Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decision Making in Clinically Depressed Patients: A Transcultural Social Psychological Study

One of the most important cognitive deficits in depression is said to be the patient's inability to make decisions. A research design involving a cross-cultural comparison between Australian and Japanese normal controls (N=309 and N=743, respectively) and clinically depressed patients (N=59 and N=45, respectively) was used to examine the influence of culture on illness and decision-making behavior, and whether deficits in decision making may be related to culture. It was found that depression had a greater effect on decision making in Australian patients than in Japanese patients. While many differences were found between Australian and Japanese nondepressed students, few differences were found between Australian and Japanese depressed patients. Thus, there appears to be an important interactional effect of culture and depression on decision making. The theoretical and clinical implications of the results are discussed.
Police-Civilian Interaction, Compliance, Accommodation, and Trust in an Intergroup Context: International Data

Abstract Prior cross-cultural research has produced models of police-civilian interaction that highlight the effect of officers’ communication accommodation and reported trust in police on attitudinal outcomes. The present study, conducted in Korea, Japan, Guam, and Canada and involving 684 university students, continued this program of research by testing a theoretical model exploring the influence of perceived police officer communication accommodation and reported trust in police on attitudes about compliance with police requests. Findings indicated that across study locations perceived police officer communication accommodation predicted trust in police which, in turn, predicted attitudes about compliance with police requests.
Restricted Isometry of Fourier Matrices and List Decodability of Random Linear Codes

@q, with probability arbitrarily close to 1, is list decodable at radius 1--1/q -- e with list size L = O(1/e2) and rate R = Ωq(e2/(log3(1/e))). Up to the polylogarithmic factor in 1/e and constant factors depending on q, this matches the lower bound L = Ωq(1/e2) for the list size and upper bound R = Oq(e2) for the rate. Previously only existence (and not abundance) of such codes was known for the special case q = 2 (Guruswami, Hastad, Sudan and Zuckerman, 2002). In order to obtain our result, we employ a relaxed version of the well known Johnson bound on list decoding that translates the average Hamming distance between codewords to list decoding guarantees. We furthermore prove that the desired average-distance guarantees hold for a code provided that a natural complex matrix encoding the codewords satisfies the Restricted Isometry Property with respect to the Euclidean norm (RIP-2). For the case of random binary linear codes, this matrix coincides with a random submatrix of the Hadamard-Walsh transform matrix that is well studied in the compressed sensing literature.Finally we improve the analysis of Rudelson and Vershynin (2008) on the number of random frequency samples required for exact reconstruction of k-sparse signals of length N. Specifically we improve the number of samples from O(k log (N) log2 (k)(log k+log log N)) to O(k log(N) log3(k)). The proof involves bounding the expected supremum of a related Gaussian process by using an improved analysis of the metric defined by the process. This improvement is crucial for our application in list decoding.
Female sex offenders and the criminal justice system: A comparison of arrests and outcomes

Abstract Using a sample of 138,000 offenders arrested for a sexual offence in New York State from 1986 to 2005, this study compared the criminal justice processing of females arrested for sexual offences (n=4,053; 2.94%) to that of males arrested for sexual offences (n=134,023; 97.06%) over the same time-period. Specifically, the study tracked the number of sexual arrests of females, as well as the rates of three different arrest outcomes: (a) conviction for a sexual offence, (b) conviction for a non-sexual offence and (c) no conviction. Additionally, the study sought to determine if female sex offenders, like female general offenders, receive more lenient sentences compared to their male counterparts. Results of the study indicated that there was no difference in the likelihood of sexual conviction for males and females. Offender gender did, however, significantly reduce the likelihood of incarceration for offenders convicted of sexual offences.
Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension among Saudi Adult Population: A National Survey

This cross-sectional study aimed at estimating prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and predictors of hypertension among Saudi adult population. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select 4758 adult participants. Three blood pressure measurements using an automatic sphygmomanometer, sociodemographics, and antihypertensive modalities were obtained. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 25.5%. Only 44.7% of hypertensives were aware, 71.8% of them received pharmacotherapy, and only 37.0% were controlled. Awareness was significantly associated with gender, age, geographical location, occupation, and comorbidity. Applying drug treatment was significantly more among older patients, but control was significantly higher among younger patients and patients with higher level of physical activity. Significant predictors of hypertension included male gender, urbanization, low education, low physical activity, obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion prevalence is high, but awareness, treatment, and control levels are low indicating a need to develop a national program for prevention, early detection, and control of hypertension.
The Doctor-Nurse Relationship in the Operating Theatre

