Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dark triad characteristics between economics & business students in Croatia & Slovakia: what can be expected from the future employees?

This paper deals with the " dark triad " personality and its components (Machiavellianism, narcissism, subclinical psychopathy) on economics & management student population in Croatia and Slovakia. Dark Triad represent important HRM area in which is trying to understand the " dark " side of human functioning which has potentially harmful impact on organization functioning and performance. Population of economics & management students is important in the context of HRM because of their future high potential to generate dysfunctional organizational behaviors, when they will be organizational employees, especially on management positions. The goal of this research was to gather the data about dark triad personality phenomenon, make the comparisons between Croatian and Slovak sample, present the potential organizational impact of employees with dark characteristics in organizational context and show the implications for HRM. For measurement of the dark triad components (variables) it is used questionnaire measurement that adopts the standardized short dark triad measurement instrument of Jones & Paulhus. Results of the Croatian students are compared with the results of Slovak students, and basically also with Canadian student sample. The basic results showed that 6% Croatian and 0.5% of Slovak economy & management students showed full dark triad profile, also there are found very significant statistical differences in the Machiavellianism and subclinical psychopathy variables between the Croatian and Slovak samples, i.e. these characteristics were statistically higher in Croatian sample.
Prediction of Excitation Energies for Conjugated Oligomers and Polymers from Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory

With technological advances, light-emitting conjugated oligomers and polymers have become competitive candidates in the commercial market of light-emitting diodes for display and other technologies, due to the ultralow cost, light weight, and flexibility. Prediction of excitation energies of these systems plays a crucial role in the understanding of their optical properties and device design. In this review article, we discuss the calculation of excitation energies with time-dependent density functional theory, which is one of the most successful methods in the investigation of the dynamical response of molecular systems to external perturbation, owing to its high computational efficiency.
Spatial- and Task-Dependent Neuronal Responses during Real and Virtual Translocation in the Monkey Hippocampal Formation

Neuropsychological data in humans demonstrated a pivotal role of the medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampal formation (HF) and the parahippocampal gyrus (PH), in allocentric (environment-centered) spatial learning and memory. In the present study, the functional significance of the monkey HF and PH neurons in allocentric spatial processing was analyzed during performance of the spatial tasks. In the tasks, the monkey either freely moved to one of four reward areas in the experimental field by driving a cab that the monkey rode (real translocation task) or freely moved a pointer to one of four reward areas on the monitor (virtual translocation task) by manipulating a joystick. Of 389 neurons recorded from the monkey HF and PH, 166 had place fields that displayed increased activity in a specific area in the experimental field and/or on the monitor (location-differential neurons). More HF and PH neurons responded in the real translocation task. These neurons had low mean spontaneous firing rates (0.96 spikes/sec), similar to those of rodent HF place cells. The remaining nonresponsive neurons had significantly higher mean firing rates (8.39 spikes/sec), similar to interneurons or θ cells in the rodent HF. Furthermore, most location-differential neurons showed different responses in different tasks. These results suggest that the HF and PH are crucial in allocentric information processing and, moreover, that the HF can encode different reference frames that are context or task-dependent. This may be the neural basis of episodic memory.
A Spike Based Learning Neuron in Analog VLSI

Many popular learning rules are formulated in terms of continuous, analog inputs and outputs. Biological systems, however, use action potentials, which are digital-amplitude events that encode analog information in the inter-event interval. Action-potential representations are now being used to advantage in neuromorphic VLSI systems as well. We report on a simple learning rule, based on the Riccati equation described by Kohonen [1], modified for action-potential neuronal outputs. We demonstrate this learning rule in an analog VLSI chip that uses volatile capacitive storage for synaptic weights. We show that our time-dependent learning rule is sufficient to achieve approximate weight normalization and can detect temporal correlations in spike trains.
The role of cAMP in synaptic homeostasis in response to environmental temperature challenges and hyperexcitability mutations

