Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essays in Congressional Communication

Members of Congress must manage both their representative and legislative responsibilities. As congressional districts have grown in population, how have these o ces handled the increase in communications volume that has accompanied the twin challenges of population growth and communications access? As communications have gotten less costly, has this changed the population of those making contact with their elected o cials? What e↵ect does this communication have on how constituents approve of their member of Congress? And finally, how do members of Congress use the resources allocated to them to communicate with their constituents? Essay 1 examines this issue from the point of view of the constituent. Using data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Studies 2006-2008, it examines patterns of contact, including reasons for and means of contact. Reported contact with members of Congress has increased, mirroring data from Congress about their increased communications volume. The majority of this communication is oriented towards expressing positions on issues, and most of that communication is conducted via e-mail. Finally, while most constituents who make contact are satisfied with the results of that contact, the proportion of those dissatisfied has increased. Essay 2 examines how that communication translates into member job approval.
Correlates of Exercise Intentions in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivors: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

In the present study we examined the demographic, medical, and social cognitive correlates of exercise intentions in non-Hodgkin? s lymphoma (NHL) survivors using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Participants were 399 NHL survivors who completed a mailed survey that assessed demographics, past exercise, and the TPB (i.e., intention, perceived behavioral control, affective and instrumental attitudes, and subjective norm). Descriptive data indicated that only about 50% of NHL survivors intended to exercise at levels that are consistent with current public health guidelines. In support of the TPB, multiple regression analysis indicated that the model explained 55% of the variance in exercise intentions, with perceived behavioral control (b = .47), affective attitude (b = .23), and subjective norm (b = .15), being the most important correlates. It was concluded that the TPB provides a good framework on which to base interventions designed to increase exercise intentions in NHL survivors
VALIDITY OF WELFARE MOTHERS' INTERVIEW RESPONSES

Because survey research is open to the criticism that respondents do not always tell the truth to interviewers, validation studies have long been an honored pursuit. ' They have led to progressive clarification of the extent and direction of response error, and to its increasing control. In recent years, as more research has focused on poor people in our society, special concerns about response error have come to the fore. Some critics claim that the poor present interviewing problems different in kind and degree from other respondent groups. Poor people, they say, misunderstand the interviewer, or defer to him, or try to con him; the interviewer stereotypes the respondent and biases his answers; or else poor people have such difficulty in knowing or remembering or verbalizing that the interview becomes a very leaky vessel indeed for taking out questions and bringing back answers.2 In an effort to test these assertions, this study validated responses of a sample of Negro welfare mothers. They were New York City residents receiving public assistance in 1966 who had been interviewed by the National Opinion Research Center for a study on the use of health services. Their responses to five questions in the original interview were compared with official records-registration status in 1964, voting in the 1964 presidential election, receipt of money from welfare,
Torsional vibrations of circular elastic plates with thickness steps

This paper presents a theoretical study of torsional vibrations in isotropic elastic plates. The exact solutions for torsional vibrations in circular and annular plates are first reviewed. Then, an approximate method is developed to analyze torsional vibrations of circular plates with thickness steps. The method is based on an approximate plate theory for torsional vibrations derived from the variational principle following Mindlin's series expansion method. Approximate solutions for the zeroth- and first-order torsional modes in the circular plate with one thickness step are presented. It is found that, within a narrow frequency range, the first-order torsional modes can be trapped in the inner region where the thickness exceeds that of the outer region. The mode shapes clearly show that both the displacement and the stress amplitudes decay exponentially away from the thickness step. The existence arid the number of the trapped first-order torsional modes in a circular mesa on an infinite plate are determined as functions of the normalized geometric parameters, which may serve as a guide for designing distributed torsional-mode resonators for sensing applications. Comparisons between the theoretical predictions and experimental measurements show close agreements in the resonance frequencies of trapped torsional modes.
The same-object benefit is influenced by time-on-task

Previous studies indicated that mental fatigue particularly compromises the control of attention. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to test this notion in a divided attention paradigm that involves comparing targets placed on one versus two background objects. In general, comparing targets on two objects is less efficient than on one object because it puts more demands on divided attention. This is the well-known same-object benefit. Based on the notion of lowered control of attention under fatigue, we hypothesised that this same-object benefit becomes more pronounced in fatigued participants. We tested this with an experiment in which participants performed a visual attention task (same/different task) for 2.5 hours without rest. As a function of time-on-task, participants showed a decline in performance that was significantly more pronounced in the two object condition versus the one-object condition. These findings suggest an increased same-object benefit with time-on-task, which is likely due to compromised divided attention under fatigue.
Affective and Motivational Outcomes of Working in Collaborative Groups

