Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Berufliche Weiterbildung in West- und Ostdeutschland: Teilnehmer, Struktur und individueller Ertrag (Further vocational training in western and eastern Germany * participants, structure and individual returns)

"The study reports comprehensively about further vocational training activities in the context of regular employment relationships in western and eastern Germany. In a comparative analysis of the participants in and the structure of further vocational training special emphasis is placed on a comparison of the further training activities of younger and older workers. On the basis of selected indicators (income, advancement prospects and employment stability), the study then examines whether participation in further vocational training measures pays off for workers. The findings of the study indicate (a) that there is a marked persistence in training behaviour also in the field of 'on-the-job' further training; (b) that younger workers achieve significantly positive returns with regard to income and subsequent risk of unemployment after participating in further vocational training; and (c) that for older workers no considerable individual effects of investment in further training can be detected on the subsequent employment biographies. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
Objective determination of the oncolytic potency of conditionally‐replicating adenoviruses using mathematical modeling

Conditionally‐replicating adenoviruses (CRAds) infect and replicate in tumor cells, releasing viral progeny upon lysis of the cell. This is a dynamic and inherently exponential process and, thus, the assessment of CRAds should incorporate these dynamics. In vitro experiments are therefore prone to subjective assessment because no validated assay exists that truly appreciates the dynamics of the process. An objective assay could simplify experiments and reduce the number of CRAd variants required to enter a full preclinical evaluation.
Adapting the Turing Test for Embodied Neurocognitive Evaluation of Biologically-Inspired Cognitive Agents

The field of artificial intelligence has long surpassed the notion of verbal intelligence envisioned by Turing (1950). Consequently, the Turing Test is primarily viewed as a philosopher’s debate or a publicity stunt, and has little relevance to AI researchers. This paper describes the motivation and design of a set of behavioral tests called the Cognitive Decathlon, which were developed to be a useable version of an embodied Turing Test that is relevant and achievable by state-of-the-art AI algorithms in the next five years. We describe some of the background motivation for developing this test, and then provide a detailed account of the tasks that make up the Decathlon, and the types of results that should be expected.
The Antiproliferative Drug Doxorubicin Inhibits Liver Fibrosis in Bile Duct-Ligated Rats and Can Be Selectively Delivered to Hepatic Stellate Cells in Vivo

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) proliferation is a key event in liver fibrosis; therefore, pharmacological intervention with antiproliferative drugs may result in antifibrotic effects. In this article, the antiproliferative effect of three cytostatic drugs was tested in cultured rat HSC. Subsequently, the antifibrotic potential of the most potent drug was evaluated in vivo. As a strategy to overcome drug-related toxicity, we additionally studied how to deliver this drug specifically to HSC by conjugating it to the HSC-selective drug carrier mannose-6-phosphate-modified human serum albumin (M6PHSA). We investigated the effect of cisplatin, chlorambucil, and doxorubicin (DOX) on 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation in cultured HSC and found DOX to be the most potent drug. Treatment of bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats with daily i.v. injections of 0.35 mg/kg DOX from day 3 to 10 after BDL reduced α-smooth muscle actin-stained area in liver sections from 8.5 ± 0.8 to 5.1 ± 0.9% (P < 0.01) and collagen-stained area from 13.1 ± 1.3 to 8.9 ± 1.5% (P < 0.05). DOX was coupled to M6PHSA, and the organ distribution of this construct (M6PHSA-DOX) was investigated. Twenty minutes after i.v. administration, 50 ± 6% of the dose was present in the livers, and colocalization of M6PHSA-DOX with HSC markers was observed. In addition, in vitro studies showed selective binding of M6PHSA-DOX to activated HSC. Moreover, M6PHSA-DOX strongly attenuated HSC proliferation in vitro, indicating that active drug is released after uptake of the conjugate. DOX inhibits liver fibrosis in BDL rats, and HSC-selective targeting of this drug is possible. This may offer perspectives for the application of antiproliferative drugs for antifibrotic purposes.
Shoring up persistent applications

SHORE (Scalable Heterogeneous Object REpository) is a persistent object system under development at the University of Wisconsin. SHORE represents a merger of object-oriented database and file system technologies. In this paper we give the goals and motivation for SHORE, and describe how SHORE provides features of both technologies. We also describe some novel aspects of the SHORE architecture, including a symmetric peer-to-peer server architecture, server customization through an extensible value-added server facility, and support for scalability on multiprocessor systems. An initial version of SHORE is already operational, and we expect a release of Version 1 in mid-1994.
Quality of Life Outcomes Associated with Variable Posttransplant Prednisone Dosing Regimens

