Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Continuing Role of Physical Attractiveness in Marriage.

This study examines the role of physical attractiveness in marriage. It shows that the decreases in physical appearance normally associated with aging affect husbands' responses to their wives more than wives' to their husbands. Evidence is presented that the husband's sexual interest, happiness in the sexual relationship, and, to a lesser extent, unfaithfulness are affected. This differential response of husbands and wives to each others' physical decline persists in spite of age, duration of marriage, and changes in each partner's economic contributions to the marriage.
Discerning Electricity Consumption Patterns from Urban Allometric Scaling

Allometric scaling relations are characteristic of all living organisms. Metabolic and heart rates, lifespan and many other physiological properties vary with body mass in systematic and interrelated ways, which usually take the form of a power law. Scaling laws have been recently observed also in the metabolic rate of a particular kind of living system: the city. Scaling exponents of urban indicators present a remarkable variability, mainly associated with fundamentally different underlying dynamics. In this paper allometric scaling is used to detect dissimilar behaviors in one particularly important urban indicator: electricity consumption. Different scaling relations between electricity consumption and economical and social sectors found in southern Spain region of Andalucia, indicate variability in these sectors' basal energy consumption processes. The usefulness of these findings for urban modeling is finally outlined and some practical implications are suggested.
Social Distancing in Adolescents’ Perceptions of Alcohol Use and Social Disapproval: The Moderating Roles of Culture and Gender

College students attribute more conservative attitudes and behaviors concerning alcohol use to themselves and progressively less conservative attitudes and behaviors to their friends and more distal peers. We examined whether a similar social-distancing effect would occur with adolescents in America and Ireland. Students (n = 2,554) attributed the most conservative drinking frequency to themselves and progressively less conservative frequencies to their best friends, other good friends, other students their age at their own school, and other students their age at other schools, respectively. Similarly, adolescents attributed more disapproval of drinking to their best friends and progressively less conservative disapproval to other good friends, other students their age at their own school, and other students their age at other schools, respectively. As predicted, more social distancing occurred among Americans (relative to Irish) and girls (relative to boys).
Helpful or harmful? The impact of strategic change on the performance of U.S. urban hospitals.

OBJECTIVE To contribute to the debate as to whether strategic change helps or harms organizations by empirically examining how strategic change influences performance change in urban hospitals. DATA SOURCES AHA Annual Survey (1994 and 1996), Health Care Financing Administration's Medicare Cost Reports (1994 and 1996) and Medicare HMO Files (1994), U.S. Bureau of the Census' County Business Patterns Files (1994), and Area Resources File (1994). STUDY DESIGN This work employed a longitudinal approach using a panel design to study the effect of environmental and organizational characteristics on urban hospital strategic behavior and performance. A path analytic model was used to examine the simultaneous effects of environmental and organizational characteristics (1994) on strategic behavior (change in strategies to enhance HMO business and change in strategies to control costs 1994-96), as well as the effects of all of these variables on change in urban hospital performance (change in market share, change in operational efficiency, change in financial performance 1994-96). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS (1) Environmental context exerts a greater influence on urban hospitals' HMO business enhancement strategies, whereas organizational characteristics have more influence on cost-control strategies. (2) Between the two strategies, HMO business enhancement and cost control, strategic change to enhance business with HMOs is much more complex. (3) Strategic change observed across the 1994 to 1996 time period can be either helpful or harmful to urban hospitals. A strategic change that contributes positively to one type of performance can negatively impact the other. CONCLUSIONS Although differences of opinion persist in the strategic change debate, results of this study indicate that strategic change can be helpful or harmful to urban hospitals, and its consequences are far more complex than previously thought. Strategic rationality has its own limitations and cannot always be relied on to yield expected results. Hospital strategic changes require coordination to achieve greater performance results.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF HYALURONIDASE AND TYPE-SPECIFIC ANTI-M SERUM ON EXPERIMENTAL GROUP A STREPTOCOCCUS INFECTIONS IN MICE

