Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Security enhancement, self-esteem threat, and mental depletion affect provision of a safe haven and secure base to a romantic partner

We recently showed that security priming facilitates safe haven support and overrides the detrimental effects of mental depletion (Mikulincer, Shaver, Sahdra, & Bar-On, 2013, Can security-enhancing interventions overcome psychological barriers to responsiveness in couple relationships? Attachment & Human Development, 15, 246–260.). Here, we extend these findings by examining another contextual barrier to caregiving (self-worth threat) and the effects of security priming on secure base support. In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions based on self-worth threat (yes, no) and security priming (yes, no) manipulations, and their behaviors were video recorded while they interacted with their romantic partner who was disclosing a personal problem. In Study 2, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions based on depletion (yes, no) and security priming (yes, no) manipulations, and their behaviors were videotaped while they interacted with their romantic partner who was exploring personal goals. In both studies, independent judges rated participants’ responsiveness to their partner’s needs during the videotaped interaction. Self-esteem threat and mental depletion adversely affected responsiveness to a partner’s disclosures. Security priming facilitated responsiveness in both studies and overrode the detrimental effects of mental depletion on secure base support.
Novel multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 variations in patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism

Background and Objectives: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can occur either as a sporadic case or in association with syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare autosomal-dominant disease resulting from mutations in MEN1 gene encoding a 621 amino acid long tumor suppressor protein “menin. ” We report here the results of MEN1 screening in 31 patients diagnosed with sporadic PHPT. Materials and Methods: Diagnosis of sporadic PHPT was made when blood urea and serum creatinine were normal, serum parathyroid hormone was high, and parathyroid enlargement could be localized on ultrasound and/or parathyroid scan. A total of 31 patients and 50 healthy volunteers were recruited for molecular analysis after taking informed consent. Results: Major symptoms at presentation were bone pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and renal stones. Molecular genetic analysis revealed the presence of two novel intronic variations, c. 913-79T>A and c. 784-129T>A which by human splicing finder are predicted to cause potential alteration of splicing by either activating an intronic cryptic acceptor site or converting a conserved exonic splicing silencer sequence to an exonic splicing enhancer site. Apart from these, two reported polymorphisms rs144677807 and rs669976 were seen only in patients and none of the controls. Other reported polymorphisms rs2071313 and rs654440 were identified both in controls and patients. Conclusions: This is the first study of MEN1 gene screening in sporadic PHPT in India reporting on the clinical and genetic findings, wherein two novel intronic variations c. 913-79T>A and c. 784-129T>A were identified showing their possible role in disease causation.
Road scene segmentation via fusing camera and lidar data

This paper presents an approach for pixel-wise object segmentation for road scenes based on the integration of a color image and an aligned 3D point cloud. In light of the advantage of range information in object discovery, we first produce initial object hypotheses by clustering the sparse 3D point cloud. The image pixels registered to the clustered 3D points are taken as samples to learn each object's prior knowledge. The priors are represented by Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) of color and 3D location information only, requiring no high-level features. We further formulate the segmentation problem within a Conditional Random Field (CRF) framework, which incorporates the learned prior models, together with hard constraints placed on the registered pixels and pairwise spatial constraints to achieve final results. Our algorithm is validated on the challenging KITTI dataset which contains diverse complicated road scenarios. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluation results show the superiority of our algorithm.
Risk and expertise in the speed limit enforcement debate: Challenges, adaptations and responses

This article explores the changing role of expertise within a society increasingly subject to policies justified by a ‘risk’ narrative. It uses the ongoing debate around the use of speed cameras to enforce speed limits as a lens through which the twin challenges of the ‘demonopolization’ and ‘democratization’ of expertise can be understood. Drawing on empirical research conducted with those who view themselves as experts in relation to the issue of speeding it proposes, first, that traditionally conceived experts such as government officials, police officers and road safety practitioners have had to adapt to the reality of a ‘marketplace’ of expertise in which their own expert product must be marketed in order to compete with that of other self-proclaimed expert voices. Second, and drawing on research conducted with drivers themselves, this research proposes that these marketing strategies are being deployed for the benefit of a public which actually sees itself as emancipated from such external sources of expertise and able to claim expert status in its own right. The findings are of potential relevance to any policy maker, practitioner or pressure group seeking to use a risk narrative to legitimate or oppose a policy stance.
Dimerization of βB2‐crystallin: The role of the linker peptide and the N‐ and C‐terminal extensions

