Fuzzy voting in clustering

In this paper we present a fuzzy voting scheme for cluster algorithms. This fuzzy voting method allows us to combine several runs of cluster algorithms resulting in a common fuzzy partition. This helps us to overcome instabilities of the cluster algorithms and results in a better clustering.Series: Report Series SFB "Adaptive Information Systems and Modelling in Economics and Management Science

Cooperation in a dynamic social environment

Cooperative behaviour among unrelated individuals is an evolutionary paradox. Research suggests that an individual’s propensity to cooperate and its response to experiencing cooperation or defection from its social environment consistently varies among individuals and as a function of external factors. The biological and psychological underpinnings of such behavioural variation remain unknown; they can, however, provide more insight into the evolution and maintenance of cooperation among non-kin. This thesis explores the proximate effects of experiences of cooperation or defection from the social environment, as well as possible proximate drivers of cooperative behaviour, using the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) as a study system. Firstly, the behavioural rules underpinning an individual’s decision to cooperate or not with unfamiliar individuals in the presence of specific or non-specific information were explored. When fish had information about their social partner’s cooperativeness, they behaved in a manner consistent with direct reciprocity, copying their partner’s last move. When paired with an ostensibly novel partner, a different, or at least additional, behavioural rule seemed to be employed. In order to help understand the drivers of individual variation in cooperative behaviour, phenotypic selection on cooperativeness was carried out over three filial generations, resulting in fish of high cooperativeness (HC) and low cooperativeness (LC). The divergence of individual cooperativeness observed between the two phenotypic selection lines suggests that cooperative behaviour in the context of predator inspection is at least in part heritable. Cooperative behaviour of F3 fish was found not to correlate with boldness or exploratory behaviour; HC and LC fish did, however, differ in some aspects of sociability and agonistic behaviour. Possible proximate neuromodulatory mechanisms underlying these differences in cooperativeness were also explored, focusing on brain expression patterns for the isotocin receptor (itr) gene in F3 females. HC females were found to have higher mid-section itr expression levels than LC females. Finally, I explored the effects of experiencing cooperation or defection on monoaminergic neurotransmission, which is thought to instantiate the effects of such experiences on the individual’s internal state. My findings suggest that experiencing cooperation or defection from the social environment affects internal state; this phenomenon may be crucial for the appropriate adjustment of the behavioural response to such experiences, and for the emergence of behavioural rules such as generalised reciprocity. Taken together these results suggest that neuromodulatory mechanisms are pivotal for the perception of stimuli from the social environment in the tested cooperative context and that variation in cooperative behaviour may be underpinned by individual differences in the structural properties of such systems. They also provide insight into how behavioural input may affect the behavioural response to such experiences, and ultimately how such mechanisms may lead to the evolution and maintenance of cooperation.Danish Council for Independent Researc

Genome transcription/translation of segmented, negative-strand RNA viruses

The requirements for alignment of capped RNA leader sequences along the viral genome during influenza transcription initiation (“cap-snatching”) have long been an enigma. Previous work on Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) transcription initiation has revealed that this virus displays a preference for leaders with increasing base complementarity to the 3'-ultimate residues of the viral RNA template. Assuming that cap-snatching is a highly conserved mechanism, it is tempting to speculate that the findings for TSWV apply to all segmented negative RNA viruses. The research in this thesis aimed to analyze whether similar cap donor requirements applied for Influenza A virus transcription initiation as compared to what has been found for TSWV. Indeed, in vitro studies demonstrated that influenza transcriptase prefers multiple base-pairing capped leaders. Additionally, the occurrence of “prime-and-realign” during influenza transcription initiation was observed, as well as internal priming at the 3'-penultimate viral residue. The in vitro findings were confirmed by similar studies performed during influenza infection of cell cultures. Whereas transcription initiation of TSWV has been relatively well studied, transcription termination has not. It is postulated that transcription termination/translation is triggered by the formation of a hairpin structure. In cell experiments support a role of the TSWV hairpin structure in translation.</p

Nostalgia and ethnocentric product preferences

Understanding consumers’ preferences is central in marketing. Their tendency to prefer products of domestic rather than foreign origin, and the impact their emotional and affective state has on their purchasing decisions are well-documented in the literature. This thesis connects these two research themes by examining the impact feelings of nostalgia have on ethnocentric product preferences. The focus on nostalgia is not accidental. Advertising and marketing campaigns of several multinational companies have recently attempted to trigger such feelings amongst consumers in order to promote their products. The thesis begins by offering a more robust investigation for the presence of country of origin effects and the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on it, using a multi- cultural sample and measuring individuals’ actual preferences. Using separate inducements for nostalgia — at the ‘personal’ level, referring to past events the consumers experienced alone, and at the ‘collective’ level, referring to past events the consumers experienced in the company of others — it proceeds by providing evidence suggesting that feelings of nostalgia significantly increase preferences for domestic products, as well as ratings of their perceived quality. Both inducements have similar effects on preferences and ratings. Subsequently investigating the underlying psychological mechanism responsible for the effect of nostalgia on ethnocentric product preferences, the thesis provides evidence that self-reported ‘meaning of life’ — a composite measure previously linked to nostalgia — is a significant mediator of this effect; having a significantly positive indirect effect on both preferences for and ratings of domestic products. The thesis concludes by discussing the implications these findings have for man- agerial practice and outlining future directions for marketing research in this field.Open Acces

The Concept of Socialization in Nursing Education

Introduction: Education is a specialized form of socialization. The concept of socialization indicates the systemic effects of the old to the new generation, in order to develop those characteristics that society deems necessary for the integration of young people in this.The professional socialization is a developmental process in adult socialization and is of central importanceAim: the aim of the present study is the presentation of professional socialization in nursing educationResults: The socialization into the profession is a process of transforming a beginner to a professional and the newcomers adopt ethical standards and even lifestyle team who seek to become members. The socialization the individual adopts social group's mission, organizational goals and underpin knowledge, learning technology and language of the profession, and finally integrates the professional role in identity. The educational system is the official institution in which society disseminates-instills-perpetuates the prevailing values and conceptions, creating citizens and professionals neededfor maintenance operations and meeting its needs.Conclusions: The existence of both factors, without taking drastic measures in education and the organizational characteristics of the exercise areas of nursing, will feedback the crisis in the nursing profession and mainly will undermine any effort to change and improve the quality of the supplied project

THE SELF-DETERMINED LEARNING MODEL OF INSTRUCTION: IMPLEMENTATION TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Self-determination is a framework for making decisions about one's life. In children, self-determination is linked to interests, choices, decisions, and problem-solving, usually with the help of an adult. The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) teaches students the above issues related to their daily lives (Palmer &amp; Wehmeyer, 2002). The purpose of this study was to determine whether students after the implementation of SDLMI would be able to set goals and make decisions about the subject being taught. The research involved 5 girls with learning disabilities, second and fourth grade, divided into two groups, depending on the class of study. The program was implemented for 5 months and was followed by the structure proposed by the authors (Palmer &amp; Wehmeyer, 2002). Initially, the students' interests were investigated, the answers were recorded and there was a discussion about what the goal is and what the obstacles are. After the worksheets were translated and adapted, they were given to the students. After the students set their goals, each of them worked on their individual goals (in language or mathematics). For the final evaluation of the program, the students completed the worksheets. The results showed that the students, after completing the program, were able to better understand the meaning of the goal and set goals that corresponded to the level of learning they possessed and the difficulties they faced at that time