Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-determination theory and motivation for music

Learning the skills to be a musician requires an enormous amount of effort and dedication, a long-term process that requires sustained motivation. Motivation for music is complex, blending relatively intrinsic and extrinsic motives. The purpose of this study is to investigate the motivation of musicians by considering how different aspects of motivational features interact. An international sample of 188 musicians was obtained through the use of an online survey. Four scales drawn from Self-Determination Theory (intrinsic, identified, introjected, and extrinsic regulation) were utilized along with other motivational constructs, including motivational intensity, desire to learn, willingness to play, perceived competence, and musical self-esteem. To integrate the variables into a proposed model, a path analysis was conducted among the motivation variables. Results showed that the intrinsic motives are playing the major role in the maintenance of the motivational system, while extrinsic motives are less influential. Support was found for a feedback loop, whereby desire to learn feeds into increased effort at learning (i.e., motivational intensity), leading to the development of perceived competence, which is then reflected back into increasing desire to learn. Increases in these variables help to create a virtuous cycle of motivation for music learning and performance.
Pricing Discrete European Barrier Options Using Lattice Random Walks

This paper designs a numerical procedure to price discrete European barrier options in Black‐Scholes model. The pricing problem is divided into a series of initial value problems, one for each monitoring time. Each initial value problem is solved by replacing the driving Brownian motion by a lattice random walk. Some results from the theory of Besov spaces show that the convergence rate of lattice methods for initial value problems depends on two factors, namely the smoothness of the initial value (or the value function) and the moments for the increments of the lattice random walk. This fact is used to obtain an efficient method to price discrete European barrier options. Numerical examples and comparisons with other methods are carried out to show that the proposed method yields fast and accurate results.
Frontal theta activity in humans increases with memory load in a working memory task

Recent theoretical work has suggested that brain oscillations in the theta band are involved in active maintenance and recall of working memory representations. To test this theoretical framework we recorded neuromagnetic responses from 10 subjects performing the Sternberg task. Subjects were required to retain a list of 1, 3, 5 or 7 visually presented digits during a 3‐s retention period. During the retention period we observed ongoing frontal theta activity in the 7–8.5‐Hz band recorded by sensors over frontal brain areas. The activity in the theta band increased parametrically with the number of items retained in working memory. A time–frequency analysis revealed that the task‐dependent theta was present during the retention period and during memory scanning. Following the memory task the theta activity was reduced. These results suggest that theta oscillations generated in frontal brain regions play an active role in memory maintenance.
RNNLM - Recurrent Neural Network Language Modeling Toolkit

We present a freely available open-source toolkit for training recurrent neural network based language models. It can be easily used to improve existing speech recognition and machine translation systems. Also, it can be used as a baseline for future research of advanced language modeling techniques. In the paper, we discuss optimal parameter selection and different modes of functionality. The toolkit, example scripts and basic setups are freely available at http://rnnlm.sourceforge. net/.
WARPS AND BARS FROM THE EXTERNAL TIDAL TORQUES OF TUMBLING DARK HALOS

The dark matter halos in Λ cold dark matter cosmological simulations are triaxial and highly flattened. In many cases, these triaxial equilibria are also tumbling slowly, typically about their short axes, with periods of order a Hubble time. Halos may therefore exert a slowly changing external torque on spiral galaxies that can affect their dynamical evolution in interesting ways. We examine the effect of the external torques exerted by a tumbling quadrupolar tidal field on the evolution of spiral galaxies using N-body simulations with realistic, disk galaxy models. We measure the amplitude of the external quadrupole moments of dark halos in cosmological simulations and use these to force disk galaxy models in a series of N-body experiments for a range of pattern speeds. We find that the torques are strong enough to induce long-lived transient warps in disks similar to those observed in real spirals and also induce the bar instability at later times in some galaxy models that are otherwise stable for long periods of time in isolation. We also observe forced spiral structure near the edge of the disk where normally self gravity is too weak to be responsible for such a structure. This overlooked influence of dark halos may well be responsible for many of the peculiar aspects of disk galaxy dynamics.
Healthy Lifestyle and Cardiac Vagal Modulation Over 10 Years: Whitehall II Cohort Study

