Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological contracts: enhancing understanding of the expatriation experience

Abstract In this introduction, we undertake a critical review of the state of research examining psychological contracts (PCs) as they pertain to the experience of expatriation and expatriates. Though expatriation as an activity has diversified greatly in recent decades – with the growth of self-initiated expatriation, more short-term, flexible and commuter assignments and a broadening of the expatriate profile with a wider range of people choosing to expatriate – there has been limited research published thus far examining expatriates’ perceptions of their PC and how it is affected by working inter-culturally. This introduction briefly traces the history of PC research and expatriates/expatriation and the employment relationship, and then considers the extant research specifically examining PCs in relation to expatriates/expatriation. The articles included in the special issue address a range of areas identified in the call for papers and provide valuable insights into expatriation and expatriates’ experience including: expatriate PC breach; expatriate PC fulfilment; pre- and post-assignment PC as perceived by repatriates; PC of flexpatriates; and, episodic formation of expatriate PCs. Given the relatively underexplored area of expatriate/expatriation-related PC research, the special issue establishes a platform for undertaking future research in this field.
A Reconfigurability-Based Security Service Path Construction Scheme

Due to serious risks for network, security improvement has become an essential measure for next-generation network. To improve the security environment effectively, we propose a novel security service path (SSP) construction scheme based on reconfigurable mechanism in this paper. Initially, we present the concept of security service atomization and adaptiveness. Subsequently, considering different network security factors, a novel SSP selection method with corresponding model is established and performed to optimize the path. The results demonstrate that the proposed solution meets the security requirements and greatly improves the efficiency of network resources.
Involvement of the 5-HT1A Receptors in Classical Fear Conditioning in C57BL/6J Mice

The present study examined the involvement of the 5-HT1A receptors in classical fear conditioning using the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyloamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT) and the selective “silent” 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclo-hexane carboxamide trihydrochloride (WAY 100635). The drugs were administered both subcutaneously and bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus of male C57BL/6J mice. The training was performed in a single trial in which a tone was followed by a footshock. The retention of context- and tone-dependent fear was examined in separate tests conducted either 1 or 24 hr after training. Subcutaneous 8-OH-DPAT (0.1–1.0 mg/kg), when injected before but not after training, caused a dose-dependent impairment of contextual fear in both 1 and 24 hr tests, whereas tone-dependent fear was less affected. Pretraining intrahippocampal injections of 5.0 μg but not 1.0 μg 8-OH-DPAT caused a severe deficit in contextual fear when tested 24 hr after training. When injected both subcutaneously and intrahippocampally, 8-OH-DPAT induced the 5-HT syndrome, indicative of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor activation at the dose ranges that impaired fear conditioning. However, the behavioral changes induced by 8-OH-DPAT at the time of training could not account for inhibitory effects of 8-OH-DPAT on fear conditioning. Neither subcutaneous (0.03 mg/kg) nor intrahippocampal (0.5 μg per mouse) WAY 100635 altered context- or tone-dependent fear. However, subcutaneous WAY 100635 blocked both the 5-HT syndrome and the impairment of fear conditioning induced by subcutaneous or intrahippocampal 8-OH-DPAT. In contrast, intrahippocampal WAY 100635 blocked the impairment caused by intrahippocampal but not subcutaneous 8-OH-DPAT, indicating the involvement of extrahippocampal 5-HT1A receptors in fear conditioning. It is concluded that the deficits in fear conditioning induced by 8-OH-DPAT are a result of postsynaptic 5-HT1Areceptor activation that interferes with learning processes operating at acquisition but not consolidation. Furthermore, the dorsohippocampal 5-HT1A receptors play an important but not exclusive role in the limbic circuitry subserving contextual fear conditioning.
The Determinants of International Capital Flows: Evidence from Emerging Market Economies

The withdrawal of international capital flows from emerging countries induces comprehensive concern about emerging market economies growth. This paper estimate a panel VAR to research the determinant factor of international capital flows based on 26 emerging market economies. The results suggest that vxo index and domestic economy growth have a significant effect on international capital flows, they account for about 16% of international capital flows, but the interest rate difference between domestic and U.S. market and U.S. economy growth have a week effect. And the present international capital flows could strongly affect the next period. The empirical results are significant for managing emerging countries’ international capital flows.
Factors affecting the production of Trichoderma harzianum secondary metabolites during the interaction with different plant pathogens

Aims: Strains of Trichoderma spp. produce numerous bioactive secondary metabolites. The in vitro production and antibiotic activities of the major compounds synthesized by Trichoderma harzianum strains T22 and T39 against Leptosphaeria maculans, Phytophthora cinnamomi and Botrytis cinerea were evaluated. Moreover, the eliciting effect of viable or nonviable biomasses of Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum or B. cinerea on the in vitro production of these metabolites was also investigated.
Low-power read circuit with self-adjusted column pulse width for diode-switch resistive RAMs

