Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A test of a multilevel model of personnel selection in a customer service organization

A Test of a Multilevel Model of Personnel Selection in a Customer Service Organization. (December 2004) Mary Kathleen Sheehan, B.A., Purdue University; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Winfred Arthur, Jr. The objective of the current study was to provide an initial empirical test of the Schneider, Smith, and Sipe (2000) multilevel model of personnel selection. The Schneider et al. (2000) model expanded the traditional approach to validating selection systems to include the impact that selection systems have on the broader organizational system. The current project provided an empirical test of this model by extending the traditional individual-differences approach to validation research and including groupand organization-criteria (e.g., unit-level performance and customer satisfaction). Using a quasi-experimental design, archival data from a managerial development and selection program were analyzed to examine several relationships proposed in the Schneider et al. (2000) model. The current study provided limited support for the Schneider et al. (2000) model. There were several limitations in the current study associated with the use of archival data, but the current study provides an initial indication of practical problems associated with empirically testing the model. While intuitively appealing, testing the
Compact Quadruple Therapy with the Lamivudine/Zidovudine Combination Tablet Plus Abacavir and Efavirenz, Followed by the Lamivudine/Zidovudine/Abacavir Triple Nucleoside Tablet Plus Efavirenz in Treatment-Naïve HIV-Infected Adults

Abstract Purpose: To assess efficacy, safety, and adherence with compact quadruple therapy comprising one lamivudine 150-mg/zidovudine 300-mg tablet (COM) twice daily + one abacavir (ABC) 300-mg tablet twice daily + three efavirenz (EFV) 200-mg capsules at bedtime for 24 weeks, followed by one lamivudine 150-mg/zidovudine 300-mg/ABC 300-mg triple nucleoside tablet (TZV) twice daily + three EFV 200-mg capsules at bedtime for 24 weeks. Method: A pilot 48-week, prospective, open-label trial in which 38 antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected adults (baseline median HIV-1 RNA 5.1 log10 copies/mL, CD4+ cell count 285/μL) received the above treatment and were monitored regularly with respect to plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, CD4+ cell counts, T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), adherence, and adverse events. Results: At Week 48, intent-to-treat, switch-included analysis showed plasma HIV-1 RNA levels <400 copies/mL in 100% (29/29) of patients and <50 copies/mL in 93% (27/29); 59% of patients who achieved <50 copies/mL had <3 copies/mL (16/27). Similar virologic suppression was observed in patients with baseline HIV-1 RNA above or below 100,000 copies/mL. HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ cell counts changed from baseline by a median of –3.4 log10 copies/mL and +172 cells/μL, respectively. One virologic failure occurred at Week 16. Median TRECs/100,000 peripheral blood lymphocytes increased 6-fold between baseline and Week 48. Median adherence rates were consistently 100% by self-report and 94% by pill count. Grade 2-4 treatment-related adverse events included dreams (16%), nausea (13%), decreased white cells (8%), dizziness (8%), sleep disorders (8%), and malaise and fatigue (8%). A suspected ABC hypersensitivity reaction occurred in 8% (3/38) of patients. Conclusion: COM/ABC/EFV or TZV/EFV produced potent, durable virologic suppression and immunologic benefits, was associated with high adherence rates, and was generally well tolerated.
Electroconvulsive Therapy in a Patient with Tourette's Syndrome and Co-morbid Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Summary Various strategies have been implemented to treat Tourette's syndrome (TS) and the frequently associated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). While pharmacological interventions are widely used and have proven efficacy in the treatment of both disorders, ECT has not been considered a firstline treatment option. A few anecdotal reports of treatment with ECT for patients with co-morbid depression and tic disorder are available in the literature. ECT also has been used in the treatment of refractory OCD. We present the case of a 39-yearold female patient, who has chronically suffered from both TS and OCD. After a course of nine electroconvulsive treatments, her symptomatology resolved fairly rapidly. Monthly outpatient ECT sessions were arranged in order to sustain the positive treatment outcome. Since then, remission of both disorders has been maintained successfully for more than a year.
The Business Ethics and Innovation Management Performance of IT Service Firm’s in Korea

