Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Information From Separable Psychological Dimensions

This article examines decision processes in the perception and categorization of stimuli composed of the separable psychological dimensions, orientation and size. The randomization technique (Ashby & Gott, 1988) of general recognition theory, which allows accurate estimation of a subject's decision boundary in a categorization task, is used in 4 experiments. Even though the stimulus components are clearly separable, it was found that Ss were not constrained to use separable response strategies, nor were they constrained to attend to distance to the prototypes. Instead, they used decision rules that were nearly optimal, even if this required information integration or for the Ss to attend to higher level category properties such as component correlation.
Calibration of the Local Volatility in a Generalized Black-Scholes Model Using Tikhonov Regularization

Following an approach introduced by Lagnado and Osher [J. Comput. Finance, 1 (1) (1997), pp. 13--25], we study Tikhonov regularization applied to an inverse problem important in mathematical finance, that of calibrating, in a generalized Black--Scholes model, a local volatility function from observed vanilla option prices. We first establish $W^{1,2}_{p}$ estimates for the Black--Scholes and Dupire equations with measurable ingredients. Applying general results available in the theory of Tikhonov regularization for ill-posed nonlinear inverse problems, we then prove the stability of this approach, its convergence towards a minimum norm solution of the calibration problem (which we assume to exist), and discuss convergence rates issues.
Using documentary to explore the interwoven strands of self-concept and happiness through work: Findings and reflections

How does who you think you are influence what you do vocationally? Exploration of this led to eight participants agreeing to identify and consider how their self-concept affected their work satisfaction. Their responses formed the basis of “Project Happiness – The Lived Experience”, which comprised a written report and an accompanying audio-visual documentary. Presenting the study through the medium of a digital audio-video documentary allowed exploration of a more creative way of presenting the research findings and made the data accessible and seemingly more meaningful to a wider audience than traditional paper-based reporting. This qualitative investigation used a phenomenologically informed narrative approach incorporating the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths Survey. Findings led to all participants acknowledging the importance of “self-satisfaction”, “following one's own path”, “developing a strong knowledge base”, and “being authentic” (true to self) in their lives and work. This paper brings this arts-based enquiry research method to the field and discusses its epistemological and pragmatic value.
Antigenic Variation of TprK V Regions Abrogates Specific Antibody Binding in Syphilis

ABSTRACT The tprK gene in the syphilis spirochete, Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, undergoes antigenic variation in seven variable (V) regions. tprK is highly variable within T. pallidum strains, and a method has been developed to derive clones of T. pallidum that express a single, unique tprK sequence. Rabbits were infected with three different T. pallidum clones or the parent strain from which the clones were derived, and their sera were examined by immunoassay for antibody reactivity against synthetic peptides representing the TprK V regions from each clone. The parent strain expresses many different V region sequences, and infection with this strain induced antibody responses against a wide variety of V regions. In rabbits infected with the Chicago C clone, antibodies developed against all of the V regions except V1, while antibodies developed against only V5, V6, and V7 in Chicago A-infected rabbits. During Chicago B infection, antibodies developed against all of the V regions except V1 and V3. Antibodies were highly specific for the V regions of the infecting clone, and cross-reactivity was rare. The demonstration that the V regions elicit a variant-specific antibody response supports the hypothesis that TprK variants may help organisms to avoid the developing immune response in infected individuals, contributing to the ability of T. pallidum to establish chronic infection.
Cleavage and activation of a Toll-like receptor by microbial proteases

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are innate receptors that show high conservation throughout the animal kingdom. Most TLRs can be clustered into phylogenetic groups that respond to similar types of ligands. One exception is avian TLR15. This receptor does not categorize into one of the existing groups of TLRs and its ligand is still unknown. Here we report that TLR15 is a sensor for secreted virulence-associated fungal and bacterial proteases. Activation of TLR15 involves proteolytic cleavage of the receptor ectodomain and stimulation of NF-κB–dependent gene transcription. Receptor activation can be mimicked by the expression of a truncated TLR15 of which the entire ectodomain is removed, suggesting that receptor cleavage alleviates receptor inhibition by the leucine-rich repeat domain. Our results indicate TLR15 as a unique type of innate immune receptor that combines TLR characteristics with an activation mechanism typical for the evolutionary distinct protease-activated receptors.
Perception-Action Mutuality Obviates Mental Construction

