Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the potential of an inventory based on social cognitive career theory to assess preparedness for the postsecondary transition

Background. The study was prompted by observation that failure to obtain a positive postsecondary destination is significantly more prevalent in young people living in areas of greater social deprivation, and in males rather than females. Previous studies have shown that this could be linked to differences in social cognitive factors. However, these studies have been mainly correlational and no comprehensive assessment instrument was found to assess preparedness for the postsecondary transition. Aims. The present study examines senior high school student’s perceptions of the personal, behavioural and environmental factors that affect them as they prepare to leave school. It reveals the structure of these factors and how they vary with regard to social deprivation and gender. Sample. The participants were 1044 senior high school students (573 males and 471 females) who attended six urban high schools. Method. A pre-empirical, 50-item assessment instrument was constructed based on the literature review to identify the wide range of factors previously shown to be relevant to achievement of a positive postsecondary destination. This was then administered to participants. Results. Factor analysis indicated that young people’s perceptions about leaving school were best represented by thirteen factors. An ANOVA model indicated that young people living in areas of higher deprivation reported significantly lower levels of positive postsecondary destination self-efficacy belief, less experience of vicarious career success, less performance of career development tasks, greater perception of career barriers, greater endorsement of a fixed career mindset, and fewer career scaffolding attachments. Males, compared to females, reported less experience of past career success, and fewer career scaffolding attachments. However, despite being at greater risk of a negative postsecondary destination, males reported higher levels of positive postsecondary destination self-efficacy belief, greater experience of positive career-related emotional arousal, greater ability to set career goals, and greater levels of career optimism. Conclusion. Twelve significant main effects on the measured social cognitive factors have the potential to contribute to an explanation of why failure to obtain a positive postsecondary destination is more prevalent in young people living in areas of greater social deprivation, and in males rather than females. A new assessment instrument has been produced to inform an ongoing exploratory process to design, target and evaluate educational interventions to improve postsecondary destinations for all. Increasing internal consistency, external validity and generalisability of findings are all desirable. Some future interventions are proposed on the basis of the results, including greater use of positive career role models in career development programmes, career mindset retraining for high school students, and psychoeducation on attachment-fostering behaviours for parents and professionals.
Differences in Jazz project leaders' competencies and behaviors: A preliminary empirical investigation

Studying the human factors that impact on software development, and assigning individuals with specific competencies and qualities to particular software roles, have been shown to aid software project performance. For instance, prior evidence suggests that extroverted software project leaders are most successful. Role assignment based on individuals' competencies and behaviors may be especially relevant in distributed software development contexts where teams are often affected by distance, cultural, and personality issues. Project leaders in these environments need to possess high levels of interpersonal, intra-personal and organizational competencies if they are to appropriately manage such issues and maintain positive project performance. With a view to understanding and explaining the specific competencies and behaviors that are required of project leaders in these settings, we used psycholinguistic and directed content analysis to study the way six successful IBM Rational Jazz leaders operated while coordinating their three distributed projects. Contrary to previous evidence reported in personality studies, our results did not reveal universal competencies and behaviors among these Jazz leaders. Instead, Jazz project leaders' competencies and behaviors varied with their project portfolio of tasks. Our findings suggest that a pragmatic approach that considers the nature of the software tasks being developed is likely to be a more effective strategy for assigning leaders to distributed software teams, as against a strategy that promotes a specific personality type. We discuss these findings and outline implications for distributed software project governance.
Argumentative reasoning and the Sunk Cost Fallacy

