Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-concept integration and differentiation in subclinical individuals with dissociation proneness

Abstract Dissociative pathology is characterized by an altered sense of self. Still, it remains unclear (a) whether the altered sense of self is also associated with non-pathological dissociation as well and (b) whether this potential association is an intrinsic connection or a consequence of other related constructs, including childhood trauma. This study addresses this question by examining how self-concept organization may differ among individuals with different levels of dissociation proneness. The structure of self-concept was operationalized by various indexes of self-concept integration and differentiation. Results showed that individuals high in dissociation proneness have lower self-concept clarity and compartmentalize self-aspects with more polarized evaluations. Notably, the association between dissociation proneness and evaluative self-compartmentalization held after controlling for childhood trauma, anxiety, and depression. This characteristic self-concept organization can be an attribute of non-pathological dissociation.
Linking family engagement with a rights perspective: macro factors influencing practice

ABSTRACT While child welfare practitioners in many countries are struggling to develop methods of effective family engagement, they operate within different national and cultural contexts that influence, both positively and negatively, the ability to engage with families. Increasingly, international comparisons are necessary to further understanding of the development of social work practice. This is particularly necessary because most countries utilize international frameworks (such as the United National Convention on the Rights of the Child) to provide guidance in the development of policies, programs, and interventions. Each country (and locality) struggles to advance practice to be more effective and humane. Our paper offers a comparative analysis focused on family-oriented and rights-based frameworks of different countries. Based on a review of current national policies and a review of the literature regarding family-based practices, we examine similarities and differences among four countries: the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, and South Korea. These countries were selected because they have some similarities (advanced industrialized democracies, professional social work, and formal child protection systems) but have some differences in their social welfare systems (policies, specific practices, and socio-cultural context). These differences can be utilized to advance understanding regarding the promise and potential for family engagement strategies. We then discuss the utility of this comparison for theory-building in the arena of child-care practice and conclude by identifying the challenges and limitations of this work.
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Background: The Scottish biting midge, Culicoides impunctatus , responsible for more than 90% of biting attacks on human beings in Scotland, is known to demonstrate a preference for certain human hosts over others. Methods: In this study we used a questionnaire-based survey to assess the association between people ’ s perception of how badly they get bitten by midges and their demographic, lifestyle and health related characteristics. Results: Most people (85.8%) reported being bitten sometimes, often or always with only 14.2% reporting never being bitten by midges when in Scotland. There was no association between level of bites received and age, smoking, diet, exercise, medication, eating strongly flavoured foods or alcohol consumption. However, there was a strong association between the probability of being bitten and increasing height (in men) and BMI (in women). A large proportion of participants (33.8%) reported experiencing a bad/severe reaction to midge bites while 53.1% reported a minor reaction and 13.1% no reaction at all. Also, women tend to react more than men to midge bites. Additionally, the results indicated that the susceptibility to being bitten by midges is hereditary. Conclusions: This study suggests that midges prefer to bite men that are tall and women that have a large BMI, and that the tendency for a child to be bitten or not could be inherited from their parent. The study is questionnaire-based; therefore, the interpretation of the results may be limited by the subjectivity of the answers given by the respondents. Although the results are relevant only to the Scottish biting midge, the approach used here could be useful for investigating human-insect interactions for other insects, particularly those which transmit pathogens that cause disease.
Goal Programming and Multiple Objective Optimization

Goal programming involves solving problems containing not one specific objective function, but rather a collection of goals. In linear and integer programming methods the objective function is measured in one dimension only but in goal programming, conflicting goals or goals with different priorities and weights can be combined with each other and solved by using simplex algorithm and programs such as QM solver or Excel. Goal programming yields only an efficient and satisfactory result rather than optimum, solution to the problem. An important technique that has been developed to supplement LP is called goal programming. Typically, goals set by management can be achieved only at the expense of other goals. A hierarchy of importance needs to be established so that higher-priority goals are satisfied before lower-priority goals are addressed. It is not always possible to satisfy every goal so goal programming attempts to reach a satisfactory level of multiple objectives. The main difference is in the objective function where goal programming tries to minimize the deviations between goals and what we can actually achieve within the given constraints. Harrison is moving to a new location and feels that maximizing profit is not a realistic objective. Management sets a profit level of $30 that would be satisfactory during this period. The goal programming problem is to find the production mix that achieves this goal as closely as possible given the production time constraints. We need to define two deviational variables d 1 – = underachievement of the profit target d 1 + = overachievement of the profit target We can now state the Harrison Electric problem as a single-goal programming model. Minimize under or overachievement of profit target = d 1 – + d 1 + subject to $7X 1 + $6X 2 + d 1 – – d 1 + = $30 (profit goal constraint) 2X 1 + 3X 2 ≤ 12 (wiring hours) 6X 1 + 5X 2 ≤ 30 (assembly hours)
Modelling Random Coincidences in Positron Emission Tomography by Using Singles and Prompts: A Comparison Study