Five strains of encapsulated group A streptococci of different serological types, each with a glossy and a matt variant, were studied to compare the rôles of the M substance and the hyaluronic acid capsule in virulence of these microorganisms. The results indicated that both contribute to the virulence of group A streptococci but that the M antigen is the more fundamental factor. Encapsulated variants, both glossy and matt, were slightly less susceptible to phagocytosis than those from which the capsule had been removed with hyaluronidase. Glossy variants, containing no M substance, were readily phagocyted; matt, M-containing variants were resistant to phagocytosis except in the presence of anti-M serum when they became fully susceptible. Only the M-containing, matt strains were mouse-virulent. Mice were protected against infections with these strains: (a) By removal of the capsule with hyaluronidase, which resulted in slight protection, but only against 10 M.L. D. Early and intensive treatment was required to produce this effect; i.e., simultaneous injection of enzyme and streptococci followed by prolonged enzyme therapy. (b) By a single injection of anti-M serum administered the day before inoculation of the streptococci, which resulted in protection against 100,000 M.L. D. (c) By combined use of enzyme and anti-M serum, an additive effect of the two protective agents occurred, which resulted in protection against 1,000,000 M.L. D.
An Anatomy of Narrative Curricula

As curricular qualities of various narrative practices become more diverse and widely established, a clearer understanding of their particular nature and function should accompany their use. This article reviews rather far-flung practices in relation to the particular narrative functions on which they rely. The author uses Schwab’s commonplaces as common denominators that cut across practices to determine different locations for curricular gain. Then, without wanting to tear apart what is essentially a holistic phenomenon, the author looks at narrative curricula through three different lenses, named by Genette (1980) “narrative,” “story,” and “narrating. ” These facets of narrative are highlighted in different ways in various curricula, prompting different forms of narrative engagement. They help locate and distinguish different outcomes.
A Note On the MMPI Psychopathic Deviate Scale

CoMREY (1958) recently reported the results of a factor analysis of items on the Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) scale of the MMPI. Some of his interpretations of the findings, however, appear to warrant revision. For example, Factor III labeled &dquo;Psychopathic Personality,&dquo; which Comrey describes as &dquo;a psychopathic disregard for the ordinarily steadying influence of public opinion&dquo; (p. 94), contains the following four Pd items: loading What others think of me does not bother me.50
Beyond the Classroom: An Exploratory Study of Out-Of-Class Learning in Sociology

In this article, we report on a study about the experiences of graduating sociology majors with out-of-class learning opportunities (OOCLO). Research questions included the following: (1) What is the nature of participation in out-of-class learning for our sociology majors? (2) What barriers do students see to engaging in such experiences? (3) What supports for involvement do students recognize? (4) What are students' overall attitudes about OOCLO? (5) What variables are associated with participation in OOCLO? All students from one medium-sized, public, Midwestern university who were enrolled in the required sociology senior experience course in one academic year were given the self-administered questionnaire. Results indicate most students participate most frequently in OOCLO that involve low student initiative, effort, and commitment. Lack of time is reported as a critical barrier to participation. Factors viewed as key supports for participation include convenient/spare time, useful and interesting activities, no cost, and teacher encouragement. Involvement in OOCLO was significantly related to engagement in the discipline and to skipping fewer classes. Structural factors were more important for participation than were individual characteristics.
A Comparison of Play Interactions Between Non-Disabled and Disabled Children and Their Mothers: A Question of Style

Comparisons of mother-child interaction styles exhibited during free-play sessions in the home were made between 6 mother-multiply disabled child dyads and 6 mother-normal child dyads. The children were matched on sex and functional level and the mothers were matched on educational level and husband's occupational status. Results indicated that mothers of disabled children exerted more direct influence during play interactions than dieir counterparts. Normal children were involved in more self-initiated communication than disabled children. Findings are discussed as to why mothers interacted differently with their disabled child and the practical implications of these findings.
A Theoretically Based Model of Rat Personality with Implications for Welfare

As animal personality research becomes more central to the study of animal behavior, there is increasing need for theoretical frameworks addressing its causes and consequences. We propose that regulatory focus theory (RFT) could serve as one such framework while also providing insights into how animal personality relates to welfare. RFT distinguishes between two types of approach motivation: promotion, the motivation to approach gains, and prevention, the motivation to approach or maintain safety. Decades of research have established the utility of RFT as a model of human behavior and recent evidence from zoo-housed primates and laboratory rats has suggested that it may be applicable to nonhuman animal behavior as well. Building on these initial studies, we collected data on 60 rats, Rattus norvegicus, navigating an automated maze that allowed individuals to maintain darkness (indicative of prevention/safety-approach motivation) and/or activate food rewards (indicative of promotion/gain-approach motivation). As predicted, both behaviors showed stable individual differences (Ps <0.01) and were inversely associated with physiological signs of chronic stress, possibly indicating poor welfare (Ps <0.05). Subsequently, half the rats were exposed to a manageable threat (noxious novel object) in the homecage. Re-testing in the maze revealed that threat exposure increased darkness time achieved (P<0.05), suggesting a mechanism by which prevention motivation may be enhanced. These results point toward the potential utility of RFT as a model for animal behavior and welfare.
Blackboard bullies: workplace bullying in primary schools

