Context and Aggregation: An Experimental Study of Bias and Discrimination in Organizational Decisions

This paper addresses a notable gap at the intersection of organizational economics and organization science: how does organizational context influence aggregation of individual behavior in organizational decisions? Using basic centralized versus decentralized organizational structures as building blocks for our experimental design, we examine whether assignment of organizational positions, incentive schemes, and structural configuration induce endogenous adaptation in the form of change in reservation levels (bias) or modified discrimination capability in subjects’ behavior. We found that evaluators adapted their reservation and discrimination levels in centralized structures, whereas they did not generally adapt their reservation and discrimination levels when placed in decentralized structures. We identify mechanisms that explain these findings; explain how they influence aggregate, organizational behavior; and discuss implications for research and practice.

Effect of Bay Spacing on Design Parameters of RC Structures Subjected to Lateral Loads

Structural configuration is one of the important parameters to control the performance of multi-storeyed structures subjected to lateral loads. On other hand, also the economy of multi-storeyed structures depends on the spacing of columns. The present investigation is aiming to find the effect of bay spacing on the performance of medium to high rise RC structures subjected to lateral loads. In this regard, a computer- based analysis is carried out for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 storied bare frame structures. Each structure performance under lateral loads is investigated for 4 types of bay spacing i.e. 5m, 6m, 7.2m and 8.64m, with an increment of 20% bay space each time. For each structural model, the behaviour of the structure is examined in terms of storey displacement, storey drift and base shear. The quantitative parametric comparison is done between all the models mentioned and has identified the optimal size of the bay spacing to suit the aspect ratio of the structure is proposed.

Semi-Supervised Generative and Discriminative Adversarial Learning for Motor Imagery-based Brain–Computer Interface

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which can recognize structural/configuration patterns in data with different architectures, have been studied for feature extraction. However, challenges remain regarding leveraging advanced deep learning methods in BCIs. We focus on problems of small-sized training samples and interpretability of the learned parameters and leverages a semi-supervised generative and discriminative learning framework that effectively utilizes synthesized samples with real samples to discover class-discriminative features. Our framework learns the distributional characteristics of EEG signals in an embedding space using a generative model. By using artificially generated and real EEG signals, our framework finds class-discriminative spatio-temporal feature representations that help to correctly discriminate input EEG signals. It is noteworthy that the framework facilitates the exploitation of real, unlabeled samples to better uncover the underlying patterns inherent in a user’s EEG signals. To validate our framework, we conducted experiments comparing our method with conventional linear models by utilizing variants of three existing CNN architectures as generator networks and measuring the performance on three public datasets. Our framework exhibited statistically significant improvements over the competing methods. We investigated the learned network via activation pattern maps and visualized generated artificial samples to empirically justify the stability and neurophysiological plausibility of our model.

The Structure of Children’s Subjective Well-being

Research on children’s quality of life and subjective well-being has advanced over the past decade largely as a result of developments in childhood theory, children’s rights legislation, and the shift toward positive social science. However, in line with the uncertainty regarding the conceptualization of subjective well-being, the structural configuration of children’s subjective well-being has not been considered in the literature. In the current study, we present and test a model of children’s subjective well-being, which includes global (context-free items assessing overall and general well-being, without reference to a specific aspect of life) and specific (domain-based items assessing a specific aspect of life) cognitive components, and positive and negative affect. We further test the fit structure of a hierarchical structural (second-order) model of children’s subjective well-being. Finally, we test the measurement invariance of the hierarchical model across age and gender. We use data from the third Wave of the Children’s Worlds Survey. The data source includes a sample of 92,782 participants selected from 35 countries (girls = 49.7%) in two age groups (10- and 12-years-old). We found a good fit for the four-factor confirmatory factor model of children’s subjective well-being. Correlations between the various latent factors were as anticipated—with positive correlations between the life satisfaction components and positive affect, and negative correlations with negative affect. We further found a good fit for the hierarchical structural model of children’s subjective well-being. Finally, we found the tenability of measurement invariance across age and gender. The study extends the generalizability of the hierarchical structural configuration of the subjective well-being to child samples, and provides a viable model to explore correlates and predictors of children’s subjective well-being using the full conceptual model. Finally, we propound the tenability of a quadripartite hierarchical conceptual model of children’s subjective well-being.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Protein Response on PI3K-Mediated IL-8 Release

