Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Homework Experience: Perceptions of Low-Income Youth

Homework is a cornerstone of students' academic lives. Using a social cognitive view of achievement beliefs as a theoretical framework, we conducted a qualitative study to examine perceptions of homework among a diverse group of low socioeconomic status (SES) ninth graders who attended low-quality schools. Students participated in individual interviews and their average 9th- and 10th-grade GPAs were collected from school records. Their comments reflected complexity and nuance with respect to their achievement goals. Although higher and lower achievers shared some common views about what constituted enjoyable and disagreeable homework, differences emerged in how they expressed their commitment to their work and their engagement in their learning. Students overall did not have much assigned homework, and reported little or no consequences if they did not complete their assigned tasks. In the face of these low teacher expectations, higher achievers maintained a commitment to learning, and lower achievers were indifferent. Higher achievers were engaged in their assigned tasks and expressed a desire to learn, whereas their lower achieving peers were detached and avoidant. Despite very different beliefs about and approaches to homework, both higher and lower achievers signaled their need for support in their learning. Students need to believe that homework is meaningful and that teachers value it enough to design high-quality assignments and monitor their completion. Lower achieving students need ongoing attention and guidance from their teachers in order to find relevance in and see the value of homework tasks. Teachers can meet this challenge in part by enlisting and supporting family members and peers in the homework process.
Changes in Student Motivation During Online Learning

Self-directed e-learning (SDEL) refers to electronic learning environments where there are often no peer learners or instructors regularly available. Past studies suggest that lack of time and lack of motivation are primary causes of learner attrition in online settings. However, little is known about what influences motivational change during SDEL. We surveyed 368 adult learners from both higher education and corporate settings who had used commercial SDEL products. Results from stepwise regression analysis indicated that the best predictors of motivation to begin SDEL were perceived relevance, reported technology competence, and age. The best predictors of motivation during SDEL were perceived quality of instruction and learning (e-learning is right for me) and motivation to begin. Motivation during SDEL was the best predictor of positive change in motivation, which in turn predicted learner satisfaction with SDEL. Instructional design principles for sustaining learner motivation in SDEL are identified from the findings of the present study.
A Review of Sparsity-Based Methods for Analysing Radar Returns from Helicopter Rotor Blades

Abstract : Radar imaging of rotating blade-like objects, such as helicopter rotors, using narrowband radar has lately been of significant interest; these objects cannot be adequately described by the classic point-scatterer model. Recently, a novel tilted-wire' scatterer model has been developed that can provide an accurate and sparse representation of radar returns from such objects. Following a literature review on compressed sensing algorithms, covering both greedy and lp minimisation methods (0 p- 1), the report focuses on a comparative study of various greedy pursuit algorithms, using both simulated and real radar data, with a particular emphasis on the use of the tilted-wire scatterer model. It is observed that the greedy algorithms that select multiple atoms at the matched-filtering stage do not perform well when the atoms used in the dictionary are significantly correlated. Amongst the greedy algorithms, Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) exhibits the best performance, closely followed by Conjugate Gradient Pursuit (CGP), which has a much smaller computational complexity than OMP. In applications where the tilted-wire model requires large dictionaries and large CPI atoms, CGP is the preferred option.
After Snowden: Rethinking the Impact of Surveillance

Current revelations about the secret US-NSA program, PRISM, have confirmed the large-scale mass surveillance of the telecommunication and electronic messages of governments, companies, and citizens, including the United States' closest allies in Europe and Latin America. The transnational ramifications of surveillance call for a re-evaluation of contemporary world politics' practices. The debate cannot be limited to the United States versus the rest of the world or to surveillance versus privacy; much more is at stake. This collective article briefly describes the specificities of cyber mass surveillance, including its mix of the practices of intelligence services and those of private companies providing services around the world. It then investigates the impact of these practices on national security, diplomacy, human rights, democracy, subjectivity, and obedience.
Impact of the interfacial layer on the low-frequency noise (1/f) behavior of MOSFETs with advanced gate stacks

The impact of the interfacial layer thickness on the low-frequency (LF) noise (1/f noise) behavior of n- and p-channel MOSFETs with high-kappa gate dielectrics and metal gates is investigated. Decreasing the interfacial layer thickness from 0.8 to 0.4 nm affects the 1/f noise in two ways. 1) The mobility fluctuations mechanism becomes the main source of 1/f noise not only on pMOS devices, as usually observed, but also on nMOS devices. 2) A significant increase of the Hooge's parameter is observed for both types of MOSFETs. These experimental findings indicate that bringing the high-kappa layer closer to the Si-SiO2 interface enhances the 1/f noise mainly due to mobility fluctuations
Parental Legacy in Insects: Variation of Transgenerational Immune Priming during Offspring Development