This article examines the organisational culture in theatres, specifically the doctor-nurse relationship, based on the literature and the experience of one author (Anika Reynolds) on placement in theatres. The initial motivation for the study was noticing how well these doctors and nurses got on in a friendly, informal and efficient atmosphere. This relationship between the multidisciplinary team was especially surprising when compared with the experience of hospital wards. Why did such a difference exist?
Energy Harvesting from Vibrating Piezo-Electric Structures

The process of capturing the energy from a system’s environment or surrounding and converting it into usable electrical energy is termed as energy harvesting. One form of energy harvesting is to employ piezoelectric materials to harvest energy from vibrating structures. These materials have the ability to absorb the mechanical energy and transform it into electrical energy that can be used to power other devices. In this work, it is proposed to theoretically and numerically investigate harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations by a micro electro-mechanical system that is composed of a unimorph cantilevered beam. The relevant equations of vibration, deflection, and natural frequency are derived in order to find the relationship between the tip displacement of the beam and the output voltage across its length. The effect of beam dimension and material properties of the active and inactive layers of the unimorph on the system’s performance in terms of output power and vibrational modes frequency is also investigated and presented in different comparison scenarios. Results of the developed model are validated by comparing them to the theoretical and experimental data of similar work done by other researchers, and by using the finite element analysis simulation software ABAQUS®.
Learning From Learning Journals: The Benefits And Challenges Of Using Learning Journal Assignments

This paper reflects upon what we have learned in seven years of using Learning Journals with adult learners in our MBA Organizational Behavior courses. We examine various types of Learning Journals and the different pedagogical purposes they may serve. We discuss the theoretical grounding for using reflective writing as a learning strategy and the objectives of this assignment, emphasizing development of critical thinking. We examine challenges in evaluating such assignments and limitations of the assignment with regard to student differences. Finally we look at the effectiveness of the assignment and pose questions for consideration when implementing a Learning Journal strategy.
An Abbreviated Measure of Internal-External Locus of Control

Summary An abbreviated scale of internal-external locus of control (I-E) was administered to a national probability sample of 4,330 males ranging from 16 to 26 years of age. Psychometric properties (distributional characteristics, scale reliability, and item-test correlations) of the abbreviated scale were found to be similar to the full 29-item Rotter I-E scale. Comparable factor structures were obtained for both black and white respondents. A significant race difference indicated that blacks gave more external responses than whites.
Accountability of Transnational NGOs

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working across borders face increased accountability demands. Although many have proposed ways of changing accountability practices, the debate is rarely informed by leaders’ perspectives of how accountability is perceived and practiced across different organizational settings. In interviews with NGO leaders we find aspirations to make accountability more meaningful and integrated, in particular by listening more to stakeholders other than donors. However, these aspirations are rarely put in practice and leaders continue to highlight traditional means such as financial accounting. This gap is particularly pronounced for smaller organizations and reflects an increasingly competitive environment shaped by rating agencies and a focus on financial metrics. To move from aspirations to practice, NGOs have to be willing to share more meaningful information about their work and outcomes with stakeholders. Practicing transparency that empowers beneficiaries is central to effective organizational learning and balancing demands from different stakeholders.
Maternal Immunization to Prevent Infectious Diseases in the Neonate or Infant

Abstract The approach of providing passive protection to young infants by immunizing pregnant women can bypass the problems of immunological immaturity in the neonate, avoid or delay active immunization of the infant in the first year of life, and prevent transmission of an infection from the mother to the neonate. Optimal vaccines for this approach should induce high immunoglobulin G antibody titers that quickly reach their maximum level after immunization and persist at protective levels for several years, thus providing passive protection in subsequent pregnancies. Specific applications of this approach include the worldwide practice of maternal immunization with tetanus toxoid vaccine and ongoing studies of maternal immunization to prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b, group B strepto-coccal, pneumococcal, meningococcal, and human immunodeficiency virus infection in the infant. Addressing the cultural, sociological, and legal aspects of maternal immunization will be required to ensure the success of this approach.
ShadowCrypt: Encrypted Web Applications for Everyone

