Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The correlation between RAE ratings and citation counts in psychology Technical Report

We counted the citations received in one year (1998) by each staff member in each of 38 university psychology departments in the United Kingdom. We then averaged these counts across individuals within each department and correlated the averages with the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) grades awarded to the same departments in 1996 and 2001. The correlations were extremely high (up to +0.91). This suggests that whatever the merits and demerits of the RAE process and citation counting as methods of evaluating research quality, the two approaches measure broadly the same thing. Since citation counting is both more cost-effective and more transparent than the present system and gives similar results, there is a prima facie case for incorporating citation counts into the process, either alone or in conjunction with other measures. Some of the limitations of citation counting are discussed and some methods for minimising these are proposed. Many of the factors that dictate caution in judging individuals by their citations tend to average out when whole departments are compared.
Sociophonetic variation in a long-term language contact situation: /l/-darkening in Welsh-English bilingual speech†

This study investigates /l/-darkening in the Welsh and English speech of bilinguals in North Wales. Although it is claimed that /l/ is dark in all syllable positions in northern varieties of both languages, there have been no quantitative investigations of this feature which consider cross-linguistic phonetic differences, the differing nature of language contact between North East and North West Wales, and differences in the way both languages are acquired by speakers. The dataset of 32 Welsh-English bilinguals, aged 16-18, was stratified by speaker sex, home language, and area. Tokens of /l/ in word-initial onset and word-final coda positions were analysed acoustically. The results show cross-linguistic differences in onset position and that such differences were found to be greater in the speech of female participants and those from North West Wales. Differences were also found between Welsh-dominant and English-dominant communities. These results are discussed with reference to the influence of extra-linguistic factors on speech production and the possible social meaning associated with dark /l/.
Aging of TiO2 Nanoparticles Transiently Increases Their Toxicity to the Pelagic Microcrustacean Daphnia magna

During their aquatic life cycle, nanoparticles are subject to environmentally driven surface modifications (e.g. agglomeration or coating) associated with aging. Although the ecotoxicological potential of nanoparticles might be affected by these processes, only limited information about the potential impact of aging is available. In this context, the present study investigated acute (96 h) and chronic (21 d) implications of systematically aged titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2; ~90 nm) on the standard test species Daphnia magna by following the respective test guidelines. The nTiO2 were aged for 0, 1, 3 and 6 d in media with varying ionic strengths (Milli-Q water: approx. 0.00 mmol/L and ASTM: 9.25 mmol/L) in the presence or absence of natural organic matter (NOM). Irrespective of the other parameters, aging in Milli-Q did not change the acute toxicity relative to an unaged control. In contrast, 6 d aged nTiO2 in ASTM without NOM caused a fourfold decreased acute toxicity. Relative to the 0 d aged particles, nTiO2 aged for 1 and 3 d in ASTM with NOM, which is the most environmentally-relevant setup used here, significantly increased acute toxicity (by approximately 30%), while a toxicity reduction (60%) was observed for 6 d aged nTiO2. Comparable patterns were observed during the chronic experiments. A likely explanation for this phenomenon is that the aging of nTiO2 increases the particle size at the start of the experiment or the time of the water exchange from <100 nm to approximately 500 nm, which is the optimal size range to be taken up by filter feeding D. magna. If subjected to further agglomeration, larger nTiO2 particles, however, cannot be retained by the daphnids’ filter apparatus ultimately reducing their ecotoxicological potential. This non-linear pattern of increasing and decreasing nTiO2 related toxicity over the aging duration, highlights the knowledge gap regarding the underlying mechanisms and processes. This understanding seems, however, fundamental to predict the risks of nanoparticles in the field.
Nobody expects selfishness

Mechanisms supporting human ultra-cooperativeness are very much subject to debate. One psychological feature likely to be relevant is the formation of expectations, particularly about receiving cooperative or generous behavior from others. Without such expectations, social life will be seriously impeded and, in turn, expectations leading to satisfactory interactions can become norms and institutionalize cooperation. In this paper, we assess people's expectations of generosity in a series of controlled experiments using the dictator game. Despite differences in respective roles, involvement in the game, degree of social distance or variation of stakes, the results are conclusive: subjects seldom predict that dictators will behave selfishly (by choosing the Nash equilibrium action, namely giving nothing). The majority of subjects expect that dictators will choose the equal split. This implies that generous behavior is not only observed in the lab, but also expected by subjects. In addition, expectations are accurate, matching closely the donations observed and showing that as a society we have a good grasp of how we interact. Finally, correlation between expectations and actual behavior suggests that expectations can be an important ingredient of generous or cooperative behavior.
Yes-Associated Protein (Yap) Is Required for Early Embryonic Development in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)

