Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Implications of Networked Individualism for Social Participation

An extensive research has suggested the positive and capital-enhancing implications of information and communication technologies (ICTs). However, the mechanisms connecting ICT use to capital-enhancing opportunities for users’ social well-being and social participation remain undertheorized. To address this agenda, we examine how e-mail, instant messenger, and mobile phones are used to maintain interpersonal networks and participation in voluntary organizations, along with engagement in community affairs. We analyze survey data collected from a sample of rural Taiwanese residing on an outer island of Kinmen County, finding that different ICTs allow participants to connect to different types of personal contacts and, in turn, encourage social participation in various ways. Respondents with a larger e-mail network tend to be more involved in civic organizations, whereas participants with a mobile phone network, including more close friends, tend to participate more in civic organizations and community affairs. We conclude with a future research agenda for investigating the link between networked individualism and digital inequality.
Development and Application of High-density SNP Arrays in Genomic Studies of Domestic Animals

In the past decade, there have been many advances in whole-genome sequencing in domestic animals, as well as the development of "next-generation" sequencing technologies and high-throughput genotyping platforms. Consequently, these advances have led to the creation of the high-density SNP array as a state-of-the-art tool for genetics and genomics analyses of domestic animals. The emergence and utilization of SNP arrays will have significant impacts not only on the scale, speed, and expense of SNP genotyping, but also on theoretical and applied studies of quantitative genetics, population genetics and molecular evolution. The most promising applications in agriculture could be genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection for the improvement of economically important traits. However, some challenges still face these applications, such as incorporating linkage disequilibrium (LD) information from HapMap projects, data storage, and especially appropriate statistical analyses on the high-dimensional, structured genomics data. More efforts are still needed to make better use of the high-density SNP arrays in both academic studies and industrial applications.
High School Students’ Participation in Music Activities Beyond the School Day

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the music activities that high school band students are involved in and how these activities might lead to lifelong music participation. Specific research questions were the following: (a) In what activities are high school band students involved? (b) What are high school band directors doing to encourage lifelong participation in music? (c) How do students describe their plans for musical involvement in the future? Three focus group discussions at one rural school (n = 5), one suburban school (n = 5), and one urban school (n = 4) were conducted to discover ways students participated in music activities beyond the school day. These opportunities ranged from cultural groups, to community youth events, to time with friends listening to music. Influences of family members and the desire to maintain connections seem to be beneficial in creating musicians with a desire for music participation as adults.
Sensitivity of Preferences and Ratings to Ordered Metric Structure in Attitudes

Abstract A procedure for constructing unidimensional sets of attitude statements with a known ordered metric structure is described. The sensitivity of preference judgments (pair comparison and rank order) and ratings of agreement/disagreement to this structure was assessed via unidimensional unfolding theory. The data showed that these judgments fairly faithfully reflect attitudinal structure, preferences more accurately than ratings. Implications for attitude scaling are considered.
Characterization of low phosphorus insensitive Mutants Reveals a Crosstalk between Low Phosphorus-Induced Determinate Root Development and the Activation of Genes Involved in the Adaptation of Arabidopsis to Phosphorus Deficiency1

Low phosphorus (P) availability is one of the most limiting factors for plant productivity in many natural and agricultural ecosystems. Plants display a wide range of adaptive responses to cope with low P stress, which generally serve to enhance P availability in the soil and to increase its uptake by roots. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), primary root growth inhibition and increased lateral root formation have been reported to occur in response to P limitation. To gain knowledge of the genetic mechanisms that regulate root architectural responses to P availability, we designed a screen for identifying Arabidopsis mutants that fail to arrest primary root growth when grown under low P conditions. Eleven low phosphorus insensitive (lpi) mutants that define at least four different complementation groups involved in primary root growth responses to P availability were identified. The lpi mutants do not show the typical determinate developmental program induced by P stress in the primary root. Other root developmental aspects of the low P rescue system, including increased root hair elongation and anthocyanin accumulation, remained unaltered in lpi mutants. In addition to the insensitivity of primary root growth inhibition, when subjected to P deprivation, lpi mutants show a reduced induction in the expression of several genes involved in the P starvation rescue system (PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 and 2, PURPLE ACID PHOSPHATASE 1, ACID PHOSPHATASE 5, and INDUCED BY PHOSPHATE STARVATION 1). Our results provide genetic support for the role of P as an important signal for postembryonic root development and root meristem maintenance and show a crosstalk in developmental and biochemical responses to P deprivation.
Hepatic Hepcidin Gene Expression in Dogs with a Congenital Portosystemic Shunt

