Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Counseling Expectations of Rational, Intuitive, and Dependent Decision Makers

In order to examine the relation between decision-making style and counseling expectations, theAssessment of Career Decision-Making Styles Scale and the Expectations About Counseling(Form B) Questionnaire were administered to 416 volunteers. Of these volunteers, 208 hadrational, 26 intuitive, and 13 dependent decision-making styles. The remaining mixed types werenot included in the data analysis. Following a significant multivariate analysis, univariate analysesof variance identified significant differences on four of the subscales: Acceptance, Nurturance,Attractiveness, and Expertise. Pair-wise comparisons using Duncan's multiple-range test indicatedthat those with dependent styles scored significantly higher than the rationals on Acceptance andNurturance. The intuitives scored significantly higher than the rationals and the dependents onAttractiveness. Both the intuitives and dependents scored higher than the rationals on Expertise.Implications of these findings are discussed with regard to counseling interventions.
Recognition Rules for Binding of Homeodomains to Operator DNA

Abstract The spatial arrangement of interfaces between homeodomain transcription factors and operator DNA has been considered. We analyzed the binding contacts for a representative set of 22 complexes of homeodomain transcription factors with a double-stranded operator DNA in the region of the major groove. It was shown that the recognition of DNA by the recognizing α-helix of protein is governed by two contact groups. Invariant protein-DNA group of contacts includes six contacts, formed by atomic groups of coding and non-coding DNA chains with the groups of amino acids. The recognizing α-helix forms contacts by polar groups of residues Trp2 (NE1), Asn5, and Lys9 with the canonical sequence T1A2A3T4 of the coding DNA chain, and contacts by residues Lys0, Arg7 and Lys11 with the sequence A4X5X6X7 of a non-coding DNA chain, where X is any nucleotide. Variable protein-DNA group of contacts comprises two groups bound with the sequence T3A4X5X6 of the non-coding DNA-chain. These contacts are mainly with the bases and specify the binding pattern of individual homeodomains. The invariant contact group represents a recognition pattern for transcription factors of the homeodomain family: multiple adenine-asparagine contact and six position-specific phosphate contacts mainly with lysine or arginine. Within this group, we have found three most significant invariant contacts which allow deducing the recognition rules for homeodomains. These rules are inherent for different taxonomic groups of the homeodomain family and can distinguishing members of this family from any other family of transcription factors.
Optimal Allocation of Resources to the Educational Sector in a System of Regions

After a review of different approaches to educational planning, the usefulness of various optimization models for regional educational planning is examined. These models are criticized for not making a distinction between education as an investment and education as a consumption good. Also they do not distinguish between supply of and demand for education, which leads to serious problems. In optimization models for the whole economy the solution depends on a large number of coefficient matrices. Each of these matrices is subject to errors of measurement. These can lead to very large errors in the variables concerning the educational system. The probability of error is drastically reduced if we limit ourselves to a sectoral model of the educational system, in which the future manpower requirement is an exogenous variable. The optimization model presented in this paper is an attempt along these lines, and takes into account a regional decision structure.
Scalable Mobile Visual Classification by Kernel Preserving Projection Over High-Dimensional Features

Scalable mobile visual classification-classifying images/videos in a large semantic space on mobile devices in real-time-is an emerging problem as observing the paradigm shift towards mobile platforms and the explosive growth of visual data. Though seeing the advances in detecting thousands of concepts in the servers, the scalability is handicapped in mobile devices due to the severe resource constraints within. However, certain emerging applications require such scalable visual classification with prompt response for detecting local contexts (e.g., Google Glass) or ensuring user satisfaction. In this work, we point out the ignored challenges for scalable mobile visual classification and provide a feasible solution. To overcome the limitations of mobile visual classification, we propose an unsupervised linear dimension reduction algorithm, kernel preserving projection (KPP), which approximates the kernel matrix of high dimensional features with low dimensional linear embedding. We further introduce sparsity to the projection matrix to ensure its compliance with mobile computing (with merely 12% non-zero entries). By inspecting the similarity of linear dimension reduction with low-rank linear distance metric and Taylor expansion of RBF kernel, we justified the feasibility for the proposed KPP method over high-dimensional features. Experimental results on three public datasets confirm that the proposed method outperforms existing dimension reduction methods. What is even more, we can greatly reduce the storage consumption and efficiently compute the classification results on the mobile devices.
Memory-based CHC algorithms for the dynamic traveling salesman problem

