Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Determines Industrial R&D Expenditure in the UK?

In this paper we identify some of the factors behind the comparatively poor R&D performance of the UK in the 1990s, when R&D intensity in the business sector declined consistently. We estimate an econometric model of R&D using a panel of UK manufacturing industries. Our results highlight the importance of industry characteristics such as sales and profitability, product market competition, macroeconomic factors such as interest and exchange rates, and the composition of R&D expenditure and funding. A rise in the share of government-funded R&D or the share of foreign R&D is found to have a positive impact on aggregate R&D expenditure.
Assessing organizational climate: psychometric properties of the CLIOR Scale.

BACKGROUND Organizational climate is the set of perceptions shared by workers who occupy the same workplace. The main goal of this study is to develop a new organizational climate scale and to determine its psychometric properties. METHOD The sample consisted of 3,163 Health Service workers. A total of 88.7% of participants worked in hospitals, and 11.3% in primary care; 80% were women and 20% men, with a mean age of 51.9 years (SD= 6.28). RESULTS The proposed scale consists of 50 Likert-type items, with an alpha coefficient of 0.97, and an essentially one-dimensional structure. The discrimination indexes of the items are greater than 0.40, and the items show no differential item functioning in relation to participants' sex. A short version of the scale was developed, made up of 15 items, with discrimination indexes higher than 0.40, an alpha coefficient of 0.94, and its structure was clearly one-dimensional. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the new scale has adequate psychometric properties, allowing a reliable and valid assessment of organizational climate.
Non-linear consolidation with PVDs under ramp loading

The paper presents a theory of non-linear consolidation for radial flow of a clay deposit treated with PVDs considering linear void ratio-log effective stress relationship, constant coefficient of consolidation but with ramp or construction loading. The governing equation of consolidation is solved numerically by the finite difference method. Parametric study quantifies the effects of magnitude of surcharge load and construction time on the variations of degree of settlement and degree of dissipation of excess pore pressures with time. The maximum induced excess pore water pressure is sensitive to the construction time for a given surcharge load. The variation of degree of settlement is dependent on both applied load intensity and the construction time. While the rate of building up of pore pressure with time during the construction is almost independent of stress increment ratio, the dissipation rate is shown to be dependent on stress increment ratio.
Limited Near and Far Transfer Effects of Jungle Memory Working Memory Training on Learning Mathematics in Children with Attentional and Mathematical Difficulties

The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate whether Jungle Memory working memory training (JM) affects performance on working memory tasks, performance in mathematics and gains made on a mathematics training (MT) in school aged children between 9–12 years old (N = 64) with both difficulties in mathematics, as well as attention and working memory. Children were randomly assigned to three groups and were trained in two periods: (1) JM first, followed by MT, (2) MT first, followed by JM, and (3) a control group that received MT only. Bayesian analyses showed possible short term effects of JM on near transfer measures of verbal working memory, but none on visual working memory. Furthermore, support was found for the hypothesis that children that received JM first, performed better after MT than children who did not follow JM first or did not train with JM at all. However, these effects could be explained at least partly by frequency of training effects, possibly due to motivational issues, and training-specific factors. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the effects found on improving mathematics were actually mediated by gains in working memory. It is argued that JM might not train the components of working memory involved in mathematics sufficiently. Another possible explanation can be found in the training’s lack of adaptivity, therefore failing to provide the children with tailored instruction and feedback. Finally, it was hypothesized that, since effect sizes are generally small, training effects are bound to a critical period in development.
Participation, power, conflict and change: Theorizing dynamics of service user participation in the social care system of England and Wales

Drawing on the findings of a major review on service user participation in the social care system of England and Wales, this paper explores some of the challenging dynamics that are emerging as service users begin to take up strategic power in social care organizations. Analysis of the current situation suggests that such participation is challenging the very fabric of the institutions in which it is taking place, exposing problems with the political, strategic and structural elements of established non-user organizations. On many levels traditional power relations are being unsettled. The conceptual clash between citizenship and consumerism is being exposed as participation becomes more widespread and sites of resistance are revealed. The associated issues of power, conflict and democracy are discussed with reference to the work of the political philosopher Chantal Mouffe.
Establishing coherence relations in discourse: The influence of implicit causality and connectives on pronoun resolution