A number of recent research and industry proposals discussed using encrypted data in web applications. We first present a systematization of the design space of web applications and highlight the advantages and limitations of current proposals. Next, we present ShadowCrypt, a previously unexplored design point that enables encrypted input/output without trusting any part of the web applications. ShadowCrypt allows users to transparently switch to encrypted input/output for text-based web applications. ShadowCrypt runs as a browser extension, replacing input elements in a page with secure, isolated shadow inputs and encrypted text with secure, isolated cleartext. ShadowCrypt's key innovation is the use of Shadow DOM, an upcoming primitive that allows low-overhead isolation of DOM trees. Evaluation results indicate that ShadowCrypt has low overhead and of practical use today. Finally, based on our experience with ShadowCrypt, we present a study of 17 popular web applications, across different domains, and the functionality impact and security advantages of encrypting the data they handle.
The Future of Bilingualism: An Application of the Baggs and Freedman Model

The original paper (Baggs and Freedman, 1990) gave a model of the interaction of a bilingual with a unilingual population. This paper examines the original in an exhaustive fashion and identifies four possible scenarios in the long-term future of the bilingual population. Equilibrium points are found in a manner conducive to practical interpretation, and their stability is investigated. The original model is then applied to the situation in modern Wales and more briefly to that in Scotland, Ireland and Brittany. In conclusion the capacity of the model to inform policy is considered, and an amended model is suggested.
Carotid Artery Stenosis with Acute Ischemic Stroke: Stenting versus Angioplasty.

BACKGROUND When a patient with carotid artery stenosis presents emergently with acute ischemic stroke, the optimum treatment plan is not clearly defined. If intervention is warranted, and open surgery is prohibitive, endovascular revascularization may be performed. The use of stents places the patient at additional risk due to their thrombogenic potential. The intent of this study was to compare outcomes following endovascular approaches (angioplasty alone vs. stent) in the setting of acute stroke. METHODS We extracted a population from the National Inpatient Sample (2012) and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2003-2011) composed of patients with carotid artery stenosis with infarction that were admitted nonelectively and received endovascular revascularization. Patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy or thrombolysis were excluded. Categorical variables were compared between treatment groups with Chi-squared tests. Binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate mortality and iatrogenic stroke while controlling for age, case severity, and comorbidity burden. RESULTS About 6,333 admissions met our criteria. A majority were treated via stenting (89%, n = 5,608). The angioplasty-alone group had significantly higher mortality (9.0% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001) and iatrogenic stroke rate (3.9% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001) than the stent group. The adjusted odds ratios of mortality and iatrogenic stroke for patients treated with angioplasty alone were 1.953 (p < 0.001) and 1.451 (p = 0.105), respectively, in comparison to patients treated with carotid stenting. CONCLUSION Multivariate analysis found the risk of mortality to be elevated following angioplasty alone. This may represent selection bias, but it also may indicate that symptomatic patients with stroke suffer from severe stenosis and unstable plaques that would benefit from stent placement. These results would caution angioplasty alone as an arm of a future randomized trial involving this severely burdened patient population requiring urgent intervention.
High School Students' Career-Related Decision-Making Difficulties

The present study examined the construct of career-related decision-making difficulties among 1,843 Israeli adolescents: choosing a high school (9th grade), choosing high school elective courses (10th grade), and deciding on a military job preference (11th grade). Three versions of the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ) were constructed to match the 3 decision situations. The structures of the 10 difficulty categories of the revised CDDQ were found similar to that proposed by I. Gati, M. Krausz, and S. H. Osipow (1996). Boys reported higher difficulties than girls in external conflicts and dysfunctional beliefs. Research and counseling implications are discussed.
The Black Family in the 21st Century and the Church as an Action System: A Macro Perspective

Abstract The Black church has played a leadership function for African Americans during times of crisis such as slavery and the civil rights movement. This article suggests that the current crisis in the African American community is the disintegration of the African American family because of economic, social and value shifts, as well as misguided social policy. The Black church must again mount a spiritual and political campaign to save African American families, thereby ensuring their prosperity.
The Values of Contemporary American Planners

Abstract Little is known about planners' substantive values, but personal values do impinge on professional work. This article, a companion to two articles previously published in the Journal, examines attitudes of a sample of AEP members toward the environment, mass transit, development, low income and minority groups, and citizen participation. It finds that they are most committed to the first two, are mildly negative about development, and are ambivalent about minority issues and citizen participation. It also examines possible determinants of these values, and how values may affect action, asking whether planners can, in fact, be value neutral. Finally, implications and possible trends are discussed.
Labours of Love: Voluntary Working in a Depressed Local Economy

