Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motivation and Performance Differences in Students’ Domain-Specific Epistemological Belief Profiles

Cluster analysis and analysis of variance procedures were used to identify students’ domain-specific epistemological belief profiles and to examine differences in students’ beliefs, motivation, and task performance. Four hundred eighty-two undergraduates completed measures regarding their beliefs about knowledge, competency beliefs, and achievement values relative to history and mathematics and participated in domain learning tasks. Cluster analysis was used to identify epistemological belief profile groups within the domains of history and mathematics. Students with more sophisticated belief profiles had higher levels of motivation and task performance. Although the configuration of profiles differed across domains, cross-domain analyses suggested a tendency for students to be relatively consistent in the sophistication of their beliefs across domains. These findings provide evidence of the dual nature of epistemological beliefs.
Experiences of the Relation between Teaching and Research: What do academics value?

Many attempts have been made to account for the relation between teaching and research. In general, studies have assumed the nature of this relation and characterised it as one that exists between externally defined indicators such as teaching effectiveness and research productivity . Most frequently used indicators are quantitative measures such as students' evaluations of teaching and publication counts. In contrast, few studies have explored how academics experience teaching and research and their inter-relation. The results of this small, qualitative study, consisting of interviews with a sample of academic staff who expressed strong views of the teaching/research relationship, show that there is substantial variation in academics' experiences of the meaning of this relation. The results suggest that such variation requires further exploration using methods that differ from those that have been associated with past research in this area.
The Impact of Alliance Management Capabilities on Alliance Attributes and Performance: A Literature Review

The literature on alliances has identified a variety of inter‐firm antecedents of performance, including information and knowledge sharing between partners, shared partner understanding, and a focus on collective objectives. Recent studies have focused on alliance management capabilities (AMC) – firms' abilities to capture, share, store and apply alliance management knowledge – as an important antecedent of performance. This paper reviews 90 studies on AMC and makes two important contributions to the literature. First, the review provides an overview of and classification scheme for the different types of AMC to better organise the diverse empirical findings that have been presented in the literature. The novel classification distinguishes between general and partner‐specific AMC and between AMC stored within the firm and within the alliance. Second, consistent with the dynamic capabilities perspective, this paper offers a more detailed understanding of why AMC improve performance, by highlighting the intermediate impact of AMC on alliance attributes. In particular, the review demonstrates how the different categories of AMC influence alliances in terms of information and knowledge‐sharing between partners, shared partner understanding and the pursuit of collective goals. The review also demonstrates that these attributes improve performance. The authors note promising avenues for future empirical research that involve combining the classification scheme with research on the impact of AMC on alliance attributes and performance.
Organization of the information flow in the perception-action loop of evolved agents

Sensor evolution in nature aims at improving the acquisition of information from the environment and is intimately related with selection pressure towards adaptivity and robustness. Recent work in the area aims at studying the perception-action loop in a formalized information-theoretic manner. This paves the way towards a principled and general understanding of the mechanisms guiding the evolution of sensors in nature and provides insights into the design of mechanisms of artificial sensor evolution. In our paper we study the perception-action loop of agents. We evolve finite-state automata as agent controllers to solve an information acquisition task in a simple virtual world and study how the information flow is organized by evolution. Our analysis of the evolved automata and the information flow provides insight into how evolution organizes sensoric information acquisition, memory, processing and action selection. In addition, the results are compared to ideal information extraction schemes following from the Information Bottleneck principle.
Potentiation of ADP‐induced aggregation in human platelet‐rich plasma by 5‐hydroxytryptamine and adrenaline

