Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inter-cultural contact and flow in a task-based Japanese EFL classroom

Flow represents a state of complete involvement and heightened intensity that leads to improved performance on a task (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975, 1990). The notion of flow has the potential to provide worthwhile insights into the area of task engagement, yet the construct has received relatively little empirical attention by second language acquisition (SLA) researchers. This article uses flow theory to investigate the relationship between flow and engagement in second language (L2) use for inter-cultural and intra-cultural task-based interactions in a Japanese classroom for English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. The study employed a quasi-experimental design in which learners in the inter-cultural group (n = 18) and the intra-cultural group (n = 18) completed five dialogic, oral tasks. Tasks were then repeated, during which time the intra-cultural group continued to perform the tasks with Japanese peers, while the inter-cultural group performed the tasks with international interlocutors (n = 18). Analysis of flow questionnaires and task transcripts showed that inter-cultural contact had a significant positive effect on flow and one aspect of engagement in L2 use (turn-taking). In terms of the relationship between flow and engagement in L2 use, inter-cultural task interactions had a significant positive correlation between flow and turns. The findings are discussed in terms of two pedagogical implications: the provision of inter-cultural contact in language classrooms and the flow-enhancing potential of task design features.
Kidney disease in Aboriginal Australians: a perspective from the Northern Territory

This article outlines the increasing awareness, service development and research in renal disease in Aboriginal people in Australia's Northern Territory, among whom the rates of renal replacement therapy (RRT) are among the highest in the world. Kidney failure and RRT dominate the intellectual landscape and consume the most professional energy, but the underlying kidney disease has recently swung into view, with increasing awareness of its connection to other chronic diseases and to health profiles and trajectories more broadly. Albuminuria is the marker of the underlying kidney disease and the best treatment target, and glomerulomegaly and focal glomerulosclerosis are the defining histologic features. Risk factors in its multideterminant genesis reflect nutritional and developmental disadvantage and inflammatory/infectious milieu, while the major putative genetic determinants still elude detection. A culture shift of “chronic disease prevention” has been catalyzed in part by the human pain, logistic problems and great costs associated with RRT. Nowadays chronic disease management is the central focus of indigenous primary care, with defined protocols for integrated testing and management of chronic diseases and with government reimbursed service items and free medicines for people in remote areas. Blood pressure, cardiovascular risk and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are all mitigated by good treatment, which centres on renin-angiotensin system blockade and good metabolic control. RRT incidence rates appear to be stabilizing in remote Aboriginal people, and chronic disease deaths rates are falling. However, the profound levels of disadvantage in many remote settings remain appalling, and there is still much to be done, mostly beyond the direct reach of health services.
A Neural Assembly–Based View on Word Production: The Bilingual Test Case

I will propose a tentative framework of how words in two languages could be organized in the cerebral cortex based on neural assembly theory, according to which neurons that fire synchronously are bound into large-scale distributed functional units (assemblies), which represent a mental event as a whole (“gestalt”). For language this means a word is engendered by widely distributed cell assemblies in which the different linguistic constituents are grouped together in action-perception circuits and become activated in parallel. In this article I will discuss the advantages of assembly coding over the traditional hierarchical convergence scheme. Recent evidence from language comprehension and production supporting the notion of neural assemblies representing words are discussed and a spatiotemporal model for word production based on this concept is presented. Finally, I will show how this view may be generalized to bilingualism and explain mechanistically some key phenomena in the literature.
What Aspects of Principal Leadership Are Most Highly Correlated With School Outcomes in China?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to build a broader framework for Chinese principal leadership and to determine what aspects of principal leadership correlate most highly with school outcomes from the perspectives of both principals and teachers. Method: The data come from a 2013 national student achievement assessment in China comprising 37,749 students in Grade 8 and 9,165 teachers in 613 secondary schools. Adopting Grissom and Loeb’s measurement framework, we use both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to examine the structure of principal leadership. Then, a hierarchical linear model is employed to analyze the relationship between principal leadership and five school outcomes, controlling for basic student and teacher demographics and certain school context variables. Findings: We identify many differences and some similarities between China and the United States. We obtain five leadership factors from the principals’ self-rating data (Visibility and Direct Participation, Instruction Organization, Internal Environment Organization, Planning and Personnel, and External Relations) and three leadership factors from the teachers’ rating data (Organization and Management, Instruction and Curriculum, and Visibility and Direct Participation). Regarding student reading achievement and learning efficacy, from both the principals’ and teachers’ perspectives, the most highly correlated aspect is Instruction Organization. For teachers’ occupational stress, job burnout, and teaching efficacy, teachers’ ratings of principal leadership exhibit more significant relationships than does principals’ self-rated leadership. Implications: We explore a broader framework of principal leadership in China. We identify the benefits and analyze alternative views of the indirect effects of principal leadership on students.
Nonparametric Regression with Spatial Data