The Quality of Working in Groups Instrument (QWIGI) was used in this research to measure students’ fluctuating psychological need states as well as their situational interest online. Based on previous research with the QWIGI, it was predicted that the variance in university sophomores’ situational interest in each of the five different topics of an introductory course in education could be explained in terms of the students’ situational interest in previously studied topic‐related material (both within‐topic transfer and across‐topic transfer) and their perception of the learning conditions. An introductory course on education was taken by 95 sophomores; the course was given by five different teachers, covering five different topics. The course lasted 14 weeks and was set up according to the principles of social constructivism. Students’ situational interest as well as their satisfaction with the learning conditions in terms of competence level, autonomy granted, and social relatedness was registered on nine occasions during the course. Results indicate that high situational interest generated in the previously recorded learning episode counteracts a decline in situational interest, both within and across the topic boundary. Satisfaction with the learning conditions in terms of the three psychological need states also contributed to the variance explained, particularly satisfaction with the level of competence.
Predictors of Outcome in 216 Subjects With ARDS Treated With Inhaled Epoprostenol

BACKGROUND: ARDS is an important cause of respiratory failure and continues to be associated with a high mortality rate. Numerous therapeutic interventions have been employed to improve patient outcomes, including inhaled epoprostenol. METHODS: We examined subjects with ARDS treated with epoprostenol. We compared hospital survivors with nonsurvivors to identify predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Among the cohort (n = 216), there were 80 (37%) hospital survivors and 136 (63%) hospital nonsurvivors. Logistic regression revealed 5 variables associated with hospital mortality: trauma as the etiology for ARDS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.09, 95% CI 0.04–0.22, P = .006), presence of both pulmonary and nonpulmonary sources of sepsis (AOR 3.06, 95% CI 1.98–4.74, P = .01), an international normalized ratio of > 1.5 (AOR 3.15, 95% CI 2.19–4.54, P = .002), body mass index (1-unit increments, AOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.936–0.965, P = .001), and an incremental change in PaO2/FIO2 during the first 24 h of treatment with epoprostenol (AOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.988–0.994, P = .002). An analysis for 90-d mortality identified the same predictors, with the addition of cumulative fluid balance during treatment with epoprostenol of > 4 L also being an independent predictor (AOR 2.36, 95% CI 1.66–3.37, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of epoprostenol in ARDS remains a therapeutic challenge, we were able to identify predictors of mortality for this important cohort of patients. These predictor variables could be employed in the design of future trials of epoprostenol in ARDS.
Employment Interview Outcomes and Speech Style Effects

This study examines the effects of powerful versus powerless speech styles on employment interview outcomes, extending and refining research by Wiley and Eskilson. Undergraduate and professional respondents listened to one of eight audiotaped interviews manipulated by speech style, interviewer gender, and interviewee gender and evaluated the interviewees’ dynamism, social attractiveness, competence, and employability on Likert-type scales. Results indicate that a powerful speech style results in positive attributions of competence and employability and that professional respondents evaluated the speech styles differently than did undergraduates. Implications for the employment interview are discussed, and directions for future research are also identified.
A Model-Based Active Control Design for Thermoacoustic Instability

Abstract Active control has been pursued vigorously for combating thermoacoustic instabilities in combustion processes. Most experimental investigations employ empirical design procedure for determining the characteristic parameters of the filter and phase-shifter of the controller. Such procedure has been observed to result in resonance at frequencies which were not excited in the power spectrum of the uncontrolled combustor, though the dominant thermoacoustic instability was suppressed. In this paper, we present an alternative design methodology which is based on the underlying physical model of the combustor and modern control theory. We show that using this methodology, one can avoid the generation of secondary peaks and achieve short settling time using small control energy. The physical model takes into account multiple acoustic modes, the heat release dynamics of a premixed flame, and the effect of an actuator such as a loudspeaker, on the flow variables over a wide range of frequencies. The model-.
HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIOURS OF TURKISH AND FOREIGNER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Purpose: At this study, it was aimed to compare health promoting behaviors of Turkish (TS) and Foreigner (FS) students of university. Methods: At this study, 64 FS and 70 TS were participated voluntarily, mean age of FS and TS were 23,11 and 20,87 respectively. Volunteers were performed demographic questionnaire and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (HLBS). 34 Foreigner participants were performed HLBS II inventory by post and 30 participants were performed by e-mail. Independent-t test was performed for comparing groups. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Meaningful difference was found at the age parameter (p 0.05). When HLBS and its aspects were compared according to TS and FS; statistically meaningful difference was found at the healthy responsibility, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, stress management and HLPL total parameters (p 0.05). When HLBS and its aspects were compared according to female TS and FS, statistically meaningful difference was found at healthy responsibility, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, stress management and HLPL total parameters (p 0.05). Conclusion: It was so clear that University students needed to be informed about Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors We thought that health, guidance and counseling unites of both campus and other environments had to work more actively with students in co-operation
Links Among Gender, Inhibition, and Parental Socialization in the Development of Prosocial Behavior

