Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Peer Status in the Self and Aggression in Adolescence and Early Adulthood

From early on, social adjustment among peers is crucial to healthy development. Social status, a reflection of adjustment among peers, can be considered in terms of acceptance, or likeability and rejection, or dislikability, as well as popularity or reputational prestige in the peer group. Research finds meaningful links between peer status and social behaviors like aggression, but has not examined the role of dimensions of peer status in association with perceptions of the self. I conducted a set of studies examining associations among peer status (likeability, dislikability, and popularity) and self-perceptions (self-esteem and self-concept clarity), and social goals as moderators of these associations. In Study 1, I examined cross-sectional associations between peer-reported status and aggression and self-perceptions and social goals in adolescents. In Studies 2, 3, and 4, I experimentally examined the effects of peer status on the self, as well as social goals as moderators of these effects, in young adults using two newly developed manipulations of peer status. Contrary to my hypotheses, the results suggested that self-esteem and self-concept clarity were not directly associated with peer status, and that these associations largely did not differ based on social goals. However, further exploratory analyses revealed meaningful links among the study variables in youth and adults. Results have theoretical and practical implications for understanding peer status, the self, and aggression. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Beyond Habit: The Role of Sunk Costs on Developing Automatic IS Use Behaviors

Habitual routine behaviors and their subsequent conditioned response behaviors are two very powerful determinants of future human behavior. This study conceptualizes the habits or routines that people engage in with technology as being distinct and apart from automatic IS use behaviors. Automatic IS use behaviors — of which people are often unaware of the behavior until reflecting backward upon it — are hypothesized to be a result of a person’s interaction with certain technology features which act as stimulus and reward mechanisms. Additionally, the roles of habit and a person’s perception of sunk costs are hypothesized to play an important role in the development of automatic IS use behaviors. An international study of 177 individuals using a wide range of technologies provides support for the proposed relationships. The findings of the study, the limitations, and directions for future research are also discussed.
Simulation of CBRAM devices with the level set method

A TCAD model for Chalcogenide based CBRAM is introduced. This model relies on the level set method to follow the growth of the filament in the electrolyte. We couple the level set method with physical equations which model the cations migration and the electric field in the electrolyte and in the filament. The formation and the dissolution of the filament can be simulated. Comparisons between simulations and electrical results are used to validate our model.
Adaptive load sharing in homogeneous distributed systems

Rather than proposing a specific load sharing policy for implementation, the authors address the more fundamental question of the appropriate level of complexity for load sharing policies. It is shown that extremely simple adaptive load sharing policies, which collect very small amounts of system state information and which use this information in very simple ways, yield dramatic performance improvements. These policies in fact yield performance close to that expected from more complex policies whose viability is questionable. It is concluded that simple policies offer the greatest promise in practice, because of their combination of nearly optimal performance and inherent stability.
Treatments of Severely Boron-Contaminated Soils for Phytorestoration

As a result of the boron refining process, the Rio Tinto Borax site in California has experienced boron contamination, leading to desertification and the loss of local vegetation. Increasing industrial demand for the energy reduction ability of boron promotes continued mining. As such, the development of an effective and low-cost method for long-term reclamation is important. To establish this method, I analyzed the effects of amendments on the growth of a boron tolerant plant. I tested the effectiveness of water and organic matter on the growth of weeping alkaligrass (Puccinellia distans) naturalized in the USA in severely boron-contaminated soil at the Rio Tinto Borax site. I conducted a multi-factorial experiment with 4 levels of dilution of contaminated soil with sands, 3 levels of organic matter (OM), and 3 concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with 3 replicates. This study aimed to determine if: (1) there is a significant difference in plant growth and water content in the soils and plants between the levels of each factor: (2) there are interaction effects between each combination of two factors: and (3) there is an interaction effect for all three factors. Sand and OM significantly affected the plant growth and water content. PEG significantly affected water in the soil, but did not affect the plant growth. The combination of sand and OM significantly affected the plant growth and water content. This study shows the importance of amendments for reclaiming boron-contaminated soils.
A QPTAS for Maximum Weight Independent Set of Polygons with Polylogarithmically Many Vertices