Nonparametric regression with spatial, or spatio-temporal, data is considered. The conditional mean of a dependent variable, given explanatory ones, is a nonparametric function, while the conditional covariance reects spatial correlation. Conditional heteroscedasticity is also allowed, as well as non-identically distributed observations. Instead of mixing conditions, a (possibly non-stationary) linear process is assumed for disturbances, allowing for long range dependence, while decay in dependence in explanatory variables is described using a measure based on the departure of the joint density from the product of marginal densities. A basic triangular array setting is employed, with the aim of covering various patterns of spatial observation. Su¢ cient conditions are established for consistency and asymptotic normality of kernel regression estimates. When the crosssectional dependence is su¢ ciently mild, the asymptotic variance in the central limit theorem is the same as when observations are independent; otherwise, the rate of convergence is slower. We discuss application of our conditions to spatial autoregressive models, and models de ned on a regular lattice. JEL Classi cations: C13; C14; C21
The Effect of An Angiogenic Cytokine on Orthodontically Induced Inflammatory Root Resorption

Objective Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) is an undesirable sequel of tooth movement after sterile necrosis that takes place in periodontal ligament due to blockage of blood vessels following exertion of orthodontic force. This study sought to assess the effect of an angiogenic cytokine on OIIRR in rat model. Materials and Methods In this experimental animal study, 50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each: E10, E100 and E1000 receiving an injection of 10, 100 and 1000 ng of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), respectively, positive control group (CP) receiving an orthodontic appliance and injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and the negative control group (CN) receiving only the anesthetic agent. A nickel titanium coil spring was placed between the first molar and the incisor on the right side of maxilla. Twenty-one days later, the rats were sacrificed. Histopathological sections were made to assess the number and area of resorption lacunae, number of blood vessels, osteoclasts and Howship’s lacunae. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) test. Results Number of resorption lacunae and area of resorption lacunae in E1000 (0.97 ± 0.80 and 1. 27 ± 0.01×10-3, respectively) were significantly lower than in CP (4.17 ± 0.90 and 2.77 ± 0.01×10-3, respectively, P=0.000). Number of blood vessels, osteoclasts and Howship’s lacunae were significantly higher in E1000 compared to CP (P<0.05). Conclusion Tooth movement as the outcome of bone remodeling is concomitant with the formation of sterile necrosis in the periodontal ligament following blocked blood supply. Thus, bFGF can significantly decrease the risk of root resorption by providing more oxygen and angiogenesis.
Selection of Reference Genes for Quantitative Gene Expression in Porcine Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Various Sources along with Differentiation into Multilineages

The identification of stable reference genes is a prerequisite for ensuring accurate validation of gene expression, yet too little is known about stable reference genes of porcine MSCs. The present study was, therefore, conducted to assess the stability of reference genes in porcine MSCs derived from bone marrow (BMSCs), adipose (AMSCs), and skin (SMSCs) with their in vitro differentiated cells into mesenchymal lineages such as adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Twelve commonly used reference genes were investigated for their threshold cycle (Ct) values by qRT-PCR. The Ct values of candidate reference genes were analyzed by geNorm software to clarify stable expression regardless of experimental conditions. Thus, Pearson's correlation was applied to determine correlation between the three most stable reference genes (NF3) and optimal number of reference genes (NFopt). In assessment of stability of reference gene across experimental conditions by geNorm analysis, undifferentiated MSCs and each differentiated status into mesenchymal lineages showed slightly different results but similar patterns about more or less stable rankings. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation revealed high correlation (r > 0.9) between NF3 and NFopt. Overall, the present study showed that HMBS, YWHAZ, SDHA, and TBP are suitable reference genes for qRT-PCR in porcine MSCs.
Striatal gray matter loss in Huntington's disease is leftward biased

