Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial Politics, Racial Disparities, and the War on Crime

Racial disparities in the justice system have steadily gotten worse since 1980, primarily because of politically motivated decisions by the Reagan and Bush administrations to promote harsh drug and sanctioning policies that, existing research and broad agreement among practioners concur, could not significantly reduce crime rates or drug use. It is difficult to imagine a persuasive ethical defense of promotion of policies that were unlikely to achieve their ostensible goals but were foreseen to have an adverse disparate effect on Blacks.
Putting Things in Order: A Critique of Detrended Correspondence Analysis

Methods of ordination are multivariate statistical techniques designed to order individual entities on the basis of the similarities or differences for variables scored for each entity. These methods, most of which are based on linear-model theory, often fail to order entities correctly because of the nonlinear relationships among the observed variables. Under simple assumptions, the joint distribution of entities viewed in multidimensional variable space results in a curved structure that is called the circumplex in psychology, the horseshoe in archaeology, and the arch in ecology. We review the reasons for the formation of this structure and point out the limitations of traditional ordination methods for resolving data with this structure. We argue that detrended correspondence analysis, although designed as a new, improved ordination method, is no better and perhaps worse than traditional methods. All methods are influenced by data curvature and scaling. Until more-effective ordination methods can be developed, we recommend reporting the arch unscaled in two dimensions, even though it is a one-dimensional form.
A comparison of treadmill scores to diagnose coronary artery disease

Background: Recently, several treadmill scores have been proposed as means for improving the diagnostic accuracy of the exercise treadmill test (ETT). Questions remain regarding the diagnostic accuracy of treadmill scores when applied to a different patient population than that from which they were derived; furthermore, many treadmill scores have not been compared with one another in the same population.
Evaluation of solid-state accelerometer for positioning of vehicle

An evaluation of a low-cost, small sized solid state accelerometer in the absence of absolute positioning information is performed in this paper. Acceleration signal outputted by the sensor is doubly integrated with time that yields the travel distance. Due to bias and Thermal noise of the accelerometer which is accumulate in time, Kalman filter is need to be design to increase the accuracy of position estimation system. A modeling for bias of solid state accelerometer ADXL250 QCG without aiding sensor evaluated in this paper. During the preceding time instants, the position information becomes increasingly untrustworthy and the validity of the position updates decays. So, we used a smoother algorithm based Kalman filter for better estimation accuracy in position estimation. Result show smoothing algorithm increase the accuracy of position estimate for short time duration
Continued development of a 12-cm-diameter nozzle for argon Z-pinches

We report on the variation of K-shell X-ray output of an argon Z-pinch as a function of the radial gas distribution. The tests, conducted on the Double-EAGLE simulator at /spl sim/3.5-MA peak current, utilized a 12-cm-diameter double-shell nozzle that was designed for use with the 300-ns rise-time current pulse (/spl sim/6 MA) of the DECADE QUAD pulsed power machine. By varying the plena gas pressures of the inner and outer shells, the net radial distribution could be changed from one that was strongly concentrated near the axis to one more broadly distributed as a function of radius. Previous work has shown that a roughly uniform radial distribution gives higher X-ray output than shell-like flows for gas Z-pinches. The present work was focused on refining the optimum radial distribution and to establish benchmarks for modeling calculations. The present data show that the K-shell yield has a broad optimum (and the relative strength of the K continuum >4 keV systematically changes) as the mass distribution becomes more peaked near the axis. Very-high-quality K-emitting volumes (<5 ns pulse width from <1 mm diameters) were achieved over a significant fraction of the pinch length.
Expanded newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry: results, outcome, and implications.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to determine the impact of expanded newborn screening using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on the overall detection rate of inborn errors of metabolism in Germany and to assess the outcome for the patients that were diagnosed. METHODS During the period of study, 250,000 neonates in a German population were investigated for 23 inborn errors of metabolism by electrospray ionization-MS/MS. The overall value of the screening program was estimated by 1) complete ascertainment of all positive tests; 2) definite assignment of all diagnoses including reconfirmation at 12 months; and 3) clinical follow-up of all detected patients in an overall interval of 42 months. The mean observation period was 13.5 months per child. RESULTS In 106 newborns, confirmed inborn errors of metabolism were found. The disorders were classified as 50 classic forms and 56 variants. A total of 825 tests (0.33%) were false-positives. Seventy of the 106 newborns with confirmed disorders were judged to require treatment. Six children developed symptoms despite treatment. Three children had died. Among 9 children who became symptomatic before report of the results of screening, in 6 the diagnosis had been made in advance of the screening report. In evaluation of the screening program, 61 of the 106 identified children (58% of true-positives, or 1 of 4100 healthy newborns) were judged to have benefited from screening and treatment, because the diagnosis had not been made before screening. None of these infants had died and none developed psychomotor retardation or metabolic crisis during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS The screening by MS/MS for up to 23 additional disorders has approximately doubled the detection rate compared with that achieved by the conventional methods used in Germany. This strategy represents valuable preventive medicine by enabling diagnosis and treatment before the onset of symptoms.
User choice as an evaluation metric for web translation in cross language instant messaging applications