Abstract Submitted：July 11, 2014 1 st Revision：October 10, 2014 Accepted：October 16, 2014* 가천대학교 경영대학 교수This paper discussed about business ethics and innovation manag ement performance of IT service firms in Korea. To prove empirically the research hypothesis, the statistical a nalysis was based on the response from the 92 IT Service firms in Korean.As analysis results, it was found that the business ethics of o rganizations were the effect factors of the innovation management performance. And the knowledge competency and creati vity are confirmed as a mediator between the business ethics and innovation management performance. So this paper suggests that business ethics in organizations are the important factor for enhancement of IT service firm’s i nnovation performance. Specially the mediation effects of knowledge competency and creativity variables were proved em pirically for the relation between the business ethics and innovation management performance.So it is desirable that knowledge-based service firms, for exam ple IT service firms, have to strive to upgrade their level of business ethics and to link with their creativity and knowledge competency.
Tramadol in Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of tramadol for relieving neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsThirty-six patients with SCI and neuropathic pain were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, and 35 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis based on all patients taking at least 1 dose of study medication. Of the intention-to-treat population, 23 were randomized to treatment with tramadol and 12 to placebo. Patients were given study medication for 4 weeks, starting with 3 times 50 mg tramadol daily or 3 times 1 tablet of placebo. ResultsAt evaluation, 4 weeks after the treatment initiation, ratings of pain intensity were lower in those randomized to tramadol compared with those on placebo. Pain severity scores on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory had also decreased in patients on tramadol. No between-group differences in pain affect were observed. Adverse events were substantial and caused 43% of those on tramadol and 17% on placebo to withdraw from the study. DiscussionTramadol might be tried for neuropathic pain after SCI after the use of gabapentin/pregabalin, and tricyclic antidepressants have been found to be insufficient. Titration should be slow and individual, to minimize the risk of adverse events.
Influence of Feature Selection on Naïve Bayes Classifier for Recognizing Patterns in Cardiotocograms

Cardiotocography is a technical procedure that consists in recording the fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine activity (UA) during the last months of a pregnancy. Cardiotocogram (CTG) analysis consists in identifying some patterns associated to fetal activity in order to detect potential fetal pathologies. Several automatic classification methods have been already tested on CTG data sets, while a few feature selection (FS) methods have been considered. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of FS on the performance of a naïve Bayes classifier for FHR patterns and fetal states. We empirically compare the performance of several models using four different FS methods (Correlation-based, ReliefF, Information Gain, and Mutual Information). We find that ReliefF yields to a better performance for fetal state classification, while no FS method worth the effort for FHR pattern classification. 
Nonobstructive coronary disease leading to STEMI: assessment of residual stenosis after thrombus aspiration

AimsNonobstructive coronary atherosclerotic lesions can lead to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Thrombus aspiration during a primary percutaneous coronary intervention provides a setting to evaluate the degree of stenosis of culprit lesions leading to STEMI. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of culprit lesion residual stenosis after thrombus aspiration and to compare the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics between patients with obstructive versus nonobstructive residual stenosis. Methods and resultsFrom a single-center registry of 483 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 172 patients underwent thrombus aspiration and were eligible for our study. We defined two groups according to the residual stenosis after thrombus aspiration: group A (n=119, 69%) with residual stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, and group B (n=53, 31%) with residual stenosis less than 50%. In terms of the baseline angiographic characteristics, patients with residual stenosis less than 50% had significantly lower prevalence of multivessel disease (15.1 vs. 46.2%, P<0.001). On multivariable analysis of the preprocedural variables, absence of vascular disease (odds ratio 4.99, 95% confidence interval 1.08–23.12, P=0.040) and age less than 59 years (odds ratio 2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.25–5.73, P=0.011) were independent predictors of culprit residual stenosis less than 50%. ConclusionIn this population, a significant proportion of patients with STEMI had nonobstructive residual stenosis after thrombus aspiration. These patients were younger, had a lower prevalence of vascular disease in other vascular territories, and less multivessel disease, suggesting an earlier stage of atherosclerosis.
Portfolios of Buyer-Supplier Relationships

