Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Episodic and individual effects of elementary students' optimal experience: An HLM study

ABSTRACT The authors defined optimal experience as a functional state of a relatively high level of concentration, time distortion, satisfaction, and enjoyment (Csikszentmihalyi, 1992) and collected data through the Day Reconstruction Method. In three random days, 147 fifth-grade students answered questionnaires for each school event in the previous day resulting repeated data from 2,288 episodes. Several hierarchical linear models were conducted. The authors found that elementary students perceived better quality of optimal experience during break time versus classes taught by activity, seatwork or lecture methods. Unexpectedly, more optimal experience was reported in the events when students perceived themselves as having high skill but low challenge, contradictory to the original expectation of skill–challenge balance. Four additional flow conditions were more effective than primary flow condition and instructional methods in predicting optimal experience. Finally, optimal experience varied much more across event-episodes than among individuals meaning that teachers have rooms to improve students' optimal experience in elementary school days.
Consumer adoption and usage of broadband in Bangladesh

This study examines empirically the factors affecting the adoption of broadband in Bangladesh. This study is part of a wider research looking to explore consumer adoption of broadband services in various geographical and national settings. Thus, attitudinal, normative and control factors to provide insights into broadband adopters and non-adopters as identified in the literature are examined together with usage of broadband. The findings of this paper suggest that attitude, primary influence, secondary influence and facilitating conditions resources are important factors for explaining behavioural intentions to adopt broadband. The paper also outlines the contributions, implications and limitations of this research.
The dark side of trust: When trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’

Trust is typically portrayed as beneficial to all concerned; something which is inherently good. In this article we focus on interpersonal trust and argue that, while there are undoubted benefits, trust can also be problematic; there are circumstances in which it can become a ‘poisoned chalice’ for one or other of the parties involved. We question whether the potential for negative experiences in relation to trust has been fully explored and argue that its true dark side lies within the dynamics of the trust relationship. From this stance we use the social exchange and gift giving literatures to re-appraise trust in a way that highlights the importance of expectation and intent and demonstrates the circumstances in which trust may not be beneficial for one of the parties involved. We conclude with a research agenda which we believe will further develop our understanding of this complex human interaction.
A qualitative evaluation of MEG : a group therapy program for women who binge eat

i Acknowledgements ii Declaration iv Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 A Common Problem 1 1.2 BN and BED Criteria 4 1.3 A Brief Overview of Risk Factors 6 1.3.1 Familial Factors 6 1.3.2 Sociocultural Factors 7 1.3.3.Personality/Psychological Factors 8 1.3.3.1 Low self-esteem 8 1.3.3.2 Over-emphasis on the approval of others 8 1.3.3. 3 Difficulty with assertion 8 1.3.3.4 Over-emphasis on body image 8 1.3.3.5 Social anxiety 9 1.3.3.6 Perfectionism/High Achievers 9 1.3.3.7 Impulsivity 10 1.3.3.8 Difficulty with emotion regulation 10 1.3.4 Dieting 12 1.3.5 Adverse Events 13 1.4 Treatment Approaches 13
Impact of Open-Market Share Repurchases on Long-Term Stock Returns

After the Asian financial crisis in 1997, firms listed on Bursa Malaysia were allowed to repurchase their shares on the open market. The number of companies engaged in share buyback is increasing and has become a tool to stabilize price by signaling undervaluation of the share. However, studies on share buyback in Malaysia are limited to the price performance surrounding the buyback events. This study aims to fill this gap by examining long-run price performance after the actual share buyback event over a sampling period of 2 years from 2009 to 2010 for Malaysian firms listed on FTSE Bursa Malaysia. There is no evidence to conclude that there exist long-term abnormal returns using the calendar-time portfolio approach that support the inefficient market hypothesis. On the contrary, buy-and-hold method was found to be significant supporting that the Malaysian stock market is semi-strong efficient.
Correlation between posture and balance in 19-20-year-old Albanian students

Postural control (or balance) can be defined statically as the ability to maintain a base of support with minimal movement, and dynamically as the ability to perform a task while maintaining a stable position (C. J. Winstein, E. R). The development of equilibrium capacities is known to be critical for both the acquisition and the control of motor skills ( Massion. J., 1992) . Since balance control is an essential component for the optimal functioning of any locomotors system (Winter DA et al., 1990), gait and balance control together needs to be investigated in order to correct inappropriate performance and prevent injury. This study focus was to investigate the correlation between posture and balance changes in normal and healthy adolescent’s (boys and girls). A total of 61 subjects (21 females and 40 males) aged 19-20-year-old students, participated on this study. We have conducted a postural screening, which included digital photography in 4 plans (anterior view, right lateral view, posterior view, left lateral view) and postural evaluation with Posture Screen Mobile program were done, was also performed a set of 4 balance tests BT (Balance Test) a) (Rom EO); b) (Rom EC); c) (SemTanEO); d) (SemTanEC); e) (TanEO); f) (TanEC), on Leonardo Mechanography Platform. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 2.0. