Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avaliação da compreensão de leitura pelo Sistema Orientado de Cloze (SOC)

The Cloze Oriented System (COS) is a procedure that adequate texts due to their level of difficulty in order to evaluate the reading comprehension. This study evaluate the reading comprehension of middle school students. There were 331 students from the 6th to the 9th grade, 51,7% of them female. Three texts, in which the COS was applied, were used with different omission criteria. The students answered the instruments collectively, in two sessions. The results showed significant differences due to gender and grade, the girls and the higher grade students had the best performance. There were found correlation of moderate magnitude and highly significant between the tests, showed a direct relation between the different types of test.
META‐ANALYSIS OF PERSONALITY‐JOB PERFORMANCE RELATIONS: A REPLY TO ONES, MOUNT, BARRICK, AND HUNTER (1994)

Tett, Jackson, and Rothstein's (1991) meta-analysis identified higher average correlations for personality in predicting job proficiency than did Barrick and Mount's (1991). Ones et al. suggest that discrepancies between the two studies involving the Big Five personality dimensions are due to certain procedural differences. In this reply, we show that their arguments do not adequately explain the noted discrepancies. We also show that, because personality traits correlate significantly with job performance both positively and negatively beyond chance levels, use of absolute values, contrary to Ones et al., is important in meta-analyses involving personality. Addressing all of Ones et al.3 statistical concerns, re-analysis of Tett et al.k main data set results in slightly lower mean validities (e.g., .24 vs.29 for fully corrected values based on confirmatory estimates), and renders non-significant the job analysis/no job analysis distinction found to be significant in the original study. Tett et al.'s main conclusions, however, remain unchanged. We suggest that Barrick and Mount's lower mean validities may be due to their averaging signed correlations, pooling exploratory and confirmatory findings, and to the use of different inclusion criteria for selecting source studies.
Carotid intima media thickness in obese children: is there an association with hyperlipidemia?

Abstract Background: We aimed to evaluate the association between hyperlipidemia and carotid intima media thickness in obese children, compared to non-obese ones. Methods: Two hundred (110 girls, 90 boys) children aged between 6 and 15 years participated in this study. The obese group included 53 girls, 47 boys whose body mass indices (BMI) above 95th percentile, the control group included 57 girls, 43 boys who had normal weight. Fasting total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured. Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was performed with neck ultrasound. Results: The median thickness of right, left and mean carotis intima media were statistically higher in the study group, compared to the control group. The mean cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C levels of the study group were statistically higher, compared to the control group. There was no relationship between BMI and left carotis intima media thickness, but there was statistically significant relationship between BMI and right, mean cIMTs in the study group. There was no correlation between serum lipid levels and cIMTs in the study group. The mean atherogenic index of the study group was statistically higher, compared to the control group. There was no statistical correlation between atherogenic index and cIMTs in both of the groups. Conclusions: We observed that obese children had higher carotis intima media thicknesses. Carotis intima media thickness related to obesity can play an important role in future pre-atherosclerotic changes. Large population based studies are required to confirm this associaton.
Successive formative stages of precartilaginous mesenchymal condensations in vitro: Modulation of cell adhesion by Wnt‐7A and BMP‐2

High‐density chick limb bud cell culture is a useful model to study mesenchymal condensatifons and chondrogenesis. Most previous studies have focused on the effects of soluble reagents on terminal chondrogenic differentiation and have not defined the early cellular processes and signaling events. In this study, we defined five successive stages in the differentiation process: 1) dissociated cells, 2) small aggregates, 3) formation of cell clusters, 4) precartilaginous condensations, and 5) cartilage nodule. We used RCAS retrovirus‐mediated Wnt‐7a gene transduction to test the effect of Wnt‐7a on the differentiation process. We found that Wnt‐7a suppressed chondrogenic differentiation. Wnt‐7a did not inhibit the initiation of condensation formation but blocked the progression of precartilaginous condensations to cartilage nodules. The Wnt‐7a‐transduced cultures showed characteristics of a less mature culture with persistent expression of NCAM, N‐cadherin, wider distribution of integrin β1 and fibronectin, and suppression of tenascin‐C. BMP‐2 is known to enhance chondrogenic differentiation in these cultures by promoting cell clusters to form continuous sheet‐like precartilaginous condensations. However, cultures exposed to both BMP‐2 and Wnt‐7a showed inhibition of chondrogenic differentiation. Different signaling molecules such as Wnt‐7a and BMP‐2 may have antagonistic effects on cartilage differentiation and the gradient of the two molecules may be involved in defining the boundaries of the initial precartilaginous condensation. We propose that the shape of the precartilaginous condensations may be modulated by local concentrations of signaling molecules, such as Wnt‐7a and BMP‐2, which act to alter cell‐substrate and cell‐cell adhesions. J. Cell. Physiol. 180:314–324, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impaired Voltage Gated Potassium Channel Responses in a Fetal Lamb Model of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

