Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of couple relationship satisfaction in families with infants

This study examined trajectories of relationship satisfaction for couples (n = 99) who had recently experienced the birth of an infant, and further examined the roles of parent gender, personality, depression, and first-time parent status in initial levels of relationship satisfaction and change over time. Expectant parents reported their personalities during the third trimester of pregnancy, and relationship satisfaction and depression during the third trimester and at 3.5 and 13 months postpartum. Hierarchical Linear Modeling analyses indicated that individuals who were initially more satisfied in their relationships were those whose partners were low in negative emotionality. In addition, first-time fathers had higher initial relationship satisfaction than non-first-time fathers, but experienced fathers had higher initial relationship satisfaction when their partners had greater agency. Declines in relationship satisfaction were more pronounced for mothers and those with higher levels of depressive symptoms across the transition.
A One Pot, One Step, Precision Cloning Method with High Throughput Capability

Current cloning technologies based on site-specific recombination are efficient, simple to use, and flexible, but have the drawback of leaving recombination site sequences in the final construct, adding an extra 8 to 13 amino acids to the expressed protein. We have devised a simple and rapid subcloning strategy to transfer any DNA fragment of interest from an entry clone into an expression vector, without this shortcoming. The strategy is based on the use of type IIs restriction enzymes, which cut outside of their recognition sequence. With proper design of the cleavage sites, two fragments cut by type IIs restriction enzymes can be ligated into a product lacking the original restriction site. Based on this property, a cloning strategy called ‘Golden Gate’ cloning was devised that allows to obtain in one tube and one step close to one hundred percent correct recombinant plasmids after just a 5 minute restriction-ligation. This method is therefore as efficient as currently used recombination-based cloning technologies but yields recombinant plasmids that do not contain unwanted sequences in the final construct, thus providing precision for this fundamental process of genetic manipulation.
Parallel Simulation and Communication Performance Evaluation of a Multistage BBN Butterfly Interconnection Network for High-Performance Computer Clusters

The communication performance of multistage interconnection networks is a crucial factor influencing the parallel performance of high-performance computer clusters. In this paper we have proposed a methodology for parallelization of an OMNET++ sequential model. We designed in parallel manner a multistage BBN interconnect network topology to meet the demands of efficient and fast communication on high-performance computer systems. The parallel communication are evaluated on the basis of parallel simulation models using the simulation framework OMNET++ (MPI) that is run on IBM HS22 Blade Center at the “High-Performance and GRID Computing Laboratory” located at Computer Systems Department, Technical University of Sofia. Result analysis of parallel simulation results has been performed. Key-Words: High-Speed Interconnection Networks, BBN Network Architecture, OMNET++, Null Message Protocol, Parallel Simulations, Communication Performance Evaluation, Performance Analysis
Female drug users and the welfare system: a qualitative exploration

In the United States, much of the public views welfare recipients negatively, as unmotivated, as lazy, as chronic drug users, and as exploiters of the system. Yet, despite a large body of sociological literature regarding welfare recipients and their stigmatized social position, there exists a dearth of information from the individuals themselves, most notably from those engaged in drug use. That is, the voices of welfare recipients are largely absent from published sociological research. The link between drug use and public assistance is seen frequently as absolute, though the reasons for this relationship are chiefly unknown. In this paper we present a qualitative analysis that allows for new understandings of the welfare system and of the lives of the female drug users who are publicly seen as unworthy of assistance. Our in-depth interviews demonstrate that welfare dependency and drug use are symptoms of the women's societal position, largely resulting from barriers including a lack of education, few job skills, the absence of employment and affordable child care, and restricted geographic mobility. Furthermore, the respondents identify no correlation between their status as welfare recipients and their drug use. By focusing on poverty and drug use as social problems, we negate prevailing narratives while providing concrete suggestions for improving the lives of individuals in need, including those we interviewed.
Is Order the Defining Feature of Magnitude Representation? An ERP Study on Learning Numerical Magnitude and Spatial Order of Artificial Symbols

Using an artificial-number learning paradigm and the ERP technique, the present study investigated neural mechanisms involved in the learning of magnitude and spatial order. 54 college students were divided into 2 groups matched in age, gender, and school major. One group was asked to learn the associations between magnitude (dot patterns) and the meaningless Gibson symbols, and the other group learned the associations between spatial order (horizontal positions on the screen) and the same set of symbols. Results revealed differentiated neural mechanisms underlying the learning processes of symbolic magnitude and spatial order. Compared to magnitude learning, spatial-order learning showed a later and reversed distance effect. Furthermore, an analysis of the order-priming effect showed that order was not inherent to the learning of magnitude. Results of this study showed a dissociation between magnitude and order, which supports the numerosity code hypothesis of mental representations of magnitude.
A Formalization of the Theory of Objects in Isabelle/HOL

