Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY , CALIFORNIA MBA PROFESSIONAL REPORT Analysis of the Relationships among Trust Antecedents , Organizational Structures , and Performance Outcomes

The project explores and seeks to identify relationships among four trust antecedents, two organizational structures, and two performance outcomes. The results will help to further explain associations between trust level (high or low) and organizational structure. Past research found that the edge organization operating in a high trust environment produces the most accurate results in the least amount of time. Additionally, the research found that accuracy performance in the rigid hierarchy was more resilient than the flexible edge structure to changes in trust level. What has yet to be determined is the extent to which factors leading to perceived trust, also known as “trust antecedents,” are responsible for performance in a given structure. To empirically study these relationships, the present research analyzes data collected during an ELICIT simulation experiment involving 135 subject responses. The objective of this project is to identify relationships among the trust antecedents (competence, openness, concern, and reliability), organizational structure (edge and hierarchy), and performance (speed and accuracy). Benefits of this research include recommendations for program/project managers of Integrated Product Teams in Defense Acquisition Programs who desire to optimize team performance by addressing trust antecedents and/or organizational structure. In doing so, managers can make more informed decisions regarding team member organization and trust in order to more accurately and rapidly achieve organizational objectives.
Principles of Explanatory Debugging to Personalize Interactive Machine Learning

How can end users efficiently influence the predictions that machine learning systems make on their behalf? This paper presents Explanatory Debugging, an approach in which the system explains to users how it made each of its predictions, and the user then explains any necessary corrections back to the learning system. We present the principles underlying this approach and a prototype instantiating it. An empirical evaluation shows that Explanatory Debugging increased participants' understanding of the learning system by 52% and allowed participants to correct its mistakes up to twice as efficiently as participants using a traditional learning system.
Expression of a small (p)ppGpp synthetase, YwaC, in the (p)ppGpp0 mutant of Bacillus subtilis triggers YvyD-dependent dimerization of ribosome

To elucidate the biological functions of small (p)ppGpp synthetases YjbM and YwaC of Bacillus subtilis, we constructed RIK1059 and RIK1066 strains carrying isopropyl‐β‐D‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) inducible yjbM and ywaC genes, respectively, in the ΔrelA ΔyjbM ΔywaC triple mutant background. While the uninduced and IPTG‐induced RIK1059 cells grew similarly in LB medium, the growth of RIK1066 cells was arrested following the addition of IPTG during the early exponential growth phase. Induction of YwaC expression by IPTG also severely decreased the intracellular GTP level and drastically altered the transcriptional profile in RIK1066 cells. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation analysis of the ribosomal fractions prepared from the IPTG‐induced RIK1066 cells revealed three peaks corresponding to 30S, 50S, and 70S ribosome particles, and also an extra peak. Electron microscope studies revealed that the extra peak fraction contained dimers of 70S ribosomes, which were similar to the Escherichia coli 100S ribosomes. Proteomic analysis revealed that the 70S dimer contained an extra protein, YvyD, in addition to those found in the 70S ribosome. Accordingly, strain resulting from the disruption of the yvyD gene in the RIK1066 cells was unable to form 70S dimers following IPTG induction, indicating that YvyD is required for the formation of these dimers in B. subtilis.
Effects of Physical Activity and Restricted Energy Intake on Chemically Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis

In the field of energetics and cancer, little attention has been given to whether energy balance directed interventions designed to regulate body weight by increasing energy expenditure versus reducing energy intake have an equivalent effect on the development of breast cancer. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects on mammary carcinogenesis of physical activity (PA), achieved via running on an activity wheel, or restricted energy intake (RE). Food intake of PA and RE rats was controlled so that both groups had the same net energy balance determined by growth rate, which was 92% of the sedentary control group (SC). A total of 135 female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (50 mg/kg) and 7 days thereafter were randomized to either SC, PA, or RE. Mammary cancer incidence was 97.8%, 88.9%, and 84.4% and cancer multiplicity was 3.66, 3.11, and 2.64 cancers/rat in SC, RE, and PA, respectively (SC versus PA, P = 0.02 for incidence and P = 0.03 for multiplicity). Analyses of mammary carcinomas revealed that cell proliferation–associated proteins were reduced and caspase-3 activity and proapoptotic proteins were elevated by PA or RE relative to SC (P < 0.05). It was observed that these effects may be mediated, in part, by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and down-regulation of protein kinase B and the mammalian target of rapamycin.
Distributed People and Distributed Information

