Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Overconfidence Phenomenon as a Consequence of Informal Experimenter-Guided Selection of Almanac Items

Abstract The paper argues for an ecological approach to realism of confidence in general knowledge. It is stressed that choice of answer to almanac items and confidence judgments derive from knowledge structures formed by adaptation to a natural environment. People are regarded as well-calibrated to their natural environments and the overconfidence phenomenon is seen as a consequence of the procedures involved in the creation of "traditional" general knowledge items, rather than as the result of a cognitive bias. An experiment is reported showing that when items are informally selected by human "selectors," instructed to select items that differentiate between more and less knowledgeable subjects, we observe poor calibration and the usual overconfidence phenomenon. However, when the item selection is "debiased" and the objects to be compared in the almanac items are selected randomly from a natural environment the overconfidence phenomenon disappears and we observe good calibration, and good resolution. These results support an ecological approach to realism of confidence and suggest that general procedures for debiasing overconfidence may be unwarranted.
Navigating Learning Journeys of Online Teachers: Threshold Concepts and Self-efficacy

Higher education institutions are developing more and more online courses to supplement and augment the courses they offer in on-campus modes. In fact, some universities now offer the majority of their courses through online contexts. However, for academic staff who design and teach these courses, the transition from teaching oncampus courses to teaching in online learning environments is not always speedy or smooth. Academic teaching staff require support, mentoring and professional learning programs to develop their existing capacities and apply them to an online context. This paper reports on Phase 2 of a research project, which takes into consideration the cumulative effect of tailored professional development measures implemented in response to findings in Phase 1. The three aims were: 1) to identify the threshold concepts that teaching staff develop when they learn about online learning and teaching; 2) to compare self-efficacy levels and threshold concepts of staff who are experienced or inexperienced in online learning and teaching; and 3) to develop customised professional learning programs and resources to extend the online teaching and course design skills of academic staff. Findings from the study are outlined by identifying threshold concepts, threshold attitudes and self-efficacy levels of online educators and the implications these findings have for designing professional development programs in higher education contexts.
Potent Antitumor Activity of a Novel Cationic Pyridinium-Ceramide Alone or in Combination with Gemcitabine against Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Vitro and in Vivo

In this study, a cationic water-soluble ceramide analog l-threo-C6-pyridinium-ceramide-bromide (l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer), which exhibits high solubility and bioavailability, inhibited the growth of various human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines at low IC50 concentrations, independent of their p53 status. Consistent with its design to target negatively charged intracellular compartments, l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer accumulated mainly in mitochondria-, and nuclei-enriched fractions upon treatment of human UM-SCC-22A cells [human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx] at 1 to 6 h. In addition to its growth-inhibitory function as a single agent, the supra-additive interaction of l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer with gemcitabine (GMZ), a chemotherapeutic agent used in HNSCC, was determined using isobologram studies. Then, the effects of this ceramide, alone or in combination with GMZ, on the growth of UM-SCC-22A xenografts in SCID mice was assessed following the determination of preclinical parameters, such as maximum tolerated dose, clearance from the blood, and bioaccumulation. Results demonstrated that treatment with l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer in combination with GMZ significantly prevented the growth of HNSCC tumors in vivo. The therapeutic efficacy of l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer/GMZ combination against HNSCC tumors was approximately 2.5-fold better than that of the combination of 5-fluorouracil/cis-platin. In addition, liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis showed that the levels of l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer in HNSCC tumors weresignificantly higher than its levels in the liver and intestines; interestingly, the combination with GMZ increased the sustained accumulation of this ceramide by approximately 40%. Moreover, treatment with l-t-C6-Pyr-Cer/GMZ combination resulted in a significant inhibition of telomerase activity and decrease in telomere length in vivo, which are among downstream targets of ceramide.
Developing an Understanding of Race Talk

The aim of this paper is to give an outline of the discursive psychological literature focussing on prejudice and race talk and to show how recent findings suggest a development in this understanding. The paper begins with an outline of the discursive approach and the way in which it conceptualises race talk. Next, an overview of the ways in which people attempt to make prejudicial arguments so as to prevent them from appearing to be prejudiced, because of a norm against prejudice, is presented. It is then shown how challenges are being made to this norm against prejudice so that in some cases, prejudice can be viewed as acceptable, and in others, the taboo against prejudice is presented as being discriminatory on the grounds of preventing freedom of speech and proper debate.
Paradoxical movement of the lower ribcage at rest and during exercise in COPD patients

