Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firing and enabling sequences estimation for timed Petri nets

Petri nets (PNs) are useful tools for the modeling and analysis of discrete event systems. This work deals with the estimation of firing and enabling sequences for timed transition PNs with unknown time delays. The marking and reserved marking of the places are measured online. The estimation problem has exact and approximated solutions that are described. Sufficient conditions are given on the measurement accuracy of the marking and reserved marking vectors, so that the estimation of firing and enabling sequences is an exact one. If the estimation provides several solutions, the PN is extended in order to give a unique solution. Numerical aspects of the estimation are also investigated. As a consequence of this, the proposed method provides interesting tools for the modeling, performance analysis, and above all the monitoring of manufacturing systems and road traffic networks.
Drama Theory and Entertainment Education: Exploring the Effects of a Radio Drama on Behavioral Intentions to Limit HIV Transmission in Ethiopia

This study investigated a model of entertainment education that combined drama theory (Kincaid, 2002) and social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and tested it in a field study of a government-sponsored health campaign in Ethiopia. Specifically, we explored if the relationships between reported exposure to the Journey of Life radio drama and intentions to practice at least one behavior to prevent HIV transmission (abstinence, monogamy, or condom use) were mediated by emotional involvement, character identification, and perceived efficacy. As listeners (n=126) reported listening to more episodes of the radio serial drama, they identified more with the female protagonist and felt more emotionally involved in the drama. In turn, they reported stronger perceptions of personal efficacy in HIV prevention behaviors, and consequently, reported stronger intentions to practice at least one prevention behavior. Additionally, identification with another character, one who contracts HIV due to noncompliance with these behaviors, correlated positively with stronger behavioral intentions. The results of this study indicate that both drama theory and social cognitive theory explain behavioral intentions.
Personal data disclosure and data breaches: the customer's viewpoint

Every time the customer (individual or company) has to release personal information to its service provider (e.g., an online store or a cloud computing provider), it faces a trade-off between the benefits gained (enhanced or cheaper services) and the risks it incurs (identity theft and fraudulent uses). The amount of personal information released is the major decision variable in that trade-off problem, and has a proxy in the maximum loss the customer may incur. We find the conditions for a unique optimal solution to exist for that problem as that maximizing the customer's surplus. We also show that the optimal amount of personal information is influenced most by the immediate benefits the customer gets, i.e., the price and the quantity of service offered by the service provider, rather than by maximum loss it may incur. Easy spenders take larger risks with respect to low-spenders, but an increase in price drives customers towards a more careful risk-taking attitude anyway. A major role is also played by the privacy level, which the service provider employs to regulate the benefits released to the customers. We also provide a closed form solution for the limit case of a perfectly secure provider, showing that the results do not differ significantly from those obtained in the general case. The trade-off analysis may be employed by the customer to determine its level of exposure in the relationship with its service provider.
Behavior Perception, Affect, and Memory

Previous research has demonstrated that a finer level of behavior perception is associated with both greater liking for observed others and better memory for their behavior. The present two studies investigated whether the effect of variation in behavior perception on affect is mediated by its effect on memory. In Study 1 subjects were instructed to segment an actor's behavior into either fine or gross units of action. In addition, half of the subjects were instructed to count backward from 500 out loud while unitizing the behavior. Liking for the actor and memory for her behavior were subsequently assessed. The unitization instructions influenced both subjects' liking for the actor and their memory for her behavior; that is, consistent with earlier studies fine-unit subjects reacted more positively to the actor (particularly as measured by behavior) and remembered more of her actions than did gross-unit subjects. The counting manipulation also influenced memory (i.e., reduced it), but had no effect on th.
The Historical-Philosophical Basis for Uniting Social Science with Social Problem-Solving

