Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Pressure as a Double-edged Sword

In this paper, I develop and empirically test the proposition that performance pressure acts as a double-edged sword for teams, providing positive effects by enhancing the team’s motivation to achieve good results while simultaneously triggering process losses. I conducted a multimethod field study of 78 audit and consulting teams from two global professional firms, revealing an irony of team life: even though motivated to perform well on a high-stakes project, pressured teams are more likely to engage in performance-detracting behaviors. Survey results show that, as performance pressure increases, team members begin to overly rely on general expertise while discounting domain-specific expertise, leading to suboptimal performance. I then use longitudinal qualitative case studies of six project teams across two firms to explore the underlying behavioral mechanisms that generate this outcome. Results reveal four limiting team processes: (1) a drive toward consensus, (2) a focus on common knowledge, (3) a shift from learning to project completion, and (4) increased conformity to the status hierarchy. Results also show that only domain-specific expertise—the kind that teams underuse when facing higher pressure—increases client-rated team performance. I thus find, paradoxically, that when teams need domain-specific expertise the most, they tend to use it the least, despite evidence suggesting they are highly motivated to do well on their task.
MINING ON CAR DATABASE EMPLOYING LEARNING AND CLUSTERING ALGORITHMS

In data mining, classification is a form of data analysis that can be used to extract models describing important data classes. Two of the known learning algorithms used are Naive Bayesian (NB) and SMO (SelfMinimal-Optimisation) . Thus the following two learning algorithms are used on a Car review database and thus a model is hence created which predicts the characteristic of a review comment after getting trained. It was found that model successfully predicted correctly about the review comments after getting trained. Also two clustering algorithms: K-Means and Self Organising Maps (SOM) are used and worked upon a Car Database (which contains the properties of many different CARS), and thus the following two results are then compared. It was found that K-Means algorithm formed better clusters on the same data set. Keyword-Data Mining, Naive Bayesian, SMO, K-Mean, SOM, Car review database
Individual Differences in Neurobehavioral Measures of Laterality and Interhemispheric Function as Measured by Dichotic Listening

This article presents analysis of dichotic listening performance in 57 healthy men and women aged 20 to 72 years. The data are presented as a means to cover 2 theoretical issues relevant to the biobehavioral study of laterality and interhemispheric relations. First, the sensitivity of dichotic listening performance to factors such as sex, age, and their interactions was examined. Dichotic listening asymmetry scores were found to vary as a function of sex, age, handedness, and family history of developmental language disorders. The effects of sex and age were then explored in relation to a comparison of nonforced and unilaterally focused test conditions. The results suggest that even within a healthy, normative sample of human participants, individuals vary not only in their underlying perceptual asymmetries for auditory input, but also in the manner in which such asymmetries interact with other higher order cognitive functions.
La evaluación del desempeño docente: Consideraciones desde el enfoque por competencias

The article gives an overview of the main arguments and characteristics attributed to the Competency-based Approach in education, so as to analyze the various definitions available and some of the proposals on the subject of teaching skills. Approaches and strategies are suggested for developing teacher-evaluation programs in the context of a generalized environment in the educational sector which is adopting the model of competencies for school reform, curriculum redesign, modifications in teaching strategies, and manners and functions of evaluation.
Analysis of low frequency oscillations in power system based on HHT technique

In this paper, A non-linear analysis tool based on Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) is used to extract time-varying oscillations characteristics from the information provided by Wide Area Measurement System(WAMS). The filtered signal is decomposed into finite numbers Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) by Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), and then the instantaneous parameters, including frequency, amplitude and damping ratio of dominant IMF will be obtained by Hilbert Transform (HT) and specific calculating formula. Both the results of simulations and the actual applications in power system show that it is a powerful tool for the oscillation research.
Combining maximum-entropy and the Mexican hat wavelet to reconstruct the microwave sky

We present a maximum–entropy method (MEM) and ‘Mexican Hat’ wavelet (MHW) joint analysis to recover the different components of the microwave sky from simulated observations by the ESA Planck satellite in a small patch of the sky (12.8×12.8 deg 2 ). This combined method allows one to improve the CMB, Sunyaev– Zel’dovich and Galactic foregrounds separation achieved by the MEM technique alone. In particular, the reconstructed CMB map is free from any bright point source contamination. The joint analysis also produces point source catalogues at each Planck frequency which are more complete and accurate than those obtained by each method on its own. The results are especially improved at high frequencies where infrared galaxies dominate the point source contribution. Although this joint technique has been performed on simulated Planck data, it could be easily applied to other multifrequency CMB experiments, such as the forthcoming NASA MAP satellite or the recently performed Boomerang and MAXIMA experiments.
Evaluating Distributional Properties of Tagsets

