Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distance Learning and the Low-Income Student

In a country where postsecondary education traditionally results in social and economic advancement, 54 million working American adults lack a college degree (Pusser et al., 2007). Statistically, these adults are more likely to be low-wage earners. In 2009, the median earnings for young adults (25-34) with a bachelor's degree was $45,000, while the median was $21,000 for those without a high school diploma, $30,000 for those with a high school diploma, and $36,000 for those with an associate's degree. This indicates that young adults with a bachelor's degree earned over 100% more than those without a high school diploma, 50% more than those with high school diplomas, and 25% more than young adults with associate's degrees (Aud et al., 2011). In addition, the median earnings of young adults with a master's degree or higher was $60,000, which was 33% more than the median for young adults with a bachelor's degree (Aud et al., 2011). Given these numbers, it is not surprising low income and working adults explore (or are encouraged to explore) postsecondary education. The route to degree entry and completion is not easy though.
The size and dynamics of magnetic flux structures in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

The structures in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow, flux tubes in particular, are investigated with respect to coherence in the direction of the magnetic field. A length scale, which is interpreted as the diameter of the tubes, is derived from the MHD equations. This scale implies that the tendency towards alignment of flux lines in tubes is a diffusion driven phenomenon. The dynamics of the tubes is also investigated; the major conclusion is that stronger tubes are expected to be straighter. These ideas are tested out on data from numerical simulations of turbulent MHD convection. It is also seen that alignment of flux lines increases with the strength of the tube. Possible reasons for this effect are discussed.
Distribution of Vertex Degree in Web-Graphs

We give results for the age-dependent distribution of vertex degree and number of vertices of given degree in the undirected web-graph process, a discrete random graph process introduced in [8]. For such processes we show that as $k \rightarrow \infty$, the expected proportion of vertices of degree $k$ has power law parameter $1+1/\eta$ where $\eta$ is the limiting ratio of the expected number of edge endpoints inserted by preferential attachment to the expected total degree. The proof for the undirected process generalizes naturally to give similar results for the directed hub-authority process, and an undirected hypergraph process.
Who does what when partners become parents: Implications for men, women, and marriage.

Forty-seven couples who were first-time parents were assessed in late pregnancy and again at 6 and 18 months postpartum. Fifteen couples not yet decided about having a baby were assessed at equivalent times. Actual involvement in household, decision-making, and childcare roles was determined by responses to a 36-item "Who Does What? " questionnaire. Psychological involvement in parent, partner, and worker roles was also determined, as was each partner's satisfaction with behavioral and psychological involvement in each domain. On the basis of global analyses, previous studies have suggested that new parents adopt more traditional roles. Item analyses indicated that men's and women's roles change in both traditional and nontraditional ways during the transition to parenthood, depending on the item and the time of assessment. Measures of individual and couple adaption were also obtained: self-esteem, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction. Men's involvement in family tasks was correlated with their own o.
Animal- and plant-food-based diets and iron status: benefits and costs

Fe seems to be the only nutrient deficiency that industrialized and low-income countries have in common. Thus, Fe is one of the most critical nutrition requirements to be met in most diets in human subjects. Fe deficiency is caused not only by too low an intake, but is also the result of low bioavailability, as well as an increased Fe requirement due to physiological variables or clinical problems which are not met by an increased dietary intake of Fe. In low-income countries poor dietary quality rather than Fe intake seems to be the key determinant of impaired Fe status. Sometimes the Fe intake even exceeds that in populations of industrialized countries. The interaction of all enhancers (e.g. ascorbic acid and meat), as well as inhibitors (such as bran, polyphenols, egg yolk, soyabean products, Ca, Ca3(PO4)2 and phytic acid (or phytate)) is what determines the bioavailability of non-haem-Fe in the meal. Dietary composition seems to be particularly important when Fe reserves are low, or in the presence of Fe deficiency. Furthermore, the development of anaemia as a result of Fe deficiency, secondary to Fe-stress situations, is dependent on the Fe balance in the host. With respect to the dietary intake of Fe, other products in the food consumed as well as previous treatment of the product (e.g. heat treatment and processing) may also influence bioavailability. Despite all efforts to counteract Fe deficiency it still represents one of the dominant problems in the micronutrient sphere. It is apparent that there is no simple solution to the problem, and the fact that Fe deficiency still occurs in affluent societies consuming a mixed diet speaks for itself; a more holistic view of total dietary composition and the role of enhancers and inhibitors is needed.
Job insecurity among Israeli schoolteachers: Sectoral profiles and organizational implications