βB2‐ and γB‐crystallins of vertebrate eye lens are 2‐domain proteins in which each domain consists of 2 Greek key motifs connected by a linker peptide. Although the folding topologies of βB2‐ and γB‐domains are very similar, γB‐crystallin is always monomeric, whereas βB2‐crystallin associates to homodimers. It has been suggested that the linker or the protruding N‐ and C‐terminal arms of βB2‐crystallin (not present in γB) are a necessary requirement for this association. In order to investigate the role of these segments for dimerization, we constructed two βB2 mutants. In the first mutant, the linker peptide was replaced with the one from γB (βB2γL). In the second mutant, the N‐ and C‐terminal arms of 15‐ and 12‐residues length were deleted (βB2ΔNC). The βB2γL mutant is monomeric, whereas the βB2ΔNC mutant forms dimers and tetramers that cannot be interconverted without denaturation. The spectral properties of the βh2 mutants, as well as their stabilities against denaturants, resemble those of wild‐type βB2‐crystallin, thus indicating that the overall peptide fold of the subunits is not changed significantly. We conclude that the peptide linker in βB2‐crystallin is necessary for dimerization, whereas the N‐ and C‐terminal arms appear to be involved in preventing the formation of higher homo‐oligomers.
The Use of Influence Tactics in Constructive Change Processes

The use of nine influence tactics by four groups in organizations in constructive change processes was investigated in a field study with 479 participants. Data were collected with a Dutch version of Yukl’s Influence Behaviour Questionnaire. The frequency with which line managers, staff specialists, consultants, and works council, delegates used the various influence tactics was examined. Furthermore, differences in direction of influence (upward, downward, or lateral) were assessed and compared to results of previous research in different settings. It was found that rational persuasion, inspirational appeals, and consultation were the most frequently used influence tactics. This is an encouraging finding because these three tactics are most effective for gaining target commitment to a proposal or request. In addition, it was found that the four groups used several influence tactics differently. Finally, only three directional differences in tactic use matched prior findings. This result suggests that constructive change processes lead employees to display different influence behaviour than they would in less uncertain and ambiguous circumstances.
User Acceptance of Mobile Payments: A Theoretical Model for User Acceptance of Mobile Payments: A Theoretical Model for Mobile Payments Mobile Payments

: Mobile payment refers to the use of mobile devices to conduct payment transactions. Users can use mobile devices for remote and proximity payments; moreover, they can purchase digital contents and physical goods and services. It offers an alternative payment method for consumers. However, there are relative low adoption rates in this payment method. This research aims to identify and explore key factors that affect the decision of whether to use mobile payments. Two well-established theories, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), are applied to investigate user acceptance of mobile payments. Survey data from mobile payments users will be used to test the proposed hypothesis and the model.
Amino acid sequence of guinea pig liver transglutaminase from its cDNA sequence.

Transglutaminases (EC 2.3.2.13) catalyze the formation of epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine cross-links and the substitution of a variety of primary amines for the gamma-carboxamide groups of protein-bound glutaminyl residues. These enzymes are involved in many biological phenomena. In this paper, the complete amino acid sequence of guinea pig liver transglutaminase, a typical tissue-type nonzymogenic transglutaminase, was predicted by the cloning and sequence analysis of DNA complementary to its mRNA. The cDNA clones carrying the sequences for the 5'- and 3'-end regions of mRNA were obtained by use of the sequence of the partial-length cDNA of guinea pig liver transglutaminase [Ikura, K. , Nasu, T. , Yokota, H. , Sasaki, R. , & Chiba, H. (1987) Agric. Biol. Chem. 51, 957-961]. A total of 3695 bases were identified from sequence data of four overlapping cDNA clones. Northern blot analysis of guinea pig liver poly(A+) RNA showed a single species of mRNA with 3.7-3.8 kilobases, indicating that almost all of the mRNA sequence was analyzed. The composite cDNA sequence contained 68 bases of a 5'-untranslated region, 2073 bases of an open reading frame that encoded 691 amino acids, a stop codon (TAA), 1544 bases of a 3'-noncoding region, and a part of a poly(A) tail (7 bases). The molecular weight of guinea pig liver transglutaminase was calculated to be 76,620 from the amino acid sequence deduced, excluding the initiator Met. This enzyme contained no carbohydrate [Folk, J. E. , & Chung, S. I. (1973) Adv. Enzymol. Relat. Areas Mol. Biol. 38, 109-191], but six potential Asn-linked glycosylation sites were found in the sequence deduced. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nonlinearity Estimation for Compensation of Phase Interpolator in Bang–Bang CDRs

This brief presents a technique for estimating the nonlinearity of phase interpolators (PIs) used in bang-bang phase detector-based clock and data recovery circuits. Using this estimation, the nonlinearity is compensated in a closed-loop manner. A Math model is proposed, which provides a theoretical basis for the nonlinearity estimation technique. The proposed technique is verified with the MATLAB model and with the Math model, which match within an LSB. The compensated nonlinearity lies within ±0.5 LSB of the PI for wide range of input conditions.
A Survey on the Permanence of Finnish Students’ Arithmetical Skills and the Role of Motivation

