bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a traditional selection system in predicting success of females in officer training
Authors: TZINER AHARON , DOLAN SHIMON 
Published: August 2011

This study focuses on the evaluation of a traditional selection system for identifying the officer potential of women applicants for commissioned service in the Israeli military. Four hundred applicants were assessed utilizing well‐designed traditional instruments. The performance on each of these instruments was validated against the final score attained by the applicants in officer training.The best predictor was found to be the peer nomination score. It was also found that a differentially weighted composite of the predictors was superior to an equal weighted composite. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to the use of a well‐designed traditional selection system as an alternative to the assessment centre procedure for identifying officer potential.
Occupational first aid training: Decay in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills
Authors: McKENNA STEPHEN P. , GLENDON A. IAN 
Published: August 2011

One hundred and twenty four occupational first aiders were tested on their ability to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at varying times following training (up to three years). Expert assessment of printouts from a Recording Resusci‐Anne manikin indicated that only 12 per cent of those tested would be capable of carrying out effective CPR. Measures derived from the same printouts showed that there was a rapid and linear decay in CPR skills over time with fewer than 20 per cent of subjects achieving a score of 75 per cent on performance after only six months had elapsed since training.Variables such as age, sex, height, weight and practice on a manikin were not found to influence performance.Despite certain drawbacks in the design of the study it is clear that retraining in CPR skills should be more frequent than the three years recommended by present industrial first aid legislation.
Management selection in Britain: A survey and critique
Authors: ROBERTSON IVAN T. , MAKIN PETER J. 
Published: August 2011

The results of a survey of the techniques used for managerial selection from 108 organizations in Great Britain are presented. The results reveal that, whilst the usage by large organizations of assessment centre type exercises and biodata is increasing, most organizations still select managers on the basis of interviews and references.It is argued that psychological research and theory should have a bigger impact on selection practice. The limitations of current research and theory are discussed under the headings of criterion measures, validity and utility, and predictors.
A review of the effects of non‐verbal cues on the performance appraisal process
Authors: DE MEUSE KENNETH P. 
Published: August 2011

Forty‐six empirical studies directly investigating the effects of three classes of nonverbal variables (demographic cues, physical appearance, non‐verbal behaviours) on performance appraisal were reviewed. In addition, relevant social psychological and communication research in the areas of person perception and impression formation was highlighted. The review indicated that the effects of non‐verbal cues on person perception in general, and performance appraisal in particular, are significant and varied. The review also revealed that (a) the majority of performance appraisal literature has exclusively examined demographic cues, (b) potential interactions among the three classes of non‐verbal variables have been generally ignored, and (c) most of the research is non‐theoretical. In an attempt to remedy this situation, a conceptual framework within which to examine the impact of non‐verbal cues on the performance appraisal process was proposed.Research in performance has been conducted explicitly for over 40 years (and implicitly since the time of Aristotle). We know lots of little things about the topic. A major obstacle to increasing our understanding of the bigger issues in performance theory seems to be the absence of a clear agenda for research and thinking. We have been bogged down in the technology of performance assessment and have paid little attention to the theory which must support this technology (Landy et al., 1983, p. xi).
Robotics: A challenge for occupational psychology*
Authors: Shenkar Oded 
Published: August 2011

Increasingly pervasive in modern industrial settings, robots pose a remarkable challenge to those concerned with the psychological and social implications of new technologies. This paper assesses the psychological and occupational problems typical to robotization, and reviews the suitability of conventional intervention techniques for robot‐related problems.…the machine is conducting our future for us not only simply in direct answer to our direct questions, but in general answer to the world situation and to human psychology as a whole… The machine cannot, must not, make us unhappy.(Asimov, 1950)
The validation of the selection of male British Army officers
Authors: Dobson Paul , Williams Allan 
Published: August 2011

Achievement motivation (nAch) has been suggested by a number of researchers to be based on a number of underlying factors. Yet no one scale has been developed that incorporates all the factors suggested. This research set out to develop such a scale for research usage. Over three studies, a 49‐item scale was produced which measures seven factors. These are Work Ethic (WE), Acquisitiveness (for money) (Acq), Dominance (Dom), Excellence (the pursuit of) (Exc), Competitiveness (Com), Status Aspiration (SA) and Mastery (Mast). Some data on the internal reliability and validity of the scales are included, and some implications of a multifactorial approach to nAch are briefly discussed.The Regular Commissions Board is the main mechanism for the selection of British Army officers. This study is the most comprehensive validation of that mechanism that has been undertaken. Current selection, training and reporting procedures were investigated and all types of male entrant were sampled. The validation utilized both training and job performance criteria. Within‐study meta‐analyses were carried out on the entrant and Corps subgroups. Total group validity coefficients of 0.33 (0.43 with resignations excluded), 0.31 and 0.31 were obtained for the prediction of regimental performance, and general officer and specialist training respectively. It is concluded that, given the current applicant population, the Regular Commissions Board is a fair, moderately valid method for the selection of officers, and it has utility. Observations are made concerning the basis of the Board's validity, and the value and design of assessment centres.
A theory of the validity of predictors in selection
Authors: Smith Mike 
Published: August 2011