We investigated the hypothesis that oxidative stress in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) impairs voltage gated potassium (Kv) channel function. We induced PPHN in fetal lambs by prenatal ligation of ductus arteriosus; controls had sham ligation. We studied changes in the tone of pulmonary artery (PA) rings and Kv channel current of freshly isolated PA smooth muscle cells (PASMC) using standard techniques. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP), a Kv channel antagonist, induced dose-dependent constriction of control PA rings; this response was attenuated in PPHN pulmonary arteries. Exogenous superoxide and peroxynitrite inhibited the response to 4-AP in control rings. Tiron, a superoxide scavenger, improved the response to 4-AP in PPHN rings. 4-AP inhibited the NOS-independent relaxation response to ATP in control PA rings. Relaxation response to ATP was blunted in PPHN rings and was improved by NOS antagonist, N-nitro- l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). 4-AP attenuated this response in l-NAME-treated PPHN rings. Exogenous superoxide suppressed 4-AP sensitive Kv current in control PASMC. Kv channel current was attenuated in cells from PPHN lambs and was restored by tiron. Oxidative stress impairs Kv channel function in PPHN. Superoxide scavengers may improve pulmonary vasodilation in PPHN in part by restoring Kv channel function.
The Commodification of Intimacy: Marriage, Sex, and Reproductive Labor

Over the past three decades, scholars have paid greater attention to the intensification and complex interconnectivity of local and global processes. Anthropological studies of cross-border marriages, migrant domestic workers, and sex workers have burgeoned, demonstrating growing scholarly interest in how social relations have become evermore geographically dispersed, impersonal, mediated by and implicated in broader political-economic or capitalist processes. At the same time, intimate and personal relations—especially those linked to households and domestic units, the primary units associated with reproductive labor—have become more explicitly commodified, linked to commodities and to commodified global processes (i.e., bought or sold; packaged and advertised; fetishized, commercialized, or objectified; consumed; assigned values and prices) and linked in many cases to transnational mobility and migration, presenting new ethnographic challenges and opportunities. This review highlights contemporary anthr.
Validation of the Novaco Anger Scale in an Incarcerated Offender Population

Many attempts have been made to construct measures that assess different aspects of anger. The Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) was developed to assess anger and predict violent behavior. Validity research on the NAS to date has yielded promising results. However, few studies have examined the NAS among incarcerated offenders. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the NAS; investigated its relationships to anger, social desirability, and personality; and evaluated its factor dimensions using confirmatory factor analytic procedures in a sample of male and female incarcerated adults. Results indicated that the theoretically derived scales of the NAS demonstrated both reliability and validity in these groups of offenders. Furthermore, the correlations between the NAS and anger measures were significant. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
MODELLING AND SUPPORTING COMPLEX BEHAVIOR CHANGE RELATED TO OBESITY AND DIABETES PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT WITH THE COMPENSATORY CARRY-OVER ACTION MODEL

Diabetes and obesity directly related to an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, namely, a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity and diet can prevent excess body weight and obesity, and help to manage diabetes. To guide prevention and management of diabetes and obesity more efficiently, this paper introduces a new theory, which explicitly models different health behaviors in unison. The Compensatory Carry-Over Action Model (CCAM) proposes five axioms for modeling different health behaviors: (1) Different health behaviors (in this case, physical activity and nutrition) are interrelated, and they are driven by (2) emotionally relevant higher-level goals. (3) Each single behavior needs to be intended; this intention translated into behavior via planning, and the process is moderated by self-efficacy. (4) Carry-over mechanisms enable inter-behavioral learning, and compensatory cognitions can facilitate but also hinder the execution of both behaviors. (5) The outcome can result in the reduction of the stress response and the increase of well-being.
Diagnosing Neonatal Seizures and Status Epilepticus

Summary: Continuous electroencephalographic (CEEG) monitoring is often applied in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to aid in the diagnosis and management of seizures. Neonatal seizures are particularly difficult to identify on the basis of clinical observation alone; diagnosis is greatly facilitated by CEEG monitoring. There is building evidence to suggest which neonates are at highest risk for seizures, and how CEEG can aid diagnosis. For the neurophysiologist, the unique features of neonatal seizures can distinguish them from nonictal patterns. These features include duration, location, morphology, and evolution. At the extreme, very frequent or prolonged neonatal seizures constitute status epilepticus. There is no consensus definition for neonatal status epilepticus, although the proposed criteria share some features. This article reviews available evidence to guide the application and interpretation of CEEG in the diagnosis of neonatal seizures and status epilepticus.
Are there any Good Arguments Against Goal-Line Technology?

