Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Intention to Move into Senior Housing

The demand for senior housing in Taiwan is increasing with aging populations and rising life expectancies. However, the unique characteristics of the aging population provide challenges to the senior housing industry. This study proposes a model based on a modified theory of planned behavior to investigate the factors underlying older adults’ intention to move into senior housing in Taiwan. A structural equation analysis showed that the model provided good predictive power. The underlying beliefs leading to the formation of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were also examined to provide a more comprehensive framework for studying the formation of seniors’ intention. Implications and recommendations to help the senior housing industry develop appropriate strategies and encourage seniors to move into senior housing are also provided.
The Role of Conversation in Collaborative Action Research

Abstract The article examines the role of conversation in collaborative action research to understand how conversations among teachers can serve as a research methodology in which the sharing of knowledge and the growth of understanding occurs through meaning making processes. It begins with a review of three collaborative action research groups that use conversation as research. The article then turns to an examination of the three types of conversations used by the teachers in those groups: oral inquiry processes, collaborative conversations, and long and serious conversations. A look at some of the implications that conversation as a research methodology has for the establishment and sustenance of collaborative action research groups concludes the article.
Social Anxiety and Social Perception: Construing Others' Reactions to the Self

This study investigated whether socially anxious people differ from less socially anxious people in how they interpret the facial expressions of an interaction partner. Undergraduates answered a series of questions about themselves in a structured interview, replying to what they thought was the TV image of another undergraduate but was actually a videotape. The videotaped interviewer either maintained a consistently neutral facial expression or varied in expression (positive, neutral, negative) across three blocks of questions and answers. After each block, subjects rated the interviewer's approval of and interest in them. Analysis of these ratings revealed that the two social anxiety groups were equivalently responsive to changes in facial expression. Independent of this, socially anxious subjects made ratings that were consistently less favorable than the ratings made by subjects lower in social anxiety. Additional analyses tended to support the most straightforward interpretation of this finding: that persons high in social anxiety construe others' reactions to them more negatively than persons low in social anxiety.
A Psychometric Study of a Criterion-Referenced Assessment Instrument Designed For Infants and Young Children

The Evaluation and Programming System: For Infants and Young Children. Assessment Level I: Developmentally 1 Month to 3 Years (EPS-I) is an experimental assessment Instrument designed for children functioning developmentally between birth and three years of age. This instrument was designed to provide Information that can be used to develop educational programs and as a tool to assess program effectiveness. Although perhaps a viable option for professional working with young handicapped children, the ESP-I lacked technical information reflecting the extent to which it is a reliable and valid Instrument. The purpose of this study was to investigate selected psychometric properties of the ESP-I. Interobserver agreement and temporal stability were examined as a measure of test reliability. Comparisons between ESP-I scores and standardized test scores and parent ratings of childrens' skills and abilities were examined as a measure of test validity. In addition, this study examined the instrument's usefulness for developing educational programs for young handicapped children.
The `metaphorical annihilation' of the Second Lebanon War (2006) from the Israeli political discourse

Combining discourse analysis with gender theories and the discipline of political studies, this article focuses on two discursive phenomena: first, it demonstrates the flexibility and efficiency of exclusion mechanisms beyond the realm of minority relations to abstract concepts but especially political events; second, it demonstrates the power of metaphor for neutralizing the negative cargo of controversial political situations for the purpose of transforming them into consensual events. The case study explored is the Israeli political discourse during the 33 days of the Second Lebanon War (2006). By intensive use of `war-normalizing metaphors', the political discourse `annihilated' the war: these metaphorical constructions framed the war as a `normal' event, an integral part of Israeli daily life, despite the 3970 katyusha rockets that fell within the borders of Israel and the massive Israel Defense Forces bombing of southern Lebanon.
The Most Dark-Matter-dominated Galaxies: Predicted Gamma-Ray Signals from the Faintest Milky Way Dwarfs

We use kinematic data from three new nearby, extremely low luminosity Milky Way dwarf galaxies (Ursa Major II, Willman 1, and Coma Berenices) to constrain the properties of their dark matter halos, and from these we make predictions for the γ-ray flux from annihilation of dark matter particles in these halos. We show that these ~103 L☉ dwarfs are the most dark-matter-dominated galaxies known, with total masses within 100 pc that are in excess of 106 M☉. Coupled with their relative proximity, their large masses imply that they should have mean γ-ray fluxes that are comparable to or greater than those of any other known satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Our results are robust to both variations of the inner slope of the density profile and the effect of tidal interactions. The fluxes could be boosted by up to 2 orders of magnitude if we include the density enhancements caused by surviving dark matter substructure.
Calling upon the Sacred: Migrants’ Use of Religion in the Migration Process