We present a formalization of Abadi's and Cardelli's theory of objects in the interactive theorem prover Isabelle/HOL. In particular, we present (a) a formal model of objects and its operational semantics based on DeBruijn indices (b) a parallel reduction relation for objects (c) the proof of confluence for the theory of objects reusing Nipkow's HOL-framework for the lambda calculus.
Efficient Linkable and/or Threshold Ring Signature Without Random Oracles

Linkable ring signatures have found many attractive applications. One of the recent important extensions is a linkable threshold ring signature (LTRS) scheme. Unfortunately, the existing LTRS schemes are only secure in the random oracle model (ROM). In this paper, we make the following contributions. First, we construct the first LTRS scheme that is secure without requiring the ROM. Further, we enhance the security of a threshold ring signature (for both linkable or non-linkable) by providing a stronger definition of anonymity. This strengthened notion makes threshold ring signature schemes more suitable in real life. Finally, we provide efficient schemes that outperform the existing schemes in the literature. Our scheme is particularly suitable for electronic commerce or electronic government where anonymity and accountability are the most concerned factors.
Predicting perspectival orientation for appositives

1 Introduction In Harris & Potts 2009, we present corpus and experimental evidence indicating that (i) appositives and expressives are generally speaker-oriented — i.e., they are generally intended to convey speaker commitments and generally interpreted as such — but that (ii) certain discourse conditions can counteract this preference to such a degree that non-speaker-orientation becomes the dominant interpretation (see also Wang et al. 2005; Karttunen & Zaenen 2005; Amaral et al. 2007). Results from our previous work also show that non-speaker-oriented readings arise even for appositives and expressives that are not embedded below attitude predicates like say and believe; matrix-level appositives and expressives can, when conditions are right, be reliably understood as expressing, in some complex sense, the views of an agent other than the speaker. On this basis, we reject the view that the relevant perspectival shifting is handled exclusively via binding by attitude verbs, concluding instead that it is controlled by interacting, defeasible morphosemantic and pragmatic factors. Our present goal is to better understand the nature of the factors governing perspectival anchoring and the ways in which they interact. Though it seems that perspective orientation for appositives and expressives is not signaled by any particular set of dedicated markers (morphemes, gestures, intonational tunes) of what the speaker intends, it is nonetheless the case that they are reliably interpreted by hearers in a way that accords with speaker intentions. How can this be? Due to space limitations, we focus on appositives here, discussing expressives only in passing (see also Harris 2009). The next section seeks to characterize speaker-oriented and non-speaker-oriented readings, highlighting the complexity of the perspectival information involved. Section 3 reviews the appositives experiment of Harris & Potts 2009. Though that experiment shows that non-speaker-orientation can happen at the matrix level, it also indicates that syntactic embedding facilitates such readings (Section 3.1). Section 3.2 offers preliminary evidence that certain perspectivally-charged language in the preceding context description also facilitates non-speaker-orientation. Section 4 reports on a pilot production study conducted to further inform this issue by identifying intonational and gestural features that are highly indicative of non-speaker-orientation. Though the results of this study are not decisive, we think they point the way to successful future work in this area.
A GEE-type Approach to a Two-Equation Panel Data Model with Continuous and Limited Dependent Variables

The main contribution of the study is to provide empirical evidence on an interaction between changes in the wage distribution and changes in the prevalence of performance-related pay (PRP) in West Germany in the 1990s based on GSOEP Data. We start with a descriptive analysis of changes in the wage distribution, changes in the prevalence of PRP as well as a link between both series. Our econometric analysis employs a two-equation panel data model with a continuous dependent variable (wage), a discrete dependent variable (PRP) and a flexible joint covariance matrix. We find a significant positive correlation between the residuals in the wage equation and the residuals in the PRP-equation. Moreover, we can show that (a) shocks in the wage equation have a long lasting effect on transitory earnings, while shocks exhibit no enduring impact on the likelihood of working within a PRP-scheme, and (b) the ratio of the permanent variance component and the overall variance is relatively more important for the PRP-equation than for the wage equation. Combining our results with evidence from other studies regarding the notable stability of the permanent income component in West Germany, we conjecture that one source of rising volatility in wages in West Germany in the 1990s is the increasing prevalence of PRP-schemes.
Emotional Intelligence and Creativity: The Mediating Role of Generosity and Vigor