A theory is expanded which attempts to explain why some predictors are more valid than others. In essence, high validity is expected when a measure accurately reflects the degree to which work performance depends upon three domains of characteristics: (1) universals, the characteristics required by all work; (2) occupationals, the characteristics required by certain jobs; (3) relationals, the characteristics needed to relate to others in specific settings. It is suggested that selectors have frequently ignored the third domain.The paper considers the theory from the viewpoint of criteria and concludes by outlining the uses of the theory in terms of (1) further theory building; (2) improving understanding of existing predictors; (3) improvement of existing predictors; and (4) development of new predictors.
The recruitment and selection of young people by small businesses
Authors: Bartram Dave , Lindley Patricia A. , Marshall Linda , Foster Julie 
Published: August 2011

The study investigated the methods used by small businesses to select people under the age of 20. While over 88 per cent of all businesses employ fewer than 25 people (about a third of the total workforce), very little is known about how they recruit and select their staff. A national sample of 498 small businesses, employing a total of 5612 people, were interviewed by a team of about 50 interviewers. A structured face‐to‐face interview was used to explore each organization's most recent selection of one or more young people. The recruitment and selection procedures they followed and techniques they used were probed in detail. Data were analysed in terms of general trends and differences relating to four main variables: size of business; geographical location; industry sector; and type of occupation. The results raise questions about ‘good’ and ‘fair’ practice and are discussed in terms of difference in selection practice between small and larger businesses.The selection and recruitment procedures used by small businesses, especially those employing 10 or fewer people, differ markedly from those of large organizations, being far more informal and unstructured. Among the major findings was a strong emphasis by employers on the importance of personality characteristics—such as honesty and integrity—and of interest in the job. All were rated as far more important than ability, aptitude or attainment.
Robustness of phase retrieval methods in x‐ray phase contrast imaging: A comparison
Authors: Yan Aimin , Wu Xizeng , Liu Hong 
Published: August 2011

Purpose:The robustness of the phase retrieval methods is of critical importance for limiting and reducing radiation doses involved in x‐ray phase contrast imaging. This work is to compare the robustness of two phase retrieval methods by analyzing the phase maps retrieved from the experimental images of a phantom.Methods:Two phase retrieval methods were compared. One method is based on the transport of intensity equation (TIE) for phase contrast projections, and the TIE‐based method is the most commonly used method for phase retrieval in the literature. The other is the recently developed attenuation‐partition based (AP‐based) phase retrieval method. The authors applied these two methods to experimental projection images of an air‐bubble wrap phantom for retrieving the phase map of the bubble wrap. The retrieved phase maps obtained by using the two methods are compared.Results:In the wrap's phase map retrieved by using the TIE‐based method, no bubble is recognizable, hence, this method failed completely for phase retrieval from these bubble wrap images. Even with the help of the Tikhonov regularization, the bubbles are still hardly visible and buried in the cluttered background in the retrieved phase map. The retrieved phase values with this method are grossly erroneous. In contrast, in the wrap's phase map retrieved by using the AP‐based method, the bubbles are clearly recovered. The retrieved phase values with the AP‐based method are reasonably close to the estimate based on the thickness‐based measurement. The authors traced these stark performance differences of the two methods to their different techniques employed to deal with the singularity problem involved in the phase retrievals.Conclusions:This comparison shows that the conventional TIE‐based phase retrieval method, regardless if Tikhonov regularization is used or not, is unstable against the noise in the wrap's projection images, while the AP‐based phase retrieval method is shown in these experiments to be superior to the TIE‐based method for the robustness in performing the phase retrieval.
Identification of Circulating Bacterial Antigens by
In Vivo
Microbial Antigen Discovery
Authors: Nuti Dana E. , Crump Reva B. , Dwi Handayani Farida , Chantratita Narisara , Peacock Sharon J. , Bowen Richard , Felgner Philip L. , Davies D. Huw , Wu Terry , Lyons C. Rick , Brett Paul J. , Burtnick Mary N. , Kozel Thomas R. , AuCoin David P. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Detection of microbial antigens in clinical samples can lead to rapid diagnosis of an infection and administration of appropriate therapeutics. A major barrier in diagnostics development is determining which of the potentially hundreds or thousands of antigens produced by a microbe are actually present in patient samples in detectable amounts against a background of innumerable host proteins. In this report, we describe a strategy, termed
in vivo
microbial antigen discovery (InMAD), that we used to identify circulating bacterial antigens. This technique starts with “InMAD serum,” which is filtered serum that has been harvested from BALB/c mice infected with a bacterial pathogen. The InMAD serum, which is free of whole bacterial cells, is used to immunize syngeneic BALB/c mice. The resulting “InMAD immune serum” contains antibodies specific for the soluble microbial antigens present in sera from the infected mice. The InMAD immune serum is then used to probe blots of bacterial lysates or bacterial proteome arrays. Bacterial antigens that are reactive with the InMAD immune serum are precisely the antigens to target in an antigen immunoassay. By employing InMAD, we identified multiple circulating antigens that are secreted or shed during infection using
Burkholderia pseudomallei
and
Francisella tularensis
as model organisms. Potential diagnostic targets identified by the InMAD approach included bacterial proteins, capsular polysaccharide, and lipopolysaccharide. The InMAD technique makes no assumptions other than immunogenicity and has the potential to be a broad discovery platform to identify diagnostic targets from microbial pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Effective treatment of microbial infection is critically dependent on early diagnosis and identification of the etiological agent. One means for rapid diagnosis is immunoassay for antigens that are shed into body fluids during infection. Immunoassays can be inexpensive, rapid, and adaptable to a point-of-care format. A major impediment to immunoassay for diagnosis of infectious disease is identification of appropriate antigen targets. This report describes a strategy that can be used for identification of microbial antigens that are shed into serum during infection by the biothreats
Burkholderia pseudomallei
and
Francisella tularensis
. Termed InMAD (
in vivo
microbial antigen discovery), the strategy has the potential for application to a broad spectrum of microbial pathogens.
Shifting Paradigm on Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin and a Natural Model for Enterococcus faecalis Septicemia
Authors: Graf Joerg 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