1 We have used dose‐response curves to quantitate the potentiation of adenosine 5′‐diphosphate (ADP)‐induced aggregation and thromboxane (TXA2) generation by 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and adrenaline in human citrated platelet‐rich plasma. We have also quantitated the inhibition of these responses by aspirin, ketanserin and yohimbine, singly and in pairs. 2 Ketanserin (5 μm) inhibited TXA2 production and the second wave of platelet aggregation induced by a range of concentrations of ADP alone. This indicates that endogenous 5‐HT, released from the platelet dense granules, contributes significantly to responses induced by ADP. 3 When 5‐HT (10 μm) was added before ADP, a lower concentration of ADP was required to cause 50% aggregation and TXA2 generation. The ratio of ADP concentrations (CR) to cause 50% aggregation in the presence and absence of 5‐HT was 2.1 when only added 5‐HT was considered, and 5.0 when endogenous 5‐HT was also taken into account. 4 Potentiation of ADP‐induced aggregation by 5‐HT also occurred in the presence of aspirin, resulting in a CR of 2.3. As expected, ketanserin inhibited potentiation by 5‐HT in the presence and absence of aspirin. Although aspirin caused substantial inhibition of aggregation induced by ADP and 5‐HT (CR 3.4), further inhibition occurred when ketanserin was also present (CR 6.5). 5 A subthreshold concentration of adrenaline (0.25 μm) caused substantial potentiation of ADP‐induced aggregation in the absence (CR 4.0) and presence (CR 2.0) of aspirin. As expected, yohimbine (9 μm) inhibited this potentiation. Maximum TXA2 generation induced by ADP increased from 32.5 to 59.4 pg per 106 platelets when adrenaline was present. Aggregation induced by ADP and adrenaline was markedly inhibited by aspirin (CR 5.1) but was further inhibited when yohimbine (9 μm) was also present (CR 10.0). 6 Results from this in vitro study show ketanserin and yohimbine have the potential to be used in combination with aspirin as antithrombotic agents in vivo.
Individual Variation in Psychological and Psychomotor Symptoms Following Smoking Cessation: The Implications for Treatment

Some commonly experienced signs and symptoms occur during abstinence from tobacco, but specific signs and symptoms and their intensity vary greatly from individual to individual. The aim of this study was to re-examine psychological and psychomotor symptoms in smokers in the general population, and to explore the individual variation in these. Quitting smokers (n = 123) reported their experiences pre- and post-cessation, on a questionnaire developed for the study. Analysis of variance and frequency analysis showed significant decreases between pre- and post-cessation on positive experiences (F = 9.81, p<0.0001) but no significant change on negative experiences, suggesting a loss of pleasure rather than increased negative affect upon quitting. The variance of the pre- to post-cessation difference score suggested wide variation in the reporting of withdrawal symptoms. These results lead us to consider the implications for treatment, using cognitive therapies and moderating the significant emphasis that is at present put on withdrawal.
starER: a conceptual model for data warehouse design

Modeling data warehouses is a complex task focusing, very often, into internal structures and implementation issues. In this paper we argue that, in order to accurately reflect the users requirements into an error-free, understandable, and easily extendable data warehouse schema, special attention should be paid at the conceptual modeling phase. Based on a real mortgage business warehouse environment, we present a set of user modeling requirements and we discuss the involved concepts. Understanding the semantics of these concepts, allow us to build a conceptual model—namely, the starER model—for their efficient handling. More specifically, the starER model combines the star structure, which is dominant in data warehouses, with the semantically rich constructs of the ER model; special types of relationships have been further added to support hierarchies. We present an evaluation of the starER model as well as a comparison of the proposed model with other existing models, pointing out differences and similarities. Examples from a mortgage data warehouse environment, in which starER is tested, reveal the ease of understanding of the model, as well as the efficiency in representing complex information at the semantic level.
Development of robotic spreader for earthquake rescue

Urban search and rescue robots are designed to locate and save the survivors in earthquake areas. This paper presents a novel robotic system, which is aimed to spread a narrow gap and open a new space to release buried survivors from pressure as temporary supports. Also, the robot can make spaces for working and moving courses for other rescue robots and tools. This robot consists of a spreader tool and a mobile unit. The spreader tool drived by hydraulic actuator can spreads the gap from 3cm to 20cm with 1000kg payload. The mobile unit is a multi-tracked mechanism to enforce the mobility on rugged terrains. The experimental results validate the lift capacity and mobility of the robotic spreader.
Prognostic significance of cathepsins B and L in primary human breast cancer.