In light of environmental and organizational trends toward privatization, and in response to changes in sectoral traditional differences, this paper investigated job insecurity (JI) of secondary schoolteachers in the public and private sectors in Israel. The study sample consisted of 326 Israeli schoolteachers. Using a multi‐dimensional measure of JI, where various job facets were addressed, two distinct JI profiles were found: public‐sector schoolteachers tended to emphasize intrinsic job features, while private‐sector schoolteachers tended to emphasize extrinsic ones. Sectoral differences were also found in regard to the adverse effect of JI on work attitudes: in the public sector JI affected organizational commitment, perceived organizational support, and tendency to quit, and in the private sector only tendency to quit was affected. These findings are partly explained by differences in employment structures, and have implications for human resource strategies regarding the provision of job security.
Local Treatment with Adjuvant Therapy for Central Atypical Cartilaginous Tumors in the Long Bones: Analysis of Outcome and Complications in One Hundred and Eight Patients with a Minimum Follow-up of Two Years.

BACKGROUND A central atypical cartilaginous tumor (ACT)--formerly known as chondrosarcoma grade 1 (CS1)--is a tumor of intermediate-type malignancy, often treated with surgery. The extent of surgery remains controversial, as some advocate resection and others favor local treatment by curettage. Because of the low prevalence of ACT/CS1, the available data are limited and generally not uniform. The purpose of this study was to present the outcome for a large cohort of patients with ACT/CS1 in the long bones who were treated with curettage and adjuvant phenolization and followed for a minimum of two years according to national guidelines. METHODS A retrospective study was designed to analyze data from 108 patients treated for central ACT/CS1 in the long bones between 2006 and 2012. All patients were treated with curettage and adjuvant phenolization, and defects were filled with polymethylmethacrylate, bone graft, or bone substitutes. The primary end point was local recurrence or residual tumor. Secondary end points included the type and rate of complications and reoperations. RESULTS All patients were free from local recurrence at a mean follow-up of 48.7 months (range, 24.3 to 97.5 months). Residual tumor was suspected in five patients, leading to a 95.4% disease-free survival rate. A fracture occurred in eleven patients (10.2%). Other complications were osseous penetration during the surgery (two patients), wound infection (one patient), arthrofibrosis (one patient), and skin necrosis (one patient). Tumor volume was related neither to the risk of fracture nor to the occurrence of residual tumor. CONCLUSIONS In our experience, curettage of ACT/CS1 in the long bones with adjuvant phenolization is safe, even with large tumors of up to 100 cm(3). Most worrisome is the risk of fracture, which occurred in 10.2% of our patients. Considering the relatively mild behavior of ACT/CS1, less aggressive treatment, by observation or by minimally invasive surgery, could be the next step that should be evaluated prospectively.
Agronomical Parameters, Sugar Profile and Antioxidant Compounds of “Catherine” Peach Cultivar Influenced by Different Plum Rootstocks

The influence of seven plum rootstocks (Adesoto, Monpol, Montizo, Puebla de Soto 67 AD, PM 105 AD, St. Julien GF 655/2 and Constantí 1) on individual and total sugars, as well as on antioxidant content in fruit flesh of “Catherine” peaches, was evaluated for three years. Agronomical and basic fruit quality parameters were also determined. At twelve years after budding, significant differences were found between rootstocks for the different agronomic and fruit quality traits evaluated. The Pollizo plum rootstocks Adesoto and PM 105 AD seem to induce higher sweetness to peach fruits, based on soluble solids content, individual (sucrose, fructose and sorbitol) and total sugars. A clear tendency was also observed with the rootstock Adesoto, inducing the highest content of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C and relative antioxidant capacity (RAC). Thus, the results of this study demonstrate the significant effect of rootstock on the sugar profile and phytochemical characteristics of peach fruits. In addition, this work shows the importance of the sugar profile, because specific sugars play an important role in peach flavour quality, as well as the studied phytochemical compounds when looking for high quality peaches with enhanced health properties.
Quantification of True In Vivo (Application) Accuracy in Cranial Image-guided Surgery: Influence of Mode of Patient Registration

OBJECTIVE: Very few studies have attempted to quantify the true (application) accuracy of image-guidance systems during craniotomy. This is, in part, because of the lack of millimetric intraoperative targets to allow such measurements. Few in vivo studies have compared the influence of mode of patient registration on subsequent true accuracy. METHODS: Seven modes of patient registration (anatomic landmarks, 5 or 10 adhesive fiducials, bone-implanted fiducials [Stryker-Leibinger], surface matching using 45 or 100 points over scalp convexity or nose/auditory meatus contours) were compared. Thirty patients were involved in the study. Millimetric targets (bone drill holes or deep 1-mm titanium hemoclips) were placed then localized and saved at surgery. These targets were then identified on postoperative volumetric computed tomography fused with operative data sets. Localization errors of the targets were measured for each registration on an optical image-guidance system (StealthStation). RESULTS: Only implanted cranial fiducials had a statistically significant accuracy advantage (1.7 ± 0.7 mm). All other registrations had similar accuracies (approximately 4.0 ± 1.7 mm) except anatomic landmarks, which were worse (4.8 ± 1.9 mm). Calculated accuracies (root mean squared) had no predictive value for true (application) accuracies. CONCLUSION: Not surprisingly, application accuracy of image-guidance is worse without implanted cranial markers. Unexpectedly, there was no major difference in localization of deep targets between the other registrations tested in this study. Care must be taken when using image-guidance tools to consider error introduced by registration. Cranium-implanted fiducials should be considered when high accuracy and reproducibility are needed.
Goal theory in physical education classes: Examining goal profiles to understand achievement motivation