The theoretical framework of vigilant interaction theory is used to examine information exchange and decision-making quality in virtual teams. Groups completed a hidden profile task in one of three geographic dispersion conditions: all members colocated, isolated, or mixed with two colocated and two isolated members. Vigilant interaction—discussion of task information, attention to other group members’ information, discussion of positive and negative attributes of the alternatives, and systematic information processing—predicted decision quality. Explicit reminders of information differences predicted pooling of unique information. No evidence was found for difficulties in interaction and task performance due to subgroup faultline dynamics; instead vigilant interaction was highest in groups with mixed distributions, suggesting they exerted compensatory effort. Exploratory analyses suggested that temporal vigilance was lowest in completely distributed groups. Implications for new dimensions of the vigilant interaction theory framework are discussed.
Prelinguistic Thought

Chomsky (1988) has suggested that human language depends on the evolution of a unique computational capacity that makes possible recursively constructed symbolic representations of the experienced world. I review evidence from the animal cognition literature suggesting that the construction of abstract representations that support complex inferences is widespread. It is found even in insects. This widespread symbol processing capacity supports the construction of complex data structures (symbolic propositions). In vertebrates at least, there is evidence that the representation of actions takes the predicate-argument form characteristic of human language. Thus, the symbol processing capacity underlying the thoughts expressed in human language appears to be evolutionarily ancient. What is unique to humans is the ability to translate these private representations into a communicable symbol system of comparable representational power.
The problem of student acceptance of evolution

This paper reviews the question of why the presentation of evolution in class frequently does not achieve acceptance of the evolutionary theory. In general, problems are twofold. Firstly, students may come to this particular topic with strong preconceptions, often based on specific religious teachings. Secondly, teachers may or may not bring an informed and/or dedicated approach to the teaching of evolution, relating to what they themselves were taught. Additional to our review of this topic and its problems, we suggest the use of a simple ‘test’ formulated, not on trying to impose knowledge and belief of evolution on the student, but on directing students towards the application of information on evolution to material already familiar to them. In this process, it is hoped that students will naturally incorporate at least some of the ideas of evolution into their own belief systems. Students are thus encouraged to assess or reassess evolution in terms of what they already consider to be true from their own experiences. Preliminary results (two trial runs) using this questionnaire indicate that students readily apply information with which they are familiar to Darwinian principles, and vice versa. These results, including verbal and written comments, also suggest that this ‘test’ may be meaningful as a first step towards acceptance of evolutionary theory. Teachers may find our questionnaire useful in determining a student's ability to understand evolutionary theory, and in exploring connections between understanding of and belief in evolution. Reviewed by Will H. Blackwell
Effects of Problem-Based Learning and Traditional Instruction on Self-Regulated Learning

ABSTRACT The authors used the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire to investigate the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) and traditional instructional approaches on various facets of students' self-regulated learning, including motivation and learning strategies. Participants included 61 tenth-grade students from 2 intact classes instructed by the same biology teacher. The authors randomly assigned 1 class as the experimental group and the other class as the control group. Teachers instructed the control group with teacher-centered, textbook-oriented traditional instruction; they taught the experimental group with problem-based learning, in which students worked with ill-structured problems. Results revealed that PBL students had higher levels of intrinsic goal orientation, task value, use of elaboration learning strategies, critical thinking, metacognitive self-regulation, effort regulation, and peer learning compared with control-group students.
Connexin 45 gap junction channels in rat cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells

Li, Xing, and J. Marc Simard. Connexin45 gap junction channels in rat cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 281: H1890–H1898, 2001. — Cells in blood vessel walls express connexin (Cx)43, Cx40, and Cx37. We recently characterized gap junction channels in rat basilar artery smooth muscle cells and found features attributable not only to these three connexins but also to an unidentified connexin, including strong voltage dependence and single channel conductance of 30–40 pS. Here, we report data consistent with identification of Cx45. Immunofluorescence using anti-human Cx45 and anti-mouse Cx45 antibodies revealed labeling between a-actin-positive cells, and RTPCR of mRNA from arteries after endothelial destruction yielded amplicons exhibiting 90–98% identity with mouse Cx45 and human Cx45. Dual-perforated patch clamping was performed after exposure to oligopeptides that interfere with docking of Cx43, Cx40, or Cx45. Cell pairs pretreated with blocking peptides for Cx43 and Cx40 exhibited strongly voltage-dependent transjunctional conductances [voltage at which voltage-dependent conductance declines by one-half (V1/2) 5 618.9 mV] and small single channel conductances (31 pS), consistent with the presence of Cx45, whereas cell pairs pretreated with blocking peptide for Cx45 exhibit weaker voltage-dependent conductances (V1/2 5 637.9 mV), consistent with block of Cx45. Our data suggest that Cx45 is transcribed, expressed, and forms functional gap junction channels in rat cerebral arterial smooth muscle.
More than the ‘X’ factor! A longitudinal investigation of the psychological characteristics of developing excellence in musical development