Zielsetzung: Der Fokus der Studie lag auf dem Einfluss des sozialen Umfelds auf psychologische Mechanismen, welche der Sunk Cost Fallacy zu Grunde liegen. Die Hypothese war, dass ein argumentativer Kontext die Wahl rechtfertigbarer Entscheidungen begunstigt was zu einem Bestatigungsfehler fuhrt. Dieser verursacht die kognitive Verzerrung. Methode: Achtzig Teil-nehmerInnen in der Rolle von Managern trafen zwei finanzielle Investitionsentscheidungen, wo-bei die erste immer zu negative Resultaten fuhrte. Die Sunk Cost Fallacy wurde an der Neigung gemessen in der zweiten Runde in die gleiche Abteilung zu investieren wie in der ersten. Teil-nehmerInnen reichten ihre Entscheidungen entweder anonym in Wahlboxen ein (anonymous condition) oder rechtfertigten sie gegenuber einem Publikum (audience condition). Resultate: Viele TeilnehmerInnen in der audience condition investierten nichts in die scheiternde Abteilung („Ich habe einen Fehler gemacht“) oder liesen beiden Abteilungen gleich hohe Anteile zukom-men (belohnendes und faires Verhalten, Hoffnung auf positive Umkehr). In der anonymous con-dition hingegen wurden Allokationen von funf oder funfzehn von insgesamt zwanzig Millionen Dollar praferiert. Zudem entschieden sich TeilnehmerInnen in der audience condition ofter fur Investitionspunkte welche die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich zogen. Bestimmte Grunde standen hinter ihren Investitionsentscheidungen. Obgleich es keine signifikante Differenz zwischen den Investi-tionen in den beiden Konditionen gab, deuteten Korrelationen zwischen Fragebogen-Antworten und Investitionsentscheidungen daraufhin, dass nur in der audience condition zweite Investiti-onsentscheidungen und das Misslingen eigene Uberzeugungen zu verandern in einer Beziehung zueinander standen. Schlussfolgerungen: In einem argumentativen Kontext treffen Teilnehme-rInnen rechtfertigbare Entscheidungen. Resultate betreffend der Rolle des Bestatigungsfehlers sind nicht eindeutig. Ein Folge-Experiment uber Entscheidungsfindung in hierarchischen versus egalitaren Gruppen wird empfohlen.
Gender differences in computer and information literacy: An exploration of the performances of girls and boys in ICILS 2013

IEA’s International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2013 showed that in the majority of the participating countries, 14-year-old girls outperformed boys in computer and information literacy (CIL): results that seem to contrast with the common view of boys having better computer skills. This study used the ICILS data to explore whether the achievement test used in this study addressed specific dimensions of CIL and, if so, whether the performances of girls and boys on these subscales differ. We investigated the hypothesis that gender differences in performance on computer literacy items would be slightly in favour of boys, whereas gender differences in performance on information literacy items would be slightly in favour of girls. Furthermore, it was examined whether such differences varied across European countries and if item bias was present. Data was analysed using a confirmative factor analysis model, i.e. a multidimensional item response theory model, for the identification of the subscales, the explorations of gender and national differences, and possible item bias. To a large extent the results support our postulated hypothesis and shed new light on the commonly assumed disadvantaged position of girls and women in modern information society.
International Management Strategies for a Migratory Fish Stock : A Bio-Economic Simulation Model of the Norwegian Spring-Spawning Herring Fishery

In this paper, a three-country dynamic bio-economic model is presented and used to simulate catch levels, stock size and profit potential of alternative management strategies for the Norwegian spring-spawning herring fishery. Management of the herring fishery is complicated by the migratory behaviour of the species moving between coastal state zones and the high seas. The biological model is described by a discrete time age structured model and the economic model is described by a rent maximising model with constant price of herring and different costs of harvesting and efficiency levels for the different national fleets. The simulations are carried out over a 70-year period and show that the benefits of international cooperation far ex ceed the returns of a compe titive open access fishery.
The Brain Locus of Interaction between Number and Size: A Combined Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Event-related Potential Study

Whether the human brain is equipped with a special neural substrate for numbers, or rather with a common neural substrate for processing of several types of magnitudes, has been the topic of a long-standing debate. The present study addressed this question by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and event-related potentials (ERPs) together with the size-congruity paradigm, a Stroop-like task in which numerical values and physical sizes were varied independently. In the fMRI experiment, a region-of-interest analysis of the primary motor cortex revealed interference effects in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the response hand, indicating that the stimulus-stimulus conflict between numerical and physical magnitude is not completely resolved until response initiation. This result supports the assumption of distinct comparison mechanisms for physical size and numerical value. In the ERP experiment, the cognitive load was manipulated in order to probe the degree to which information processing is shared across cognitive systems. As in the fMRI experiment, we found that the stimulus-stimulus conflict between numerical and physical magnitude is not completely resolved until response initiation. However, such late interaction was found only in the low cognitive load condition. In contrast, in the high load condition, physical and numerical dimensions interacted only at the comparison stage. We concluded that the processing of magnitude can be subserved by shared or distinct neural substrates, depending on task requirements.
Filial Norms, Co‐Residence, and Intergenerational Exchange in Japan

Objective We examine the effects of filial norms and coâ€ residence as well as patterns of social exchange on support that adult children give to their parents and inâ€ laws in Japan. Methods We estimate ordered logit models with data from the Japanese General Social Survey. Results Children who receive money from their parents are more likely than those who receive no such support to give their parents nonmonetary support, while children who receive nonmonetary support from their parents are more likely to assist their parents financially. Receiving money from inâ€ laws is reciprocated with nonmonetary and monetary support. Filial norms increase the level of monetary support to parents and inâ€ laws, especially for men. Coâ€ residence increases monetary and nonmonetary support from children to parents and inâ€ laws, while the positive effect of coâ€ residence on nonmonetary support from children to inâ€ laws is limited to women. Conclusion Notions of social exchange as well as filial norms and coâ€ residence encourage intergenerational support in Japan.
Transgenic Expression of Decoy Receptor 3 Protects Islets from Spontaneous and Chemical-induced Autoimmune Destruction in Nonobese Diabetic Mice

