Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultural Moderation in the Formation of Recovery Satisfaction Judgments: A Cognitive-Affective Perspective

The present study places the formation of recovery satisfaction judgments in a cultural context and empirically assesses their susceptibility to cultural moderation. Specifically, the study investigates whether an individual consumer’s cultural value orientation along the Hofstede dimensions of individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term/short-term orientation moderates the cognitive-affective relationships that underlie the formation of recovery satisfaction judgments. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study’s findings indicate that these cognitive-affective relationships are indeed subject to cultural moderation. Specifically, the findings document that individuals’ cultural value orientations significantly influence the impact of the cognitive (i.e., perceived justice-based) and affective (i.e., emotion-based) antecedents to recovery satisfaction. This supports the notion that conceptually accurate models of recovery satisfaction formation should incorporate culture as a moderating influence. Importantly, however, cultural moderation explains only an additional 2% to 4% of the variance in recovery satisfaction in the present study and none of the variance in positive/negative emotions. Accordingly, the managerial significance of variations in individuals’ cultural value orientations appears to be only minor, and firms may not necessarily stand a much better chance of implementing more appropriate recovery actions if they are sensitive to cultural differences in their customer base.
Prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer - preliminary study

Objective: The prognostic significance of KRAS gene mutations, evaluated by using two methods in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Material and Methods: Retrospective study involving 58 patients diagnosed with CRC and treated between 2003 and 2010 in the General and Esophageal Surgery Clinic of “Sf. Maria” Hospital, Bucharest. The macroscopic and microscopic examination of the resected specimens was also processed for genetic analysis in NIRDPBS, where KRAS status was determined by using two methods: PCR-RFLP and pyrosequencing. Results: The clinical and biological parameters of the patients were assessed for 72 months in average. A relapse in 21 patients and a 5-year survival rate of 79.3% was discovered. The genetic analyses of KRAS gene found mutations in 22 cases (45.3%): 17 cases had mutations in codon 12, 5 cases in codon 13. The survival rate analyses of patients with wild KRAS gene compared with the patients carrying the mutation on codon 12 /13 revealed a superposition of the survival curve. The statistical analysis based on the TNM stage revealed different survival curves in stage I and II, shorter survival period in patients with KRAS mutation on codon 13 than in those with wild type gene (stage I - p_value=0.015; stage II - p_value=0.000). Conclusions: It was not found that KRAS gene status had any prognostic significance. Nevertheless, for stage I and II patients, the mutation found on codon 13 determined a statistic significant shorter survival rate than for those with wild type. The results obtained by using the pyrosequencing method for the determination of KRAS gene status proved that it represented a reliable and reproducible method.
CORONAL LOOP EXPANSION PROPERTIES EXPLAINED USING SEPARATORS

One puzzling observed property of coronal loops is that they are of roughly constant thickness along their length. Various studies have found no consistent pattern of width variation along the length of loops observed by TRACE and SOHO. This is at odds with expectations of magnetic flux tube expansion properties, which suggests that loops are widest at their tops, and significantly narrower at their footpoints. Coronal loops correspond to areas of the solar corona which have been preferentially heated by some process, so this observed property might be connected to the mechanisms that heat the corona. One means of energy deposition is magnetic reconnection, which occurs along field lines called separators. These field lines begin and end on magnetic null points, and loops forming near them can therefore be relatively wide at their bases. Thus, coronal energization by magnetic reconnection may replicate the puzzling expansion properties observed in coronal loops. We present results of a Monte Carlo survey of separator field line expansion properties, comparing them to the observed properties of coronal loops.
A Multi-Marker Genetic Association Test Based on the Rasch Model Applied to Alzheimer’s Disease

Results from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have shown that the genetic basis of complex traits often include many genetic variants with small to moderate effects whose identification remains a challenging problem. In this context multi-marker analysis at the gene and pathway level can complement traditional point-wise approaches that treat the genetic markers individually. In this paper we propose a novel statistical approach for multi-marker analysis based on the Rasch model. The method summarizes the categorical genotypes of SNPs by a generalized logistic function into a genetic score that can be used for association analysis. Through different sets of simulations, the false-positive rate and power of the proposed approach are compared to a set of existing methods, and shows good performances. The application of the Rasch model on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) ADNI GWAS dataset also allows a coherent interpretation of the results. Our analysis supports the idea that APOE is a major susceptibility gene for AD. In the top genes selected by proposed method, several could be functionally linked to AD. In particular, a pathway analysis of these genes also highlights the metabolism of cholesterol, that is known to play a key role in AD pathogenesis. Interestingly, many of these top genes can be integrated in a hypothetic signalling network.
Detecting disruptive routers: a distributed network monitoring approach