This study examines whether and why emotional intelligence may result in enhanced creativity in the workplace. Using a time-lagged data set collected from employees in three firms, we examined a mediation model where emotional intelligence is indirectly related to creativity serially, through generosity and vigor. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) indicate a sequential mediation model where emotionally intelligent employees display a high level of generosity; these acts of generosity nurture a sense of vigor, which in turn fosters creative behaviors. We discuss the implications for research on emotional intelligence, generosity, vigor, and creativity.
View-Invariant Template Matching Using Homography Constraints

Change in viewpoint is one of the major factors for variation in object appearance across different images. Thus, view-invariant object recognition is a challenging and important image understanding task. In this paper, we propose a method that can match objects in images taken under different viewpoints. Unlike most methods in the literature, no restriction on camera orientations or internal camera parameters are imposed and no prior knowledge of 3D structure of the object is required. We prove that when two cameras take pictures of the same object from two different viewing angels, the relationship between every quadruple of points reduces to the special case of homography with two equal eigenvalues. Based on this property, we formulate the problem as an error function that indicates how likely two sets of 2D points are projections of the same set of 3D points under two different cameras. Comprehensive set of experiments were conducted to prove the robustness of the method to noise, and evaluate its performance on real-world applications, such as face and object recognition.
Rising stars: the career development of research centre directors

This paper explores the careers of four Research Centre Directors located in university art and design departments in the UK. It examines on a case by case basis the relationship of cause and effect during critical moments of career progression. The research reinforces previous findings that suggest that promotion within Higher Education is greatly enhanced by research performance over teaching. The study goes much further in exploring the underlying relationships between the “entrepreneurial” and “autonomy” career anchors of Research Centre Directors and the corresponding impact on power relationships as their personal capital grows. In conclusion, the paper reports that a Research Centre Director’s career trajectory may be determined not only through responsibilities and research reputation in the field, but also through skilful application of political nous, strategic awareness, and tact in marrying internal research agendas with that of the Research Centre.
Novel Repressor of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Motility Encoded in the Putative Fimbrial Cluster OI-1

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a gastrointestinal pathogen that has become a serious public health concern, as it is associated with outbreaks and severe diseases such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The molecular basis of its greater virulence than that of other serotypes is not completely known. OI-1 is a putative fimbria-encoding genomic island that is found almost exclusively in O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains and may be associated with the enhanced pathogenesis of these strains. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel repressor of flagellar synthesis encoded by OI-1. We showed that deletion of Z0021 increased the motility of E. coli O157:H7, which correlated with an increase in flagellin production and enhanced assembly of flagella on the cell surface. In contrast, overexpression of Z0021 inhibited motility. We demonstrated that Z0021 exerted its regulatory effects downstream of the transcription and translation of flhDC but prior to the activation of class II/III promoters. Furthermore, the master regulator of flagellar synthesis, FlhD4C2, was shown to be a high-copy suppressor of the nonmotile phenotype associated with elevated levels of Z0021—a finding consistent with Z0021-FlhD4C2 being a potential regulatory complex. This work provides insight into the mechanism by which Z0021, which we have named fmrA, represses flagellar synthesis and is the first report of a fimbrial-operon-encoded inhibitor of motility in E. coli O157:H7.
Implementing multiple tutoring strategies in an intelligent tutoring system for music learning

Variation in tutoring strategies plays an important part in intelligent tutoring systems. The potential for providing an adaptive intelligent tutoring system depends on having a range of tutoring strategies to select from. In order to react effectively to the student's needs, an intelligent tutoring system has to be able to choose intelligently among the strategies and determine which strategy is best for an individual student at a particular moment. This paper describes, through the discussion pertaining to the implementation of SONATA, a music theory tutoring system, how an intelligent tutoring system can be developed to support multiple tutoring strategies during the course of interaction. SONATA has been implemented using a hypertext tool, HyperCard II. 1.
The Use of Remedial Tactics in Negligence Litigation

Prior research suggests that negative outcomes affect judge and juror judgments of auditor actions, contrary to the intent of the legal system. We experimentally examine whether remedial tactics (apology and first-person justification) cause lower frequencies of negligence verdicts against an auditor in a civil litigation case. Our results indicate that apology and justification individually result in lower frequencies of negligence verdicts when compared to a control group receiving no remedial tactic. We also find that the use of both tactics together does not provide incremental benefit over either one of the tactics individually. Additionally, we present evidence that remedial tactics result in lower assessments of auditors' responsibility to detect fraud. While prior research finds that remedial tactics mitigate the assessment of blame by directly-injured parties, our results expand theory by providing evidence that remedial tactics also impact the decisions of unharmed observers.
Optical and acoustical observations of the effects of ultrasound on contrast agents