ABSTRACT Whilst studies of employment have fuelled arguments about post-Fordism and questions of flexibility, recent debates about welfare have considered social polarization and the growth of an anti-social, anti-work ‘underclass’. In both cases, relatively little attention has been given to the ways in which people in depressed local economies now survive through precarious, marginal and informal work. This article explores how people deprived of jobs seek to re-create positive working lives for themselves through voluntary work. Drawing upon qualitative interviews with working-class men and women in Teesside, it explores the motivations and meanings of volunteering and the significance that voluntary action has for work and welfare in such communities. State intervention in the voluntary work sphere is assessed and a number of recommendations are made for policy and practice.
Breaking the Knowledge Acquisition Bottleneck Through Conversational Knowledge Management

Much of today's organizational knowledge still exists outside of formal information repositories and often only in people's heads. While organizations are eager to capture this knowledge, existing acquisition methods are not up to the task. Neither traditional artificial intelligence-based approaches nor more recent, less-structured knowledge management techniques have overcome the knowledge acquisition challenges. This article investigates knowledge acquisition bottlenecks and proposes the use of collaborative, conversational knowledge management to remove them. The article demonstrates the opportunity for more effective knowledge acquisition through the application of the principles of Bazaar style, open-source development. The article introduces wikis as software that enables this type of knowledge acquisition. It empirically analyzes the Wikipedia to produce evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Medial Kernels

We introduce the medial kernel, an association measure which provides for a robust construction of volume‐aware distances defined directly on point clouds. The medial kernel is a similarity measure defined as the likelihood of two points belonging to a common interior medial ball. We use the medial kernel to construct a random walk on the point cloud, where movement in the walk is restricted to regions containing similar medial balls. Our distances are defined as the diffusion distances of this random walk, assigning low distance to points belonging to similar medial regions. These distances allow for a robust means of processing incomplete point clouds, capable of distinguishing nearby yet separate undersampled components, while also associating points which are far in Euclidean distance yet mutually share an interior volume. We leverage these distances for several applications: volumetric part segmentation, the construction of function bases, and reconstruction‐by‐parts – a surface reconstruction method which adheres to the medial kernel.
Mental Representation and the Spatial Structure of Virtual Environments

This study aimed to investigate the influence of the spatial structure of virtual environments on the mental representation that people form. Three groups of participants visited the locations of several objects in simulated environments that differed in aspects of their structure. After learning, the objects were removed, and participants were required to estimate their former positions in terms of angle of orientation and straight-line distances. Results indicated that the structure of the environment influences performance and suggested the use of different underlying mental representations: If the spatial structure does not obscure direct perception between locations, a procedural type of spatial representation may be sufficient; however, if the spatial structure prevents direct perception between locations, it is likely that people need to elaborate a configurational type of spatial representation. These results stress the importance of spatial structure in the acquisition and use of mental representations.
Between Aspiration and Achievement: Structure and Agency in Young Migrant Lives

This article puts forward the argument that young migrants considering Higher and Further Education require robust structural support that attends to their psycho-social, communal, and material needs. Despite evidence of young migrants having high aspirations to achieve in this country, policy in the United Kingdom increasingly presents them with structural barriers rather than structures of support. This argument is based on findings from a recent research project which was conducted in the East Anglian region of the UK with children originally from central and eastern Europe. The children were all aged between 13–15 years and living in designated deprived areas. The article situates the project's findings in the context of the wider literature on aspirations in relation to education and employment, and examines the implications of recent UK government policy changes on the structures impacting on migrant youth's agency to achieve through Higher and Further Education. The authors suggest that migrant students are uncomfortably suspended in the gulf between desires and outcomes, with government policies failing to match the vibrancy of their agency to achieve.
Belief-Function-Based Framework for Deformable 3D-Shape Retrieval

The need for efficient tools to index and retrieve 3D content becomes even more acute. This paper presents a fully automatic 3D-object retrieval method. It consists of two main steps namely shape signature extraction to describe the shape of objects, and similarity computing to compute similarity between objects. In the first step (signature extraction), we use a shape descriptor called geodesic cords. This descriptor can be seen as a probability distribution sampled from a shape function. In the second step (similarity computing), a global distance, based on belief function theory, is computed between each pair wise of descriptors corresponding respectively to an object query and an object from a given database. Experiments on commonly-used benchmarks demonstrate that our method obtains competitive performance compared to 3D-object retrieval methods from the state-of-the-art.