Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On a scale of one to five, who are you? Mixed methods in identity research

While identity researchers are utilizing a variety of methods, the potential advantages of combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods remain largely unexploited. This article discusses the interplay of methods, theoretical content and meta-theoretical assumptions in identity research and calls for the use of mixed methods. The article applies a symbolic interactionist perspective and discusses what aspects of identification different methodological approaches provide insight into. It is discussed how different methodologies imply different assumptions about identity, particularly regarding the stability of identities, the constitution of identities and the conception of meaning. The influential quantitative Burke–Tully approach is brought into focus and compared to different qualitative approaches, particularly narrative interviews. A quantitative self-report measure neglects the narrative, performative and embodied quality of identification. However, the quantitative approach of Burke and Tully enables the systematic, standardized comparison of individuals making it possible to examine patterns of identification in large populations. Since different methods enable the study of different aspects of identity, while remaining blind to other aspects, mixed methods may contribute to more complete insights into identity processes. Importantly, mixed methods may be used to examine patterns available to the outside observer and the lifeworld of the individual actor and thus to both explain and understand.
UC Merced Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society Title What is the Ground ?

Analysis of the Symbol Grounding Problem has typically focused on the nature of symbols and how they tie to perception without focusing on the actual qualities of what the symbols are to be grounded in. We formalize the requirements of the ground and propose a basic model of grounding perceptual primitives to regions in perceptual space that demonstrates the significance of continuous mapping and how it influences categorization and conceptualization of perception. We also outline methods to incorporate continuous grounding into computational systems and the benefits of applying such constraints.
Are Liberals Agreeable or Not? Politeness and Compassion Differentially Predict Political Conservatism Via Distinct Ideologies

Documenting the relationship between Agreeableness and political conservatism has proven elusive. We address this anomaly by showing that two aspects of Agreeableness – politeness and compassion – have countervailing relationships with political conservatism through right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO). To test this, we analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of New Zealanders (N = 4,553). Politeness was positively, but compassion was negatively, correlated with political conservatism. Consistent with the differential mediation hypothesis derived from the dual process model of ideology and prejudice, these opposing relationships were differentially mediated by RWA and SDO. This attenuated the bivariate relationship between the higher-order trait of Agreeableness and political conservatism. These results demonstrate the complex relationship between personality and political orientation.
Digital Filter Threshold Algorithm Based on Clustering Analysis

A new digital filter algorithm is proposed. The concept of support and effective support quantity is introduced to survey the degree of measured data reliability. How to choose the filter threshold is key to determine support quantity. First measured data is classified, and then different filter thresholds are determined according to the different classification numbers. It can repress the proliferation of abnormal data influence on the case of not losing useful information. Because of the introduction of the effective support quantity, it can remove the remnant influence of abnormal data further. The data experiment confirms that when some abnormal data appear continuously and the true value jumps, it has good anti-interference and fast tracking ability comparing with same kinds of algorithms.
Interactively browsing large image collections

Manually locating an image in a large collection has become infeasible with the recent rapid growth in size of such collections. Nowadays, even private collections easily contain tens of thousands of images; public collections have long passed the billion images mark. Current approaches for finding images in large collections, therefore, try to confine the set of images by returning only those images that correspond to certain properties defined by a query. Such properties can include: keywords, semantic information associated with the images, similarity to an example image, a rough sketch of the desired outlines, or any combination thereof.
Efficacy of XP‐endo finisher files in the removal of calcium hydroxide paste from artificial standardized grooves in the apical third of oval root canals

AIM To compare the efficacy of the XP-endo finisher file (XP) (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland) to that of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and conventional syringe and needle irrigation (SNI) in the removal of calcium hydroxide paste from an artificial standardized groove in the apical third of root canals. METHODOLOGY The root canals of 68 mandibular incisors with single oval canals were prepared using Mtwo instruments (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) up to size 40, . 04 taper. Each tooth was split longitudinally, and in one half of the root, a standardized groove was prepared in the apical part of the specimen. The grooves were filled with Ca(OH)2 , and the root halves were reassembled. The roots were randomly divided into two control groups (n = 4) and three experimental groups (n = 20) according to the Ca(OH)2 methods used: XP, PUI and SNI. The amount of remaining medicament was evaluated under X25 magnification using a 4-grade scoring system. Kappa values were calculated for intra- and interobserver agreement evaluation. The differences in the Ca(OH)2 scores amongst the different groups were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS None of the tested methods could completely clean the Ca(OH)2 from the artificial standardized groove in the apical third of the root canals. XP and PUI removed significantly more Ca(OH)2 than SNI (P < 0.001), with no significant differences between them (P = 0.238). CONCLUSIONS XP and PUI were more effective in removing Ca(OH)2 from artificial standardized grooves in the apical third of root canals than SNI.
Buck/Boost DC–DC Converter Topology With Soft Switching in the Whole Operating Region