Current findings in talent identification and development research have acknowledged that potential for future performance cannot be identified from single evaluations of performance or anthropometric factors (e.g. Abbott and Collins 2004). Recognising the role of psychological characteristics at elite levels, it is pertinent to consider the role that psychological characteristics of developing excellence (PCDEs) play as promoters of talent. Fifteen young musicians were purposefully sampled and data were collected using semi-structured interviews within a sliding population's longitudinal design. Results suggest that a range of PCDEs facilitate the effective development of classical musicians. However, it was also found that the application of PCDEs appeared to be on a developmental continuum from ‘others’ promoting PCDEs predominant in the early years towards an almost universal self-application of PCDEs at later stages of development. In summary, different combinations of PCDEs were applied differentially, depending on the musician's focus, stage of development and level of maturation.
Diffusion Changes in the Vitreous Humor of the Eye during Aging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The inability to image the vitreous humor of the eye adequately hinders a complete understanding of its normal structure and the changes occurring in aging and disease. The purpose of the present study was to reveal normative data and age-related changes of the vitreous humor by using DWI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 patients were enrolled in the present study. Patients were divided into 8 groups according to decade of age, and each group was of equal size with 20 patients. The ADCs were determined for each vitreous humor. Each determination was obtained by using average regions of interest of 50 ± 2 mm2. ADC values were then plotted against age. RESULTS: The ADC values obtained from group 0 (0–10 years of age) were statistically different from those of all other groups (P < .05). Group 1 (11–20 years of age) was statistically different from groups 3, 5, 6, and 7 (P < .05). A trend toward increased ADC values with increasing age was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Besides the statistically significant difference between pediatric and adult patients, a statistically insignificant trend of increased ADC values among aging adults has been demonstrated. These normative data contribute to our understanding of how DWI can aid in the diagnosis of age-related changes in eye health and function.
Ingroup bias as a function of salience, relevance, and status: An integration

This paper reports the results of a meta-analytic integration of the results of 137 tests of the ingroup bias hypothesis. Overall, the ingroup bias effect was highly significant and of moderate magnitude. Several theoretically informative determinants of the ingroup bias effect were established. This ingroup bias effect was significantly stronger when the ingroup was made salient (by virtue of proportionate size and by virtue of reality of the group categorization). A significant interaction between the reality of the group categorization and the relative status of the ingroup revealed a slight decrease in the ingroup bias effect as a function of status in real groups, and a significant increase in the ingroup bias effect as a function of status in artificial groups. Finally, an interaction between item relevance and ingroup status was observed, such that higher status groups exhibited more ingroup bias on more relevant attributes, whereas lower status groups exhibited more ingroup bias on less relevant attributes. Discussion considers the implications of these results for current theory and future research involving the ingroup bias effect.
Development of the heteronormative attitudes and beliefs scale

Heteronormativity has been defined as the enforced compliance with culturally determined heterosexual roles and assumptions about heterosexuality as ‘natural’ or ‘normal’. Cross-disciplinary theoretical literature suggests that heteronormativity may be linked to a range of attitudes, social phenomena and outcomes and that it may be a fundamental prerequisite for institutional and interpersonal manifestations of heterosexism. Yet, this construct is in need of empirical elaboration. Operationalising heteronormativity along two dimensions (essential, binary beliefs about sex and gender and normative behavioural attitudes), this article describes initial development of the Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs Scale. Across three studies, this newly developed measure has demonstrated an adequately supported two-factor model, expected group differences (e.g., higher scores among men vs. women and among heterosexual vs. sexual minority participants) and significant correlations with relevant personality and attitudinal variables such as right-wing authoritarianism, openness to experience (OE), attitudes towards sexual minorities and tolerance of ambiguity. In addition to establishing further construct validity and replication of the observed factor structure with more racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse samples, future research could more closely examine the potential causes, consequences and malleability of heteronormativity.
The Paradoxes of Teaching a Multicultural Education Course Online