Many studies have shown that readers and listeners recruit verb-based implicit causality information rapidly in the service of pronoun resolution. However, since most of these studies focused on constructions in which because connected the two critical clauses, it is unclear to what extent implicit causality information affects the processing of pronouns embedded in other types of coherence relations. In an eye-tracking and completion study we addressed this void by varying whether because, but, and and joined a primary clause containing the implicit causality verb, with a secondary clause containing a critical gender-marked pronoun. The results showed that the claims made for implicit causality hold if the connective because is present (i.e., a reading time delay following a pronoun that is inconsistent with the implicit causality bias of the verb), but do not generalise to other connectives like but and and. This shows that the strength and persistence of implicit causality as a pronoun resolution cue depends on the coherence relation in which the verb, the antecedent and the pronoun appear.
Activism, Costly Participation, and Polarization

I develop a model of activism and polarization in the context of electoral competition. Two candidates simultaneously announce policy platforms and seek the support of ideologically inclined activists. Activists compete to influence electoral outcomes by expending costly support for their respective candidates. The presence of activists always moderates the platform choice of candidates, compared to the case of no activism. The main finding is to provide conditions under which as activists’ ideological partisanship increases (decreases), polarization of candidate platforms reduces (widens) - meaning candidates may compromise even though their supporters become more extreme. I precisely characterize the conditions under which the presence of activism and increasing partisanship among activists are both welfare-improving for voters. Finally, I identify a novel crowding out effect of big money on the demand for activism. My analysis suggests public funding of elections as an important institutional reform that could mitigate the pernicious effects of high polarization.
Neural Paraphrase Generation with Stacked Residual LSTM Networks

In this paper, we propose a novel neural approach for paraphrase generation. Conventional paraphrase generation methods either leverage hand-written rules and thesauri-based alignments, or use statistical machine learning principles. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to explore deep learning models for paraphrase generation. Our primary contribution is a stacked residual LSTM network, where we add residual connections between LSTM layers. This allows for efficient training of deep LSTMs. We evaluate our model and other state-of-the-art deep learning models on three different datasets: PPDB, WikiAnswers, and MSCOCO. Evaluation results demonstrate that our model outperforms sequence to sequence, attention-based, and bi-directional LSTM models on BLEU, METEOR, TER, and an embedding-based sentence similarity metric.
Personalization and learning: innovative approaches to teaching for e-learning

Este articulo sugiere que para que estudiantes sean buenos profesores, especialmente en el contexto e-learning, es necesario entender sobre aprendizaje. Eso es especialmente importante por causa de los cambios en la educacion superior, en la medida en que nos movemos en direccion a una sociedad de conocimientos. El e-learning es basado en aprendizaje y tiene como objetivo formar buenos profesores, pese a que su comprension puede ser dificil para los academicos que no entienden cuales aspectos son englobados por el aprendizaje. Pese a su objetivo ser simple, no necesariamente es entendido o aplicado por universitarios academicos en la ensenanza. Uno de los problemas es que los profesores universitarios tienen que desarrollar una teoria de aprendizaje y ensenanza. De esa forma, los academicos pueden tener una filosofia de ensenanza, pero en muchos casos, esa propia filosofia puede no ser conscientemente realizada o implementada con suceso. Un programa para promover cambios conceptuales en las tecnicas de ensenanza de los estudiantes es destacado en el articulo.
Why Counterattitudinal Messages Are as Memorable as Proattitudinal Messages: The Importance of Active Defense Against Attack

Three experiments were designed to clarify the mechanisms underlying Eagly, Chen, Chaiken, and Shaw-Barnes’s (1999) meta-analytic demonstration that attitudinally congenial information has typically not been more memorable than uncongenial information. Participants remembered congenial and uncongenial messages equally well, despite their disapproval of the uncongenial information. This null congeniality effect was obtained regardless of whether (a) messages pertained to abortion or gays in the military or presented information on both sides or only one side of the issue; (b) recognition or recall measures were administered soon after the message or 2 weeks later; and (c) participants were or were not activists on the issue, had stronger or weaker attitudes, had more prior knowledge of counterattitudinal (vs. proattitudinal) arguments, or did or did not have their attention constrained to the message. Process findings suggested that participants’ thoughtful counterarguing of the uncongenial messages enhanced their memory for them.
The development of online cross-group relationships among university students

With our social lives increasingly experienced online, it is critical to understand online relationship development. The current study examined the outcomes of disclosing stigmatized group membership (i.e., being gay or lesbian) earlier (vs. later) in a developing online relationship. Heterosexuals (n = 214) engaged in an experimentally controlled closeness-inducing online interaction with an ostensible partner, learning that he/she was gay/lesbian either before (i.e., earlier) or after (i.e., later) the interaction. Earlier (vs. later) discovery led to a subjectively more positive contact experience, which predicted heightened bond with the partner, itself predicting more positive attitudes toward the partner. Outcomes were uninfluenced by pretest biases and authoritarianism, suggesting the general benefits of disclosing gay/lesbian identity earlier (vs. later) in online relationships.
Molecular Memory Epigenetic memory in plants