In insects, a parental immune challenge can prepare and enhance offspring immune activity. Previous studies of such transgenerational immune priming (TGIP) mainly focused on a single offspring life stage. However, different developmental stages may be exposed to different risks and show different susceptibility to parental immune priming. Here we addressed the question (i) whether TGIP effects on the immunity of Manduca sexta offspring vary among the different developmental offspring stages. We differentiated between unchallenged and immunochallenged offspring; for the latter type of offspring, we further investigated (ii) whether TGIP has an impact on the time that enhanced immune levels persist after offspring immune challenge. Finally, we determined (iii) whether TGIP effects on offspring performance depend on the offspring stage. Our results show that TGIP effects on phenoloxidase (PO) activity, but not on antibacterial activity, vary among unchallenged offspring stages. In contrast, TGIP effects on PO and antibacterial activity did not vary among immunochallenged offspring stages. The persistence of enhanced immune levels in immunochallenged offspring was dependent on the parental immune state. Antibacterial (but not PO) activity in offspring of immunochallenged parents decreased over five days after pupal immune challenge, whereas no significant change over time was detectable in offspring of control parents. Finally, TGIP effects on the developmental time of unchallenged offspring varied among stages; young larvae of immunochallenged parents developed faster and gained more weight than larvae of control parents. However, offspring females of immunochallenged parents laid fewer eggs than females derived from control parents. These findings suggest that the benefits which the offspring gains from TGIP during juvenile development are paid by the adults with reduced reproductive power. Our study shows that TGIP effects vary among offspring stages and depend on the type of immunity (PO or antibacterial activity) as well as the time past offspring immune challenge.
Deployment-related TBI, persistent postconcussive symptoms, PTSD, and depression in OEF/OIF veterans.

OBJECTIVE A substantial proportion of the more than 2 million service members who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Understanding the long-term impact of TBI is complicated by the nonspecific nature of postconcussive symptoms (PCSs) and the high rates of co-occurrence among TBI, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. The goal of the present research was to examine the relations among TBI, persistent PCSs, and symptoms of PTSD and depression among returning OEF/OIF veterans. METHOD 213 OEF/OIF veterans (87% male) completed a semistructured screening interview assessing deployment-related TBI and current, persistent PCSs. Participants also completed self-report measures of combat exposure and current symptoms of PTSD and depression. RESULTS Nearly half (46%) of sampled veterans screened positive for TBI, the majority of whom (85%) reported at least one persistent PCS after removing PCSs that overlapped with PTSD and depression. Veterans with deployment-related TBI reported higher levels of combat exposure and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the fit of 3 models of the relationships among TBI, combat exposure, persistent PCSs, PTSD, and depression. Consistent with hypotheses, the best-fitting model was one in which the effects of TBI on both PTSD and depression were fully mediated by nonoverlapping persistent PCSs. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance of addressing persistent PCSs in order to facilitate the functional recovery of returning war veterans.
Potential for Stable Flies and House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) to Transmit Rift Valley Fever Virus1

Abstract Rift Valley fever (RVF), a disease of ruminants and humans, has been responsible for large outbreaks in Africa that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of human infections and major economic disruption due to loss of livestock and to trade restrictions. As indicated by the rapid spread of West Nile viral activity across North America since its discovery in 1999 and the rapid and widespread movement of chikungunya virus from Africa throughout the Indian Ocean Islands to Asia and Europe, an introduced exotic arbovirus can be rapidly and widely established across wide geographical regions. Although RVF virus (RVFV) is normally transmitted by mosquitoes, we wanted to determine the potential for this virus to replicate in 2 of the most globally distributed and common higher flies: house flies, Musca domestica, and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans. Neither species supported the replication of RVFV, even after intrathoracic inoculation. However, S. calcitrans was able to mechanically transmit RVFV to susceptible hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) after probing on infected hamsters with high viral titers. Therefore, S. calcitrans, because of its close association with domestic animals that serve as amplifying hosts of RVFV, should be considered a possible mechanical vector of RVFV, and it may contribute to the rapid spread of a RVF outbreak. Other Stomoxys species present in Africa and elsewhere may also play similar roles.
The influence of perceived risk on Internet shopping behavior: a multidimensional perspective

The present study analyzes the influence that perceived risk in online shopping has on the process of e‐commerce adoption by end consumers. With this aim, the Technology Acceptance Model is taken as a reference framework, proposing an Extended E‐Commerce Acceptance Model that includes the diverse constructs of perceived risk: financial, performance, social, time, psychological and privacy. Empirical evidence is obtained from two samples, one is composed by Internet users with no experience in web shopping and the other is formed by online buyers. The results obtained confirm that the intention to shop through the Internet is positively influenced by general attitude toward the system and negatively influenced by the risk associated with the Web. Regarding the importance of the risk dimensions considered in the study, the economic and performance facets are the ones that have a greater influence on e‐commerce adoption, while social and time dimensions are the less relevant.
Professional Development of Preservice Teachers: Teaching in the Super Saturday Program