We investigate which distributional properties should be present in a tagset by examining different mappings of various current part-of-speech tagsets, looking at English, German, and Italian corpora. Given the importance of distributional information, we present a simple model for evaluating how a tagset mapping captures distribution, specifically by utilizing a notion of frames to capture the local context. In addition to an accuracy metric capturing the internal quality of a tagset, we introduce a way to evaluate the external quality of tagset mappings so that we can ensure that the mapping retains linguistically important information from the original tagset. Although most of the mappings we evaluate are motivated by linguistic concerns, we also explore an automatic, bottom-up way to define mappings, to illustrate that better distributional mappings are possible. Comparing our initial evaluations to POS tagging results, we find that more distributional tagsets can sometimes result in worse accuracy, underscring the need to carefully define the properties of a tagset.
Physics methods for the simulation of photoionisation

Several physics methods for the simulation of the photoelectric effect are quantitatively evaluated with respect to a large collection of experimental data retrieved from the literature. They include theoretical and empirical calculations of total and partial cross sections, and calculations of the photoelectron angular distribution. Some of these models are currently implemented in general purpose Monte Carlo systems; some have been implemented and evaluated for possible use in Monte Carlo particle transport for the first time in this study.
A novel preclinical murine model of immune-mediated metastatic dormancy

The mechanisms underlying cancer dormancy are poorly understood. We have developed a preclinical murine model in which immunosurveillance restrains spontaneous metastases in permanent dormancy. The model faithfully recapitulates human metastatic dormancy and may be useful to decipher the immune mechanisms constraining disease progression, thereby facilitating the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches to control metastatic disease.
Developments in the market for client‐based management education

This article explores the growing popularity and importance of client‐based management education. The article argues that an increasing number of UK organisations are seeking to develop partnerships with business schools to deliver and accredit their management development initiatives. The article describes a number of innovative developments in client‐based management education using case illustrations drawing upon the experience of Nottingham Business School’s Corporate Business Unit. The article concludes by providing guidance to organisations seeking to develop partnerships with higher education institutions.
Effects of winter stocker growth rate and finishing system on: II. Ninth-tenth-eleventh-rib composition, muscle color, and palatability.

Angus-cross steers (n = 198; 270 kg; 8 mo) were used in a 3-yr study to assess the effects of winter stocker growth rate and finishing system on 9-10-11th-rib composition, color, and palatability. During the winter months (December to April), steers were randomly allotted to 3 stocker growth rates: low (0.23 kg/d), medium (0.45 kg/d), or high (0.68 kg/d). At the completion of the stocking phase, steers were allotted randomly within each stocker growth rate to a high concentrate (CONC) or to a pasture (PAST) finishing system. All steers were finished to an equal time endpoint to minimize confounding due to animal age. At the end of the finishing phase, steers were transported to a commercial packing plant for slaughter and a primal rib (NAMP 107) was removed from 1 side of each carcass. The 9-10-11th-rib section was dissected into lean, fat, and bone, and LM samples were analyzed for palatability and collagen content. Hot carcass weight and 9-10-11th-rib section weight were greater (P = 0.01) for high than low or medium. Winter stocker growth rate did not alter 9-10-11th rib composition. The percentage of fat-free lean, including the LM and other lean trim, was greater (P = 0.001) for PAST than CONC. Total fat percentage of the 9-10-11th-rib section was 42% lower (P = 0.001) for PAST than CONC due to lower percentages of s.c. , intermuscular, and i.m. fat. The percentage of total bone in the 9-10-11th-rib section was greater (P = 0.001) for PAST than CONC. Finishing beef cattle on PAST increased (P = 0.001) the percentage of lean and bone and reduced (P = 0.001) the percentage of fat in the carcass based on published prediction equations from 9-10-11th rib dissection. Stocker growth rate did not influence the objective color scores of LM or s.c. fat. Longissimus muscle color of PAST was darker (lower L*; P = 0.0001) and less red (lower a*; P = 0.002) than CONC. Juiciness scores were greater (P = 0.02) for CONC than PAST. Initial and overall tenderness scores as well as Warner-Bratzler shear force values did not differ (P > or = 0.28) among finishing systems. Beef flavor intensity was lower (P = 0.0001) and off-flavor intensity greater (P = 0.0001) for PAST than CONC. Total collagen content was greater (P = 0.0005) for PAST than CONC; however, there were no differences in percentage soluble or insoluble collagen. Growth rate during the winter stocker period did not influence rib composition, color, or beef palatability. Finishing steers on forage reduced fat percentages in the rib and LM without altering tenderness of beef steaks.
Work‐home interference among newspaper managers: Its relationship with burnout and engagement

