Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumers’ collision insurance decisions: a mental models approach to theory evaluation

Using interviews with 74 drivers, we elicit and analyze how people think about collision insurance coverage and decide whether to buy coverage, and if so, what deductible level to carry. We compare respondents’ judgments and behaviors to predictions of three models: baseline expected utility (EU) theory, which predicts that insurance is an inferior good, meaning more wealthy people buy less; a modified EU model, which incorporates income constraints and suggests that property insurance is a normal good, meaning more wealthy people buy more; and a mental accounting model which predicts that consumers budget income across consumption categories. The results suggest they purchase insurance as a normal good, guided by a cognitive model that emphasizes budget constraints. Verbal reports reveal a desire to balance two conflicting goals in deductible decisions: keeping premiums ‘affordable’ and keeping deductible level ‘affordable. ’ Thus, wealth does not distinguish people by risk aversion, but by ability to pay. In other words, the behavior of less wealthy people is not driven by greater risk aversion, but by their lesser ability to pay, both now and later. We find that a simple heuristic using only vehicle value accounts for most decisions of whether to purchase optional collision coverage: out of 45 respondents who did not have loans on their vehicles, 90% of those with vehicles worth more than $1000 carried collision coverage, while less than 30% of those with lower‐valued vehicles did.
From Confinement to Attachment: Michel Foucault on the Rise of the School

This article develops a Foucauldian account of the rise of the modern school, on the basis of a thorough examination of all references to education in Foucault's work. It analyses the seventeenth-century origins of mass schooling and traces its development up to the nineteenth century. It identifies several overlapping stages in this multifaceted and largely contingent development, particularly a fundamental shift from a negative to a positive conception of the school. This Foucauldian understanding of the rise of schooling as a disciplinary technology suggests that an initial focus on the exclusion or confinement of disorderly groups was gradually superseded by a focus on the inclusion or “attachment” of diverse individuals and on the development of their potential. It concludes by cautioning against over-simplistic applications of Foucault's work to the field of education.
Multiple Imputation of Item Scores in Test and Questionnaire Data, and Influence on Psychometric Results

The performance of five simple multiple imputation methods for dealing with missing data were compared. In addition, random imputation and multivariate normal imputation were used as lower and upper benchmark, respectively. Test data were simulated and item scores were deleted such that they were either missing completely at random, missing at random, or not missing at random. Cronbach's alpha, Loevinger's scalability coefficient H, and the item cluster solution from Mokken scale analysis of the complete data were compared with the corresponding results based on the data including imputed scores. The multiple-imputation methods, two-way with normally distributed errors, corrected item-mean substitution with normally distributed errors, and response function, produced discrepancies in Cronbach's coefficient alpha, Loevinger's coefficient H, and the cluster solution from Mokken scale analysis, that were smaller than the discrepancies in upper benchmark multivariate normal imputation.
An Empirical Comparison of the Area Methods, Lord'S Chi-Square Test, and the Mantel-Haenszel Technique for Assessing Differential Item Functioning

Data from a 45-item vocabulary test (tryout edition) were used to assess the degree of congruence between the signed area measure, the unsigned area measure, Lord's chi-square statistic, and the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) technique in identifying items with significant differential item functioning (DIF). In both the Black-White and Female-Male comparisons, the three methods based on item response theory (IRT) identified the same items as having statistically significant DIF. There was close agreement between the MH technique and the three IRT-based procedures only in the Female-Male comparison; different items were identified as biased in the Black-White comparison.
Efficiency, Bias, and Classification Schemes

When estimating voucher impacts on test scores in the New York City randomized field trial (RFT) for African Americans (defined either by mother’s ethnicity, parental caretaker, mother and father’s ethnicity, or mother or father’s ethnicity), results remain significantly positive, even when models include students for whom no baseline test scores are available. These results obtain as long as one estimates impacts precisely by controlling for baseline test scores for those students who have them. Positive impacts fall below conventional levels of significance only when analysts needlessly drop baseline test score information or add numerous covariates that neither singly nor together enhance the precision of the estimates. When results differ for those with and without baseline scores, analysts should give greater weight to those for whom one has stronger evidence that the RFT has not been contaminated. Due to space limitations imposed by the editors, this article replies to the original Krueger and Zhu (KZ) article but not to their rejoinder. Our reply to the rejoinder may be found at www.ksg. harvard.edu/pepg/. There, we discuss the trivial nature of the differences between findings reported below and those in KZ’s replication, our offer to check the replication effort to see how differences could have arisen, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) definition of “Black (non-Hispanic),” and other issues raised in their rejoinder.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Health Promotion and Public Health: A Review