PURPOSE Evaluation of the clinical significance of cytosolic tumor levels of the lysosomal cysteine proteases cathepsin B (catB) and cathepsin L (catL) in patients with primary breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS CatB (n = 1,500) and catL (n = 1,391) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in cytosols routinely prepared from frozen-tissue samples that were submitted to our laboratory for the assessment of steroid-hormone-receptor status. The median duration of follow-up of patients still alive at the time of analysis was 93 months. RESULTS Relating catB and catL levels with classical prognostic factors, the proteases were positively correlated with the number of positive lymph nodes (P < .01), and negatively with the level of steroid-hormone receptors (P < .01). We did not find a significant relationship between catB or catL levels with age and menopausal status of the patients or with the size of the primary tumor. The levels of catB and catL were positively correlated with each other and with the rates of relapse and death (all, P < .0001). In multivariate regression analysis for relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), corrected for the contribution of age/menopausal status, tumor size, the number of positive lymph nodes, and steroid-hormone-receptor status, catB and catL were significant predictors of the rates of relapse and death (all, P < .01). No statistically significant interactions of catB or catL with any of the classical prognostic factors or with each other were observed in their associations with the rates of relapse and death. CONCLUSION CatB and catL levels measured in routinely prepared cytosols are strong parameters to predict the rate of relapse and the length of survival after treatment of the primary breast tumor.
Leukocyte Rolling Velocities and Migration Are Optimized by Cooperative L-Selectin and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Functions1

Selectin family members largely mediate initial tethering and rolling of leukocytes on vascular endothelium, whereas integrin and Ig family members are essential for leukocyte firm adhesion. To quantify functional synergy between L-selectin and Ig family members during leukocyte rolling, the EA.hy926 human vascular endothelial line was transfected with either fucosyltransferase VII (926-FtVII) cDNA to generate L-selectin ligands alone or together with ICAM-1 cDNA (926-FtVII/ICAM-1). The ability of transfected 926 cells to support human leukocyte interactions was assessed in vitro using parallel plate flow chamber assays. Lymphocyte rolling on 926-FtVII cells was increased by ∼70% when ICAM-1 was expressed at physiological levels. Although initial tether formation was similar for both cell types, lymphocyte rolling was 26% slower on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells. Pretreatment of lymphocytes with an anti-CD18 mAb eliminated the increase in rolling, and all rolling was blocked by anti-L-selectin mAb. In addition, rolling velocities of lymphocytes from CD18-hypomorphic mice were 48% faster on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells, with a similar reduction in rolling frequency relative to wild-type lymphocytes. CD18-hypomorphic lymphocytes also showed an ∼40% decrease in migration to peripheral and mesenteric lymph nodes during in vivo migration assays compared with wild-type lymphocytes. Likewise, wild-type lymphocyte migration to peripheral lymph nodes was reduced by ∼50% in ICAM-1−/− recipient mice. Similar to human lymphocytes, human neutrophils showed enhanced rolling interactions on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells, but also firmly adhered. Thus, in addition to mediating leukocyte firm adhesion, CD18 integrin/ICAM-1 interactions regulate leukocyte rolling velocities and thereby optimize L-selectin-mediated leukocyte rolling.
The Inter-Nordic Study of Language Acquisition

The typological variation between the Nordic languages offers a “natural laboratory” for the cross-linguistic study of first language acquisition. Based on an on-going inter-Nordic project, the present article discusses research designs for the exploration of this laboratory together with pilot analyses of acquisition data across Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish. On the basis of evidence from longitudinal case studies, from narrative tasks, and from morphological and phonetic experiments, the project aims at producing an integrated picture of the development of grammatical morphology and its interaction with (a) the semantic domains of spatial and temporal relations and (b) the prosodic domains of tonal word accents and duration. In the present article the focus is on spatial relations and prosody. Comparisons of developmental data between languages that show considerable typological differences (Finnish vs Icelandic vs the Mainland Scandinavian languages) allow us to establish broad cross-linguistic commonalities in acquisition structure. It is shown that, across all five languages, very similar relational concepts are encoded by the first grammatical morphemes emerging in the field of spatial relations. The impact of linguistic details on acquisition structure can be explored with greater precision through comparisons between languages that show minimal typological differences (the internal differences between the Mainland Scandinavian languages: Danish vs Norwegian vs Swedish). Here, the early development of the Verb + particle construction in two Danish and two Swedish children is analysed. Language-specific effects on acquisition structure of syntactical and prosodic traits are demonstrated. Further, language-specific effects on the development of verb argument structure in spatial descriptions are discussed.
"After-School" Chicago: Space and the City

This commentary updates the "L.A. -Chicago School" debate on urbanism by highlighting the stable nexus of social and spatial processes. Spatial interdependence looms large even in global cities and across multiple dimensions of social life. I use Chicago and Stockholm to underscore the continuing if not increasing salience of place, and to provide an example of a research program that seeks to make general sense of space and the city in a comparative urban framework. I conclude that whether the Chicago or L.A. School is uniquely right is a distraction. "School" is out. We need to turn to the empirical pursuit of theoretically motivated research that can adjudicate among competing ideas and pave the way for comparative integrated knowledge.
An Examination of Motivational Factors in High School Dropouts Participating in General Education Development Degree Programs

