Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Story completion: The best* new method for qualitative data collection you’ve never even heard of

What is story completion? How come I’ve never heard of it? Can it be useful for me as a qualitative researcher? A relatively unknown method for qualitative data collection, story completion has a long history of use in psychotherapy practice and (quantitative) developmental psychology research. We believe it has untapped, exciting potential as a qualitative technique in and beyond psychology, offering something quite different to many of the more popular methods used (e.g. interviews, focus groups). In this paper – an introduction to an exciting Special Issue that discusses and demonstrates the potential of story completion – we provide a brief history of the development of story completion as a qualitative technique, and an overview of design, sampling, and data analysis in story completion research. We finish by highlighting potential pitfalls of story completion, alongside discussion of the possibilities it offers, and briefly introduce the empirical papers in the Special Issue.
Simple Sequence Repeats and Mucoid Conversion: Biased mucA Mutagenesis in Mismatch Repair-Deficient Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, conversion to the mucoid phenotype marks the onset of an irreversible state of the infection in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. The main pathway for mucoid conversion is mutagenesis of the mucA gene, frequently due to −1 bp deletions in a simple sequence repeat (SSR) of 5 Gs (G5-SSR426). We have recently observed that this mucA mutation is particularly accentuated in Mismatch Repair System (MRS)-deficient cells grown in vitro. Interestingly, previous reports have shown a high prevalence of hypermutable MRS-deficient strains occurring naturally in CF chronic lung infections. Here, we used mucA as a forward mutation model to systematically evaluate the role of G5-SSR426 in conversion to mucoidy in a MRS-deficient background, with this being the first analysis combining SSR-dependent localized hypermutability and the acquisition of a particular virulence/persistence trait in P. aeruginosa. In this study, mucA alleles were engineered with different contents of G:C SSRs, and tested for their effect on the mucoid conversion frequency and mucA mutational spectra in a mutS-deficient strain of P. aeruginosa. Importantly, deletion of G5-SSR426 severely reduced the emergence frequency of mucoid variants, with no preferential site of mutagenesis within mucA. Moreover, although mutagenesis in mucA was not totally removed, this was no longer the main pathway for mucoid conversion, suggesting that G5-SSR426 biased mutations towards mucA. Mutagenesis in mucA was restored by the addition of a new SSR (C6-SSR431), and even synergistically increased when G5-SSR426 and C6-SSR431 were present simultaneously, with the mucA mutations being restricted to −1 bp deletions within any of both G:C SSRs. These results confirm a critical role for G5-SSR426 enhancing the mutagenic process of mucA in MRS-deficient cells, and shed light on another mechanism, the SSR- localized hypermutability, contributing to mucoid conversion in P. aeruginosa.
Hierarchy of Carbon Source Selection in Paracoccus pantotrophus: Strict Correlation between Reduction State of the Carbon Substrate and Aerobic Expression of the nap Operon

ABSTRACT Paracoccus pantotrophus can express a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap) during aerobic growth. A proposed role for this enzyme is the dissipation of excess redox energy during oxidative metabolism of reduced carbon substrates. To investigate the regulation of nap expression, a transcriptional fusion between the nap promoter region of P. pantotrophus and the lacZ gene was constructed. When this fusion was used, analyses showed that transcription from the nap promoter increases as the average reduction state of the carbon atoms increases. Thus, β-galactosidase activities increase as the carbon source changes in the order succinate-acetate-butyrate. This result was obtained regardless of which of the three carbon sources was used for culture of the inoculum. If two carbon sources were presented together, the β-galactosidase activity was always the same as it was when the least-reduced carbon source was added alone. This suggests that the regulation is dependent upon metabolism of the more-reduced carbon sources rather than just their presence in the medium. Analysis of culture medium by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance showed that for aerobic growth P. pantotrophus strictly selected its carbon source in the order succinate-acetate-butyrate. This was reflected by diauxic growth kinetics on medium containing mixed carbon substrates. The regulatory mechanism underpinning such a selection is unknown but is likely to be related to the mechanism which controls the transcription of the nap operon.
3-Degree-of-Freedom Parallel Robot Control Based Fuzzy Theory

Based on fuzzy control theory, a new method for 3- Degree-of-freedom (DOF) parallel robot control is presented in this paper. Take example for DELTA robot; input the established physical model in Pro/E into simulation software ADAMS to establish its mechanical system model by seamless interface software MECH/Pro, where DELTA robot can do kinematics and dynamics simulation. Build the fuzzy controller and control system model by the use of MATLAB software. Realize co-simulation in accordance with a given target trajectory by the use of ADAMS/MATLAB software. The results analysis shows that this control method has solved coordinate control for the 3-DOF parallel robot so that each output is fed back to the three drive rod, effectively improving the control precision, tracing trajectory in real time and providing a method of control for multi-DOF parallel robot.
Children who are coached to lie: does linguistic analysis help in understanding why these children are so believable?