Prednisone tapering has become more common in the management of transplant recipients. Benefits of this practice, however, must be weighed against the risks. This study identified outcomes associated with variable low dose prednisone protocols. The study sample included 98 kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients 1 year after transplant. Graft function, side effects of steroid therapy, and quality of life were recorded on patients receiving 0 (n=5), 1 to 5 (n=4), 5 to 7.5 (n=5), 7.5 to 10 (n=21), and greater than 10 mg/d prednisone (n=63). Despite the fact that patients were assigned to the low dose groups because they were at risk for or already experiencing steroid induced side effects, the low dose groups presented side effect and quality of life profiles similar to or better than those of the standard dose group.
Scalability problems of digital circuit evolution evolvability and efficient designs

A major problem in the evolutionary design of combinational circuits is the problem of scale. This refers to the design of electronic circuits in which the number of gates required to implement the optimal circuit is too high to search the space of all designs in reasonable time, even by evolution. The reason is twofold: firstly, the size of the search space becomes enormous as the number of gates required to implement the circuit is increased, and secondly, the time required to calculate the fitness of a circuit grows as the size of the truth table of the circuit. This paper studies the evolutionary design of combinational circuits, particularly the three-bit multiplier circuit, in which the basic building blocks are small sub-circuits, modules inferred from other evolved designs. The structure of the resulting fitness landscapes is studied and it is shown that in general the principles of evolving digital circuits are scalable. Thus to evolve digital circuits using modules is faster, since the building blocks of the circuit are sub-circuits rather than two-input gates. This can also be a disadvantage, since the number of gates of the evolved designs grows as the size of the modules used.
Design Patterns for Complex Event Processing

Currently engineering efficient and successful event-driven applications based on the emerging Complex Event Processing (CEP) technology, is a laborious trial and error process. The proposed CEP design pattern approach should support CEP engineers in their design decisions to build robust and efficient CEP solutions with well understood tradeoffs and should enable an interdisciplinary and efficient communication process about successful CEP solutions in different application domains.
Editorial: Antibiotic Resistance in Aquatic Systems

The spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and their resistance traits is an epic global challenge, as recognized by various international bodies, including the G8 Science Ministry in 2013 and the Elmau summit in 2015 While most attention continues to be devoted to the clinic and the need to develop new drugs, there is growing recognition of the need to understand the origin and ecology of antibiotic resistance in order to slow its spread and maximize the lifespan of our antibiotic arsenal (Wright, 2010). In particular, the aquatic environment can serve both as a natural reservoir of antibiotic resistance and a conduit for the spread of clinical resistance traits of major concern (Michael et al., 2013). Aquatic bodies, including lakes, rivers, streams and even coastlines, receive effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), runoff from agricultural activity, and other human inputs and influences that may either serve to elevate natural background levels of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and stimulate their transfer into pathogens or other organisms, or as a conduit for the propagation of antibiotic resistant pathogens and clinical ARGs of concern (Michael et al., 2013). Current pathogen risk models are not equipped to factor in unique challenges that antibiotic resistance poses, including the potential that non-pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) can serve as a reservoir to transfer their ARGs to pathogens or the role of selective agents, such as antibiotics and metals, in amplifying this potential. The challenge of controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance can have a different face in developed or developing countries, depending on local policies, practices, technologies and constraints. The articles in this e-book include new evidences of the origin, spread, and fate of ARB and ARGs in aquatic systems, focusing on water systems from wastewater, freshwater to seawater. These various media have gained attention as potential sources, sinks, or conduits in the potential to spread antibiotic resistance. It is well-known that heavy use of antibiotics and synthetic antimicrobial agents contribute to the selection pressure. The fate and impact of antibiotics used both in humans and livestock are of particular concern. Municipal and on-farm wastewater treatment is critical for controlling pollution and pathogens, but is not tailored specifically to the control of antibiotic resistance. WWTPs are mainly aimed at reducing solid and nutrient loads to surface waters, but this does not guarantee biodegradation of trace chemical pollutants or genetic elements. Although advanced disinfection facilities can greatly reduce the …
Inhibitory Profile of SEA0400 [2-[4-[(2,5-Difluorophenyl)methoxy]phenoxy]-5-ethoxyaniline] Assessed on the Cardiac Na+-Ca2+ Exchanger, NCX1.1

