Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Community gravity: measuring bidirectional effects by trust and rating on online social networks

Several attempts have been made to analyze customer behavior on online E-commerce sites. Some studies particularly emphasize the social networks of customers. Users' reviews and ratings of a product exert effects on other consumers' purchasing behavior. Whether a user refers to other users' ratings depends on the trust accorded by a user to the reviewer. On the other hand, the trust that is felt by a user for another user correlates with the similarity of two users' ratings. This bidirectional interaction that involves trust and rating is an important aspect of understanding consumer behavior in online communities because it suggests clustering of similar users and the evolution of strong communities. This paper presents a theoretical model along with analyses of an actual online E-commerce site. We analyzed a large community site in Japan: @cosme. The noteworthy characteristics of @cosme are that users can bookmark their trusted users; in addition, they can post their own ratings of products, which facilitates our analyses of the ratings' bidirectional effects on trust and ratings. We describe an overview of the data in @cosme, analyses of effects from trust to rating and vice versa, and our proposition of a measure of community gravity, which measures how strongly a user might be attracted to a community. Our study is based on the @cosme dataset in addition to the Epinions dataset. It elucidates important insights and proposes a potentially important measure for mining online social networks.
Nativity and DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and non-Latino Whites in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the risk of lifetime substance use disorders and mood and anxiety disorders between Island-born Puerto Ricans, foreign-born Cuban Americans, and foreign-born non-Latino whites and their U.S.-born counterparts. METHOD Data from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; N = 43,093) were used to derive lifetime prevalence rates of specific DSM-IV psychiatric disorders by subethnicity and nativity group. Logistic regression models were constructed to detect variation in the odds of each psychiatric disorder across groups. RESULTS A protective effect of foreign-born nativity in risk for psychiatric disorders was present for all groups but varied according to the assessed disorder. For non-Latino whites, the effect was observed for most specific psychiatric disorders, whereas, for Puerto Ricans and Cuban Americans, the effect was only evident for specific substance use disorders. CONCLUSION The protective effect of nativity against psychiatric morbidity found in other studies among Mexican Americans and non-Latino whites does not entirely generalize to Puerto Ricans and Cuban Americans and may not generalize to individuals of other origins. The results of this study are discussed in terms of potential mechanisms involved in variations in the risk of specific psychiatric disorders among groups defined by nativity and race-ethnicity and the importance of identifying specific cultural components that may serve as risk and protective factors of psychiatric morbidity.
Separate Signals for the Initiation of Proliferation and Differentiation in the B Cell Response to Antigen

The thesis of this article is that the proliferation and the differentiation of the B cell in the humoral immune response represent separate, independent, events. In the experimental models described, proliferation is initiated by exposure to antigen alone. T help is not required until a later stage and brings about the differentiation of the proliferating B cell into an immunoglobulin secreting cell. The evidence for this concept will be reviewed and the implications for one-signal versus two-signal models for the activation of B lymphocytes will be discussed. The nature of the signals that bring about these events and the cell receptors that must receive these signals will not be considered in any detail. The humoral immune response normally foUows some interaction of the antigen with cell surface receptors on the B cell surface. Individual B cells show a remarkable degree of phenotypic restriction and can synthesize only a single species of immunoglobulin v region. This same v region is incorporated either into the cell surface immunoglobulin which serves as antigen receptor or into the immunoglobulin subsequently secreted by the activated cell (Cosenza & Kohler 1972, Claflin et al. 1974). It follows that since each B cell is committed to express but a single v region sequence, the frequency of cells expressing a particular sequence is very low.
Magnetic resonance cholangiography using half-Fourier acquisition for diagnosing choledocholithiasis

Objective:Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), using a half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequence, noninvasively provides very rapid (1–2 s) and high-quality images of the biliary tract. We assessed the diagnostic usefulness of HASTE-MRC for choledocholithiasis.Methods:A total of 101 patients with suspected choledocholithiasis underwent MRC, ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In 97 patients in whom ERCP fully depicted the common bile duct, we retrospectively analyzed the capability of MRC to image the common bile duct and to diagnose choledocholithiasis, in comparison with that of ultrasonography.Results:In 34 patients, ERCP demonstrated bile duct stones, which were confirmed at endoscopic or surgical treatment. The common bile duct was fully delineated in 98% by MRC and in 70% by ultrasonography. MRC (91%) was more sensitive than ultrasonography (71%) for detecting choledocholithiasis (p < 0.05). MRC demonstrated bile duct stones in all patients with stones ≥11 mm but missed calculi in the 29% of patients with small (3–5 mm) stones. MRC was capable of detecting choledocholithiasis regardless of bile duct caliber. The specificity of MRC (100%) was higher than that of ultrasonography (95%). Conclusion:HASTE-MRC, a fast and noninvasive procedure, can accurately diagnose choledocholithiasis although the detectability for small stones is limited.
Introducing Micrometer-Sized Artificial Objects into Live Cells: A Method for Cell–Giant Unilamellar Vesicle Electrofusion