A survey on supplier relationships administered to 447 managers from the major U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers showed that these firms do not manage primarily by strategic partnerships, but instead participate in various types of relationships. The author proposes and empirically validates a framework for managing a portfolio of relationships that will help senior managers answer two key questions: Which governance structure or relational design should a firm choose under certain external contingencies? What is the appropriate way to manage each type of relationship? The survey examined the specific investment of buyers and suppliers from both national samples in four types of relationships: strategic partnership, market exchange, captive buyer, and captive supplier. Interestingly, the level of investment made by either party in every type of relationship significantly correlated with practices commonly associated with strategic partnerships, such as long-term relationships, mutual trust, cooperation, and wide-scope relationships that include multiple components. No one type of buyer-supplier relationship ? not even the strategic partnership ? was inherently superior, which suggests that each can be well or poorly managed. Firms successfully manage supply chains by matching relationship type to specific product, market, and supplier conditions and by adopting an appropriate management approach for each type of relationship. Findings also countered the popular belief that Japanese firms tend to manage their suppliers using highly dedicated relationships or strategic partnerships. They appear to conduct business with a smaller ratio of strategic partnerships than is commonly believed (19 percent of the sample) and to extensively use market-exchange relationships (31 percent) ? a practice usually associated with Western manufacturers. The author provides a contextual profile of product and market conditions most conducive to each type of relationship and discusses the management features common to the best performers in each category. By consciously and systematically matching the design of each relationship to its external context, product executives can stifle the urge to join the sweeping fad of strategic partnerships and avoid underdesigning and overdesigning external relationships.
Factors associated with poorly-controlled hypertension in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION Hypertension is highly prevalent among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications. This study examines the risk factors associated with poorly-controlled hypertension in CAPD. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 66 stable adult CAPD patients to evaluate their hypertension control over a period of three to four months and their associations with other clinical and laboratory parameters. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 56.7 (plus or minus 1.27) years. Their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 139 (plus or minus 2.59) mmHg and 77 (plus or minus 1.35) mmHg respectively; 71 percent of them were on antihypertensive drugs. Thirty (45.5 percent) patients had high blood pressure greater than 140/90mmHg. Compared with patients with normal blood pressure, patients with high blood pressure received significantly more antihypertensive drugs (p-value equals 0.034) and were more likely to be clinically overloaded (p-value less than 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that systolic blood pressure was predicted by volume expansion (p-value less than 0.001) while diastolic blood pressure was negatively predicted by age (p-value equals to 0.004). In addition, volume overload was predicted positively by dialysate/plasma creatinine (p-value equals 0.011) and negatively by serum albumin (p-value less than 0.001). CONCLUSION Clinically-apparent volume overload was associated with poor systolic blood pressure control despite aggressive antihypertensive drug therapy. This finding underlines the importance of fluid control and could provide an explanation of the poor outcome observed in patients with high peritoneal transport.
A biological standard for measurement of blood coagulation Factor VIII activity.

Because of the instability of Factor VIII (antihaemophilic factor) in plasma in vitro, and since evidence has accumulated that the level of activity varies significantly between samples of "fresh normal plasma", it is apparent that a stable biological standard is required.Two freeze-dried preparations of Factor VIII, one plasma and one concentrate preparation, were prepared and have been assayed in a collaborative trial by 20 laboratories in 9 countries.The laboratories used their own methods and altogether 248 assays were carried out. Comparison of materials of similar type gave precise estimates with all the methods used, but when materials dissimilar in type and in Factor VIII content were compared less precise results were obtained. Sources of variation, such as differences in method, differences between operators, and day-to-day variations, were analysed.Accelerated degradation tests, carried out on the freeze-dried plasma and concentrate preparations, showed that Factor VIII activity was sufficiently stable in the concentrate for it to be used as a long-term standard but that the Factor VIII activity was less stable in the plasma preparation.
A test of the relationship between sequence and structure in proteins: Excision of the heme binding site in apocytochrome b5

The water‐soluble domain of rat hepatic holocytochrome b5 is anαβ protein containing elements of secondary structure in the sequence βl ‐α l ‐β4‐β3‐α2‐α3‐β5‐α4‐α5‐β2‐α6. The heme group is enclosed by four helices,α2,α3,α4, andα5. To test the hypothesis that a small b hemoprotein can be constructed in two parts, one forming the heme site, the other an organizing scaffold, a protein fragment corresponding to βl‐αl‐β4‐β3‐Δ‐β2‐α6 was prepared, where Δ is a seven‐residue linker bypassing the heme binding site. The fragment (“abridged b5”) was found to containα and β secondary structure by circular dichroism spectroscopy and tertiary structure by Trp fluorescence emission spectroscopy. NMR data revealed a species with spectral properties similar to those of the full‐length apoprotein. This folded form is in slow equilibrium on the chemical shift time scale with other less folded species. Thermal denaturation, as monitored by circular dichroism, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as size‐exclusion chromatography‐fast protein liquid chromatography (SEC‐FPLC), confirmed the coexistence of at least two distinct conformational ensembles. It was concluded that the protein fragment is capable of adopting a specific fold likely related to that of cytochrome b5, but does not achieve high thermodynamic stability and cooperativity. Abridged b5 demonstrates that the spliced sequence contains the information necessary to fold the protein. It suggests that the dominating influence to restrict the conformational space searched by the chain is structural propensities at a local level rather than internal packing. The sequence also holds the properties necessary to generate a barrier to unfolding.
Influence of rBAT-Mediated Amino Acid Transport on Cytosolic pH

rBAT, together with its subunit b0,+ AT mediates the hetero- and homoexchange of neutral and dibasic amino acids. Since the heteroexchange of dibasic amino acids against neutral amino acids is coupled to net transport of positive charge, this transport is electrogenic. Extracellular addition of histidine could create an inward or an outward current depending on extracellular pH (pHe) and cell membrane potential. It has been concluded that histidine may be transported in both its protonated and its neutral form. In this study measurements of cytosolic pH (pHi) were performed to test this hypothesis. As a result, addition of protonated histidine at acidic pHe to Xenopus oocytes expressing rBAT creates an inward current which is paralleled by cytosolic acidification. Both can be reduced by increase of pHe. At alkaline pHe and simultaneous depolarization of the cell membrane the effect of histidine on pHi is virtually abolished. The neutral amino acid leucine does not alter cytosolic pH at neither pH 6.0 nor at pH 8.0. In conclusion, histidine can be transported in either its neutral or its protonated form. Transport of the protonated form is facilitated by extracellular acidification and hyperpolarization of the cell membrane.
Hydrolysis at One of the Two Nucleotide-binding Sites Drives the Dissociation of ATP-binding Cassette Nucleotide-binding Domain Dimers*