Paradoxical inward displacement of the costal margin during inspiration is observed in many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at rest but its importance is unclear. The current authors studied 20 patients (forced expiratory volume in one second 32.6±11.7, functional residual capacity 186±32% predicted) and 10 healthy controls at rest and during symptom-limited incremental exercise. With optoelectronic plethysmography, the phase shift between pulmonary and abdominal ribcage volumes and the percentage of inspiratory time the ribcage compartments moved in opposite directions were quantified, using control data to define the normal range of movement. Eight patients showed lower ribcage inspiratory paradox at rest (P+), while 12 patients did not (P-). This was unrelated to resting lung function or exercise tolerance. Total end-expiratory chest wall volume (EEVcw) increased immediately when exercise began in P+ patients, but later in exercise in P- patients. This difference in EEVcw was mainly due to a greater increase of end-expiratory pulmonary ribcage volume in P+ patients. During exercise, dyspnoea increased similarly in the two groups, while leg effort increased more markedly in the patients without paradox. In conclusion, lower ribcage paradox at rest is reproducible and associated with early-onset hyperinflation of the chest wall and predominant dyspnoea at end-exercise. When paradox is absent, the sense of leg effort becomes a more important symptom limiting exercise.
A Study on the Variables Affecting Parenting Efficacy of North Korean Refugee Mothers : With a Focus on Marital Satisfaction, Social Support, and Acculturation

The purpose of this study was to identify the variables affecting parenting efficacy of North Korean refugee mothers. The selected variables were marital satisfaction, social support, and acculturation. The participants consisted of 105 mothers who had defected from North Korea with preschool children living in Seoul, Gwangmyeong-si, and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces. The data thus collected were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that the marital satisfaction and social support had meaningfully positive effects on the parenting efficacy of North Korean refugee mothers. However, marginalization was found to be a predictor of competence-anxiety in parenting. The selected variables derived from the environmental systems in maternal parenting were significant factors in the parenting efficacy of North Korean refugee mothers and furthermore, their sociocultural environments were also important in parenting. These findings clearly showed that marital satisfaction and social support were the most significant variables of parenting efficacy of North Korean refugee mothers. The results of this study appear to Korean J. of Child Studies Vol. 35, No. 4, 103-122, August 2014 DOI:dx.org/10.5723/KJCS.2014. 35.4. 103 www.childkorea. or.kr pISSN1226-1688 eISSN2234-408X 2 Korean J. of Child Studies Vol. 35, No. 4, 2014 104 have a great deal of utility as preliminary data to improve the parenting efficacy of North Korean refugee mothers.
The influence of bacteria on multitrophic interactions among plants, psyllids, and pathogen

The recent emergence of several plant diseases caused by psyllid‐borne bacterial pathogens worldwide (Candidatus Liberibacter spp.) has created renewed interest on the interaction between psyllids and bacteria. In spite of these efforts to understand psyllid association with bacteria, many aspects of their interactions remain poorly understood. As more organisms are studied, subtleties on the molecular interactions as well as on the effects of the bacteria on the psyllid host are being uncovered. Additionally, psyllid‐borne bacterial phytopathogens can also affect the host plant, which in turn can impact psyllid physiology and behavior. Here, we review the current literature on different aspects of the influence of bacteria on multitrophic interactions among plants, psyllids, and pathogens. We then highlight gaps that need to be addressed to advance this field, which can have significant implications for controlling these newly emergent and other plant diseases.
Structural determinants of cytochrome P450 2B1 specificity: evidence for five substrate recognition sites.

Twelve site-directed mutants of rat cytochrome P450 2B1 distributed over seven positions and four putative substrate recognition sites (SRS) were constructed and expressed in COS cells. Function was examined using androstenedione and testosterone as substrates. Substitutions at positions 303, 360, and 473 did not markedly affect the regio- or stereoselectivity of androgen metabolism, whereas mutants in positions 206 (SRS-2), 302 (SRS-4), and 363 and 367 (SRS-5) exhibited markedly different steroid metabolite profiles compared with parental P450 2B1. In particular, the Phe-206-->Leu substitution conferred androgen 6 alpha- and testosterone 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities, and the Thr-302-->Ser substitution suppressed androgen 16 beta-hydroxylation in favor of androstenedione 16 alpha- and testosterone 15 alpha-hydroxylation. Replacement of Val-363 or Val-367 with Ala conferred androgen 15 alpha-hydroxylase and 6 beta-hydroxylase activities, respectively, and suppressed susceptibility to mechanism-based inactivation by the P450 2B1-selective chloramphenicol analog N-(2-p-nitrophenethyl)chlorofluoroacetamide. The Val-367-->Ala mutant was also resistant to chloramphenicol itself. The Leu mutant at position 363 exhibited increased specificity for androstenedione and testosterone 16 beta-hydroxylation, whereas the Leu mutant at position 367 exhibited decreased stereospecificity. Most interestingly, the size of key residues identified plays a critical role in governing steroid hydroxylation from the alpha-face or beta-face and hydroxylation on the D-ring or the B-ring. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Affective causes and consequences of social information processing.