Here, we report a method for introducing large objects of up to a micrometer in diameter into cultured mammalian cells by electrofusion of giant unilamellar vesicles. We prepared GUVs containing various artificial objects using a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion centrifugation method. GUVs and dispersed HeLa cells were exposed to an alternating current (AC) field to induce a linear cell–GUV alignment, and then a direct current (DC) pulse was applied to facilitate transient electrofusion. With uniformly sized fluorescent beads as size indexes, we successfully and efficiently introduced beads of 1 µm in diameter into living cells along with a plasmid mammalian expression vector. Our electrofusion did not affect cell viability. After the electrofusion, cells proliferated normally until confluence was reached, and the introduced fluorescent beads were inherited during cell division. Analysis by both confocal microscopy and flow cytometry supported these findings. As an alternative approach, we also introduced a designed nanostructure (DNA origami) into live cells. The results we report here represent a milestone for designing artificial symbiosis of functionally active objects (such as micro-machines) in living cells. Moreover, our technique can be used for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell manipulation.
Network Structure in a Link Formation Game: An Experimental Study

Network formation is frequently modeled using link-formation games and typically present a multiplicity of Nash equilibria. Cooperative refinements - such as strong or coalitional proof Nash equilibria - have been the standard tool used for equilibrium selection in these games. Non-cooperative refinements derived from the theory of global games have shown also that, for a class of payoff functions, multiplicity of equilibria disappears when the game is perturbed by introducing small amounts of incomplete information. We conducted a laboratory study evaluating the predictive power of each of these refinements in an illustrative link-formation game. Compared with cooperative game solutions, the global game approach did significantly better at predicting the strategies played by individuals in the experiment.
Declining Distance Effects in International Trade: Some Country‐Level Evidence

Technical progress can be expected to reduce transport costs over time, yet most studies of bilateral trade based on the gravity model find distance effects to be increasing rather than decreasing. We investigate countries' openness to international trade (the ratio of exports plus imports to GDP). We find that trade decreases with geographical remoteness, land area and lack of access to the sea, all of which are likely to be correlated with transport costs. In contrast to the results obtained with log‐linear models of bilateral trade, distance effects (remoteness and land area) have declined over time. Trade decreases with population density and increases with improvements in the terms of trade, investment and a more liberal trade policy.
Somatic Hypermutation Introduces Insertions and Deletions into Immunoglobulin V Genes

During a germinal center reaction, random mutations are introduced into immunoglobulin V genes to increase the affinity of antibody molecules and to further diversify the B cell repertoire. Antigen-directed selection of B cell clones that generate high affinity surface Ig results in the affinity maturation of the antibody response. The mutations of Ig genes are typically basepair substitutions, although DNA insertions and deletions have been reported to occur at a low frequency. In this study, we describe five insertion and four deletion events in otherwise somatically mutated VH gene cDNA molecules. Two of these insertions and all four deletions were obtained through the sequencing of 395 cDNA clones (∼110,000 nucleotides) from CD38+IgD− germinal center, and CD38−IgD− memory B cell populations from a single human tonsil. No germline genes that could have encoded these six cDNA clones were found after an extensive characterization of the genomic VH4 repertoire of the tonsil donor. These six insertions or deletions and three additional insertion events isolated from other sources occurred as triplets or multiples thereof, leaving the transcripts in frame. Additionally, 8 of 9 of these events occurred in the CDR1 or CDR2, following a pattern consistent with selection, and making it unlikely that these events were artifacts of the experimental system. The lack of similar instances in unmutated IgD+CD38− follicular mantle cDNA clones statistically associates these events to the somatic hypermutation process (P = 0.014). Close scrutiny of the 9 insertion/deletion events reported here, and of 25 additional insertions or deletions collected from the literature, suggest that secondary structural elements in the DNA sequences capable of producing loop intermediates may be a prerequisite in most instances. Furthermore, these events most frequently involve sequence motifs resembling known intrinsic hotspots of somatic hypermutation. These insertion/deletion events are consistent with models of somatic hypermutation involving an unstable polymerase enzyme complex lacking proofreading capabilities, and suggest a downregulation or alteration of DNA repair at the V locus during the hypermutation process.
The vocational skills gap for management accountants: the stakeholders' perspectives