Background Increased vagal modulation is a mechanism that may partially explain the protective effect of healthy lifestyles. However, it is unclear how healthy lifestyles relate to vagal regulation longitudinally. We prospectively examined associations between a comprehensive measure of 4 important lifestyle factors and vagal modulation, indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) over 10 years. Methods and Results The fifth (1997–1999), seventh (2002–2004), and ninth (2007–2009) phases of the UK Whitehall II cohort were analyzed. Analytical samples ranged from 2059 to 3333 (mean age: 55.7 years). A healthy lifestyle score was derived by giving participants 1 point for each healthy factor: physically active, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and healthy body mass index. Two vagally mediated HRV measures were used: high‐frequency HRV and root mean square of successive differences of normal‐to‐normal R‐R intervals. Cross‐sectionally, a positively graded association was observed between the healthy lifestyle score and HRV at baseline (P overall≤0.001). Differences in HRV according to the healthy lifestyle score remained relatively stable over time. Compared with participants who hardly ever adhered to healthy lifestyles, those with consistent healthy lifestyles displayed higher high‐frequency HRV (β=0.23; 95% CI, 0.10–0.35; P=0.001) and higher root mean square of successive differences of normal‐to‐normal R‐R intervals (β=0.15; 95% CI, 0.07–0.22; P≤0.001) at follow‐up after covariate adjustment. These differences in high‐frequency HRV and root mean square of successive differences of normal‐to‐normal R‐R intervals are equivalent to ≈6 to 20 years differences in chronological age. Compared with participants who reduced their healthy lifestyle scores, those with stable scores displayed higher subsequent high‐frequency HRV (β=0.24; 95% CI, 0.01–0.48; P=0.046) and higher root mean square of successive differences of normal‐to‐normal R‐R intervals (β=0.15; 95% CI, 0.01–0.29; P=0.042). Conclusions Maintaining healthy lifestyles is positively associated with cardiac vagal functioning, and these beneficial adaptations may be lost if not sustained.
A Shrinkage Approach to Model Uncertainty and Asset Allocation

This article takes a shrinkage approach to examine the empirical implications of aversion to model uncertainty. The shrinkage approach explicitly shows how predictive distributions incorporate data and prior beliefs. It enables us to solve the optimal portfolios for uncertainty-averse investors. Aversion to uncertainty about the capital asset pricing model leads investors to hold a portfolio that is not mean-variance efficient for any predictive distribution. However, mean-variance efficient portfolios corresponding to extremely strong beliefs in the Fama--French model are approximately optimal for uncertainty-averse investors. The empirical Bayes approach does not result in optimal portfolios for investors who are averse to model uncertainty. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Transformational Leadership Through Applied Neuroscience: Transmission Mechanism of the Thinking Process

The world has changed as we entered the new situation full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. To be able to cope with this situation, an organization has to translate the challenges into a clear vision and action. A leadership style that is agile to adapt with the magnitude and the characteristic of the occurring problem is needed. Transformational leadership is a participative leadership style that is not only able to motivate and drive the organization vertically and horizontally but also always be agile in every circumstance. Thus, the organizational capacity to achieve the shared vision and mission will be encouraged. Applied neuroscience gives an understanding about the activities and mechanism of the brain which improves the required competences of a leader. Therefore, applied neuroscience will help a leader transform the organization. This study shows that applied neuroscience can help a transformational leadership achieve a “physically, emotionally, and mentally safe” state and encourage an organization to transform itself effectively. This study does not only explore a new perspective of transformational leadership issues, but it also provides an important contribution related to applied neuroscience, in particular, mapping transmission mechanism of the brain activities affecting body’s reaction, internally (emotions and hormone) and externally (body reaction), which further affect the transformational leadership behaviors.
An exploration of Tajfel's Social Identity Theory and its application to understanding Métis as a social identity

This thesis explores Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory (1981) with a specific focus on the process of self-categorization. Tajfel’s theory provides the theoretical framework to understand the social category of Métis as a social group. Eight self-identified Métis adults were interviewed individually utilizing a semi-structured interview to explore their Métis self-identification and operationalize the conceptual framework. The three main research questions used to develop the conceptual framework are: 1) what are Métis characteristics? , 2) Do self-identified Métis adults evaluate the Métis group to which they identify as positive, negative or both? , 3) Do self-identified Métis adults feel like they fit in or belong to the Métis group? Both open ended and closed ended questions were used to explore Métis adults’ perspectives related to their social self-categorization. Data were analyzed; conclusions were drawn and verified utilizing the recommendations of Miles and Huberman (1994). Findings were theoretically interpreted utilizing the social identity perspective. The study’s results support the use of Tajfel’s theoretical conception of a group as a conceptual framework in understanding the experience and perspective of the Métis participants in this study.
Selective Inhibition of KCC2 Leads to Hyperexcitability and Epileptiform Discharges in Hippocampal Slices and In Vivo