The purpose of this literature review is to identify how geographic information system (GIS) applications have been used in health-related research and to critically examine the issues, strengths, and challenges inherent to those approaches from the lenses of health promotion and public health. Through the review process, conducted in 2007, it is evident that health promotion and public health applications of GIS can be generally categorized into four predominant themes: disease surveillance (n = 227), risk analysis (n = 189), health access and planning (n = 138), and community health profiling (n = 115). This review explores how GIS approaches have been used to inform decision making and discusses the extent to which GIS can be applied to address health promotion and public health questions. The contribution of this literature review will be to generate a broader understanding of how GIS-related methodological techniques and tools developed in other disciplines can be meaningfully applied to applications in public health policy, promotion, and practice.
Symptomatology of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder among First Responders to the Pentagon on 9/11: A Preliminary Analysis of Arlington County Police First Responders

Despite the high profile given to the events of 9/11, little research has been conducted on the effects that the events had on police first responders. This study examines the psychological impact, specifically post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of 9/11 as a critical event on first responding police officers at the Pentagon crash site. Results indicate that more than one‐third of the officers sampled are experiencing above standardized levels of PTSD. Further, the length of time officers spent at the Pentagon significantly predicts higher levels of PTSD. Implications of the findings are discussed along with policy recommendations.
Rates of Molecular Evolution Are Linked to Life History in Flowering Plants

Variable rates of molecular evolution have been documented across the tree of life, but the cause of this observed variation within and among clades remains uncertain. In plants, it has been suggested that life history traits are correlated with the rate of molecular evolution, but previous studies have yielded conflicting results. Exceptionally large phylogenies of five major angiosperm clades demonstrate that rates of molecular evolution are consistently low in trees and shrubs, with relatively long generation times, as compared with related herbaceous plants, which generally have shorter generation times. Herbs show much higher rates of molecular change but also much higher variance in rates. Correlates of life history attributes have long been of interest to biologists, and our results demonstrate how changes in the rate of molecular evolution that are linked to life history traits can affect measurements of the tempo of evolution as well as our ability to identify and conserve biodiversity.
PREVENTION OF CELL-TO-CELL SPREAD OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS BY LEUKOCYTES

Antibody to herpes simplex virus (HSV) plus complement destroyed HSV-infected cells but did not stop the spread of the infection. Studies on the relationship between the time of appearance of viral antigens on the cell surface, immunological destruction of the cells by antiviral antibody and complement, and transfer of the virus to adjacent cells showed that the virus spread from infected to uninfected cells before the infected cells were susceptible to immunological destruction. Incubation of infected monolayers with leukocytes, however, stopped the spread of the virus by nonspecifically damaging both infected and uninfected cells and by presumably breaking intercellular bridges. When leukocytes were removed from infected monolayers, viral plaques developed. If, however, antiviral antibody and complement were added to monolayers before the leukocytes were removed, the development of plaques was prevented. These findings suggest that both antibody and leukocytes are needed to cure HSV infections.
Emotions, self-esteem, and paranoid episodes: an experience sampling study.

OBJECTIVES. The evidence to date for a causal role of emotions in the generation of paranoid symptoms is scarce, mainly because of a lack of studies investigating the longitudinal association between emotional processes and paranoia. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether momentary emotional experiences (anxiety, depression, anger/irritability) and self-esteem predicted the onset and duration of a paranoid episode. We also studied whether levels of emotional experiences and self-esteem were respectively higher and lower during a paranoid episode. DESIGN. A 1-week, prospective momentary assessment study. METHODS. Data were collected using the experience sampling method, a structured self-assessment diary technique. The sample consisted of 158 individuals who ranged across the paranoia continuum. Participants with a psychotic disorder were recruited from in-patient and out-patient mental health services. Participants without psychotic disorder were sampled from the general population. RESULTS. Specific aspects of emotional experience were implicated in the onset and persistence of paranoid episodes. Both an increase in anxiety and a decrease in self-esteem predicted the onset of paranoid episodes. Cross-sectionally, paranoid episodes were associated with high levels of all negative emotions and low level of self-esteem. Initial intensity of paranoia and depression was associated with longer, and anger/irritability with shorter duration of paranoid episodes. CONCLUSIONS. Paranoid delusionality is driven by negative emotions and reductions in self-esteem, rather than serving an immediate defensive function against these emotions and low self-esteem. Clinicians need to be aware of the central role of emotion-related processes and especially self-esteem in paranoid thinking.
Prognostic value of E‐cadherin expression in 413 gastric carcinomas