This paper proposes a buck/boost dc-dc converter topology based on the principle of auxiliary resonant commutated pole. The used snubber is fairly simple yet effective in reducing the switching losses. All active devices operate with soft switching, and switching noise is suppressed as much as possible. In addition to the conventional active switch loss reduction, the snubber participates in suppression of output diode reverse recovery. Moreover, complete soft switching in the whole operating region is achieved through controlled extended reverse conduction of synchronous rectifier. The topology was implemented in a 14 kW converter prototype operating at 62.5 kHz and tested with complete closed-loop control. Experimental efficiencies in the range of 98.5% show that the proposed circuit is highly capable while remaining sufficiently simple.
Analysis and implementation of on-the-fly stopping criteria for layered QC LDPC decoders

This paper presents an analysis of existing stopping criteria for layered architecture used for quasi-cyclic (QC) LDPC decoders. Furthermore, it proposes a novel imprecise method for early termination in layered decoders. The analysis is performed under the same framework in order to provide a fair and accurate comparison between existing methods, and our new solution. The developed hardware modules have been designed independently from the decoder architecture, with the only constraint that the decoder scheduling is layered. Synthesis estimates for Xilinx Virtex-7 devices and the decoding performance analysis indicate that the new stopping criterion presents the best cost/performance trade-off for most of the considered LDPC codes.
Ranking in context-aware recommender systems

As context is acknowledged as an important factor that can affect users' preferences, many researchers have worked on improving the quality of recommender systems by utilizing users' context. However, incorporating context into recommender systems is not a simple task in that context can influence users' item preferences in various ways depending on the application. In this paper, we propose a novel method for context-aware recommendation, which incorporates several features into the ranking model. By decomposing a query, we propose several types of ranking features that reflect various contextual effects. In addition, we present a retrieval model for using these features, and adopt a learning to rank framework for combining proposed features. We evaluate our approach on two real-world datasets, and the experimental results show that our approach outperforms several baseline methods.
Arts Integration in the Elementary Classroom

Akh ough the curriculum of the state of Alabama includes music and arts, only 295 arts teachers (mostly in music) presently serve Alabama's approximately 406,000 elementary students. Providing arts instruc­ tion to every elementary student would require over 1,500 additional teachers, according to the Alabama Division of Administrative and Financial Services. Consequently, if every elementary student in Alabama is to have arts education, classroom teachers must pro­ vide it. Yet, training in arts activities and instruction is not readily available at the state's regional in-service centers, since the arts are not approved as "critical areas. " Alabama's si tuation is not unique. Across the nation, cutbacks in education budgets have dimin­ ished support for the arts in public schools (Gregory, 1995; Martin, 1994), often leaving classroom teachers with sole responsibility for arts instruction. While it is important for music educators to advocate for fulltime specialists to provide comprehensive, in-depth arts instruction, we must also accept the reality that many children are growing up without so much as minimal exposure to the arts. How can we expect public support for the arts when so many of our chil­ dren and their parents have had no arts education? Without de-emphasizing the critical need for full-time specialists, we must give attention to educating class­ room teachers in the arts, preparing them to serve not merely as lay arts instructors but as confirmed advo­ cates for arts education.
LBVS-T: A location-based video streaming control scheme for trains

Video streaming over the wireless mobile network suffers from signal fading and shadowing effects. For instance, when the train is moving in a fixed route over the railway, the signal will vary along the moving route, especially on some specific positions, e.g., tunnels and underground. This serious signal variation results in packets loss and affects the video presentation quality. Furthermore, if the length of the tunnel is too long, the streaming buffer at the client side will have the starvation phenomenon. In this paper, we proposed a video streaming control mechanism called Location-Based Video Streaming Control mechanism for Trains (LBVS-T). Since the characteristics of the train are moving on a fixed route, the signal variation will show a specific pattern. The proposed mechanism can adjust the transmission rate based on the network disruption situation, which is caused by the geographic environment. The performance results demonstrate that LBVS-T can tackle the buffer starvation problem and have more smooth streaming performance when a train is moving before entering into, inside and just outside tunnels.
Moving Closer to Reach the Top: Approach Behavior Increases One's Sense of Power