The CHC algorithm uses an elitist selection method that, combined with an incest prevention mechanism and a method to diverge the population whenever it converges, allows the maintenance of the population diversity. This algorithm was successfully used in the past for static optimization problems. The use of memory in Evolutionary Algorithms has been proved to be advantageous when dealing with dynamic optimization problems. In this paper we investigate the use of three different explicit memory strategies included in the CHC algorithm. These strategies - direct, immigrant and associative - combined with the CHC algorithm are used to solve different instances of the dynamic Traveling Salesman Problem in cyclic, noisy and random environments. The experimental results, statistically validated, show that the memory schemes significantly improve the performance of the original CHC algorithm for all types of studied environments. Moreover, when compared with the equivalent memory-based standard EAs with the same memory schemes, the memory-based CHC algorithms obtain superior results when the environmental changes are slower.
The effects of hypercapnia on DTI quantification in anesthetized rat brain

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) offers a valuable in vivo tool to characterize water diffusion behavior in biological tissues, particularly brain tissues. The accuracy of DTI derived parameters can directly affect the interpretation of underlying microstructures, physiology or pathologies. It is anticipated that measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) using DTI could be influenced and complicated by the presence of water molecules in brain vasculature. However, little is known about to what degree does blood signal from vasculature affect the diffusion quantitation. In this study, we examined the effects of hypercapnia on DTI quantification in rat brains using inhalation of 5% carbon dioxide (CO2). It was found that statistically significant changes occurred in parametric DTI maps in response to cerebrovascular challenges, indicating that vascular factors could interfere with in vivo DTI characterization of neural tissues. Consequently, hemodynamic alterations can potentially affect the DTI quantitation and detection of tissue microstructures and pathological alterations. Therefore, cautions must be taken when interpreting DTI parameters in vivo.
Molecular evolution of selected families of human endogenous retroviruses

Background: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are genetic fossils of ancient retroviral integrations that remain in the genome of many organisms. Most loci are rendered non-functional by mutations, but several intact retroviral genes are known in mammalian genomes and may play important roles in disease or physiological functions [1,2]. The determination of the integration time of these viruses has been based upon the assumption that both 5' and 3' Long Terminal Repeats (LTRs) sequences are identical at the time of integration, but evolve separately afterwards, thus behaving as paralogue genes. By studying the similarity at the genetic level between both LTRs of an ERV and using species-related mutation rates, one can estimate at what time that ERV might have inserted itself in the host genome[3]. Such approaches are not faithful representations of genetic reality, however, since ERVs, once inserted, are usually submitted to selective pressures. Because they are viral remnants, and thus harmful in principle to the host organism, many ERVs are indeed deleterious genes and suffer extreme genetic degradation. Degraded ERVs might reach present day as nothing more that solo LTRs. However, there are exceptions. Some ERVs remain relatively safe in the genome under the umbrella of neutral selection (genetic drift) and a few are even coopted by the organism as fully functional genes.
Design and use of CALM : An ubiquitous environment for mobile learning during museum visit

The development of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has led to a new kind of learning environments: ubiquitous learning environments. These environments are particularly interesting in the framework of school learning in museum, as they permit to provide learning content to students, adapted to their positions and interests. The students are free to move in the museum and the ubiquitous learning environment provides authentic learning situations. These environments are thus an alternative to classics guided tours which limit drastically the freedom of visit (for instance, during a guided tour, it is not possible to contemplate an artwork as long as you want). We present in this paper the design of an ubiquitous learning environment named CALM (ContextuAlized Learning in Mobility), for school learning during museum visits. In CALM as well as in other ubiquitous environment, the main challenge is to reconcile the freedom of movement and action, that characterizes authentic situations, with pedagogical control by the teacher, necessarily limiting this freedom. Our system aims to provide learners with situated interactions, while giving teachers the opportunity to integrate learning objectives that will influence the proposed interactions. We use semantic proximities over a semantic model of the domain (cultural heritage) and context (e.g. position in the museum, activity) to automatically generate contextualized learning activities: artworks suggestion and comparison, serious games based on what the learner has seen. We present the use of semantic rules to enable a loosely-based control of these activities by the teacher (thematic control) together with a fine direct control of proposed activities (contextual control).
theoretical and biochemical study The snRNP 15 . 5 K protein folds its cognate K-turn RNA : A combined