E‐cadherin is Ca2+‐dependent intercellular adhesion molecule known to exert an invasion‐suppressor function. In the present study, E‐cadherin expression was immunohistochemically investigated in a retrospective series of 413 RO‐resected gastric carcinomas using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5H9. Of these cases, 108 tumors revealed a preserved E‐cadherin expression similar to that of normal gastric mucosa. In 95 tumors, E‐cadherin expression was moderately reduced and in 86 tumors highly reduced. In 124 tumors, no or only a very weak dotted expression could be detected. There was a significant correlation between the degree of E‐cadherin expression and the grade of tumor differentiation, as well as with histological type according to the Laurén and the WHO classifications. In contrast, no correlation could be demonstrated between E‐cadherin expression and the prognostic parameters depth of invasion, lymph node involvement and vascular invasion. As shown by univariate Cox regression analysis, patients with E‐cadherin‐positive tumors had significantly better 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates than patients with E‐cadherin‐negative tumors. This prognostic impact remained present in a multivariate Cox regression analysis, including the prognostic parameters pT category, pN category and vascular invasion. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stalking among juveniles

Background There is an almost total lack of empirical research on stalking among juveniles. Aims To examine the characteristics, nature and impacts of stalking by juveniles. Method Analysis of consecutive court applications for a restraining order against a juvenile because of stalking behaviours. Results A total of 299 juvenile stalkers were identified. The majority were male (64%) and their victims predominantly female (69%). Most pursued a previously known victim (98%), favouring direct means of contact via unwanted approaches (76%) and telephone calls or text messaging (67%). Threats (75%) and physical and sexual assaults (54%) were common. The contexts for juvenile stalking involved an extension of bullying (28%), retaliation for a perceived harm (22%), a reaction to rejection (22%), sexual predation (5%) and infatuation (2%). Conclusions Juvenile stalking is characterised by direct, intense, overtly threatening and all too often violent forms of pursuit. The seriousness that is afforded to adult forms of stalking should similarly apply to this behaviour among juveniles given the even greater rates of disruption to the victim's life and risks of being attacked.
Getting old and heading south: the academic success of Southerner learners in design cohorts

This paper investigates the relationship between learning style, as determined by Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, age and one measure of academic performance in design assignments for two cohorts of first‐ and third‐year architecture students. The paper focuses on the results of a cross‐curriculum learning style survey conducted as part of a project aimed at resolving the learning difficulties of students collaborating in multi‐disciplinary and multi‐cultural team assignments. The research was conducted to determine how learning style differences in heterogeneous teams might be addressed through pedagogy. In light of evidence in student cohorts of learning style changes towards the learning styles of design teachers as students progress through their studies, this paper demonstrates how these changes reflect a statistically significant relationship between learning styles and academic performance in design assignments.
Matrix-metalloproteinases and their inhibitors are elevated in severe sepsis: Prognostic value of TIMP-1 in severe sepsis

The enzyme group of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, so-called tissue inhibitors of matrix-metalloproteinases (TIMPs), are crucial mediators responsible for wound repair after parenchymal damage. Little is known about the role of MMPs and TIMPs in severe sepsis. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate their levels in patients with severe sepsis and to examine their association with prognosis. MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma levels were measured by ELISA methods in 37 patients on day 1 of severe sepsis. 37 healthy volunteers served as controls. Levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and IL-6 in septic patients were significantly higher compared to healthy controls (p<0.001), whereas MMP-2 levels were not different in patients and controls. TIMP-1 levels were significantly higher in non-survivors (4675±435 ng/ml, mean±SEM) compared to survivors of severe sepsis (3201±249 ng/ml; p<0.01). Septic patients with TIMP-1 values >3200 ng/ml were 4.5 times more likely to die than patients with lower values (RR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.14–17.6, p = 0.014). Our results indicate that MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 are elevated in severe sepsis. Furthermore, TIMP-1 may serve as a useful laboratory marker to predict the clinical outcome of patients presenting with severe sepsis.
On-line empathic accuracy in marital interaction.