Social scientific development has been greatly influenced by Galilean-Newtonian thought which emphasized formulation of abstract hypotheses valid throughout all time and space and independent of human characteristics. This influence has resulted in an artificial hiatus between social science and social problem-solving. Dissolution of certain Galilean-Newtonian assumptions has opened the way for integrating aspects of another stream of thought, the Hegelian-Marxian one, into the social scientific endeavor. Hegelian-Marxian thought emphasizes the individual becoming self-conscious of, and involved in, the social-historical process. The uniting of certain aspects of Galilean-Newtonian and Hegelian-Marxian thought provides a genuinely experimental social science in which abstract hypothesis-testing is united with social action that is based on persons' awareness of relevant hypotheses viewed in historical perspective.
Health-related quality of life and utility in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of best-eye and worst-eye visual acuity (BEVA and WEVA, respectively) on health-related quality of life and utility in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN This cross-sectional, prospective, observational, multicenter study was performed in France, Germany, and Italy. Patients were stratified into 4 severity groups (BEVA, 20/40; WEVA, 20/200). Patients completed the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire, the Macular Disease Quality of Life Scale, and the Health Utility Index 3. Analysis of variance was used to adjust for age, sex, and country. RESULTS Patients (N = 360) were mainly female (59.6%), with a mean age of 77 years and mean time since age-related macular degeneration diagnosis of 2.3 years. Health Utility Index 3 scores decreased with VA severity from 0.62 to 0.39. The National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire global score decreased with VA severity from 67.0 to 40.7 and was related to the BEVA (P < .001) and WEVA (P = .03). Corresponding changes were observed on the general vision, distance vision, driving, and mental health dimensions. The average weighted impact score on the Macular Disease Quality of Life varied from -4.6 to -2.6, decreasing with VA severity. Both eyes contributed to the average weighted impact score. CONCLUSION The BEVA and WEVAs influenced vision-related quality of life independently, as measured by the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire and Macular Disease Quality of Life Scale.
Comparison of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium and Methyl Salicylate Phonophoresis in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis

©2011 Turkish League Against Rheumatism. All rights reserved. Amac: Bu calismada diz osteoartritli (OA) hastalarda diklofenak sodyum fonoforezinin (DSPH), metil salisilat fonoforezinin (MSPH) ve geleneksel terapotik ultrasonun (TUS) etkinlikleri arastirildi ve karsilastirildi. Hastalar ve yontemler: Bu calismaya Ekim 2008 Haziran 2009 tarihleri arasinda 45 hasta (8 erkek, 37 kadin; ort. yas 57.5 yil; dagilim 51-64 yil) dahil edildi ve hastalar randomize sekilde uc gruba ayrildi: DSPH, MSPH ve TUS. Birlestirici ortam olarak iki topikal agri kesici jelden biriyle hedef dize 1 MHz frekansli ve 1 watt/cm2ʼlik ultrason dalgalari uygulandi. Terapotik ultrason grubunda herhangi bir aktif farmakolojik ajan icermeyen akustik jel uygulandi. Uc gruptaki tum hastalara 10 tedavi seansi uygulandi. Western Ontario McMaster Universitesi Osteoartrit Indeksi (WOMAC) skorlari, 20 metre yurume zamani ve diz hareket araligi (ROM) esli t-testi ve variyans analizi (ANOVA) kullanilarak tedaviden once ve sonra degerlendirildi. Bulgular: Tedaviden sonra uc grupta da klinik sonuc olcutlerinde anlamli olcude iyilesme meydana geldi (p 0.05), diger iki grupla karsilastirildiginda DSPH grubundaki hastalarda tum sonuc degiskenlerinde daha fazla iyilesme goruldu (p 0.05). Sonuc: Mudahalenin ardindan uc grubun tumunde agri, fiziksel fonksiyon, yurume zamani ve diz ROM seviyesi acisindan anlamli iyilesmeler elde edildi. Bununla birlikte, diger iki grupla karsilastirildiginda DSPHʼnin daha etkili oldugu tespit edildi. Metil salisilat fonoforezin ve TUS terapisiyle meydana gelen iyilesme seviyeleri benzerdi; diz OAʼsi bulunan hastalarda MSPH, TUSʼdan ustun degildi.
Context and identity: exploring adult learners' experiences of higher education

This article examines a longitudinal case study exploring the experience of a cohort of part‐time, adult, work‐based learners, mostly experiencing higher education for the first time. A wide range of instruments, including diaries and interviews, were used to collect data to explore, in some depth, the nature of the learning experience. Data analysis was undertaken using a matrix framework focusing on the positive and negative dimensions of the experience using the twin perspectives of learning context and individual identity. The study is shown to be part of a longer action research cycle. The study identified tensions between individual anticipation and anxiety and an institutional tension between positive conceptualisations of a supportive learning community contrasted with manifestations of higher education as an alien environment that actually hampers learning. The research was driven by the need to explore the development of a support infrastructure that addresses student needs. At one level the purpose of the research was to develop the course with a view to continuous improvement of the student learning experience. However, at the same time the research underlines the power of action research as a means of improving practice by formalising tacit reflection on learning and teaching and how this benefits both tutors and students by improving engagement and awareness of the learning process.
Carotid Calcification in Mice: A New Model to Study the Effects of Arterial Stiffness on the Brain

