity (approximately 2% of the anticoagulant activity of conventional heparin), produces any beneficial effects on splenocyte and macrophage immune function following trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation. To determine this, following the induction of tissue trauma (i.e., a midline laparotomy), mice were bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure of 35 mm Hg for 1 hr. The animals then received GM1892 (7 mg/kg body wt), conventional heparin (7 mg/kg body wt), normal saline prior to resuscitation with three times the volume of shed blood with Ringer's lactate. Two hours after resuscitation the animals were sacrificed, splenocytes were isolated, and splenic, as well as peritoneal macrophage, cultures were established. The ability of the splenocytes to release IL-2 and IL-3 in response to mitogen was markedly improved in hemorrhaged animals which were treated with GM1892 or conventional heparin compared to saline-treated mice. Furthermore, the capacity of splenic and peritoneal macrophages to release IL-6 was restored in the hemorrhaged animals that received GM1892 or conventional heparin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Growth and Defense in Developing Countries

However, in a large study of less developed countries, an opposite pattern seemed to appear, and this finding was so unexpected and challenging that it seemed worth exploring in detail. In the course of that exploration, a number of interesting insights were achieved as to the nature of economic development and its relation to defense activity. The study covered the growth rates, investment rates, foreign aid receipts, and certain other variables of 44 LDCs between 1950 and 1965. These materials were analyzed primarily by means of correlation analysis. The 44-country sample covered about three-quarters of the population, GNP, and defense expenditures of the developing world, other than mainland China. The sample analysis was supplemented by case studies of India, South Korea, Mexico, Israel, the United Arab Republic, and Argentina. (See table 1.)
The Native American Healing Experience

Recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs is taking place with the assistance of culture-specific methods in American Indian and Alaska Native communities in North America. These communities utilize many of the recovery approaches that make up today's best practices, but they also use their own cultural and ethnic strengths as an important part of their addictions recovery. The Wellbriety Movement among Native people is one such expression of culture-specific healing for North Americans having the heritage of indigenous peoples. The rallying call, “Our culture is prevention,” expresses an approach unique in addictions recovery processes anywhere.
WORKING WITHIN CONFINES: OCCUPATIONAL SEGREGATION BY SEX FOR THREE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES

This paper assesses the evolution of occupational segregation by sex using comparable data sets for Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay over the 1989-1997 period. We estimate segregation indices using two-digit occupational categories for the entire employed labor force and also for sub-samples with different levels of educational attainment. Using a re-sampling technique, we estimate standard deviations for our point estimates and test for statistically significant changes over time and across schooling levels. Finally we conduct a random hiring experiment to compare actual changes in the Duncan Index to potential changes had new hiring been random with regard to sex.
Reactive Oxygen Species Inhibit Adhesion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Implanted into Ischemic Myocardium via Interference of Focal Adhesion Complex

The integrity of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cardiac regeneration is dependent on cell–cell or cell–matrix adhesion, which is inhibited by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in ischemic surroundings after myocardial infarction. Intracellular ROS play a key role in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. This study was designed to investigate the role of ROS on MSC adhesion. In H2O2 treated MSCs, adhesion and spreading were inhibited and detachment was increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and these effects were significantly rescued by co‐treatment with the free radical scavenger, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC, 1 mM). A similar pattern was observed on plates coated with different matrices such as fibronectin and cardiogel. Hydrogen peroxide treatment resulted in a marked decrease in the level of focal adhesion‐related molecules, such as phospho‐FAK and p‐Src in MSCs. We also observed a significant decrease in the integrin‐related adhesion molecules, αV and β1, in H2O2 treated MSCs. When injected into infarcted hearts, the adhesion of MSCs co‐injected with NAC to the border region was significantly improved. Consequently, we observed that fibrosis and infarct size were reduced in MSC and NAC‐injected rat hearts compared to in MSC‐only injected hearts. These results indicate that ROS inhibit cellular adhesion of engrafted MSCs and provide evidence that the elimination of ROS might be a novel strategy for improving the survival of engrafted MSCs. STEM CELLS 2010;28:555–563
Alterations in the pulmonary microsomal cytochrome P-450 system after exposure of rats to silica.

Because some evidence indicates that there is an increased incidence of lung cancer in silicosis, we studied the effects of exposing rats to silica on the pulmonary microsomal cytochrome P-450 system. Rats were exposed to silica by intratracheal administration, lung microsomes were obtained from untreated and silica-treated animals, and the amount of microsomal tissue, the level of total cytochromes P-450 (all isozymes), the activity of NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase, the metabolism of two xenobiotics, and the relative amounts of cytochrome P-4502B1 and P-4501A1 were measured. Lungs from silica-treated rats were almost 2-fold heavier and contained more than 10 times more alveolar phospholipids than lungs from untreated animals, indicating that acute silicosis had been produced. In lungs from silica-treated animals, the concentration of microsomal tissue, expressed as milligrams of microsomal protein per gram of lung, was increased by more than 2-fold, and total microsomal protein content was increased by almost 5-fold relative to untreated animals. When expressed as activity or amount per milligram of protein, the microsomal concentrations of NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase, total cytochromes P-450, 7-ethoxycoumarin (EC)-0-deethylase, and cytochrome P-4502B1 are reduced by approximately 50% in silica-treated rats. However, when expressed as total activity or amount in the lungs, all are increased by approximately 1.5- to 2.5-fold in silica-treated lungs. On the other hand, total lung 7-ethoxyresorufin (ER)-0-deethylase activity and cytochrome P-4501A1 are increased by 4- to 5-fold in silica-treated lungs. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A multiphysics investigation of RF dry loads