The hippo (Hpo) signaling pathway plays a critical role in regulation of organ size. The kinase cascade ultimately antagonizes the transcriptional co-activator Yki/YAP, which is a key regulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, we performed a knocking down study using antisense morpholino (MO) reagents and found that zebrafish YAP, a key transcriptional co-activator of Hpo pathway, plays a critical role in early embryonic development. At the cellular level, yap inhibition increases apoptosis and decreases cell proliferation. Reduction of yap function severely delays several developmental events, including gastrulation, cardiogenesis and hematopoiesis. Knockdown of yap showed some evidence of ventralization, including reduction of dorsally expressed marker goosecoid (gsc), expansion of ventral marker gata2, disruption of the somites, and reduction in head size. Finally, we performed a preliminary analysis with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for the candidate targets of zebrafish Hpo pathway. In conclusion, our results revealed that zebrafish yap coordinately regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis and is required for dorsoventral axis formation, gastrulation, cardiogenesis, hematopoiesis, and somitogenesis.
Have you experienced fun in the workplace

Purpose This purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between workplace fun, trust-in-management, employee satisfaction and whether the level of fun experienced at work moderates the effects. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from a sample of 240 frontline staff in a large-scale retail store in Hong Kong. Findings The results show that trust-in-management mediates the relationship between workplace fun and employee job satisfaction. Additionally, employees who experience a high level of fun in the workplace have a greater effect on workplace fun, trust-in-management and job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study is that it collects data from a self-reported single source in a cross-sectional survey design. Practical implications Because workplace fun helps organizations promote employee trust and job satisfaction, organizations should provide more enjoyable activities for employees to participate in. Originality/value This study provides a new insight into the effects of workplace fun on employees’ trust-in-management and job satisfaction.
Rational, Normative, Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Choice Behavior? The Search for Integrative Metatheory of Decision Making

Decision making, integral to everyday behavior, is the subject of thousands of studies each year. Its long history has led to the emergence of several competing models in the cognitive literature. Meanwhile, behaviorist analysts have carefully studied the mechanisms underlying choice behavior, including the value of reinforcement. Criteria for comparing and contrasting competing models of decision making are generated. Cognitive and behavioral perspectives are analyzed and integrated by emphasizing their commonalities in understanding behavior. The benefits of integrating models of decision making for understanding behavioral development are weighed against the challenges of such as endeavor.
Fostering Self-Concept and Interest for Statistics through Specific Learning Environments.

Supporting motivational variables such as self-concept or interest is an important goal of schooling as they relate to learning and achievement. In this study, we investigated whether specific interest and self-concept related to the domains of statistics and mathematics can be fostered through a four-lesson intervention focusing on statistics. Data about these motivational variables and achievement related to statistics were gathered from 503 eighth graders. Our results indicate that students perceived mathematics and statistics differently with respect to their self-concept and interest. Moreover, statistics-related self-concept and interest could be fostered through the domain-specific intervention, whereby a greater increase was found among students with higher prior achievement in the domain of statistics.
Violence by Psychiatric Patients: The Impact of Archival Measurement Source on Violence Base Rates and Risk Assessment Accuracy