Abstract In this study, the usefulness of linguistic analysis in determining the veracity of children's accounts is examined. The Linguistic Inquiry Word Count 2007 program was used to analyze 95 stories told by 5- to 14-year-olds who were telling the truth or a lie about the stressful experience of breaking a bone or requiring sutures for serious lacerations. Half of the children were coached by parents in preparing their story over the four days prior to giving their account. Differences emerged in the linguistic style used as a function of age, presence of coaching and event veracity. Very few linguistic categories emerged as significant predictors of event veracity, and the variables that did emerge were different depending upon the presence of coaching. Since in real-life situations one seldom knows a child's coaching history, these findings suggest that it is inappropriate to use linguistic analysis to assess the veracity of children's accounts.
PAC Reinforcement Learning with Rich Observations

We propose and study a new model for reinforcement learning with rich observations, generalizing contextual bandits to sequential decision making. These models require an agent to take actions based on observations (features) with the goal of achieving long-term performance competitive with a large set of policies. To avoid barriers to sample-efficient learning associated with large observation spaces and general POMDPs, we focus on problems that can be summarized by a small number of hidden states and have long-term rewards that are predictable by a reactive function class. In this setting, we design and analyze a new reinforcement learning algorithm, Least Squares Value Elimination by Exploration. We prove that the algorithm learns near optimal behavior after a number of episodes that is polynomial in all relevant parameters, logarithmic in the number of policies, and independent of the size of the observation space. Our result provides theoretical justification for reinforcement learning with function approximation.
Reactive Oxygen Species Modulator 1 (Romo1) Predicts Poor Outcomes in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Purpose Reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (Romo1) is a key mediator of intracellular reactive oxygen species production. However, examination of the clinical usefulness of Romo1 in cancers has been limited. We evaluated the association of Romo1 expression with clinical outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Materials and Methods Romo1 expression in tumor tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry and evaluated by histological score. Survival analyses were performed according to Romo1 expression and the association between Romo1 expression and clinical parameters was evaluated. Results A total of 88 tumor specimens were analyzed. Significantly shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) was observed in the high Romo1 group compared with the low Romo1 group (4.5 months vs. 9.8 months, p < 0.001), and the median overall survival (OS) of the high Romo1 group was also significantly shorter than that of the low Romo1 group (8.4 months vs. 15.5 months, p < 0.001). Results of multivariate analyses showed significant association of high Romo1 expression with both poor PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71 to 4.44) and poor OS (HR, 3.99; 95% CI, 2.36 to 6.74). Results of the subgroup analysis showed a similar association regardless of tumor histology. Romo1 expression showed no association with any clinical parameter including age, sex, smoking status, stage, differentiation, or tumor histology. Conclusion Romo1 overexpression was associated with poor response to treatment and shorter survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Romo1 could be a potential adverse predictive marker in this setting.
A molluscan peptide α‐amidating enzyme precursor that generates five distinct enzymes

Mechanisms underlying the specificity and efficiency of enzymes, which modify peptide messengers, especially with the variable requirements of synthesis in the neuronal secretory pathway, are poorly understood. Here, we examine the process of peptide α‐amidation in individually identifiable Lymnaea neurons that synthesize multiple proproteins, yielding complex mixtures of structurally diverse peptide substrates. The α‐amidation of these peptide substrates is efficiently controlled by a multifunctional Lymnaea peptidyl glycine α‐amidating monooxygenase (LPAM), which contains four different copies of the rate‐limiting Lymnaea peptidyl glycine α‐hydroxylating monooxygenase (LPHM) and a single Lymnaea peptidyl α‐hydroxyglycine α‐amidating lyase. Endogenously, this zymogen is converted to yield a mixture of monofunctional isoenzymes. In vitro, each LPHM displays a unique combination of substrate affinity and reaction velocity, depending on the penultimate residue of the substrate. This suggests that the different isoenzymes are generated in order to efficiently amidate the many peptide substrates that are present in molluscan neurons. The cellular expression of the LPAM gene is restricted to neurons that synthesize amidated peptides, which underscores the critical importance of regulation of peptide α‐amidation. —Spijker, S. , Smit, A. B. , Eipper, B. A. , Malik, A. , Mains, R. E. , Geraerts, W. P M. A molluscan peptide α‐amidating enzyme precursor that generates five distinct enzymes. FASEB J. 13, 735–748 (1999)
The School Experiences of Siblings of Children With Chronic Illness: Australian Parents’ Perceptions

