Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of perceived control and desire to be empowered: an analysis of perception and reality

Examines the relationship between empowerment, desire to be empowered and perceived control among professional nursing staff in a small healthcare institution where recent attempts at empowerment have had limited success. A sample of 31 nurses and nursing assistants was used to test hypotheses that there is a positive relationship between perceived control and empowerment and that this relationship is moderated in a positive direction by desire to be empowered. Questionnaires measuring the four dimensions (meaning, competence, self‐determination, impact) of empowerment and desire to be empowered as well as work locus of control were administered to subjects. Results support the hypothesized relationship between perceived control and empowerment. However, that between desire to be empowered and empowerment was not supported. Implications of these findings are discussed including several possible ways of increasing perceived control in specific situations. These include changing some organizational, supervisory style, reward system and job design factors.
Light Propagation with Phase Discontinuities: Generalized Laws of Reflection and Refraction

Light propagation can be controlled with plasmonic interfaces that introduce abrupt phase shifts along the optical path. Conventional optical components rely on gradual phase shifts accumulated during light propagation to shape light beams. New degrees of freedom are attained by introducing abrupt phase changes over the scale of the wavelength. A two-dimensional array of optical resonators with spatially varying phase response and subwavelength separation can imprint such phase discontinuities on propagating light as it traverses the interface between two media. Anomalous reflection and refraction phenomena are observed in this regime in optically thin arrays of metallic antennas on silicon with a linear phase variation along the interface, which are in excellent agreement with generalized laws derived from Fermat’s principle. Phase discontinuities provide great flexibility in the design of light beams, as illustrated by the generation of optical vortices through use of planar designer metallic interfaces.
Attitudes towards industrial training in the BEng. course in building services engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic

ABSTRACT Co-operative education involves teaching students both through formal lectures within educational institutions and placement in appropriate industrial undertakings. At the Hong Kong Polytechnic, one form of co-operative education is sandwich courses. Because of the difficulty in locating appropriate and adequate placements, and the seeming ineffectiveness of the industrial training experienced, some of the departments are reverting from sandwich courses to full-time studies, or offering the option of full-time/sandwich modes. This change of structure has not been evaluated. A study was carried out to evaluate the academic and non-academic values of the system and the needs of local industries, using the building services engineering (BSE) course as a starting point. The opinion of the BSE Department staff, industrial sector, current and past students in the course were surveyed. Recommendations were discussed.
Assignment of storage values to sequential read-write memories

Sequential read-write memories (SRWMs) are RAMs without an address decoder. A shift register is used instead to point at subsequent memory locations. SRWMs consume less power than RAMs of the same size. Algorithms are presented to check whether a set of storage values fits in a single SRWM and to automatically map storage values in as few SRWMs as possible. Benchmark results show that good assignments can be obtained in spite of the limited addressing capabilities.
The role of schema and appraisals in the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms following birth

Recent studies show that post‐traumatic stress reactions can occur following childbirth. The role of pre‐event schema as a vulnerability factor in the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms in childbirth has not been investigated. We aimed to determine the relationship between pre‐existing schema and interaction with previous trauma, birth experiences, birth appraisal and social support in the development of post‐traumatic symptoms following childbirth. We undertook a prospective, longitudinal study, whereby 121 first‐time mothers completed questionnaires from 34 weeks in their pregnancy, and of these 108 completed a second set of questionnaires at 6 weeks post‐partum. We found that the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth was significantly related to negative appraisal of the birthing experience and to pre‐existing, maladaptive schemas. We conclude that appraisal of the birthing experience and pre‐existing schemas have an influence on the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth.
Platelets: Inflammatory Firebugs of Vascular Walls

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Platelets can “inflame” the vascular wall by various mechanisms and thereby initiate and support the development of atherosclerosis. Platelet interaction with leukocytes, endothelial cells, and circulating progenitor cells triggers autocrine and paracrine activation processes, leading to inflammatory and atherogenic cascades at the vascular wall. This review highlights the molecular key components and pathways used by platelets to trigger and accelerate inflammation at the vascular wall and, thereby, atherosclerosis.
Supervised document classification based upon domain-specific term taxonomies

The classification of documents is an interesting topic of recent terminological investigations, in particular the technological ones. Some sophisticated techniques have been developed which provide the classification based upon the recognition of specific linguistic features, such as specific terms or occurrences of phrases. A limited number of cases exist of real document classification applications that make use of natural language processing techniques providing both statistical analysis and human supervision, where the system fully automates the classification process, but the instruction of the taxonomy is a totally human centred activity. In this paper we focus on an application with the above mentioned features; we then introduce a methodology that makes use of this application. The fundamental argument in favour of a specific methodology is that the analysis which leads to the deployment of the term 'taxonomy' can be seen as an ontology construction: we also discuss this aspect as a general motivation.
Approximation Bounds for Quadratic Optimization with Homogeneous Quadratic Constraints