Abstract From the social cognitive perspectives of achievement motivation, goal orientation can be recognized as a critical element in student learning. Goal theory, asserting the existence of task‐ and ego‐oriented dimensions of goals, has provided a useful theoretical framework to understand motivational processes, but recently researchers have suggested we need to consider a multidimensional view of achievement goals, and that was the purpose of this study. High school students (N=278) completed a survey about their goal orientations in physical education, including items addressing task, ego, social, and work avoidant goals. Cluster analysis techniques were used to generate goal profiles representative of the students. Field observations of classes were conducted, and students representative of the clusters of goal profiles were interviewed. The results of this study support the use of goal theory as a framework for understanding achievement motivation in schools and provide new information concerning how dimensions of goal profiles may interact to affect student engagement
Cohabitation in Italy: do parents matter?

Over the last two decades, Europe has witnessed the spreading of a new phenomenon: cohabitation. Whereas this modern living arrangement has become relatively widespread in most European countries, it has been rather hesitant in developing in Italy. The welfare state structure of this country, a high rate of unemployment, and tight housing is hampering the diffusion of cohabitation. Researchers so far have assumed that traditionally strong family ties between parents and their adult children have been responsible for the slow spread of extramarital unions. Our research, however, produces different results: There is evidence that the educational degree of the mother influences to a large extent the transition to cohabitation of women in Italy. Using the Indagine longitudinale sulle famiglie italiane (ILFI) of 1997 and 1999, we estimate multiplicative intensity models for the transition to (i) cohabitation as first relationship and (ii) direct marriage of women in Italy. Referring to our findings and to recent research on cohabitation in general, we develop two sets of interview guidelines for semi-structured interviews with cohabiting and married women (who experienced a previous cohabitation) in Italy. The interviews will be conducted in Italian, so the guidelines are in Italian as well. Our first pilot interview indicates that the second demographic transition is more advanced in northern Italy than the current literature would lead one to expect.
GLP-1-induced alterations in the glucose-stimulated insulin secretory dose-response curve.

The present study was undertaken to establish in normal volunteers the alterations in beta-cell responsiveness to glucose associated with a constant infusion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or a pretreatment infusion for 60 min. A high-dose graded glucose infusion protocol was used to explore the dose-response relationship between glucose and insulin secretion. Studies were performed in 10 normal volunteers, and insulin secretion rates (ISR) were calculated by deconvolution of peripheral C-peptide levels by use of a two-compartmental model that utilized mean kinetic parameters. During the saline study, from 5 to 15 mM glucose, the relationship between glucose and ISR was linear. Constant GLP-1 infusion (0.4 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) shifted the dose-response curve to the left, with an increase in the slope of this curve from 5 to 9 mM glucose from 71.0 +/- 12.4 pmol x min(-1) x mM(-1) during the saline study to 241.7 +/- 36.6 pmol x min(-1) x mM(-1) during the constant GLP-1 infusion (P < 0.0001). GLP-1 consistently stimulated a >200% increase in ISR at each 1 mM glucose interval, maintaining plasma glucose at <10 mM (P < 0.0007). Pretreatment with GLP-1 for 60 min resulted in no significant priming of the beta-cell response to glucose (P = 0.2). Insulin clearance rates were similar in all three studies at corresponding insulin levels. These studies demonstrate that physiological levels of GLP-1 stimulate glucose-induced insulin secretion in a linear manner, with a consistent increase in ISR at each 1 mM glucose interval, and that they have no independent effect on insulin clearance and no priming effect on subsequent insulin secretory response to glucose.
Responses of Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Yeast Species to Steroids Reveal the Functioning and Evolution of Multidrug Resistance Transcriptional Networks