The Maximum Weight Independent Set of Polygons (MWISP) problem is a fundamental problem in computational geometry. Given a set of weighted polygons in the two-dimensional plane, the goal is to find a set of pairwise non-overlapping polygons with maximum total weight. Due to its wide range of applications and connections to other problems, the MWISP problem and its special cases have been extensively studied both in the approximation algorithms and the computational geometry community. Despite a lot of research, its general case is not well-understood yet. Currently the best known polynomial time algorithm achieves an approximation ratio of ne, and it is not even clear whether the problem is APX-hard. We present a (1 + e)-approximation algorithm, assuming that each polygon in the input has at most a polylogarithmic number of vertices. Our algorithm has quasi-polynomial running time, i.e., it runs in time 2poly(log n, 1/e). In particular, our result implies that for this setting the problem is not APX-hard, unless NP ⊆ DTIME(2poly(log n)). We use a recently introduced framework for approximating maximum weight independent set in geometric intersection graphs. The framework has been used to construct a QPTAS in the much simpler case of axis-parallel rectangles. We extend it in two ways, to adapt it to our much more general setting. First, we show that its technical core can be reduced to the case when all input polygons are triangles. Secondly, we replace its key technical ingredient which is a method to partition the plane using only few edges such that the objects stemming from the optimal solution are evenly distributed among the resulting faces and each object is intersected only a few times. Our new procedure for this task is no more complicated than the original one and, importantly, it can handle the difficulties arising from the arbitrary angles of the input polygons. Note that already this obstacle makes the known analysis for the above framework fail. Also, in general it is not well understood how to handle this difficulty by efficient approximation algorithms.
Dimensionality of the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure and Its Relationship to Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

The aims of this study were, first, to reassess the factor structure of the Iowa-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) and, second, to explore the associations of its factors with the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality. Data from 337 respondents were collected via online questionnaire. Structural equation models were used to assess the factor structure of the INCOM and test for relationships with RST traits. The results confirmed previous findings that the INCOM contains two factors: Ability, which relates to the comparison of performance, and Opinion, which relates to the comparison of thoughts and emotions. The two-factor model was found to be superior to the commonly used one-factor solution. The models further revealed significant relationships with RST factors: positive associations between the Ability factor and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) Reward Reactivity; positive associations between the Opinion factor and BAS Reward Reactivity and Goal-Drive Persistence, and a negative association with BAS Impulsivity. These findings indicate that using the INCOM as a single scale is likely to miss significant unique relationships. Our findings also provide new insight into how individual differences in personality may influence social comparison behavior.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of the Human High Affinity Choline Transporter Alters Transport Rate*

High affinity choline uptake plays a critical role in the regulation of acetylcholine synthesis in cholinergic neurons. Recently, we succeeded in molecular cloning of the high affinity choline transporter (CHT1), which is specifically expressed in cholinergic neurons. Here we demonstrate the presence of functionally relevant, nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in the human CHT1 gene by comprehensive sequence analysis of the exons and the intron/exon boundaries including the transcription start site. The deduced amino acid change for the polymorphism is isoleucine to valine at amino acid 89 (I89V) located within the third transmembrane domain of the protein. The allele frequency of I89V was 6% for Ashkenazi Jews. Functional assessment of the I89V transporter in mammalian cell lines revealed a 40–50% decrease in V max for choline uptake rate compared with the wild type, whereas there was no alteration in the apparent affinities for choline, sodium, chloride, and the specific inhibitor hemicholinum-3. There also was no change in the specific hemicholinum-3 binding activity. The decreased choline uptake was not associated with the surface expression level of the protein as assessed by biotinylation assay. These results suggest an impaired substrate translocation in the I89V transporter. The Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of CHT1 has a valine residue at the corresponding position and a single replacement from valine to isoleucine caused a decrease in the choline uptake rate by 40%, suggesting that this hydrophobic residue is generally critical in the choline transport rate in CHT1. This polymorphism in the allelicCHT1 gene may represent a predisposing factor for cholinergic dysfunction.
Water masers in the Local Group of galaxies

Received; accepted Abstract. We compare the number of detected 22 GHz H2O masers in the Local Group galaxies M31, M33, NGC 6822, IC 10, IC 1613, DDO 187, GR8, NGC 185, and the Magellanic Clouds with the water maser population of the Milky Way. To accomplish this we searched for water maser emission in the two Local Group galaxies M33 and NGC 6822 using the Very Large Array (VLA) and incorporated results from previous studies. We observed 62 Hii regions in M33 and 36 regions with Hemission in NGC 6822. Detection limits are 0.0015 and 0.0008 L⊙ for M33 and NGC 6822, respectively (corresponding to 47 and 50 mJy in three channels with 0.7 km s −1 width). M33 hosts three water masers above our detection limit, while in NGC 6822 no maser source was detected. We find that the water maser detection rates in the Local Group galaxies M31, M33, NGC 6822, IC 1613, DDO 187, GR8, NGC 185, and the Magellan ic Clouds are consistent with expectations from the Galactic water masers if one considers the different star formation rates of the galaxies. However, the gal axy IC 10 exhibits an overabundance of masers, which may result from a compact central starburst.
Regional Tourism Networks: The Nexus Between ICT Diffusion and Change in Australia