Random coincidences degrade the image in Positron Emission Tomography, PET. To compensate for their degradation effects, the rate of random coincidences should be estimated. Under certain circumstances, current estimation methods fail to provide accurate results. We propose a novel method, “Singles–Prompts” (SP), that includes the information conveyed by prompt coincidences and models the pile–up. The SP method has the same structure than the well-known “Singles Rate” (SR) approach. Hence, SP can straightforwardly replace SR. In this work, the SP method has been extensively assessed and compared to two conventional methods, SR and the delayed window (DW) method, in a preclinical PET scenario using Monte–Carlo simulations. SP offers accurate estimates for the randoms rates, while SR and DW tend to overestimate the rates (∼10%, and 5%, respectively). With pile-up, the SP method is more robust than SR (but less than DW). At the image level, the contrast is overestimated in SR-corrected images, +16%, while SP produces the correct value. Spill–over is slightly reduced using SP instead of SR. The DW images values are similar to those of SP except for low-statistic scenarios, where DW behaves as if randoms were not compensated for. In particular, the contrast is reduced, −16%. In general, the better estimations of SP translate into better image quality.
An Examination of the Role of Emotion Dysregulation and Affect Regulation Motives in the Relationship between Attachment and Alcohol Use and Consequences in Emerging Adults

ii Acknowledgements . iii List of Tables and Figures . vi List of Appendices . vii An Examination of the Role of Emotion Dysregulation and Affect Regulation Motives in the Relationship Between Attachment and Alcohol Use and Consequences in Emerging Adulthood . 1 What is Emerging Adulthood? 1 The Challenges Associated with Emerging Adulthood . 6 Attachment in Emerging Adulthood . 7 The Development of Attachment Theory . 10 Attachment Styles . 12 Secure Attachment . 13 Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment . 13 Avoidant/Dismissing Attachment . 14 Disorganized Attachment . 14 Conceptualization of Adult Attachment . 15 Attachment and Alcohol Use . 17 Emotion Regulation . 18 Development of Emotion Regulation Skills . 20 Parent-Child Attachment and Emotion Dysregulation . 21 Emotion Dysregulation and Alcohol Use . 24 Motives for Alcohol Use: The Role of Emotion Dysregulation . 25 Summary and Hypotheses . 28 Methods . 30 Participants . 30 Procedure . 31 Measures . 32 Results . 36 Preliminary Analyses . 37
Double feedback streaming agent for real-time delivery of media over 3G wireless networks

A network agent located at the junction of wired and wireless networks can provide additional feedback information to streaming media servers to supplement feedbacks from clients. Specifically, it has been shown that feedbacks from the network agent have lower latency, and they can be used in conjunction with client feedbacks to effect proper congestion control. In this work, we propose the double-feedback streaming agent (DFSA) which further allows the detection of discrepancies in the transmission constraints of the wired and wireless networks. By working together with the streaming server and client, DFSA reduces overall packet losses by exploiting the excess capacity Of the path with more capacity. We show how DFSA can be used to support three modes of operation tailored for different delay requirements of streaming applications. Simulation results under high wireless latency show significant improvement of media quality using DFSA over non-agent-based and earlier agent-based streaming systems.
Is the Internet Homogenizing or Diversifying the News? External Pluralism in the U.S., Danish, and French Press