Background Microcytic anemia is common in dogs with a congenital portosystemic shunt (cPSS) and typically resolves after surgical attenuation of the anomalous vessel. However, the pathophysiology of the microcytic anemia remains poorly understood. Hepcidin has been a key role in controlling iron transport in both humans and animals and in mediating anemia of inflammatory disease in humans. The role of hepcidin in the development of microcytic anemia in dogs with a cPSS has not been examined. Hypothesis To determine whether hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression decreases, while red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increase in dogs after surgical attenuation of a cPSS. Animals Eighteen client‐owned dogs with confirmed cPSS undergoing surgical attenuation. Method Prospective study. Red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), together with hepatic gene expression of hepcidin, were measured in dogs before and after partial attenuation of a cPSS. Results There was a significant increase in both RBC (median pre 6.17 × 1012/L, median post 7.08 × 1012/L, P < .001) and MCV (median pre 61.5fl, median post 65.5fl, P = .006) after partial surgical attenuation of the cPSS. Despite the increase in both measured red blood cell parameters, hepatic gene expression of hepcidin remained unchanged. Conclusions and Clinical Importance This study found no evidence that dysregulated production of hepcidin was associated with anemia in dogs with a cPSS.
Use of chick embryo in screening for teratogenicity.

A teratology screening system would detect agents hazardous to the conceptus before they can perturb embryonic development in humans. The back log of untested chemicals and the rate at which new substances enter the market exceed the developmental effects testing by standard in vivo method. Thus, cheaper, quicker in vitro systems afford a unique opportunity for investigating the direct interaction of substances with developing morphogenetic system (MGSs), since maternal influences are excluded. As a carrier of a complete set of MGSs, the chick embryo in ovo manifests an advantage over those in vitro systems that employ isolated embryos or embryonic tissues that have only limited survival. Under controlled experimental conditions including standardization of subjects, administration technique and mode of evaluation, according to the basic principles of teratology, the chick embryo test is demonstrated to be reliable and to afford quantifiable end points for evaluation. Individual compounds, mixtures of compounds and against and antagonist can easily be administered and tested. The chick embryo possesses its own basic enzyme-catalyzed drug-transformation capacity and moreover, it can be used for screening specific human metabolites. Different newer techniques e.g. chick embryotoxicity screening test (CHEST), Chick embryo blastoderm model etc are described in detail. Chick embryo fulfills all the criteria which a test should have at a lower level of tier system in teratological studies i.e. modest laboratory equipment, moderate skill, minimal expenditure of time and money, ease of accessibility of embryo, known embryological development, possibility of experimenting on a large scale for statistically valid results and whole animals are also not required.
The effect of fruit orientation of postharvest commodities following low dose ultraviolet light-C treatment on host induced resistance to decay

The possibility of inducing resistance to bitter rot (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), brown rot (Monilinia fructicola), and green mold (Penicillium digitatum) in apples, peaches, and tangerines, respectively, by treating them with ultraviolet light-C (UV-C light) at the stem end in a stationary position without rotation was investigated. This approach was compared with the conventional procedure where fruits were rotated four times, thereby exposing the entire surface area to the full effects of the UV-C light. Results revealed that when the stem ends of apples, peaches, and tangerines were exposed in a stationary position to dosages of 7.5, 7.5 and 1.3 kJm 2 of UV-C light, respectively, induced host resistance to postharvest decay which was equal to, or slightly better than when fruits were rotated four different times. When fruits were rotated, exposing only one or two different sides to UV-C light, the percent infection appeared to increase, compared to treating only the stem ends or when fruits were rotated four times. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Visual servoing for humanoid grasping and manipulation tasks

Using visual feedback to control the movement of the end-effector is a common approach for robust execution of robot movements in real-world scenarios. Over the years several visual servoing algorithms have been developed and implemented for various types of robot hardware. In this paper, we present a hybrid approach which combines visual estimations with kinematically determined orientations to control the movement of a humanoid arm. The approach has been evaluated with the humanoid robot ARMAR III using the stereo system of the active head for perception as well as the torso and arms equipped with five finger hands for actuation. We show how a robust visual perception is used to control complex robots without any hand-eye calibration. Furthermore, the robustness of the system is improved by estimating the hand position in case of failed visual hand tracking due to lightning artifacts or occlusions. The proposed control scheme is based on the fusion of the sensor channels for visual perception, force measurement and motor encoder data. The combination of these different data sources results in a reactive, visually guided control that allows the robot ARMAR-III to execute grasping tasks in a real-world scenario.
Representation of Tone in Fluctuating Maskers in the Ascending Auditory System