Power holders exhibit more approach behavior than those without power and are even expected by others to do so. We proposed that this strong association between power and approach should make approach behavior a useful cue for perceiving one’s level of power: If I am approaching things, I must be powerful. Across three experiments, engaging in approach behavior led individuals to feel explicitly (Exp. 1) and implicitly (Exp. 2) more powerful and to feel better suited for high-power jobs (Exp. 3), without affecting conscious affective experiences. Furthermore, the effect was not dependent on specific physical movements; the same movement was psychologically framed as either approach or avoidance and affected participants’ sense of power accordingly (Exp. 1 & 3). Since power itself leads to approach behavior, these results suggest a way power hierarchies may be unintentionally perpetuated or strengthened.
Validity of Injecting Drug Users' Self Report of Hepatitis A, B, and C

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity of drug users self-reports of diseases associated with drug use, in this case hepatitis A, B, and C. DESIGN: Injecting drug users (n = 653) were recruited and asked whether they had been diagnosed previously with hepatitis A, B, and/or C. These self-report data were compared to total hepatitis A antibody, hepatitis B core antibody, and hepatitis C antibody seromarkers as a means of determining the validity of the self-reported information. SETTING: Anchorage, Alaska. PARTICIPANTS: Criteria for inclusion included being at least 18-years old; testing positive on urinalysis for cocaine metabolites, amphetamine, or morphine; having visible signs of injection (track marks). INTERVENTION: Serological testing for hepatitis A, B, and C. MAIN OUTCOME: Findings indicate high specificity, low sensitivity, and low kappa coefficients for all three self-report measures. RESULTS: Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in sensitivity associated with previous substance abuse treatment experience for hepatitis B self-report and with gender for hepatitis C self-report. CONCLUSION: Given the low sensitivity, the validity of drug users, self-reported information on hepatitis should be considered with caution. ABBREVIATIONS: HAV = hepatitis A virus; HBV = hepatitis B virus; HCV = hepatitis C virus; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; IDU = injection drug user; STD = sexually transmitted disease.
Contrasting Immunological Effects of Two Disparate Dusts – Preliminary Observations

Background: Modern lifestyle and urbanization have been associated with a raised risk for atopic diseases whereas early and long-term exposure to a farm environment confers protection against atopic sensitization. Immunomodulatory potential and microbiological characteristics of settled airborne dust from an urban house and a barn were examined. Methods: Pulmonary inflammation was induced in mice by repeated intranasal administration of dusts. Monocyte-derived human dendritic cells (moDCs) were exposed to dusts followed by coculture with purified naïve T cells. Cytokine/chemokine mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. The dusts were analyzed by cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes (290 sequences) for DNA, lipids, endotoxin and β-glucan, by live-dead staining, viable counting, isolation and identification of pure cultures (n = 76). Results: Repeated exposure to house dust elicited pulmonary eosinophilia in mice whereas exposure to barn dust elicited neutrophilic and lymphocytic airway inflammation. Stimulation of moDCs with urban house dust elicited expression of Th2-promoting OX40L and Jagged-1 costimulatory molecules. Dendritic cells (DCs) exposed to house dust directed naïve T cells towards Th2 responses. Exposure of DCs to barn dust elicited the development of Th1-dominated immune responses. Urban house dust contained bacterial debris almost exclusively of human commensal species (corynebacteria, streptococci) whereas barn dust comprised mainly intact, viable bacteria of high diversity and no commensal species. Conclusion: Contact to debris originating from human commensal bacteria in urban house dust elicited a Th2-type response whereas barn dust with high bacterial diversity directed the cells towards a Th1 response.
Plane-Based Coarse Registration of 3D Point Clouds with 4D Models

The accurate registration of 3D point clouds with project 3D/4D models is becoming more and more important with the development of BIM and 3D laser scanning, for which the registration in a common coordinate system is critical to project control. While robust solutions for scan-model fine registration already exist, they rely on a fairly accurate prior coarse registration. This paper first shows that, in the context of the AEC/FM industry, the scan-model coarse registration problem presents specific (1) constraints that make fully automated registration very complex and often illposed, and (2) advantages that can be leveraged to develop simpler yet effective registration approaches. A semiautomated system is thus proposed that takes those characteristics into account. The system automatically extracts planes from the point cloud and 4D model. The planes are then manually but intuitively matched by the user. Experiments, comparing the proposed system to registration software commonly used in the AEC/FM industry, demonstrate that at least as good registration quality can be achieved by the proposed system, but more simply and faster. It is concluded that, in the AEC/FM context, the proposed plane-based registration system is a compelling alternative to standard point-based registration techniques.
The Power of Message Networks: A Big-Data Analysis of the Network Agenda Setting Model and Issue Ownership