This article reports the outcomes of a study on the nature of the change process when a regional tourism network seeks to adopt e-commerce. The study builds on Rogers’ seminal work on the diffusion of innovations and makes a unique contribution to existing ICT diffusion studies by its focus on the nature of the network links and by its application of an action-oriented methodology to untangle the effects of the embedded network structure. The study suggests a strong relationship between diffusion and network positioning, both in terms of place (status and position in the network) and space (the geographic make-up of the network). Diffusion additionally hinged on network cohesion and actors’ trust in and engagement with the network.
Factors Influencing eWOM Effects: Using Experience, Credibility, and Susceptibility

Electronic Word-of-mouth(eWOM) is important information affecting consumers’ online buying. This study examined factors influencing eWOM effects in China. We developed a structural model of eWOM effects including customer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII), using experience of eWOM , perceived eWOM credibility, and eWOM effects. As results of 209 survey data analysis, CSII influences using experience of eWOM , perceived eWOM credibility, and the eWOM effects, and using experience of eWOM influences perceived eWOM credibility and eWOM effects, and perceived eWOM credibility influences eWOM effects. Implication of the study and further research are suggested Index Terms eWOM effect; Using experience of eWOM; Perceived eWOM credibility
Performance comparison of minimum variance single carrier and multicarrier cdma receivers

This work provides comparisons between CDMA-based multiple access systems in a single and multicarrier fashion. Both zero padding and cyclic prefix types of guard intervals are considered. Comparisons include different performance measures such as signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), bit error rate (BER), and robustness against channel order overestimation. We also address the effects of finite number of samples when estimating the detector filter. In order to allow a fair comparison, blind detection based on the minimum variance is assumed for all considered systems. It is shown through computer simulations that multicarrier CDMA performs better than single carrier CDMA and is more robust against channel order overestimation.
Characterizations of Pushdown Machines in Terms of Time-Bounded Computers

A class of machines called auxiliary pushdown machines is introduced. Several types of pushdown automata, including stack automata, are characterized in terms of these machines. The computing power of each class of machines in question is characterized in terms of time-bounded Turing machines, and corollaries are derived which answer some open questions in the field. ~
Examining mobile payment user adoption from the perspective of trust transfer

The purpose of this paper is to examine mobile payment user adoption using the technology acceptance model TAM from the perspective of trust transfer. Based on the 220 valid responses collected from a survey questionnaire, structural equation modelling SEM technology was employed to examine the research model. The results indicate that trust in online payment not only has a direct effect on mobile payment trust but also has an indirect effect through perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and structural assurance. Mobile payment trust further predicts the usage intention of mobile payment. This study provides useful suggestions and implications for academics and practitioners.
Particle methods for direct numerical simulations of three-dimensional wakes

In this paper we describe recent advances in the development of particle methods for the direct numerical simulations of three-dimensional wakes. Both body-fitted and immersed boundary techniques are considered. The accuracy and numerical cost of the proposed numerical methods are discussed on the benchmark cases of a flow past a cylinder and of a vortex ring impinging on a cylinder. This article was chosen from Selected Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Vortex Flows and Related Numerical Methods (UC Santa-Barbara, 17-20 March 2002) ed E Meiburg, G H Cottet, A Ghoniem and P Koumoutsakos. Present address: MIP, Complexe Scientifique de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France.
Strategy Process Research: What do we know, what should we know?

This article offers a review of strategy process research. It covers the main research streams of the field from a historical as well as a phenomenologic point of view. In general, strategy process research can be defined as focusing on the central research question of how and whether at all strategies of firms are formed over time. In order to understand the complex phenomena connected with this question, we will discuss a broad range of issues such as the concept of strategy process, evolutionary patterns or the impact of cognition, language and strategic planning.
The unavoidable salience of gender: notes from Australian childcare work