Decoy receptor 3 (DCR3) halts both Fas ligand– and LIGHT-induced cell deaths, which are required for pancreatic β cell damage in autoimmune diabetes. To directly investigate the therapeutic potential of DCR3 in preventing this disease, we generated transgenic nonobese diabetic mice, which overexpressed DCR3 in β cells. Transgenic DCR3 protected mice from autoimmune and cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes in a dose-dependent manner and significantly reduced the severity of insulitis. Local expression of the transgene did not alter the diabetogenic properties of systemic lymphocytes or the development of T helper 1 or T regulatory cells. The transgenic islets had a higher transplantation success rate and survived for longer than wild-type islets. We have demonstrated for the first time that the immune-evasion function of DCR3 inhibits autoimmunity and that genetic manipulation of grafts may improve the success and survival of islet transplants.
Identification of genetic variants of LGI1 and RTN4R (NgR1) linked to schizophrenia that are defective in NgR1–LGI1 signaling

The protein NgR1 is encoded by RTN4R, a gene linked to schizophrenia. We previously reported NgR1 as receptor for the epilepsy‐linked protein LGI1. NgR1 regulates synapse number and synaptic plasticity, whereas LGI1 antagonizes NgR1 signaling and promotes synapse formation. Impairments in synapse formation are common in neurological disease and we hypothesized that an LGI1–NgR1 signaling pathway may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
A Computational Study on the Role of Gap Junctions and Rod Ih Conductance in the Enhancement of the Dynamic Range of the Retina

Recent works suggest that one of the roles of gap junctions in sensory systems is to enhance their dynamic range by avoiding early saturation in the first processing stages. In this work, we use a minimal conductance-based model of the ON rod pathways in the vertebrate retina to study the effects of electrical synaptic coupling via gap junctions among rods and among AII amacrine cells on the dynamic range of the retina. The model is also used to study the effects of the maximum conductance of rod hyperpolarization activated current Ih on the dynamic range of the retina, allowing a study of the interrelations between this intrinsic membrane parameter with those two retina connectivity characteristics. Our results show that for realistic values of Ih conductance the dynamic range is enhanced by rod-rod coupling, and that AII-AII coupling is less relevant to dynamic range amplification in comparison with receptor coupling. Furthermore, a plot of the retina output response versus input intensity for the optimal parameter configuration is well fitted by a power law with exponent . The results are consistent with predictions of more theoretical works and suggest that the earliest expression of gap junctions along the rod pathways, together with appropriate values of rod Ih conductance, has the highest impact on vertebrate retina dynamic range enhancement.
Identity, immigration and first language attrition

Long term bilingual immigrants often report that they perceive first language attrition after years of living in a second language surrounding. This paper focuses on the individual’s own perception concerning first language attrition and identity. It deals with questions such as: To what extent does living in another country and speaking another language influence one’s mother tongue? If individuals experience first language attrition, do they really ‘suffer’ from it? Is there any objective evidence for their supposed decline of language skills? Data from a study of attrition in German migrants in the Netherlands will be discussed, showing the close relation between language (decline) and identity as a result of interacting factors over the lifespan.
Activity profiles in online social media

Analysis and mining of social media has become an important research area. A challenging problem in this area consists in the identification of a group of users with similar patterns. In this paper, we propose the classification of users based on their activity profiles (e.g., periods of the day when the user is most and least active in online communications). Activity profiles can be useful for many purposes, such as marketing and user behavior analysis. They can also serve as a basis for other techniques such as stylometric and time analysis in order to increase the precision and scalability of multiple aliases identification techniques. We have implemented a prototype tool and applied it on a dataset from the ICWSM data set Boards.ie, showing the usefulness of our classification.
Causal nexus between fiscal deficit and economic growth: Empirical evidence from South Asia