In this letter, a new read circuit with self-adjusted column pulse width is proposed for low-power applications of resistive memories. In the conventional read circuit, its column pulse width is determined by the worst-case value of the cell resistance variations thereby the pulse width being longer than required when the resistance variations are not in the worst case. In this paper, to alleviate power loss due to this long column pulse width, the column pulse width is self-adjusted according to the resistance variations thus unnecessary power loss being able to be reduced significantly. The power consumption during the read is expected to be less by 28.6% than the conventional circuit when the SET resistance is its mean value as large as 2kΩ . The Monte Carlo simulation also shows that the power consumption of the proposed circuit is reduced by 25% in average than the conventional.
Ephrins stimulate or inhibit neurite outgrowth and survival as a function of neuronal cell type

The Eph family of tyrosine kinase receptors and ligands play key roles in cell segregation and axon targeting in the developing nervous system. Interactions between the ligands and receptors cause repulsion or degeneration of receptor‐positive axons from several brain regions including the retina, hippocampus, thalamus, and midbrain dopaminergic system. We extend these previous observations by showing that three A‐ephrins also negatively regulate the growth of neurites from striatal and olfactory neurons. In addition to negative effects, however, we also report a trophic activity of the A‐ephrins: Ephrin‐A2 and A5 promote survival and neurite outgrowth of sympathetic neurons. These observations provide support to the notion that ephrins may function as either negative or positive signals in the developing nervous system. J. Neurosci. Res. 60:427–436, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maintenance Treatment for GERD: Residual Symptoms Are Associated with Psychological Distress

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore determinants of residual reflux symptoms among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) despite maintenance treatment with acid suppressive medication (ASM). Methods: Primary care GERD patients on chronic ASM were classified as symptom-free (55%) or symptomatic (45%) according to the impact of their residual reflux symptoms (QolRad). They were compared with respect to lifestyle (BMI, alcohol, smoking, physical exercise), compliance (daily ASM dosage), disease history, psychological factors (SCL-90) and quality of life (SF-36). Results: None of the investigated lifestyle factors, nor dosage and disease history were related to residual symptoms. However, symptomatic patients differed from patients with relief on all psychological and quality of life dimensions. In a multiple logistic regression model somatization, hostility, mental health, body pain, as well as gender were independently associated with residual symptoms; the derived ROC curve had an AUC of 0.78. Conclusions: The majority of GERD patients is symptom-free on chronic ASM; they display a healthy psychological state and high quality of life. Residual symptoms however, are associated with psychological distress and lower quality of life. Recognition of this subgroup might hold the key to improving long-term management of gastroesophageal reflux.
Current Rehabilitation Practices for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Focus and Gaps

ABSTRACT Aims: To describe the focus of therapy practices in occupational and physical therapy for school-aged children with cerebral palsy, and better understand whether it is congruent with recommended practices. Methods: A Canada-wide Web-based survey was completed by 62 occupational and 61 physical therapists to identify problems, assessments, and treatment interventions for two case-based scenarios. Data were coded using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) definitions for “body functions and structure,” “activity and participation,” and “environment. ” Results: Physical therapists, in comparison to occupational therapists, were more likely to select interventions classed in the “body functions and structure” category (34–42% and 18–20%, respectively). Both professions focused on “activity and participation” (34–61%) when identifying problems, assessing, and intervening; attention, however, was mainly directed towards task-oriented activities such as activities of daily living and mobility. Participation in leisure or community-based activities received less attention (2–15%). The environment received limited attention for problems and assessments (4–25%), though it was an important focus of intervention (19–37%). Conclusions: While body functions and structure are well-addressed, other ICF elements, specifically participation, are poorly integrated into practice. The emerging focus on the environment in therapy intervention, by modifying the context rather than changing aspects of the child, is consistent with current approaches and evidence. Knowledge translation implementation initiatives are recommended to bridge identified gaps.
The discovery of methionine sulfoxide reductase enzymes: An historical account and future perspectives

