Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Police Legitimacy Promote Collective Efficacy?

This research empirically examines the role of police in promoting collective efficacy and in particular, whether higher levels of police legitimacy are associated with more neighborhood collective efficacy. The research is conducted in the developing nation of Trinidad and Tobago—providing important evidence about the generalizability of the antecedents and effects of legitimacy outside of industrialized nations. The results support a potential role for police in promoting collective efficacy, but the mechanism for doing so is not legal institution legitimacy. Instead, the research identifies a relationship between quality routine police services, levels of police misconduct, and collective efficacy. In Trinidad, the amount and nature of interactions with police appear to play an important part in residents’ and neighborhood‐level assessments about police services and misbehavior.
A content analysis of Ife psychologia, 1993–2002

Bibliometric attributes, including formats and recency of citation, have been used to obtain a content analysis of Ife Psychologia from its inception in 1993 to 2002. The data on geographical spread of authorship and subject matter coverage from the 20 issues published were subjected to the Bradford Statistical Model. The results indicate that Ife Psychologia is a multi-disciplinary international journal that has been able to continue publishing in spite of the problems afflicting journal publishing in Africa. A total of 382 authors from 26 countries contributed to the journal, with foreign authorship rising from an initial average of 21.7% in the first 6 years to around 52% in the last 4 years. Subject matter coverage spanned over 14 fields, including psychology, education, sociology and mental health. Journals (47.7%) and books (45.2%) constituted the most cited works by authors. Though cited works were not all that current (only 20% under 5 years of publication), the incidence of authors’ self-citation was minimal, being 5.3% overall and just 1.2% for the journal's self-citation. The study provides a good testimonial for the inclusion of the journal in the suite of African Journals On-Line and should assist in strengthening its editorial management.
Special issue on university internationalisation – towards transformative change in higher education. Internationalising doctoral research: developing theoretical perspectives on practice

The current internationalisation agenda in UK higher education (HE) is still seen as most relevant to those university departments involved in international student recruitment and support. This approach has been influenced by the dominant ‘deficit’ discourses from earlier decades, which emphasise the need for international students to ‘catch up on’ English language and academic skills. By contrast, we argue that a more critical and holistic approach towards internationalisation can have implications for all staff and students in the university, and in all areas of activity, including curriculum development, assessment and research. Through examples from recent research conducted with doctoral students, we draw on conceptual approaches from the fields of academic literacies and intercultural communication to develop a lens for exploring educational research and teaching practices from an internationalisation perspective. We discuss some of the issues that arose in relation to the unfamiliar academic literacy and communicative practices that international students encountered in the UK institution. These included: negotiating different procedures and approaches when conducting research as a UK university-based researcher as compared to their ‘home’ institution; developing understanding of the supervisory relationship and feedback, and the challenges of reading and writing across cultures. We conclude by reflecting on the implications of these research findings for developing a ‘transformative’ approach to internationalisation of HE.
Police Enforcement of Domestic Violence Laws: Supervisory Control or Officer Prerogatives?

Police officers are afforded a high degree of discretion in the exercise of their authority, and the control of this discretion is an important issue. While it is assumed that individual officer attitudes and preferences shape their discretionary activity, these officers are also members of a paramilitary organization with leaders over them. The present study explored the influence of both officer attitudes and management influences to explain variation in officer domestic violence arrest rates. Hierarchical linear modeling was used with a sample of 311 patrol officers and 61 supervisors from 23 municipal police agencies across multiple states. Unlike much of the previous literature, the results revealed that officer occupational attitudes had no effect on this particular officer work behavior. Management influences (such as rewards and written policies) significantly influenced officers’ domestic violence arrest behavior. The findings emphasize the complexity involved in the control of officer discretion.
Challenging gender stereotypes: resistance and exclusion.

The likelihood of resisting gender-stereotypic peer group norms, along with expectations about personal resistance, was investigated in 9- to 10-year-olds and 13- to 14-year-olds (N = 292). Participants were told about a stereotype conforming group (boys playing football; girls doing ballet) and a stereotype nonconforming group (boys doing ballet; girls playing football). Contrary to expectations from gender-stereotyping research, participants stated that they would personally resist gender-stereotypic norms, and more so than they would expect their peers to resist. However, expecting peers to resist declined with age. Participants expected that exclusion from the group was a consequence for challenging the peer group, and understood the asymmetrical status of gender stereotypes with an expectation that it would be more difficult for boys to challenge stereotypes than for girls.
Incidence of immediate sensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus in a North American asthmatic population