Seventy-four married couples reviewed videotapes of their problem-solving discussions and described self and partner on-line thoughts and feelings. Scores were derived measuring empathic accuracy, assumed similarity, and shared cognitive focus. As expected, the results showed that more highly educated partners and those married for shorter time periods achieved superior empathic accuracy. In contrast, assumed similarity was significantly related to the positivity of relationship judgments, such as relationship satisfaction, and to the positivity of the verbal behavior. Several mediational models were tested, the results of which showed that shared cognitive focus mediated the link between relationship length and empathic accuracy.
Accreditation in higher education in Chile: results and consequences

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss the results that the accreditation system implemented in Chile has brought to higher education institutions and undergraduate and graduate programs, taking into account both its positive and negative implications.Design/methodology/approach – The examination of the Chilean accreditation regime relies on descriptive statistics based on official data from several sources.Findings – It appears that the Chilean accreditation regime has helped to establish permanent procedures for quality assurance in higher education institutions which has resulted in improving its internal processes, but still the system faces a series of challenges that have to be addressed in order to improve the higher education system as a whole.Originality/value – The Chilean accreditation experience is placed within the discussion and context of accreditation systems around the world, and lessons which can be relevant to other countries are drawn.
Downward Wage Rigidities and Optimal Monetary Policy in a Monetary Union

This paper analyses the implications of heterogeneity in the type of downward wage rigidity (nominal or real) for optimal monetary policy in a monetary union with asymmetric wage adjustment costs. Indexation in one region of the union reduces optimal grease inflation in the presence of common productivity shocks. Large common shocks may have sizeable and persistent effects on the intra-union terms of trade, whereby the region characterized by downward real wage rigidity adjusts with a persistent loss of competitiveness. In response to asymmetric productivity shocks, there is no role for grease inflation because relative price changes facilitating the real wage changes dominate the adjustment mechanism.
Sphenoid Aspergilloma: Diagnosed as a Malignancy: A Case Report

Purpose: This case study was undertaken to demonstrate the important aspects of the differentiation between a fungal infections of the sphenoid sinus vs a diagnosis of cancer. It is important to consider fungal disease in the differential diagnosis when treating masses in the sinuses. A 55 year old female employee was exposed to a waterdamaged office that had fungal and bacterial growth. She developed a sphenoid mass that was first diagnosed as cancer. After surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and a second biopsy she discharged fungal hyphae from the opened sphenoid sinus. Methods: In 2005 her workplace was noted to have water intrusion and was inspected and tested for the presence of fungi and Gram negative bacteria. Wipe samples of dust were collected for culturing and identification of mold and bacteria. Biopsy specimens were tested by PCR DNA analysis for species of mold. The biopsy specimens were reviewed by a Medical Mycologist. The histology slides were stained with Giemsa. Sphenoid discharged materials were stained with fungalase. Results: The sphenoid mass was shown to be an aspergilloma, Aspergillus terreus. Mycotoxins detected in urine were macrocyclic trichothecenes, aflatoxins and ochratoxin. The sphenoid aspergilloma completely resolved following oral and intranasal administration of antifungals. Multiple organ symptoms resulting from her exposure and chronic inflammation abated following detoxification and supportive antioxidant therapy. Clinical observations and diagnostic testing ruled out other causes, revealing chronic inflammation and an infection resulting from exposure to fungi and bacteria in the work environment. Conclusions: Sphenoid aspergilloma can be medically treated with a combination of voriconazole and cyclosporine when they are administered intranasally. The required duration antifungal therapy can be determined by DNA PCR in combination with MRI and appropriate follow up. The findings are discussed and the rational for accepting the aspergilloma rather than a sphenoid malignancy is presented. It is imperative that fungal origins be considered in cases of suspected sinus neoplasms.
The teaching of the philosophy of science in secondary classrooms: case studies of teachers’ personal theories

This study examines teachers’ philosophies of science and describes how these philosophies influence their classroom instruction. Three science teachers with very diverse views of science were interviewed and observed in their classrooms for several months. These teachers’ philosophies were found to influence laboratory instruction, the manner in which demonstrations were used, the teaching of evolution, science‐technology‐society (STS) instruction, word usage, and instructional goals. The findings are relevant to issues in teacher education as well as the institutional environment of teaching.
Goal-Setting Effects in Elite and Nonelite Boxers

Using a goal-setting model (Burton, Naylor, & Holliday, 2001), the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a goal-setting intervention upon performance as a function of skill level. A multiple-baseline across-individuals single subject design was employed with 3 elite and 3 nonelite male boxers aged between 15–17 years (M = 16; SD = 1). Self-generated performance behaviors, competition outcome, competitive anxiety intensity and direction, and self-confidence were measured across a competitive season (10-fight period). Retention was also examined following treatment withdrawal (2-fight period). During and after the goal program was completed, the elite participants displayed consistent improvements in targeted behaviors, more facilitative interpretations of anxiety symptoms, and greater self-confidence, whereas the nonelite revealed inconsistent patterns. Postintervention, five out of the six boxers showed improvement in the percentage of fights won. The results highlight the diverse effects of goal-setting for different populations, with social validation data suggesting potential mechanism via the goal-setting model employed and changes to attentional focus.