An attractive target for a computer system attacker is the router. An attacker in control of a router can disrupt communication by dropping or misrouting packets passing through the router. We present a protocol called WATCHERS that detects and reacts to routers that drop or misroute packets. WATCHERS is based on the principle of conservation of flow in a network: all data bytes sent into a node, and not destined for that node, are expected to exit the node. WATCHERS tracks this flow, and detects routers that violate the conservation principle. We show that WATCHERS has several advantages over existing network monitoring techniques. We argue that WATCHERS' impact on router performance and WATCHERS' memory requirements are reasonable for many environments. We demonstrate that in ideal conditions WATCHERS makes no false-positive diagnoses. We also describe how WATCHERS can be tuned to perform nearly as well in realistic conditions.
Effects of ladder parameters on asymmetric patterns of force exertion during below-knee amputees climbing ladders

Different from walking, ladder climbing requires four-limb coordination and more energy exertion for below-knee amputees (BKAs). We hypothesized that functional deficiency of a disabled limb shall be compensated by the other three intact limbs, showing an asymmetry pattern among limbs. Hand and foot forces of six below-knee amputees and six able-bodied people were collected. Hand, foot and hand/foot sum force variances between groups (non-BKA, intact side and prosthetic side) were carefully examined. Our hypothesis was validated that there is asymmetry between prosthetic and intact side. Results further showed that the ipsilateral hand of the prosthetic leg is stronger than the hand on the intact side, compensating weakness of the prosthetic leg. Effects of ladder rung separations and ladder slant on asymmetric force distribution of BKAs were evaluated, indicating that rung separation has a more significant interactive effect on hand/foot force of BKAs than ladder slant.
Acquiring and probing self-other equivalencies Using artificial agents to study social cognition

As artificial anthropomorphic agents, such as humanoid robots and computer-generated characters, are likely to become widespread in our society, it is important to understand humans' emotional reactions to these agents. "Social resonance" is an emerging framework in social cognition covering cognitive processes used when experiencing an event and when perceiving another individual experiencing the same event. It has been applied to the domains of action, emotion and pain. After presenting this framework and discussing its use to address questions pertaining to artificial agents' social competence I will present experiments designed to test hypotheses concerning the acquisition and probe self-other equivalencies. In a first study, we tested that motor contagion can be bootstrapped by self-observation using neural network computation and robotic simulation. A complementary strategy was to use paradigms derived from experimental psychology to investigate humans' responses to artificial agents, in order to shed new light on parameters influencing resonance in behaving adults. Finally, the idea of closer ties between researchers investigating artificial agents and social cognitive neuroscience is gaining momentum is both communities, and led to the proposal that a new scientific field, android science, should be created. I will thus discuss how theoretical perspectives from cognitive sciences and resources from computer and robotic sciences can be combined to investigate social cognition and to participate to the development of socially competent artificial agents
Emergent Strategy and the Measurement of Performance: The Formulation of Performance Indicators at the Microlevel

This article presents some evidence on an aspect of the design of a strategic control system, at the microlevel, within a single organization. The research we report used an ethnographic approach to provide an understanding of strategy formulation. Our aim is to contribute to an area of literature which is of increasing significance, but relatively underdeveloped in terms of the application of in-depth, field-research techniques. We take an intensive look at the manner in which performance measures are formulated, at the microlevel, within a single organization. The article presents, as an in-depth case analysis, the experience of a fisheries holding company in New Zealand. The article recounts the experiences of managers within the organization of the process of identification of such things as critical success factors and key performance indicators (KPIs) and, more broadly, the formulation of a strategic performance measurement system.
The Kindness of Strangers: Family-Based Early Intervention and Improved Outcomes for Children

This paper presents the findings of a study examining the relationship between family-based early intervention services provided through home visitation and improved outcomes for children, in order to determine the effectiveness of these programmes. This pre-test/post-test design study examined a sample of families (n = 297) across three California-based early intervention home visitation programmes. The findings of the study provides lessons for New Zealand on how early intervention programmes for families can be successful at protecting children from negative outcomes such as abuse and neglect. Programme effectiveness was studied by analysing individual family data to determine the relationship between programme involvement (duration and intensity) and changes in outcome indicators for children pre-intervention and post-intervention. Of the six child outcome indicators examined across three programmes, early intervention services had a significant positive relationship with only one outcome ‐ healthy child birth weight. The key finding of this study was that greater programme involvement, measured by longer and more intense home visitation early interventions, did not result in improved child outcomes. The lessons for New Zealand from this California-based study are that effectively intervening early in a family to enhance a child’s wellbeing is complex and seems to require interventions that are part of an integrated model providing quality services that are based on some flexibility in the intensity and duration of services provided.
State-Mandated Accountability in High Schools: Teachers’ Interpretations of a New Era