Background Arterial stiffness has been identified as an important risk factor for cognitive decline. However, its effects on the brain's health are unknown, and there is no animal model available to study the precise impact of arterial stiffness on the brain. Therefore, the objective of the study was to develop and characterize a new model specific to arterial stiffness in order to study its effects on the brain. Methods and Results Calcium chloride (CaCl2) was applied to carotid arteries of mice, inducing an increase in collagen distribution and intima–media thickness, a fragmentation of elastin, a decrease in arterial compliance and distensibility, and an increase in cerebral blood flow pulsatility (n=3 to 11). Calcium deposits were only present at the site of CaCl2 application, and there was no increase in systemic blood pressure or change in vessel radius making this model specific for arterial stiffness. The effects of carotid stiffness were then assessed in the brain. Carotid calcification induced an increase in the production of cerebral superoxide anion and neurodegeneration, detected with Fluoro‐Jade B staining, in the hippocampus (n=3 to 5), a key region for memory and cognition. Conclusions A new model of arterial stiffness based on carotid calcification was developed and characterized. This new model meets all the characteristics of arterial stiffness, and its specificity allows the study of the effects of arterial stiffness on the brain.
Intake of dairy products, calcium, and vitamin d and risk of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Laboratory data suggest that calcium and vitamin D, found at high levels in dairy products, might reduce breast carcinogenesis. However, epidemiologic studies regarding dairy products and breast cancer have yielded inconsistent results. We examined data from a large, long-term cohort study to evaluate whether high intake of dairy products, calcium, or vitamin D is associated with reduced risk of breast cancer. METHODS We followed 88 691 women in the Nurses' Health Study cohort from the date of return of their food-frequency questionnaire in 1980 until May 31, 1996. Dietary information was collected in 1980 and updated in 1984, 1986, 1990, and 1994. We identified 3482 women (premenopausal = 827, postmenopausal = 2345, and uncertain menopausal status = 310) with incident invasive breast cancer. We used pooled logistic regression to estimate multivariable relative risks (RRs) using 2-year time increments. The RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each category of intake compared with the lowest intake group. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Intakes of dairy products, calcium, or vitamin D were not statistically significantly associated with breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, however, consumption of dairy products, especially of low-fat dairy foods and skim/low-fat milk, was inversely associated with risk of breast cancer. The multivariable RRs comparing highest (>1 serving/day) and lowest (<or=3 servings/month) intake categories were 0.68 (95% CI = 0.55 to 0.86) for low-fat dairy foods and 0.72 (95% CI = 0.56 to 0.91) for skim/low-fat milk. Dairy calcium (>800 mg/day versus <or=200 mg/day; RR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.98), total vitamin D (>500 IU/day versus <or=150 IU/day; RR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55 to 0.94), and lactose (quintile 5 versus quintile 1; RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.86] also had inverse associations with premenopausal breast cancer risk. By taking into account supplemental calcium and vitamin D intake, we found that association with calcium was due mainly to dairy sources whereas the association with vitamin D may be independent of dairy intake. CONCLUSIONS We found no association between intake of dairy products and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Among premenopausal women, high intake of low-fat dairy foods, especially skim/low-fat milk, was associated with reduced risk of breast cancer. Similar inverse associations were seen with components (calcium and vitamin D) of dairy foods, but their independent associations with breast cancer are difficult to distinguish.
Flexible empirical Bayes estimation for wavelets

Wavelet shrinkage estimation is an increasingly popular method for signal denoising and compression. Although Bayes estimators can provide excellent mean‐squared error (MSE) properties, the selection of an effective prior is a difficult task. To address this problem, we propose empirical Bayes (EB) prior selection methods for various error distributions including the normal and the heavier‐tailed Student t‐distributions. Under such EB prior distributions, we obtain threshold shrinkage estimators based on model selection, and multiple‐shrinkage estimators based on model averaging. These EB estimators are seen to be computationally competitive with standard classical thresholding methods, and to be robust to outliers in both the data and wavelet domains. Simulated and real examples are used to illustrate the flexibility and improved MSE performance of these methods in a wide variety of settings.
Gender-Related Patterns of Helping Among Friends

In this study, the social role theory of gender and helping (Eagly & Crowley, 1986) was applied to understand gender differences in helping behavior. Relationships among criterion variables of time spent helping and help quality; and key predictors of problem severity, empathic tendency, anger, sympathy, closeness, causal controllability, coping, and self-efficacy were applied. Participants from a large community sample (N = 1,004) described situations in which they helped a friend and completed questionnaires describing factors that influenced their actions. Recipients of the help also filled out similar questionnaires. It was found that across many problem settings women spend more time helping, give higher quality help, and feel more empathy and sympathy in response to their friends' problems. Further, the presence of anger toward a friend is associated with more time spent helping but a lower quality of help. In contrast, men rate their friends' problems as more controllable/blameworthy and experience more anger. Further, controllability has a greater influence on a number of help-related variables. For both men and women, self-efficacy and perception of problem severity are the greatest direct predictors of helping.
Nuclear Compartmentalization of α1-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling in Adult Cardiac Myocytes