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis might be less frequent in North America because the incidence of immediate sensitivity by asthmatics to A. fumigatus is less. In order to check this hypothesis, 200 asthmatics were skin tested with two extracts of A. fumigatus which had been shown to produce positive reactions in fifty patients who had allergic aspergillosis. Of the asthmatics, 21.5% reacted to the commercial extract by prick testing and 39% by intradermal testing. Using an extract kindly provided by Professor Pepys, 19.5% reacted to a concentration of 1 mg/ml and 31.5% to 10 mg/ml. By the prick method, 21.5% reacted to both extracts. Specific IgE was measured with one of the extracts and a good correlation (r= 0.48) was found with the size of the prick reaction. The increase in specific IgE was reflected in the increase of total IgE (r= 0.84). The authors conclude that the incidence of immediate sensitivity to A. fumigatus in asthmatic patients in North America is at least equal to that found in the U.K.
Cultured autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet (CAOMECS) transplantation for the treatment of corneal limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency.

PURPOSE Total bilateral corneal limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency (LSCD) cannot be treated with the surgical transplantation of autologous limbus or cultured autologous limbal epithelium. Transplantation of allogenic limbal epithelium is possible but requires immunosuppressive treatments. Cultured autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet (CAOMECS) is a transparent, resistant, viable, and rapidly bioadhesive cell sheet, cultured with the UpCell-Insert technology (CellSeed, Inc., Tokyo, Japan), which allows for grafting onto the patient's corneal stroma without suturing. It has therefore been proposed as an alternative treatment for LSCD. METHODS The objectives were to assess the safety and efficacy of CAOMECS, using a prospective Gehan's design. Safety was measured in terms of ocular adverse events during the study period, and efficacy was measured using a composite criterion based on epithelial defect, punctate epithelial keratopathy, conjunctival epithelium on the cornea, number of vascular pediculi, and vessel activity. RESULTS CAOMECS was found to be safe and effective. In total, 26 eyes of 25 patients received a graft. Two patients experienced serious adverse events classified as not product related. Twenty-five patients were included in the efficacy analysis, as one patient was lost to follow-up. The treatment was found to be effective in 16 of 25 patients at 360 days after grafting. Of the 23 patients who completed follow-up at 360 days, 22 had no ulcers, and 19 showed a decrease in the severity of the punctate epithelial keratopathy. CONCLUSIONS CAOMECS is a well-tolerated and safe tissue-engineered product. These results suggest its efficacy for reconstructing the ocular surface in patients with total bilateral corneal LSCD.
Laryngeal reflex responses are not modulated during human voice and respiratory tasks

The laryngeal adductor response (LAR) is a protective reflex that prevents aspiration and can be elicited either by electrical stimulation of afferents in the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) or by deflection of mechanoreceptors in the laryngeal mucosa. We hypothesized that because this reflex is life‐sustaining, laryngeal muscle responses to sensory stimuli would not be suppressed during volitional laryngeal tasks when compared to quiet respiration. Unilateral electrical superior laryngeal nerve stimulation was used to elicit early (R1) and late (R2) responses in the ipsilateral thyroarytenoid muscle in 10 healthy subjects. The baseline levels of muscle activity before stimulation, R1 and R2 response occurrence and the integrals of responses were measured during each task: quiet inspiration, prolonged vowels, humming, forced inhalation and effort closure. We tested whether R1 response integrals during tasks were equal to either: (1) baseline muscle activity during the task added to the response integral at rest; (2) the response integral at rest minus the baseline muscle activity during the task; or (3) the response integral at rest. R1 response occurrence was not altered by task from rest while fewer R2 responses occurred only during effort closure and humming compared to rest. Because the R1 response integrals did not change from rest, task increases in motor neuron firing did not alter the LAR. These findings demonstrate that laryngeal motor neuron responses to sensory inputs are not gated during volitional tasks confirming the robust life‐sustaining protective mechanisms provided by this airway reflex.
Recent advances in the application of computational intelligence techniques in oil and gas reservoir characterisation: a comparative study

A comparative study of the predictive capabilities of recent advances in computational intelligence (CI) is presented. This study utilised the machine learning paradigm to evaluate the CI techniques while applying them to the prediction of porosity and permeability of heterogeneous petroleum reservoirs using six diverse well data sets. Porosity and permeability are the major petroleum reservoir properties that serve as indicators of reservoir quality and quantity. The results showed that the performance of support vector machines (SVM) and functional networks (FN) is competitively better than that of Type-2 fuzzy logic system (T2FLS) in terms of correlation coefficient. With execution time, FN and SVM were faster than T2FLS, which took the most time for both training and testing. The results also demonstrated the capability of SVM to handle small data sets. This work will assist artificial intelligence practitioners to determine the most appropriate technique to use especially in conditions of limited amount of data and low processing power.
Readability and Understandability: Different Measures of the Textual Complexity of Accounting Narrative