This study examines whether news is more or less homogeneous online than in print across agenda-setting news outlets in the United States, Denmark, and France. Examining similarities and differences in the genres, topics, and authors of news in each country’s leading newspapers, it finds little evidence of greater online homogeneity in any country. U.S. news outlets are more differentiated online than in print, while French news outlets have similar levels of print and online differentiation. Online data for Denmark reveal no consistent pattern in the direction of either homogeneity or differentiation. These findings suggest that the differentiating effects of the online environment are strongest in countries (e.g., the United States) where media markets are being restructured to include more direct competition between agenda-setting news outlets at the national level. By contrast, countries (e.g., France and, to a lesser degree, Denmark) with high levels of print differentiation have similarly high levels online due to the path-dependent effects of their national media systems.
Closely Spaced Stressful Life Events Precede the Onset of Benign Essential Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the possible role of major stressful life events, complicated grief, and depression in the pathogenesis of benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). Methods: This was a case-control study involving 23 participants with BEB/HFS and 23 control subjects, comparing the frequency of major stressful life events, depression on the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and complicated grief on the Inventory of Complicated Grief. Results: There was no difference in the rate of depression or complicated grief between participants with BEB/HFS (57%) and control subjects (48%). Participants with BEB/HFS experienced a significantly (P = 0.0048) shorter time interval between two major stressful life events (median, 0.3 year) than did the control group (median, 3.0 years). The proportion of participants who had suffered two major stressful lifetime events separated by 1 year or less was significantly greater for participants with BEB/HFS than for control subjects (P = 0.0007). Conclusions: The onset of BEB and HFS was often preceded by a major lifetime stressor. The development of these conditions was significantly related to the number of stressful life events occurring within the preceding year rather than to the total number of stressful life events. Subjects who sustain closely spaced stressful life events may be at increased risk of developing BEB and HFS.
Collaborative e-learning environments enhanced by wiki technologies

E-learning environments have met rapid technological advancements in the previous years. Nevertheless, current e-learning techniques do not adequately support student interaction and collaboration, resulting in decreased student progress and motivation. In this paper, a blended technique combining collaborative forums and wiki technologies is proposed. Through collaborative forums, students discuss course related topics assigned by the tutors to produce new educational material. This material is then stored in the wiki platform for further use. The proposed technique was applied on an e-learning course provided by the National Technical University of Athens and its effectiveness was evaluated using student activity data and questionnaire analysis. Results showed that the technique adequately supported teamwork, increasing student motivation and progress while simultaneously producing satisfactory level educational material.
The 2dF QSO Redshift Survey - I. The Optical QSO Luminosity Function

We present a determination of the optical QSO luminosity function and its cosmological evolution with redshift for a sample of over 6000 QSOs identified primarily from the first observations of the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ). For QSOs with -26 < M_B < -23 and 0.35 < z < 2.3, we find that pure luminosity evolution (PLE) models provide an acceptable fit to the observed redshift dependence of the luminosity function. The luminosity function is best fit by a two-power-law function of the form. Exponential luminosity evolution models, both as a function of look-back time, and as a general second-order polynomial with redshift, were found to provide acceptable fits to the dataset comprising the 2QZ and the Large Bright Quasar Survey. Exponential evolution with look-back time is prefered for q_0=0.05, while the polynomial evolution model is prefered for q_0=0.5. The shape and evolution of the LF at low redshifts (z<0.5) and/or high luminosities, not currently well sampled by the 2dF QSO survey, may show departures from pure luminosity evolution, but the results presented here show that over a significant range of redshift, PLE is a good description of QSO evolution.
The flick of the wrist and the wave of the wand: Low-level mechanisms for inducing change blindness

This dissertation explores a new paradigm for inducing change blindness as an avenue for understanding the stimulus conditions that give rise to change blindness in general. Participants are asked to detect an instantaneous change in orientation of a single item in an array of Gabor patches. While looking for the orientation change, the array moves across the display, abruptly changing its direction of motion at a single point of flexion. Observers show little trouble spotting the rotation if it occurs while the array is moving continuously along a straight path; however, detection is impaired when the rotation occurs simultaneous with an abrupt change in direction of at least 90 ̊. A potential neural mechanism is proposed involving the interference of excitatory signals to motion receptors in visual cortex, and that theory is extended to the creation of new paradigms for suppressing change detection. In one-shot and continuous change detection tasks, transient color-change signals conceal targets that change color and transient motion signals conceal targets that generate motion, but each one is relatively ineffective at hiding the other. Based on these data, this thesis proposes a theory of “change camouflage” as a means of explaining the variety of change blindness phenomena found here and the change blindness literature at large.
Resolvent Estimates for Elliptic Systems in Function Spaces of Higher Regularity

We consider parameter-elliptic boundary value problems and uni- form a priori estimates in L p -Sobolev spaces of Bessel potential and Besov type. The problems considered are systems of uniform order and mixed-order systems (Douglis-Nirenberg systems). It is shown that compatibility condi- tions on the data are necessary for such estimates to hold. In particular, we consider the realization of the boundary value problem as an unbounded oper- ator with the ground space being a closed subspace of a Sobolev space and give necessary and sucient conditions for the realization to generate an analytic semigroup.
Decline of Subpolar North Atlantic Circulation During the 1990s