This study concerns the permanence of the basic arithmetical skills of Finnish students by investigating how a group ( ) of the eighth and eleventh year students and the university students of humanities perform in problems that are slightly modified versions of certain PISA 2003 mathematics test items. The investigation also aimed at finding out what the impact of motivation-related constructs, for example, students’ achievement goal orientations, is and what their perceived competence beliefs and task value on their performance in mathematics are. According to our findings, the younger students’ arithmetical skills have declined through the course of ten years but the older students’ skills have become generic to a greater extent. Further, three motivational clusters could be identified accounting for 7.5 per cent of students’ performance in the given assignments. These results are compatible with the outcomes of the recent assessments of the Finnish students’ mathematical skills and support the previous research on the benefits of learning orientation combined with the high expectation of success and the valuing of mathematics learning.
Efficient SAT solving for non-clausal formulas using DPLL, graphs, and watched cuts

Boolean satisfiability (SAT) solvers are used heavily in hardware and software verification tools for checking satisfiability of Boolean formulas. Most state-of-the-art SAT solvers are based on the Davis-Putnam-Logemann-Loveland (DPLL) algorithm and require the input formula to be in conjunctive normal form (CNF). We present a new SAT solver that operates on the negation normal form (NNF) of the given Boolean formulas/circuits. The NNF of a formula is usually more succinct than the CNF of the formula in terms of the number of variables. Our algorithm applies the DPLL algorithm to the graph-based representations of NNF formulas. We adapt the idea of the two-watched-literal scheme from CNF SAT solvers in order to efficiently carry out Boolean Constraint Propagation (BCP), a key task in the DPLL algorithm. We evaluate the new solver on a large collection of Boolean circuit benchmarks obtained from formal verification problems. The new solver outperforms the top solvers of the SAT 2007 competition and SAT-Race 2008 in terms of run time on a large majority of the benchmarks.
Mixed Methods Research on the Nexus Between Mathematics and Science

The importance of maths within STEM education is uncontested and yet there remains a paucity of studies examining the relationship, or nexus, between maths and science at university level. In Australia, recent concern over levels of participation and standards in maths and science education makes such research an imperative. In this paper we present the methodology for a multi-phase mixed methods study of the relationship between maths and science at one Australian university, including: (i) correlation between mathematics and other disciplinary attainments, (ii) measurement of the transferability of undergraduates’ learning, (iii) exploring factors associated with the transfer; and (iv) both students’ and experts’ views on the relationship between mathematics and science and the teaching and learning factors that facilitate or hinder transfer. Importantly, this naturalistic study draws on secondary data and interviews to explore this relationship as it occurs within normal university activity; transfer, for example, is observed in students’ performance in university exams. We report on findings from phase one of the study, by outlining student participation in first year mathematics study in relation to various factors and highlight gender and socioeconomic gaps, and we examine the high school maths preparation in relation to students’ pass rates in STEM degrees.
A tolerogenic role for Toll-like receptor 9 is revealed by B-cell interaction with DNA complexes expressed on apoptotic cells

Intracellular protein complexes containing nucleic acids are common targets of autoantibodies in many autoimmune diseases. Central tolerance to these antigens is incomplete, yet nucleosomal DNA is expressed on the surface of cells dying by apoptosis. It is commonly believed that autoimmunity is prevented by the rapid uptake of apoptotic cells (ACs) by neighbors or professional phagocytes to which they deliver anti-inflammatory signals. Self-reactive, innate-like B cells contact and are selected by intracellular antigens expressed on ACs; however, how self-tolerance is maintained is not well understood. Here we report that IL-10 production by B cells, stimulated by contact with ACs, results from the engagement of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) within the B cell after recognition of DNA-containing complexes on the surface of ACs. Until now, TLR9 ligation has been considered an inflammatory signal, but we have confirmed a hitherto unexpected immunoregulatory role by demonstrating the absence of the protective effect of ACs during experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in TLR9-deficient mice. Human circulating CD27+ B cells also respond to DNA-bearing ACs, but not to DNase-treated cells, by secreting IL-10. Chronic autoimmune disease may arise if this tolerance mechanism is not reimposed after episodes of inflammation, or if the regulatory B-cell response is subverted.
Hyper-Enhanced Production of Foreign Recombinant Protein by Fusion with the Partial Polyhedrin of Nucleopolyhedrovirus