Adopts an empirical approach to demonstrate that a marked difference exists between the terms “readability” and “understandability”, suggesting that “reading ease”, as measured by formulae like FLESCH and LIX based on word and sentence complexity, conveys data which may be different to that conveyed by tests of the understandability of the message. The CLOZE method is used as a measure of understandability with audiences of differing accounting sophistication to measure the predictability of the narrative and to demonstrate inter‐group and inter‐formulae distinctions. Analysis of the results suggests that readability and understandability are different concepts and that standard setters should pay more attention to “understandability” as a desirable characteristic of accounting disclosures since there is a danger that the intended messages are of a complexity beyond the sophistication of the target audience.
Role‐Playing and Religion: Using Games to Educate Millennials

I have been experimenting with using role-playing and games in my religion classes for several years and have found that students respond well to these pedagogical tools and methods. After reviewing my experiences, I explore the reasons for students' positive response. I argue that role-playing games capitalize on our students' educational expectations and fondness for game-play, by drawing them into exploring significant texts and ideas. Of particular interest for religion and theology professors, these sorts of games also encourage empathy towards other viewpoints.
Comprehensive characterization of Napier grass as a feedstock for thermochemical conversion

Study on Napier grass leaf (NGL), stem (NGS) and leaf and stem (NGT) was carried out. Proximate, ultimate and structural analyses were evaluated. Functional groups and crystalline components in the biomass were examined. Pyrolysis study was conducted in a thermogravimetric analyzer under nitrogen atmosphere of 20 mL/min at constant heating rate of 10 K/min. The results reveal that Napier grass biomass has high volatile matter, higher heating value, high carbon content and lower ash, nitrogen and sulfur contents. Structural analysis shows that the biomass has considerable cellulose and lignin contents which are good candidates for good quality bio-oil production. From the pyrolysis study, degradation of extractives, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin occurred at temperature around 478, 543, 600 and above 600 K, respectively. Kinetics of the process was evaluated using reaction order model. New equations that described the process were developed using the kinetic parameters and data compared with experimental data. The results of the models fit well to the experimental data. The proposed models may be a reliable means for describing thermal decomposition of lignocellulosic biomass under nitrogen atmosphere at constant heating rate.
Exploring teacher acceptance of e‐learning technology

A number of studies have indicated that the successful pedagogical use of technology depends on teachers' attitudes and acceptance towards technology. In order to predict and understand teachers' technology use and acceptance, a well‐defined framework is essential. The purpose of the present paper attempts to explore a model to understand teacher acceptance of e‐learning technology. A self‐reported questionnaire was designed to examine teacher acceptance and attitude towards an online learning platform. Data were collected from 152 in‐service teachers who were studying in a part‐time teacher education program in Hong Kong. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used as the core framework for analysis while additional constructs were added in order to find a better model to understand teacher acceptance of e‐learning technology. A composite model including five constructs, namely, intention to use, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm and computer self‐efficacy, were formed and tested in the study. LISREL was used in the data analysis. It was found that subjective norm and computer self‐efficacy serve as the two significant perception anchors of the fundamental constructs in TAM. However, contrary to previous literature, perceived ease of use became the sole determinant to the prediction of intention to use, while perceived usefulness was non‐significant to the prediction of intention to use. Altogether, subjective norm, computer self‐efficacy and perceived ease of use were able to explain 68% of the variance observed in users' intention to use the e‐learning system. Implications to teacher education and teacher professional development are discussed.
Growing and gaining through caring for a loved one with dementia

Aim: To investigate the gains experienced by family caregivers of persons with dementia. Methods: Twelve respondents were recruited using purposive sampling from three institutions around Singapore. A qualitative design, guided by the grounded theory approach, was adopted and involved semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using open, axial and selective coding. Results: All caregivers interviewed reported having gained from caregiving. The most common gain was that of `personal growth' which comprised being more patient/understanding, becoming stronger/more resilient, having increased self-awareness and being more knowledgeable. Another theme that emerged was `gains in relationships' whereby caregivers experienced an improvement in their relationship with the care recipient, with others in the family or in their ability to interact with other older persons. The third gain experienced was that of `higher-level gains' which encompassed gains in spirituality, deepened relations with God, and a more enlightened perspective in life. Discussion: This research supports a shift from the conventional focus on burdens to a more holistic approach that considers how caregivers can grow and emerge stronger from the caregiving experience. This has implications in the design and delivery of services as utilizing these gains as a coping resource may enable better support for caregivers. It is pertinent that professionals supporting caregivers internalize the perspective of gains so that it becomes a natural way of seeing their clients and in the process help caregivers find meaning and enrichment in their caregiving journey.
DNA Methyltransferase Is Actively Retained in the Cytoplasm during Early Development