> context • The dominant approach to the study of perception is representational/computational, with an emphasis on the achievements of the brain and the nervous system, which are taken to construct internal models of the world. Alternatives include ecological, embedded, embodied, and enactivist approaches, all of which emphasize the centrality of action in understanding perception. > Problem • Despite sharing many theoretical commitments that lead to a rejection of the classical approach, the alternatives are characterized by important contrasts and points of divergence. Here we focus on the enactive and ecological approaches, in particular, on how they construe the status of the environment and the content of perception. > method • We begin with a review of James Gibson’s ecological psychology, highlighting it as a psychology for all organisms not just humans. Against this backdrop, we consider enactivist arguments against direct perception – a central assertion of the ecological approach – and in favor of interpreting the activity of perceptual agents as a kind of construction of a perceptually meaningful world. > Results • We assess the merits of this interpretation and we conclude that it cannot be grounded on fundamental principles such as thermodynamics and organism-environment mutuality. > implications • As a consequence, enactivism remains close to representationalism and entails a form of dualism. > constructivist content • We advance a criticism of the constructivist foundations of the enactive approach to perception. Perception-action mutuality at the heart of enactivism does not require mental construction; indeed, perception-action mutuality obviates construction. >
Consumer Attitudes Toward Genetically Modified Foods: An Experimental Approach

Regardless of the arguments from scientists supporting genetically modified foods, there is still a negative consumer attitude toward GM foods in many countries, including Brazil, as well as concerns about the risks related to health and the environment. As this is a recent subject, there is little empirical and scientific research on the effects of genetic modification and its possible benefits on consumer perceptions. In this study, a laboratory experiment with Brazilian consumers is presented in which two factors are manipulated: genetic modification (present x absent) and benefits to the product (environment, low price and increased shelf life). Results indicated that: (i) the presence of the genetic modification in the product led to negative evaluations of the corporate image and the behavioral intentions toward such product; (ii) the benefits tested were not enough to attenuate the negative perception; (iii) consumers with high involvement with GM food presented more favorable behavioral intentions toward the product (i.e., a significant positive correlation was found); and (iv) demographic variables, such as gender and age, also influenced the attitudes.
Effects of repeated ethanol withdrawal and stress/withdrawal paradigms in adolescent rats

Tiffany A. Wills: Effects of Repeated Ethanol Withdrawals and Stress/Withdrawal Paradigms in Adolescent Rats (Under the Direction of Dr. George R. Breese) Adolescence is a period of development that is marked with increased vulnerability to the use and abuse of alcohol. Many studies have illustrated that adolescents respond to ethanol in ways that are distinct from adults. The adult literature has established the importance of understating the negative affect (i.e anxiety) produced from alcohol withdrawal and how the cyclic nature of ethanol exposure can modulate its development. Initial studies showed that adolescent and adult rats seem to display similar withdrawalrelated behaviors (anxiety and seizure thresholds) following repeated withdrawals once corrections were made for differences in ethanol intake. This anxiety-like behavior was shown to be sensitized by repeated ethanol withdrawals in adolescent rats, as was previously demonstrated in adult rats. However, this anxiety-like behavior in adolescent rats was much longer lasting than in adult rats. Additional work was conducted to determine the role of stress in the development of this anxiety-like behavior. Stress was shown to substitute for these early withdrawals and sensitize anxiety-like behavior in adolescent rats. In contrast to the effects of repeated withdrawals, the anxiety-like behavior of this stress/withdrawal paradigm was not long lasting. The reduced effect of stress in adolescents was also produced when assessing acute stress. A common mechanism between for both stress and ethanol actions may be related to corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). Dose-response studies illustrated that CRF could substitute for
Breast cancer resistance protein in pharmacokinetics and drug–drug interactions

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), also known as ABCG2, ABCP and MXR, is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter G family. BCRP functions as a biological barrier that extrudes xenobiotics out of cells. The broad substrate specificity and tissue distributions of BCRP in the body make this transporter one of the major efflux transporters in chemotherapy. Recent studies have demonstrated that BCRP exerts a great impact on drug absorption and disposition. This review focuses on the role of BCRP in pharmacokinetics as well as in vitro and in vivo strategies to evaluate hepatic/intestinal BCRP-mediated drug transports and drug–drug interactions. The impacts of polymorphism and gender difference of BCRP are also discussed.
RELATION OF MACULAR PIGMENT AND PHOTORECEPTOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PERCEPTION OF A BRIGHTNESS DIFFERENCE*

&NA; The effects of using the criterion of minimum border and brightness equality in making matches between white and monochromatic half‐disks have been studied. As long as the subject fixates a point at the center of the bipartite pattern and the effects of blur and overlap or separation are reduced to a minimum the two criteria yield essentially the same results. Differences in matching can be found when bipartite fields of different size are used. These appear to be attributable to macular pigment and the distribution of photoreceptors.
Learn to Speak and to Write, Learn to Use Your Mind The Relevance of the Work of Natural Language Generation (invited talk)