We consider the NP-hard problem of finding a minimum norm vector in $n$-dimensional real or complex Euclidean space, subject to $m$ concave homogeneous quadratic constraints. We show that a semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation for this nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic program (QP) provides an $O(m^2)$ approximation in the real case and an $O(m)$ approximation in the complex case. Moreover, we show that these bounds are tight up to a constant factor. When the Hessian of each constraint function is of rank $1$ (namely, outer products of some given so-called steering vectors) and the phase spread of the entries of these steering vectors are bounded away from $\pi/2$, we establish a certain “constant factor” approximation (depending on the phase spread but independent of $m$ and $n$) for both the SDP relaxation and a convex QP restriction of the original NP-hard problem. Finally, we consider a related problem of finding a maximum norm vector subject to $m$ convex homogeneous quadratic constraints. We show that an SDP relaxation for this nonconvex QP provides an $O(1/\ln(m))$ approximation, which is analogous to a result of Nemirovski e [Math. Program. , 86 (1999), pp. 463-473] for the real case.
Inhibition of macrophage and endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase by diphenyleneiodonium and its analogs 1

The cofactor requirements of macrophage nitric oxide (NO·) synthase suggest involvement of an NADPH‐dependent flavoprotein. This prompted us to test the effect of the flavoprotein inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), di‐2‐thienyliodonium (DTI), and iodoniumdiphenyl (ID) on the NO· synthases of macrophages and endothelium. DPI, DTI, and ID completely inhibited NO· synthesis by mouse macrophages, their lysates, and partially purified macrophage NO· synthase. Inhibition of NO· synthase by these agents was potent (IC50‘s 50–150 nM), irreversible, dependent on time and temperature, and independent of enzyme catalysis. The inhibition by DPI was blocked by NADPH, NADP+, or 2'5‘‐ADP, but not by NADH. Likewise, FAD or FMN, but not riboflavin or adenosine 5‐diphosphoribose, protected NO· synthase from inhibition by DPI. Neither NADPH nor FAD reacted with DPI. Once NO· synthase was inhibited by DPI, neither NADPH nor FAD could restore its activity. DPI also inhibited acetylcholine‐induced relaxation of norepinephrine‐preconstricted rabbit aortic rings (IC50 300 nM). Inhibition of acetylcholine‐induced relaxation persisted for at least 2 h after DPI was washed out. In contrast, DPI had no effect on norepinephrine‐induced vasoconstriction itself nor on vasorelaxation induced by the NO·‐generating agent sodium nitroprusside. These results suggest that NO∗ synthesis in both macrophages and endothelial cells depends on an NADPH‐utilizing flavoprotein. As a new class of NO· synthase inhibitors, DPI and its analogs are likely to prove useful in analyzing the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of NO·. —Stuehr, D. J.; Fasehun, O. A. ; Kwon, N. S. ; Gross, S. S. ; Gonzalez, J. A. ; Levi, R. ; Nathan, C. F. Inhibition of macrophage and endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase by diphenyleneiodonium and its analogs. FASEB J. 5: 98–103; 1991.
Characterisation of Gut Microbiota in Ossabaw and Göttingen Minipigs as Models of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Background Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is an important contributing factor to obesity and obesity related metabolic disorders, known as the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to characterise the intestinal microbiota in two pig models of obesity namely Göttingen minipigs and the Ossabaw minipigs. Methods and Findings The cecal, ileal and colonic microbiota from lean and obese Osabaw and Göttingen minipigs were investigated by Illumina-based sequencing and by high throughput qPCR, targeting the 16S rRNA gene in different phylogenetic groups of bacteria. The weight gain through the study was significant in obese Göttingen and Ossabaw minipigs. The lean Göttingen minipigs’ cecal microbiota contained significantly higher abundance of Firmicutes (P<0.006), Akkermensia (P<0.01) and Methanovibribacter (P<0.01) than obese Göttingen minipigs. The obese Göttingen cecum had higher abundances of the phyla Spirochaetes (P<0.03), Tenericutes (P<0.004), Verrucomicrobia (P<0.005) and the genus Bacteroides (P<0.001) compared to lean minipigs. The relative proportion of Clostridium cluster XIV was 7.6-fold higher in cecal microbiota of obese Göttingen minipigs as compared to lean. Obese Ossabaw minipigs had a higher abundance of Firmicutes in terminal ileum and lower abundance of Bacteroidetes in colon than lean Ossabaw minipigs (P<0.01). Obese Ossabaws had significantly lower abundances of the genera Prevotella and Lactobacillus and higher abundance of Clostridium in their colon than the lean Ossabaws. Overall, the Göttingen and Ossabaw minipigs displayed different microbial communities in response to diet-induced obesity in the different sections of their intestine. Conclusion Obesity-related changes in the composition of the gut microbiota were found in lean versus obese Göttingen and Ossabaw minipigs. In both pig models diet seems to be the defining factor that shapes the gut microbiota as observed by changes in different bacteria divisions between lean and obese minipigs.
Excess Cash and Mutual Fund Performance

