Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutually Responsive Orientation Between Mothers and Their Young Children: A Context for the Early Development of Conscience

Some parent–child dyads establish a mutually responsive orientation (MRO), a relationship that is close, mutually binding, cooperative, and affectively positive. Such relationships have two main characteristics—mutual responsiveness and shared positive affect—and they foster the development of conscience in young children. Children growing up with parents who are responsive to their needs and whose interactions are infused with happy emotions adopt a willing, responsive stance toward parental influence and become eager to embrace parental values and standards for behavior. The concurrent and longitudinal beneficial effects of MRO for early development of conscience have been replicated across studies, for a broad range of developmental periods from infancy through early school age, and using a wide variety of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive measures of conscience in the laboratory, at home, and in school. These findings highlight the importance of the early parent–child relationship for subsequent moral development.
High-resolution passive seismic tomography for 3D velocity, Poisson’s ratio ν, and P-wave quality QP in the Delvina hydrocarbon field, southern Albania

We have studied using traveltimes of P- and S-waves and initial seismic-pulse rise-time measurements from natural microearthquakes to derive 3D P-wave velocity VP information (mostly structural) as well as P- and S-wave velocity VP/VS and P-wave quality factor QP information (mostly lithologic) in a known hydrocarbon field in southern Albania. During a 12-month monitoring period, 1860 microearthquakes were located at a 50-station seismic network and were used to obtain the above parameters. The data set included earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from –0.1 to 3.0 R (Richter scale) and focal depths typically occurring between 2 and 10 km. Kohonen neural networks were implemented to facilitate the lithological classification of the passive seismic tomography (PST) results. The obtained results, which agreed with data from nearby wells, helped delineate the structure of the reservoir. Two subregions of the investigated area, one corresponding to an oil field and one to a gas field, were correlated with the .
Precipitation Variability over the Caribbean and Tropical Americas Associated with the Southern Oscillation

Abstract Seasonal and annual (July through June) precipitation data for up to 197 stations are used to analyze variability in the High/Dry (H/D) and Low/Wet (L/W or warm event) modes of the Southern Oscillation (SO) over the tropical Americas and the Caribbean Islands to 30°S latitude. Precipitation is significantly higher during H/D events than during L/W in northern summer, autumn and winter at most stations in the southern Caribbean and northern South America including the northern Andes and Amazon River basin. Precipitation is, in general, significantly higher in L/W than in H/D modes at higher subtropical latitudes of both hemispheres, especially in northern autumn and winter over the southern United States, Cuba and Mexico, and in spring and autumn over southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. A similar pattern of spatial precipitation variability occurs in the July–June data and significant H/D minus L/W precipitation differences are found at one-third of the stations. Although drought occurs in No.
Rapid Taste Responses in the Gustatory Cortex during Licking

Rapid tastant detection is necessary to prevent the ingestion of potentially poisonous compounds. Behavioral studies have shown that rats can identify tastants in ∼200 ms, although the electrophysiological correlates for fast tastant detection have not been identified. For this reason, we investigated whether neurons in the primary gustatory cortex (GC), a cortical area necessary for tastant identification and discrimination, contain sufficient information in a single lick cycle, or ∼150 ms, to distinguish between tastants at different concentrations. This was achieved by recording neural activity in GC while rats licked four times without a liquid reward, and then, on the fifth lick, received a tastant (FR5 schedule). We found that 34% (61 of 178) of GC units were chemosensitive. The remaining neurons were activated during some phase of the licking cycle, discriminated between reinforced and unreinforced licks, or processed task-related information. Chemosensory neurons exhibited a latency of 70–120 ms depending on concentration, and a temporally precise phasic response that returned to baseline in tens of milliseconds. Tastant-responsive neurons were broadly tuned and responded to increasing tastant concentrations by either increasing or decreasing their firing rates. In addition, some responses were only evoked at intermediate tastant concentrations. In summary, these results suggest that the gustatory cortex is capable of processing multimodal information on a rapid timescale and provide the physiological basis by which animals may discriminate between tastants during a single lick cycle.
A Fuzzy Linear Optimization Investigation for Cropping Patterns and Virtual Water Transfers under Water Scarcity in Gansu Province, Northern China

