Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discontinuity patterns in stages of the precaution adoption process model: meat consumption during a livestock epidemic.

OBJECTIVES Patterns of changes in social-cognitive variables were investigated in order to test selected stages of the precaution adoption process model (PAPM). It was hypothesized that non-linear trends (discontinuity patterns) in perceived vulnerability, positive and negative outcome expectancies, procrastination, and self-efficacy might be observed across the stages. DESIGN Cross-sectional data from 808 respondents were employed. METHOD Questionnaire data were collected in an on-line study on meat consumption during a livestock epidemic in Germany. Polynomial trends and analyses of variance with post-hoc-contrasts were used to examine the patterns of change. RESULTS Discontinuity patterns were found for perceived vulnerability, negative outcome expectancies, and procrastination. The data provided partial support for discontinuity patterns in self-efficacy. Continuity patterns were found for positive outcome expectancies. CONCLUSIONS Results provide support for a stage model rather than a pseudo-stage model.
Accurate Interconnection Length Estimations for Predictions Early in the Design Cycle

Important layout properties of electronic circuits include space requirements and interconnection lengths. In the process of designing these circuits, a reliable pre-layout interconnection length estimation is essential for improving placement and routing techniques. Donath found an upper bound for the average interconnection length that follows the trends of experimentally observed average lengths. Yet, this upper bound deviates from the experimental value by a factor δ ≈ 2, which is not sufficiently accurate for some applications. We show that we obtain a significantly more accurate estimate by taking into account the inherent features of the optimal placement process.
Link state routing in wireless ad-hoc networks

Link state has been the dominating IGP routing technology in IP networks for more than a decade. With the advent of wireless ad-hoc networking, the need for light, efficient and robust routing makes it a good candidate to be also used in this constrained environment. One of the key issue in ad-hoc networking is the lack of bandwidth. Thus, in this paper we examine the overhead due to link state routing in an ad-hoc network. More precisely we study the classic link-state protocol OSPF and OLSR, a link state protocol that was developed specifically for ad-hoc networks. Further, we study how this overhead evolves when the node density increases. The last part of the paper presents directions towards extending OSPF for wireless and ad-hoc networks, which would make it a favorite to seamlessly unify wired and mobile IP networks.
Integrating quality, quality in use, actual usability and user experience

Selecting and using a quality model is usually a first step in evaluating software quality. In this work we propose employing previous work incorporating two new characteristics into recently issued the ISO 25010 standard combined with concepts of actual usability and user experience in a flexible framework. The resulting models and framework can be instantiated to evaluate software and Web applications. Finally, a strategy and process for non-intrusively evaluating and improving quality in use based on real usage data is outlined. The application of this strategy is our current endeavor.
The ectopically antler growth research of sika deer

In order to reveal the mechanism of antler development and elucidate the function of antlerogenic periosteum in the process, in this experiment we selected four one year old male sika deers. A full one side antlerogenic periosteum was removed to the frontal bone by surgery operation. The results showed that there have no antler grows in the place where the periosteum was removed,but the antler grows well in the frontal bone where the periosteum was received. The results in this experiment indicated that antlerogenic periosteum is the histological bases for antler formation. We think it will be help for increasing the antler production by ectopic antler theory.
The Effects of Behavioral Skills Training on Implementation and Generalization of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): a Systematic Replication

The effectiveness of a behavioral skills training (BST) package, which included verbal and written instructions, modeling and role-play with a confederate learner, and feedback was used to teach the implementation of Phases 1 –3A of the picture exchange communication system (PECS). The BST package was implemented using a multiple baseline design across three instructional staff at a center that provides services to children with autism. All participants had minimal or no previous training in PECS. Results indicate the BST package was effective in teaching these skills to all participants in a minimal amount of time, and that the results of training generalized to the classroom environment with students to whom the teachers were assigned to work with on a daily basis. Results are discussed with respect to the effectiveness and efficiency of the training package; and implications for future trainings for individuals who work with children with limited functional communication skills.
Conflict Adaptation Is Independent of Consciousness: Behavioral and ERP Evidence