General classroom teachers are being called upon to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population of students. Although abundant research documents the specific needs of gifted students, too little is being done at the preservice teacher level to prepare our teachers to recognize and meet these needs (e.g., Feldhusen & Kolloff, 1986; VanTassel-Baska, 2003). This study examined the change in beliefs by one cohort of preservice teachers after participation in a gifted education course and practicum. Interviews with the participants following the intervention period were used to assess the participants' perceptions of the effect the course and practicum had on their understanding of gifted students' needs and their ability to meet those needs. Interview data were triangulated with classroom observations and lesson plans created by the participants for use during the practicum. Findings indicated the participants perceived an increase in their overall level of professional development, as well as an increase in their level of understanding of the characteristics and needs of gifted students.
Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adulthood Parenting: The Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence

This study examined the role of intimate partner victimization in mediating the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adulthood parenting in a community sample of mothers reliant on public assistance (N = 483). Baron and Kenny's (1986) method for establishing mediation was used to address this question. A recent history of intimate partner violence mediated the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and psychological aggression; however, a lifetime history of intimate partner violence did not. Depressive symptomatology was found to mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and parental warmth. The impact of childhood sexual abuse on corporal punishment was indirect through its association with childhood physical abuse and witnessing domestic violence. Implications for research, theory development, and practice are provided.
Effects of riboflavin supplementation and selenium source on selenium metabolism in the young pig.

The effect of dietary riboflavin (B2) supplementation and selenium (Se) source on the performance and Se metabolism of weanling pigs was studied. Pigs fed a B2-supplemented (10 mg/kg) casein-glucose diet for 18 d gained faster than pigs fed the B2-unsupplemented diet. Percentage active erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) declined rapidly when pigs were placed on the B2-unsupplemented diet and was lower (P less than .01) than that of B2-supplemented pigs after 12 d on test. Percentage active erythrocyte GR values fell below 50% before other B2 deficiency signs became evident. Supplementation of diets with 10 mg B2/kg resulted in increased kidney and muscle glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. The Se concentration of liver and heart increased and plasma Se levels decreased with dietary B2 supplementation. Riboflavin supplementation and Se source did not alter apparent Se absorption, but B2 supplementation decreased urinary Se and thus increased Se retention. Also, there was less urinary Se excretion when selenomethionine was the dietary Se source and consequently more Se was retained than when sodium selenite was the dietary Se source. In a final trial, B2 supplementation increased kidney, muscle, heart and brain GSH-Px activity when sodium selenite was the dietary Se source, but not when selenomethionine was the dietary Se source.
Quality of School Life. A Cross‐cultural Study of Greek and Scottish Secondary School Pupils

A. KARATZIAS, V. PAPADIOTI-ATHANASIOU, K. G. POWER V Goodenow & Grady, 1992), greater motivation to learn (Keys F Ekstrom et al., 1986) and higher achievement accordingto one’s ability (Voekl, 1995). Pupils who perceive their school positively are alsoless likely to experience health problems (Jessor, 1991; Nutbeam & Aaro, 1991). Lower levels of school satisfaction have been found to be linked to behaviouralproblems, poor school achievement (Baker, 1998), school alienation (Fine, 1986)and development of unhealthy behaviour (Samdal et al., 1998), since pupils tendto rebel against the school authority and may turn to ‘marginalised’ peer groups(Perry et al., 1993). Why Compare Scotland and Greece? Scotland and Greece differ in their life style and culture. Greece is a collectivistculture, because of its Eastern influences, whereas Scotland is an individualisticone. Furthermore, Scotland has a well-established secondary educational system,whereas in Greece there have been major reforms recently (e.g. entrance system tohigher education). There has been much protest by Greek pupils and teachersabout secondary and higher education recently. As noted in Cameron et al. (1983),the educational system in Greece has followed the traditional model (classicalstudies, moral education), which may not satisfy the needs of pupils and theirparents or those of modern life (e.g. scientific progress). Secondary educationEuropean Journal of Education, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2001
Game Semantics in String Diagrams

A dialogue category is a symmetric monoidal category equipped with a notion of tensorial negation. We establish that the free dialogue category is a category of dialogue games and total innocent strategies. The connection clarifies the algebraic and logical nature of dialogue games, and their intrinsic connection to linear continuations. The proof of the statement is based on an algebraic presentation of dialogue categories inspired by knot theory, and a factorization theorem established by rewriting techniques.
Stimulation of Symbiotic N2 Fixation in Trifolium repens L. under Elevated Atmospheric pCO2 in a Grassland Ecosystem