A method for evaluating MT performance embedded in Cross-Language Instant Messaging (CLIM) systems is presented. A web interface that provided concurrent real-time translation for instant messaging from multiple MT services was developed and used by paid participants to collaborate on a photo identification task. The method showed a task performance benefit due to the availability of multiple translation alternatives. The method also provides a new evaluation metric for MT systems based on user‟s task motivated choices. This method was used to compare two English-Japanese online translation systems, one from Google, and one from Excite/Japan.
The core regulation module of stress-responsive regulatory networks in yeast

How does a cell respond to numerous external stresses with a limited number of internal molecular components? It has been observed that there are some common responses of yeast to various stresses, but most observations were based on gene-expression profiles and only some part of the common responses were intensively investigated. So far there has been no system-level analysis to identify commonly responsive or regulated genes against various stresses. In this study, we identified a core regulation module (CRM), a commonly involved regulation structure in the regulatory networks of yeast, which cells reuse in response to an array of environmental stresses. We found that regulators in the CRM constitute a hierarchical backbone of the yeast regulatory network and that the CRM is evolutionarily well conserved, stable against genetic variations and crucial for cell growth. All these findings were consistently held up to considerable noise levels that we introduced to address experimental noise and the resulting false positives of regulatory interactions. We conclude that the CRM of yeast might be an evolutionarily conserved information processing unit that endows a cell with enhanced robustness and efficiency in dealing with numerous environmental stresses with a limited number of internal elements.
Understanding the Active Ingredients in an Effective Preschool Vocabulary Intervention: An Exploratory Study of Teacher and Child Talk During Book Reading

Research Findings: In order to identify the active ingredients in an effective professional development intervention focused on enhancing preschool vocabulary instruction, this study examines the frequency with which teachers and children discussed theme-related vocabulary words during shared book reading. Head Start teachers received 1 year of training focused upon early vocabulary development. Children's vocabulary skills were assessed in the fall and spring of the school year. In spring, teachers read a storybook to their classroom, and teachers’ and children's remarks about theme-related vocabulary during the reading—including contextualized and decontextualized statements as well as verbatim repetitions of one another's statements—were coded. Practice or Policy: Results of multilevel models showed that more frequent references to thematic vocabulary by teachers were linked to stronger child vocabulary development. Although children's vocabulary references were not uniquely predictive of vocabulary learning, teachers’ repetition of children's remarks contributed to children's vocabulary gains.
Gender, sexuality, and sexual orientation: All in the feminist family?

This essay argues that a focus on gender alone is inadequate for the development of the economics of sexuality because of important differences between “gender” and “sexuality” as analytical categories. Examples of gender-based models of the family reveal the limitations of applying those models to the families of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, since gay families face very different legal, political, and cultural constraints and opportunities. However, variations in family forms and behavior that are rooted in sexual orientation differences provide opportunities for new feminist research strategies for studying the influence of gender norms and family legal institutions on economic behavior, for instance. And finally, feminists can also learn from and contribute to the political efforts of lesbian and gay activists who are creating new forms of legally and materially recognized relationships between adults.
Justice and trust as antecedents of careerist orientation

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the antecedents of careerist orientations to work. Hypotheses are drawn from referent cognitions theory. First, it is proposed that trust mediates the relationship between an individual's perceptions of procedural justice and their careerist orientations to work. Second, perceptions of distributive justice, regarding the allocation of career development opportunities, will moderate the relationship between trust and careerist orientations to work. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 325 employees of a large UK financial institution completed a structured questionnaire. Regression analysis (using SPSS version 11) was used to test the presented hypotheses. Findings – All hypotheses were confirmed. However, the interaction effect observed was different from that hypothesised. It appears that trust only matters, in terms of the development of careerist orientations to work, when individuals feel that they are receiving equitable career development opportunities. Research limitations/implications – Much more research is required in different organisational contexts if one is to fully confirm and understand these relationships. However, these findings suggest that employers will only reduce the development of careerist attitudes in their workforce if they ensure the fair distribution of career development opportunities and engender trusting relations through the implementation of fair decision-making procedures. Originality/value – This paper adds much needed empirical research to the literature on new career realities and careerist orientations to work. Moreover, referent cognitions theory is presented as a new theoretical framework for understanding the cognitive processes involved in an individual's development of careerist attitudes.
Simulation based design and reconfiguration of production systems

