Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subgroups of Attributional Profiles in Students with Learning Difficulties and Their Relation to Self–Concept and Academic Goals

The aim of this article was fourfold: first, to determine whether there are significant differences between students with (N= 173) and without learning disabilities (LD; N= 172) in the dimensions of self–concept, causal attributions, and academic goals. Second, to determine whether students with LD present a uniform attributional profile or whether there are subgroups of attributional profiles among students with LD. Third, to explore differences between these profiles on the dimensions of self–concept, academic goals, perception of competence–incompetence, persistence when faced with failure, peer relationships, and academic achievement. Fourth, to determine whether there are significant differences in the dimensions of self–concept and academic goals between NLD students and the different LD subgroups. The results indicate the existence of two very distinct attributional profiles in students with LD (Helplessness Profile and Adaptive Profile). The implications of these data with regard to theory and research, as well as educational practice, are discussed.
Native American Youth and Culturally Sensitive Interventions: A Systematic Review

Objective: A systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of culturally sensitive interventions (CSIs) with Native American youth was conducted. Method: Electronic bibliographic databases, Web sites, and manual searches were used to identify 11 outcome studies that examined CSI effectiveness with Native American youth. Results: This review found general improvement in the employment of rigorous evaluative methods in CSI research with Native American youth. Conclusion: Despite recent progress, CSI research remains in its infancy and more rigorous outcome studies are needed in order to determine if CSIs are more effective than standard treatments with Native American youth. Such research is necessary for professional competent practice with Native American youth and families.
Predicting and explaining the propensity to bid in online auctions: a comparison of two action-theoretical models

The literature on the willingness to bid and the actual bidding behaviour of consumers in online auctions is currently dominated by approaches based on the economic decision-making and information processing paradigm and are primarily focused on what influences auction outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, no serious attempts have been undertaken to stringently test and compare existing models derived from an action-theoretical perspective to predict and explain consumers´ propensity to use online auctions as well as their actual usage. Two theoretical models seem most promising in this context: The Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen I, 1985, 1991) and a derivative of the Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein M and Ajzen I, 1975) tailored towards using computer technologies, the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis FD, 1989). In both theories, intentions play a central role in predicting behaviour. The models differ in their descriptions of the factors that determine behavioural intentions. In the Theory of Planned Behaviour, attitudes towards the behaviour, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms are assumed to influence intentions. In contrast, the Technology Acceptance Model suggests that intentions and attitudes are influenced by the perceived usefulness of a certain technological tool to improve shopping productivity (e.g. by enabling the consumer to obtain a better price or save time) and the tools´ perceived ease of use. In principle, both theories can be used to predict and explain technology-dependent consumer behaviour, but which one is more suited to online auctions? We compared both theories in terms of their predictive power and their practical utility. Although both models explain the propensity to bid in online auctions very well, the Technology Acceptance Model provides more specific recommendations for facilitating the use of online auctions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deservingness versus values in public opinion on welfare: The automaticity of the deservingness heuristic

Public attitudes towards welfare policy are often explained by political values and perceptions of deservingness of welfare recipients. This article addresses how the impact of values and perceptions varies depending on the contextual information that citizens have available when forming welfare opinions. It is argued that whenever citizens face deservingness-relevant cues in public debate or the media, a psychological ‘deservingness heuristic’ is triggered prompting individuals spontaneously to think about welfare policy in terms of who deserves help. This is an automatic process, equally influential among the least and the most politically sophisticated. Moreover, when clear deservingness cues are present, the impact of values on opinions vanishes. These arguments are supported by data from two novel experimental studies embedded in separate nationwide opinion surveys. The findings revise conventional wisdom of how values and heuristics influence public opinion and have major implications for understanding dynamics in aggregate welfare opinion and attempts from political elites to manipulate public opinion.
Examining Relationships Between Factors of Science Education and Student Career Aspiration

Abstract Student career aspiration has been identified as the most important variable influencing students' later work experiences. The authors attempted to disentangle relationships among factors that influence career aspiration within a science education context. Guided by Walberg's (1981) educational productivity theory, factors of science education have been identified from a National Science Foundation project, the Longitudinal Study of American Youth. Career aspirations are represented by 2 indicators: expected jobs in the future and job demands on science literacy. Positive links were found between student career aspiration and several variables of science education, including educational outcomes, instructional quantity, and home environment. Implications of the results have been discussed to facilitate development of career aspiration among non-college-bound students.
Using creative drama to facilitate primary–secondary transition