Symbiotic N2 fixation is one of the main processes that introduces N into terrestrial ecosystems. As such, it may be crucial for the sequestration of the extra C available in a world of continuously increasing atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2). The effect of elevated pCO2 (60 Pa) on symbiotic N2 fixation (15N-isotope dilution method) was investigated using Free-Air-CO2-Enrichment technology over a period of 3 years. Trifolium repens was cultivated either alone or together with Lolium perenne (a nonfixing reference crop) in mixed swards. Two different N fertilization levels and defoliation frequencies were applied. The total N yield increased consistently and the percentage of plant N derived from symbiotic N2 fixation increased significantly in T. repens under elevated pCO2. All additionally assimilated N was derived from symbiotic N2 fixation, not from the soil. In the mixtures exposed to elevated pCO2, an increased amount of symbiotically fixed N (+7.8, 8.2, and 6.2 g m-2 a-1 in 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively) was introduced into the system. Increased N2 fixation is a competitive advantage for T. repens in mixed swards with pasture grasses and may be a crucial factor in maintaining the C:N ratio in the ecosystem as a whole.
A Tale of 2 Epidemics: The Intersection Between Obesity and HIV Infection in Philadelphia

Background:Obesity and HIV infection are ongoing epidemics in the United States. Obesity predisposes to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are complications also associated with HIV and/or its treatment. Objective:To determine the prevalence and risk factors for overweight and obesity in HIV-infected individuals. Design and Setting:Retrospective cross-sectional study in which 1689 patients enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania Center for AIDS Research Adult/Adolescent Database at 1 university hospital clinic, 2 affiliated practices, and 1 Veterans Administration clinic in Philadelphia had demographic, social, and medical data collected prospectively since 1999. Participants:Body mass index (BMI) data were available for 1669 HIV-infected subjects: 78% were men, and 60% were African American. The median CD4 count was 381 cells/μL, 47% of subjects had a viral load <400 copies/mL, and 9% of subjects were treatment naive. Main Outcome Measures:The prevalence and risk factors for overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) in HIV-infected subjects. Results:Obesity and overweight were more prevalent than wasting (14%, 31%, and 9%, respectively; P < 0.0005), but they were not more common than in the general population. Although women and men were equally overweight (30% vs. 31%), women were more obese than men (28% vs. 11%; P < 0.001). Among women, African American race (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-2.9) and a CD4 count ≥200 cells/μL (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6-4.9) were associated with overweight and obesity. Among men, only a CD4 count ≥200 cells/μL (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.04-2.4) was associated with increased BMI. In men and women, smoking was associated with decreased obesity and overweight (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74 and OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43-0.98, respectively). Age, income, employment, education, past or current intravenous drugs, being on HIV treatment, and viral load were not associated with obesity in the multivariate model. There was a positive correlation between BMI and total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. Conclusion:Obesity is more common than wasting in this therapeutic era. Women, particularly those of African American race, are at high risk. Obesity might add to metabolic abnormalities associated with HIV or its treatment and contribute to morbidity, as patients with HIV live longer.
The impact of urbanization and land intensive use on environmental pollution a case study on 35 cities in China

Urbanization has a significant impact on environmental pollution, but the relationship between urbanization and environmental pollution is complex and dynamic. This study determines the relationships between the city population as well as the city area and the environmental pollution alone, moreover analyzing the joint action of the city and the level of land intensive use to the environmental pollution. In this study, data from 35 provincial capitals and sub provincial cities in China are selected from 2003 to 2013, and indicator system is constructed to evaluate the level of population urbanization, land urbanization and land intensive use. After testing the Heteroscedasticity across panels and Autocorrelation within groups of the panel data, employing the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) to estimate the results. The conclusion of the study shows: a) in the process of Chinese urbanization, the relationship between economic development and environmental pollution is not always consistent with the environmental Kuznets curve; b) the population gathering in the city exposes a certain degree of negative impact to environment; c) the expansion of city area and intensive land use can reduce environmental pollution. According to the research results of this study, some suggestions on how to control the population size of the big cities in China, how to determine the appropriate the city size and population scale, and how to improve the level of intensive use of urban land are put forward.
A CRITIQUE OF THE WTO JURISPRUDENCE ON ‘NECESSITY’

Abstract This paper examines whether the evolving jurisprudence on necessity as developed by the WTO adjudicatory bodies reflects the same balance between trade liberalization and regulatory autonomy as that contained in the WTO treaty texts, particularly with regard to the GATT. It is argued that a divergence can be observed which raises questions of competence, legitimacy and transparency. Specific amendments to the prevailing test are also proposed in order to achieve what the author suggests is a textually consistent, and thus legitimate, necessity test of equal efficacy.