Humans and animals detect low-level tones masked by slowly fluctuating noise very efficiently. A possible neuronal correlate of this phenomenon is the ability of low-level tones to suppress neuronal locking to the envelope of the fluctuating noise (“locking suppression”). Using in vivo intracellular and extracellular recordings in cats, we studied neuronal responses to combinations of fluctuating noise and tones in three successive auditory stations: inferior colliculus (IC), medial geniculate body (MGB), and primary auditory cortex (A1). We found that although the most sensitive responses in the IC were approximately isomorphic to the physical structure of the sounds, with only a small perturbation in the responses to the fluctuating noise after the addition of low-level tones, some neurons in the MGB and all A1 neurons displayed striking suppressive effects. These neurons were hypersensitive, showing suppression already with tone levels lower than the threshold of the neurons in silence. The hypersensitive locking suppression in A1 and MGB had a special timing structure, starting >75 ms after tone onset. Our findings show a qualitative change in the representation of tone in fluctuating noise along the IC-MGB-A1 axis, suggesting the gradual segregation of signal from noise and the representation of the signal as a separate perceptual object in A1.
The impact of invasive cane toads on native wildlife in southern Australia

Abstract Commonly, invaders have different impacts in different places. The spread of cane toads (Rhinella marina: Bufonidae) has been devastating for native fauna in tropical Australia, but the toads' impact remains unstudied in temperate‐zone Australia. We surveyed habitat characteristics and fauna in campgrounds along the central eastern coast of Australia, in eight sites that have been colonized by cane toads and another eight that have not. The presence of cane toads was associated with lower faunal abundance and species richness, and a difference in species composition. Populations of three species of large lizards (land mullets Bellatorias major, eastern water dragons Intellagama lesueurii, and lace monitors Varanus varius) and a snake (red‐bellied blacksnake Pseudechis porphyriacus) were lower (by 84 to 100%) in areas with toads. The scarcity of scavenging lace monitors in toad‐invaded areas translated into a 52% decrease in rates of carrion removal (based on camera traps at bait stations) and an increase (by 61%) in numbers of brush turkeys (Alectura lathami). The invasion of cane toads through temperate‐zone Australia appears to have reduced populations of at least four anurophagous predators, facilitated other taxa, and decreased rates of scavenging. Our data identify a paradox: The impacts of cane toads are at least as devastating in southern Australia as in the tropics, yet we know far more about toad invasion in the sparsely populated wilderness areas of tropical Australia than in the densely populated southeastern seaboard.
Ethnicity and academic success at university

Differences in academic performance at university across several ethnic groups are examined using information from the transcripts of over 3,000 students at a large urban university. Both Grade Point Average (GPA) and the discontinuation of initial areas of study are used as indicators of academic success. Our results show that self‐reported ethnic identification is a significant factor in explaining variations in university grades. Observed background factors are unable to account for the substantial differences in GPA and dropout rates between minority and majority ethnic groups. Individual GPA is the single most important determinant of dropout behaviour, with poor grades accounting for higher dropout rates among minority groups.
Developing Managers’ Effectiveness:

A basic assumption in the leadership literature is that successful managers will vary their leadership styles to meet the developmental needs of the supervisees they are mentoring to help them reach their potential in their work performance. One promising model that has proven effective in enhancing leaders’ supervisory or mentorship skills is contextual supervision (CS). In this article, the author describes this model and shows how it has been used to help prepare classroom teachers to mentor preservice teacher candidates as they developed their instructional skills during their practicum placements in schools. This model and approach could be adapted by managers in any field to enhance their supervision of protégés engaged in learning and/or improving the skills and knowledge in their respective contexts.
Toward Macro-Insights for Suicide Prevention: Analyzing Fine-Grained Distress at Scale