A novel coronavirus related to a condition known as a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was termed as SARS Coronavirus-19 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19), which has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Extensive efforts have been dedicated worldwide towards determining the mechanisms of COVID-19 associated pathogenesis with the goals of devising potential therapeutic approaches to mitigate or overcome comorbidities and mortalities. While the mode of SARS-CoV-2 infection, its structural configuration, and mechanisms of action, including the critical roles of the Spike protein have been substantially explored, elucidation of signaling pathways regulating its cellular responses is yet to be fully determined. Notably, phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and its downstream pathway have been exploited among potential therapeutic targets for SARS-CoV-2, and its activation modulates the release of cytokines such as IL-8. To that end, the current studies were sought to determine the response of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 protein on PI3K-mediated IL-8 release using relevant and widely used cellular models. Overall, these studies indicate that PI3K signaling does not directly mediate Spike S1 protein-induced IL-8 release in these cellular models.

Tambal: Investigasi pembelajaran tektonik berbasis budaya lokal

Artikel ini mengeksplorasi proses kegiatan tambal di Manado sebagai basis pembelajaran tektonik bagi mahasiswa arsitektur. Tambal adalah istilah setempat untuk kegiatan memperbaiki rumah ataupun benda lain yang bersifat tidak menyeluruh dan hanya mengganti bagian yang rusak. Pembelajaran tektonik bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman akan ekspresi seni dari sambungan ataupun pertemuan yang terjadi pada susunan struktur dan konstruksi. Pemahaman tektonik dari suatu desain kerap hanya dipahami dari keseluruhan susunan tersebut. Melalui kegiatan tambal, artikel ini berupaya menginvestigasi bagaimana mahasiswa arsitektur dapat memahami aspek tektonik melalui bagian-bagian pertemuan yang kemudian mempengaruhi keseluruhan tektonik yang hadir. Fokus kegiatan tambal dalam penelitian ini ditujukan untuk memperbaiki kondisi salah satu rumah sementara di kawasan Tempat Pembuangan Akhir (TPA) Sumompo Manado agar layak huni secara struktur. Dengan konteks tersebut, mahasiswa dihadapkan pada kompleksitas tektonik diambang batas minimal konstruksi, dan harus menemukan solusi arsitektural dengan tenggat waktu terbatas. Dari hasil pembelajaran tektonik melalui kegiatan tambal, mahasiswa menghasilkan pengembangan ekspresi desain tektonik yang berdasarkan kebutuhan untuk memperkuat bangunan tersebut. Kegiatan ini berkontribusi memperdalam pembelajaran tektonik dalam arsitektur berdasarkan aspek lokalitas untuk menghasilkan struktur yang lebih baik. This article explores the process of tambal in Manado as the basis of tectonic learning for architecture students. Tambal is a local term for house or objects repairing activities that only takes place in parts that are broken. Tectonic learning aims to provide students about understanding of the arts of joints that exists in a structural and construction assembly. Understanding of tectonic often only pay attention to the overall assembly of its parts. Through tambal activity, this article investigates how architecture students may understand tectonic aspects within the parts of the joints that later influence the overall configuration of assembly. In this research, the process of tambal was aimed to repair the condition of one of the temporary houses in the Sumompo landfill area in Manado to be structurally habitable. In such context, the students were faced with existing tectonic complexity below construction standards, and they were required to create an architectural solution within the limited time frame. By learning tectonic through tambal, the students were able to develop a tectonic design expression based on the need to strengthen the building itself. This activity contributes in deepening the process of tectonic learning in architecture based on local aspect to create a better quality of structural configuration.