Homeostasis is the ability of physiological systems to regain functional balance following environment or experimental insults and synaptic homeostasis has been demonstrated in various species following genetic or pharmacological disruptions. Among environmental challenges, homeostatic responses to temperature extremes are critical to animal survival under natural conditions. We previously reported that axon terminal arborization in Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) is enhanced at elevated temperatures; however, the amplitude of excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) remains unaltered despite the increase in synaptic bouton numbers. Here we determine the cellular basis of this homeostatic adjustment in larvae reared at high temperature (HT, 29°C). We found that synaptic current focally recorded from individual synaptic boutons was unaffected by rearing temperature (<15°C to >30°C). However, HT rearing decreased the quantal size (amplitude of spontaneous miniature EJPs, or mEJPs), which compensates for the increased number of synaptic releasing sites to retain a normal EJP size. The quantal size decrease is accounted for by a decrease in input resistance of the postsynaptic muscle fiber, indicating an increase in membrane area that matches the synaptic growth at HT. Interestingly, a mutation in rutabaga (rut) encoding adenylyl cyclase (AC) exhibited no obvious changes in quantal size or input resistance of postsynaptic muscle cells after HT rearing, suggesting an important role for rut AC in temperature-induced synaptic homeostasis in Drosophila. This extends our previous finding of rut-dependent synaptic homeostasis in hyperexcitable mutants, e.g., slowpoke (slo). In slo larvae, the lack of BK channel function is partially ameliorated by upregulation of presynaptic Shaker (Sh) IA current to limit excessive transmitter release in addition to postsynaptic glutamate receptor recomposition that reduces the quantal size.
News, Noise, and Fluctuations: An Empirical Exploration

We explore empirically models of aggregate fluctuations with two basic ingredients: agents form anticipations about the future based on noisy sources of information; these anticipations affect spending and output in the short run. Our objective is to separate fluctuations due to actual changes in fundamentals (news) from those due to temporary errors in the private sector&apos;s estimates of these fundamentals (noise). Using a simple model where the consumption random walk hypothesis holds exactly, we address some basic methodological issues and take a first pass at the data. First, we show that if the econometrician has no informational advantage over the agents in the model, structural VARs cannot be used to identify news and noise shocks. Next, we develop a structural Maximum Likelihood approach which allows us to identify the model&apos;s parameters and to evaluate the role of news and noise shocks. Applied to postwar U.S. data, this approach suggests that noise shocks play an important role in short-run fluctuations.
Spectroscopy of Close Companions to Quasi-stellar Objects and the Ages of Interaction-induced Starbursts

We present low-resolution absorption-line spectra of three candidate close (<3'') companions to the low-redshift QSOs 3CR 323.1, PG 1700+518, and PKS 2135-147. The spectra were obtained with the Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS) on the Keck telescopes and with the Faint Object Spectrograph on the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope. For 3CR 323.1 and PG 1700+518, we measure relative velocities that are consistent with an association between the QSOs and their companion galaxies. The spectral features of the companion galaxy to 3CR 323.1 indicate a stellar population of intermediate age (~2.3 Gyr). In contrast, the spectrum of the companion object to PG 1700+518 shows strong Balmer absorption lines from a relatively young stellar population, along with the Mg I b absorption feature and the 4000 Å break from an older population. By modeling the two stellar components of this spectrum, it is possible to estimate the time that has elapsed since the end of the most recent major starburst event: we obtain approximately 0.1 Gyr. This event may have coincided with an interaction that triggered the QSO activity. Finally, our spectroscopy shows conclusively that the supposed companion to PKS 2135-147 is actually a projected Galactic G star.
Tree-Clustered Data Gathering Protocol (TCDGP) for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) consists of plenty nodes which are low cost, low power consuming, small volume and short-transmitting. As sensor nodes are deployed in sensing field, they can help people to monitor and aggregate data. Researchers also try to find more efficient ways of utilizing limited energy of sensor node in order to give longer life time of WSNs. Therefore, how to reduce node's energy that is consumed in transmitting data has became a very important issue. From many kinds of paper, multi-hop routing protocol is well known for power saving in data gathering. Recently researches uses such types of the cluster-based (e.g., LEACH), the chain-based (e.g., PEGASIS) and the tree-based (e.g., TREEPSI) to establish their energy-efficient routing protocol. In this paper, we propose tree-clustered data gathering protocol (also called TCDGP) to improve the LEACH and TREEPSI. The novel proposed protocol can preserve both advantages and improve the power consumption further. Finally, simulation results show that our proposal has better performance than before.
Predictive caching and prefetching of query results in search engines

We study the caching of query result pages in Web search engines. Popular search engines receive millions of queries per day, and efficient policies for caching query results may enable them to lower their response time and reduce their hardware requirements. We present PDC (probability driven cache), a novel scheme tailored for caching search results, that is based on a probabilistic model of search engine users. We then use a trace of over seven million queries submitted to the search engine AltaVista to evaluate PDC, as well as traditional LRU and SLRU based caching schemes. The trace driven simulations show that PDC outperforms the other policies. We also examine the prefetching of search results, and demonstrate that prefetching can increase cache hit ratios by 50% for large caches, and can double the hit ratios of small caches. When integrating prefetching into PDC, we attain hit ratios of over 0.53.
Comparison of the fetal and adult functional B cell repertoires by analysis of VH gene family expression