This article presents an empirical study that tests a new concept, “issue ownership network,” which is based on the network agenda setting (NAS) model and the theory of issue ownership. Big data analytics and semantic network analysis were used to examine the large data set collected on Twitter during the 2012 U.S. presidential election. Results showed that the news media could determine the public's identification of a political candidate with not just individual issues but also entire networks of issues. Here we argue that traditional news media still set the public agenda in this new media environment, and do so in ways more complicated through constructing message networks. The study also demonstrates that the NAS model and its unique focus can potentially enrich the understanding of other communication and social science theories and concepts.
Developing long-term computing skills among low-achieving students via web-enabled problem-based learning and self-regulated learning

Many private vocational schools in Taiwan have taken to enrolling students with lower levels of academic achievement. The authors re-designed a course and conducted a series of quasi-experiments to develop students’ long-term computing skills, and examined the longitudinal effects of web-enabled, problem-based learning (PBL) and self-regulated learning (SRL) on vocational students’ computing skills. Two classes of 76 students in a one-semester course were chosen for this empirical study. These low-achieving students were re-examined for their long-term computing skills 36 months after the course started. The results indicate that students who received web-enabled PBL and SRL had significantly better computing skills in the 36th month than those who received traditional didactic lectures. The authors discuss the implications for schools, and for scholars and teachers engaged in e-learning.
Recombinant interleukin 12 cures mice infected with Leishmania major

Resistant C57BL/6 mice infected with Leishmania major are self-healing, whereas susceptible BALB/c mice fail to contain cutaneous infection and subsequently undergo fatal visceral dissemination. These disparate outcomes are mediated by dissimilar expansions of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in vivo during cure and progression of disease. Because interleukin 12 (IL-12) has potent T cell growth and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) stimulatory effects, we studied its effect on CD4+ T cell differentiation during murine leishmaniasis. Treatment with recombinant murine (rMu)IL-12 during the first week of infection cured 89% of normally susceptible BALB/c mice, as defined by decreased size of infected footpads and 1,000-10,000-fold reduced parasite burdens, and provided durable resistance against reinfection. Cure was associated with markedly depressed production of IL-4 by lymph node cells cultured with antigen or mitogen, but preserved or increased production of IFN-gamma relative to untreated mice. IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNA associated with CD4+ T lymphocytes isolated from infected lymph nodes showed similar reciprocal changes in response to rMuIL-12 therapy. A single injection of anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody abrogated the protective effect of rMuIL-12 therapy and restored Th2 cytokine responses. We conclude that rMuIL-12 prevents deleterious Th2 T cell responses and promotes curative Th1 responses in an IFN-gamma- dependent fashion during murine leishmaniasis. Since BALB/c leishmaniasis cannot be cured with rMuIFN-gamma alone, additional direct effects of IL-12 during T cell subset selection are suggested. Because rMuIL-12 is uniquely protective in this well-characterized model of chronic parasitism, differences in IL-12 production may underlie heterogenous host responses to L. major and other intracellular pathogens.
ReViV: Selective Rebroadcast Mechanism for Video Streaming over VANET

Video content delivery for vehicular ad hoc networks (VANET) under dense network conditions poses non trivial issues because of the scarcity and volatility of the wireless medium. In this context, video communication is envisioned to be of high benefit for traffic management as well as for providing value-added entertainment and advertising services. In this paper, we propose a new mechanism for efficient video streaming over VANET. The proposed mechanism selects a minimum sub-set of rebroadcaster vehicles in order to reduce interferences and achieve high video quality. The vehicles are ranked based on their strategic location in the network and their capacity to reach other vehicles using a new centrality metric inspired from the Social Network Analysis (SNA), called dissemination capacity. Through simulations, we compared our mechanism with the multichannel vehicular communication standard IEEE 1609.4 and another pioneering video streaming mechanism over VANET. The performance evaluation shows that it outperforms the abovementioned mechanisms by providing higher video delivery ratio, lower end- to-end transmission delay and lower frame loss ratio in both fully and intermittently connected networks.