Abstract This article explores the gendering of work in Australian childcare settings from a post-gender perspective. Much early childhood research focuses on encouraging men into the field, seeing their presence as beneficial to the perceived worth of childcare work. Such research ignores how women’s gendered experiences, as the overwhelming majority of the workforce, are already shaping the field, creating an image of this work apparently unpalatable to most men. I show how gendered relations have a profound impact, even in mono-gendered spaces like childcare, to the continuing disadvantage of women. Workers caught within binary understandings of gender appear to draw on normative gendered discourses to understand the social and economic positioning of the field, rather than more emancipatory framings. This article argues that perspectives that actively question biomedical understandings of gender can be useful in understanding and challenging the gendering of particular societal spaces, such as childcare services.
Effects of creatine supplementation on muscle weakness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently suffer from muscle weakness. Oral administration of creatine has been shown to improve muscle strength in healthy subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of oral creatine supplementation on muscle weakness, disease activity and activities of daily living in patients with RA. METHODS During a period of 3 weeks, 12 patients with RA were treated with creatine monohydrate (20 g/day for 5 days followed by 2 g/day for 16 days). They were examined on entry and at the end of the study. The patients were investigated clinically, blood and urine samples were obtained, muscle biopsies were performed before and after treatment, muscle strength was determined, and self-administered patient questionnaires were completed. RESULTS From all patients we were able to obtain full clinical and questionnaire data, while biopsies were taken from 12 patients at the start and from nine patients at the end of the study. Muscle strength, as determined by the muscle strength index, increased in eight of 12 patients. In contrast, physical functional ability and disease activity did not change significantly. The creatine concentration in serum and skeletal muscle increased significantly, while creatine phosphate and total creatine did not increase in skeletal muscle. The skeletal muscle creatine content was associated with muscle strength at baseline but not after administration of creatine. The changes in muscle strength were not associated with the changes in skeletal muscle creatine or creatine phosphate. CONCLUSION Although the skeletal muscle creatine content and muscle strength increased with creatine administration in some patients with RA, a clear clinical benefit could not be demonstrated for this treatment when the patients were considered as one group.
Distress Severity Following a Romantic Breakup Is Associated With Positive Relationship Memories Among Emerging Adults

Romantic relationship loss is associated with significant psychological distress for emerging adults. Intrusive memories of stressful events are typically associated with symptom severity; however, whether spontaneous positive memories of a relationship breakup may also be related to psychological symptoms has received little attention. We examined links between breakup-specific distress, depressive symptoms, and relationship memories of different valence. Ninety-one emerging adults (M age = 20.13) who had experienced a recent romantic breakup recorded the frequency of positive and negative spontaneous relationship memories in a 4-day online memory diary. Control memories were also recorded. Positive memories were specifically related to breakup distress, whereas negative memories were related to both breakup distress and depression. No such associations were found for the control memories. Experiences of positive memories appear critical for understanding the degree of distress a young person may experience following a breakup. Possible explanations for these findings and similarities with the grief and bereavement literature are discussed.
Compositionality and Multiword Expressions: Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other?

In this talk, I will investigate the relationship between compositionality and multiword expressions, as part of which I will outline different approaches for formalising the notion of compositionality. I will then briefly review computational methods that have been proposed for modelling compositionality, and applications thereof. Finally, I will discuss possible future directions for modelling compositionality, and present some preliminary results.
K dwarfs and the chemical evolution of the Solar cylinder

K dwarfs have lifetimes older than the present age of the Galactic disc, and are thus ideal stars for investigating the chemical evolution of the disc. We have developed several photometric metallicity indicators for K dwarfs, based on a sample of accurate spectroscopic metallicities for 34 disc and halo G and K dwarfs. The photometric metallicities lead us to develop a metallicity index for K dwarfs based only on their position in the colour‐absolute-magnitude diagram. Metallicities have been determined for 431 single K dwarfs drawn from the Hipparcos catalogue, selecting the stars by absolute magnitude and removing multiple systems. The sample is essentially a complete reckoning of the metal content in nearby K dwarfs. We use stellar isochrones to mark the stars by mass, and select a subset of 220 of the stars, which is complete within a narrow mass interval. We fit the data with a model of the chemical evolution of the solar cylinder. We find that only a modest cosmic scatter is required to fit our age‐ metallicity relation. The model assumes two main infall episodes for the formation of the halo-thick disc and thin disc, respectively. The new data confirm that the solar neighbourhood formed on a long time-scale of the order of 7 Gyr.
The Evolution of Animal Communication: Reliability and Deception in Signaling Systems: Reliability and Deception in Signaling Systems

‘The Evolution of Animal Communication: Reliability and Deception in Signaling Systems’ by William A. Searcy and Stephen Nowicki is the latest book in the Monographs in Behavior and Ecology series (Eds. John R. Krebs and Tim Clutton-Brock). In this book the authors summarize and explain relevant honest signaling theory and they survey an appropriate selection of the empirical investigations towards these ideas. The book will have value to both students and professional scientists with an interest in this field. It is stacked with interesting content, however it is the skill in which it is organized and written that will make this book especially appreciated.