This paper offers a comprehensive examination of the ‘lived experience’ of workplace bullying in primary schools in Ireland. Underpinned by the qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with a class teacher, a chairperson of a Board of Management and a school principal – all of whom who believe themselves to have been targets of workplace bullying in their schools – the paper presents their personal narratives as representative inductive exemplars. Each of these case studies highlight the far-reaching impact of negative workplace interaction for both individuals and the wider school community and, in so doing, provide a voice for a hithertofore silent minority. Through a Foucauldian analysis of the complex exercise of power which is at the heart of all bullying relationships, this study reveals the key role of management and organisational cultures to both the experience and incidence of adult bullying in primary schools, as well as the critical importance of leadership in framing the nature of professional relationships in school organisations.
A Real-Time EMG Pattern Recognition System Based on Linear-Nonlinear Feature Projection for a Multifunction Myoelectric Hand

This paper proposes a novel real-time electromyogram (EMG) pattern recognition for the control of a multifunction myoelectric hand from four channel EMG signals. To extract a feature vector from the EMG signal, we use a wavelet packet transform that is a generalized version of wavelet transform. For dimensionality reduction and nonlinear mapping of the features, we also propose a linear-nonlinear feature projection composed of principal components analysis (PCA) and a self-organizing feature map (SOFM). The dimensionality reduction by PCA simplifies the structure of the classifier and reduces processing time for the pattern recognition. The nonlinear mapping by SOFM transforms the PCA-reduced features into a new feature space with high class separability. Finally, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) is used as the classifier. Using an analysis of class separability by feature projections, we show that the recognition accuracy depends more on the class separability of the projected features than on the MLP's class separation ability. Consequently, the proposed linear-nonlinear projection method improves class separability and recognition accuracy. We implement a real-time control system for a multifunction virtual hand. Our experimental results show that all processes, including virtual hand control, are completed within 125 ms, and the proposed method is applicable to real-time myoelectric hand control without an operational time delay
Initial motivations for teaching: comparison between preservice teachers in the United States and China

This study examined similar and differing initial motivations to teach between 257 US and 542 Chinese preservice teachers using the recently validated FIT-Choice scale. In both countries, participants were motivated to enter teaching because of their social utility values. US preservice teachers reported significantly higher motivations from social utility values, teaching abilities, intrinsic career value, and prior teaching and learning experiences, and lower fallback career motivations. While both viewed teaching as low in return, Chinese participants rated teaching to be low in demand whereas US participants perceived it as high in demand. Despite this, US participants were more satisfied with their career choice. Subtle similarities and differences between the two countries are discussed in relation to social and cultural-value differences.
Validity of admission decisions based on assessment of prior learning in higher education

Assessment of prior learning (APL) refers to the process of validating individuals’ learning in a variety of contexts, representing a relatively new practice in many countries. In higher education, APL is used to receive access and credits based on skills and knowledge acquired mainly outside of formal academic settings. This paper focuses on validity of admission decisions based on this type of assessment in higher education. The study examines decisions made by higher education institutions for approximately 600 applicants who have used APL in order to receive admission to, and credits in the vocational teacher education programme in Sweden. The results are analysed and presented in relation to a validity discussion. A conclusion is that the existing practice of APL needs improvements in order to obtain validity and trustworthiness in the decisions made in relation to APL.
The Role of Vertical Divergence in Internal Wave / Wave Interactions

Smallscale internal waves are numerically ray-traced through random 3-D Garrett and Munk (GM) internal wave backgrounds. Past ray-tracing investigations have considered only interactions with background vertical shear Vz = (Uz, Vz). Our numerical simulations indicate a non-negligible role for vertical divergence Wz. The spectral transfer of internalwave energy toward high vertical wavenumber kz and turbulence production ε are 2–4 times shear-only predictions depending on the degree of vertical and horizontal scale-separation imposed. An upper limit is obtained by imposing vertical scale-separation Kz < kz and no restriction on horizontal wavenumber or frequency. This violates the WKB approximation in the horizontal and time. A lower limit is obtained by imposing stricter vertical scaleseparation Kz < 0.5kz and horizontal scale-separation KH < kh for background frequencies Ω > 11f. Imposing WKB horizontal scale-separation at all background frequencies caused some test waves to get stuck at low horizontal wavenumber and low frequency. This is not realistic. The shear-and-strain lower limit produces turbulence production rates close to the upper limit of shear-only calculations and therefore consistent with observations.
A META-ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONS AMONG TRAINING CRITERIA