Optimal use of encapsulated microbubbles for ultrasound contrast agents and drug delivery requires an understanding of the complex set of phenomena that affect the contrast agent echo and persistence. With the use of a video microscopy system coupled to either an ultrasound flow phantom or a chamber for insonifying stationary bubbles, we show that ultrasound has significant effects on encapsulated microbubbles. In vitro studies show that a train of ultrasound pulses can alter the structure of an albumin-shelled bubble, initiate various mechanisms of bubble destruction or produce aggregation that changes the echo spectrum. In this analysis, changes observed optically are compared with those observed acoustically for both albumin and lipid-shelled agents. We show that, when insonified with a narrowband pulse at an acoustic pressure of several hundred kPa, a phospholipid-shelled bubble can undergo net radius fluctuations of at least 15%; and an albumin-shelled bubble initially demonstrates constrained expansion and contraction. If the albumin shell contains air, the shell may not initially experience surface tension; therefore, the echo changes more significantly with repeated pulsing. A set of observations of contrast agent destruction is presented, which includes the slow diffusion of gas through the shell and formation of a shell defect followed by rapid diffusion of gas into the surrounding liquid. These observations demonstrate that the low-solubility gas used in these agents can persist for several hundred milliseconds in solution. With the transmission of a high-pulse repetition rate and a low pressure, the echoes from, contrast agents can be affected by secondary radiation force. Secondary radiation force is an attractive force for these experimental conditions, creating aggregates with distinct echo characteristics and extended persistence. The scattered echo from an aggregate is several times stronger and more narrowband than echoes from individual bubbles.
Analysis and Experiences with Information Flow Tracking as a Practical Means to Prevent Data Leakage

Data leakage is a primary concern for companies and governmental agencies, for which information flow is means for mitigation. A popular technique used for evaluating pre-existing binaries is “taint tracking,” but such approaches in real-life application were impractical due to excessive performance costs and numerous false positives due to taint explosion. The novel techniques used by our system PIFT directly eliminated these concerns, but revealed new deeper and more troubling concerns. In using PIFT successfully for information flow tracking on a commodity GUI-based operating system, and upon further inspection, we discovered that the applications and operating systems that we use in day-to-day practice are imperfect components that violate the basic tenets of information flow. In this thesis, we explore information flow tracking as a whole, elaborate on these troubling discoveries, and argue that no matter the performance improvements or adjustments made to correct the metadata for information flow tracking, it will be impossible to provide useful data for the prevention of data leakage without addressing and resolving common practices prevalent across legacy software.
Q-GSL: a framework for energy-conserving wireless multi-hop ad hoc networks

The intricate problem of energy conservation in wireless ad hoc networks is of great significance due to the limited battery capacity of the participating mobile devices. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, namely quasi-guaranteed system lifetime (Q-GSL), which allows the admission of flows without jeopardizing the limited energy of the wireless stations. A noteworthy feature of Q-GSL is that it provides a means for contention mitigation and load balancing. The upper bound on the packet rate is computed in the absence of the energy overheads associated with routing, contention resolution, channel sensing, etc. Hence, the upper bounds on the amount of data transmitted by a source node per unit time. Likewise, we study the main characteristics of the proposed techniques. Our experiments reveal that load balancing is achieved amongst the routes and the nodes in the wireless ad hoc network without violating any of the energy constraints, and while adhering to a pre-computed deterministic minimum system lifetime.
High‐performance computational analysis and peptide screening from databases of cyclotides from poaceae

Cyclotides are a family of head‐to‐tail cyclized peptides containing three conserved disulfide bonds, in a structural scaffold also known as a cyclic cysteine knot. Due to the high degree of cysteine conservation, novel members from this peptide family can be identified in protein databases through a search through regular expression (REGEX). In this work, six novel cyclotide‐like precursors from the Poaceae were identified from NCBI's non‐redundant protein database by the use of REGEX. Two out of six sequences (named Zea mays L and M) showed an Asp residue in the C‐terminal, which indicated that they could be cyclic. Gene expression in maize tissues was investigated, showing that the previously described cyclotide‐like Z. mays J is expressed in the roots. According to molecular dynamics, the structure of Z. mays J seems to be stable, despite the putative absence of cyclization. As regards cyclotide evolution, it was hypothesized that this is an outcome from convergent evolution and/or horizontal gene transfer. The results showed that peptide screening from databases should be performed periodically in order to include novel sequences, which are deposited as the databases grow. Indeed, the advances in computational and experimental methods will together help to answer key questions and reach new horizons in defense‐related peptide identification. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 109–118, 2016.