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in patterns of gene expression that occur without alterations in DNA sequence. The epigenetic mechanisms involve covalent modifications of DNA and histones, which affect transcriptional activity of chromatin. Since chromatin states can be propagated through mitotic and meiotic divisions, epigenetic mechanisms are thought to provide heritable ‘cellular memory’. Here, we review selected examples of epigenetic memory in plants and briefly discuss underlying mechanisms.
Fault diagnosis of nonlinear system via hybrid observer-based and homogeneous polynomial techniques

The problem of fault diagnosis for a class of nonlinear system is investigated via the hybrid method of observer-based approach and homogeneous polynomials technique. In the design of the estimator, a new structure with homogeneous polynomial form has been proposed, which is able to deal with the fault diagnosis issue for multi-instant case. A quintessential tunnel diode circuit example is given to demonstrate that i) more relaxed conditions can be obtained under the novel designed observer; ii) faults have been successfully distinguished during only a few steps after their occurrence.
On the Modularity of Sequence Representation

Abstract A modular theory of motor control posits that the representation of an action sequence is independent of the effector (motor) system that implements the sequence. Three experiments tested this theory. Each used a variant of a method developed by Nissen and Bullemer (1987) in which subjects responded to visual signals occupying different spatial positions by pressing a key corresponding to each signal position. Sequence learning is indicated when reaction times to signals that follow a sequence become faster with practice than reaction times to random signals. The first experiment showed transfer of sequential learning of key pressing from the fingers to the arms, or vice versa. Similar transfer was found when a distraction task was added that likely blocked an attentional form of learning (cf. Curran & Keele, 1993). In a third experiment, much but not all of the sequential learning transferred from a situation in which the response was a key press to one with a vocal response, suggesting that at .
Phylogenetic distribution of microRNAs supports the basal position of acoel flatworms and the polyphyly of Platyhelminthes

SUMMARY Phylogenetic analyses based on gene sequences suggest that acoel flatworms are not members of the phylum Platyhelminthes, but instead are the most basal branch of triploblastic bilaterians. Nonetheless, this result has been called into question. An alternative test is to use qualitative molecular markers that should, in principle, exclude the possibility of convergent (homoplastic) evolution in unrelated groups. microRNAs (miRNAs), noncoding regulatory RNA molecules that are under intense stabilizing selection, are a newly discovered set of phylogenetic markers that can resolve such taxonomic disputes. The acoel Childia sp. has recently been shown to possess a subset of the conserved core of miRNAs found across deuterostomes and protostomes, whereas a polyclad flatworm—in addition to this core subset—possesses miRNAs restricted to just protostomes. Here, we examine another acoel, Symsagittifera roscoffensis, and three other platyhelminths. Our results show that the distribution of miRNAs in S. roscoffensis parallels that of Childia. In addition, two of 13 new miRNAs cloned from a triclad flatworm are also found in other lophotrochozoan protostomes, but not in ecdysozoans, deuterostomes, or in basal metazoans including acoels. The limited set of miRNAs found in acoels, intermediate between the even more reduced set in cnidarians and the larger and expanding set in the rest of bilaterians, is compelling evidence for the basal position of acoel flatworms and the polyphyly of Platyhelminthes.
Using Scheduled Ordering to Improve the Performance of Distribution Supply Chains

We study a supply chain with one supplier and many retailers that face exogenous end-customer demands. The supplier and the retailers all try to minimize their own inventory-related costs. In contrast to the retailers' newsvendor-type ordering behavior (under which retailers may place orders freely in every period), we propose two scheduled ordering policies: the scheduled balanced ordering policy (SBOP) and the scheduled synchronized ordering policy (SSOP). Under both the SBOP and SSOP, retailers are allowed to order freely only in one period of an ordering cycle, and receive fixed shipments in other periods. Retailers take turns to order freely under the SBOP, while under the SSOP all retailers order freely in the same period. With the average supply chain cost per period as the performance measure, we identify mathematical conditions under which scheduled ordering policies outperform the newsvendor-type ordering. Through a large-scale numerical study, we find that scheduled ordering policies are most effective when (i) the supplier's holding and expediting costs are high and the retailer's backorder cost is small, (ii) the end-customer demand variance and correlation are high, and (iii) the supplier's capacity is high. In addition, we observe that the behavior of the SSOP often complements that of the SBOP. Whereas the SBOP is better than SSOP when the supplier's capacity is low and when the end-customer demand correlation level is high, the SSOP is better when the opposite conditions prevail.
Node Participation in Ad Hoc and Peer-to-Peer Networks: A Game-Theoretic Formulation

