Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Return on Investment of Rank and Yank in a Simulated Call-Center Environment

Much has been written about “rank and yank,” a management technique centered on annually pruning a workforce of low performers to raise average levels of organizational performance over time. Companies using this approach identify and fire the lowest performers in their workforce and replace them with new hires. As a general workplace practice, rank and yank has been harshly criticized on practical and theoretical grounds. Although rank and yank might not be suitable for all workplace environments, this paper postulates that it could be a powerful performance-improvement approach in certain conducive workplaces and goes on to outline why call centers are one such environment. This study then examines both the performance improvement and financial returns of a 5-year simulation of rank and yank within a call-center environment. The simulation was run under an ideal condition (no voluntary turnover) and for a more typical call center (30% voluntary turnover). Annually yanking the bottom 10% resulted in significant and rapid performance and financial gains in both the baseline and the more realistic call-center-turnover scenario. The authors conclude with a discussion of the issues call center leaders and consultants should think through before proceeding with a rank and yank implementation.
HeartLink: open broadcast of live biometric data to social networks

A number of studies in the literature have looked into the use of real-time biometric data to improve one's own physiological performance and wellbeing. However, there is limited research that looks into the effects that sharing biometric data with others could have on one's social network. Following a period of research on existing mobile applications and prototype testing, we developed a system, HeartLink, which collects real-time personal biometric data such as heart rate and broadcasts this data online. Insights gained on designing systems to broadcast real-time biometric data are presented. In this paper we also report emerging results from testing HeartLink in a pilot study and a user study that were conducted during sport events. The results showed that sharing heart rate data does influence the relationship of the persons involved and that the degree of influence seems related to the tie strength prior to visualizing the data.
Research on a DSRC-Based Rear-End Collision Warning Model

Dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) is an emerging technology that allows vehicles to communicate with each other. The rear-end collision warning system based on DSRC has its unique advantages. However, there are problems (e.g., high rates of false alarms and missing alarms in emergency warnings) in the system due to uncertain measurement errors. In this paper, we propose to address the problems by establishing a robust rear-end collision warning model without using expensive high-end devices. Simulations have shown that high rates (up to 56%) of missing alarms occur in the vehicle kinematics (VK) model, as well as false alarms (most of which exceed 70%) in the VK model with maximum compensation (VK-MC). Pertaining to these rates, a novel model based on the neural network (NN) approach is implemented. Through training and validation, the NN model is able to provide emergency warnings with an improved performance of false alarm probability under 20% and the missing alarm probability under 10% for all test cases.
Age Difference in Research Course Satisfaction in a Blended Ed.D. Program: A Moderated Mediation Model of the Effects of Internet Self-Efficacy and Statistics Anxiety.

This study identiﬁed the moderated mediation relationship among age, Internet self-efﬁcacy, and statistics anxiety on student satisfaction after controlling for demographics and technology experiences in research methods courses in a blended professional doctoral program. One hundred and thirty-one students in a three-year Ed.D. Program participated in the study. The results show that after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and technology experiences, age was negatively associated with Internet self-efﬁcacy and Internet self-efﬁcacy mediated the relationship between age and course satisfaction as well. Although the moderation effect of statistics anxiety between self-efﬁcacy and student satisfaction was not supported, there was still partial evidence that the group with statistics anxiety behaved differently from the group without statistics anxiety in terms of the conditional indirect effect of age on course satisfaction. The authors call for future studies to focus on online or blended research courses in professional doctoral programs and test the proposed conceptual model.
Ontology Matching Using an Artificial Neural Network to Learn Weights

Ontologies are a formal, declarative knowledge representation model. They form a semantic foundation for many domains, such as Web services, Ecommerce, and the Semantic Web, where applications can mutually understand and share information with each other. However, because ontologies reflect their designers’ conceptual views of part of the world, heterogeneity is an inherent characteristic for ontologies. During (semi)automated matching among ontologies, different semantic aspects, i.e., concept names, concept properties, and concept relationships, contribute in different degrees to the matching result. Therefore, a vector of weights are needed to be assigned to these aspects. It is not trivial to determine what those weights should be, and current research work depends a lot on human heuristics. In this paper, we take an artificial neural network approach to learning and adjusting the above weights, and thereby support a new ontology matching algorithm, with the purpose to avoid some of the disadvantages in both rule-based and learning-based ontology matching approaches.
Pro Free Will Priming Enhances “Risk-Taking” Behavior in the Iowa Gambling Task, but Not in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task: Two Independent Priming Studies

