Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Contingent University: an ethical critique

Whatever their relative importance or determining priority, globalisation and virtualisation may be seen as just two constructed dimensions of a raft of interrelated changes taking place in contemporary culture. Those changes are both impacting on and expressed in higher education systems and universities throughout the world. The ways in which, and the extent to which, they are so may be articulated and evaluated from various perspectives. An ethical perspective is used in this paper. This is done by firstly and briefly outlining constructs that are commonly used in describing the cultural context of change to which public universities are responding and the sorts of changes that are evidenced in the university sector in response to that context. A construction of ethics congruent with that context is then introduced and used to shed some light on the ethical impact of the changes noted. This work is essentially analytical, critical and speculative, in the tradition of contemporary social philosophy. It is grounded in scholarship of a like kind, particularly that which focuses on the ethics and epistemology of contemporary cultural change and its impact on and implications for the nature of post-compulsory education.
Cross-reactive antibody responses to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.

BACKGROUND A new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus has emerged, causing illness globally, primarily in younger age groups. To assess the level of preexisting immunity in humans and to evaluate seasonal vaccine strategies, we measured the antibody response to the pandemic virus resulting from previous influenza infection or vaccination in different age groups. METHODS Using a microneutralization assay, we measured cross-reactive antibodies to pandemic H1N1 virus (2009 H1N1) in stored serum samples from persons who either donated blood or were vaccinated with recent seasonal or 1976 swine influenza vaccines. RESULTS A total of 4 of 107 persons (4%) who were born after 1980 had preexisting cross-reactive antibody titers of 40 or more against 2009 H1N1, whereas 39 of 115 persons (34%) born before 1950 had titers of 80 or more. Vaccination with seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines resulted in an increase in the level of cross-reactive antibody to 2009 H1N1 by a factor of four or more in none of 55 children between the ages of 6 months and 9 years, in 12 to 22% of 231 adults between the ages of 18 and 64 years, and in 5% or less of 113 adults 60 years of age or older. Seasonal vaccines that were formulated with adjuvant did not further enhance cross-reactive antibody responses. Vaccination with the A/New Jersey/1976 swine influenza vaccine substantially boosted cross-reactive antibodies to 2009 H1N1 in adults. CONCLUSIONS Vaccination with recent seasonal nonadjuvanted or adjuvanted influenza vaccines induced little or no cross-reactive antibody response to 2009 H1N1 in any age group. Persons under the age of 30 years had little evidence of cross-reactive antibodies to the pandemic virus. However, a proportion of older adults had preexisting cross-reactive antibodies.
Crime and the City

Britain has seen very substantial public and private investment in open-street closed circuit television surveillance in the 1990s. Part of the justification for this has been the assumed ability of CCTV to reduce both crime and the fear of crime. Recorded crime increased in Glasgow after CCTV was installed there. This paper reports the result of a major survey of crime fear levels experienced by locally resident visitors to a city centre both before and after that installation, and compares their responses to those given by locally resident visitors to two control locations. There is majority support for the installation of open-street CCTV, and a majority thought CCTV would make them feel safer. However, when actual, as opposed to prospective, feelings of safety are compared over time, there is no improvement after installation of CCTV cameras. Further, respondents believe that CCTV is better than the police at detecting crime, but that police patrolling are more effective than CCTV in making people feel safer. One way of interpreting this is to suggest that Glaswegians, along with many sociologists, prefer'natural' to'electronic' surveillance.
A delicate balance: Iron metabolism and diseases of the brain

Iron is the most abundant transition metal within the brain, and is vital for a number of cellular processes including neurotransmitter synthesis, myelination of neurons, and mitochondrial function. Redox cycling between ferrous and ferric iron is utilized in biology for various electron transfer reactions essential to life, yet this same chemistry mediates deleterious reactions with oxygen that induce oxidative stress. Consequently, there is a precise and tightly controlled mechanism to regulate iron in the brain. When iron is dysregulated, both conditions of iron overload and iron deficiencies are harmful to the brain. This review focuses on how iron metabolism is maintained in the brain, and how an alteration to iron and iron metabolism adversely affects neurological function.
Sox9, a key transcription factor of bone morphogenetic protein‐2‐induced chondrogenesis, is activated through BMP pathway and a CCAAT box in the proximal promoter