I document a positive relationship between excess cash holdings of actively managed equity mutual funds and future fund performance. The difference in returns of portfolios of high and of low excess cash funds amounts to over 2% annually, or approximately 3% after standard risk adjustment. I study whether this difference in performance can be explained by the differences in managerial stock selection skills, market-timing abilities, fund liquidity needs, and operating costs. I show that managers of high excess cash funds make more profitable stock purchasing decisions, while low excess cash fund managers make better sell decisions. Neither high nor low excess cash groups exhibit significant market-timing skills; however, funds with volatile excess cash holdings are successful market timers. The difference in returns between high and low excess cash groups is particularly pronounced during periods of low fund flows, suggesting that high excess cash funds are better able to anticipate fund outflows. Finally, I show that high excess cash funds incur significantly lower operating expenses than do their low excess cash peers. I additionally document new important determinants of mutual fund cash balances, showing that funds with riskier or less liquid shareholdings, as well as those with higher return gap measures hold more cash. The determinants I consider jointly explain three times more cross-sectional variation in cash positions than variables studied in prior literature. ∗Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, 2053 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2. Email: mikhail.simutin@sauder.ubc. ca. I thank Murray Carlson, Adlai Fisher, Lorenzo Garlappi, Ron Giammarino, Rob Heinkel, and seminar participants at the University of British Columbia for helpful comments. Excess Cash and Mutual Fund Performance
ReMoS: A Resource Monitoring System for Network-Aware Applications

Abstract : Network aware applications can adjust their resource demands in response to changes in the availability of resources. Such applications must be able to obtain information about the status of the network resources. Providing such information to an application is conceptually simple, yet defining an interface that addresses the needs of applications, as well as the realities of current and future networks, is far from easy. The Remos interface described in this paper allows network aware applications to obtain information about network capabilities and network status. Interesting network information may be generated by the network hardware (switches), the network interface or the network software, and is often in a system specific format. Further, network architectures significantly differ in their ability to provide such information in a timely and accurate manner. Remos provides a standard interface format that is independent of the details of any particular type of network. When hosted on an advanced network architecture, Remos provides access to accurate status and capability information. On legacy networks, Remos provides as much information as is feasible, using best effort approximation where appropriate. Using Remos, network aware applications can be written independent of any particular network architecture, yet have the ability to tune their execution behavior to the dynamic state of the network. In this paper we motivate and describe the Remos interface. We also sketch our first implementation of the interface for an IP based testbed. Our experience in defining and implementing Remos indicates that providing accurate feedback in an network independent manner is a significant challenge and we identify a number of areas for future work. The network independent Remos interface establishes a framework that can form the basis for further research.
The Mosaic of “Seronegative” Antiphospholipid Syndrome

In the clinical practice it is possible to find patients with clinical signs suggestive of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), who are persistently negative for the laboratory criteria of APS, that is, anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-β 2-GPI antibodies and lupus anticoagulant. Therefore, it was proposed for these cases the term of seronegative APS (SN-APS). In order to detect autoantibodies with different methodological approaches, sera from 24 patients with SN-APS were analysed for anti-phospholipid antibodies using TLC immunostaining, for anti-vimentin/cardiolipin antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for anti-annexin V and anti-prothrombin antibodies by ELISA and dot blot. Control groups of our study were 25 patients with APS, 18 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 32 healthy controls. Results revealed that 13/24 (54.2%) SN-APS sera were positive for aCL (9 of whom were also positive for lysobisphosphatidic acid) by TLC immunostaining, 11/24 (45.8%) for anti-vimentin/cardiolipin antibodies, 3/24 (12.5%) for anti-prothrombin antibodies, and 1/24 (4.2%) for anti-annexin V antibodies. These findings suggest that in sera from patients with SN-APS, antibodies may be detected using “new” antigenic targets (mainly vimentin/cardiolipin) or methodological approaches different from traditional techniques (mainly TLC immunostaining). Thus, SN-APS represents a mosaic, in which antibodies against different antigenic targets may be detected.
Building Emotional Literacy: Groundwork to Early Learning