Primary–secondary transition can be a period of extreme anxiety for some children, with lowering of self-esteem and confidence. Creative drama has been reported to enhance self-esteem and confidence. This paper explores the possibility of using drama to facilitate successful transition. It focuses on secondary datasets from six primary schools in a local authority in Scotland (357 pupils and 12 teachers) to explore the effectiveness of creative drama. It then reports data collected from four drama professionals to explore whether drama can be effective in facilitating successful transition and the reasons behind that. The data suggest that creative drama can be used effectively in transitions due to its potential to empower pupils, to facilitate an understanding of emotional issues, to provide realistic scenarios with a degree of distance and a safe space to rehearse real life transitions.
Managerial decision-making: construction and validation of an assessment instrument

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Changes in Appetitive Associative Strength Modulates Nucleus Accumbens, But Not Orbitofrontal Cortex Neuronal Ensemble Excitability

Cues that predict the availability of food rewards influence motivational states and elicit food-seeking behaviors. If a cue no longer predicts food availability, then animals may adapt accordingly by inhibiting food-seeking responses. Sparsely activated sets of neurons, coined “neuronal ensembles,” have been shown to encode the strength of reward–cue associations. Although alterations in intrinsic excitability have been shown to underlie many learning and memory processes, little is known about these properties specifically on cue-activated neuronal ensembles. We examined the activation patterns of cue-activated orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell ensembles using wild-type and Fos-GFP mice, which express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in activated neurons, after appetitive conditioning with sucrose and extinction learning. We also investigated the neuronal excitability of recently activated, GFP+ neurons in these brain areas using whole-cell electrophysiology in brain slices. Exposure to a sucrose cue elicited activation of neurons in both the NAc shell and OFC. In the NAc shell, but not the OFC, these activated GFP+ neurons were more excitable than surrounding GFP− neurons. After extinction, the number of neurons activated in both areas was reduced and activated ensembles in neither area exhibited altered excitability. These data suggest that learning-induced alterations in the intrinsic excitability of neuronal ensembles is regulated dynamically across different brain areas. Furthermore, we show that changes in associative strength modulate the excitability profile of activated ensembles in the NAc shell. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sparsely distributed sets of neurons called “neuronal ensembles” encode learned associations about food and cues predictive of its availability. Widespread changes in neuronal excitability have been observed in limbic brain areas after associative learning, but little is known about the excitability changes that occur specifically on neuronal ensembles that encode appetitive associations. Here, we reveal that sucrose cue exposure recruited a more excitable ensemble in the nucleus accumbens, but not orbitofrontal cortex, compared with their surrounding neurons. This excitability difference was not observed when the cue's salience was diminished after extinction learning. These novel data provide evidence that the intrinsic excitability of appetitive memory-encoding ensembles is regulated differentially across brain areas and adapts dynamically to changes in associative strength.
A girl with incomplete Prader–Willi syndrome and negative MS‐PCR, found to have mosaic maternal UPD‐15 at SNP array

The Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by lack of expression of paternal allele of the 15q11.2‐q13 region, due to deletions at paternal 15q11.2‐q13 (<70%), maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 (mat‐UPD 15) (30%) or imprinting defects (1%). Hyperphagia, intellectual disabilities/behavioral disorders, neonatal hypotonia, and hypogonadism are cardinal features for PWS. Methylation sensitive PCR (MS‐PCR) of the SNRPN locus, which assesses the presence of both the unmethylated (paternal) and the methylated (maternal) allele of 15q11.2‐q13, is considered a sensitive reference technique for PWS diagnosis regardless of genetic subtype. We describe a 17‐year‐old girl with severe obesity, short stature, and intellectual disability, without hypogonadism and history of neonatal hypotonia, who was suspected to have an incomplete PWS. The MS‐PCR showed a normal pattern with similar maternal and paternal electrophoretic bands. Afterwards, a SNP array showed the presence of iso‐UPD 15, that is, UPD15 with two copies of the same chromosome 15, in about 50% of cells, suggesting a diagnosis of partial PWS due to mosaic maternal iso‐UPD15 arisen as rescue of a post‐fertilization error. A quantitative methylation analysis confirmed the presence of mosaic UPD15 in about 50% of cells. We propose that complete clinical criteria for PWS and MS‐PCR should not be considered sensitive in suspecting and diagnosing partial PWS due to mosaic UPD15. In contrast, clinical suspicion based on less restrictive criteria followed by SNP array is a more powerful approach to diagnose atypical PWS due to UPD15 mosaicism. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using Dendropanax morbifera leaf extract and their anticancer activities