Observations of sea surface height reveal that substantial changes have occurred over the past decade in the mid- to high-latitude North Atlantic Ocean. TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data show that subpolar sea surface height increased during the 1990s, and the geostrophic velocity derived from altimeter data exhibits declining subpolar gyre circulation. Combining the data from earlier satellites, we find that subpolar circulation may have been weaker in the late 1990s than in the late 1970s and 1980s. Direct current-meter observations in the boundary current of the Labrador Sea support the weakening circulation trend of the 1990s and, together with hydrographic data, show that the mid- to late 1990s decline extends deep in the water column. Analysis of the local surface forcing suggests that the 1990s buoyancy forcing has a dynamic effect consistent with altimetric and hydrographic observations: A weak thermohaline forcing allows the decay of the domed structure of subpolar isopycnals and weakening of circulation.
A Study on Travel Information Adoption Intention in the Online Social Community: the Perspectives of Customer Experience and Information Adoption Model

With the popularity of the online social community, people have become accustomed to sharing their travel experiences online. Internet users can read about others’ experiences, view tour photos, and gather information from other users during their leisure time or before travelling abroad. This study based on the information adoption theory and the concept of experience marketing; additionally, the moderating effects of consumption point on association among customer experiences, information usefulness, and information adoption intentions has been investigated. An Internet survey was conducted for data collection, and 492 returned responses were analyzed. The findings show that customer experience and information usefulness increase Internet users’ information adoption intentions and that the quality and credibility of Internet tourism information have a positive effect on customer experience and information usefulness. Content vividness was linked to an improved user experience. Consumption point influences the relationship between information usefulness and information adoption intentions, but it does not affect the relationship between customer experience and information adoption intention.
Convex non-negative matrix factorization for automatic music structure identification

We propose a novel and fast approach to discover structure in western popular music by using a specific type of matrix factorization that adds a convex constrain to obtain a decomposition that can be interpreted as a set of weighted cluster centroids. We show that these centroids capture the different sections of a musical piece (e.g. verse, chorus) in a more consistent and efficient way than classic non-negative matrix factorization. This technique is capable of identifying the boundaries of the sections and then grouping them into different clusters. Additionally, we evaluate this method on two different datasets and show that it is competitive compared to other music segmentation techniques, outperforming other matrix factorization methods.
The Emphatic Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) in the Cellular Mechanisms Mediating Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurogenetic condition that affects the processes via which the brain functions. Major observable hallmarks of AD are accumulated clusters of proteins in the brain. These clusters, termed neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), resemble pairs of threads wound around each other in a helix fashion accumulating within neurons. These tangles consist of a protein called Tau, which binds to tubulin, thus forming microtubules. Unlike NFTs, deposits of amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) gather in the spaces between nerve cells. The nearby neurons often look swollen and deformed, and the clusters of protein are usually accompanied by reactive inflammatory cells, microglia, which are part of the brain’s immune system responsible for degrading and removing damaged neurons or plaques. Since phosphorylation/dephosphorylation mechanisms are crucial in the regulation of Tau and β-APP, a superfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has recently emerged as key regulators of the formation of plagues, eventually leading to dementia and AD. The complex molecular interactions between MAPKs and proteins (plagues) associated with the evolution of AD form a cornerstone in the knowledge of a still burgeoning field of neurodegenerative diseases and ageing. This review overviews current understanding of the molecular pathways related to MAPKs and their role in the development of AD and, possibly, dementia. MAPKs, therefore, may constitute a neurogenetic, therapeutic target for the diagnosis and evolution of a preventative medical strategy for early detection, and likely treatment, of Alzheimer’s.
Developmental Plasticity, Genetic Differentiation, and Hypoxia-induced Trade-offs in an African Cichlid Fish

In this study we explore the possible role of phenotypic plasticity in the process of adaptation and evolutionary change in the African cichlid Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae. Parental fish were collected from a hypoxic swamp, a lake ecotone, and a river in Uganda. Broods (F1) were split and grown under hypoxia or normoxia. We measured mor- phological parameters of the gill apparatus, structural elements surrounding the gills, brain mass, and body shape. Most traits showed substantial plasticity in response to the rearing environment. Population effects were evident for the gill ap- paratus, surrounding elements, body shape, and brain size; however, brain size was the only trait to exhibit variation in plasticity among populations; fish of swamp origin showed no plasticity and fish of river and lake origin exhibited smaller brain size under hypoxia. We interpret these patterns as consistent with genetic assimilation via canalization (brain) or via a shift in the norm of reaction (other traits).