Children with chronic illness often experience difficulties at school, yet little is known about the impact of the child's illness on siblings’ school experiences. This study investigated parents’ perceptions of siblings’ school experiences and school support. We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 27 parents of children with a chronic illness who had a sibling or siblings (4–25 years), representing the experiences of 31 siblings. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using content analysis. Parents believed that 14 of 31 (45.2%) siblings had school difficulties related to the ill child, such as increased anxiety or stress at school, lack of attention from teachers, and changes in behaviour as a result of increased carer responsibilities. Parents identified increased absenteeism due to the ill child's hospitalisation and the impact of parent absences on sibling school functioning. Parents described general and psychological support from the school, and the importance of monitoring the sibling at school and focusing on their unique needs. Overall, our findings suggest the need for a school-based sibling support model that combines psycho-education for siblings and school personnel, individualised sibling psychological support, and shared school and parent responsibility in normalising the sibling experience and providing consistent support.
Empowering gamma delta T cells with antitumor immunity by dendritic cell-based immunotherapy

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are the all-rounders of our immune-system with their major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted cytotoxicity, capacity to secrete immunosti-mulatory cytokines and ability to promote the generation of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses. Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine therapy has the prospective to harness these unique features of the γδ T cells in the fight against cancer. In this review, we will discuss our current knowledge on DC-mediated γδ T cell activation and related opportunities for tumor immunologists.
Electrophysiological Evidence for Domain-General Processes in Task-Switching

The ability to flexibly switch between tasks is a hallmark of cognitive control. Despite previous studies that have investigated whether different task-switching types would be mediated by distinct or overlapping neural mechanisms, no definitive consensus has been reached on this question yet. Here, we aimed at directly addressing this issue by recording the event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by two types of task-switching occurring in the context of spatial and verbal cognitive domains. Source analysis was also applied to the ERP data in order to track the spatial dynamics of brain activity underlying task-switching abilities. In separate blocks of trials, participants had to perform either spatial or verbal switching tasks both of which employed the same type of stimuli. The ERP analysis, which was carried out through a channel- and time-uninformed mass univariate approach, showed no significant differences between the spatial and verbal domains in the modulation of switch and repeat trials. Specifically, relative to repeat trials, switch trials in both domains were associated with a first larger positivity developing over left parieto-occipital electrodes and with a subsequent larger negativity distributed over mid-left fronto-central sites. The source analysis reconstruction for the two ERP components complemented these findings by highlighting the involvement of left-lateralized prefrontal areas in task-switching. Overall, our results join and extend recent research confirming the existence of left-lateralized domain-general task-switching processes.
The isles of wonder—a new Jerusalem? British newspaper narratives about the opening ceremony of the XXXth Olympiad

Abstract The Isles of Wonder, the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, was viewed by a record global audience either live or through a range of electronic, social, and print media. British newspaper discourses provided reflection of the mega-sporting event as a ‘second-order’ construction, which gave readers an opportunity to reflexively decide what Britishness had come to represent. Theoretical insights about British identity were drawn from Anderson’s (1983) concept of the nation as an ‘imagined community’, Tajfel and Turner’s (1986) social identity theory, and Edmunds and Turner’s (2001) juxtaposition of benign and malign nationalism. Our qualitative textual analysis revealed that although at times complex, contested, and contradictory, the narratives generally linked the internationalism of the Olympics with a progressive, benign version of Britishness that was still ‘great’. Underpinned by the aspirational New Jerusalem theme, the narratives generally acclaimed the Isles of Wonder as Britain’s first gold medal of the Games.
Transcriptional regulation of the 5-HT1A receptor: implications for mental illness

The serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor is an abundant post-synaptic 5-HT receptor (heteroreceptor) implicated in regulation of mood, emotion and stress responses and is the major somatodendritic autoreceptor that negatively regulates 5-HT neuronal activity. Based on animal models, an integrated model for opposing roles of pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors in anxiety and depression phenotypes and response to antidepressants is proposed. Understanding differential transcriptional regulation of pre- versus post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors could provide better tools for their selective regulation. This review examines the transcription factors that regulate brain region-specific basal and stress-induced expression of the 5-HT1A receptor gene (Htr1a). A functional polymorphism, rs6295 in the Htr1a promoter region, blocks the function of specific repressors Hes1, Hes5 and Deaf1, resulting in increased 5-HT1A autoreceptor expression in animal models and humans. Its association with altered 5-HT1A expression, depression, anxiety and antidepressant response are related to genotype frequency in different populations, sample homogeneity, disease outcome measures and severity. Preliminary evidence from gene × environment studies suggests the potential for synergistic interaction of stress-mediated repression of 5-HT1A heteroreceptors, and rs6295-induced upregulation of 5-HT1A autoreceptors. Targeted therapeutics to inhibit 5-HT1A autoreceptor expression and induce 5-HT1A heteroreceptor expression may ameliorate treatment of anxiety and major depression.
Understanding and combating link farming in the twitter social network

Recently, Twitter has emerged as a popular platform for discovering real-time information on the Web, such as news stories and people's reaction to them. Like the Web, Twitter has become a target for link farming, where users, especially spammers, try to acquire large numbers of follower links in the social network. Acquiring followers not only increases the size of a user's direct audience, but also contributes to the perceived influence of the user, which in turn impacts the ranking of the user's tweets by search engines. In this paper, we first investigate link farming in the Twitter network and then explore mechanisms to discourage the activity. To this end, we conducted a detailed analysis of links acquired by over 40,000 spammer accounts suspended by Twitter. We find that link farming is wide spread and that a majority of spammers' links are farmed from a small fraction of Twitter users, the social capitalists, who are themselves seeking to amass social capital and links by following back anyone who follows them. Our findings shed light on the social dynamics that are at the root of the link farming problem in Twitter network and they have important implications for future designs of link spam defenses. In particular, we show that a simple user ranking scheme that penalizes users for connecting to spammers can effectively address the problem by disincentivizing users from linking with other users simply to gain influence.
Listening Comprehension Strategies Employed by EFL Tertiary Students in China: A Case Study

Listening comprehension is often a neglected and forgotten skill in most EFL and ESL classrooms. Therefore, the main aim of this case study was to investigate the listening comprehension strategies employed by EFL tertiary students in China. The study involved a total of 360 undergraduate students studying English as foreign language in an institution of higher learning in China. Data was collected via a survey and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that metacognitive strategies were the more frequently used strategies followed by cognitive and socio-affective strategies. The study also found that female students used more listening strategies than males and there was a positive correlation between listening comprehension strategy use and language proficiency. Finally, the study revealed that there were significant differences among the three types of strategies employed by students based on language proficiency. These findings have implications for language instructors teaching listening comprehension in their EFL classrooms.
Author ' s personal copy Consideration-set heuristics ☆

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Consumers often choose products by first forming a consideration set and then choosing from among considered products. When there are many products to screen (or many features to evaluate), it is rational for consumers to use consider-then-choose decision processes and to do so with heuristic decision rules. Managerial decisions (product development, marketing communications, etc.) depend upon the ability to identify and react to con-sumers' heuristic consideration-set rules. We provide managerial examples and review the state-of-the-art in the theory and measurement of consumers' heuristic consideration-set rules. Advances in greedoid methods, Bayesian inference, machine-learning, incentive alignment, measurement formats, and unstructured direct elic-itation make it feasible and cost-effective to understand, quantify, and simulate " what-if " scenarios for a variety of heuristics. These methods now apply to a broad set of managerial problems including applications in complex product categories with large numbers of product features and feature-levels. Consumers often face a myriad of alternative products, whether it is deodorants (more than 30 brands on the market) or automobiles (more than 350 + model–make combinations). Evidence suggests that consumers , who are faced with many products from which to choose, simplify their decisions with a consider-then-choose decision process in which they first identify a set of products, the consideration set, for further evaluation and then choose from the consideration set. There is also compelling evidence that consumers use heuristic decision rules to select the products for their consideration sets. Both the consider-then-choose decision process and the heuristic decision rules enable consumers to screen many products more rapidly with reduced cogni-tive and search costs and are thus both fast and frugal heuristics as and elsewhere in this issue. In this paper we review recent developments in the measurement of heuristics for consideration-set decisions and the managerial implications of such heuristics. We begin with examples where consideration sets are key to business strategy. We then turn to the science and review arguments that it is typical, and rational, for consumers to simplify multi-product decisions with a consider-then-choose decision process and it is typical, and rational, for consumers …