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) can be differentiated into fully functional chondrocytes in response to bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2). The expression of Sox9, a critical transcription factor for the multiple steps of chondrogenesis, has been reported to be upregulated during this process. But the molecular mechanisms by which BMP‐2 promotes chondrogenesis still remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the underlying mechanism. In the MEFs, BMP‐2 efficiently induced Sox9 expression along with chondrogenic differentiation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. SB203580, a specific inhibitor for p38 pathway, blocked BMP‐2‐induced chondrogenic differentiation as well as Sox9 expression and its transactivation of downstream genes. Forced expression of Smad6, a natural antagonist for BMP/Smad pathway, only inhibited Sox9 protein function without rendering any effects on its mRNA expression. A CCAAT box was identified in Sox9 promoter as the cis‐elements responsible for BMP‐2 stimulation. This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying BMP‐2‐regulated Sox9 expression and activity in MEFs, and suggests differential roles of BMP‐2/p38 and BMP‐2/Smad pathways in modulating the function of Sox9 during chondrogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 228–241, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Approximating rectangles by juntas and weakly-exponential lower bounds for LP relaxations of CSPs

We show that for constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs), sub-exponential size linear programming relaxations are as powerful as nΩ(1)-rounds of the Sherali-Adams linear programming hierarchy. As a corollary, we obtain sub-exponential size lower bounds for linear programming relaxations that beat random guessing for many CSPs such as MAX-CUT and MAX-3SAT. This is a nearly-exponential improvement over previous results; previously, the best known lower bounds were quasi-polynomial in n (Chan, Lee, Raghavendra, Steurer 2013). Our bounds are obtained by exploiting and extending the recent progress in communication complexity for "lifting" query lower bounds to communication problems. The main ingredient in our results is a new structural result on "high-entropy rectangles" that may of independent interest in communication complexity.
On the error performance analysis of space-time trellis codes

We present analytical performance results for space-time trellis codes over spatially correlated Rayleigh fading channels. Bit-error-probability estimates are obtained based on the derivation of an exact pairwise error probability expression using a residue technique combined with a characteristic function approach. We investigate both quasi-static and interleaved channels and demonstrate how the spatial fading correlation affects the performance of space-time codes over these two different channel models. Simulation results are also included to confirm the accuracy of analytical estimates.
Workplace predictors of secondary school teachers’ intention to leave

The subject of teachers’ intentions to leave has recently captured the attention of researchers and practitioners. This paper reports on a study that examined the workplace predictors of teachers’ intentions to leave for teachers in different career stages. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the plausibility of a conceptual model specifying hypothesized linkages among secondary school teachers’ perceptions of workplace predictors, satisfaction and commitment, and teachers’ intent to leave. Using the USA Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) data set, two mediational models were tested, one reflecting partial mediation and the second representing full mediation. Results indicated that the workplace variables had significant meaningful indirect effects on teachers’ intent to leave through three mediators: job satisfaction, work commitment, and career commitment. Furthermore, the effect of administrative support on work and career commitment was uniform and significant for teachers in the three career groups. Some differences across the three teacher career groups were discussed.
Effects of prolonged surface pressure on the skin blood flowmotions in anaesthetized rats—an assessment by spectral analysis of laser Doppler flowmetry signals

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of prolonged surface compression on the skin blood flowmotion in rats using spectral analysis based on wavelets transform of the periodic oscillations of the cutaneous laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) signal. An external pressure of 13.3 kPa (100 mmHg) was applied to the trochanter area and the distal lateral tibia of Sprague-Dawley rats via two specifically designed pneumatic indentors. The loading duration was 6 hours/day for 4 consecutive days. Five frequency intervals were identified (0.01–0.04 Hz, 0.04–0.15 Hz, 0.15–0.4 Hz, 0.4–2 Hz and 2–5 Hz) corresponding to endothelial related metabolic, neurogenic, myogenic, respiratory and cardiac origins. The absolute amplitude of oscillations of each particular frequency interval and the normalized amplitude were calculated for quantitative assessments. The results showed that (1) tissue compression following the above schedule induced significant decrease in the normalized amplitude in the frequency interval of 0.01–0.04 Hz both in the trochanter area (p < 0.001) and tibialis area (p = 0.023), (2) prolonged compression induced significant increase in the absolute amplitude (p = 0.004 for the trochanter area and p = 0.017 for the tibialis area) but significant decrease in the normalized amplitude (p = 0.023 for the trochanter area and p = 0.026 for the tibialis area) in the frequency interval of 0.15–0.4 Hz, and (3) at the tibialis area, the flowmotion amplitude (frequency interval 0.15–0.4 Hz) measured prior to the daily tissue compression schedule was found to be significantly higher on day 4 than the measurements obtained on day 1. However, this finding was not observed at the trochanter area. Our results suggested that prolonged compression might induce endothelial damage and affect the endothelial related metabolic activities.
Mental flexibility as resiliency factor among children exposed to political violence