Background: Nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) of ABC proteins bind two ATPs, but it is unknown whether dissociation follows hydrolysis of one or both ATPs. Results: NBD dimers with one or two sites capable of ATP hydrolysis dissociate at the same rate. Conclusion: NBD dimers dissociate following a single ATP hydrolysis event. Significance: Understanding ABC proteins will help develop strategies to modify their function in disease. The functional unit of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters consists of two transmembrane domains and two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). ATP binding elicits association of the two NBDs, forming a dimer in a head-to-tail arrangement, with two nucleotides “sandwiched” at the dimer interface. Each of the two nucleotide-binding sites is formed by residues from the two NBDs. We recently found that the prototypical NBD MJ0796 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii dimerizes in response to ATP binding and dissociates completely following ATP hydrolysis. However, it is still unknown whether dissociation of NBD dimers follows ATP hydrolysis at one or both nucleotide-binding sites. Here, we used luminescence resonance energy transfer to study heterodimers formed by one active (donor-labeled) and one catalytically defective (acceptor-labeled) NBD. Rapid mixing experiments in a stop-flow chamber showed that NBD heterodimers with one functional and one inactive site dissociated at a rate indistinguishable from that of dimers with two hydrolysis-competent sites. Comparison of the rates of NBD dimer dissociation and ATP hydrolysis indicated that dissociation followed hydrolysis of one ATP. We conclude that ATP hydrolysis at one nucleotide-binding site drives NBD dimer dissociation.
Infusing Information Technology into the Core Business Curriculum: A Change Management Project

Many modern businesses have implemented information technology in a seamless inter-functional manner based on integrated databases. However, few business schools have followed suit by integrating information technology seamlessly into core curricula. Proprietary enterprise resource planning software packages show promise but have not been adopted in a widespread manner by academic departments for various reasons. Consequently, large numbers of business students are not as prepared for the work environment as they could be. This case study describes the initial processes to integrate information technology intensively into a university’s core business curriculum. It illustrates the application of change management and the use of Product Model to develop web-based applications for classes and database applications for end-users. Benefits for students and other stakeholders explained.
Regional Blockade in Patients with a History of a Seizure Disorder

BACKGROUND: Systemic local anesthetic toxicity is a potential complication in patients undergoing regional anesthesia, particularly during procedures requiring large doses of local anesthetic, such as epidurals, caudals, and peripheral nerve blocks. It is unknown whether patients with a history of a seizure disorder are at an increased risk of central nervous system toxicity (seizures) after local anesthetic administration. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with documented history of a seizure disorder who underwent epidural, caudal, or peripheral nerve block from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 2001. Patient demographics, character of the seizure disorder, details of the regional procedure, and seizure activity in the perioperative period were recorded. The rate of seizure due to local anesthetic toxicity per 10,000 anesthetics was estimated using a point estimate and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: During the 14-yr study period, 411 procedures in 335 patients with a seizure disorder were identified. Twenty-four patients experienced postoperative seizure activity. The timing of the most recent (preoperative) seizure was found to be significantly related to the likelihood of experiencing a postoperative seizure (P < 0.001). Based on the extended time interval between local anesthetic injection and/or termination of the infusion and the event, it was determined that the regional anesthetic was neither the primary etiology nor a contributing factor for the seizure in 19 of the 24 patients. In the remaining five patients, perioperative seizure activity was characteristic of their usual seizures. Although unlikely to be the cause of the seizure, local anesthetic toxicity could not be absolutely excluded as a contributing factor to the event in these five patients. Assuming that none of the seizures was related to local anesthetic toxicity the estimated incidence is 0 per 10,000 (95% CI 0–89 per 10,000). Conversely, if the seizures were related to local anesthetic toxicity in the five cases, the incidence is increased to 120 per 10,000 (95% CI 40–280 per 10,000). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that majority of seizures occurring in the perioperative period in patients with a preexisting seizure disorder are likely related to the patient’s underlying condition and that regional anesthesia in these patients is not contraindicated. Furthermore, because the likelihood of a postoperative seizure is increased in patients with a recent seizure, it is essential to be prepared to treat seizure activity, regardless of the anesthetic and analgesic technique.