Water scarcity is occurring worldwide due to factors including climate change, population increases, and economic activity. The situation is most severe in arid areas. Based on a water supply stress index and virtual water for production, a fuzzy linear programming model is used to provide a set of solutions that contain a range of possible values rather than a specific optimal solution. The model is used to investigate cropping patterns that can obtain acceptable stress levels on local water resources for both current and future climate scenarios. Results in Gansu Province indicate that existing cropping patterns are causing extreme stress on local water resources, especially in eastern Gansu, and the stress will continue in the future if cropping patterns are not adjusted. The optimization model indicates that a considerable amount of water used is not necessarily needed, and deficits of virtual water demands can be covered by virtual water transfers. Optimal cropping patterns show that in the current scenario, total cropping areas in eastern Gansu should be reduced by up to 55% to attain acceptable water stress, and 24.2 and 22.5% for western Gansu and mid Gansu, respectively. The enormous cropping reduction in certain crops and the relatively larger decreases of cropping areas in the eastern region are indicated as a direction, to improve the balance between irrigation and municipal water needs. Virtual water transfer analysis shows that mid Gansu can be a major export region, while eastern Gansu will require large amounts of virtual water imports.
Autonomic Nervous System Factors Underlying Disinhibited, Antisocial, and Violent Behavior Biosocial Perspectives and Treatment Implications a

This paper reviews the autonomic psychophysiological correlates of antisocial and aggressive behavior in children and adolescents, outlines a biosocial perspective, and draws implications for treatment and prevention. Findings of studies on resting skin conductance and heart rate indicate that antisocial individuals are characterized by underarousal; these findings suggest that aggressive children may be stimulation seekers who are relatively fearless. Autonomic underarousal also typifies infants and young children with a disinhibited temperament that is thought to be a predisposition to juvenile delinquency and adult aggressive behavior. Deficits in the orienting response, a measure of attention allocation, also predisposes to later antisocial and criminal behavior. Initial studies have shown that particularly high levels of orienting, arousal, and conditionability may protect against crime development in those predisposed to such an outcome. From a biosocial standpoint, it is hypothesized that the psychophysiological correlates of antisocial and violent behavior may be greatest in those from more benign home backgrounds where the psychosocial push forward is relatively weaker. Alternatively, early environmental stress may underlie autonomic underarousal and hyporeactivity in antisocial individuals. Finally, it is possible that biofeedback, in combination with a multimodal treatment program, may be one benign intervention technique that may increase arousal and reduce aggression in underaroused antisocial children.
Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans.

When people encounter problems in translating their goals into action (e.g., failing to get started, becoming distracted, or falling into bad habits), they may strategically call on automatic processes in an attempt to secure goal attainment. This can be achieved by plans in the form of implementation intentions that link anticipated critical situations to goal-directed responses ("Whenever situation x arises, I will initiate the goal-directed response y! "). Implementation intentions delegate the control of goal-directed responses to anticipated situational cues, which (when actually encountered) elicit these responses automatically. A program of research demonstrates that implementation intentions further the attainment of goals, and it reveals the underlying processes.
Network tomography: New rigorous approaches for discrete and continuous problems

We consider several rigorously defined network tomography problems from applications ranging from communication networks, to social networks. The universal abstraction we develop involves the inference of various network structural and parametric properties form observations of certain “probing” processes from a subset of network nodes which we call the boundary nodes of the network. We show that these problems lead to mathematical problems of “deconvolution” over unconventional semirings, inversion of integrals over trees of the underlying graph, Radon transform over symmetric spaces, and completion of sparse matrices albeit in non-conventional semirings. We illustrate applications in several applied problems. Some of the problem formulations and solutions are inspired by generalizations of “electric impedance problems” in various non-nonconventional spaces. Some of the solutions have a variational interpretation.
Neotectonics of the Macquarie Ridge Complex, Australia‐Pacific plate boundary

New marine geophysical data along the Macquarie Ridge Complex, the Australia-Pacific plate boundary south of New Zealand, illuminate regional neotectonics. We identify tectonic spreading fabric and fracture zones and precisely locate the Australia-Pacific plate boundary along the Macquarie Ridge Complex. We interpret a ∼5–10 km wide Macquarie Fault Zone between the two plates along a bathymetrie high that extends nearly the entire length of the Australia-Pacific plate boundary south of New Zealand. We conclude that this is the active Australia-Pacific strike-slip plate boundary. Arcuate fracture zones become asymptotic as they approach the plate boundary. A broad zone of less intense deformation associated with the plate boundary extends ∼50 km on either side of the Macquarie Fault Zone. Marine geophysical data suggest that distinct segments of the plate boundary have experienced convergence and strike-slip deformation, although teleseismic evidence overwhelmingly indicates strike-slip motion along the entire surveyed boundary today. The McDougall and southernmost Puysegur segments show no evidence for past underthrusting, whereas data from the Macquarie and Hjort segments strongly suggest past convergence. The present-day strike-slip plate boundary along the Macquarie Ridge Complex coincides with the relict spreading center responsible for Australia-Pacific crust in the region. Our conceptual model for the transition from seafloor spreading to strike-slip motion along the Macquarie Ridge Complex addresses the decreasing length of spreading center segments and spacing between fracture zones, as well as the arcuate bend of the fracture zones that become asymptotic to the current transform plate boundary.
An Attempt to Verify Some Theories of El Niño