Objective: This study examined the impact of using various archival sources of violence data on the recorded base rate of violence and on the accuracy of violence risk assessments in a sample of civil psychiatric patients. Method: Violence in the community, after release from involuntary hospitalization, was measured with 3 types of archival data: criminal records, psychiatric hospital readmission records, and readmission records from multiple general hospitals. Results: Findings indicated that the different measurement sources each identified unique incidents of violence, which were correlated moderately or not at all with one another, and that the estimated base rate of violence varied substantially as a function of outcome source. Not surprisingly, using a combination of sources identified the highest base rate of violence. Predictive validity estimates also varied widely under different measurement procedures and were more stable when a combination of sources was used. Conclusions: It is important in practical and research terms for studies of psychiatric patient violence to use multiple sources of outcome data.
Acute stress recovery through listening to Melomics relaxing music: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Daily life entails having to cope with many stressful situations. Although stress-related reactions could sometimes provoke impairments in physiological processes due to the frequency of exposure or the stress burden of the event, physiological recovery after coping with stressors is highly implied in the aversive consequences of stress. To analyze the effects of listening to relaxing music (generated by the Melomics computer system) on the cardiovascular recovery and subjective feelings of anxiety after undergoing an acute-stress episode, a double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in healthy adults (N = 24; M = 23.05 years, SD = 2.97). Participants reported their levels of psychiatric symptomatology and anxiety and were then exposed to a stress induction protocol. Afterward, they underwent a period of recovery where they would be exposed to either a relaxing music track or silence, depending on a random assignation. Heart-derived functioning and self-reported anxiety were monitored throughout the study stages. All the participants showed stress-related reactions throughout the study stages, as it was shown for the study outcomes. Regarding the effect of listening to music, participants who listened to relaxing music during the recovery stage showed higher levels of sample entropy than controls, highlighting a large effect size on this difference (η2partial = .59). Relaxing music promotes more adaptive emotional regulation after coping with an acutely stressful event. This study aims to shed light on the actual effects of music interventions, and encourage the use of music-based interventions on health services.
Pragmatic considerations in court interpreting

The question of accuracy of interpretation of foreign language court testimonies is one of utmost importance to the court, to the witness and to the interpreter. The adversarial system uses language as its main weapon in the metaphorical battle, and cases are based on the oral evidence of their witnesses. When witnesses do not speak English, the sole responsibility of making that witness understood to the court rests with the interpreter. In the adversarial system, content of testimony is not the only important issue; delivery, style, register are just as important. This is why the idea of ‘literal’ translation has been the preferred option to the legal profession. However, literal translation does not ensure accuracy of interpretation. This paper aims to emphasise that interpreting accurately means interpreting pragmatically. It points out that although different languages may have semantic or literal equivalents, such equivalents may not have the same connotations or may not be appropriate in the same contexts. Interpreting pragmatically means interpreting in a way that the same intention and the same force of the Source Language (SL) utterance is conveyed in the Target Language (TL) utterance, so that the same reaction is achieved in the listeners of both languages. The paper draws on examples from authentic data taken from interpreted proceedings to illustrate the argument.
NEW M IXED -M ODE FUZZY LOGI C CONTROLLER ARCHITECTUR E FOR REALI ZATIO N OF ARBITRARY NON-LINEA R TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC

A new fuzzy logic analogue controller has been realized. It has been designed for realization of arbitrary non-linear DC transfer characteristics defined by a piecewise linear approximation and controlled by digital memory. The controller has been realized as a mixed-mode CMOS very large scale integration (VLSI) circuit using current mode technique. The digital portion is used only for programmabilit y. The circuit is suitable for appli cation in case of analogue input and output variables. Analogue input signals are internally represented by the analogue signals and partly digitally. Prototype chips implementing new architecture has been fabricated in 0.8-μm CMOS technology. Comparison of theoretical characteristics with experimental results is shown in this paper.
The Effectiveness of a Meditation Course on Mindfulness and Meaning in Life

This study examined the effectiveness of a meditation intervention on increasing mindfulness and meaning in life within a population of college students. Participants (N = 205) took part in a semester-long lecture/lab-style course titled Buddhist Meditation and Modernity. The course (a) taught secular contemplative practices, (b) provided a scientific background on the impact and mechanisms of meditation, and (c) reviewed the historical roots of meditative practice. All 5 facets of mindfulness assessed, except for observing and nonjudging, correlated with each other. Additionally, all 5 facets showed positive correlations with the presence of meaning in life, and there was a significant negative correlation between the nonjudging facet of mindfulness and search for meaning in life. Participants, who were measured pre-, post-, and midsemester, reported positive changes over time on all 5 facets of mindfulness and presence of meaning in life. This study provides additional evidence for the connection between meditation, mindfulness, and meaning in life. We conclude by discussing limitations and areas for future research.
When does it matter how you ask? Cross-subject heterogeneity in framing effects in a charitable donation experiment