The role of religion in the stages of the migration process has been overlooked by both immigration and sociology of religion scholars. This article draws on the migratory and religious history of a transnational Maya community with members in the western highlands of Guatemala and Houston, Texas. Drawing on field research of Mayas in both the sending and receiving areas, we show how migrants use religion in the following stages of the migration process: 1) decisionmaking; 2) preparing for the trip; 3) the journey; 4) the arrival; 5) the role of the ethnic church in immigrant settlement; and 6) the development of transnational linkages.
A novel low-power embedded object recognition system working at multi-frames per second (Extended abstract)

One very important challenge in the field of multimedia is the implementation of fast and detailed Object Detection and Recognition systems. In particular, in the current state-of-the-art mobile multimedia systems, it is highly desirable to detect and locate certain objects within a video frame in real time. In this paper, we present a novel FPGA-based embedded implementation of a very efficient object recognition algorithm called Receptive Field Cooccurrence Histograms Algorithm(RFCH). Our main focus was to increase its performance so as to be able to handle the object recognition task of today's highly sophisticated embedded multimedia systems while keeping its energy consumption at very low levels. Our low-power embedded reconfigurable system is at least 15 times faster than the software implementation on a low-voltage high-end CPU, while consuming at least 60 times less energy. Our novel system is also 88 times more energy efficient than the recently introduced low-power multi-core Intel devices which are optimized for embedded systems.
The Study of Classroom Physical Appearance Effects on Khon Kaen University English Students Learning Outcome

Many classroom environments on learning studies indicated that facilities for teachers and students were perceived as significant factors that a classroom must contain. Khon Kaen University Language Institute (KKULI) is still operating using only one classroom design; therefore, this study will focus on the relationship between learning performance of KKU students taking a foundation English course of KKULI and the physical appearance of the classroom in order to improve classroom physical appearance for acquisition of language. This study will compare English learning performances between participants using a modified classroom with writable walls, laminated flooring, sharing tables, a modified teacher station and a non-modified regular class. This research examined the significance of the relationship between attitudes towards the classroom’s physical appearance and aimed to provide academic institutes for improvement in terms of classroom design by using data from 228 first year students studying foundation English courses managed by KKULI in 2012. A self-administered questionnaire was applied as the instrument for data collection. Also, participants’ English learning performances from 7 English classes were analyzed by Paired-Sample T-Test to compare between performances of learners using the modified classroom and non-modified. The study showed that designing of the classroom significantly affected participants’ preference to the course and attitude on learning performance. Almost all participants did not like the individual fold-out desk. Instead, they preferred sharing tables, having eye contacts with teachers, and technology in class. Classroom physical appearance did not have a significant relationship to participants’ actual English learning performance.
Relationships Among Motivation to Change, Barriers to Care, and Substance-Related Consequences in People With Dual Disorders

Despite the importance of motivation to change substance use and outcomes in primary substance abusers, less is known about motivation in people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. The present study sought to better understand the relationships among substance use and consequences, perceived barriers to care, and motivation to change in a sample of people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders who were entering outpatient mental health care. Participants were 41 dually diagnosed outpatients who completed self-report measures at intake to outpatient mental health treatment. Participants endorsed many barriers to treatment and many negative consequences resulting from substance use. Findings showed positive relationships between substance-related problems and both motivation to change (r = .42, p < .01) and perceived importance of change (r = .68, p < .001). Higher maintenance stage scores were related to a greater number of barriers to care (r = .34, p < .03). Higher action scores were inversely related to past-month drug use (r = –.59, p < .001). Relationships among variables were similar to what has been found in primary substance abusers. Two ideas are discussed: (1) dually diagnosed patients may encounter unique challenges when seeking care, and 2) those who have made changes continue to perceive barriers to treatment.
Trace elements and prion diseases: a review of the interactions of copper, manganese and zinc with the prion protein

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a family of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by their long incubation periods, progressive neurological changes, and spongiform appearance in the brain. There is much evidence to show that TSEs are caused by an isoform of the normal cellular surface prion protein PrPC. The normal function of PrPC is still unknown, but it exhibits properties of a cupro-protein, capable of binding up to six copper ions. There are two differing views on copper's role in prion diseases. While one view looks at the PrPC copper-binding as the trigger for conversion to PrPSc, the opposing viewpoint sees a lack of PrPC copper-binding resulting in the conformational change into the disease causing isoform. Manganese and zinc have been shown to interact with PrPC as well and have been found in abnormal levels in prion diseases. This review addresses the interaction between select trace elements and the PrPC.
Examining Emotion as Discourse: Emotion Codes and Presidential Speeches Justifying War