Ad hoc and peer-to-peer networks sometimes operate as voluntary resource sharing networks, relying on users’ willingness to spend their own resources for the common good. As the costs of such resource sharing (what we call “node participation”) outweigh the benefits perceived by the nodes, users are less likely to participate, compromising overall network goals. The contribution of this paper is to formalize some of the relevant tradeoffs as a first step toward the design of appropriate incentive structures. We formulate a game theoretic model for node participation and derive conditions that will lead to a socially desirable equilibrium. We also analyze the impact of threats posed by a rogue node in the network.
The Effects of Conflict Asymmetry on Work Group and Individual Outcomes

We examine the consequences of an often ignored aspect of work group conflict—asymmetric conflict perceptions—for the effectiveness of individuals and groups. Tests of our multilevel hypotheses using data on 51 work groups showed that group conflict asymmetry (the degree to which members differ in perceptions of the level of conflict in their group) decreased performance and creativity in groups. In addition, individual conflict asymmetry (a member perceiving more or less conflict than other group members) explained reported performance and satisfaction with a group. Social processes and a positive group atmosphere mediated this effect.
Culture and self-construal as predictors of responses to accommodative dilemmas in dating relationships

The present study tests and extends existing research about the effects of culture and self-construal on reports of accommodative dilemmas in dating relationships. Data were collected from members of three different regional cultures: U.S. mainland, Hawaii, and South Korea. Using a four-factor self-construal model, two hypotheses were posited: (i) members of collectivistic cultures tend to enact accommodation (loyalty, voice) more and nonaccommodation (neglect, exit) less than do their individualistic counterparts; and (ii) bicultural self-construal is more strongly associated consistently with accommodation than are the other three self-construal types. These hypotheses received support. Collectivism–individualism was related consistently with the type of accommodation, and the four self-construal types also displayed a reliable pattern of associations with accommodation and nonaccommodation. Post-hoc assessments revealed that the four-factor model predicted self-reported accommodation better than did the two-factor model used in previous research. Small effect sizes in the present study, however, suggest that other factors (e.g., industrialization) may have a considerable bearing on responses to accommodative dilemmas.
Assessing students in small collaborative groups

tion among students can foster student learning and socio-emotional outcomes such as social skills, self-esteem, and attitudes toward others (Bossert, 1988/1989; Slavin, 1990). Not only is collaborative work among students a visible part of classroom instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade, but educators have also started calling for group work to be included in assessments of achievement to forge a stronger link between assessment and classroom practice (e.g., Mathematical Sciences Education Board, National Research Council, 1993; see also Linn, 1993). While group work may have an important and useful place in assessment, a number of issues need to be considered to ensure that collaboration
Preexisting Inflammation Due to Mycobacterium bovis BCG Infection Differentially Modulates T-Cell Priming against a Replicating or Nonreplicating Immunogen

ABSTRACT Induction of T-cell memory by vaccination ensures long-term protection against pathogens. We determined whether on-going inflammatory responses during vaccination influenced T-cell priming. A preexposure of mice to Mycobacterium bovis BCG impaired their subsequent ability to prime T cells against Listeria monocytogenes. This was characterized by a decrease in L. monocytogenes-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The intensity of T-cell priming towards L. monocytogenes depended on the extent of L. monocytogenes expansion, and a cessation of this expansion caused by M. bovis BCG-induced inflammation resulted in impairment in T-cell priming. A challenge of M. bovis BCG-infected mice with a higher L. monocytogenes dose increased L. monocytogenes survival and restored T-cell priming towards L. monocytogenes. Impairment in T-cell priming towards L. monocytogenes due to M. bovis BCG-induced inflammation resulted in a compromised protective efficacy in the long term after mice were rechallenged with L. monocytogenes. Preexisting inflammation selectively impaired T-cell priming for replicating immunogens as CD8+ T-cell response to ovalbumin administered as an inert antigen (ovalbumin-archaeosomes) was enhanced by M. bovis BCG preimmunization, whereas priming towards ovalbumin administered as a live immunogen (L. monocytogenes-ovalbumin) was impaired. Thus, depending on the nature of the immunogen, the presence of prior inflammatory responses may either impede or boost vaccine efficacy.