Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Reducing Implicit Prejudice Increase Out-Group Identification? The Downstream Consequences of Evaluative Training on Associations Between the Self and Racial Categories

The present experiments were designed to investigate whether an intervention that targeted racial attitudes influenced not only prejudice but also self–Black associations. Because past research has demonstrated that people strive to build connections with favorable social categories, we predicted that positive evaluative training would increase identification with Blacks. Results from three studies provide evidence that practice in associating positive concepts with Blacks reduced implicit prejudice which in turn increased implicit self–Black associations. Notably, prejudice, in this case, had an intervening variable effect. Study 3 also investigated the impact of an alternative intervention that directly targeted self-associations rather than racial attitudes. Unlike evaluative training, associating the self with Blacks directly reduced both implicit prejudice and increased self–Black associations. These findings extend theorizing on the causal relationship between prejudice and out-group identification and provide important process information on how particular interventions reduce intergroup biases.
Fischler–Susskind holographic cosmology revisited

When Fischler and Susskind proposed a holographic prescription based on the particle horizon, they found that spatially closed cosmological models do not verify it due to the apparently unavoidable recontraction of the particle horizon area. In this paper, after a short review of their original work, we expose graphically and analytically that spatially closed cosmological models can avoid this problem if they expand fast enough. It has also been shown that the holographic principle is saturated for a codimension one-brane dominated universe. The Fischler–Susskind prescription is used to obtain the maximum number of degrees of freedom per Planck volume at the Planck era compatible with the holographic principle.
PAYAO FISHING AND ITS IMPACTS TO TUNA STOCKS: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS

The main issue that is leveled against the use of FADs is on the sustainability of fisheries resources, particularly tuna. There are concerns that FADs contribute to the depletion of tuna populations because of higher catches of juvenile tuna, particularly bigeye and yellowfin, by purse seine methods in FAD-associated sets compared to other types of set (Anon. 2005), and that regulating the use of FADs would reduce the mitigate their impacts (Hampton et al. 2005). Although this observation is probably true for drifting FADs, limited studies have been conducted yet to confirm whether it is also true for anchored FADs (Lawson and Williams 2005), locally called payaos in the Philippines. It is therefore necessary to investigate the possible impacts of payaos on tuna stocks because the growing pressure to reduce the level of fishing effort using FADs may be expanded to include payaos and could have a severe impact on the Philippine tuna industry, which relies heavily on these structures to capture tuna and other non-tuna associated species. This study aims to assess payao fishing in the Philippines and its impacts to tuna stocks. The preliminary analysis presented here will attempt to fill in some gaps that are deemed essential to the management of tuna stocks in the West and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO).
Italian adaptation of the Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory-2

The ability to understand Learning Styles, provided by Kolb’s studies, suggests that the instrument can be used on the Italian population in a translated and adapted form. In this study, correlational and factorial re-analysis, in line with the psychometric evidence in the literature, shows how the four scales, Abstract Conceptualization (AC), Concrete Experience (CE), Reflective Observation (RO), Active Experimentation (AE), come together as in the original Kolb’s hypothesis, in a bipolar dimension. The assessment of the Learning styles applied to the students of Medicine and Surgery, is interesting for the many different approaches into medical science and different professional choices.
Efficient Convex Relaxation Methods for Robust Target Localization by a Sensor Network Using Time Differences of Arrivals

We consider the problem of target localization by a network of passive sensors. When an unknown target emits an acoustic or a radio signal, its position can be localized with multiple sensors using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) information. In this paper, we consider the maximum likelihood formulation of this target localization problem and provide efficient convex relaxations for this nonconvex optimization problem. We also propose a formulation for robust target localization in the presence of sensor location errors. Two Cramer-Rao bounds are derived corresponding to situations with and without sensor node location errors. Simulation results confirm the efficiency and superior performance of the convex relaxation approach as compared to the existing least squares based approach when large sensor node location errors are present.
Linear Network Error Correction Multicast/Broadcast/Dispersion Codes

In this paper, for the purposes of information transmission and network error correction simultaneously, three classes of important linear network codes in network coding, linear multicast/broadcast/dispersion codes are generalized to linear network error correction coding, i.e., linear network error correction multicast/broadcast/dispersion codes. We further propose the (weakly, strongly) extended Singleton bounds for these new classes of codes, and define the optimal codes satisfying the corresponding Singleton bounds with equality, which are called multicast/broadcast/dispersion MDS codes respectively. The existence of such codes are proved by an algebraic method and one kind of constructive algorithm is also proposed.
Mathematical Modeling of Renal Tubular Glucose Absorption after Glucose Load