The impact of fiscal deficit on economic growth is one of the most widely debated issues among economists and policy makers in both developed and developing countries in the recent period. This paper seeks to examine the impact of fiscal deficit on economic growth in selected South Asian countries, namely, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka using time series annual data over the period 1980 to 2014. The paper uses cointegration analysis, error correction modelling and Granger causality test under a Vector Autoregression (VAR) framework. The results from this study confirmed that the fiscal deficit has a negative impact on economic growth in the South Asian countries considered in this study except Nepal, which confirmed the positive impact. The results also highlighted that the direction of causality for the SAARC countries is mixed where fiscal deficit causes economic growth for Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, but the reverse is true for India and Sri Lanka.
Beyond Tree Structure Models: A New Occlusion Aware Graphical Model for Human Pose Estimation

Occlusion is a main challenge for human pose estimation, which is largely ignored in popular tree structure models. The tree structure model is simple and convenient for exact inference, but short in modeling the occlusion coherence especially in the case of self-occlusion. We propose an occlusion aware graphical model which is able to model both self-occlusion and occlusion by the other objects simultaneously. The proposed model structure can encodes the interactions between human body parts and objects, and hence enables it to learn occlusion coherence from data discriminatively. We evaluate our model on several public benchmarks for human pose estimation including challenging subsets featuring significant occlusion. The experimental results show that our method obtains comparable accuracy with the state-of-the-arts, and is robust to occlusion for 2D human pose estimation.
Regulation and activity-dependence of N-cadherin, NCAM isoforms, and polysialic acid on chick myotubes during development

Muscle development in vivo involves a complex sequence of cell-cell interactions in which secondary myotubes first form in association with primary myotubes and subsequently separate from them. We show here that during this process N-cadherin and the different structural forms of NCAM are regulated in a pattern that involves both temporal changes in expression and localization to particular regions of the muscle cell surface. In particular, levels of N-cadherin on maturing myotubes are decreased, and the form of NCAM synthesized by the muscle changes from a transmembrane non-polysialylated to a lipid-linked polysialylated membrane protein. Moreover, while NCAM was distributed on all myotube surfaces, the polysialyated form of NCAM was restricted to regions of the myotube surface that had recently separated from neighboring cells. We previously found that blockade of nerve-induced activity by d- Tubocurarine perturbed muscle cell interactions, resulting in a failure of myotubes to separate. We now show that this activity blockade also alters adhesion molecule expression. First, N-cadherin was no longer down-regulated in maturing myotubes, and its persistence on the surfaces of mature myotubes may partly explain their failure to separate. Secondly, the developmental switch from transmembrane to lipid-linked NCAM did not occur, and polysialylated NCAM was no longer formed. As the unusual physical properties of PSA have been proposed to impede cell-cell interactions, this alteration would also be expected to compromise cell separation. Together, these results suggest that the regulated expression of both N-cadherin and NCAM isoforms including their polysialylation, is an essential mechanism for the normal separation of secondary myotubes from primary myotubes.
A Simulated Annealing Approach to Scheduling in A Flow Shop with Multiple Processors

The specification describes a water blocking tape for an optical fiber cable wherein the optical fibers in the cable are wrapped with a synthetic fibrous non-woven tape coated with a superabsorbent polymer powder coating. The particles in the powder are ultra-fine, i.e. have less than 10% weight fraction over 250 microns in diameter, and less than 2% weight fraction over 300 microns in diameter. Controlling the particle size within this small range is found to reduce microbending losses in the optical fiber.
Evidence for proposed ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD: a latent profile analysis

Background The WHO International Classification of Diseases, 11th version (ICD-11), has proposed two related diagnoses, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD within the spectrum of trauma and stress-related disorders. Objective To use latent profile analysis (LPA) to determine whether there are classes of individuals that are distinguishable according to the PTSD and complex PTSD symptom profiles and to identify potential differences in the type of stressor and severity of impairment associated with each profile. Method An LPA and related analyses were conducted on 302 individuals who had sought treatment for interpersonal traumas ranging from chronic trauma (e.g., childhood abuse) to single-incident events (e.g., exposure to 9/11 attacks). Results The LPA revealed three classes of individuals: (1) a complex PTSD class defined by elevated PTSD symptoms as well as disturbances in three domains of self-organization: affective dysregulation, negative self-concept, and interpersonal problems; (2) a PTSD class defined by elevated PTSD symptoms but low scores on the three self-organization symptom domains; and (3) a low symptom class defined by low scores on all symptoms and problems. Chronic trauma was more strongly predictive of complex PTSD than PTSD and, conversely, single-event trauma was more strongly predictive of PTSD. In addition, complex PTSD was associated with greater impairment than PTSD. The LPA analysis was completed both with and without individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) yielding identical results, suggesting the stability of these classes regardless of BPD comorbidity. Conclusion Preliminary data support the proposed ICD-11 distinction between PTSD and complex PTSD and support the value of testing the clinical utility of this distinction in field trials. Replication of results is necessary.