A child has a sensitive period which lasts until he is almost five years old and which enables him to assimilate images from his environment in a prodigious fashion. He is an observer truly actively receiving these images through his senses. -Maria Montessori (1966) M y 30-year journey as an educator, with extensive observations of young children from diverse backgrounds, helps me understand the social and emotional needs of children. Having this array of experiences with young children, I often reflect upon what can be done to build a young child’s skills in expressing his or her feelings, how we can promote children’s well-being, and how we can create environments that enhance children’s learning potential. Part of social and emotional development is a child’s emotional literacy. Literacy is a multi-dimensional construct. It is diverse, complex, and intricate. No doubt, the current emphasis in early childhood highlights the need for a child to develop literacy skills. Such a foundation may promote later school success. Bocchino (1999) defines literacy as the ability to decode clues, whether they are the printed clues on a page of text or the subtle clues of interpersonal communication. Moreover, literacy includes the ability to create meaning and the ability to apply that understanding to our own lives. Bocchino posits that being literate must include a constellation of cultural and personal maps that help us comprehend not only the outside world, but also ourselves. It is time for those with an interest in school readiness to consider that a foundation in literacy must include the construct of ”emotional literacy. ” Goleman (1995) clearly states:
Is nest-site availability limiting Lesser Kestrel populations? A multiple scale approach

in Portuguese villages suggested that 85% of sites lacked suitable nest cavities. The model for selection of buildings indicated that Lesser Kestrels prefer buildings with many roof and wall cavities, and that are surrounded by extensive cereal and fallow fields. The villages selected had many old buildings and monuments, were located in areas with few rivers, and a low percentage cover of cereal, olive groves and forest. The conservation implications of these results are discussed.
When More Depletion Offsets the Ego Depletion Effect

The ego depletion effect has been consistently replicated using the typical paradigm that consists of two consecutive tasks. However, striking contradiction exists in studies employing multiple tasks. The aim of the current study is to replicate previous studies following a similar procedure and design in a sample of participants from a non-western cultural background (Chinese), while strictly controlling other confounding factors, such as task duration. Results indicated that although ego depletion occurred after performing a single initial self-control task, engaging in multiple tasks did indeed offset the depletion effect. These findings are contrary to the resource-based view of ego depletion (i.e., the strength model) but more consistent with other theoretical frameworks, such as the cognitive control theory.
Child Behavior in Mexican American/Chicano Families: Maternal Teaching and Child-Rearing Practices

When mother-child dyads in a Mexican American/Chicano sample are observed during a structured teaching task, children respond differently to permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian child-rearing practices. Analysis of family ecosystem variables show that despite their 10th-grade mean education level, these lower socioeconomic status mothers are well acculturated since most were third or fourth generation, speak English fluently, and live in predominantly white neighborhoods in the Midwest. Suggestions are made to teachers and family life educators for serving Chicano families without violating the essential role that their ethnicity plays in developing and maintaining a strong and fulfilling family life.
The Relationship of Hypochondriasis Measures to Correlates of Personality in the Elderly

Abstract The present study examined the relationship of hypochondriasis to degree of endorsement of each of the sixteen scales constituting the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionaire (16 PF) by 102 elderly individuals from retirement communities and private residences. Scale one of the MMPI and the Hypochondriasis Scale for Institutional Geriatric Patients (HSIG) served as measures of hypochondriasis in the prediction of 16 PF scores. Six of the multiple regression analyses performed and one set of zero order correlations relating 16 PF factors to measures of hypochondriasis were found to be significant. Of the seven factors involved in these analyses, five (Factor C, Ego Strength; Factor H, Boldness; Factor O, Guilt Proneness; Factor Q3, Ability to Bind Anxiety; and Factor Q4, Free-Floating Anxiety) are among the six “loadings” for Cattell et al.'s (1982) second order construct of Anxiety. It is suggested that anxiety and neuroticism may be significant predisposing factors in the development of hypochondriasis in the elderly and that hypochondriasis may take a more subtle, more inwardly focused form in the elderly than in younger populations.
A priority-layered approach to transport for high bandwidth-delay product networks

High-speed organizational networks running over leased fiber-optic lines or VPNs suffer from the well-known limitations of TCP over long-fat pipes. High-performance protocols like XCP require changes in the network. Other protocols like FastTCP assume nothing about the network but may not perform as well as network-aware protocols. In this paper, we present a new transport protocol that exploits the fact that these networks can offer priority queuing, thus finding the sweet spot between assuming too much and too little about the network. Our protocol splits a given transport flow into two prioritized flows. The higher priority flow operates with the legacy congestion control while the lower priority flow aggressively exploits spare capacity in the network while not interfering with the other participating flows. This isolation of the aggressive flow into strictly lower priority queues gives us more latitude in how to operate the aggressive component. We show through Emulab experiments of our implementation as well as simulations that this protocol can produce near-perfect goodputs in lossy networks, can considerably improve the completion time of short flows, and can sustain a high bottleneck utilization even in changing network conditions.