Observers commonly argue that emotional appeal is critical for persuasive communication in mass media, science and social policy hearings, social problem advocacy, and politics. This raises a practical question: How can appeals to emotion be accomplished in mass audiences characterized by heterogeneity? I explore this question by theorizing emotional persuasion to be encouraged by the artful use of “emotion codes,” which are sets of socially circulating ideas about which emotions are appropriate to feel when, where, and toward whom or what, as well as how emotions should be outwardly expressed. As an illustration, I examine an instance of presidential communication surrounding war, the “Story of September 11” crafted by President George W. Bush in his first four nationally televised speeches after the events of that day. I explore how this melodramatic tale contains multiple and interlocking reflections of emotion codes which encourage audience members to feel in particular ways about the Good American victim and hero and the evil terrorist villain who are the primary story characters. In the conclusion I speculate about ways in which deploying elements of socially circulating ideas about emotion might encourage persuasion in large heterogeneous audiences as well as the necessities for examining emotion as discourse in other arenas of social life. My goal is to develop a model for empirically examining emotional meaning as social phenomena.
Formulaic Language as a Barrier to Effective Communication with People with Alzheimer's Disease

Carers recognize that the linguistic problems associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be detrimental to effective communication, but they are often not sure what they can do to help. This article examines the use of formulaic language in AD, including routines, repetitions, and fillers, through the lens of a model of how cognitive and social priorities shape language learning and use. The model sheds light on the ways in which formulaic language can limit effective communication, but also shows how it can be used to support the declining command of novel language. Carers' tendency to adopt formulaic language in their own interaction is also examined. An agenda for future research is offered to further test the validity of these observations and to explore ways of using formulaic language constructively to support improved communication between carers and AD sufferers.Les membres du personnel soignant conviennent volontiers que les problèmes langagiers associés à la maladie d'Alzheimer peuvent nuire à l'efficacité de la communication, mais dans la plupart des cas, ils ne savent pas comment aider leurs patients. À partir de l'observation, faite sur des patients atteints de cette maladie, de la façon dont les priorités cognitives et sociales modulent l'apprentissage et l'utilisation de la langue, l'article analyse le recours à des séquences linguistiques préfabriquées telles que routines, répétitions et mots de remplissage. Le modèle utilisé jette un éclairage nouveau sur les contraintes imposées à la communication par les séquences préfabriquées, et montre également comment celles-ci peuvent servir à ralentir la régression de l'usage original du langage. La tendance chez les soignants à adopter des séquences préfabriquées dans leurs interactions personnelles est également prise en compte. Nous proposons par ailleurs un programme de recherches, dans le but de mettre encore à l'épreuve la validité de nos observations et d'explorer les manières constructives d'utiliser les séquences préfabriquées afin qu'elles améliorent la communication entre les soignants et leurs patients atteints de la maladie d'Alzheimer.
A conserved tyrosine in the beta2 subunit M4 segment is a determinant of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor sensitivity to propofol.

BACKGROUND The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R) beta subunits are critical targets for the actions for several intravenous general anesthetics, but the precise nature of the anesthetic binding sites are unknown. In addition, little is known about the role the fourth transmembrane (M4) segment of the receptor plays in receptor function. The aim of this study was to better define the propofol binding site on the GABAA-R by conducting a tryptophan scan in the M4 segment of the beta2 subunit. METHODS Seven tryptophan mutations were introduced into the C-terminal end of the M4 segment of the GABAA-R beta2 subunit. GABAA-R subunit complementary DNAs were transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells grown on glass coverslips. After transfection (36-72 h), coverslips were transferred to a perfusion chamber to assay receptor function. Cells were whole cell patch clamped and exposed to GABA, propofol, etomidate, and pregnenolone. Chemicals were delivered to the cells using two 10-channel infusion pumps and a rapid solution exchanger. RESULTS All tryptophan mutations were well tolerated, and with one exception, all resulted in minimal changes in receptor activation by GABA. One mutation, beta2(Y444W), selectively suppressed the ability of propofol to enhance receptor function while retaining normal sensitivity to etomidate and pregnenolone. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of a mutation that selectively reduces propofol sensitivity without altering the action of etomidate. The reduction in propofol sensitivity is consistent with the loss of a hydrogen bond within the propofol binding site. These results also suggest a possible orientation of the propofol molecule within its binding site.
Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3–6 months from the developed world: a systematic review