This article addresses conflicting statements about the impact of accountability policies in which some argue that testing undermines good teaching, while others claim that it stimulates improvement. The authors begin with the assumption that it is important to explore implementers’ cognitive perspectives in order to understand a policy’s effects. Using a sensemaking perspective, they examine teachers’ responses to accountability in three high schools selected because they were deemed to have a strong teacher culture that supported quality education. The schools were located in states with diverse histories of accountability legislation, but in districts with well-established local accountability policies. Findings suggested that sensemaking activity occurred in all three schools and was associated with teachers’ interpretation of accountability policies and with their efforts to change classroom practice to be consistent with accountability policies. Active efforts by district-level administrators to mediate sensemaking affected teachers’ attitudes toward accountability policies and standards-driven reform.
Confirmatory factor analyses of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI-1985)

Background. There has been mixed factor-analytic support for Kolb's original Learning Style Inventory (LSI) and the later refined version (LSI-1985) in terms of the two proposed dimensions and four learning styles. Aims. The present study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine if the two proposed dimensions and four learning styles are clearly identified. Samples. Two hundred undergraduates in management courses completed the LSI-1985. Methods. The appropriateness of the two dimensions and four styles were evaluated through CFAs of the covariance matrices using AMOS (Arbuckle, 1997) and several fit indexes. Results. The CFAs fail to support Kolb's (1985) efforts to improve the original LSI with the LSI-1985 and underscore concerns about factoring ipsative measures. On the other hand, an exploratory factor analysis using the four style scores supports the two bipolar dimensions. Conclusions. While factor-analytic and measurement issues persist with the LSI, there is support for the LSI as a pedagogical tool.
Research in Counseling Psychology: Prospects and Recommendations

This report presents a summary of the conclusions and recommendations of the Research Group at the Third National Conference for Counseling Psychology. The report is organized into five topics, as were discussed during the conference. These topics are (a) definition and image, (b) methodological diversity in counseling research, (c) multi- and cross-cultural issues, (d) the connection of research to practice, and (e) research training. Fifteen general recommendations are offered to the specialty regarding research in counseling psychology.
Isozyme evidence on the specific distinctness and phylogenetic position of Vicia incisa (Fabaceae)

Vicia incisa is a taxonomically controversial species that has been also treated as a subspecies of V. sativa because of a great morphological similarity. The phylogenetic position of V. incisa is uncertain because various DNA markers have provided contradictory results. Isozymes of V. incisa encoded by 15 loci and resolved with the use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) are described and compared with those of seven related species belonging to sections Vicia, Sepium, Lathyroides and Pseudolathyrus in order to get new evidence about its taxonomic rank and phylogenetic position. Phylogenetic relationships are analyzed with maximum parsimony and neighbour joining methods. Vicia incisa is shown to differ from all three subspecies of V. sativa including, sativa, cordata and nigra, by alternate variants of ten isozymes out of 15 analysed. Instead, V. incisa has much more similarity to V. grandiflora and V. sepium by sharing eight isozyme variants which differ from the subspecies of V. sativa. The most parsimony and neighbour joining analyses of the isozyme variation placed V. incisa as basally linked to the V. grandiflora and V. sepium species couple in the clade of section Sepium (= sect. Atossa), while the subspecies of V. sativa together with V. lathyroides formed a separate clade of section Vicia. The isozyme data provide further support to the species status of V. incisa.
The Tides of Titan

Getting to Know Titan Gravity-field measurements provide information on the interior structure of planets and their moons. Iess et al. (p. 457; published online 28 June) analyzed gravity data from six flybys of Saturn's moon, Titan, by the Cassini spacecraft between 2006 and 2011. The data suggest that Titan's interior is flexible on tidal time scales with the magnitude of the observed tidal deformations being consistent with the existence of a global subsurface water ocean. Gravity measurements by the Cassini spacecraft suggest that Saturn’s moon Titan hosts a subsurface ocean. We have detected in Cassini spacecraft data the signature of the periodic tidal stresses within Titan, driven by the eccentricity (e = 0.028) of its 16-day orbit around Saturn. Precise measurements of the acceleration of Cassini during six close flybys between 2006 and 2011 have revealed that Titan responds to the variable tidal field exerted by Saturn with periodic changes of its quadrupole gravity, at about 4% of the static value. Two independent determinations of the corresponding degree-2 Love number yield k2 = 0.589 ± 0.150 and k2 = 0.637 ± 0.224 (2σ). Such a large response to the tidal field requires that Titan’s interior be deformable over time scales of the orbital period, in a way that is consistent with a global ocean at depth.
p38 and ERK1/2 Coordinate Cellular Migration and Proliferation in Epithelial Wound Healing