Abstract: Although convention dictates that G protein-coupled receptors localize to and signal at the plasma membrane, accumulating evidence suggests that G protein-coupled receptors localize to and signal at intracellular membranes, most notably the nucleus. In fact, there is now significant evidence indicating that endogenous alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (&agr;1-ARs) localize to and signal at the nuclei in adult cardiac myocytes. Cumulatively, the data suggest that &agr;1-ARs localize to the inner nuclear membrane, activate intranuclear signaling, and regulate physiologic function in adult cardiac myocytes. Although &agr;1-ARs signal through G&agr;q, unlike other Gq-coupled receptors, &agr;1-ARs mediate important cardioprotective functions including adaptive/physiologic hypertrophy, protection from cell death (survival signaling), positive inotropy, and preconditioning. Also unlike other Gq-coupled receptors, most, if not all, functional &agr;1-ARs localize to the nuclei in adult cardiac myocytes, as opposed to the sarcolemma. Together, &agr;1-AR nuclear localization and cardioprotection might suggest a novel model for compartmentalization of Gq-coupled receptor signaling in which nuclear Gq-coupled receptor signaling is cardioprotective.
Modulation of potassium current kinetics in bag cell neurons of Aplysia by an activator of adenylate cyclase

The bag cell neurons of Aplysia are neurosecretory cells which control egg-laying behavior. In their resting state, the cells have a high resting potential and show no spontaneous activity. In response to brief stimulation of a neural input, the cells depolarize and fire repetitively for up to 60 min. This afterdischarge is thought to be controlled by elevations of intracellular adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP). A voltage clamp study of bag cells in primary culture was undertaken in order to characterize the effects of cAMP on the cells' electrical properties. The transient outward potassium current (A- current) was studied before and after the application of forskolin (an activator of adenylate cyclase) and RO20–1724 (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor). These drugs reduced the amplitude of the A-current, primarily by speeding the inactivation process. The time constants for inactivation were speeded at all potentials, but the largest effects were seen at the more positive potentials (-40 to -15 mV), where the time constants were reduced 5-fold. Neither the activation process nor the steady-state parameters of inactivation were altered by the drugs. It is suggested that these changes in the A-current could explain the ability of the bag cells to fire repetitively during the afterdischarge.
Respondents versus Informants Method of Data Collection: Implications for Business Research

The paper is based on a study that compares data collected from two methods, namely, individuals acting as respondents and individuals acting as informants. The former involves self-rating while the later asks individuals to rate other’s beliefs, preferences, and actions. The study objective was to examine the role of social desirability factor in self-rating method of data collection. Good number of business and management studies uses self-rating questionnaires and interviews which may not yield data that truly reflect the reality due to respondents’ tendency to present himself/herself in a socially desirable manner. This may be even more pronounced in a collectivistic culture where individual’s thoughts and perception are deeply influenced by the social norms and values. No such study has been conducted that compares the two method of data collection in a single study, providing the justification for this research. A sample of 100 adults of mix background from India and 127 students from Malaysia rated predominantly positive and negative description of beliefs, values and preferences twice--first for the people residing around them and then for themselves. They also rated themselves on a scale of social desirability. The findings confirmed that the respondents attributed negative cognitions (beliefs, values and preferences) to the people more than themselves. They attributed predominantly positive beliefs, values and preferences to themselves and people, although a shade more to themselves. The social desirability orientation was meaningfully related to respondents’ self but not to people’s related perceptions. The findings thus favored the use of respondents in informants’ role of judging people’s cognitions of social reality.
An Integrated Research Model of Olympic Podium Performance

The purpose of this article is to critically synthesize theoretical frameworks from leadership research and present a new integrated model for the study of contemporary Olympic sport leadership. The empirical work and leadership theories that this model grows out of are reviewed. This discussion builds support for the heuristic value of the integrated research model of Olympic podium performance. Although research models have been problematised by some coaching scholars, it is argued that the proposed research framework has the potential to inspire questions, challenge assumptions, and begin a leadership dialogue which foregrounds Olympic medalists' and their coaches' voices and experiences. The integrated research model is an antecedent, behavior, and consequence model. The antecedent phase is inspired by Côté et al.'s Coaching Model and includes the coach's cognitive map for sport performance. The behavior phase of this model is largely aligned with transformational leadership behaviors outlined in Chelladurai's sport in the pursuit of excellence framework and the coach-athlete relationship is included in this phase of the model. The consequence or outcome is narrowly defined as an Olympic podium performance. Future research in this unique sport leadership context and inspired by this research model is proposed.