Prosocial behavior encompasses sympathetic, helpful, and caring responses toward others. Temperamental characteristics and experiences of child rearing are associated with children's prosocial behavior. However, little research has examined the associations between prosocial behavior and either temperamental inhibition or paternal child rearing. This study examined the contributions of maternal and paternal parenting and inhibition at 2 years to displays of prosocial behavior toward mothers and unfamiliar adults by 46 male and 42 female preschoolers. There were no direct links between toddler inhibition or fathers' parenting and prosocial behavior 2 years later, although protective maternal parenting predicted prosocial behavior. Toddlers' inhibition and gender moderated the links between maternal parenting and prosocial behavior. Maternal parenting was most strongly predictive of the prosocial behavior of more highly inhibited girls, suggesting there may be temperament- and gender-specific pathways for the development of positive characteristics.
Mice Selectively Bred for High- or Low-Alcohol-Induced Locomotion Exhibit Differences in Dopamine Neuron Function

Elevated sensitivity to the euphoric or stimulant effects of ethanol is associated with higher levels of alcohol use in some human populations. Midbrain dopamine neurons are thought to be important mediators of both ethanol reward and locomotor stimulation. Patch-clamp recordings were used to examine the electrical properties of dopamine neurons in a genetic model of heightened (FAST) and reduced (SLOW) sensitivity to the locomotor-activating effects of ethanol. Pacemaker firing of dopamine neurons was faster in FAST than SLOW mice, as was the current density through IH channels. Acute administration of ethanol accelerated the firing of dopamine neurons to a greater extent in recordings from FAST than SLOW mice. Dopamine neurons from FAST mice also exhibited reduced GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic input, compared with SLOW mice. The results suggest that dopamine neuron IH channels, firing rate, and GABAergic input may play a role in sensitivity to the locomotor activation observed at early time points after ethanol administration and could underlie differences in sensitivity to alcohol relevant to risk for alcohol abuse.
The ill-treatment of employees with disabilities in British workplaces

There are few quantitative studies that show the workplace is experienced in a different way by employees with disabilities. This article fills this gap using data from the British Workplace Behaviour Survey, which found that employees with disabilities and long-term illnesses were more likely to suffer ill-treatment in the workplace and experienced a broader range of ill-treatment. Different types of disability were associated with different types of ill-treatment. The survey also showed who employees with disabilities blamed for their ill-treatment and why they believed the ill-treatment had occurred. Drawing on the existing literature, four possible explanations for ill-treatment are considered: negative affect raises perceptions of ill-treatment; ill-treatment leads to health effects; ill-treatment results from stigma or discrimination; ill-treatment is a consequence of workplace social relations. Although some of these explanations are stronger than others, the discussion shows that more research is required in order to decide between them.
Age and probabilistic reasoning: Biases in conjunctive, disjunctive and Bayesian judgements in early and late adulthood

Probabilistic reasoning plays an essential part in many aspects of our daily routine and it has been argued that as we grow older, the need to make judgements under uncertainty becomes increasingly important. Two studies were conducted to establish whether the propensity to commit probabilistic reasoning errors increased with age. Young (aged 16–24), middle aged (25–54), and older persons (55 years and above) were included. Study 1 revealed systematic biases and errors across a range of judgement tasks. However, no evidence of any age effect in Bayesian inference, the incidence of the conjunction fallacy, or in the number of disjunction errors was found. The results obtained in Study 1 were replicated in Study 2, where the potential mediating role of working memory processes and intellectual capacity were explicitly assessed. While some aspects of probabilistic reasoning performance were correlated with measures of intelligence and working memory functioning among young adults, this was much less evident in older persons. The present findings are discussed in relation to the evolution of the dualistic heuristic–analytical system over the adult lifespan. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are there independent lexical and nonlexical routes in word processing? An evaluation of the dual-route theory of reading