Managers are increasingly concerned about managing the conflicts experienced in fulfilling the responsibilities of work and family. The problem of balancing these domains arises from work to home interference, which reflects a mutual incompatibility between the demands of the work role and the demands of the home life. The central idea underlying the theoretical model of this study, is that work and home demands lead to work strain and decreased feelings of engagement, while work and home resources lead to increased feelings of engagement and reduced burnout. Work to home interference mediates these relationships. An innovation of the present study was to assess both home demands and positive aspects of work to home interference. Data were collected from 69 newspaper managers. Results indicated that negative interference mediated between demands and outcomes, and positive interference mediated between resources and outcomes. This study highlights the importance of measuring positive concepts in terms of constructing a more balanced picture of work and home interference.
Television Viewing Time in Hong Kong Adult Population: Associations with Body Mass Index and Obesity

Background Obesity is increasing dramatically in the Asia-Pacific region particularly China. The population of Hong Kong was exposed to modernization far earlier than the rest of China, reflecting conditions that are likely to be replicated as other Chinese cities undergo rapid change. This study examined the relationship between television viewing and obesity in a Hong Kong sample. Information about the relationship between a key sedentary behavior, TV viewing, and obesity, and its moderation by demographic characteristics may identify sectors of the population at highest risk for excess weight. Methods Data were from Hong Kong Family and Health Information Trends Survey (2009–2010), a population-based survey on the public's use of media for health information and family communication by telephone interviews with 3,016 Hong Kong adults (age≥18 years). TV viewing time, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and other lifestyle variables were analyzed. Results Viewing time was longer in women, increased with age but decreased with education level and vigorous physical activity (all P<0.01). Longer TV viewing time was significantly associated with higher BMI (Coefficients B = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.24) after adjusting for age, gender, employment status, marital status, education level, smoking activity and vigorous physical activity. This association was stronger in women than men (Coefficients B: 0.19 versus 0.15) and strongest in those aged 18 to 34 years (Coefficients B = 0.35). Furthermore, an hour increase in daily TV viewing was associated with 10% greater odds of being obese. Conclusions A significant socioeconomic gradient in television viewing time was observed. TV viewing time positively associated with BMI and obesity. The TV viewing – BMI associations were strongest in women and young adults, suggesting vulnerable groups to target for obesity prevention by decreasing TV viewing.
Dual Effects of p38 MAPK on TNF-Dependent Bronchoconstriction and TNF-Independent Neutrophil Recruitment in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome1

The administration of endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria induces manifestations reminding of acute respiratory distress syndrome. p38 MAPKs have been implicated in this pathology. In this study, we show that the specific p38 α,β MAPK inhibitor, compound 37, prevents LPS-induced bronchoconstriction and neutrophil recruitment into the lungs and bronchoalveolar space in a dose-dependent manner in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, TNF induction and TNF signals were blocked. In TNF-deficient mice, bronchoconstriction, but not neutrophil sequestration, in the lung was abrogated after LPS administration. Therefore, TNF inhibition does not explain all of the effects of the p38 MAPK inhibitor. The p38 α,β MAPK inhibitor also prevented LPS-induced neutrophilia in TNF-deficient mice. In conclusion, LPS provokes acute bronchoconstriction that is TNF dependent and p38 MAPK mediated, whereas the neutrophil recruitment is independent of TNF but depends on LPS/TLR4-induced signals mediated by p38 MAPK.
Inactivation of Endotoxin and Lipid A by Nitrogen Gas Plasma Exposure Running title: Inactivation Endotoxin and lipid A

The gases plasma from several different gases has shown a sporicidal activity. From these gases, nitrogen gas was most difficult to produce atomic nitrogen radicals. However, these radicals have a high energy, indicating that nitrogen gas plasma could be used to sterilize microorganisms and inactivate endotoxins and lipid A. The sterilization mechanism of nitrogen gas plasma may be the synergistic effect of free radicals such as (OH radical and NO radical) and metastables (N2 or O2 metastable). Thus, the target microorganisms such as bioburden were damaged by degradation, which resulted in death. The biological indicator BI used in this study was Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 at an initial population of 106 CFU/carrier. Sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10-6 was confirmed by using the BI. In addition endotoxins were successfully inactivated by nitrogen gas plasma expossure. More than 5 log reduction of endotoxins could be attained within 30 minutes of nitrogen gas plasma exposure. Lipid A degradation by nitrogen gas plasma exposure was confirmed by LC-MS-MS. Material/functional compatibility was also maintained by nitrogen gas plasma exposure due to shallower penetration depth of 10-20 nm. No deterioration of polymers could be observed by nitrogen gas plasma exposure. Residual gases, if any, are non-toxic. From the above description, it can be said that nitrogen gas plasma sterilization is an alternative future sterilization method.
The Eye as a Theoretician: Seeing Structures in Generalizing Activities.