The aim of this talk is to show to what extent the work on text generation by computer (TGBC) does not address some of the fundamental problems people struggle with when generating language (TGBP). We will substantiate this claim by taking two tasks on which a lot of research has been carried out during the last 15 years: discourse planning and lexicalisation.
An Intelligent Tutoring System(ITS) for Tactical Training Based on Ontology

Abstract — In order to enhance tank tactical training in Distributed Virtual Environment (DVE), an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) is developed and provides real-time automatic coaching. The ITS is designed according to pedagogy of scaffolding. The coaching fades out gradually while the trainee making progress. The coaching content depends not only on previous performance, but also on current performance. To realize such ITS, Concept-based Knowledge Tree (CKT), an ontology tool, is used to represent the tactical knowledge and teaching strategy knowledge. Task nodes in the knowledge tree have attributes and behaviors. The behaviors consist of scheduling member-tasks, demonstrating how to perform task, giving hints and etc. Behavior is represented by rules. When a task is started, its rules begin to be executed repeatedly. The first task is started according to training content. Other tasks, as components of the first task, are started by rules in task that has already started. This composable behavior modeling method is capable of representing complex tactical behavior. To make scaffolding teaching strategy both autonomous and configurable, an ontology pattern is designed. Each task ontology node has several child nodes, which are used to represent knowledge about the same task but with different types of coaching. A prototype system is developed. It shows that the scaffolding automatically generated by computer is helpful for tank tactical training.
Multi-tasking link prediction on coupled networks via the factor graph model

Link prediction is a fundamental problem in social systems, including the prediction of user interaction and the links between users and items, which is also referred to as recommendation. Previous works mainly focus on the prediction task independently, which predict either the links between users or the links between users and items. However, these two prediction tasks are always coupled with each other, where users' preferences will influence the formation of users' interaction in coupled social networks, and vice versa. In this paper, we proposed a multitasking factor graph model (MFG) for predicting the user interaction and links between users and items simultaneously. Firstly, we observed some interesting network transfer structures according to the feature analysis between the user-user network and user-item network. Sequently, we developed a MFG model based on these network transfer structure, which can transfer information mutually from one network to the other to solve the multitasking prediction problem. Extensive experiments conducted on two real-world coupled social networks demonstrate the effectiveness of our methodology, compared with some other baseline algorithms.
Quorum sensing inhibitors: a patent review

Introduction: Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication that regulates gene expression and coordinates their behavior in accordance with the cell population density as a result of discerning molecules termed autoinducers (AIs). The processes that QS governed include biofilm formation, bacterial virulence, antibiotic production, competence, conjugation, swarming motility and sporulation. Three main QS AIs are acyl-homoserine lactones, AI-2 and AI peptides. The attractive study of QS leads to an expansive number of QS inhibitors and approaches interfering with QS appearing. Areas covered: This review summarized the recent QS inhibitor-related patents published from 2009 to 2012. The authors have analyzed these patents and have provided an overview of QS inhibitors and their application. Expert opinion: The main strategies for QS inhibition related to the patents are disruption of the AI synthase, inactivation of the signal molecule, antagonism of the receptor and promotion of immune response to AI. Some of the natural or synthetic QS inhibitors display excellent activity to manipulate bacterial pathogenicity to offer significant potential in clinical therapy. However, more efforts are needed to be conducted to determine this form of communication to guide the development of QS inhibitors. Overall, QS is a suitable target for antimicrobial therapy and QS inhibitors are likely to lead to a renaissance of anti-virulence drugs without tolerance, which is the ultimate goal expected to achieve in this field.
Fast oriented bounding box optimization on the rotation group SO(3,ℝ)

An exact algorithm to compute an optimal 3D oriented bounding box was published in 1985 by Joseph O'Rourke, but it is slow and extremely hard to implement. In this article we propose a new approach, where the computation of the minimal-volume OBB is formulated as an unconstrained optimization problem on the rotation group SO(3,ℝ). It is solved using a hybrid method combining the genetic and Nelder-Mead algorithms. This method is analyzed and then compared to the current state-of-the-art techniques. It is shown to be either faster or more reliable for any accuracy.
Musical Training Enhances Information Processing Speed

The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of music instruction on information processing speed. We examined music’s role on information processing speed in musicians (N = 14) and non-musicians (N = 16) using standardized neuropsychological measures, the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Results of a One Way ANOVA indicate significantly (p < .05) enhanced performance by musicians compared to non-musicians on the PASAT and TMT (Part A and B). These results suggest that musical training has the capacity to enhance processing speed of auditory and visual content. Implications for music educators stemming from these findings include the need for inclusion of rhythmic sight-reading exercises and improvisational activities to reinforce processing speed.
Dietary Intake of n-6 Fatty Acids Modulates Effect of Apolipoprotein A5 Gene on Plasma Fasting Triglycerides, Remnant Lipoprotein Concentrations, and Lipoprotein Particle Size: The Framingham Heart Study