GABAA receptors form Cl− permeable channels that mediate the majority of fast synaptic inhibition in the brain. The K+/Cl− cotransporter KCC2 is the main mechanism by which neurons establish low intracellular Cl− levels, which is thought to enable GABAergic inhibitory control of neuronal activity. However, the widely used KCC2 inhibitor furosemide is nonselective with antiseizure efficacy in slices and in vivo, leading to a conflicting scheme of how KCC2 influences GABAergic control of neuronal synchronization. Here we used the selective KCC2 inhibitor VU0463271 [N-cyclopropyl-N-(4-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2-[(6-phenyl-3-pyridazinyl)thio]acetamide] to investigate the influence of KCC2 function. Application of VU0463271 caused a reversible depolarizing shift in EGABA values and increased spiking of cultured hippocampal neurons. Application of VU0463271 to mouse hippocampal slices under low-Mg2+ conditions induced unremitting recurrent epileptiform discharges. Finally, microinfusion of VU0463271 alone directly into the mouse dorsal hippocampus rapidly caused epileptiform discharges. Our findings indicated that KCC2 function was a critical inhibitory factor ex vivo and in vivo.
Kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan modul I-Sc (Islamic Spiritual Counseling) ke atas pelajar bermasalah tingkah laku

The purpose of this study is to develop a counselling module based on Islamic perspective namely ‘Islamic Spiritual Counselling Module”’(i-SCM). This module was based on model of Tazkiyat al-Nafs by Imam Ghazali. Validity test was conducted based on assessments from various experts of psychology, counselling and religious fields. Reliability test was conducted on 46 secondary school students in one school. Results obtained showed that the overall reliability coefficient of this module was very high; Cronbach Alpha 0.927. Feedback from the respondents on the module was positive. This study could help expand further religion-related counseling module to assist counsellors in dealing with adolescents’ social problems.
Toward proteomics in uroscopy: urinary protein profiles after radiocontrast medium administration.

Previous attempts to use urinary protein profiles for diagnostic purposes have been rather disappointing with respect to their clinical validity, in part because of the insufficient reproducibility, sensitivity, and rapidity of available techniques. Therefore, a newly developed, high-throughput technique, namely surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) ProteinChip array-time of flight mass spectrometry, was studied, to assess its applicability for protein profiling of urine and to exemplify its use for a group of patients receiving radiocontrast medium. Assessment of the accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of SELDI in test urinary protein profiling was performed. Renal function was studied in 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats before and after intravenous administration of either 1.25 g/kg ioxilan (n = 10) or hypertonic saline solution (n = 10) as a control. Urine samples from 25 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were obtained before, immediately after, and 6 to 12 h after the procedure. Administration of ioxilan to rats resulted in changes in the abundance of proteins of 9.9, 18.7, 21.0, and 66.3 kD. For patients, even in uncomplicated cases of radiocontrast medium infusion during cardiac catheterization, perturbations in the protein composition occurred but returned to baseline values after 6 to 12 h. Proteins with molecular masses of 9.75, 11.75, 23.5, and 66.4 kD changed in abundance. For patients with impaired renal function, these changes were not reversible within 6 to 12 h. As a proof of principle, one of the peaks, i.e., that at 11.75 kD, was identified as beta(2)-microglobulin. SELDI is a promising tool for the detection, identification, and characterization of trace amounts of proteins in urine. Even for patients without renal complications, proteins with a broad range of molecular masses either appear in or disappear from the urine. Some of these might represent markers of impending nephropathy.
Identification of the cornea-specific keratin 12 promoter by in vivo particle-mediated gene transfer.

PURPOSE Keratin 12 (K12) is a cornea epithelial cell-specific intermediate filament component. To provide a better understanding of its expression, it is necessary to identify and characterize the promoter of Krt1.12 gene. METHODS The 2.5-kb DNA 5' to Krt1.12 gene was sequenced. Krt1.12 promoter-beta-gal DNA constructs were prepared and used in vivo to transfect rabbit corneas, conjunctivas, and skin by particle-mediated gene transfer (Gene Gun). In vitro, the DNA constructs were transfected into cultured T-antigen-transformed rabbit corneal epithelial (RCE-T) cells and human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 fibroblasts with lipofectamine. The promoter activity was assessed by measuring beta-gal (beta-galactosidase) activity using histochemical staining with 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactoside and enzyme assay with o-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside. RESULTS There are four Pax-6 pair box binding elements found between -910 and -2000 bp 5'-flanking the transcription initiation site of the Krt1.12 gene. None of promoter constricts can be expressed by HT-1080 cells. Cotransfection of Pax-6 cDNA with K12 promoter-beta-gal constructs containing Pax-6 elements results in a fourfold increase of beta-gal activities in RCE-T cells but not HT-1080 fibroblasts. The data of in vivo transfection in the rabbit by Gene Gun indicate that reporter gene constructs containing 0.6-kb and longer DNA fragments 5'-flanking Krt1.12 gene are effectively expressed in corneal, but not conjunctival or epidermal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS The particle-mediated gene transfer is a suitable technique for in vivo delivery of transgenes to corneal epithelial cells. The 2.5-kb DNA fragment 5'-flanking Krt1.12 contains corneal epithelial cell-specific regulatory cis-DNA elements. Pax-6 is a positive transcription factor essential for keratin 12 expression.
A dynamic global model for planktonic foraminifera