Many years ago, in a landmark article, Lettvin, Maturana, McCulloch, and Pitts (1959) identified some image operations in the frog's visual system. Endowed with these basic opera tions (which include curvature and motion) the frog can, within certain limits, make perceptual distinctions. Thus, while it seems unable to see motionless prey and hence starves in a cage filled with dead insects (Roth, 1986), the frog is able to distinguish moving prey of different size (Anderson, 1993) and colour (Hatle & Salazar, 2001). With a considerably more complex visual system humans can discern a greater and more extraordinary panoply of differences and similarities. Were we humans left without this discerning capability, concept for mation would simply be impossible. The world in front of us would be reduced to myriads of single and incommensurable facts: everything would be different from everything else and resemblances between things would be impossible to imagine. We would not be able to generalize, for as Kant (1800/1974) contended, generalization rests on synthesizing resemblances between different things and also differences between resem bling things. But how do we learn to make distinctions? How do we learn to tell the similar from the different?
Recovering Quantitative Remote Sensing Products Contaminated by Thick Clouds and Shadows Using Multitemporal Dictionary Learning

With regard to quantitative remote sensing products in the visible and infrared ranges, thick clouds and accompanying shadows are an inevitable source of noise. Due to the absence of adequate supporting information from the data themselves, it is a formidable challenge to accurately restore the surficial information underlying large-scale clouds. In this paper, dictionary learning is expanded into the multitemporal recovery of quantitative data contaminated by thick clouds and shadows. This paper proposes two multitemporal dictionary learning algorithms, expanding on their KSVD and Bayesian counterparts. In order to make better use of the temporal correlations, the expanded KSVD algorithm seeks an optimized temporal path, and the expanded Bayesian method adaptively weights the temporal correlations. In the experiments, the proposed algorithms are applied to a reflectance product and a land surface temperature product, and the respective advantages of the two algorithms are investigated. The results show that, from both the qualitative visual effect and the quantitative objective evaluation, the proposed methods are effective.
Molecular mechanisms for antibody-mediated modulation of peptide-displaying enzyme sensors.

The generation of molecular sensors based on peptide-displaying enzymes for the detection of antibodies or antigens represents an innovative field of protein engineering. The knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms of enzymatic modulation in such sensors would be of great importance for the rational construction and improvement of responsiveness of new peptide-enzyme molecules. Here we analyze the enzymatic characteristics of three different kinds of sensors based in engineered beta-galactosidase, alkaline phosphatase and beta-lactamase, to explore a common activation basis. We describe two different categories of enzyme sensors. In one of them, including only some modified beta-lactamases, the enzymatic activity is inhibited upon ligand binding and it seems to be caused by the steric coverage of the active site by the bound antibody. In a second group, embracing members of the three studied enzymes, the ability to be modulated upon effector binding depends on the ratio between the k(cat) of the engineered enzyme and the k(cat) of the intact enzyme. This proves a common mechanism for enzymatic modulation of enzyme biosensors that is probably caused by conformational effects induced by the bound antibody on the enzyme.
Predictors of Performance Appraisal Discomfort

In this study, one hundred and eight state and federal employees responded to a questionnaire concerning their feelings of discomfort during performance appraisal. It was hypothesized that performance appraisal discomfort (PAD) would be positively related to beliefs concerning the importance of performance appraisal. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that, controlling for age and experience, communication reticence would be positively related to PAD. Finally, it was hypothesized that, controlling for communication reticence, length of rater-ratee relationship would be negatively related to PAD. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between beliefs about performance appraisals and PAD, as well as between communication reticence and PAD. Contrary to predictions, length of rater-ratee relationship did not have a significant impact on PAD.
The Relationship of Perceived Leadership Behaviors to Organizational Efficacy

Although leadership is an endlessly debated topic, the influence of leadership on Organizational Efficacy has not been analyzed. Organizational Efficacy, has been shown to vary among organizations (Bohn, 2001, 2002). A question we pose is why Organizational Efficacy would vary, and we suggest that one component would be leadership. This research evaluated several specific aspects of leadership, using Bandura's approach, to assess the relationship between leadership and organizational confidence.
Using peeringDB to understand the peering ecosystem

In this study we mine one of the few sources of public data available about the interdomain peering ecosytem: PeeringDB [1], an online database where participating networks contribute information about their peering policies, traffic volumes and presence at various geographic locations. Although established to support the practical needs of operators, this data also provides a valuable source of information to researchers. Using BGP data to cross-validate three years of PeeringDB snapshots, we find that PeeringDB membership is reasonably representative of the Internet's transit, content, and access providers in terms of business types and geography of participants, and PeeringDB data is generally up-to-date. We find strong correlations among different measures of network size -- BGP-advertised address space, PeeringDB-reported traffic volume and presence at peering facilities, and between these size measures and advertised peering policies.