Abstract Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain interannual changes in equatorial water temperatures. It is shown that many of these hypotheses can be tested by expressing them in terms of a statistical-dynamical model based on the heat balance equation. The ability of the resulting model to account for variance in a 20-year record of observed water temperature provides a hitherto unavailable, quantitative measure of the hypothesis consistency. Field data were used in conjunction with the models to show that the following general conclusions are consistent with available observations: 1) The advective terms (both horizontal and vertical) in the heat balance equation account for 30–50% of the variance in records of interannual changes in near-equatorial SST. 2) The advective changes are closely related to significant changes in the trade wind field, particularly those occurring near the equator and just west of the dateline, as well as major changes in sea level across the entire Pacific Basin.
Targeting IL-33/ST2 signaling: regulation of immune function and analgesia

ABSTRACT Introduction: IL-33 signals through ST2 receptor and promotes inflammation by activating downstream pathways culminating in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in an NF-κB-dependent manner. In fact, compelling evidence has demonstrated the importance of IL-33/ST2 in both innate and adaptive immune responses in diseases presenting pain as an important clinical symptom. Areas covered: IL-33 is a pleiotropic cytokine with varied immune functions. Dysregulation of this pathway has been described as a key step in varied immune responses. Further, IL-33 contributes to peripheral and spinal cord nociceptor neuron sensitization in innate and adaptive inflammatory immune responses as well as in neuropathic and cancer pain. In this sense, targeting IL-33/ST2 signaling is a promising therapeutic approach. Expert opinion: The modulation of IL-33/ST2 signaling represents a possible approach in regulating immune functions. In addition to immune function, strategies targeting IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway display a favorable preclinical analgesic profile in both acute and chronic models of pain. Therefore, IL-33-targeting therapies represent a potential target for the development of novel analgesic drugs given that IL-33 activates, for instance, neutrophils, mast cells, macrophages, astrocytes, and microglia that are important cells in the induction and maintenance of chronic pain states.
Clinical management and outcome of refractory asthma in the UK from the British Thoracic Society Difficult Asthma Registry

Refractory asthma represents a significant unmet clinical need. Data from a national online registry audited clinical outcome in 349 adults with refractory asthma from four UK specialist centres in the British Thoracic Society Difficult Asthma Network. At follow-up, lung function improved, with a reduction in important healthcare outcomes, specifically hospital admission, unscheduled healthcare visits and rescue courses of oral steroids. The most frequent therapeutic intervention was maintenance oral corticosteroids and most steroid sparing agents (apart from omalizumab) demonstrated minimal steroid sparing benefit. A significant unmet clinical need remains in this group, specifically a requirement for therapies which reduce systemic steroid exposure.
Simultaneous or Sequential? Search Strategies in the U.S. Auto Insurance Industry

We study the identification of the search method consumers use when resolving uncertainty in the prices of alternatives. We show that the search method—simultaneous or sequential—is identified with data on consumers’ consideration sets (but not the sequence of searches), prices for the considered alternatives and marketwide price distributions. We show that identification comes from differences in the patterns of actual prices in consumers’ consideration sets across search methods. We also provide a new estimation approach for the sequential search model that uses such data. Using data on consumer shopping behavior in the U.S. auto insurance industry that contain information on consideration sets and choices, we find that the pattern of actual prices in consumers’ consideration sets is consistent with consumers searching simultaneously. Via counterfactuals we show that the consideration set and purchase market shares of the largest insurance companies are overpredicted under the incorrect assumption of sequential search. As the search method affects consumers’ consideration sets, which in turn influence brand choices, understanding the nature of consumer search and its implications for consideration and choice is important from a managerial perspective.Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mksc.2016. 0995 .
Dropout Prediction and Reduction in Distance Education Courses with the Learning Analytics Multitrail Approach