The present study aimed to evaluate evidence on metabolisable energy consumption and pattern of consumption with age in infants in the developed world who were exclusively breast-fed, at around the time of introducing complementary feeding. We carried out a systematic review aimed at answering three questions: how much milk is transferred from mother to infant? ; does transfer increase with the age of the infant? ; and what is the metabolisable energy content of breast milk? Thirty-three eligible studies of 1041 mother–infant pairs reported transfer at 3–4 months of age, the weighted mean transfer being 779 (SD 40) g/d. Six studies (99 pairs) measured transfer at 5 months, with a weighted mean transfer of 827 (SD 39) g/d. Five studies (72 pairs) measured milk transfer at 6 months, reporting a weighted mean transfer of 894 (SD 87) g/d. Nine longitudinal studies reported no significant increases in milk transfer after 2–4 months. Twenty-five studies on breast-milk energy content were based on 777 mother–infant pairs. The weighted mean metabolisable energy content was 2·6 (SD 0·2) kJ/g. Breast-milk metabolisable energy content is probably lower, and breast-milk transfer slightly higher, than is usually assumed. Longitudinal studies do not support the hypothesis that breast-milk transfer increases markedly with age. More research on energy intake in 5–6-month-old exclusively breast-fed infants is necessary, and information on the metabolisability of breast milk in mid-infancy is desirable. This evidence should inform future recommendations on infant feeding and help to identify research needs in infant energy balance.
Preoperative radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The existing randomized evidence has failed to conclusively demonstrate the benefit or otherwise of preoperative radiotherapy in treating patients with potentially resectable esophageal carcinoma. OBJECTIVES This meta-analysis aimed to assess whether there is benefit from adding radiotherapy prior to surgery and whether or not any pre-defined patient subgroups benefit more or less from preoperative radiotherapy SEARCH STRATEGY Medline and CancerLit searches were supplemented by information from trial registers and by hand searching relevant meeting proceedings and by discussion with relevant trialists, organisations and industry. The search strategy was run again in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library on 2nd May 2000, one year after original publication. No new trials were found. SELECTION CRITERIA Trials were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis provided they randomized patients with potentially resectable carcinoma of the esophagus (of any histological type) to receive radiotherapy or no radiotherapy prior to surgery. Trials must have used a randomization method which precluded prior knowledge of treatment assignment and completed accrual by December 1993, to ensure sufficient follow-up by the time of the first analysis (September 1995). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A quantitative meta-analysis using updated data from individual patients from all properly randomized trials (published or unpublished) comprising 1147 patients (971 deaths) from five randomized trials. This approach was used to assess whether preoperative radiotherapy improves overall survival and whether it is differentially effective in patients defined by age, sex and tumour location. MAIN RESULTS With a median follow-up of 9 years, in a group patients with mostly squamous carcinomas, the hazard ratio (HR) of 0.89 (95% CI 0.78-1.01) suggests an overall reduction in the risk of death of 11% and an absolute survival benefit of 3% at 2 years and 4% at 5 years. This result is not conventionally statistically significant (p=0.062). No clear differences in the size of the effect by sex, age or tumor location were apparent. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Based on existing trials, there was no clear evidence that preoperative radiotherapy improves the survival of patients with potentially resectable esophageal cancer. These results indicate that if such preoperative radiotherapy regimens do improve survival, then the effect is likely to be modest with an absolute improvement in survival of around 3 to 4%. Trials or a meta-analysis of around 2000 patients (90% power, 5% significance level) would be needed to reliably detect such an improvement (from 15 to 20%).
Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate and disability assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite: Integrated analysis of DEFINE and CONFIRM

The effect of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF; also known as gastro-resistant DMF) on the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) was assessed using integrated Phase 3 DEFINE and CONFIRM data. Patients treated with DMF (n = 769) demonstrated significant superiority on the MSFC, and each component, compared with placebo (n = 771) over two years: mean change for DMF vs placebo was 0.054 vs −0.053 on MSFC; −0.088 vs −0.286 on Timed 25-Foot Walk, 0.047 vs 0.003 on 9-Hole Peg Test and 0.178 vs 0.123 on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test. DMF was an efficacious treatment for patients with MS.
Empowerment by Design? Women’s Use of New Urbanist Neighborhoods in Suburbia

This paper investigates the potential of new urbanism (NU) to serve as a new neighborhood strategy for women. Survey and interview research examines the ways women in suburban NU neighborhoods of Minneapolis–St. Paul interact with the built environment to effect divisions of household labor and social isolation. The analysis shows that women use pedestrian-accessible mixed-use centers and neo-traditional design features (e.g., porches) to lessen the burden of domestic labor and foster social interaction. Despite these affordances, the paper argues that NU neighborhoods do not ultimately serve as resources in breaking patterns of social segregation or women’s isolation in suburbia.