The functional B cell repertoire in BALB/c mice was assessed at various stages in ontogeny. This was done by analyzing VH gene family expression using the sensitive technique of in situ hybridization. The B cell repertoire was probed with the mitogen, LPS, and the antigen DNP. DNP was chosen because B cells responsive to this hapten appear very early in ontogeny. The APCs that developed after stimulation with LPS or DNP were analyzed for VH gene expression by in situ hybridization of individual cells using radiolabeled VH gene family probes. The results indicated that VH gene expression in fetal B cells after stimulation was distinct from adult B cells in that there was a biased expression of D proximal families. The results indicated that this bias was associated with developmental age and not a given differentiation stage in the B cell lineage. In addition, stimulation of fetal B cells with DNP resulted in a large increase in expression of member(s) of VH 36-60, suggesting that the early appearance of DNP- responsive B cells is not strictly correlated with preferential rearrangement of D proximal families, VH 7183 and VH Q52. However, the results suggested that a large proportion of pre-B cells that preferentially rearrange D proximal families early in ontogeny become part of the functional developing repertoire.
SNAPP: a bird's-eye view of temporal participant interaction

The Social Networks Adapting Pedagogical Practice (SNAPP) tool was developed to provide instructors with the capacity to visualise the evolution of participant relationships within discussions forums. Providing forum facilitators with access to these forms of data visualisations and social network metrics in 'real-time', allows emergent interaction patterns to be analysed and interventions to be undertaken as required. SNAPP essentially serves as an interaction diagnostic tool that assists in bringing the affordances of 'real-time' social network analysis to fruition. This paper details the functional features included in SNAPP 2.0 and how they relate to learning activity intent and participant monitoring. SNAPP 2.0 includes the ability to view the evolution of participant interaction over time and annotate key events that occur along this timeline. This feature is useful in terms of monitoring network evolution and evaluating the impact of intervention strategies on student engagement and connectivity. SNAPP currently supports discussion forums found in popular commercial and open source Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Blackboard, Desire2Learn and Moodle and works in both Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Design and Parameter Estimation for Linear Systems with Nonlinearly Parameterized Perturbations Håvard Fjær Grip ⋆

We introduce a method of observer design for systems described by a linear part with a nonlinear perturbation, where the perturbation is parameterized by a vector of unknown, constant parameters. The design is modular, and consists of a modified high-gain observer that estimates the states of the system together with the full perturbation, and a parameter estimator. The parameter estimator is constructed by the designer to identify the unknown parameters, by dynamically inverting a nonlinear equation. We apply the method to observer design for aDC motor with friction modeled by the dynamic LuGre friction model, estimating the internal state in the friction model and an unknown parameter representing Coloumb friction.
Youths, Cultural Diversity, and Complex Thinking^

Most people support the idea that we live in a complex society and that complex evaluations and strategies are needed in order to effectively address most societal problems. However, little attention is generally paid to the degree of presence of complex thinking in youths' attitudes towards the most significant issues that characterize contemporary human societies. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of the relationship between youths' "complex thinking" and their evaluations of and attitudes towards one of these issues, namely cultural diversity. It examines some excerpts from anonymous open-ended essays on "multiculturalism" in Italy, recently written by pupils aged 14-18. The paper indicates that youths' low levels of complex thinking are often expressed through a prejudiced and basically negative representation of a multicultural society, and through a scarce awareness and a simplistic description of their personal and others' emotions related to this representation. It also indicates that high levels of complex thinking usually characterize youths' positive relationship with and thoughtful understanding of cultural diversity. The paper underlines the importance of fostering the development of high levels of complex thinking at the educational level, so as to strengthen youths' capability of building a more autonomous and complex outlook on their relationship with cultural diversity, and with diversity in general.
Bayesian inference for transcription elongation rates by using total RNA sequencing

Motivation: Sequencing total RNA without poly-A selection enables us to obtain a transcriptomic profile of nascent RNAs undergoing transcription with co-transcriptional splicing. In general, the RNA-seq reads exhibit a sawtooth pattern in a gene, which is characterized by a monotonically decreasing gradient across introns in the 5’ to 3’ direction, and by substantially higher levels of RNA-seq reads presented in exonic regions. Such patterns result from the process of underlying transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II, which traverses the DNA strand in the 5’ to 3’ direction as it performs a complex series of mRNA syntheses and processing. Therefore, data of sequenced total RNAs could be used to infer the rate of transcription elongation by solving the inverse problem. We addressed this issue by using a signal reconstruction technique based on a sequential Monte Carlo algorithm. The objective was to reconstruct the spatial distribution of transcription elongation rates from a given noisy, sawtooth-like profile. Results: It is necessary to recover the signal source of the elongation rates separately from several types of nuisance factors, such as unobserved modes of co-transcriptionally occurring mRNA splicing, which exert significant influence on the sawtooth shape. The present method was applied using published total RNA-seq data derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. We describe the spatial characteristics of the estimated elongation rates, focusing especially on promoter-proximal sites, exons, and introns. We found that the predicted elongation rates are highly correlated with the epigenetic landscape of nucleosome occupancy and histone modification patterns.
Too good to be true? Psychological responses to uncommon options in risk–reward environments