An augmented framework for training criteria based on Kirkpatrick's (1959a, 1959b, 1960a, 1960b) model divides training reactions into affective and utility reactions, and learning into post-training measures of learning, retention, and behavior/skill demonstration. A total of 34 studies yielding 115 correlations were analyzed meta-analytically. Results included substantial reliabilities across training criteria and reasonable convergence among subdivisions of criteria within a larger level. Utility-type reaction measures were more strongly related to learning or on-the-job performance (transfer) than affective-type reaction measures. Moreover, utility-type reaction measures were stronger correlates of transfer than were measures of immediate or retained learning. These latter findings support recent concurrent thinking regarding use of reactions in training (e.g., Warr & Bunce, 1995). Implications for choosing and developing training criteria are discussed.
Failures in Clinical Practice and a Biomechanical System for the Study of Toxin‐Induced Paralysis

Botulinum A toxin injection has great utility in the treatment of essential blepharospasm and other facial spasm disorders. Several investigators have noted the failure of botulinum toxin injections to relieve lid spasm in occasional patients and a decrease in effectiveness or duration of effect following multiple injections in other patients. We reviewed the charts of 30 consecutive patients presenting for the evaluation or treatment of facial dystonia. Of 20 patients who had received multiple injections of botulinum toxin, 10 patients were felt to be treatment failures. A new biomechanical system was developed to investigate the duration and degree of paralysis induced in the gastrocnemius muscle of the rat. Animals were treated with four sequential injections at 6-week intervals to the same muscle, resulting in muscle atrophy and an increase in the duration and degree of muscle paralysis, contrary to clinical findings in humans. The review of patient data confirms that, for many patients, repeated injection of botulinum toxin results in a decrease in duration and degree of effect despite an increased toxin dose. An opposite effect was noted in our experimental model because of progressive muscle atrophy.
Nonlinear control of hydraulic robots

This paper addresses the control problem of hydraulic robot manipulators. The backstepping design methodology is adopted to develop a novel nonlinear position tracking controller. The tracking errors are shown to be exponentially stable under the proposed control law. The controller is further augmented with adaptation laws to compensate for parametric uncertainties in the system dynamics. Acceleration feedback is avoided by using two new adaptive and robust sliding-type observers. The adaptive controllers are proven to be asymptotically stable via Lyapunov analysis. Simulation and experimental results performed with a hydraulic Stewart platform demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
A Two-Level Approach for Species Identification of Coniferous Trees in Central Ontario Forests Based on Multispectral Images

This study aims to provide detailed spatial information of valuable tree species to support improved management of winter habitat of white-tailed deer. To achieve this, we proposed a novel approach using information from two spatial scales and a suite of methods for analysis and classification of remotely sensed data. High-spatial resolution, multispectral images were employed to test the proposed method. A new structure-based remote sensing feature [local binary pattern (LBP) index] was developed and proved to be effective for species classification. A simple but effective fusion approach based on information entropy theory was proposed to incorporate features derived from different methods and their uncertainties. Based on tenfold cross validation, an overall accuracy (OA) of 77% was obtained for the classification of three tree species groups. The proposed approach has high potential to improve species mapping for operational ecological modeling.
The homecoming: an investigation into the effect that studying overseas had on Chinese postgraduates' life and work on their return to China

For over a decade, 50,000 Chinese students have come to study each year in the UK, and the majority of them have since returned and settled back in China. An understanding of their return journey and how relevant their overseas learning is to their home life and work environment is a key to the re‐visioning of the internationalisation of higher education in the UK. Using in‐depth qualitative and narrative interviews carried out in China with eight Chinese postgraduates, this research explores these individuals' overall experience of homecoming, including what motivated them to return, their readjustments to life in China, and their perceptions of the impact of learning from studying overseas on their current life and work in China. This article looks particularly at the change in the graduates' sense of identity. The idea of intercultural identity is developed to explain the phenomenon of these returnees' emerging sense of self, one that is expansive and embraces sources of influence beyond the conventional cultural roots of the individual.