A partial differential Progressive Tubular Reabsorption (PTR) model, describing renal tubular glucose reabsorption and urinary glucose excretion following a glucose load perturbation, is proposed and fitted to experimental data from five subjects. For each subject the Glomerular Filtration Rate was estimated and both blood and urine glucose were sampled following an Intra-Venous glucose bolus. The PTR model was compared with a model representing the conventional Renal Threshold Hypothesis (RTH). A delay bladder compartment was introduced in both formulations. For the RTH model, the average threshold for glycosuria varied between 9.90±4.50 mmol/L and 10.63±3.64 mmol/L (mean ± Standard Deviation) under different hypotheses; the corresponding average maximal transport rates varied between 0.48±0.45 mmol/min (86.29±81.22 mg/min) and 0.50±0.42 mmol/min (90.62±76.15 mg/min). For the PTR Model, the average maximal transports rates varied between 0.61±0.52 mmol/min (109.57±93.77 mg/min) and 0.83±0.95 mmol/min (150.13±171.85 mg/min). The time spent by glucose inside the tubules before entering the bladder compartment varied between 1.66±0.73 min and 2.45±1.01 min. The PTR model proved much better than RTH at fitting observations, by correctly reproducing the delay of variations of glycosuria with respect to the driving glycemia, and by predicting non-zero urinary glucose elimination at low glycemias. This model is useful when studying both transients and steady-state glucose elimination as well as in assessing drug-related changes in renal glucose excretion.
Managing software change tasks: an exploratory study

Programmers often have to perform change tasks that involve unfamiliar portions of a software system's code base. To help inform the design of software development tools intended to support programmers in this context, we conducted a qualitative study of how programmers manage such change tasks. In the study we observed Java programmers using a state-of-the-practice IDE to work on real change tasks to a medium-sized open source software system. In this paper we present our results, describing eight observations about the programmers' behavior and the impact of the development environment on their behavior. We also highlight several key challenges faced by the programmers and discuss the implications of our results on the design of development tools.
Thirty Years of Chicana/Latina Studies: Early Organizing for the Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social

Abstract:This article by a cofounding member of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social (MALCS) provides personal reflections and a brief overview of the iterations of the organization's journal, originally Voces, and now called Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social. The article demonstrates the early mission by the organization to provide a space for Chicanas and Latinas engaged in both the academic world of letters and social change in communities, toward creating new epistemologies and methodologies.
Passivity-based PI control of switched power converters

This paper addresses the practically important question of when a nonlinear system can be asymptotically stabilized with a linear proportional-integral (PI) controller, and shows that it is possible if the system can be passified with constant (though unknown) control actions. This simple result is then used to propose a constructive methodology to design PI schemes for switched power converters, which are viewed from a novel perspective: with the switches acting as effective "port variables" that establish a passive mapping with suitably defined outputs. This should be contrasted with the classical viewpoint where the switches regulate the internal energy exchanges. The framework provides also rules to tune the parameters of other linear control schemes to ensure stability. Detailed calculations are given for a three-phase rectifier for which, interestingly, the resulting PI resembles the widely popular active-reactive (PQ) instantaneous power controller of Akagi and co-workers. Experimental results that compare the performance of the proposed PI with various other linear and nonlinear designs are given.
Clinical Evaluation of High-Volume Hemofiltration with Hemoperfusion Followed by Intermittent Hemodialysis in the Treatment of Acute Wasp Stings Complicated by Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a rare complication of wasp stings. Currently, there is no standardized treatment for MODS secondary to multiple wasp stings, although blood purification techniques are often used. This study aimed to analyze our experiences of using intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) with or without high-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) for treating acute wasp stings complicated by MODS. In this retrospective study, 36 patients with wasp stings complicated by MODS received either IHD combined with hemoperfusion, or HVHF (ultrafiltration flow rate, 70 mL/kg/h) combined with hemoperfusion for 5 days followed by IHD. Clinical symptoms, blood biochemical parameters, duration of mechanical ventilation, use of vasoactive agents, duration of hospital stay and survival rate were recorded, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) scores estimated. Patients treated with HVHF followed by IHD appeared to exhibit a faster recovery than those receiving IHD alone, as evidenced by superior improvements in MOD (4.29±1.08 vs. 2.27±1.07) and APACHE II (7.09±2.62 vs. 4.20±1.69) scores (P < 0.05). Patients treated with HVHF had significantly lower myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin and creatinine levels than patients treated with IHD alone. In addition, the durations of hospital stay (13.15±2.77 vs. 27.92±3.18 days), vasopressor use (1.76±0.24 vs. 3.43 ± 1.01 days), mechanical ventilation (3.02±1.63 vs. 5.94 ± 2.11 days) and oliguria (6.57±2.45 vs. 15.29 ± 3.51 days) were reduced, and renal function more often recovered (85.1% vs. 53.1%), in the HVHF group compared with the IHD group (P < 0.05). These results raise the possibility that HVHF plus IHD may be superior to IHD alone for the treatment of acute wasp stings complicated by MODS; additional prospective studies are merited to explore this further.
Abnormal osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells from patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in response to melatonin