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. One of the major challenges to suicide prevention is that those who may be most at risk cannot be relied upon to report their conditions to clinicians. This paper takes an initial step toward the automatic detection of suicidal risk factors through social media activity, with no reliance on self-reporting. We consider the performance of annotators with various degrees of expertise in suicide prevention at annotating microblog data for the purpose of training text-based models for detecting suicide risk behaviors. Consistent with crowdsourcing literature, we found that novice-novice annotator pairs underperform expert annotators and outperform automatic lexical analysis tools, such as Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count.
Intensity of ADHD Symptoms and Subjective Feelings of Competence in School Age Children

The aim of this investigation was to assess how different levels of intensity of ADHD symptoms influence the development of the subjective feeling of competence in school age children. The sample was comprised of 62 children age 11 to13. For the purpose of estimation of the subjective feeling of competence, The Feeling of Competence Questionnaire was created. Level of ADHD symptoms intensity was estimated with the use of The Symptoms of ADHD Questionnaire, created on the basis of diagnostic criteria for ADHD included in DSM-IV and ICD-10. Cluster analysis distinguished two groups of children: a group with a lower level of ADHD symptoms intensity (Group 1) and a group with a higher level of ADHD symptoms intensity (Group 2). Group 2 revealed a significantly lower level of global feelings of competence and lower scores on the subscales: adaptive properties, knowledge and skills, acknowledgement, emotional factor and belief in success. There was no significant difference in the level of the feeling of co-operation skills and social adjustment. The results suggest that children with symptoms of ADHD are likely to have a low level of feelings of competence, which may well be a risk factor leading to later social disorders.
Active position control of a shape-memory-alloy-wire-actuated composite beam

This paper presents the design and experiment results of active position control of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wires actuated composite beam. The composite beam is honeycomb structured with shape memory alloy wires embedded in one of its phase sheet for active actuation. The potential applications of this experiment include thermo-distortion compensation for precession space structure, stern shape control for submarines, and flap shape control for aeronautical applications. Shape memory alloy wires are chosen as actuating elements due to their high recovery stress (maybe greater than 700 MPa) and tolerance to high strain (up to 8%). However, shape memory alloy wires are inherently nonlinear and pose a challenge for control design. A robust controller is designed and implemented to active control the tip position of the composite beam. The experiment setup consists of the composite beam with embedded SMA wires, programmable current/voltage amplifier to actuate the SMA wires, an infrared laser range sensor to detect the beam tip displacement, and a real-time data acquisition and control system. Experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the robust control.
Mapping the functional anatomy of sentence comprehension and application to presurgical evaluation of patients with brain tumor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The main clinical indication for functional MR imaging (fMRI) has been to preoperatively map the cortex. Motor paradigms to activate the cortex are simple and robust; however, language tasks show greater variability and difficulty. The aim of this study was to develop a language task with an adequate control task to engage the areas of the posterior temporal lobe responsible for sentence comprehension. METHODS We performed a cloze paradigm requiring silent reading of a visually presented sentence-completion task based on semantic meaning versus a letter-scanning epoch requiring the completion of nonlinguistic strings or a rest period. Before this task was clinically used in two patients epilepsy and cavernous angioma, its feasibility and accuracy were tested in 14 healthy right-handed participants. RESULTS Results showed significant activation of the posterior temporal cortex, including a broad area across the posterior left temporal cortex extending into the inferior parietal lobule. When the sentence completion-minus-letter string task was compared with the sentence completion-minus-rest task, increased activation was present in the posterior temporal lobe. CONCLUSION Decreased significant activation during the sentence completion-minus-rest contrast may be attributed to increased noise from intersubject variability in the rest period. Our results suggest that this task elucidates areas important to reading comprehension in the posterior and inferior temporal regions that verbal fluency and auditory discrimination tasks do not. Data from two cases are summarized to exemplify the input of this task for neurosurgery.
Personality development from childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal study of ego-control and ego-resiliency in Sweden

We investigated the development of ego-control (EC) and ego-resiliency (ER) over a 13-year period in a cohort of Swedish children first assessed at 2 years of age. Children became more ego-controlled over time although individual differences in EC remained stable. Children’s levels of resiliency increased from 2 to 3 years of age and then declined when they were 7 and 8 years of age. Boys continued to become less resilient in adolescence whereas girls became more resilient. Individual differences in boys’ resiliency levels were more stable over the 13-year span than girls’. The inter-correlations between EC and ER were only significant for boys at 2 and 15 years of age. The external validity of EC and ER was demonstrated by significant associations with ratings of the children’s adaptation to school as well as with their measures of their internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.