Despite frequent calls by players, managers and fans, FIFA's resistance to the implementation of goal-line technology (GLT) has been well documented in national print and online media as well as FIFA's own website. In 2010, FIFA president Sepp Blatter outlined eight reasons why GLT should not be used in football. The reasons given by FIFA can be broadly separated into three categories; those dealing with the nature and value of the game of football, those related to issues of justice, and those concerned with the practical implementation of GLT. This paper intends to evaluate these eight reasons in order to assess whether there are, indeed, any good arguments against GLT in football.
Exposure to the cytokine EGF leads to abnormal hyperactivity of pallidal GABA neurons: implications for schizophrenia and its modeling

Previous studies on a cytokine model for schizophrenia reveal that the hyperdopaminergic innervation and neurotransmission in the globus pallidus (GP) is involved in its behavioral impairments. Here, we further explored the physiological consequences of the GP abnormality in the indirect pathway, using the same schizophrenia model established by perinatal exposure to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Single‐unit recordings revealed that the neural activity from the lateral GP was elevated in EGF‐treated rats in vivo and in vitro (i.e., slice preparations), whereas the central area of the GP exhibited no significant differences. The increase in the pallidal activity was normalized by subchronic treatment with risperidone, which is known to ameliorate their behavioral deficits. We also monitored extracellular GABA concentrations in the substantia nigra, one of the targets of pallidal efferents. There was a significant increase in basal GABA levels in EGF‐treated rats, whereas high potassium‐evoked GABA effluxes and glutamate levels were not affected. A neurotoxic lesion in the GP of EGF‐treated rats normalized GABA concentrations to control levels. Corroborating our in vivo results, GABA release from GP slices was elevated in EGF‐treated animals. These findings suggest that the hyperactivity and enhanced GABA release of GP neurons represent the key pathophysiological features of this cytokine‐exposure model for schizophrenia.
Name-Letter Preferences for New Last Name and Abandoned Birth Name Initials in the Context of Name-Change via Marriage

Although the name-letter task is one of the most frequently used measures of implicit self-esteem, no research has examined whether the name-letter effect emerges for new last name initials and abandoned birth name initials in the context of marriage. Additionally, no systematic investigation has examined the robustness of the name-letter effect across age cohorts. In a large heterogeneous sample (N = 1,380), reliable letter preferences were found for new last name initials and for abandoned birth name initials, even after 20 years of marriage. In addition, robust name-letter effects emerged across all assessed age cohorts. Implications for the implicit self-esteem literature regarding the robustness of the name-letter task for married and nonmarried individuals of all post-pubescent ages are discussed.
Living in Prison After Residential Mental Health Treatment: A Program Follow-Up

Sixty-one inmates with mental illness who had been treated in a medium-security residential mental health program were interviewed and assessed in other prison units after they left the program, 43 (70%) in general population units and 18 in special living units. Participants showed a decrease in psychiatric symptoms and expressed appreciation for the program. A minority of participants had adjustment problems that persisted in every prison setting. The coping abilities of inmates with mental illness and program implications are discussed in relation to differences in individuals and in settings.
Social Networking Web Sites in Job Search and Employee Recruitment

The use of professionally and nonprofessionally oriented social networking Web sites (SNWs), such as LinkedIn and Facebook, has become widespread from both sides of the Atlantic. The current paper presents and discusses the results of two surveys conducted in Greece exploring the role of SNWs among employees – job seekers and recruiters – human resource professionals. The first study explores how SNWs are used during job search activities and the second how recruiters use them in the attraction recruitment and screening process. Special note is given in the relationship between SNWs and the more established Internet job boards. Our results showed that job seekers still seem to use job boards more extensively than SNWs. It is interesting to note that the association between LinkedIn usage and its effectiveness, on the one hand, and time spent on SNWs and LinkedIn effectiveness, on the other, is stronger for ‘passive’ candidates, demonstrating the important role of SNWs for attracting ‘passive’ candidates. HR professionals are more engaged in LinkedIn than Facebook and were considering the former as more effective than the latter in the recruitment process. The current study sheds more light in the use of SNWs, being one of the first studies conducted in a non‐English speaking country.
The Importance of Classroom Climate in Fostering Student Creativity in Design & Technology Lessons