One important action of growth factors is their participation in tissue repair; however, the signaling pathways involved are poorly understood. In a model of corneal wound healing, we found that two paracrine growth factors, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), induced rapid and marked activation and prompt nuclear accumulation of phospho-p38 (p-p38) and -ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), but not of JNK (p-JNK1/2), in corneal epithelial cells. Interruption of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways by pretreatment with inhibitors SB203580 and PD98059 and subsequent stimulation with HGF or KGF abolished the activation and nuclear localization. Inhibition of either one of these mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38 or ERK1/2, induced a robust cross-activation of the other. In immunofluorescence studies of wounded cornea, p-p38, unlike p-ERK1/2, was immediately detectable in epithelium after injury. Inhibition of p38 by SB203580 blocked migration of epithelial cells almost completely. In contrast, PD98059 seemed to slightly increase the migration, through concomitant activation of p38. Unlike ERK1/2, p38 did not significantly contribute to proliferation of epithelial cells. Inhibition of either the ERK1/2 or p38 pathway resulted in delayed corneal epithelial wound healing. Interruption of both signaling cascades additively inhibited the wound-healing process. These findings demonstrate that both p38 and ERK1/2 coordinate the dynamics of wound healing: while growth factor-stimulated p38 induces epithelial migration, ERK1/2 activation induces proliferation. The cross-talk between these two signal cascades and the selective action of p38 in migration appear to be important to corneal wound healing, and possibly wound healing in general, and may offer novel drug targets for tissue repair.
"A Hand Hold for A Little Bit": Factors Facilitating the Success of Community College Transfer Students to a Large Research University

To understand factors affecting the academic and social integration of community college transfer students, we interviewed 19 students who transferred to one state's large Research-Extensive university. We inquired about the transfer process, efforts of the university to orient and assist them, and perceptions of the university versus the community college. Findings indicate that community college transfer students may need more assistance initially than they are given, partly because of the large size of the university. In addition, transfers from community colleges need to understand how a research institution's institutional mission affects faculty and student behavior. Student affairs staff may need to lead the way in fulfilling four-year institutions' responsibility for integrating community college transfers into the fabric of the institution.
Self-Regulated Learning in Teacher Education- The Significance of Individual Resources and Learning Behaviour

Teacher education must ensure that teachers have the prerequisites to meet different demands in their career entry phase. The presented evaluation study of 241 student teachers in their second semester of pre-service education shows that not only highly rated courses have an impact on the learning outcome of student teachers; the intensity with which student teachers use learning opportunities, their competence in learning strategies, learning orientation, and strategies of selfmotivation and resilience are crucial for high learning outcomes. Results show, that evaluation of courses focusing only the estimation of the quality of the course, doesn't guarantee for a learning outcome. The intensity of usage by the students and their individual characteristics like beliefs and motives are crucial as well. Results of this study point out, that in evaluation studies it seems to be important, to take several factors factors in account to analyse the effect of education. Additional to the quality of the course, also characteristics of the learners and their intensity in dealing with the demands of the course should be taken in account.
Amateur and Professional Astronomers

ROBERT A. STEBBINS Modern adult amateurs are distinguished from dabblers and novices by their greater seriousness and competence In a field of art, science, sport, or entertainment In the main, they are defined and define themselves by reference to their professional counterparts who treat the same endeavor as a vocation Both categories, along with a public, are connected through a complex set of structural links referred to here as the professional-amateur-public (P-A-P) system of functionally mterdependent relationships Previous research and theory has identified seven of these relationships This study examines these from the point of view of amateurs and professionals m astronomy All but one of the relationships were found to exist among these two types of scientists
Distinct cytoprotective roles of pyruvate and ATP by glucose metabolism on epithelial necroptosis and crypt proliferation in ischaemic gut

Intestinal ischaemia causes epithelial death and crypt dysfunction, leading to barrier defects and gut bacteria‐derived septic complications. Enteral glucose protects against ischaemic injury; however, the roles played by glucose metabolites such as pyruvate and ATP on epithelial death and crypt dysfunction remain elusive. A novel form of necrotic death that involves the assembly and phosphorylation of receptor interacting protein kinase 1/3 complex was found in ischaemic enterocytes. Pyruvate suppressed epithelial cell death in an ATP‐independent manner and failed to maintain crypt function. Conversely, replenishment of ATP partly restored crypt proliferation but had no effect on epithelial necroptosis in ischaemic gut. Our data argue against the traditional view of ATP as the main cytoprotective factor by glucose metabolism, and indicate a novel anti‐necroptotic role of glycolytic pyruvate under ischaemic stress.