The research focused on mental flexibility versus rigidity in explaining psychological adjustment in the violent conditions of Intifada, and in more peaceful times 3 years later, among 86 Palestinian children. A picture test based on Brunswik (1949) was applied to measure flexible-rigid cognitive style, and neuroticism, self-esteem, emotional disorders, and PTSD were used as outcome variables. Results revealed a moderating role of mental flexibility by showing that children were protected from negative long-term consequences of traumatic events if their perception indicated mental flexibility. However, in the midst of violence mental flexibility was not associated with good psychological adjustment. Mental flexibility was, in turn, determined by environmental and cognitive factors: The more intelligent and the less exposed to traumatic events children were, the higher mental flexibility they showed. Cette etude examine le role de la flexibilite-rigiditementale dans l'ajustement psychologique de 86 enfants.
Subcellular proteomic analysis of human host cells infected with H3N2 swine influenza virus

Cross‐species transmissions of swine influenza viruses (SIVs) raise great public health concerns. In this study, subcellular proteomic profiles of human A549 cells inoculated with H3N2 subtype SIV were used to characterize dynamic cellular responses to infection. By 2DE and MS, 27 differentially expressed (13 upregulated, 14 downregulated) cytoplasmic proteins and 20 differentially expressed (13 upregulated, 7 downregulated) nuclear proteins were identified. Gene ontology analysis suggested that these differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in cell death, stress response, lipid metabolism, cell signaling, and RNA PTMs. Moreover, 25 corresponding genes of the differentially expressed proteins were quantitated by real time RT‐PCR to examine the transcriptional profiles between mock‐ and virus‐infected A549 cells. Western blot analysis confirmed that changes in abundance of identified cellular proteins heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) U, hnRNP C, ALDH1A1, tryptophanyl‐tRNA synthetase, IFI35, and HSPB1 in H3N2 SIV‐infected cells were consistent with results of 2DE analysis. By confocal microscopy, nucleus‐to‐cytoplasm translocation of hnRNP C and colocalization between the viral nonstructural protein 1 and hnRNP C as well as N‐myc (and STAT) interactor were observed upon infection. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that cellular proteins altered during infection were grouped mainly into NFκB and interferon signaling networks. Collectively, these identified subcellular constituents provide an important framework for understanding host/SIV interactions and underlying mechanisms of SIV cross‐species infection and pathogenesis.
Measures of socioeconomic status: Alternatives and recommendations.

MUELLER, CHARLES W. , and PARCEL, TOBY L. Measures of Socioeconomic Status: Alternatives and Recommendations. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1981, 52, 13-30. In this paper we argue that it is ill-advised to use impressionistic or outdated measures of SES in psychological research. After we critique such inappropriate measures, 2 occupation-based measures, the Duncan Socioeconomic Index and the Siegel Prestige Scale, are recommended as the best measures of the SES of individuals or household heads. Another strategy is described for measuring household or family SES where the household characteristics and composition vary.
The design and efficacy of a robot-mediated visual motor program for children learning disabilities

This study investigated the effects of a robot-mediated visual motor program on improving the visual motor skills of children ages 5 to 11 years with learning disabilities and visual motor delays. It also compared the effects of a robotic program with traditional occupational therapy and tested the reliability of the computer-generated scores. A randomized experimental design was used with 25 students assigned to either a robotic program group or traditional occupational therapy. The primary outcome measure was the Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration VMI. Non-parametric statistics evaluated the effects of intervention and compared the two methods. The correlation between the computer-based scoring methods and the VMI was tested. The children who received the robotic program demonstrated significant gains in visual motor performance. The correlation between the computer-based scoring and the VMI was moderate, but not significant.
Inhibition of choroidal neovascularization with an anti-inflammatory carotenoid astaxanthin.

PURPOSE Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid found in marine animals and vegetables. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of AST on the development of experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. METHODS Laser photocoagulation was used to induce CNV in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were pretreated with intraperitoneal injections of AST daily for 3 days before photocoagulation, and treatments were continued daily until the end of the study. CNV response was analyzed by volumetric measurements 1 week after laser injury. Retinal pigment epithelium-choroid levels of IkappaB-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1, and VEGFR-2 were examined by Western blotting or ELISA. AST was applied to capillary endothelial (b-End3) cells, macrophages, and RPE cells to analyze the activation of NF-kappaB and the expression of inflammatory molecules. RESULTS The index of CNV volume was significantly suppressed by treatment with AST compared with that in vehicle-treated animals. AST treatment led to significant inhibition of macrophage infiltration into CNV and of the in vivo and in vitro expression of inflammation-related molecules, including VEGF, IL-6, ICAM-1, MCP-1, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2. Importantly, AST suppressed the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway, including IkappaB-alpha degradation and p65 nuclear translocation. CONCLUSIONS AST treatment, together with inflammatory processes including NF-kappaB activation, subsequent upregulation of inflammatory molecules, and macrophage infiltration, led to significant suppression of CNV development. The present study suggests the possibility of AST supplementation as a therapeutic strategy to suppress CNV associated with AMD.
A grouping hyper-heuristic framework based on linear linkage encoding for graph coloring