Abnormalities of membranous and endochondral ossification in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remain incompletely understood. To investigate abnormalities in the melatonin signaling pathway and cellular response to melatonin in AIS, a case-control study of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation was performed using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). AIS was diagnosed by physical and radiographic examination. hMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of patients with AIS and control subjects (n=12 each), and purified by density gradient centrifugation. The expression levels of melatonin receptors (MTs) 1 and 2 were detected by western blotting. Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation was induced by culturing hMSCs in osteogenic and chondrogenic media containing vehicle or 50 nM melatonin. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, quantitative glycosaminoglycan (GAG) analysis, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed. Compared with controls, MT2 demonstrated low expression in the AIS group. Melatonin increased ALP activity, GAG synthesis and upregulated the expression of genes involved in osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation including, ALP, osteopontin, osteocalcin, runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen type II, collagen type X, aggrecan and sex-determining region Y-box 9 in the normal control hMSCs, but did not affect the AIS groups. Thus, AIS hMSCs exhibit abnormal cellular responses to melatonin during osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, which may be associated with abnormal membranous and endochondral ossification, and skeletal growth. These results indicate a potential modulating role of melatonin via the MT2 receptor on abnormal osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiaation in patients with AIS.
Sharing Is Caring! Investigating Viral Posts on Politicians’ Facebook Pages During the 2014 General Election Campaign in Hungary

ABSTRACT The study investigates 25 viral posts during the Hungarian general election campaign in 2014. These are posts whose numbers of shares were much higher than the average shares of their posters’ posts. The study addresses the question of what kind of content may go viral and how this happens. First, it investigates the most specific and common features of the content of these posts. Second, the way they are shared and the effects they may evoke within personal networks are examined. Results show the prominence of negativity, undistorted message transmission, and a low reactivity level to the shares.
Perfectionism and perceived stress: The role of fear of negative evaluation

ABSTRACT Perfectionism is a multidimensional construct, with adaptive and maladaptive dimensions. Various studies have been conducted to explore the phenomenon of perfectionism. Perfectionism has been allied to achieve impossibly high standards, illogical significance on the achievement of these standards and overgeneralize failures. Researchers focused on how perfectionism leads to various psychological maladjustments. Building upon past research about perfectionism and perceived stress among students, this study tested a model of the association between each aspect of perfectionism (i.e., adaptive and maladaptive) and perceived stress mediating by fear of negative evaluation. From data obtained from a sample of undergraduate and postgraduate students from Rawalpindi and Islamabad institutions (N = 300), it has been found that maladaptive perfectionism is significantly related to perceived stress and fear of negative evaluation. Mediation tests revealed that fear of negative evaluation accounts for mediating the direct relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and perceived stress. No complementary associations are shown by adaptive perfectionism with fear of negative evaluation and perceived stress. This study indicated that maladaptive perfectionists are exposed to more stress by taking the fear of negative evaluation. The current study will highlight directions for future research and implications for reducing the fear of negative evaluation of perfectionists, which is one of the main causes of psychological distress.
Variation in the FGFR2 Gene and the Effect of a Low-Fat Dietary Pattern on Invasive Breast Cancer

Background: The Women's Health Initiative dietary modification (DM) trial provided suggestive evidence of a benefit of a low-fat dietary pattern on breast cancer risk, with stronger evidence among women whose baseline diet was high in fat. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the FGFR2 gene relate strongly to breast cancer risk and could influence intervention effects. Methods: All 48,835 trial participants were postmenopausal and ages 50 to 79 years at enrollment (1993-1998). We interrogated eight SNPs in intron 2 of the FGFR2 gene for 1,676 women who developed breast cancer during trial follow-up (1993-2005). Case-only analyses were used to estimate odds ratios for the DM intervention in relation to SNP genotype. Results: Odds ratios for the DM intervention did not vary significantly with the genotype for any of the eight FGFR2 SNPs (P ≥ 0.18). However, odds ratios varied (P < 0.05) with the genotype of six of these SNPs, among women having baseline percent of energy from fat in the upper quartile (≥36.8%). This variation is most evident for SNP rs3750817, with odds ratios for the DM intervention at 0, 1, and 2 minor SNP alleles of 1.06 [95% confidence intervals (95% CI), 0.80-1.41], 0.53 (95% CI, 0.38-0.74), and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.33-1.15). The nominal significance level for this interaction is P = 0.005, and P = 0.03 following multiple testing adjustment, with most evidence deriving from hormone receptor–positive tumors. Conclusion: Invasive breast cancer odds ratios for a low-fat dietary pattern, among women whose usual diets are high in fat, seem to vary with SNP rs3750817 in the FGFR2 gene. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(1); 74–9
The Globular Cluster System of NGC 1399. III. VLT Spectroscopy and Database