Previous research into the views of employers of accountants has identified the need to develop a broad range of wider vocational skills. This paper identifies the relative importance of a specified range of vocational skills needed for a chartered management accountant to discharge his/her duties. Views are sought from the employers of management accountants and from management accounting students who are currently in the process of qualifying. By analysing the relative importance of the skills and the level of skills actually exhibited, this study prioritizes areas for development and training. The findings of this study confirm that employers and students recognize that it is important for accountants to develop a range of vocational skills. There is broad agreement between the employers and the students on the areas to prioritize. However, there are differences in the specific priorities. The employers and students also agree that the development of vocational skills should be integrated into the accounting curriculum.
Prediction and Visualization of Structural Switches in RNA

There are various cases where the biological function of an RNA molecule involves a reversible change of conformation. paRNAss is a software approach to the prediction of such structural switching in RNA. It is based on three hypotheses about the secondary structure space of a switching RNA molecule, which can be evaluated by RNA folding and structure comparison. In the positive case, the predicted structures must be verified experimentally. Additionally, we give an animated visualization of an energetically favourable transition between the predicted structures. paRNAss is available via the Bielefeld Bioinformatics Server. This paper explains the underlying model and shows that the approach performs well in a variety of applications.
The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Personal Characteristics of Turkish Workers

Abstract The relationship between job satisfaction and the personal characteristics of 249 Turkish workers in different occupations and job positions was investigated. The results indicated that monthly payment was the best predictor of overall satisfaction. Age, sex, education, number of children, and different measures of tenure were significant predictors of different aspects of job satisfaction as measured with 2 different scales. Marital status was not related to any of the measures of job satisfaction.
Intangibility and Perceived Risk in Online Environments

Product intangibility increases consumers' perception of risk. Previous research has examined the effects of multiple dimensions of intangibility on the various types of risk and found out that of the three intangibility dimensions, physical intangibility was the least correlated to the consumers' perception of risk in most situations, while mental intangibility and generality had great impact on most of the perceived risk dimensions. Little research so far has been conducted as to the differences between online and offline environments in which risk is perceived. The results from this study with generic vs. branded products in offline vs. online situations show that significant variations in the perception of risk were identified across different purchasing environments. In the online environment concerns of consumers have a significantly stronger impact on the different kinds of risk perceived than generality and mental intangibility. Whereas intangibility has a major impact on risk during the traditional method of shopping, an elevated perception of risk in the online environment is merely triggered by consumer's concerns about their privacy, the security of their purchases and the security of the system through which their transactions are completed.
Sources of the continued influence effect: When misinformation in memory affects later inferences.

Several lines of research have found that information previously encoded into memory can influence inferences and judgments, even when more recent information discredits it. Previous theories have attributed this to difficulties in editing memory—failing to successfully trace out and alter inferences or explanations generated before a correction. However, in Experiments 1A and IB, Ss who had received an immediate correction made as many inferences based on misinformation as Ss who had received the correction later in the account (and presumably had made more inferences requiring editing.) In a 2nd experiment, the availability (Tversky & Kahneman, 1973) of the misinformation within the comprehension context was tested. The results showed that Ss continued to make inferences involving discredited information when it afforded causal structure, but not when only incidentally mentioned or primed during an intervening task. Experiments 3A and 3B found that providing a plausible causal alternative, rather than simply negating misinformation, mitigated the effect. The findings suggest that misinformation can still influence inferences one generates after a correction has occurred; however, providing an alternative that replaces the causal structure it affords can reduce the effects of misinformation.
Cross-Linked Peptidoglycan Mediates Lysostaphin Binding to the Cell Wall Envelope of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus simulans bv. staphylolyticus secretes lysostaphin, a bacteriocin that cleaves pentaglycine cross bridges in the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus. The C-terminal cell wall-targeting domain (CWT) of lysostaphin is required for selective binding of this bacteriocin to S. aureus cells; however, the molecular target for this was unknown. We used purified green fluorescent protein fused to CWT (GFP-CWT) to reveal species-specific association of the reporter with staphylococci. GFP-CWT bound S. aureus cells as well as purified peptidoglycan sacculi. The addition of cross-linked murein, disaccharides linked to interconnected wall peptides, blocked GFP-CWT binding to staphylococci, whereas murein monomers or lysostaphin-solubilized cell wall fragments did not. S. aureus strain Newman variants lacking the capacity for synthesizing polysaccharide capsule (capFO), poly-N-acetylglucosamine (icaAC), lipoprotein (lgt), cell wall-anchored proteins (srtA), or the glycolipid anchor of lipoteichoic acid (ypfP) bound GFP-CWT similar to wild-type staphylococci. A tagO mutant strain, defective in the synthesis of polyribitol wall teichoic acid attached to the cell wall envelope, displayed increased GFP-CWT binding. In contrast, a femAB mutation, reducing both the amount and the length of peptidoglycan cross-linking (monoglycine cross bridges), showed a dramatic reduction in GFP-CWT binding. Thus, the CWT domain of lysostaphin directs the bacteriocin to cross-linked peptidoglycan, which also serves as the substrate for its glycyl-glycine endopeptidase domain.
The Emotional Consequences of Service Work: An Ethnographic Examination of Hair Salon Workers