SEA0400 (2-[4-[(2,5-difluorophenyl)methoxy]phenoxy]-5-ethoxyaniline) has recently been described as a potent and selective inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+ exchange in cardiac, neuronal, and renal preparations. The inhibitory effects of SEA0400 were investigated on the cloned cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, NCX1.1, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes to gain insight into its inhibitory mechanism. Na+-Ca2+ exchange currents were measured using the giant excised patch technique using conditions to evaluate both inward and outward currents. SEA0400 inhibited outward Na+-Ca2+ exchange currents with high affinity (IC50 = 78 ± 15 and 23 ± 4 nM for peak and steady-state currents, respectively). Considerably less inhibitory potency (i.e., micromolar) was observed for inward currents. The inhibitory profile was reexamined after proteolytic treatment of excised patches with α-chymotrypsin, a procedure that eliminates ionic regulatory mechanisms. After this treatment, an IC50 value of 1.2 ± 0.6 μM was estimated for outward currents, whereas inward currents became almost insensitive to SEA0400. The inhibitory effects of SEA0400 on outward exchange currents were evident at both high and low concentrations of regulatory Ca2+, although distinct features were noted. SEA0400 accelerated the inactivation rate of outward currents. Based on paired pulse experiments, SEA0400 altered the recovery of exchangers from the Na+i-dependent inactive state, particularly at higher regulatory Ca2+i concentrations. Finally, the inhibitory potency of SEA0400 was strongly dependent on the intracellular Na+ concentration. Our data confirm that SEA0400 is the most potent inhibitor of the cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger described to date and provide a reasonable explanation for its apparent transport mode selectivity.
A Parameter Estimation Method to Minimize Instabilities in System Dynamic Models

This paper introduces a new method that facilitates the stability analysis of system dynamics models. The method is based on the concepts of asymptotic stability and Accumulated Deviations from Equilibrium (ADE) convergence. We prove several theorems that show that ADE convergence of a state variable will make its trajectory approach asymptotic stability. Achieving ADE convergence requires the solution of a policy optimization problem. We use an approach called Behavior Decomposition Weights (BDW) to reduce the search space associated with that optimization problem. We also demonstrate this method on two examples: a linear “inventory-workforce” model and a non-linear “mass business cycle model”. These examples illustrate the features of this method and the potential for the development of efficient tools to improve the quality of the optimization policies.
Libraries in the information age: A measure of performance, competencies and constraints in academic libraries in Nigerian universities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure the competencies of libraries in Nigerian universities, identify constraints to their performance and recommend infrastructures and competencies required. Institutional accreditation has compelled academic libraries in Nigerian to improve their quality, competencies and performances for accountability. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. The population of the study was all the university librarians in the 89 universities in Nigeria that the author selected from federal, state and private universities. Of the 81 sets of questionnaires emailed, 49 were returned, which represents a 60.5 per cent response rate and provides the working population of the study. Data were analysed using frequency tables, simple percentages and bar charts. Findings – The results indicate that academic libraries and librarians in Nigeria are competent in three key areas – educational roles, professional development and research.
Creating Interactive Virtual Humans: Some Assembly Required

Discusses some of the key issues that must be addressed in creating virtual humans, or androids. As a first step, we overview the issues and available tools in three key areas of virtual human research: face-to-face conversation, emotions and personality, and human figure animation. Assembling a virtual human is still a daunting task, but the building blocks are getting bigger and better every day.
Context ranking machine and its application to rigid localization of deformable objects

In this paper, we exploit the context information embodied in an image to develop a machine learning method called context ranking machine (CRM). Specifically, we leverage two kinds of context information: identity context and metric context. The identity context of an image patch refers to its origin (e.g., from which image it is cropped), and the metric context refers to its distance to the exact surrounding box of the target object inside the image. We use these context information in two ways. First, for object localization, instead of learning classifiers to separate the whole negative pool from all positives, we separate each positive from its own negatives sharing the same identity context. Second, we rank image patches according to their resemblance to the ground truth by establishing a connection between appearance based features and metric properties of the image. The CRM learns an image-based ranking algorithm via boosting and achieves an improved localization accuracy. We performed tests on echocardiogram images to localize heart chambers, and face images for eye band localization.
The Case of Jenny: A Freshman Collegiate Athlete Experiencing Performance Dysfunction

The present case study illustrates the treatment of a 19-year-old female lacrosse player, classified as experiencing Performance Dysfunction (Pdy) by the Multilevel Classification System for Sport Psychology (MCS-SP). The self-referred collegiate athlete was treated using the manualized Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) protocol (Gardner & Moore, 2004a, 2007). The intervention consisted of eight individual sessions and several follow-up contacts via e-mail. The majority of the sessions addressed clinically related and sport-related concerns, including difficulties in emotion regulation and problematic interpersonal relationships. Based on self-report, coach report, and one outcome assessment measure, the psychological intervention resulted in enhanced overall behavioral functioning and enhanced athletic performance. This case study suggests that following careful case formulation based on appropriate assessment and interview data, the MAC intervention successfully targeted the clearly defined psycho.
Troubling Childhood Innocence: Reframing the Debate over the Media Sexualisation of Children

CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IS A bedrock assumption of contemporary Western thinking which permeates the professional field of early childhood. Axiomatic to this assumption is the widespread belief that sexuality is both antithetical to childhood and a threat to children's ‘natural’ innocence. In this article I offer an historical context to the cyclical linking of ‘loss of innocence’ with the mass media and popular culture. I review key arguments represented in a high-profile Australian public media debate over the sexualisation of children in the media and reframe the arguments by revisiting the feminist critical psychologies of Valerie Walkerdine (1997, 2001) and the poststructural feminist philosophies of Judith Butler (1990, 1997). I argue that the emotionally charged discussions about the sexualisation of children in the media function as performative adult projections, and conclude by encouraging early childhood practitioners to be reflective about the nature and effect of their own adult concerns.
Enhanced videokymographic data analysis based on vocal folds dynamics modeling

The automatic analysis of temporal patterns of vocal folds motion and the tracking of glottal cues such as folds edge position or glottal area, has recently become a topic of interest in the ﬁeld of laryngeal video imaging. We discuss here the use of a numerically simulated model of the folds motion within a video analysis context, for the analysis of videokymographic data and glottal cues segmentation. The proposed algorithm exploits both visual and acoustic data related to the glottal excitation, to estimate the parameters of the model. The trained model is then used to enhance the analysis and segmentation of visual glottal cues, i.e. the folds edge displacement and glottal area. Objective measures are reported of the accuracy with which the visual glottal cues and the acoustic voice emission are represented by the model. The method is illustrated and assessed on data from different subjects.
An alternative treatment for depression using EEG biofeedback to alter frontal alpha asymmetry and improve mood

The relationship between frontal EEG asymmetry and emotional reactivity is well established in the literature and there is some evidence of a causal link between the two variables (e.g., Allen et al., 2001). EEG biofeedback has been shown to improve depressive symptoms in clinical populations (e.g., Baehr et al., 1997 and Earnest 1999), however concurrent participation in other forms of treatment limits their conclusions. The present study was a double-blind clinical trial of a noninvasive alternative treatment for depression using EEG biofeedback of frontal alpha asymmetry and, of the 19 righthanded participants who were randomly assigned to receive contingent or noncontingent biofeedback, only seven completed three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Since only one participant in the noncontingent group completed all 36 sessions, group comparisons were not conducted. Although self-reported depression as determined by HRSD and BDI scores improved over time, this was independent of biofeedback training, because EEG biofeedback did not produce significant changes in frontal alpha asymmetry. In addition, there were no significant within-subjects correlations between asymmetry and BDI score or target value and BDI score.
Exploring the predictability in Technical Trading rules

Genetic algorithms are applied to several simulated data series to study the predicting power of technical trading rules. The two kinds of rules considered are moving averages and filter rules. Genetic algorithms simulate how the best rule is uncovered by analysts over time. The analysis supports the predicting power of technical rules. The predictability is especially strong for data with moving average and nonlinear structures. For these data, the return difference between buy and sell signals are much higher than that can be explained by risk differences. The result suggests that technical rules are exploiting high order nonlinearity in the data that cannot be modeled with linear projection frameworks. ∗I thank William Barnett, James Morley for their helpful comments. I am also grateful to Frank Allen, Risto Karjalainen, Melvin Hinich for their generosity in sharing the programs used in this paper. All errors remain mine.
Premarital Sexual Permissiveness among Nigerian Undergraduates: The influence of Religiosity and Self-Esteem

The study investigated empirically the influence of religiosity, self-esteem and age on attitude towards premarital sexual permissiveness among a sample of 400 Nigerian undergraduates (males =200, females =200 Age range =20 to 31 years). The instrument of data collection is a self-reported questionnaire that measured religiosity, self-esteem and premarital sexual permissiveness. Results indicated that religiosity was the most salient of the three variables that entered the regression equation, and accounted for 39% of the variation in premarital sexual permissiveness. Self-esteem also entered the regression equation and accounted for an additional 9% of the variation in premarital sexual permissiveness. Together, these two variables explained 48% of the variation in premarital sexual permissiveness. Age did not enter the regression equation. Moreover, jointly, religiosity, self-esteem and age were significant predictors of premarital sexual permissiveness. The findings suggest that a lower level of religiosity promote greater permissive attitude towards premarital sex. However, high level of self-esteem was associated with more permissive premarital sexual attitude. It is therefore, concluded that religiosity and self-esteem are important factors that can play important roles in understanding attitude towards premarital sexual permissiveness among Nigerian undergraduates.