Studies indicated that people behave less responsibly after exposure to information containing deterministic statements as compared to free will statements or neutral statements. Thus, deterministic primes should lead to enhanced risk-taking behavior. We tested this prediction in two studies with healthy participants. In experiment 1, we tested 144 students (24 men) in the laboratory using the Iowa Gambling Task. In experiment 2, we tested 274 participants (104 men) online using the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. In the Iowa Gambling Task, the free will priming condition resulted in more risky decisions than both the deterministic and neutral priming conditions. We observed no priming effects on risk-taking behavior in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. To explain these unpredicted findings, we consider the somatic marker hypothesis, a gain frequency approach as well as attention to gains and / or inattention to losses. In addition, we highlight the necessity to consider both pro free will and deterministic priming conditions in future studies. Importantly, our and previous results indicate that the effects of pro free will and deterministic priming do not oppose each other on a frequently assumed continuum.
An Unrequited Love

The relation between STS and the social sciences is far from simple. While including STS in the field of social sciences is an object of dispute for certain researchers, others have tried to involve, seduce, or debate with colleagues in other subfields to establish bridges across these two disciplinary fields. The majority of social sciences researchers however know very little about current developments in STS and some question or even attack it directly. In this article I take up the debate about these relations to ask why sociology has paid scant attention to the contributions of sociology of science. For the conclusion, I advance certain hypotheses to offer clues for the interpretation of these tensions without claiming to explain them in a more definitive manner.
Boundary knot method for 2D and 3D Helmholtz and convection–diffusion problems under complicated geometry

The boundary knot method (BKM) of very recent origin is an inherently meshless, integration‐free, boundary‐type, radial basis function collocation technique for the numerical discretization of general partial differential equation systems. Unlike the method of fundamental solutions, the use of non‐singular general solution in the BKM avoids the unnecessary requirement of constructing a controversial artificial boundary outside the physical domain. The purpose of this paper is to extend the BKM to solve 2D Helmholtz and convection–diffusion problems under rather complicated irregular geometry. The method is also first applied to 3D problems. Numerical experiments validate that the BKM can produce highly accurate solutions using a relatively small number of knots. For inhomogeneous cases, some inner knots are found necessary to guarantee accuracy and stability. The stability and convergence of the BKM are numerically illustrated and the completeness issue is also discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive emotion regulation and positive dyadic outcomes in married couples

The aim of the present research was to investigate the association between spouses’ individual cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, dyadic coping behaviors, and relationship satisfaction. Using a sample of 295 couples (590 individuals), we found that adaptive CER strategies (putting into perspective, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, and planning refocusing) were related to positive dyadic coping (supportive, common, and delegated coping in couples), which in turn increased both partners’ relationship satisfaction. Analyses using actor–partner interdependence modeling indicated that dyadic coping mediated the association between spouses’ CER and their own relationship satisfaction. These findings support the importance of addressing both cognitive coping strategies and dyadic coping in prevention and intervention in couples.
Land Development in and around Protected Areas at the Wilderness Frontier

Protected areas’ chief conservation objectives are to include species within their boundaries and protect them from negative external pressures. Many protected areas are not achieving these goals, perhaps in part due to land development inside and outside protected areas. We conducted spatial analyses to evaluate the ability of Canadian protected areas to mitigate the effects of nearby land development. We investigated correlations of national patterns of land development in and around protected areas and then examined national patterns of roads, urban area, and croplands in protected areas. We calculated the amount of developed land in protected areas and within 25–100 km of protected‐area borders, the density of roads, and extent of urban and cropland area in protected areas. We constructed logistic‐regression models to test whether development in a protected area was associated with landscape and protected‐area characteristics. Land development was far less extensive inside than outside protected areas. However, several protected areas, particularly small southern areas near small urban centers had substantial development inside their boundaries, and nearly half of protected areas had roads. The cumulative extent of development within 50 km of protected areas was the best predictor of the probability of land development in protected areas. Canadian First Nations, industries, government, and nongovernmental organizations are currently planning an unprecedented number of new protected areas. Careful management of areas beyond protected‐area boundaries may prove critical to meeting their long‐term conservation objectives.
Predictive Validity and Procedural Justice of the Implicit Association Test: (518362013-679)