Radial velocities of 468 globular clusters around NGC 1399, the central galaxy in the Fornax cluster, have been obtained with FORS2 and the Mask Exchange Unit (MXU) at the ESO Very Large Telescope. This is the largest sample of globular cluster velocities around any galaxy obtained so far. The mean velocity uncertainty is 50 km s-1. This data sample is accurate and large enough to be used in studies of the mass distribution of NGC 1399 and the properties of its globular cluster system. Here we describe the observations and the reduction procedure, and we discuss the uncertainties of the resulting velocities. The complete sample of cluster velocities that is used in a dynamical study of NGC 1399 is tabulated. A subsample is compared with previously published values.
A Case Study Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy-Management of ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains one of the most prevalent mental health diagnoses identified in school-age children. Affected children show an increased risk for school failure, social difficulties, and the development of psychiatric co-morbidities. Despite the availability of evidence-based behavioral protocols for managing ADHD-related impairments, psychologists often encounter difficulties involving parents in the sustained implementation of these interventions. Cognitive-behavioral treatment aims to teach children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) strategies to help them increase their self-control and problem-solving abilities, through modeling, role playing and self-instruction. Cognitive-behavioral treatment has shown mixed effectiveness regarding ADHD behaviors Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can address treatment obstacles through emphasizing psycho-education, the development of a collaborative treatment context. This article presents a case study of Jay, a 9-year-old child with ADHD. He was supplemented with child-focused CBT strategies by the psychologist and parental behavioral management training by the parent. This case study outlines a central role of CBT intervention in collaboration with the Parent in managing ADHD children.
NEETs in Spain: an analysis in a context of economic crisis

Abstract This article presents the research results from a study that was conducted on Spanish youths aged 25–29 years who are neither in employment nor education and training (NEET). Their characteristics were analysed as well as the differential aspects in relation to people who are in employment, education or training. A typology of NEETs was also established based on their availability for and attitude towards employment, and the similarities and differences between the diverse subgroups were analysed. A mixed methodology was used: a quantitative perspective, which enabled a statistical and regression analysis using data that were obtained through questionnaires, and a qualitative perspective based on a biographical interview, which made it possible to focus on perceptions and processes. The results enable us to identify the common characteristics of the NEET population as well as the perceptions and determining factors of the three typologies.
What Matters to Students’ Satisfaction: A Comparative Study between Vertical and Horizontal Transfer Students at 4-year Universities

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine which engagement factors, along with students’ socio-demographic characteristics and educational background, were associated with students’ overall satisfaction with their current 4-year institution. It also aimed to identify whether these independent variables had similar or different associations with the likelihood of being satisfied between vertical and horizontal transfer students. This research study first employed descriptive statistics to provide a thorough overview of the samples of the study, and then performed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify engagement factors. Lastly, this study tested logistic regression models to identify factors associated with students’ satisfaction for vertical and horizontal transfers, respectively. The study findings highlight that coursework emphasizing on a higher order of thinking, student–faculty interactions, and institutional support were important engagement measures contributing to the likelihood of being satisfied for both transfer groups, but having serious conversations with students of different backgrounds was negatively associated with vertical transfer students’ satisfaction only. This study provides meaningful insights into transfer students’ college engagement and satisfaction, and addresses the gap in the existing literature on diversity and complexity among transfer students.
Differentiation of pupillary signals using statistical and functional analysis

Emotion recognition nowadays plays vital role in human-computer reaction. Different approaches and methods were applied to recognize accurately individual's emotions. However, pupil diameter (PD) is one of the well-known and reliable approaches in identifying emotions. It is controlled by Automatic Nervous System (ANS) and is easy to detect. The goal of this paper is to identify the difference in PD due to individual's positive and negative emotional states. The paper introduces an experiment conducted to measure dilation in pupil diameter using eye-tracking system during positive and negative emotions. Thirty participants were involved in this experiment and the initial results suggested differences in pupil dilation during negative and positive stimulation at the last seconds of a played sound. It shows more sustained, stable and longer dilation in high arousal negative stimuli. It also discussed functional analysis that is proven to be a useful tool in expressing pupil dilation differences.