In the time of constant changes in market demands for certain products and their amounts, time to market period is limited by the increasing competition influence. The global approach allows multinational and trans-national companies, by being present in great many markets, to market their products, which are made as a result of mass production, in smaller amounts at separate markets, leading to price decrease of these products. This conditions the need to find a way for the shortest answer possible for every customer’s demand, with respect to their demands. The time for designing a product, working process and production system, procuring necessary material, equipment and tools, production and delivery should not be the reason for a decreased degree of competitiveness. This paper presents the approach in developing a method for designing production systems supported by building simulation model of the system and the working process by specialized software. Results and information acquired by simulation process should make possible the analysis of the proposed variations and making the decision on designing and later on reconfiguration of the production working unit at the moment when the values of the critical number of parameters exceed the limits of allowed deviations. (Received in May 2005, accepted in October 2005. This paper was with the authors 3 months for 2 revisions.)
Breaking bad news concerning fertility.

Introduction The subject for this opinion paper is breaking bad news, a complex and integral part in the area of infertility. From the couple’s point of view, involuntary childlessness is not a question of once receiving bad news but repeatedly receiving bad news during the infertility investigation and treatment. Already before seeking medical attention, the couple will have had monthly bad news in the form of unwanted menstruation. To exaggerate a little, one could say that there is, in this respect, only one form of good news for the couple – that of a successful pregnancy. From research regarding the impact of infertility it is obvious that both the infertility itself and the medical process evoke many feelings in the couple (Lalos et al., 1985a; Kentenich, 1989; Möller and Fällström, 1991). In most cases, the woman is the first to recognize infertility as a problem and to initiate open discussion on the subject. Usually she also arranges the first medical contact. Both from reports and daily clinical work, it has been established that couples attending infertility clinics generally experience feelings of frustration and inadequacy and show signs of emotional stress (Collins et al., 1992; Reading, 1992; Laffont and Edelman, 1994). The ability to control fertility is often taken for granted, both in the medical profession and by the public at large. Perhaps the impact of medical interventions has left us more vulnerable to disappointment; there is a prevailing ideology of curability which influences both the medical staff and infertile couples. Most couples assume that they can have children if and when they desire, and there are both internal and external motives for wanting a child (Lalos et al., 1985b; Wikman et al., 1992; van Balen and Trimbos-Kemper, 1994). Although great progress has been made with medical investigation and treatment of infertility, it is still often a protracted and time consuming process, with many couples never getting their desired child. The somatic aspects are generally considered in great detail, but in too many cases little or no attention is paid to the psychological, social and sexual consequences of infertility.
An Affective Agent for Studying Composite Emotions ( Demonstration )

Using an affective agent to estimate humans’ composite emotions is important for creating believable interactions in human-agent collectives. However, there is a lack of suitable platforms for building large scale datasets on this topic to help researchers improve the accuracy of estimations. In this paper, we design and implement an affective agent, which uses explicit emotion appraisals and a historical group emotion dataset to study a user’s hidden emotion compositions.
Variation on the serotonin transporter gene and bias in the interpretation of ambiguity

Previous studies have established that carriers of the low expression form of the serotonin transporter gene have an early attentional bias towards threatening relative to benign or positive information, in contrast to those with a high expression form of this gene. In the present study we extend this finding of a link between variation on the serotonin transporter gene and attentional bias to biases in the interpretation of emotional ambiguity. Specifically, a series of homophones were verbally presented (e.g., PAIN/PANE) and in line with research on attentional bias, participants with a low expression form of the serotonin transporter were more likely to select the threatening meaning more than those with a high expression form of the gene. This is the first evidence that variation on the serotonin transporter gene is correlated with interpretative bias and further strengthens the proposal that genetic variation, like processing bias, may play a role in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders.
Assessing the Private Safety Net: Social Support among Minority Immigrant Parents