The human 15.5K protein binds to the 5 stem–loop of U4 snRNA, promotes the assembly of the spliceosomal U4/U6 snRNP, and is required for the recruitment of the 61K protein and the 20/60/90K protein complex to the U4 snRNA. In the crystallographic structure of the 15.5K–U4 snRNA complex, the conformation of the RNA corresponds to the family of kink-turn (K-turn) structural motifs. We simulated the complex and the free RNA, showing how the protein binding and the intrinsic flexibility contribute to the RNA folding process. We found that the RNA is significantly more flexible in the absence of the 15.5K protein. Conformational transitions such as the interconversion between alternative purine stacking schemes, the loss of G-A base pairs, and the opening of the K-turn occur only in the free RNA. Furthermore, the stability of one canonical G-C base pair is influenced both by the binding of the 15.5K protein and the nature of the adjacent structural element in the RNA. We performed chemical RNA modification experiments and observed that the free RNA lacks secondary structure elements, a result in excellent agreement with the simulations. Based on these observations, we propose a protein-assisted RNA folding mechanism in which the RNA intrinsic flexibility functions as a catalyst.
Long‐term ethanol exposure causes human liver cancer cells to become resistant to mitomycin C treatment through the inactivation of bad‐mediated apoptosis

The aim of this study was to test whether long‐term ethanol consumption confers therapeutic resistance to human liver cancer patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic ethanol‐treated cells were established by consecutively culturing a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep 3B, which contains integrated HBV sequences, for 20–40 passages with or without 10 mM ethanol (designated as E20–E40 and C20–C40, respectively). Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that a growth promoting effect of long‐term ethanol treatment was induced in the E40 cells through preferential acceleration of S‐phase in these cells. Lower protein expression levels of p16, p21/Cip1, and p27/Kip1 were detected in the ethanol‐treated E40 cells. We further demonstrated that long‐term ethanol‐treated E40 cells develop drug resistance in response to mitomycin C (MMC) treatment (>8 µM). Immunoblot analysis revealed that caspase‐8‐mediated mitochondrial apoptotic signals (such as Bad) were inactivated in the MMC‐resistant E40 cells. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the sequestration of phosphorylated Bad (Ser‐112) through its binding with 14‐3‐3 was detected more profoundly in the MMC‐resistant E40 cells. Next, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of MMC (10 mg MMC/kg body weight, three times per week) in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice bearing E40‐ and C40‐xenografted tumors. Significant reductions (>3‐fold) in tumor growth were detected in MMC‐treated C40‐xenografted mice. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that AKT‐ and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐mediated survival factors inhibited the Bad‐induced mitochondrial apoptotic signals that were involved in E40 tumor cells and that conferred resistance to MMC. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On modeling the tissue response from ultrasonic B-scan images

The authors model tissue as a collection of point scatterers embedded in a uniform media, and show that the higher-order statistics (HOS) of the scatterer spacing distribution can be estimated from digitized radio frequency (RF) scan line segments and be used in obtaining tissue signatures. The authors assume that RF echoes are non-Gaussian, on the grounds of empirical/theoretical justifications presented in the literature. Based on their model for tissue microstructure, the authors develop schemes for the estimation of reasonable periodicity as well as correlations among nonperiodic scatterers, Using HOS of the scattered signal, the authors define as tissue "color" a quantity that describes the scatterer spatial correlations, show how to evaluate it from the higher-order correlations of the digitized RF scan line segments, and investigate its potential as a tissue signature. The tools employed, i.e., HOS, were chosen as the most appropriate ones because they suppress Gaussian processes, such as the one arising from the diffused scatterers. HOS, unlike second-order statistics, also preserve the Fourier-phase of the signature, the color of the tissue response. Working on simulated and clinical data, the authors show that the proposed periodicity estimation technique is superior to the widely used power spectrum and cepstrum techniques in terms of the accuracy of estimations. The authors also show that even when there is no significant periodicity in data, they are still able to characterize tissues using signatures based on the higher-order cumulant structure of the scatterer spacing distribution.
A low-leakage current power 180-nm CMOS SRAM

A low leakage power, 180-nm 1K-b SRAM was fabricated. The stand-by leakage power of a 1K-bit memory cell array incorporating a newly-developed leakage current reduction circuit called a "self-controllable voltage level (SVL)" circuit was only 3.7 nW, which is 5.4% that of an equivalent conventional memory-cell array at a VDD of 1.8 V. On the other hand, the speed remained almost constant with a minimal overhead in terms of the memory cell array area.
At the Edge

Here lies the vocation of those who preserve our understanding of past theories, who sharpen our sense of the subtle, complex interplay between political experience and thought, and who preserve our memory of the agonizing efforts of intellect to restate the possibilities and threats posed by political dilemmas of the past. —Sheldon S. Wolin, “Political Theory as a Vocation” In the same way in which the great transformation of the first industrial revolution destroyed the social and political structures as well as the legal categories of the ancien regime, terms such as sovereignty, right, nation, people, democracy, and general will by now refer to a reality that no longer has anything to do with what these concepts used to designate—and those who continue to use these concepts uncritically literally do not know what they are talking about. —Giorgio Agamben, Means without Ends: Notes on Politics Looking obliquely at the edges of things, where they come together with other things, can tell you as much about them, often, as can looking at them directly, intently, straight on. —Clifford Geertz, “The Near East in the Far East”
Contextual explanations of radical right-wing support in Sweden: socioeconomic marginalization, group threat, and the halo effect