Seasonal changes in the flux of planktonic foraminifera have to be understood to interpret corresponding proxy-based reconstructions. To study the seasonal cycle of planktonic foraminifera species we developed a numerical model of species concentration (PLAFOM). This model is forced with a global hydrographic dataset (e.g. tem5 perature, mixed layer depth) and with biological information taken from an ecosystem model (e.g. “food type”, zooplankton abundance) to predict monthly concentrations of the most common planktonic foraminifera species used for proxies: N. pachyderma (sinistral and dextral varieties), G. bulloides, G. ruber (white variety) and G. sacculifer. The sensitivity of each species with respect to temperature (optimal temperature and 10 range of tolerance) is derived from sediment-trap studies. Overall, the spatial distribution patterns of most of the species are comparable to core-top data. N. pachyderma (sin.) is limited to polar regions, N. pachyderma (dex.) and G. bulloides are the most common species in high productivity zones like upwelling areas, while G. ruber and G. sacculifer are more abundant in tropical and subtropical 15 oligotrophic waters. Modeled seasonal variation match well with sediment-trap records in most of the locations for N. pachyderma (sin), N. pachyderma (dex.) and G. bulloides. G. ruber and G. sacculifer show, in general, lower concentrations and less seasonal variability in all sites. The lower variability is reflected in the model output, but the small scale variations are not reproduced by the model in several locations. 20 Due to the fact that the model is forced by climatological data, it can not capture interannual variations. The sensitivity experiments we carried out show that, inside the temperature tolerance range, food availability is the main parameter which controls the abundance of some species. The here presented model represents a powerful tool to explore the response of 25
Dexfenfluramine and the oestrogen-metabolizing enzyme CYP1B1 in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Aims Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) occurs more frequently in women than men. Oestrogen and the oestrogen-metabolising enzyme cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) play a role in the development of PAH. Anorectic drugs such as dexfenfluramine (Dfen) have been associated with the development of PAH. Dfen mediates PAH via a serotonergic mechanism and we have shown serotonin to up-regulate expression of CYP1B1 in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Thus here we assess the role of CYP1B1 in the development of Dfen-induced PAH. Methods and results Dfen (5 mg kg−1 day−1 PO for 28 days) increased right ventricular pressure and pulmonary vascular remodelling in female mice only. Mice dosed with Dfen showed increased whole lung expression of CYP1B1 and Dfen-induced PAH was ablated in CYP1B1−/− mice. In line with this, Dfen up-regulated expression of CYP1B1 in PASMCs from PAH patients (PAH-PASMCs) and Dfen-mediated proliferation of PAH-PASMCs was ablated by pharmacological inhibition of CYP1B1. Dfen increased expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1; the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of serotonin) in PAH-PASMCs and both Dfen-induced proliferation and Dfen-induced up-regulation of CYP1B1 were ablated by inhibition of Tph1. 17β-Oestradiol increased expression of both Tph1 and CYP1B1 in PAH-PASMCs, and Dfen and 17β-oestradiol had synergistic effects on proliferation of PAH-PASMCs. Finally, ovariectomy protected against Dfen-induced PAH in female mice. Conclusion CYP1B1 is critical in the development of Dfen-induced PAH in mice in vivo and proliferation of PAH-PASMCs in vitro. CYP1B1 may provide a novel therapeutic target for PAH.
Actions of the Braid Group, and New Algebraic Proofs of Results of Dehornoy and Larue

This article surveys many standard results about the braid group, with emphasis on simplifying the usual algebraic proofs. We use van der Waerden's trick to illuminate the Artin-Magnus proof of the classic presentation of the braid group considered as the algebraic mapping-class group of a disc with punctures. We give a simple, new proof of the σ 1-trichotomy for the braid group, and, hence, recover the Dehornoy right-ordering of the braid group. We give three proofs of the Birman-Hilden theorem concerning the fidelity of braid-group actions on free products of finite cyclic groups, and discuss the consequences derived by Perron-Vannier and the connections with Artin groups and the Wada representations. The first, very direct, proof, is due to Crisp-Paris and uses the σ 1-trichotomy and the Larue-Shpilrain technique. The second proof arises by studying ends of free groups, and gives interesting extra information. The third proof arises from Larue's study of polygonal curves in discs with punctures, and gives extremely detailed information.