Previous studies have suggested that some cognitive control functions such as inhibition control and task switching were independent of consciousness, but it is unclear whether consciousness is necessary for conflict adaptation. Prior studies in consciousness domain showed that conflict adaptation reflected on behavioral measures and ERP components (N2 and P3). The purpose of current study is to test whether consciousness is necessary for conflict control. If conflict control was independent of consciousness, we would observe that the conflict effect indexed on reaction times and N2 and P3 amplitude modulated by previous trial congruency regardless of consciousness. If these hypotheses were verified, it could deepen our understanding of unconscious information processing and give us insight into the function of consciousness. To test our hypotheses, we obtained the behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) data from 18 subjects using an arrow version meta-contrast masking task, in which the primes fitted exactly within the inner contour of the target. By manipulating the time interval of prime and target and the presentation time of primes, the prime can be weakly or strongly masked. One subject was excluded from further analysis due to too many artifacts. To exclude the alternative interpretation of conflict adaptation by stimulus/response repetitions, stimulus or The results showed that there was reliable conflict effect on reaction times and N2 and P3 amplitudes under conscious and unconscious conditions, and these effects were modulated by the congruency of previous trial type. Specifically, the conflict effect is smaller when the previous trials were incongruent than when they were congruent. Nevertheless, the size of conflict adaptation effect indexed on reaction times and N2 amplitude were larger under conscious condition than under unconscious condition, while the size of conflict adaptation between conscious and unconscious conditions were not significant. To our knowledge, we are the first to use ERP methods to study whether consciousness is necessary for conflict adaptation. These results not only suggest that the unconscious experience has great impact on human information processing system, but also suggest that conflict control is independent of consciousness. The difference in magnitude of conflict adaptation effect may come from the magnitude difference of conflict effect, and conscious conflict is far larger than unconscious conflict. Thus, in further studies we should pay attention to the difference and common aspects on unconscious and conscious conflict control. Moreover, the conflict monitoring theory can be perfectly interpreted the conflict control, but it do not elucidate the function of consciousness in the loop of conflict control. In conclusion, the current findings indicate that conflict adaptation is independent of consciousness. The current study could give some insights to understand and reveal the function of consciousness as well as its effect on conflict control.
Immediate Postpartum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Insertions in Caesarean and Vaginal Deliveries: A Comparative Study of Follow-Up Outcomes

Background. Immediate postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (IPPIUCD) is a lucrative postpartum family planning method which provides effective reversible contraception to women in the delivery setting. Our aim was to study the clinical outcomes of IPPIUCD insertions and compare them as a factor of route of insertion (vaginal versus caesarean). Methods. This is a retrospective analytical study done in a tertiary care teaching institute. A Cohort of 593 vaginal and caesarean deliveries with IPPIUCD insertions, over a two-year period, was studied and compared for follow-up results. Outcome measures were safety (perforation, irregular bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, and infection), efficacy (pregnancy, expulsions, and discontinuations), and incidence of undescended IUCD strings. Descriptives were calculated for various outcomes and chi square tests were used for comparison in between categorical variables. Results. Overall complication rates were low. No case of perforation or pregnancy was reported. Spontaneous expulsions were present in 5.3% cases and were significantly higher in vaginal insertions (p = 0.042). The incidence of undescended strings was high (38%), with highly significant difference between both groups (p = 0.000). Conclusion. IPPIUCD is a strong weapon in the family planning armoury and should be encouraged in both vaginal and caesarean deliveries. Early follow-up should be encouraged to detect expulsions and tackle common problems.
Content Area Teacher Candidates' Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Teaching Writing Online

Abstract This article focuses on a research study of social studies candidates' self-efficacy beliefs in teaching writing. They coached high school writers online during their content-area literacy course in an effort to assist the high school students in revising their multigenre papers. Over a period of 6 weeks the candidates and the high school students engaged in writing online practices using the learning management system Edmodo. Data were collected using preexperience and postexperience surveys and observational notes. The purpose of this study was to explore how virtual interactions between content area teacher candidates and high school writers contributed to candidates' self-efficacy beliefs of teaching writing. Findings indicated that candidates' self-efficacy beliefs were influenced by nine specific experiences.
Acceptance and commitment therapy for public speaking anxiety : a case series study of effects on self-reported, implicit, imaginal, and in-vivo outcomes

Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a common problem, and in some cases can lead to significant social and occupational difficulties. While exposure therapy combined with cognitive restructuring is currently the most effective treatment available, approximately 25% of individuals fail to respond. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third-wave behavioural approach predicated on supposed different mechanisms of change, may have additional benefits to more traditional interventions, and may be more acceptable to those individuals with PSA who find exposure based therapy too difficult. A multiple single-case design was used to examine the effects of a self-help ACT intervention for PSA on self-reported, implicit, imaginal, and in-vivo outcomes, across six replications. All participants reported a reduction in speech anxiety, with evidence of reliable change in three cases. The four participants who reported an increase in willingness to approach a feared public speaking scenario, also completed an in-vivo voluntary speech task. Triangulation of quantitative (daily and weekly measures) and qualitative data (change-interview) indicate that mindfulness (self-as-context and present-moment awareness) may be a key mechanism of change in ACT for individuals with PSA. The findings offer support for ACT delivered in a self-help format to treat speech anxiety, however, further research is needed to generalise these findings and examine the long term effects.
Bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in human lung: its distribution in smokers and non-smokers.