The author shares her pedagogy in taking a conventional, campus-based graduate course, transforming it for asynchronous learning and teaching it over the World Wide Web. Some paradoxes resulted as the course changed from face-to-face to online interaction. First, the teachers were more open, frank, expansive, curious, even confessional in their willingness to share and discuss prickly issues such as White privilege, racism, educational inequities, injustice, and xenophobia than teachers have been in the campus version of the course. Second, the interaction patterns online were more equitable and cross-cultural than those in the campus version. However, many teachers questioned whether the course’s reliance on electronic technologies prevented them from “knowing the other. ” Some perceived that they had to physically interact with people face to face to develop relationships across cultures—relationships that some teachers said were prerequisite to their rethinking how their own teaching could better support diversity and social justice.
Evaluation of anti-TGF-beta2 antibody as a new postoperative anti-scarring agent in glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE Postoperative subconjunctival wound healing remains the commonest cause of late bleb failure after glaucoma filtration surgery. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes transforming growth factor-beta2 (CAT-152; lerdelimumab) could be used as a postoperative agent to prevent scarring after glaucoma surgery and compared it with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), to benchmark its potential clinical benefit. METHODS In a randomized, controlled, masked-observer study, after modified glaucoma surgery, 48 rabbits were randomly allocated to receive a postoperative course of seven subconjunctival injections of CAT-152 (1 mg/mL), 5-FU (50 mg/mL), or no treatment. Bleb characteristics, the presence of subconjunctival drainage, and local reaction to treatment were assessed. Animals were killed on days 10, 21, and 30. Immunohistochemistry, histologic staining and electron microscopy were performed to demonstrate the mechanism of CAT-152-mediated effects on the extracellular matrix. RESULTS CAT-152 significantly improved surgical outcome (log rank test, P < 0.001) and reduced subconjunctival collagen deposition (P < 0.01) compared with 5-FU and control. Median bleb survival was increased in the CAT-152 group (23.5 days) compared with the 5-FU (20 days) and control (16 days) treatment groups. CAT-152 treatment improved bleb morphology (P < 0.05) and was well tolerated. 5-FU prolonged the duration of corneal epitheliopathy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Postoperative administration of CAT-152 significantly improved surgical outcome, reduced subconjunctival scarring, and minimized the risk of corneal side effects compared with the anti-scarring agent 5-FU. These findings suggest that CAT-152 may offer therapeutic benefit as a postoperative agent to prevent subconjunctival scarring after glaucoma filtration surgery.
Matching Theory and Data

This paper shows how to identify the structural shocks of a Vector Autore- gression (VAR) while at the same time estimating a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model that is not assumed to replicate the data generating process. It proposes a framework to estimate the parameters of the VAR model and the DSGE model jointly: the VAR model is identified by sign restrictions derived from the DSGE model; the DSGE model is estimated by matching the corresponding impulse response functions.
Real-time compression of depth streams through meshification and valence-based encoding

Free viewpoint telepresence is currently an active and very interesting field of research. Its focus is reproducing in real-time a remote subject (or environment) in a way it can be rendered from an arbitrary point-of-view. This paper presents a novel approach to real-time reconstruction and transmission of a high-quality 3D model of the subject/environment based on the meshification of the depth map produced by a range camera system (i.e. time-of-flight, Kinect). The generated mesh is compressed through a variant of the state-of-the-art single-rate mesh compression algorithm, ready to be transmitted over the network towards the rendering location in a fast and efficient way.
Force-feeding procedure and physiological indicators of stress in male mule ducks

1. The effects of the force-feeding procedure and its different components on various physiological indicators of acute and chronic stress were investigated in male mule ducks before and during a 12-d cramming period. 2. The highest concentration of corticosterone were measured after injection of ACTH agonist, during the pre-experimental period when the ducks were still housed in collective floor pens and at the time of transfer. 3. During the cramming period, corticosterone measured before and after force-feeding did not differ significantly though there was a non-significant trend towards an increase in certain cases. 4. The different components of force-feeding, including manipulation, intubation, force-feeding with a standard or a large amount of food had no significant effect upon corticosterone concentrations. 5. There was no indication from ACTH agonist challenge either of a change in adrenal sensitivity or a change in its responsiveness. 6. The heterocyte-lymphocyte ratio measured before and at the end of the cramming period did not differ significantly. 7. In conclusion, we observed no significant indication that force-feeding is perceived as an acute or chronic stress by male mule ducks, in our experimental conditions. Nevertheless, it remains to be shown that their adrenocorticotropic axis is responsive to acute stressors.