In Huntington's disease (HD), the distribution of pathological changes throughout the brain is incompletely understood. Some studies have identified leftward‐biased lateralization, whereas others did not. We performed magnetic resonance imaging and a voxel‐based asymmetry analysis in 44 right‐handed HD gene carriers (presymptomatic, n = 5; stage I, n = 28; stage II, n = 11) and 44 right‐handed healthy controls. The group comparison revealed leftward‐biased gray matter loss in the striatum. Further analyses showed no indication of asymmetry in presymptomatic HD patients but an increase in asymmetry in the course of the HD stages under examination. Our study demonstrates and discusses leftward‐biased gray matter loss in HD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Estimation of Resource Productivity and Efficiency: An Extended Evaluation of Sustainability Related to Material Flow

This study is intended to conduct an extended evaluation of sustainability based on the material flow analysis of resource productivity. We first present updated information on the material flow analysis (MFA) database in Taiwan. Essential indicators are selected to quantify resource productivity associated with the economy-wide MFA of Taiwan. The study also applies the IPAT (impact-population-affluence-technology) master equation to measure trends of material use efficiency in Taiwan and to compare them with those of other Asia-Pacific countries. An extended evaluation of efficiency, in comparison with selected economies by applying data envelopment analysis (DEA), is conducted accordingly. The Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) is thereby adopted to quantify the patterns and the associated changes of efficiency. Observations and summaries can be described as follows. Based on the MFA of the Taiwanese economy, the average growth rates of domestic material input (DMI; 2.83%) and domestic material consumption (DMC; 2.13%) in the past two decades were both less than that of gross domestic product (GDP; 4.95%). The decoupling of environmental pressures from economic growth can be observed. In terms of the decomposition analysis of the IPAT equation and in comparison with 38 other economies, the material use efficiency of Taiwan did not perform as well as its economic growth. The DEA comparisons of resource productivity show that Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Japan performed the best in 2008. Since the MPI consists of technological change (frontier-shift or innovation) and efficiency change (catch-up), the change in efficiency (catch-up) of Taiwan has not been accomplished as expected in spite of the increase in its technological efficiency.
Full-band Monte Carlo simulation of high-energy carrier transport in single photon avalanche diodes with multiplication layers made of InP, InAlAs, and GaAs

We investigate the high-energy charge dynamics of electrons and holes in the multiplication process of single photon avalanche diodes. The technologically important multiplication layer materials InP and In0.52Al0. 48As, used in near infrared photon detectors, are analyzed and compared with GaAs. We use the full-band Monte Carlo technique to solve the Boltzmann transport equation which improves the state-of-the-art treatment of high-field carrier transport in the multiplication process. As a result of the computationally efficient treatment of the scattering rates and the parallel central processing unit power of modern computer clusters, the full-band Monte Carlo calculation of the breakdown characteristics has become feasible. The breakdown probability features a steeper rise versus the reverse bias for smaller multiplication layer widths for InP, In0.52Al0. 48As, and GaAs. Both the time to avalanche breakdown and jitter decrease with shrinking size of the multiplication region for the three examined III–.
Energy transition in Jordanian and Lebanese Cities : the case of electricity

The paper intends to concentrate on the recent transformations in the electricity sector at the national and the local level to examine the degree of involvement of local or city authorities and actors in the regulation of the electricity sector where State agencies and, in the Jordanian case, new coming national or multinational corporate investors remain the dominant stakeholders. The purpose is to acknowledge the specific factor of their situation and their combination with more general trends.
Exploring Community Structures for Influence Maximization in Social Networks

Since the surge of the popularity of social network, recently, there has been a tremendous wave of interest in the investigation of influence maximization problem. Given a social network structure, the problem of influence maximization is to determine a minimum set of nodes that could maximize the spread of influences. Nowadays, due to the dramatic size growing of social network, the efficiency and scalability of algorithms for influence maximization become more and more crucial. Although many recent studies have focused on the problem of influence maximization, these works, in general, are time consuming when a large-scale social network is given. In this paper, by utilizing community structures, we develop two efficient algorithms CDHKcut and CDH-SHRINK (standing for Community and Degree Heuristic with Kcut / SHRINK) that significantly decrease the number of candidate influential nodes. The experimental results on real datasets indicate that our algorithms not only significantly outperform state-of-the-art algorithms in efficiency but also possess graceful scalability.
Association between Sleep Quality and C-Reactive Protein: Results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2008