Abstract This paper provides a thorough test of important contextual explanations of variation in electoral support for radical right-wing parties. It has been proposed that support of the radical right is particularly strong in areas that are socioeconomically poor and/or where the concentration of immigrants is high. A variant of the latter hypothesis, known as the ‘halo effect’, states that the propensity to vote for the radical right is highest in areas close to immigrant-dense areas, but not within these areas. The data analyses are based on the total population of voting districts in Sweden (N = 5,668), which makes it possible to avoid some of the problems that usually plague studies of contextual effects on voting, such as low numbers of observations. The results demonstrate support for the socioeconomic marginalization hypothesis and, when controlling for socioeconomic factors, the halo effect hypothesis; whereas the support for group threat theory is mixed.
Open Access Research Article Maintaining a Balance: a Focus Group Study on Living and Coping with Chronic Whiplash-associated Disorder

Background: There is little qualitative insight into how persons with chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder cope on a day to day basis. This study seeks to identify the symptoms persons with Whiplash-Associated Disorder describe as dominating and explore their self-initiated coping strategies. Methods: Qualitative study using focus groups interviews. Fourteen Norwegian men and women with Whiplash-Associated Disorder (I or II) were recruited to participate in two focus groups. Data were analyzed according to a phenomenological approach, and discussed within the model of Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress (CATS). Results: Participants reported neck and head pain, sensory hypersensitivity, and cognitive dysfunction following their whiplash injury. Based on the intensity of symptoms, participants divided everyday life into good and bad periods. In good periods the symptoms were perceived as manageable. In bad periods the symptoms intensified and took control of the individual. Participants expressed a constant notion of trying to balance their three main coping strategies; rest, exercise, and social withdrawal. In good periods participants experienced coping by expecting good results from the strategies they used. In bad periods they experienced no or negative relationships between their behavioral strategies and their complaints. Background Whiplash was defined in 1995 by the Quebec Task Force as a neck injury mechanism and may result in injuries within the musculoskeletal and/or neurological system. The Quebec Task Force developed a system for grading Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD): WAD I-II (symptoms without known pathology), III (symptoms and neurological signs), and IV (symptoms and cervical fracture and/or dislocation) [1]. Grade I and II patients represent up to 90% of "whiplash injury claims" [2]. The proportion of patients who reports pain and disability six months after the accident (i.e. chronic WAD) varies substantially between studies and countries [3,4]. However, a recent review suggests that
Variety Seeking Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Review

A taxonomy of varied behavior is offered to structure research findings pertaining to the various phenomena termed “variety seeking. ” The literature is reviewed within that framework. Seemingly disparate research traditions, one viewing the phenomenon as inexplicable, the other attempting explanation, are shown to be converging. A model encompassing current research is proposed and its parameters scrutinized.
Coupled and decoupled actuation of robotic mechanisms

We describe two types of seemingly opposing design and control concepts for the realization of a high performance robotic system. One of them is the "coupled drive". It is a design and control strategy to maximize the output power of the robotic system by actively coupling the drive of installed actuators. We show two design examples of the coupled drive; design of leg mechanism and gait control of the wall climbing robot NINJA-II and design of a multi-DOF manipulator CT-Arm. Another is the "GDA", or gravitationally decoupled actuation. This is a design and control strategy to maximize energy efficiency of robotic systems by means of decoupled drive of installed actuators. We show two design examples based on the GDA; design of leg mechanism and control of quadruped walking robots. In the final part of the paper, we discuss a methodology to merge the two above-mentioned seemingly contradictory design methods, and apply the merged concept to posture control of a walking robot on a 3D terrain.
Spectral conversion based on statistical models including time-sequence matching

This paper proposes a spectral conversion technique based on a new statisticalmodel which includes time-sequence matching. In conventional GMM-based approaches, the Dynamic Programming (DP) matching between source and target feature sequences is performed prior to the training of GMMs. Although a similarity measure of two frames, e.g., the Euclid distance is typically adopted, this might be inappropriate for converting the spectral features. The likelihood function of the proposed model can directly deal with two different length sequences, in which a frame alignment of source and target feature sequences is represented by discrete hidden variables. In the proposed algorithm, the maximum likelihood criterion is consistently applied to the training of model parameters, sequence matching and spectral conversion. In the subjective preference test, the proposed method is superior than the conventionalGMM-based method.