The overall DNA methylation level sharply decreases from the zygote to the blastocyst stage despite the presence of high levels of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt1). Surprisingly, the enzyme is localized in the cytoplasm of early embryos despite the presence of several functional nuclear localization signals. We mapped a region in the NH2-terminal, regulatory domain of Dnmt1 that is necessary and sufficient for cytoplasmic retention during early development. Altogether, our results suggest that Dnmt1 is actively retained in the cytoplasm, which prevents binding to its DNA substrate in the nucleus and thereby contributes to the erasure of gamete-specific epigenetic information during early mammalian development.
Cocaine Use and Liver Disease are Associated with All-Cause Mortality in the Miami Adult Studies in HIV (MASH) Cohort

Objective Liver disease is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV infection. We examined the relationship of cocaine use, liver disease progression and mortality in an HIV-infected cohort. Methods Consent was obtained from 487 HIV+ participants, a subset of the Miami Adult Studies on HIV (MASH) cohort. Participants were eligible if they were followed for at least two years, completed questionnaires on demographics and illicit drug use and had complete metabolic panels, CD4 cell counts and HIV-viral loads. FIB-4 was calculated and cut-off points were used for staging liver fibrosis. Death certificates were obtained. Results Participants were 65% men, 69% Black and 81% were on ART at recruitment. Cocaine was used by 32% of participants and 29% were HIV/HCV co-infected. Mean age was 46.9 ± 7.7 years, mean CD4 cell count was 501.9 ± 346.7 cells/μL and mean viral load was 2.75 ± 1.3 log10 copies/mL at baseline. During the follow-up, 27 patients died, with a mortality rate of 28.2/1000 person-year. Cocaine was used by 48% of those who died (specific mortality rate was 13/1000 person-year). Those who died were more likely to use cocaine (HR=3.8, P=0.006) and have more advanced liver fibrosis (HR=1.34, P<0.0001), adjusting for age, gender, CD4 cell count and HIV-viral load at baseline and over time. Among the HIV mono-infected participants, cocaine users were 5 times more likely to die (OR=5.09, P=0.006) than participants who did not use cocaine. Conclusion Cocaine use and liver fibrosis are strong and independent predictors of mortality in HIV infected and HIV/HCV co-infected adults. Effective interventions to reduce cocaine use among people living with HIV (PHLW) are needed.
The Impact of Formal Hierarchies on Enterprise Social Networking Behavior

With more and more companies using enterprise social networks (ESN) for employee communication and collaboration, the influence of ESN on organizational hierarchies has been subject of countless discussions in practice-oriented media and first academic studies. Conversely, the question whether and how formal organizational hierarchies influence ESN usage behavior has not yet been addressed. Drawing on a rich data set comprising 2.5 years of relationship building via direct messages, confirmed contact requests, and group messages, we are able to show that formal hierarchies have an important impact on social networking behavior. By applying means of social network analysis and supported by statements from interviews, we illustrate how deeply formal hierarchy impacts the three examined types of relationships. Our results motivate academics to further study the interrelation between hierarchy und ESN and hierarchy’s effects regarding the sociotechnical design and implementation of related systems.
The Development of Graphophonological-Semantic Cognitive Flexibility and Its Contribution to Reading Comprehension in Beginning Readers

Reading-specific and general color-shape cognitive flexibility were assessed in 68 first and second graders to examine: 1) the development of graphophonological-semantic cognitive flexibility (the ability to process concurrently phonological and semantic aspects of print) in comparison to color-shape cognitive flexibility, 2) the contribution of reading experience to graphophonological-semantic flexibility, and 3) the unique contribution of graphophonological-semantic flexibility to reading comprehension. Second graders scored significantly higher than first graders on both cognitive flexibility tasks; the general flexibility task was easier for all children than the graphophonological-semantic flexibility task; reading experience contributed uniquely to children's graphophonological-semantic flexibility; and graphophonological-semantic flexibility contributed significant, unique variance to children's reading comprehension, consistent with Cartwright's (2002) work with second- to fourth-grade students and adults (2007).
A longitudinal study of achievement trajectories: Factors associated with change.

Using data from a longitudinal study of high-risk children (N = 174), the authors examined deflections from predicted achievement scores on the basis of the discrepancy of observed scores from an established regression line (from first to sixth grade and first grade to age 16 years). Years in special education and socioeconomic status (SES) were related to changes in math achievement between first and sixth grade, whereas SES, child behavior problems, and quality of home environment were related to deflections in achievement from first grade to age 16 years. The environmental factors, quality of home environment, parent involvement in the child's education, and SES were related to improved achievement across time. These results suggest that early school, family, home environment, and child factors are important predictors of academic achievement deflections in late elementary and high school.