According to the GED Testing Service (2011), over 18 million people have earned a GED credential since 1942. GED programs offer students an opportunity to further their education, but often there are motivational barriers that prohibit them from taking the necessary steps to enter and persist in such programs. In an effort to better understand why students would dropout of high school, yet enroll in a GED program, this quantitative study was conducted to examine which factors, whether autonomous or controlled, influenced dropouts to pursue the equivalency of a high school diploma after leaving the traditional school setting. The results of the study could lead to a better understanding of the motivations of those who pursue a GED, and the needs they have while in such program. The results revealed that Pearson correlations determined a low, weak, positive relationship between autonomous regulation and controlled regulation. A two-way ANOVA determined a significant main effect for the variable Gender and the variable Autonomous Regulation. No gender and ethnic differences were found in GED students’ self-regulation behaviors. Overall, there was a weak to moderate, positive correlation between autonomous regulation and controlled regulation. Increases in autonomous regulation scores were correlated with increase in controlled regulation scores. Earning a GED affords individuals the opportunity to achieve goals which would have otherwise been unattainable. In order to earn a GED, participants must be self-determined, and possess a certain amount of motivation, as motivation plays a key role in anything that people do, especially when the task is not mandatory or required. The theory of self-determination differentiates the types of regulation a person possesses, and the degree to which they represent autonomous (intrinsic), or controlled (extrinsic), regulation. Whether autonomous or controlled, self-regulation is the factor that facilitates an individual’s ability to persist in a GED program, and earn a high school equivalency credential. In Houle’s (1961) sensitivity study of motivation, three subgroups emerged: the goal oriented learner, which is one who learns to gain specific objectives such as learning to speak before an audience; the activity-oriented learner who participates for the sake of the activity itself, rather than to develop a skill; and the learning-oriented learner who pursues learning for its own sake. There is a simplified version of Houle’s model which was introduced by Allen Tough (1979). Tough’s model suggests that adults learn to increase their self-esteem; to have a sense of pleasure and to impress others; and to possess certain pleasures or satisfactions. Regardless of whether one’s beliefs mirror Houle’s model or Tough’s model on motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation plays a key role in an individual’s ability to persist in an adult education program through completion.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Voluntary Organization Involvement Among Older Adults

This study examines the relationship between volunteer socioeconomic status (SES) and voluntary organization involvement among older adults. Using longitudinal data from the Americans' Changing Lives surveys, this study assesses the effects of education and income on the type and scope of voluntary organization involvement. Multiple imputation and generalized estimating equations methods are used in the data analysis. The results indicate that more highly educated, older adults are more likely than their less-educated counterparts to volunteer in all five types of organizations (i.e., religious, educational, political, senior citizen, and others), volunteer in a wider range of organizations, and devote more hours. However, income makes little significant difference in organizational volunteering. Voluntary organizations are advised to facilitate older adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in taking volunteer roles. Innovative recruitment programs are needed to tap the resource for volunteering tha.
ADAPTIVE VIDEO WATERMARKING WITH ROBUST PCA-BASED DECODING

Data embedding and recovery in video watermarking, without loss of quality is a challenging one. A new method for video watermarking is presented in this paper. In the proposed method, we use undecimated wavelet transform. The location for data embedding in the LL subband of wavelet coefficients are selected adaptively based on the energy of high frequency subbands. The decoding is performed based on the comparison among the elements of the first principal component resulting from empirical principal component analysis (PCA). Testing and analysis were done by subjecting the watermarked video to various attacks like cropping, filtering and rotation. The results show that the proposed method offers improved performance compared with several conventional methods. Thus this adaptive stationary based data insertion is much suitable for various security multimedia based applications.
Disciplinary Discourse, Representation, and Appresentation in the Teaching and Learning of Science.

This article builds on a semiotic perspective of science learning that is framed in terms of achieving competency in a disciplinary discourse of a science such as physics. The aim of the article is to use this perspective, and the proposal that learning in a science discipline should be seen in terms of achieving fluency in a critical constellation of modes of representation, to explore how the affordance attributes of these representations work together to generate a collective disciplinary affordance. The idea of a collective disciplinary affordance is then used to argue for the importance of appresentation in science education. Recommendations are made for incorporating the discussion into teacher craft-knowledge.