Correspondence Christina Leuker, Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. Email: leuker@mpib-berlin.mpg. de Risks and rewards, or payoffs and probabilities, are inversely related in many choice environments. We investigated people's psychological responses to uncommon combinations of risk and reward that deviate from learned regularities (e.g., options that offer a high payoff with an unusually high probability) as they evaluated risky options. In two experiments (N = 183), participants first priced monetary gambles drawn from environments in which risks and rewards were negatively correlated, positively correlated, or uncorrelated. In later trials, they evaluated gambles with uncommon combinations of risk and reward—that is, options that deviated from the respective environment's risk–reward structure. Pricing, response times, and (in Experiment 2) pupil dilation were recorded. In both experiments, participants took more time when responding to uncommon compared to foreseeable options or when the same options were presented in an uncorrelated risk–reward environment. This result was most pronounced when the uncommon gambles offered higher expected values compared to the other gambles in the set. Moreover, these uncommon, high-value options were associated with an increase in pupil size. These results suggest that people's evaluations of risky options are based not only on the options' payoffs and probabilities but also on the extent to which they fit the risk–reward structure of the environment.
Krh1p and Krh2p act downstream of the Gpa2p Gα subunit to negatively regulate haploid invasive growth

The yeast Gα subunit Gpa2p and its coupled receptor Gpr1p function in a signaling pathway that is required for the transition to pseudohyphal and invasive growth. A two-hybrid screen using a constitutively active allele of GPA2 identified the KRH1 gene as encoding a potential binding partner of Gpa2p. Strains containing deletions of KRH1 and its homolog KRH2 were hyper-invasive and displayed a high level of expression of FLO11, a gene involved in pseudohyphal and invasive growth. Therefore, KRH1 and KRH2 encode negative regulators of the invasive growth pathway. Cells containing krh1Δ krh2Δ mutations also displayed increased sensitivity to heat shock and decreased sporulation efficiency, indicating that Krh1p and Krh2p regulate multiple processes controlled by the cAMP/PKA pathway. The krh1Δ krh2Δ mutations suppressed the effect of a gpa2Δ mutation on FLO11 expression and eliminated the effect of a constitutively active GPA2 allele on induction of FLO11 and heat shock sensitivity, suggesting that Krh1p and Krh2p act downstream of Gpa2p. The Sch9p kinase was not required for the signal generated by deletion of KRH1 and KRH2; however, the cAMP-dependent kinase Tpk2p was required for generation of this signal. These results support a model in which activation of Gpa2p relieves the inhibition exerted by Krh1p and Krh2p on components of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
TNF-Alpha rs1800629 Polymorphism Is Not Associated with HPV Infection or Cervical Cancer in the Chinese Population

Background While HPV infection is the main cause of cervical cancer, genetic susceptibility to HPV infection is not well understood. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), involved in the defense against HPV infection, plays an important role in cervical cancer progression and regression. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the TNF-alpha rs1800629 polymorphism and risk of HPV infection or cervical cancer. Methods Three groups were involved in this study of Chinese women. Group 1 consisted of 285 high risk HPV positive cervical cancer patients, Group 2, 225 high risk HPV positive patients without cervical cancer, and Group 3, 318 HPV negative women with no cervical cancer. Blood samples were obtained from all patients and genotyped by PCR-RLFP. Fifty randomly selected samples were further sequenced. Results The allele and genotype distributions of the TNF-alpha rs1800629 polymorphism were not significantly different between each of the groups (P>0.05). There are no significant relationship between rs1800629 polymorphism and high risk HPV infection (OR = 0.649, 95% CI: 0.253–1.670, P = 0.371), cervical cancer (OR = 0.993, 95% CI: 0.376–2.618, P = 0.988), or cervical cancer with HPV infection (OR = 0.663, 95% CI: 0.250–1.758, P = 0.409). Conclusions We demonstrated that there is no association between TNF rs1800629 polymorphism and the HPV infection, or cervical cancer with HPV infection.
Synthetic Approaches Towards Tubulysins and Derivatives Thereof

Tubulysins, linear tetrapeptides produced by several strains of myxobacteria, show an extremely high toxicity towards a wide range of cancer cell lines, with IC50 values in the nano or even picomolar range. Therefore, tubulysins and their derivatives might be suitable candidates for the development of antitumor drugs. Several synthetic approaches for tubulysins and derivates have been developed, which will be discussed in the review.