The study of affect is as old as scientific psychology itself. A hundred years ago, two of the most influential psychologists were Wilhelm Wundt and William James. Both were centrally concerned with affect but in different ways -Wundt was a structuralist and James a functionalist. Wundt (1897) was concerned with the underlying structure of emotions, and his conclusions were similar to those of recent investigators concerning the dimensions of emotional quality (e.g., Russell, 1980). But James was more concerned with function than structure. When it came to questions of structure and classification, James believed that the number of emotions was infinite, and hence not susceptible to systematic treatment. He said that he "should as lief read verbal descriptions of the shapes of the rocks on a New Hampshire farm as toil through the literature of emotion . " (James, 1890, p. 448).
Internet-Based CBT for Depression with and without Telephone Tracking in a National Helpline: Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Telephone helplines are frequently and repeatedly used by individuals with chronic mental health problems and web interventions may be an effective tool for reducing depression in this population. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a 6 week, web-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention with and without proactive weekly telephone tracking in the reduction of depression in callers to a helpline service. Method 155 callers to a national helpline service with moderate to high psychological distress were recruited and randomised to receive either Internet CBT plus weekly telephone follow-up; Internet CBT only; weekly telephone follow-up only; or treatment as usual. Results Depression was lower in participants in the web intervention conditions both with and without telephone tracking compared to the treatment as usual condition both at post intervention and at 6 month follow-up. Telephone tracking provided by a lay telephone counsellor did not confer any additional advantage in terms of symptom reduction or adherence. Conclusions A web-based CBT program is effective both with and without telephone tracking for reducing depression in callers to a national helpline. Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN93903959
ECNU: Leveraging Word Embeddings to Boost Performance for Paraphrase in Twitter

This paper describes our approaches to paraphrase recognition in Twitter organized as task 1 in Semantic Evaluation 2015. Lots of approaches have been proposed to address the paraphrasing task on conventional texts ( surveyed in (Madnani and Dorr, 2010)). In this work we examined the effectiveness of various linguistic features proposed in traditional paraphrasing task on informal texts, (i.e., Twitter), for example, string based, corpus based, and syntactic features, which served as input of a classification algorithm. Besides, we also proposed novel features based on distributed word representations, which were learned using deep learning paradigms. Results on test dataset show that our proposed features improve the performance by a margin of 1.9% in terms of F1-score and our team ranks third among 10 teams with 38 systems.
An investigation into the psychological responses of injured athletes

This thesis examined the psychological responses of injured athletes as a basis for designing theoretically meaningful intervention strategies to expedite recovery from sports injuries. The thesis is written as a series of research papers (studies). The methodological approaches adopted ranged from quasi-experimental to qualitative research in a naturalistic rehabilitation setting. The first study reported the development of a theoretically derived psychometric measure to assess athletes psychological responses to injury, initially using exploratory factor analysis and subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis. The Psychological Responses to Sport Injury Inventory (PRSII) comprised five sub scales (Devastation, Dispirited, Attempts to Rationalise, Isolation and Reorganisation). In its final form the PRSII contained 20 items. The PRSII was found to possess adequate psychometric integrity. The second study examined the effects of a goal-setting intervention on injured athletes rehabilitation adherence, perceptions of self and treatment efficacy and the psychological response variables assessed by the PRSII. The study provided support for the effects of goal-setting upon athlete adherence, self-efficacy, treatment efficacy, and reorganisation. However, the hypothesised effects for dispirited and isolation were not found. As a result, a qualitative follow-up study was conducted to more closely examine the effects of the goal-setting intervention. The qualitative follow-up study proposed a number of possible mechanisms for the effects of the goal-setting intervention. These included the effects of goal-setting on self-efficacy, attributions, perceptions of control, and attention. The final, collaborative action research study employed a multi-modal intervention with three athletes rehabilitating from injury. The efficacy of social support, goal-setting, imagery, simulation training and verbal persuasion emerged from the study. The study highlighted the importance of outcome expectancy and goal flexibility. In relation to the re-entry phase of rehabilitation, confidence in the injured body part, and the ability to meet game demands emerged as important to participants successful return to competition.
The 'Gastric Cytoprotection' Concept of Andre Robert and the Origins of a New Series of International Symposia