Dendropanax morbifera Léveille is an oriental medicinal plant that is traditionally used in folk medicine and grows in a specific region of South Korea. We aimed to enhance the utilization of D. morbifera medicinal plants for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). D. morbifera leaf extract acted as both a reducing and a stabilizing agent that rapidly synthesized Dendropanax AgNPs (D-AgNPs) and Dendropanax AuNPs (D-AuNPs). The D-AgNPs and D-AuNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, elemental mapping, field emission transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic light scattering. The characterizations revealed that the D-AgNPs and D-AuNPs were in polygon and hexagon shapes with average sizes of 100–150 nm and 10–20 nm, respectively. The important outcomes were the synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs within 1 hour and 3 minutes, respectively, avoiding the subsequent processing for removal of any toxic components or for stabilizing the nanoparticles. Additionally, D-AgNPs and D-AuNPs were examined for cytotoxicity in a human keratinocyte cell line and in A549 human lung cancer cell line. The results indicated that D-AgNPs exhibited less cytotoxicity in the human keratinocyte cell line at 100 µg/mL after 48 hours. On the other hand, D-AgNPs showed potent cytotoxicity in the lung cancer cells at the same concentration after 48 hours, whereas D-AuNPs did not exhibit cytotoxicity in both cell lines at the same concentration. However, both D-AgNPs and D-AuNPs at 50 µg/mL enhanced the cytotoxicity of ginsenoside compound K at 25 µM after 48 hours of treatment compared with CK alone. We believe that this rapid green synthesis of D-AgNPs and D-AuNPs is a valuable addition to the applications of D. morbifera medicinal plant. D-AuNPs can be used as carriers for drug delivery and in cancer therapy due to their lack of normal cell cytotoxicity.
Sensory and microbiological evaluation of uncured fresh chicken sausage with reduced fat content

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and the microbiological safety of uncured fresh chicken sausages with reduced fat content, considering the scientific evidence that correlated cancer and cardiovascular diseases to this diet. Two formulations of uncured fresh chicken sausage were processed using different concentrations of cochineal carmine pigment, rosemary extracts and synthetic antioxidants, which are used to give color, appearance and pleasant flavor to the products. Then, instrumental color (L*, a*, b*, C* and h*), microbial contamination and sensory tests (ranking and acceptance) were used to evaluate the quality of the uncured chicken sausages. The instrumental color (chroma and hue) and the sensory properties of the A and B uncured sausages were similar to the commercial cured sausage (C). However, the sensory color and appearance of samples A and B were statistically higher than those of the commercial uncured sausages D, which are prepared without the addition of nitrite or pigments. The results showed that it is possible to produce safe and high-quality uncured fresh chicken sausage with reduced fat content, using natural pigments and antioxidants.
Word Reading Efficiency, Text Reading Fluency, and Reading Comprehension Among Chinese Learners of English

This study examined the relationship among word reading efficiency, text reading fluency, and reading comprehension for adult English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. Data from 185 adult Chinese EFL learners preparing to take the Test-of-English-as-a-Foreign-Language™ (TOEFL®) were analyzed in this study. The participants completed a computer-based test battery of word reading efficiency and text reading fluency in addition to TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) reading comprehension. The findings showed a stronger relationship between text oral reading fluency and reading comprehension than between word reading efficiency and reading comprehension. The authors recommended that attention be paid to text oral reading fluency in adult EFL reading research and instruction.
Societal Factors Impacting Child Welfare