Abstract One of the most popular and influential theories of word processing, dual-route theory, proposes that there are two functionally independent means of processing words, one involving access to lexical knowledge and the other involving nonlexical grapheme-to-phoneme conversion. Three topics germane to this theory are the processing of nonwords, spelling regularity effects, and the manner in which reading may be impaired following selective damage to either route. This paper evaluates evidence on these topics, and in each case the claims of the theory for an independent nonlexical processing route are called into question. This conclusion is further supported by a discussion of the linguistic constraints that limit any nonlexical grapheme—phoneme conversion process. Some alternative approaches to visual word processing, which share the assumption that lexical knowledge can guide the assembly of phonological information, are discussed. It is argued that these approaches should direct future research.
Long-term 3D map maintenance in dynamic environments

New applications of mobile robotics in dynamic urban areas require more than the single-session geometric maps that have dominated simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) research to date; maps must be updated as the environment changes and include a semantic layer (such as road network information) to aid motion planning in dynamic environments. We present an algorithm for long-term localization and mapping in real time using a three-dimensional (3D) laser scanner. The system infers the static or dynamic state of each 3D point in the environment based on repeated observations. The velocity of each dynamic point is estimated without requiring object models or explicit clustering of the points. At any time, the system is able to produce a most-likely representation of underlying static scene geometry. By storing the time history of velocities, we can infer the dominant motion patterns within the map. The result is an online mapping and localization system specifically designed to enable long-term autonomy within highly dynamic environments. We validate the approach using data collected around the campus of ETH Zurich over seven months and several kilometers of navigation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to unify long-term map update with tracking of dynamic objects.
The Investigation of Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Brief Self-Control Scale

Objective: The Learned Resourcefulness Scale has been utilized to measure self-control in research in Turkey. However, this scale may not be appropriate to measure the trait of self-control. For this reason, we aimed to adapt the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), which was developed by Tangney, Baumeister, and Boone (2004), into Turkish. Methods: The validity and reliability tests were conducted with 523 participants who were not diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder. Discriminant validity was investigated by assessment with the BSCS, the social skills subscale of the Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS), the controlling negative body responses and anger management subscales of the Emotional Management Skills Scale (EMSS), and the BIS-11 on 36 euthymic bipolar I disorder patients (according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria) and 50 individuals without a psychiatric diagnosis. Test-retest reliability was done with 145 people who were chosen from among the 523 participants. Results: For language equivalency of the BSCS, the relationships between the English and Turkish versions of the BSCS were investigated using Pearson correlation and they were found to be r=0.72 for impulsiveness, r=0.76 for self-discipline, and r=0.73 for the total scale. To determine the factor structure of the BSCS, principal component analysis and varimax were used, and the analysis yielded two-factors called impulsiveness and self-discipline. The two-factor structure of the BSCS was confirmed by confirmation factor analysis. For criterion-related validity, correlations among subscales of the BSCS and social skills of the TSIS, controlling negative body responses and anger management subscales of the EMSS and the BIS-11 were utilized. They ranged from r=-0.11 to r=0.64 for impulsiveness, and r=0.19 to r=0.63 for self-discipline. The discriminant ability of impulsivity and self-discipline between euthymic bipolar I disorder patients and individuals without any psychiatric diagnosis were investigated by using discriminant analysis and it was confirmed that they could discriminate. ROC analysis indicated that impulsiveness and self-discipline differentiated between euthymic bipolar I disorder patients and the individuals without psychiatric diagnosis (area under the curve 0.85 and 0.82, respectively), while the BSCS Total did not differentiate (area under the curve 0.56). Using a cut-off score of 13 for impulsiveness, sensitivity was 0.806, specificity was 0.84, positive predictive value was 0.04, negative predictive value was 0.99, positive likelihood ratio was 5.03, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.23. Using a cut-off score of 12 for self-discipline, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 0.917, 0.62, 0.02, 0.99, 2.41 and 0.13, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated that the BSCS is a reliable and valid instrument. On the other hand, utilizing the scale as a part