Grouping problems are a class of combinatorial optimization problems in which the task is to search for the best partition of a set of objects into a collection of mutually disjoint subsets while satisfying a given set of constraints. Typical examples include data clustering, graph coloring and exam timetabling problems. Selection hyper-heuristics based on iterative search frameworks are high level general problem solving methodologies which operate on a set of low level heuristics to improve an initially generated solution via heuristic selection and move acceptance. In this paper, we describe a selection hyper-heuristic framework based on an efficient representation referred to as linear linkage encoding for multi-objective grouping problems. This framework provides the implementation of a fixed set of low level heuristics that can work on all grouping problems where a trade-off between a given objective and the number of groups is sought. The empirical results on graph coloring problem indicate that the proposed grouping hyper-heuristic framework can indeed provide high quality solutions.
Sandbagging as a Self-Presentational Strategy: Claiming to be Less than You Are

Sandbagging is a self-presentational strategy involving the false prediction or feigned demonstration of inability. Three studies explored the individual differences and situational variables influencing sandbagging behavior. Study 1 demonstrated that the newly created Sandbagging Scale possessed adequate reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The next two studies examined the social determinants of sandbagging. In Study 2, greater performance pressure led participants with higher scores on the Sandbagging Scale to predict worse performance on an upcoming task. In Study 3, participants with higher scores on the Sandbagging Scale were more likely to predict worse performance on an upcoming task to someone who was ostensibly evaluating their performance, but only when the individual did not possess prior performance information. Sandbagging is discussed as a self-presentational strategy used to reduce performance pressure and provide a low baseline against which subsequent performance can be compared.
Feature-rich continuous language models for speech recognition

State-of-the-art probabilistic models of text such as n-grams require an exponential number of examples as the size of the context grows, a problem that is due to the discrete word representation. We propose to solve this problem by learning a continuous-valued and low-dimensional mapping of words, and base our predictions for the probabilities of the target word on non-linear dynamics of the latent space representation of the words in context window. We build on neural networks-based language models; by expressing them as energy-based models, we can further enrich the models with additional inputs such as part-of-speech tags, topic information and graphs of word similarity. We demonstrate a significantly lower perplexity on different text corpora, as well as improved word accuracy rate on speech recognition tasks, as compared to Kneser-Ney back-off n-gram-based language models.
Stochastic Optimization for Multiview Representation Learning using Partial Least Squares

Partial Least Squares (PLS) is a ubiquitous statistical technique for bilinear factor analysis. It is used in many data analysis, machine learning, and information retrieval applications to model the covariance structure between a pair of data matrices. In this paper, we consider PLS for representation learning in a multiview setting where we have more than one view in data at training time. Furthermore, instead of framing PLS as a problem about a fixed given data set, we argue that PLS should be studied as a stochastic optimization problem, especially in a "big data" setting, with the goal of optimizing a population objective based on sample. This view suggests using Stochastic Approximation (SA) approaches, such as Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) and enables a rigorous analysis of their benefits. In this paper, we develop SA approaches to PLS and provide iteration complexity bounds for the proposed algorithms.
Major histocompatibility complex class II alleles and the course and outcome of MS

Background: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been consistently associated with susceptibility to MS and the course of several other human autoimmune diseases. A putative association between the course and severity of MS and the MHC remains controversial. Methods: DR and DQ genotyping by either restriction fragment length polymorphism or sequence-specific PCR-based typing in 119 patients representing 73.4% of the population with MS evaluated in a cross-sectional disability survey and 100 healthy controls from Olmsted County, Minnesota. Results: We found a positive association between MS susceptibility and the DR15-DQ6 and DR13-DQ7 haplotypes, and we found a negative association with the DR1-DQ5 haplotype. We found a trend to a positive association of primary progressive MS with DR4-DQ8 and DR1-DQ5 and an association of "bout onset" MS with DR17-DQ2. We did not find an association with disease severity, as defined by EDSS/duration. Conclusion: Lack of consistency between different studies may be due to regional variation in MS and limitations of power but likely indicate a minor effect of MHC class II genes on the course and severity of MS.