Objective: This research examines the psychometric properties of the Perceptions of Child Welfare Scale (PCWS). This instrument is designed to assess child welfare workers’ understanding of how society views their role and their work. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was utilized to analyze data on 538 child welfare workers. Results: The final model consisted of three latent variables with 14 indicators related to stigma, value, and respect (χ2 = 362.33, p = .00; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = .09; 90% confidence interval [CI]: [.08, .09]; comparative fit index [CFI] = .96; Tucker–Lewis Index [TLI] = .95). Discussion: The way in which workers believe others view their work suggests an increasingly complex prototype for understanding workforce issues. Those wishing to examine societal factors related to child welfare workforce issues could use this validated instrument.
Gingival Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells: A Unique Tissue Engineering Gem

The human gingiva, characterized by its outstanding scarless wound healing properties, is a unique tissue and a pivotal component of the periodontal apparatus, investing and surrounding the teeth in their sockets in the alveolar bone. In the last years gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (G-MSCs), with promising regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, have been isolated and characterized from the gingival lamina propria. These cells, in contrast to other mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell sources, are abundant, readily accessible, and easily obtainable via minimally invasive cell isolation techniques. The present review summarizes the current scientific evidence on G-MSCs' isolation, their characterization, the investigated subpopulations, the generated induced pluripotent stem cells- (iPSC-) like G-MSCs, their regenerative properties, and current approaches for G-MSCs' delivery. The review further demonstrates their immunomodulatory properties, the transplantation preconditioning attempts via multiple biomolecules to enhance their attributes, and the experimental therapeutic applications conducted to treat multiple diseases in experimental animal models in vivo. G-MSCs show remarkable tissue reparative/regenerative potential, noteworthy immunomodulatory properties, and primary experimental therapeutic applications of G-MSCs are very promising, pointing at future biologically based therapeutic techniques, being potentially superior to conventional clinical treatment modalities.
Structure Standardization, Validity and Reliability of Subjective Well-being Questionnaire

Objectives: To design a short questionnaire on subjective well-being and the assessment of its validity and reliability. Method: Using references, a set of questions was gathered and constructed, and was assessed in two phases. In the first phase, it was randomly administered to 70 Mobarake Steel Complex personnel in Isfahan, Iran, and in the second phase it was administered to 40 personnel who had referred to a counseling center subsequent to a diagnosis of depressive disorder and anxiety via interview-as well as 166 non-referred personnel in a random manner. Internal consistency, content validity, diagnostic validity, reliability, cut-off points, sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire and its measurement error were calculated using correlation, analysis of variance, independent t, discriminate analysis and factor analysis. Results: The results of factor analysis showed four sub- scales: vitality, life determination, neuroses, and stress- depression. Cronbach's alpha for these four subscales was higher than 0.8. The difference between the normal and the patient group (p<0.0001) indicated the validity of the questionnaire. Cut-off point, sensitivity and specificity of this questionnaire were 1.9%, 67.5%, and 78% respectively. Conclusion: Considering its favorable psychometric features, this questionnaire could be used for research, diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Shifts in Beliefs about Second Language Learning

■ This article is based on a study which investigated the beliefs about English language learning of 661 first-year university students and their 34 English teachers at a Japanese university. The focus of the article is the shifts in reported student beliefs over a nine-month period of English study between two administrations of the Sakui and Gaies (1999) beliefs survey instrument. Beliefs are usually considered as resilient constructs, self-perpetuating in nature. In this study, however, significant differences were found in student responses to almost a quarter of the items on the questionnaire. Two student discussion groups were also formed which provided further evidence of shifts in student beliefs about language learning during the nine-month period of English study.
Approximate Linear Programming for Constrained Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes

In many situations, it is desirable to optimize a sequence of decisions by maximizing a primary objective while respecting some constraints with respect to secondary objectives. Such problems can be naturally modeled as constrained partially observable Markov decision processes (CPOMDPs) when the environment is partially observable. In this work, we describe a technique based on approximate linear programming to optimize policies in CPOMDPs. The optimization is performed offline and produces a finite state controller with desirable performance guarantees. The approach outperforms a constrained version of point-based value iteration on a suite of benchmark problems.