DT challenge and freedom. The analysis revealed that students felt much of the work they do lacks challenge and freedom, hence they do not perceive the climate in their classrooms as conducive for creativity. Teachers' perceptions differed somewhat and this is discussed with reference to the performativity culture in which they are located. Whilst acknowledging the difficulties this poses it is argued that, as the literature indicates climate is 'in the hands of the manager', teachers can change their practice to enable creativity to flourish. Tentative suggestions for ways forward are suggested.
Job Satisfaction Among Russian Workers

Why do Russians work without wages? This paper investigates the extent to which job satisfaction and attitude toward work in general may account for the observed behavior of Russian workers. To analyze the level and determinants of job satisfaction among Russian workers, this paper utilizes survey data collected from 1,200 workers and managers employed in seventy-six organizations in Moscow, Saratov and Taganrog The paper is divided into five parts. Part 1 presents the three measures of job satisfaction used in this analysis. Response patterns, analyzed by occupational status, gender, and generation, are discussed. Part 2 first explores gender and generational differences in attitudes toward work in general, and then examines the relationship between attitude toward work and job satisfaction. The results indicate that both gender and generation are significant in response patterns regarding attitudes toward work. Generational differences also are significant in response patterns relating the results of working hard to performance, productivity, and doing the job well. Regression analysis documents the positive relationship between attitude toward work and the level of job satisfaction. Part 3 focuses on the relationship between job satisfaction and performance. Three noteworthy results emerge. First, regardless of the specification or measure, there is a strong positive correlation between job satisfaction and performance. The relationship is not affected by gender, age, or educational attainment level of the respondents. Second, it is not possible using these data to establish causality between job satisfaction and performance. It appears, instead, that unspecified factors may be affecting the two conditions simultaneously. Finally, the results generated from these data are not significantly different from results based on previous surveys of U.S. workers, as well as a survey completed in 1996 of Russian and Polish workers. Part 4 analyzes the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Among the workers participating in this survey there is, generally, only a moderate degree of organizational commitment. Commitment is highest among workers who feel they are making a contribution. The results document a positive relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment, although the causality is not well-defined. Concluding remarks are offered in Part 5.
Ease of Inferencing, Learner Inferential Strategies, and Their Relationship with the Retention of Word Meanings Inferred from Context

In recent years the study of second language (L2) vocabulary learning through reading has attracted much attention in the field of L2 acquisition. A specific area that has received wide interest is the examination of the processes involved in deriving word meanings from context. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between the ease with which learners infer word meanings from context, the inferential strategies they use, and their subsequent retention of these words. Eleven ESL learners read and inferred the meanings of 10 unknown words in an academic text. Think-aloud procedures were used to collect data about learners’ inferential strategies and their correct inferences during reading. A pre-test and a post-test were used to examine learners’ degrees of retention. The results showed an inverse relationship between ease of inference and retention. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of learners’ inferential strategies showed a significant relationship between the type and frequency of use of inferential strategies and retention. The findings confirm that a distinction needs to be made between ease of inferencing and the retention of the word meanings inferred from the context. Findings also suggest that the degree of retention depends on the type of strategies used. L’apprentissage du vocabulaire par la lecture occupe depuis quelques années une place importante dans le domaine des études sur l’acquisition de la langue seconde (L2). L’un des aspects les plus étudiés de cette question est celui des processus qui participent à la déduction du sens des mots à partir de leur contexte. L’étude présentée ici avait pour but d’examiner les relations entre la facilité avec laquelle les apprenants déduisent le sens d’un mot à partir du contexte, les stratégies d’inférence qu’ils emploient pour ce faire et la rétention subséquente des mots nouvellement appris. Onze élèves d’anglais langue seconde (AL2) ont lu un texte théorique et inféré dans ce contexte le sens de 10 mots inconnus. Un protocole de réflexion à voix haute a permis d’amasser pendant la lecture des données sur les stratégies d’inférence des apprenants et sur leurs inférences correctes. Le degré de rétention a été évalué au moyen d’un prétest et d’un post-test. Les résultats montrent une relation inverse entre la facilité à inférer le sens et la rétention de celui-ci. L’analyse quantitative et qualitative des stratégies d’inférence des apprenants montre une relation significative entre le type et la fréquence d’usage des stratégies d’inférence et la rétention. Les résultats confirment qu’une distinction s’impose entre la facilité à inférer et la rétention du sens quand il est déduit du contexte. Ils suggèrent également que le degré de rétention dépend du type de stratégie utilisée.