Background— Apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5) variation is associated with plasma triglycerides (TGs). However, little is known about whether dietary fat modulates this association. Methods and Results— We investigated the interaction between APOA5 gene variation and dietary fat in determining plasma fasting TGs, remnant-like particle (RLP) concentrations, and lipoprotein particle size in 1001 men and 1147 women who were Framingham Heart Study participants. Polymorphisms −1131T>C and 56C>G, representing 2 independent haplotypes, were analyzed. Significant gene–diet interactions between the −1131T>C polymorphism and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake were found (P<0.001) in determining fasting TGs, RLP concentrations, and particle size, but these interactions were not found for the 56C>G polymorphism. The −1131C allele was associated with higher fasting TGs and RLP concentrations (P<0.01) in only the subjects consuming a high-PUFA diet (>6% of total energy). No heterogeneity by sex was found. These interactions showed a dose-response effect when PUFA intake was considered as a continuous variable (P<0.01). Similar interactions were found for the sizes of VLDL and LDL particles. Only in carriers of the −1131C allele did the size of these particles increase (VLDL) or decrease (LDL) as PUFA intake increased (P<0.01). We further analyzed the effects of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and found that the PUFA–APOA5 interactions were specific for dietary n-6 fatty acids. Conclusions— Higher n-6 (but not n-3) PUFA intake increased fasting TGs, RLP concentrations, and VLDL size and decreased LDL size in APOA5 −1131C carriers, suggesting that n-6 PUFA–rich diets are related to a more atherogenic lipid profile in these subjects.
Ion permeability of isolated chromaffin granules

The passive ion permeability, regulation of volume, and internal pH of isolated bovine chromaffin granules were studied by radiochemical, potentiometric, gravimetric, and spectrophotometric techniques. Chromaffin granules behave as perfect osmometers between 340 and 1,000 mosM in choline chloride, NaCl, and KCl as measured by changes in absorbance at 430 nm or from intragranular water measurements using 3H2O and [14C]polydextran. By suspending chromaffin granules in iso- osmotic media of various metal ions and selectively increasing the permeability to either the cation or the anion by intrinsically permeable ions or specific ionophores, it was possible to determine by turbidity and potentiometric measurements the permeability to the counterion. These measurements indicate that the chromaffin granule is impermeable to the cations tested (Na+, K+, and H+). Limited H+ permeability across the chromaffin granule membrane was also shown by means of the time course of pH re-equilibration after pulsed pH changes in the surrounding media. The measurement of [14C]methylamine distribution indicates that a significant deltapH exists across the membrane, inside acidic, which at an external value of 6.85 has a value of 1.16. The deltapH is relatively insensitive to changes in the composition of the external media and can be enhanced or collapsed by the addition of ionophores and uncouplers. Measurement at various values of external pH indicates an internal pH of 5.5. Use of the ionophore A23187 indicates that Ca++ and Mg++ can be accumulated against an apparent concentration gradient with calcium uptake exceeding 50 nmol/mg of protein at saturation. These measurements also show that Ca++ and Mg++ are impermeable. Measurement of catecholamine release under conditions where intravesicular calcium accumulation is maximal indicates that catecholamine release does not occur. The physiological significance of the high impermeability to ions and the existence of a large deltapH are discussed in terms of regulation of uptake, storage, and release of catecholamines in chromaffin granules.
Analysis of a high-voltage-gain hybrid switched-capacitor buck converter

This paper presents an analysis on the effect of having different number of capacitors n in the first-stage switched-capacitor circuit of an improved hybrid switched-capacitor buck converter for high-voltage-gain conversion. Various aspects of the topology, operation, and efficiency are investigated. It is shown that a higher n in the step-down capacitor stage does not necessarily lead to an overall improved power efficiency.
Successful System, Incomplete Data: Caveats in Reusing Activity Data from Emergency Department Whiteboards

During the daily treatment of patients large quantities of data are recorded in electronic health records (EHRs). Compared to data in paper records, these EHR data are easily available for reuse in research and quality improvement. However, the opportunities for reuse depend on the quality of the data. In this study we analyze the completeness with which main treatment activities are recorded on emergency department (ED) whiteboards and whether completeness varies with the severity of the patients' condition. Data from 381,231 ED visits show that after the whiteboard had been in successful use for several years the clinicians recorded four of the five main treatment activities with a completeness of less than 50%. Completeness tended to increase with three indicators of the severity of the patient's condition: triage level, length of stay, and patient age. We conclude that the low completeness of the activity data probably prevents most types of reuse.