l‐methionine (l‐Met) is the only sulphur‐containing proteinogenic amino acid together with cysteine. Its importance is highlighted by it being the initiator amino acid for protein synthesis in all known living organisms. l‐Met, free or inserted into proteins, is sensitive to oxidation of its sulfide moiety, with formation of l‐Met sulfoxide. The sulfoxide could not be inserted into proteins, and the oxidation of l‐Met in proteins often leads to the loss of biological activity of the affected molecule. Key discoveries revealed the existence, in rats, of a metabolic pathway for the reduction of free l‐Met sulfoxide and, later, in Escherichia coli, of the enzymatic reduction of l‐Met sulfoxide inserted in proteins. Upon oxidation, the sulphur atom becomes a new stereogenic center, and two stable diastereoisomers of l‐Met sulfoxide exist. A fundamental discovery revealed the existence of two unrelated families of enzymes, MsrA and MsrB, whose members display opposite stereospecificity of reduction for the two sulfoxides. The importance of Msrs is additionally emphasized by the discovery that one of the only 25 selenoproteins expressed in humans is a Msr. The milestones on the road that led to the discovery and characterization of this group of antioxidant enzymes are recounted in this review. © 2015 BioFactors, 41(3):135–152, 2015
Morphological and Morphometric Changes of Pituitary Lactotrophs of Viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) in Relation to Reproductive Cycle, Age, and Sex

Lactotrophs in pituitary pars distalis (PD) of viscacha were studied by immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis in the following groups: 1) adult males throughout the reproductive cycle (reproductive, gonadal regression, and recovery periods), 2) melatonin‐treated adults, 3) castrated adults, 4) prepubertal, 5) non‐pregnant females, and 6) pregnant females (early, mid, and late pregnancy). Immunopositive percentage area (%IA), cell percentage in PD (% PDC), number of cells per reference area (no.cell/RA), major cellular and nuclear diameters were analyzed. Lactotrophs were mainly localized in the ventro–medial region and the caudal extreme of PD. In the male viscachas, they were isolated in small and big groups, close to blood vessels and near follicles. These cells were pleomorphic and with a heterogeneous cytoplasmic immunolabeling pattern. In the adult males of the gonadal regression period the morphometric parameters were the lowest. Most parameters of lactotrophs in the prepubertal were significantly lower than in the adult males in the reproductive period. In the melatonin‐treated animals and in castrated animals there was a decrease in %IA, %PDC, and no.cell/RA. In the females, the morphometric parameters increased at the end of pregnancy. Non‐pregnant females exhibited a higher immunopositive area and number, but a smaller size of cells than males. Our results showed that in the adult male viscacha, lactotrophs vary seasonally, probably due to the photoperiod effect through melatonin. Besides the changes observed after castration, in prepubertal animals, in adults of different sex, and during pregnancy suggest that the gonadal steroid hormones might modify the lactotrophs activity. Anat Rec, 293:150–161, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interferon treatment of a transplantable rat colon adenocarcinoma: Importance of tumor site

The effect of partially purified rat interferon (RIFN) was evaluated in CC531 colon tumor‐bearing rats. Tumor CC531 is a DMH‐induced, transplantable adenocarcinoma exhibiting weak immunogenicity. When small tumor fragments were implanted under the renal capsule, daily treatment with RIFN for 5 days led to a highly significant (p <0.001) inhibition of tumor growth, measured 7 days after implantation. Cyclic treatment with RIFN (105 units/kg/day, for 7 days in weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8) significantly retarded the development of artificial lung metastases, induced by intravenous (i.v.) injection of 5 × 105 colon tumor cells. The median survival time was 177 days in the RIFN group as compared to 116 days in the control group. Three of eight animals treated with RIFN showed no sign of lung metastases when they were killed 250 days after tumor cell injection. The same cyclic RIFN treatment which was effective in the lung metastases model had no influence on the growth of liver metastases evoked by the intraportal injection of 5 × 105 tumor cells. Laparotomy performed at days 30 and 50 after inoculation revealed equal numbers of liver metastases in the RIFN‐treated group and the control group. The mean survival times obtained in the two groups were 96±20 days and 108±14 days, respectively (0.05
A comparative study of isolated and metachronous oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma with antecedent upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

OBJECTIVES Metachronous oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been increasing in long-term survivors of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers in recent years, but the treatment of such cases is not well established. The aim of this study was to compare the prognosis between patients with metachronous OSCC who had antecedent UADT cancers and patients with isolated OSCC. METHODS From January 1995 to December 2009, we retrospectively compared the data from 84 patients with metachronous OSCC who had antecedent UADT cancers (metachronous group) with the data from 527 patients with isolated OSCC (isolated group) according to their treatment modalities at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. RESULTS Overall, the metachronous group had significantly (P = 0.03) worse overall survival than the isolated group. For patients receiving surgery or preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, the overall survival rates and incidence of postoperative complications were not significantly different. For patients receiving definite chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone, the metachronous group had significantly (P = 0.02) inferior overall survival compared with the isolated group. CONCLUSIONS Offering a radical approach for the treatment of patients with metachronous OSCC who had antecedent UADT cancers is justifiable, with survival rates similar to those of patients with isolated OSCC.
Factors affecting first-month adherence to antiretroviral therapy amongHIV-positive adults in South Africa