Traditional assimilation paradigms argue that immigrants are particularly disadvantaged in feelings of marginality and dislocation. Given these paradigms, we explore how minority and immigrant status are associated with perceptions of social support among parents of young children. We use the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a nationally representative sample of children in kindergarten in 1998 and 1999. Most groups of minority immigrant parents, compared to their native-born white counterparts, report lower levels of perceived social support, and this gap persists even when demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are held constant. Additionally, English language ability, but not years spent in the United States, attenuates the disadvantages that Hispanic immigrant parents face in their perceptions of social support compared with white immigrant parents. Finally, Hispanic parents report substantial variation in their perceptions of social support by ethnicity. As social support is an important predictor of parents' economic stability and children's well-being, these findings have important implications for children of immigrants, an important and increasing demographic group in the United States.
Fast Heuristics for Power Allocation in Zero-Forcing OFDMA-SDMA Systems with Minimum Rate Constraints

We investigate in this paper the optimal power allocation in an OFDM-SDMA system when some users have minimum downlink transmission rate requirements. We first solve the unconstrained power allocation problem for which we propose a fast zero-finding technique that is guaranteed to find an optimal solution, and an approximate solution that has lower complexity but is not guaranteed to converge. For the more complex minimum rate constrained problem, we propose two approximate algorithms. One is an iterative technique that finds an optimal solution on the rate boundaries so that the solution is feasible, but not necessarily optimal. The other is not iterative but cannot guarantee a feasible solution. We present numerical results showing that the computation time for the iterative heuristic is one order of magnitude faster than finding the exact solution with a numerical solver, and the non-iterative technique is an additional order of magnitude faster than the iterative heuristic. We also show that in most cases, the amount of infeasibility with the non-iterative technique is small enough that it could probably be used in practice.
“What's in it for me?”: Increasing content relevance to enhance students' motivation

Frequently, students are skeptical of the significance of the material taught to them in the classroom. A question they often pose to teachers is “What's in it for me? ” Making content relevant to students' personal and career goals addresses these concerns. A scale to measure content relevance in the classroom was developed, factor analyzed, and determined to be a valid and reliable unidimensional instrument. Making content relevant to students' personal and career goals was hypothesized to be a factor, in addition to immediacy, that increases students' state motivation. Relevance was found to be associated with state motivation to study. In addition, relevance accounted for a significant amount of variance in state motivation after taking verbal and nonverbal immediacy into consideration.
A Hierarchical Fuzzy Based Approach for Face Detection

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for face detection in 2D intensity images. The method has two steps: extracting face candidates and filtering out the false positives. In the first stage we provide a face model by combining intensity and edginess information of face image. The extracted features are fuzzified to overcome the problem of variations in imaging system. We provide a fuzzy model for the most representative parts of face (lip, eyes and forehead) . The applying first part on input image results a number of locations candidate as face. In the second part we use a neural network to filter out false positives from the list of candidates for face. We train this part using face and non-face images.
The Role of Epistemic Beliefs in Students’ Self-Regulated Learning With Computer-Based Learning Environments: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

Users benefit most from computer-based learning environments (CBLEs) when they are adept at self-regulated learning (SRL). Learner characteristics, such as epistemic beliefs, influence SRL processing. Therefore, research into learning with CBLEs must account for interactions between epistemic beliefs and SRL. In this article we integrate epistemic belief frameworks and models of SRL, and we argue that both phenomena should be modeled as a dynamic series of events. Such modeling allows for an examination of how various epistemic beliefs may be activated and deactivated through the process of self-regulation. We also show how CBLEs can be used to measure epistemic beliefs in novel ways and study how epistemic beliefs and SRL interact. Finally, we identify areas for future research and educational implications.
Organisational contexts that foster positive behaviour and well-being: A comparison between family-owned firms and non-family businesses

Abstract This study seeks to extend the three-way model of mobbing by emphasising the positive influence of the organisational context on employee behaviour (i. e. more altruism, less mobbing and more perceived job performance) and well-being (i. e. more work engagement and more job satisfaction), comparing family-owned firms (FB) and non-family businesses (NFB). A total of 10 organisations (5 FB and 5 NFB) composed the final sample. The associations between the different study variables were assessed through several analyses (MCA, chi-square and Pearson correlation). The results revealed that, as compared to non-family firms, family-owned businesses are perceived as having a balanced task/employee organisational focus; and as being associated with higher levels of altruistic behaviours, work engagement, job satisfaction, and lower levels of mobbing.