BACKGROUND--Bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) is a normal component of the lung's immune system in many animals and may be analogous to gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). This study aimed at assessing the nature and extent of BALT in human lung and determining whether its expression is induced within the human airway in response to smoking. METHODS--Paraffin embedded, formalin fixed full thickness bronchial wall sections were examined from 31 whole lung specimens derived from both smokers and non-smokers. Samples were taken from throughout the bronchial tree to include main stem bronchi, lobar bronchi and segmental bronchi, as well as first to third generation carinae. Standard 4 microns step sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin and immunocytochemical methods to show foci of BALT. RESULTS--Examination of 256 airway sites detected 46 foci of BALT. These differed from those described in other mammals in being distributed throughout the bronchial tree, in being found in relation to bronchial glandular epithelium as well as luminal bronchial epithelium, and in lacking any accompanying M cells. Analysis by smoking status showed that the expression of BALT was significantly more common in smokers than non-smokers (82% (14/17) v 14% (2/14) respectively). CONCLUSIONS--The findings support the view that BALT in humans is an integral feature in a comparatively small proportion of lungs from non-smokers while being significantly more prominent in lungs from smokers. The tissue shows several important differences from that described in other mammals.
Persistence Of Dynamic Fairness And Altruism In The Ultimatum Game

In this paper, we explore a dynamic version of the Ultimatum Game and study its results with regards to population dynamics, stability, and preference set construction. The Ultimatum Game is a famous economic experiment that studies human belief structures and behaviors, such as equality, fairness, and cooperation. Previous studies of the game have shown that theoretical results for the game are not often mirrored experimentally. While many models were produced to take account of such differences, emphasis was put on explaining decision-making through individual optimization of strategies alone. Our treatment addresses how populations of players with different preferences form offers, accept or reject proposals, and rationalize interactions over time. We propose that belief systems for fairness and unfairness can be understood by establishing dependence between how players assign utility to offers received and offers made to others. We then analyze the dynamics of a population of players who adapt their trading behaviors based upon population size. We find that a model where groups in a population interact with population dynamics in mind will exhibit tendencies to approach proportional equilibria and that the growth and stability of the overall population of players depends upon a delicate balance between the preferences of the group and the individual.
Incremental transfer RULES with incomplete data

Recently strong AI emerged from artificial intelligence due to need for a thinking machine. In this domain, it is necessary to deal with dynamic incomplete data and understanding of how machines make their decision is also important, especially in information system domain. One type of learning called Covering Algorithms (CA) can be used instead of the difficult statistical machine learning methods to produce simple rule with powerful prediction ability. However, although using CA as the base of strong AI is a novel idea, doing so with the current methods available is not possible. Thus, this paper presents a novel CA (RULES-IT) and tests its performance over incomplete data. This algorithm is the first incremental algorithm in its family, and CA as a whole, that transfer rules from different domains and introduce intelligent aspects using simple representation. The performance of RULES-IT will be tested over incomplete and complete data along with other algorithms in the literature. It will be validated using 5-fold cross validation in addition to Friedman with Nemenyi post hoc tests to measure the significance and rank the algorithms.
PROYECTOS DE AULA INTERDISCIPLINARIOS Y REPROFESIONALIZACION DE PROFESORES: UN MODELO DE CAPACITACION* Interdisciplinary projects of classroom and reprofesionalization of teachers: a model of training

This research evaluates the effect of a model of training in interdisciplinary projects of classroom in a sample of 60 teachers belonging to 4 establishments of Secondary Education. The approximation is so much qualitative as quantitative using measurements before, during and after the training by means of observation of the pedagogic performance in the classrooms of the teachers participants and self report of their perceptions concerning their experience in the process of training and the change in their practices. The results show significant changes in the educational practices after the training, which are kept in time. The self-report of the participants shows an important increase in the feelings of self efficiency and aptitude to innovate. The results are discussed considering the characteristics necessary for a model of efficient training and the need to consider the daily practice of the teachers and the context where it develops.
Cellular Links between Neuronal Activity and Energy Homeostasis