This study explores the influence of baseline factors on first-month adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among adults. The study design involved a review of routinely collected patient information in the CAPRISA AIDS Treatment (CAT) programme, at a rural and an urban clinic in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The records of 688 patients enrolled in the CAT programme between June 2004 and September 2006 were analysed. Adherence was calculated from pharmacy records (pill counts) and patients were considered adherent if they had taken at least 95% of their prescribed drugs. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data and account for confounding factors. During the first month of therapy, 79% of the patients were adherent to HAART. HAART adherence was negatively associated with a higher baseline CD4 count. Women had better adherence if they attended voluntarily testing and counselling or if they had taken an HIV test because they were unwell, while men had higher adherence if they were tested due to perceived risk of HIV infection. HAART adherence was positively associated with higher age among patients who possessed cell phones and among patients who provided a source of income in the urban setting, but not in the rural setting. Though long-term data from this cohort is required to fully evaluate the impact of non-adherence in the first month of treatment, this study identifies specific groups of patients at higher risk for whom adherence counselling should be targeted and tailored. For example, first-month HAART adherence can be improved by targeting patients initiated on treatment with a high CD4 count.
European Union Expansion and the Euro: Croatia, Iceland and Turkey

This paper uses real exchange rate variability and the adjustment time for real exchange rate changes to assess the viability of adopting the euro for the nine European countries. The results suggest that Croatia and Lithuania are the only European Union countries that have convergence and minimal real exchange rate volatility when shocks occur. The persistence of real exchange rate changes and slow adjustment times suggest that the viability of euro zone membership for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Iceland requires greater integration. The results also indicate that the costs associated with adopting a common currency are high for Romania and Turkey.
Tetratricopeptide Repeat Protein-Associated Proteins Contribute to the Virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis

ABSTRACT Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the most etiologically important microorganisms in periodontal disease. We found in a previous study that PG1385 (TprA) protein, a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein, was upregulated in P. gingivalis wild-type cells placed in a mouse subcutaneous chamber and that a tprA mutant was clearly less virulent in the mouse subcutaneous abscess model (M. Yoshimura et al., Oral Microbiol. Immunol. 23:413-418, 2008). In the present study, we investigated the gene expression profile of tprA mutant cells placed in a mouse subcutaneous chamber and found that 9 genes, including PG2102 (tapA), PG2101 (tapB), and PG2100 (tapC) genes, were downregulated in the tprA mutant compared with those in the wild type. Expression of a cluster of tapA, tapB, and tapC genes of the mutant was also downregulated in an in vitro culture with enriched brain heart infusion medium. The TprA protein has three TPR motifs known as a protein-protein interaction module. Yeast two-hybrid system analysis and in vitro protein binding assays with immunoprecipitation and surface plasmon resonance detection revealed that the TprA protein could bind to TapA and TapB proteins. TprA and TapB proteins were located in the periplasmic space, whereas TapA, which appeared to be one of the C-terminal domain family proteins, was located at the outer membrane. We constructed tapA, tapB, and tapC single mutants and a tapA-tapB-tapC deletion mutant. In the mouse subcutaneous infection experiment, all of the mutants were less virulent than the wild type. These results suggest that TprA, TapA, TapB, and TapC are cooperatively involved in P. gingivalis virulence.
A strong myelin thickness‐axon size correlation emerges in developing nerves despite independent growth of both parameters

The axon determines whether or not it is myelinated by the Schwann cell. At maturity there is a positive correlation between sheath thickness and axon calibre. This correlation is initially very low or absent, but gradually strengthens during development. This increase could come about because the axon continuously controls Schwann cell myelinating activity, so that a given axon calibre is associated with a particular myelin sheath thickness, an interaction which would entail the Schwann cell continuously monitoring and responding to axon size. This seems unnecessarily complex. This theoretical study shows that the strong correlation between the 2 parameters within a given myelinated fibre population may come about in a much simpler way than outlined above. This is demonstrated by modelling the growth and myelination of a hypothetical population, utilising data from earlier studies on cervical ventral motoneuron axon development. The hypothesis tested shows that the only instructive interactions by the axon on the Schwann cell necessary for the strong correlation between the 2 parameters to emerge are for the initiation of myelination, its continuation and its termination. These could result from a single stimulus being switched on, persisting for a time and being switched off. Under this influence, the Schwann cell is assumed to proceed to form the myelin sheath at a constant rate which it itself inherently determines, in the absence of any quantitative influence exerted by the axon. This continues until the stimulus for myelination ceases to emanate from the axon. The validity of the hypothesis is demonstrated, because the resulting myelin‐axon relationships correspond closely to those observed during development.