In this paper we present results from an experiment that draws on insights from economics on different possible incentives for generosity and insights from social psychology on different possible personality types. Firstly, we test whether the effect of an appeal to a pure altruism motive versus an appeal to a self-interest motive varies across subjects. We find that there is substantial variation, and this variation is strongly correlated with a subject’s level of materialism. Secondly, we test whether spoken appeals and written appeals have different effects. We find no evidence for such a difference. These results have important implications for the fundraising strategies of charities and for experimental design.
Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment Flows to Developing Countries

In this paper we explore different factors responsible for variation in foreign direct investment to developing countries. We use macro panel data of 57 low and lower middle income countries for last ten years (2000-2009) to empirically address this question. We use instrumental variable technique to correct for reverse causation and omitted variable bias in our estimates. In addition, we also control for country specific and time specific fixed effects. This study finds that market size is the most important determinant of foreign direct investment to developing countries. Further, stable macroeconomic environment, global integration, availability of skilled labor force and developed financial sector also promote foreign direct investment in developing countries. JEL classification: F21, F23, F29
Ex Ante Efficiency in School Choice Mechanisms: An Experimental Investigation

Criteria for evaluating school choice mechanisms are first, whether truth-telling is sometimes punished and second, how efficient the match is. With common knowledge preferences, Deferred Acceptance (DA) dominates the Boston mechanism by the first criterion and is ambiguously ranked by the second. Our laboratory experiments confirm this. A new ex ante perspective, where preferences are private information, introduces new efficiency costs borne by strategy-proof mechanisms, like DA. In a symmetric environment, truth-telling can be an equilibrium under Boston, and Boston can first-order stochastically dominate DA in terms of efficiency, both in theory and in the laboratory.
A Survey of Benchmarking Practices in Higher Education in Kenya: The Case of Public Universities

Benchmarking has been used as a tool, a methodology and a technique for continuous improvements in sectoral operations to gain and maintain competitive advantage. This was a survey of benchmarking practices in higher education in Kenya, the case of public universities, whose objectives were; to document the benchmarking activities in the public universities; to establish the challenges facing the public universities in benchmarking. Cross sectional survey was used in this study to collect data from the six public universities with their respective campuses/schools in the population of interest. The respondents were senior administrators and the academic staff. Of the 53 informants who were sampled, 31 responded, thus, a response rate was of 58 percent. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and summarize the data before presenting it in the form of proportions, means, tables and graphs. This was in line with the first and second objectives, which were actually answered in relation to the benchmarking practices in the academic function of public universities in Kenya. The study found out that continuous improvement systems in Kenyan public universities are good, not excellent. The external drivers of change/continuous improvements in public universities are the customers/students as opposed to legislation, while the major internal trigger of change is the actual performance. The public universities effectively and successfully benchmark for continuous improvement. The Kenyan public universities use action research and performance indicators as the sources of referencing information on benchmarks. The most common type of benchmarking in use is development/improvement benchmarking and planning to make use of international benchmarking. Finally, the three critical factors that have influenced the success of benchmarking practices are: time and resource availability: limited duration, comparability and compatibility, which are reasons why the institutions don’t practice international benchmarking.
The Effects of Testlets on Reliability and Differential Item Functioning.

Reliability and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses were conducted on testlets displaying local item dependence in this study. The data set employed in the research was obtained from the answers given by 1500 students to the 20 items included in six testlets given in English Proficiency Exam by the School of Foreign Languages of a state University in Turkey. One of the purposes of this study was to determine the influences of the tests composed of testlets on reliability, so the reliability coefficients obtained for cases where the influences of testlets were considered and those for cases where the testlet influences were not considered were compared. In consequence of the G theory analyses conducted in this context, it was found that the G and Phi coefficients estimated by not considering the testlet effects were higher than those estimated by considering the testlet effects. It was concluded that the reliability was estimated to be relatively higher when the influences of the testlet were not considered. Two methods were used in this study so as to determine the effects of testlets on differential item functioning and the results were compared. In the DIF-determining method considering the testlet effect, both the number of items displaying DIF at the significant and estimated levels of DIF were found to be higher than in the method not considering the testlet effect.