Distance Education courses are present in large number of educational institutions. Virtual Learning Environments development contributes to this wide adoption of Distance Education modality and allows new pedagogical methodologies. However, dropout rates observed in these courses are very expressive, both in public and private educational institutions. This paper presents a Learning Analytics system developed to deal with dropout problem in Distance Education courses on university-level education. Several complementary tools, allowing data visualization, dropout predictions, support to pedagogical actions and textual analysis, among others, are available in the system. The implementation of these tools is feasible due to the adoption of an approach called Multitrail to represent and manipulate data from several sources and formats. The obtained results from experiments carried out with courses in a Brazilian university show the dropout prediction with an average of 87% precision. A set of pedagogical actions concerning students among the higher probabilities of dropout was implemented and we observed average reduction of 11% in dropout rates.
Bearing Capacity of Rough Rigid Strip Footing on Cohesive Soil: Probabilistic Study

A probabilistic study on the bearing capacity of a rough rigid strip footing on a weightless cohesive soil is carried out to assess the influence of randomly distributed undrained shear strength. Nonlinear finite element analysis is merged with random field theory in conjunction with a Monte Carlo method. In a parametric study, the mean shear strength is held constant while the coefficient of variation and spatial correlation length of cohesion are varied systematically. The influence of the spatial variation of cohesion on the mean bearing capacity is discussed. The results are also presented in a probabilistic context to determine the probability of failure. A comparison between rough and smooth footing conditions is also made.
Development of an intervention to reduce transmission of respiratory infections and pandemic flu: Measuring and predicting hand-washing intentions

This was an exploratory pilot study forming part of a programme of work to develop and trial an effective web-based intervention to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory infections by promoting hand washing and other preventive behaviours in pandemic and non-pandemic contexts. The main purpose of this study was to confirm that the behavioural determinants we had identified from theory were related as predicted to intentions and to establish the validity of our measures of behavioural intentions. Participants (N = 84) completed a self-report web-delivered questionnaire measuring intentions to engage in hand washing and the hypothesised behavioural determinants of intentions, based on the theory of planned behaviour and protection motivation theory. In a factorial 2 × 2 design, half of the participants were first randomised to receive messages about potential negative consequences of pandemic flu (the “high-threat” condition) and half were assigned to receive “coping” messages describing the rationale and effectiveness of hand washing for reducing the risk of infection. A substantial proportion of variance in intentions was explained by measures of attitudes (instrumental and affective), social norms (descriptive and injunctive), perceived behavioural control (especially, access to hand gel) and perceived risk (in particular, the likelihood of catching pandemic flu). Our measures of intentions were sensitive to between-group differences, and although our design did not permit causal inference (particularly in view of selective dropout among those required to read most web pages), the pattern of differences was in the expected direction, that is, hand-washing intentions tended to be stronger in those receiving the high-threat message and coping messages. This study provided encouraging confirmation that our intervention development was proceeding correctly. Measures of intentions proved sensitive to group differences, and the behavioural determinants included in the study explained a substantial proportion of the variance in intentions. The study also provided useful indications that our high-threat message might increase hand-washing intentions, that providing hand gel might be beneficial and that it would be necessary to actively manage the risk of selective dropout in the intervention group.
Effect of Cropping and Fertilization on Plant and Soil Phosphorus

Knowledge regarding the effects of long-term cropping practices and fertilization on the fate of P applied to the soil is required to aid in the prediction of how such practices influence the quality and sustainability of the environment. A 24-yr crop rotation experiment, conducted on a Swinton silt loam (Aridic Haploboroll) in southern Saskatchewan, was used to determine uptake of P by crops, its distribution in grain and straw, and the rate of change and nature of the residual P in the soil. Phosphorus concentration in the grain relative to that in the straw was 7:1 to 12:1 for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 6:1 for flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and 5: 1 for lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) and fall rye (Secale cereale L.). Grain P concentration was lowest in cereal crops (3.6 g kg -1 ) and highest in flax and lentil (4.4 g kg -1 ). Phosphorus removed annually with the grain increased with P fertilization and decreased with an increase in fallow frequency; it was 4.8 to 5.3 kg P ha -1 for continuous wheat, 3.5 to 3.8 kg P ha -1 for fallow-wheat-wheat, and 3.1 kg P ha -1 for fallow-wheat. Trend analysis showed that fertilizer P increased the Olsen P levels in soil at rates of 1.0 to 1.7 kg ha -1 yr -1 , but in the systems receiving no P, Olsen P remained constant and did not decline as suggested by a P balance sheet. Residual fertilizer P accumulated in labile forms, dominated by sorbed P and microbial P, rather than in forms dominated by Ca phosphate precipitates or other organic forms