To enhance the production efficiency of foreign protein in baculovirus expression systems, the effects of polyhedrin fragments were investigated by fusion expressing them with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Recombinant viruses were generated to express EGFP fused with polyhedrin fragments based on the previously reported minimal region for self-assembly and the KRKK nuclear localization signal (NLS). Fusion expressions with polyhedrin amino acids 19 to 110 and 32 to 110 lead to localization of recombinant protein into the nucleus and mediate its assembly. The marked increase of EGFP by these fusion expressions was confirmed through protein and fluorescence intensity analyses. The importance of nuclear localization for enhanced production was shown by the mutation of the NLS within the fused polyhedrin fragment. In addition, when the polyhedrin fragment fused with EGFP was not localized in the nucleus, some fragments increased the production of protein. Among these fragments, some degradation of only the fused polyhedrin was observed in the fusion of amino acids 19 to 85 and 32 to 85. The fusion of amino acids 32 to 85 may be more useful for the enhanced and intact production of recombinant protein. The production of E2 protein, which is a major antigen of classical swine fever virus, was dramatically increased by fusion expression with polyhedrin amino acids 19 to 110, and its preliminary immunogenicity was verified using experimental guinea pigs. This study suggests a new option for higher expression of useful foreign recombinant protein by using the partial polyhedrin in baculovirus.
CROSSOVER OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS IN DUAL-CAREER COUPLES

This study considers the source, nature and direction of ‘crossover’ of occupational stressors and strains in a sample of 74 dual-career couples. It examines patterns and habits of discussion about work between partners and investigates the role of partner communication and job commitment in the crossover process. Contrary to previous research findings which suggest that the direction of crossover is predominantly from men to their female partners, positive relationships were found between women's work stressors and the anxiety and depression reported by their male partners. Only modest evidence of crossover from men to women was found. Work demands were linked to the crossover process for both men and women but, unlike the findings of previous studies, supportive features of the working environment failed to predict crossover between partners. The nature and frequency of marital communication about work was associated with crossover, as was job commitment and satisfaction. The implications of these findings for the psychological health and functioning of dual-career couples are discussed, and recommendations for future research that might further elucidate the crossover process are made.
The Reader at Work: The Role of the Text and Text-Receiver in the Construction of the Protagonist of a Novel

The study investigates the influence of self-concepts on the interpretation of literary texts. Following the reader's response approach (László, 1999), the fruition of a narrative can be described as a process in which the reader re-constructs the “reality” represented by the author through his/her self schemas. An Italian novel, “Sostiene Pereira” by Antonio Tabucchi, was chosen to explore the potentiality of this perspective. This novel is a short tale completely centred on the vicissitudes of the main character. First a text analysis was conducted to explore the structure of Pereira's self, revealing ten dimensions. Based on these categories, a questionnaire was constructed and administered to participants to assess their self-concepts. After reading the whole book the participants evaluated the protagonist's self on the same dimensions. Results support the expectations that Pereira's self profile nearly overlaps that of each reader, showing a shared representation of the character colored by slight individual differences.
Aerobic Capacities of Early College High School Students

The Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI) was introduced in 2002. Since 2002, limited data, especially student physical activity data, have been published pertaining to the ECHSI. The purpose of this study was to examine the aerobic capacities of early college students and compare them to state and national averages. Early college students (N = 294) enrolled in a 16-week, aerobically-based, physical activity college course at a medium-sized North Carolina community college from 2006 to 2012 completed the Rockport Fitness Walking Test during the 2nd and 14th week of their class as a course requirement. Between the two test administrations, students adhered to a week-long walk, jog, run exercise program based on their initial walking test score and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise prescription guidelines (ACSM, 2010). Significant differences existed between male and female students’ aerobic capacities during the pretest (p = .03) and posttest (p = .04). The results are similar to 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and 2011 In-school Prevention of Obesity and Disease (IsPOD) data. Findings suggest that early college students’ cardiorespiratory fitness scores are similar to nonearly college students of the same age and gender. Early colleges are presented with an opportunity to be local, state, and national leaders by requiring early college students to complete multiple credits of physical education/activity in a 4- to 5-year early college experience.
Effects of Using Modified Items to Test Students with Persistent Academic Difficulties

This study investigated the effects of using modified items in achievement tests to enhance accessibility. An experiment determined whether tests composed of modified items would reduce the performance gap between students eligible for an alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS) and students not eligible, and the impact on student proficiency levels. Three groups of eighth-grade students (N = 755) from four states took original and modified versions of reading and mathematics tests. Findings indicate modified item conditions were significantly easier for all students and modifications would result in more AA-MAS eligible students meeting proficiency status. Study limitations and follow-up research on item modifications and the performance of students with disabilities are discussed.