Neuronal activity, astrocytic responses to this activity, and energy homeostasis are linked together during baseline, conscious conditions, and short-term rapid activation (as occurs with sensory or motor function). Nervous system energy homeostasis also varies during long-term physiological conditions (i.e., development and aging) and with adaptation to pathological conditions, such as ischemia or low glucose. Neuronal activation requires increased metabolism (i.e., ATP generation) which leads initially to substrate depletion, induction of a variety of signals for enhanced astrocytic function, and increased local blood flow and substrate delivery. Energy generation (particularly in mitochondria) and use during ATP hydrolysis also lead to considerable heat generation. The local increases in blood flow noted following neuronal activation can both enhance local substrate delivery but also provides a heat sink to help cool the brain and removal of waste by-products. In this review we highlight the interactions between short-term neuronal activity and energy metabolism with an emphasis on signals and factors regulating astrocyte function and substrate supply.
Evaluation of allergic lung inflammation by computed tomography in a rat model in vivo

The ability of micro-computed tomography (CT) to noninvasively evaluate allergic pulmonary inflammation in an experimental model was investigated. In addition, two image segmentation methods and the value of respiratory gating were investigated in the context of this model. Brown Norway rats were exposed to one of four doses of house dust mite (HDM) extract (0, 0.15, 15 or 150 μg) delivered intratracheally every 24 h for 10 days. CT scanning was performed at baseline and after several longitudinal HDM exposures. Both thoracic- and lung-segmentation methods yielded similar results when standardisation practices were employed. While tissue histology correlated well with CT images, cell counts from bronchoalveolar lavage depicted greater inflammation than did density measures from CT images. Evidence from representative CT slices and transaxial density distribution indicated that inflammation was primarily associated with major airways and extended into the periphery from these focal points. Respiratory gating demonstrated that images of the inspiratory state provided greater contrast of inflammatory processes. Lastly, decreases in tidal volumes indicated significant mechanical respiratory changes in animals exposed to both 15 and 150 μg. In summary, CT image segmentation can extract pertinent data on in vivo allergic airway/lung inflammation. Furthermore, respiratory gating provides additional contrast and insight into these quantification practices.
What are the Determinants of the Capital Structure ? Some Evidence for Switzerland

We test leverage predictions of the trade-off and pecking order models using Swiss data. At an aggregate level, leverage of Swiss firms is comparatively low, but the results depend crucially on the exact definition of leverage. Confirming the pecking order model but contradicting the trade-off model, more profitable firms use less leverage. Firms with more investment opportunities apply less leverage, which supports both the trade-off model and a complex version of the pecking order model. Leverage is also closely related to tangibility of assets and the volatility of a firm’s earnings. Finally, estimating a dynamic panel model, we find that Swiss firms tend to maintain target leverage ratios. Our results are robust to several alternative estimation techniques.
Distributed Memory Implementation Strategies for the kinetic Monte Carlo Algorithm

This paper presents strategies to parallelize a previously implemented kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) algorithm. The process under simulation is the precipitation in an aluminum scandium alloy. The selected parallel algorithm is called synchronous parallel kinetic Monte Carlo (spkMC). spkMC was implemented with a distributed memory architecture and using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) communication protocol. In spkMC the different processes synchronize at regular points, called end of sprint. During a sprint there is no interaction among processes. A checker board scheme was adopted to avoid possible conflicts among processes during each sprint. To optimize performance different implementations were explored, each one with a different computation vs. communication strategy. The obtained results prove that a rigorous distributed and parallel implementation reproduces accurately the statistical behavior observed with the sequential kMC. Results also prove that simulation time can be reduced with a distributed parallelization but, due to the non-deterministic nature of kMC, significant and scalable gains in parallelization oblige to introduce some simplifications and approximations.
Modeling and managing risk early in software development

The authors present an automated modeling technique which can be used as an alternative to regression techniques to improve the quality of the software development process. The modeling process will allow for the reliable detection of potential problem areas and for the interpretation of the cause of the problem so that the most appropriate remedial action can be taken. It is shown that it can be used to facilitate the identification and aid the interpretation of the significant trends which characterize high risk components in several Ada systems. The effectiveness of the technique is evaluated based on a comparison with logistic regression based models. <<ETX>>