WRIGHT, NATALIE ANN. A Study of the Predictive Validity and Procedural Justice of the Implicit Association Test. (Under the direction of Dr. Adam Meade). Recent research has provided evidence that scores on the Implicit Association Test (IAT) are contaminated by cognitive ability (e.g., Back, Schmulke, & Egloff, 2005; McFarland & Crouch, 2002). Although the IAT has been generally viewed with suspicion in organizational settings (Haines & Sumner, 2006; Landy, 2008), it is of scholarly interest to determine if scores on the IAT are influenced by cognitive ability. This study examined the relationship between two IATs and a traditional cognitive ability measure, as well as the IATs‟ ability to predict post-training declarative knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes. Additionally, procedural justice reactions were assessed for the IATs and cognitive ability measure. Results indicate that IAT scores are not related to cognitive ability, and have no predictive validity in relation to post-training declarative knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes. Furthermore, procedural justice reactions indicate that use of the IAT in a selection context would be viewed negatively by applicants. A Study of the Predictive Validity and Procedural Justice of the Implicit Association Test by Natalie A. Wright A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
Personality Type and Performance on Listening Tests: A Study of Correlation between Personality Traits and Performance on “Listening for Gist” and “Minimal Pairs”

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits and performance on two types of listening test. Participants of the study were 60 advanced L2 learners in two branches of ILI in Tehran. Myers-Briggs personality questionnaire, a test of listening for gist, and a test of minimal pairs were used. Pearson coefficients were calculated to find any significant correlation between personality traits and participants’ scores on these two listening tests. The obtained results indicated that degree of thinking / feeling is significantly correlated with performance on both listening tests. Also, degree of judging / perceiving had a relatively significant correlation with performance on minimal pairs test. Being good at analytical and objective mode of processing is suggested to be the key feature that might help thinking people to perform successfully in listening for gist test. On the other hand, degree of thinking had a significant negative correlation with performance on minimal pairs test. Finally, degree of judging / perceiving had a significant correlation with participants’ scores on minimal pairs test. Being flexible, adaptive, and receptive to open options are suggested to be the main characteristics that help perceiving people to perform successfully in minimal pairs test.
DC 3 F Cells of DNA Topoisomerase I and II Inhibitors in Chinese Hamster Differential Requirement of DNA Replication for the Cytotoxicity

The cytotoxicity of topoisomerase inhibitors is thought to result from the induction of enzyme-mediated DNA breaks. The fact that these breaks reverse rapidly in cells programmed to die, led us to investigate further the cytotoxic mechanisms of topoisomerase I (camptothecin) and topoisomerase II inhibitors (VP-16 and amsacrine) in Chinese Hamster lung fibroblasts (DC3F). Exposures (30 min) to camptothecin produced limited cell killing with approximately 20% of the cells naturally resist ant. This resistance was overcome by increasing the drug exposure time. Inhibition of DNA synthesis by S-min pretreatments with aphidicolin or hydroxyurea abolished the cytotoxicity of camptothecin without changing the level of camptothecin-induced DNA breaks. A good correlation was found between the degree of DNA synthesis inhibition by aphidicolin and the reduction of camptothecin cytotoxicity. In similar experiments per formed with topoisomerase II inhibitors, aphidicolin prevented only partially against VP-16and amsacrine-induced cytotoxicities, yet had no effect upon drug-induced DNA breaks. These results indicate that the production of topoisomerase-mediated DNA breaks by antitumor drugs is not sufficient for cell killing. Instead, an interference of moving DNA replication forks with drug-stabilized topoisomerase-DNA complexes is critical for cell death. The cytotoxicity of camptothecin seemed to be completely related to this process, while that of topoisomerase II inhib itors seemed to involve additional mechanisms in DC3F cells.
From Teaching Competences to Teaching Praxeologies: The Case of the Problem-Centred Education

Cette these questionne les pratiques des enseignants et leur capacite a exploiter les appareils theoriques presentes durant leur formation a l’enseignement dans leur pratique quotidienne. L’objectif est d’analyser des « praxeologies » d’enseignement, au travers de l’etude de la transposition qui s’effectue dans le cas de la formation aux theories de « l’education centree sur la resolution de problemes (PCE) » vers les pratiques concretes d’enseignement. Les parties theoriques s’emploient a definir la notion de « competences a enseigner » ainsi que la notion de PCE. Le but ultime est de definir les competences qui sont indispensables pour l’organisation de l’apprentissage dans le cadre de la PCE. La partie empirique etudie les praxeologies des enseignants qui travaillent avec la PCE. L’analyse des donnees permet de reperer dans les praxeologies des professeurs des elements pertinents pour l’enseignement dans le cadre du modele PCE qui representent certains indicateurs de competence.
Gut bacteria require neutrophils to promote mammary tumorigenesis