ABSTRACT Steroids are known to induce pleiotropic drug resistance states in hemiascomycetes, with tremendous potential consequences for human fungal infections. Our analysis of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans cells subjected to three different concentrations of progesterone revealed that their pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) networks were strikingly sensitive to steroids. In S. cerevisiae, 20 of the Pdr1p/Pdr3p target genes, including PDR3 itself, were rapidly induced by progesterone, which mimics the effects of PDR1 gain-of-function alleles. This unique property allowed us to decipher the respective roles of Pdr1p and Pdr3p in PDR induction and to define functional modules among their target genes. Although the expression profiles of the major PDR transporters encoding genes ScPDR5 and CaCDR1 were similar, the S. cerevisiae global PDR response to progesterone was only partly conserved in C. albicans. In particular, the role of Tac1p, the main C. albicans PDR regulator, in the progesterone response was apparently restricted to five genes. These results suggest that the C. albicans and S. cerevisiae PDR networks, although sharing a conserved core regarding the regulation of membrane properties, have different structures and properties. Additionally, our data indicate that other as yet undiscovered regulators may second Tac1p in the C. albicans drug response.
Race, Culture, and Schooling: Identities of Achievement in Multicultural Urban Schools

Contents: Preface. Part I: Theoretical Framework. Dilemmas of Diversity in Urban Education: Race, Culture and Underachievement. Overview of Situated-Mediated Identity Theory. Cultural Practices Inquiry-Culturally Reading Individuals-in-Settings. Part II: Application of the Framework. The Construction of Academic Identities-Situativity, Positionality, and Agency in Intellectual Life. Communities of Achievement as Culturally Con-Figured Worlds. Acquisition of Cultural Practices of Achiever Identities as Learners. The Cultural Practices of Achiever Identities of Teachers. Epilogue.
Co-Operative Co-Evolutionary Genetic Algorithms for Multi-Objective Topology Design

AbstractThis paper studies the effectiveness of incorporating co-operative co-evolutionary strategy into 4 evolutionary multi-objective optimisation algorithms – MOGA, NPGA, NSGA and CNSGA – for continuum topology design. Apart from the co-operative co-evolutionary concept, the algorithms employ the elitism and crowding distance techniques to promote the diversity within the set of preserved non-dominated solutions. Three-related 2D heat conduction problems with two design objectives are used as the case studies. The proposed co-operative co-evolution is found to improve the optimisation effectiveness significantly. The species arrangements and sizes have some impacts; the use of moderately small species barely improves the search performances due to the interference from species coupling. As these effects depend on physical meanings of problems, it is more expedient to estimate the parameters in practice.
Human parvovirus B19 infection within a family and risk for pregnant women

Summary During an outbreak of parvovirus B19 infection among four related families at least 70% of the household contacts, including a woman at the 33rd week of pregnancy, became infected. Twins were born at the 39th week of pregnancy, both with B19 infection. B19 DNA was detected in their sera by a nested PCR, anti-B19 IgM was detectable only by an immunofluorescence assay, and low levels of maternal anti-B19 IgG were demonstrable by an immunoenzymatic test in the serum of both children. All the haematological parameters were normal at birth and 6 months later, when B19 DNA and anti-B19 antibody were no longer detectable in serum samples. This observation emphasizes the high risk of B19 infection among household contacts and the possibility of a favourable outcome of the foetal infection, possibly related to infection late in the pregnancy.
Program in Law and Economics , Working Paper Series Title

In this paper we investigate the claim that academic journals are too expensive. We estimate library demand for academic journals and ask if short run profit maximization by publishers can explain observed prices. Libraries purchase a portfolio of journals so to estimate demand we extend the standard discrete choice model, and estimation methods, to allow for a choice consisting of a subset of a larger set of journals. Unlike the discrete choice model, the model allows for both positive and negative cross-price effects. We estimate the model using library holdings data and find that on average prices in the industry are lower than what static pricing models predict. Furthermore, we simulate the effects of mergers and find that the likely unilateral effect of a merger is to lower prices.
Podoplanin Associates with CD44 to Promote Directional Cell Migration

Podoplanin, a cancer-associated glycoprotein, interacts with CD44. Both glycoproteins are coordinately upregulated during tumor progression. Podoplanin–CD44 interaction in the cell membrane occurs mainly in migrating cells, and it seems to be required for podoplanin-mediated cell migration and directionality.
Exploring the impact of positive and negative emotions on cooperative behaviour in a Prisoner’s Dilemma Game

Objective. To explore the influences of discrete positive and negative emotions on cooperation in the context of a social dilemma game. Design. Two controlled studies were undertaken. In Study 1, 69 participants were randomly assigned to an essay emotion manipulation task designed to induce either guilt, joy or no strong emotion. In Study 2, 95 participants were randomly assigned to one of the same three tasks, and the impact of emotional condition on cooperation was explored using a repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma Game. Results. Study 1 established that the manipulation task was successful in inducing the specified emotions. The analysis from Study 2 revealed no significant main effects for emotions, in contrast to previous research. However, there was a significant effect for participants’ pre-existing tendency to cooperate (social value orientation; SVO). Conclusion. Methodological explanations for the result are explored, including the possible impact of trial-and-error strategies, different cooperation games and endogenous vs exogenous emotions.