Objective Our objective was to explore the association between poor sleep quality and hs_CRP in an adult U.S. population. Methods This study focused on 9,317 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005–2008 who were aged 20–85 years, completed a sleep disorder questionnaire, and had available information on serum hs_CRP. Sleep quality was classified into three categories (good, moderate, poor) based on the responses of participants to the NHANES sleep disorder questionnaire. High CRP was defined as hs-CRP >1 md/dL. Linear regression model was applied to investigate the association between poor sleep quality and log-transformed hs_CRP. And logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the association between sleep quality and the risk of high CRP. Results Females were more likely to report poor sleep quality than males (26% vs. 19%, p<0.0001). Each sleep disorder was significantly associated with increased hs_CRP and correlative to other sleep disorders. In fully-adjusted linear regression model, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with elevated hs_CRP (log transformed) among the overall sample and in females only (β = 0.10, se = 0.03, p<0.01 and β = 0.13, se = 0.04, p<0.01, respectively). In fully-adjusted logistics regression model, poor sleep quality was linked with risk of high CRP(OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.15–1.76 in overall sample and OR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.18–2.14 in females, respectively). Conclusion We found that poor sleep quality was independently associated with elevated hs_CRP in females but not in males in a U.S. adult population.
Gene regulatory networks using bat algorithm inspired particle swarm optimization

Here, we have proposed a statistical framework based on a novel bat algorithm inspired particle swarm optimisation algorithm for the reconstruction of gene regulatory networks from temporal gene expression data. The recurrent neural network formalism has been implemented to extract the underlying dynamics from time series microarray datasets accurately. The proposed swarm intelligence framework has been used for optimising the parameters of the recurrent neural network model. Preliminary research with the proposed methodology has been done on a small, artificial network and the experimental (in vivo) microarray data of the SOS DNA repair network of Escherichia coli. Results obtained suggest that the proposed methodology can infer the underlying network structures with a better degree of success.
Grid Based Bayesian Inference for Stochastic Differential Equation Models

This paper introduces a new approach of approximate Bayesian inference for Stochastic Differential Equation (SDE) models. This approach is not MCMC based and aims to provide a more efficient option for Bayesian inference on SDE models. There are two novel aspects about this approach: the first concerns the way in which the parameter space is explored and the second concerns the evaluation of the posterior. We propose two new methods to implement this approach. These methods are the Gaussian Modified Bridge Approximation (GaMBA) and its extension GaMBAImportance sampling (GaMBA-I). This paper provides an easy to use algorithm for both these methods, discusses their consistency properties, describes examples where these methods provide efficient inference and also discusses their limitations.
Γ and B

We consider a model for the decay B 0 → ρ 0 γ in which the short-distance amplitude determined by the Hamiltonian describing b → dγ is combined with a typical long-distance contribution B 0 → D + D − → ρ 0 γ. The latter possesses a significant dynamical phase which induces a CP-violating asymmetry A CP , as well as an important modification of the Stokes vector of the photon.
LMX and employee satisfaction: mediating effect of psychological capital

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX), job satisfaction (JS), life satisfaction (LS), and psychological capital (PC) for employee relation management. Design/methodology/approach A total of 319 valid questionnaires were received from employees of financial and electronics manufacturing industries in Taiwan, and they were then analyzed using a structuring equation model with SPSS 12.0 and LISREL 8.8. Findings Good LMX increases psychological capital. Psychological capital enhances both JS and LS, and psychological capital serves as a full mediator for both JS and LS. A moderating effect of industrial characteristics is found between LMX and LS and between psychological capital and LS. Practical implications The findings suggest that managers need to focus on leadership style in order to develop employees’ life and JS through building psychological capital. Originality/value This study not only obtained further support for predictions derived from the LMX theory but was also a more extensive analysis of the meaningful relationships between job and LS with a mediating effect of psychological capital on employee relation management.
From maintaining the status quo to promoting free thinking and inquiry: Business students’ perspective on the purpose of business school teaching

We are facing a world where business schools have made it their primary aim to enhance student career prospects and/or salaries by teaching business solely from a business perspective. The authors of this article explore international business students’ viewpoints on the purpose of business school teaching and business school graduates. Having operationalized a typology of business school graduates as a student survey, the authors show that students expect a balanced education. As a business school graduate, they see their purpose not only to replace the existing successful managers and increase the effectiveness of organizations but also to be able to ensure humane, ethical and eco-friendly organizations promoting economic and social welfare and justice. In addition, and quite contrary to what many claim in extant literature, students value and identify with intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and introspection which would ultimately pave the way for serving the public interest. We therefore suggest that for a business school to ‘legitimately’ position itself as a university and rightfully provide academic degrees, it should, in addition to providing students with a profit-maximization toolkit, deliver a wider education balancing different (human, moral, environmental, social and so on) perspectives.