Andre Robert’s concept of ‘gastric cytoprotection’ was based on wrong premises (in part because of the initial lack of histologic evaluation). It, nevertheless, stimulated extensive research that led to better understanding of cell/tissue injury, discovery of new pathways of gastroprotection and new drug developments (e.g. misoprostol, NSAID-NO, NSAID-PL). It was also the origins of the International Symposia on Cell/Tissue Injury and Cytoprotection/Organoprotection of which Robert one of the ‘founding fathers’. These meetings improved the communications and exchange of ideas among dozens of top investigators, in addition to stimulating hundreds of young researchers to ‘join the club’ and investigate mechanisms, pathogenesis, manifestations and prevention of drug-induced gastric mucosal lesions.
Effects of exercise training on autonomic dysfunction management in an experimental model of menopause and myocardial infarction

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in ovariectomized rats submitted to myocardial infarction. Methods:Female Wistar rats were divided into the following ovariectomized groups: sedentary ovariectomized (SO), trained ovariectomized (TO), sedentary ovariectomized infarcted (SOI), and trained ovariectomized infarcted (TOI). Trained groups were submitted to an exercise training protocol on a treadmill (8 wk). Arterial baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated by heart rate responses to arterial pressure changes, and cardiopulmonary baroreflex sensitivity was tested by bradycardic and hypotension responses to serotonin injection. Vagal and sympathetic effects were calculated by pharmacological blockade. Results:Arterial pressure was reduced in the TO in comparison with the SO group and increased in the TOI in relation to the SOI group. Exercise training improved the baroreflex sensitivity in both the TO and TOI groups. The TOI group displayed improvement in cardiopulmonary reflex sensitivity compared with the SOI group at the 16 &mgr;g/kg serotonin dose. Exercise training enhanced the vagal effect in both the TO (45%) and TOI (46%) animals compared with the SO and SOI animals and reduced the sympathetic effect in the TOI (38%) in comparison with the SOI animals. Significant correlations were obtained between bradycardic baroreflex responses and vagal (r = −0.7, P < 0.005) and sympathetic (r = 0.7, P < 0.001) effects. Conclusions:These results indicate that exercise training in ovariectomized rats submitted to myocardial infarction improves resting hemodynamic status and reflex control of the circulation, which may be due to an increase in the vagal component. This suggests a homeostatic role for exercise training in reducing the autonomic impairment of myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women.
Climate change, variability and sustainable agriculture in Zimbabwe"s rural communities

This article explores the impact of climate change and variability on agricultural productivity in the communal area of Bikita. The article further examines the adaptation and mitigation strategies devised by farmers to deal with the vagaries of climate change and variability. The sustainability of these is also interrogated in this article. This study juxtaposed qualitative and quantitative methodologies albeit with more bias on the former. A total of 40 farmers were sampled for unstructured interviews and focus group discussions. This article argues that the adverse impacts of climate change and variability are felt heavily by the poor communal farmers who are directly dependent on agriculture for livelihood. From the study, some of the widely reported signs of climate variability in Bikita included late and unpredictable rains, high temperatures (heat waves), successive drought, shortening rainfall seasons and seasonal changes in the timing of rainfall. The paper argues that climate change has compounded the vulnerability of peasant farmers in the drought prone district of Bikita plunging them into food insecurity and abject poverty. It emerged in the study that some of effects of climate variability felt by communal farmers in Bikita included failure of crops, death of livestock and low crop yields, all of which have led to declining agricultural productivity. Findings in this study however established that communal farmers have not been passive victims of the vagaries of climate change and variability. They have rationally responded to it through various adaptation and mitigation strategies both individually and collectively.
Distributed Generator Placement and Sizing in Unbalanced Radial Distribution System

To minimize power losses, it is important to determine the location and size of local generators to be placed in unbalanced power distribution systems. On account of some inherent features of unbalanced distribution systems, such as radial structure, large number of nodes, a wide range of X/R ratios, the conventional techniques developed for the transmission systems generally fail on the determination of optimum size and location of distributed generators (DGs). This paper presents a simple method for investigating the problem of contemporaneously choosing best location and size of DG in three-phase unbalanced radial distribution system (URDS) for power loss minimization and to improve the voltage profile of the system. Best location of the DG is determined by using voltage index analysis and size of DG is computed by variational technique algorithm according to available standard size of DGs. This paper presents the results of simulations for 25-bus and IEEE 37- bus Unbalanced Radial Distribution system. Keywords—Distributed generator, unbalanced radial distribution system, voltage index analysis, variational algorithm.