The Bt toxin is widely used in agriculture both as a spray and in transgenic plants, yet its precise mode of action against lepidopterans is poorly understood. The study by Mason et al. [
mBio
2(3):e00065-11, 2011] revealed that Bt toxin enables an inhabitant of the midgut,
Enterococcus faecalis
, to enter the hemolymph of larvae and cause septicemia, leading to death.
Structures and processes of care in ambulatory oncology settings and nurse-reported exposure to chemotherapy
Authors: Friese Christopher R , Himes-Ferris Laurel , Frasier Megan N , McCullagh Marjorie C , Griggs Jennifer J 
Published: August 2011

PurposeOncology nurses in ambulatory settings are at increased risk for unintentional chemotherapy exposure due to the large volumes of agents delivered and the absence of regulatory enforcement. Given the limited data regarding the correlates of exposure, the authors sought to identify the relationship between the organisational structures and processes of care in ambulatory oncology settings associated with increased risk of unintentional chemotherapy.MethodsBetween April 2010 and June 2010, a state-wide sample of oncology nurses were surveyed who reported their employment outside of hospital inpatient units (n=1339). The survey examined the likelihood of self-reported exposure to chemotherapy as a function of perceived quality of the practice environment, nursing workload, and seven ambulatory chemotherapy administration safety standards.ResultsThe response rate was 30.4%, with minimal demographic differences observed between respondents and non-respondents. The overall rate of exposure to the skin or eyes in the past year was 16.9%. In multivariable logistic regression models that controlled for demographic characteristics and clustering of nurses in practices, the likelihood of exposure decreased when nurses reported adequate staffing and resources (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.73; p=0.001), and when nurses reported that chemotherapy doses were verified by two nurses frequently or very frequently (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.59; p=0.001).ConclusionsOncology nurses in the ambulatory setting report substantial unintentional skin and eye exposure to chemotherapy. Ensuring adequate staffing and resources and adherence to recognised practice standards may protect oncology nurses from harm.
Retained surgical swabs in 13 dogs
Authors: Forster K. , Anderson D. , Yool D. A. , Wright C. , Burrow R. 
Published: August 2011

To report the signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical findings and outcome in dogs and cats with retained swabs, medical records of dogs and cats that were referred to four referral centres were reviewed. Cases in which a retained surgical swab was identified during surgery at the referral hospital were selected for further study. The signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical findings and outcome in these cases were reviewed. Thirteen dogs with retained surgical swabs were included in the study. Bodyweight ranged from 9 to 45 kg. The initial surgery was a ‘non‐routine’ abdominal procedure in seven dogs, ovariohysterectomy in five dogs and perineal hernia repair in one dog. Time from initial surgery to presentation at the referral centre ranged from four days to seven years. Treatment involved major surgery in eight of the 13 dogs. Outcome was excellent in 12 of 13 cases, one dog was euthanased.
Reanalysis of the start of the UK 1967 to 1968 foot‐and‐mouth disease epidemic to calculate airborne transmission probabilities
Authors: Sanson R. L. , Gloster J. , Burgin L. 
Published: August 2011