The N2A region of titin has a unique structural configuration

The N2A segment of titin is a main signaling hub in the sarcomeric I-band that recruits various signaling factors and processing enzymes. It has also been proposed to play a role in force production through its Ca2+-regulated association with actin. However, the molecular basis by which N2A performs these functions selectively within the repetitive and extensive titin chain remains poorly understood. Here, we analyze the structure of N2A components and their association with F-actin. Specifically, we characterized the structure of its Ig domains by elucidating the atomic structure of the I81-I83 tandem using x-ray crystallography and computing a homology model for I80. Structural data revealed these domains to present heterogeneous and divergent Ig folds, where I81 and I83 have unique loop structures. Notably, the I81-I83 tandem has a distinct rotational chain arrangement that confers it a unique multi-domain topography. However, we could not identify specific Ca2+-binding sites in these Ig domains, nor evidence of the association of titin N2A components with F-actin in transfected C2C12 myoblasts or C2C12-derived myotubes. In addition, F-actin cosedimentation assays failed to reveal binding to N2A. We conclude that N2A has a unique architecture that predictably supports its selective recruitment of binding partners in signaling, but that its mechanical role through interaction with F-actin awaits validation.

Structural Significance of the Mid-level Décollement Within the Western Sichuan Fold-And-Thrust Belt (WSFTB), Insights From Sandbox Modeling

The WSFTB is located outboard of the eastern Tibetan Plateau, western China. It has received great attention due to high earthquake risks and rich resources of oil and gas. For both issues, the detailed structural configuration and deformation mechanism behind it are of great importance, but remain unclear due to the complexity created by the presence of multiple décollements. The effect of regionally distributed shallow Triassic salt décollement (SD) and the basal one (BD) has been well understood. In this paper, we focus on the third décollement situated between them. We conducted three sandbox experiments by varying this mid-level décollement (MD) from absence to presence, and from frictional to viscous, to test the effect on diversity of regional structural configuration. Our experimental results illustrated that 1) Absence of MD facilitated decoupling on SD, forming the greatest contrast between subsurface deformation front and the blind one beneath SD; 2) Frictional MD itself showed little decoupling, while its weakness reduced the bulk strength of deep structural level, lowering decoupling effect on SD and leading to approximating deformation fronts in the shallow and deep; 3) The viscous MD, along with SD relieved the resistance on their interbed layer. Consequently, the fastest deformation propagation rate and farthest deformation front (in all the experiments) occurred in the middle structural level. The modeled fold and thrust structures are comparable with the southern, central and northern WSFTB respectively, suggesting that varied MD may control the along-strike structural variations presented. The results also indicate that MD can alter the deformation partition in depth of any other multiple décollement system.

Parametric study on application of Voronoi patterns in design of 2-D beams

The trend of engineering has been towards modern innovation in designs by maintaining not only the esthetic point of view but also stability and efficiency. In this regard, in this study, one of the nature-inspired structures, Voronoi tessellation, is introduced and applied as a structural configuration in the design of beams. Thus, various models of beams built with Voronoi diagrams are considered. To this end, first, the rules and regulations which govern the structure of Voronoi tessellation will be presented. Then various stages of generating the geometry of Voronoi beams will be described in detail. Considering the logical architectural requirements, the presented models are prepared as 2D-beams with different degrees of uniformity comprising the minimum and maximum Voronoi cells, which will be designed according to guidelines. In the next step, uniform loading under different boundary conditions will be applied to all Voronoi beams, and the results including structural weight, maximum displacement, and load-bearing capacity will be presented. The results of beams designed with Voronoi structures reveal that increasing the size of minimum cell will result in the rise of the maximum displacements as well as load-to-weight ratios and considerably reduce the weight of Voronoi beams but demonstrate sufficient load-bearing capacity. It also proves that as the non-uniformity of cells increases, displacements will grow. In addition, although the weight of samples will reduce, the load-to-weight ratios of the archetypes remain almost constant. Placing more supports for these structures will lead to an improvement in all aspects of design, especially on the response of beams with large spans.