Abstract This article explores the connections between service work and the everyday lived emotional experiences of hair salon workers. Over the past few years, numerous studies have linked service work with various social psychological outcomes, including well-being, job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, depression, and stress. In an effort to explore the connections between service work and the everyday lived emotional experiences of service workers, original data in the form of nonparticipant field observations and in-depth interviews of 25 hair salon workers were collected in a moderate-sized Midwestern college town. Our findings are generally consistent with the power and status theories of emotion described by Theodore Kemper (1984, 1990, 1991) and Randall Collins (1984, 1990). Customer service interactions are conducive to both positive and negative emotional outcomes. Specifically, complimentary evaluations and the conferral of intimacy favor feelings of pride and happiness, whereas unsatisfactory evaluations and the denial of intimacy contribute to feelings of anger and sadness.
Imagination in learning: learning to imagine

The role of the arts in the development of imagination in early childhood is linked with children's need to explore and learn about their world. Learning to imagine is a crucial step in symbol‐making in early childhood. Decentration skills are hypothesised as the link between fantasy or pretense play activities and development in areas such as communication, co‐operation, perspective‐taking ability, creativity, problem‐solving skills and many areas of cognitive development. Children develop their own theories of the world well before starting school and, by being aware of these theories, teachers can build on children's prior learning rather than negating it. Examples of children's symbol‐making are used to illustrate the process of making meaning. Aspects of children's learning environments are considered in terms of how effectively they facilitate children's exploration and the development of imagination.
Resolving the sexual intimacy paradox: A developmental model for the treatment of sexual desire disorders

Abstract Although relationship factors are an important component in the evaluation and treatment of hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) disorders, a sexual intimacy paradox often occurs wherein many couples increase the intimacy in their relationship while their sexual desire continues to decline. To resolve the apparent paradox and to further our understanding of the relationship between intimacy and eroticism, we offer a developmental model of sexual intimacy as a guide to treating the interpersonal aspects of HSD and other sexual dysfunctions. This model expands Erikson's developmental phase of intimacy into five elements: conflagration, merger, fusion, differentiation, and integration. The model is described and case examples are presented as illustrations of the therapeutic issues and resolutions within each element .
Preparation of polylactide‐co‐glycolide and chitosan hybrid microcapsules of amifostine using coaxial ultrasonic atomizer with solvent evaporation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of various processing and formulation factors on the characteristics of amifostine hybrid microcapsules. Amifostine‐loaded hybrid microcapsules were prepared using PLGA and chitosan. In short, amifostine powder was dissolved in de‐aerated water with or without chitosan. The amifostine solution was later emulsified into PLGA solution in dichloromethane containing phosphatidylcholine. The resultant emulsion was fed through the inner capillary of a coaxial ultrasonic atomizer. The liquid fed through the coaxial outer capillary was either water or chitosan solution. The atomized droplets were collected into PVA solution and the droplets formed microcapsules immediately. The hybrid microcapsules prepared with chitosan solution only as an outer layer liquid showed the maximum efficiency of encapsulation (30%). The median sizes of all three formulations were 33–44 μm. These formulations with chitosan showed positive zeta‐potential and sustained drug release with 13–45% amifostine released in 24 h. When chitosan was incorporated into inner as well as outer liquid layers, the drug release increased significantly, 45% (compared with other formulations) released in 24 h and almost 100% released in 11 days. Hybrid microcapsules of amifostine showed moderately high efficiency of encapsulation. The cationic charge (due to the presence of chitosan) of these particles is expected to favour oral absorption and thus overall bioavailability of orally administered amifostine.