The aims of this study were to statistically reassess the likelihood that windborne spread of foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) occurred at the start of the UK 1967 to 1968 FMD epidemic at Oswestry, Shropshire, and to derive dose‐response probability of infection curves for farms exposed to airborne FMDV. To enable this, data on all farms present in 1967 in the parishes near Oswestry were assembled. Cases were infected premises whose date of appearance of first clinical signs was within 14 days of the depopulation of the index farm. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between infection status and distance and direction from the index farm. The UK Met Office's NAME atmospheric dispersion model (ADM) was used to generate plumes for each day that FMDV was excreted from the index farm based on actual historical weather records from October 1967. Daily airborne FMDV exposure rates for all farms in the study area were calculated using a geographical information system. Probit analyses were used to calculate dose‐response probability of infection curves to FMDV, using relative exposure rates on case and control farms. Both the logistic regression and probit analyses gave strong statistical support to the hypothesis that airborne spread occurred. There was some evidence that incubation period was inversely proportional to the exposure rate.
Localization and Density of Immune Cells in the Invasive Margin of Human Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases Are Prognostic for Response to Chemotherapy
Authors: Halama Niels , Michel Sara , Kloor Matthias , Zoernig Inka , Benner Axel , Spille Anna , Pommerencke Thora , von Knebel Doeberitz Magnus , Folprecht Gunnar , Luber Birgit , Feyen Nadine , Martens Uwe M. , Beckhove Philipp , Gnjatic Sacha , Schirmacher Peter , Herpel Esther , Weitz Juergen , Grabe Niels , Jaeger Dirk 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in primary human colorectal cancer (CRC) by in situ immunohistochemical staining supports the hypothesis that the adaptive immune response influences the course of human CRC. Specifically, high densities of TILs in the primary tumor are associated with good prognosis independent of other prognostic markers. However, the prognostic role of TILs in metastatic CRC lesions is unknown, as is their role in response or resistance to conventional chemotherapy. We analyzed the association of TIL densities at the invasive margin of CRC liver metastases with response to chemotherapy and progression-free survival in a set of 101 large section samples. High-resolution automated microscopy on complete tissue sections was used to objectively generate cell densities for CD3, CD8, granzyme B, or FOXP3 positive immune cells. A predictive scoring system using TIL densities was developed in a training set and tested successfully in an independent validation set. TIL densities at the invasive margin of liver metastases allowed the prediction of response to chemotherapy with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 100%. The association of high density values with longer progression-free survival under chemotherapy was statistically significant. Overall, these findings extend the impact of the local immune response on the clinical course from the primary tumor also to metastatic lesions. Because detailed quantification of TILs in metastatic lesions revealed a strong association with chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis, we suggest that the developed scoring system may be used as a predictive tool for response to chemotherapy in metastatic CRC. Cancer Res; 71(17); 5670–7. ©2011 AACR.
Human Solid Tumors Contain High Endothelial Venules: Association with T- and B-Lymphocyte Infiltration and Favorable Prognosis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Martinet Ludovic , Garrido Ignacio , Filleron Thomas , Le Guellec Sophie , Bellard Elisabeth , Fournie Jean-Jacques , Rochaix Philippe , Girard Jean-Philippe 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe mechanisms governing infiltration of lymphocytes into tumors remain poorly characterized, in spite of the critical impact of these cells on patient prognosis and therapeutic responses. High endothelial venules (HEV) are blood vessels found in lymphoid tissues, specialized in lymphocyte recruitment, but their implications in human cancer are unknown. In this article, we report the presence of MECA 79+ blood vessels displaying all the phenotypic characteristics of HEVs in most of the 319 human primary solid tumors, including melanomas, breast, ovarian, colon, and lung carcinomas, analyzed. Tumor HEVs were specifically located within lymphocyte-rich areas, and their density within the tumor stroma was a strong predictor of infiltration by CD3+ and CD8+ T cells as well as B cells. Large-scale flow cytometric and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR analyses in freshly operated breast tumors revealed that high densities of tumor HEVs correlated with increased naive, central memory and activated effector memory T-cell infiltration and upregulation of genes related to T-helper 1 adaptive immunity and T-cell cytotoxicity. Finally, in a retrospective cohort of 146 invasive breast cancer patients, we found that high densities of tumor HEVs independently conferred a lower risk of relapse and significantly correlated with longer metastasis-free, disease-free, and overall survival rates. Together, our findings suggest that tumor HEVs function as major gateways for lymphocyte infiltration into human tumors, and may represent attractive targets for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Cancer Res; 71(17); 5678–87. ©2011 AACR.