Microwave absorbers/loads find applications in many microwave systems where they are utilised in testing or protection circuits. In many waveguide based systems, often lossy dielectrics are used as absorbers. Efficient thermal management of the heat generated in the dielectric is crucial for the functioning of the load. As such the design of a load is a multiphysics problem involving RF, thermal and in some cases fluid flow analysis. In this paper, different structures of low power loads are analysed for their RF and thermal characteristics and behaviour. These loads are designed for 3.7 GHz and simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics.
Stable archaeal tetraether lipid liposomes for photodynamic application: transfer of carboxyfluorescein to cultured T84 tumor cells

Background: Archaeal membranes have phytanyl ether lipids instead of common fatty acid-glycerol esters in bacterial and eukaryotic cells. Sulfolobus and Thermoplasma species have unique membrane-spanning tetraether lipids (TEL), which form stable liposomes. Recently, we cultured Thermoplasma species from the Indonesian volcano Tangkuban Perahu and isolated TEL. The purpose of this in vitro study is to investigate the transfer of fluorescent dye from stable TEL liposomes to cultured colon carcinoma cells. Methods: TEL was extracted from cultured cells with chloroform-methanol (1:1), then it was fractionated and purified via diethylaminoethyl-cellulose-acetate columns and activated charcoal for the formation of stable liposomes. For the fluorescence exchange assay, TEL liposomes were loaded with water-soluble carboxyfluorescein (CF). Staining experiments were conducted with various cell cultures, and T84 colon carcinoma cells were chosen for the main experiments. Liposome stability was tested by light scattering and electron microscopic size determinations as well as by unspecific CF release at low pH (6.0–7.4) and increased temperature (4–50°C/70°C). Results: TEL liposomes exhibit high stability and extremely low proton permeability at low pH. CF staining of cultured T84 colon carcinoma cells appeares more intensive from TEL liposomes than from dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. Conclusion: The results of this in vitro study demonstrate CF staining of colon carcinoma cells and high stability of TEL liposomes at low pH, matching the condition in the gastro-intestinal (GI) route and in the urogentital (UG) tract. For this reason, in vivo studies on liposomal fluorescent photosensitizers for topical application of photodynamic cancer therapy in the GI and UG tracts should be carried out.
Rostrocaudal variation in targeting of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate and mu‐opioid receptors in the rat medial nucleus of the solitary tract

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors and mu‐opioid receptors (MOR) have been implicated in gustatory and cardiorespiratory visceral reflexes, respectively involving second order sensory neurons in rostral and intermediate portions of the medial nucleus of the solitary tract (mNTS). To determine whether there are cellular sites suggesting functional interaction involving NMDA receptors and MOR in these regions, we examined their ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization by using antisera recognizing the functional subunit of NMDA receptors (NR1) or MOR in rat brain. In both mNTS subdivisions, NR1 labeling was prominently seen along membranes of cytoplasmic organelles in somata and large dendrites, as well as on asymmetric postsynaptic densities in small dendrites and dendritic spines. Many of these profiles also contained MOR immunoreactivity that was mainly distributed along extrasynaptic plasma membranes. Quantitative regional comparison showed that dendrites composed 64% (167 of 261) and 35% (137 of 390) of the dually labeled structures in the rostral and intermediate mNTS, respectively. In contrast, only 11% (28 of 261) of the total dually labeled profiles in the rostral, but 46% (180 of 390) of those in the intermediate mNTS were axon terminals. Many of the terminals containing NR1 and/or MOR were large and formed asymmetric synapses with multiple targets, resembling those features of known visceral afferents. Our results suggest that opioids, active at MOR in mNTS, modulate excitatory visceral reflexes involving mainly postsynaptic NMDA receptors in the rostral region. In addition, they suggest that similar mechanisms exist in the intermediate mNTS, where both NMDA receptors and MOR may differentially regulate the presynaptic release of glutamate from the visceral afferents. J. Comp. Neurol. 421:400–411, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hym-301, a novel peptide, regulates the number of tentacles formed in hydra

Hym-301 is a peptide that was discovered as part of a project aimed at isolating novel peptides from hydra. We have isolated and characterized the gene Hym-301, which encodes this peptide. In an adult, the gene is expressed in the ectoderm of the tentacle zone and hypostome, but not in the tentacles. It is also expressed in the developing head during bud formation and head regeneration. Treatment of regenerating heads with the peptide resulted in an increase in the number of tentacles formed, while treatment with Hym-301 dsRNA resulted in a reduction of tentacles formed as the head developed during bud formation or head regeneration. The expression patterns plus these manipulations indicate the gene has a role in tentacle formation. Furthermore, treatment of epithelial animals indicates the gene directly affects the epithelial cells that form the tentacles. Raising the head activation gradient, a morphogenetic gradient that controls axial patterning in hydra, throughout the body column results in extending the range of Hym-301 expression down the body column. This indicates the range of expression of the gene appears to be controlled by this gradient. Thus, Hym-301 is involved in axial patterning in hydra, and specifically in the regulation of the number of tentacles formed.
Revisiting Covered Interest Parity in the European Union: the DCCA Approach

Abstract This paper analyzes the evidence of financial integration, with covered interest parity (CIP), for a group of countries that have already adopted the euro and another group of countries that kept their currencies. We use detrended cross-correlation analysis, which allows analyzing the behavior of time series even when they are not stationary. The main results indicate that countries that adopted the euro do not show much evidence in favor of CIP, before joining the Eurozone, which could imply they will not benefit from all common currency advantages. In the group of countries that did not adopt the euro, Denmark, Sweden, the UK and the Czech Republic are the ones presenting better conditions for financial integration with the euro, while Bulgaria has also some evidence of this. Some possible explanations of CIP deviations are agents not considering all countries’ assets as similar and also the underdevelopment of markets and liquidity problems (more pronounced due to periods of turmoil).