Recent studies suggest that gastrointestinal tract microbiota modulate cancer development in distant non-intestinal tissues. Here we tested mechanistic hypotheses using a targeted pathogenic gut microbial infection animal model with a predilection to breast cancer. FVB-Tg(C3-1-TAg)cJeg/JegJ female mice were infected by gastric gavage with Helicobacter hepaticus at three-months-of-age putting them at increased risk for mammary tumor development. Tumorigenesis was multifocal and characterized by extensive infiltrates of myeloperoxidase-positive neutrophils otherwise implicated in cancer progression in humans and animal models. To test whether neutrophils were important in etiopathogenesis in this bacteria-triggered model system, we next systemically depleted mice of neutrophils using thrice weekly intraperitoneal injections with anti-Ly-6G antibody. We found that antibody depletion entirely inhibited tumor development in this H. hepaticus-infected model. These data demonstrate that host neutrophil-associated immune responses to intestinal tract microbes significantly impact cancer progression in distal tissues such as mammary glands, and identify gut microbes as novel targets for extra-intestinal cancer therapy.
Determining the Prevalence and Correlates of Information Seeking Anxiety Among Postgraduates in Pakistan

Abstract This study examined the prevalence and correlatives of information seeking anxiety in postgraduate students of the University of the Punjab, Lahore using Information Seeking Anxiety Scale (ISAS). The participants’ selection was made using a stratified convenient sampling due to non-availability through random process. Postgraduate students were approached through a questionnaire, containing ISAS and demographic variables, with descriptive and inferential statistics used for data analysis. Results indicated the prevalence of information seeking anxiety among postgraduates as a large majority of the sample did face more than low anxiety for overall ISAS and all its sub-scales. Participants’ age, gender, faculty, program of study, study stage, computer proficiency, and research experience also appeared to be correlatives to the information seeking anxiety. These useful insights had serious implications to viable information literacy (IL) programs and could be used as a guide by academic information professionals managing information services, especially those engaged in IL instructions.
Lyα Radiative Transfer in Cosmological Simulations and Application to a z ≃ 8 Lyα Emitter

We develop an Lyα radiative transfer (RT) Monte Carlo code for cosmological simulations. High resolution, along with appropriately treated cooling, can result in simulated environments with very high optical depths. Thus, solving the Lyα RT problem in cosmological simulations can take an unrealistically long time. For this reason, we develop methods to speed up the Lyα RT. With these accelerating methods, along with the parallelization of the code, we make the problem of Lyα RT in the complex environments of cosmological simulations tractable. We test the RT code against simple Lyα emitter models, and then we apply it to the brightest Lyα emitter of a gasdynamics+N-body adaptive refinement tree (ART) simulation at z ≃ 8. We find that recombination rather than cooling radiation Lyα photons is the dominant contribution to the intrinsic Lyα luminosity of the emitter, which is ≃4.8 × 1043 ergs s-1. The size of the emitter is pretty small, making it unresolved for currently available instruments. Its spectrum before adding the Lyα Gunn-Peterson absorption (GPA) resembles that of static media, despite some net inward radial peculiar motion. This is because for such high optical depths as those in ART simulations, velocities of order some hundreds of kilometers per second are not important. We add the GPA in two ways: (1) we assume no damping wing, corresponding to the situation where the emitter lies within the H II region of a very bright quasar, and (2) we allow for the damping wing. Including the damping wing leads to a maximum line brightness suppression by roughly a factor of ~62. The line fluxes, even though quite faint for current ground-based telescopes, should be within reach for JWST.
PATHWAYS FOR SYNTHESIS, AND POSSIBILITIES FOR GENETIC MODIFICATION OF SUGAR ESTER ACYL GROUPS PRODUCED BY TRICHOMES OF SOLANACEOUS SPECIES

Summary. Glandular trichomes of many plant species synthesize and secrete a variety of phytochemicals that play an important protective role against pathogens and pests. Acyl sugars, in particular, are powerful natural insecticides. We demonstrated the existence of the α-ketoacid elongation (αKAE) pathway, an alternative to the fatty acid synthase (FAS) pathway, for the extension of carbon chains of acyl groups in sugar esters (SE). The α-KAE pathway utilizes one carbon elongation per cycle in contrast to two carbons per cycle in FAS, and it was found to function in a variety of tobaccos and petunia. FAS-mediated elongation was confirmed to participate in the synthesis of SE acyl groups in Solanum pennellii and Datura metel, and also in the synthesis of odd-carbon-length acids of epicuticular waxes from in tobacco and Brassica oleraceae. We attempted to knock down (RNAi-mediated) the central for the α-KAE pathway condensing enzyme isopropyl malate synthase (IPMS) using two IPMS-related genes from S. pennellii. The RNAi constructs were introduced via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of leaf discs of N. tabacum T.I. 1068, and the resulting plants displayed significant changes in 2-methylbutyric and 3-methylvaleric groups produced by glandular trichomes.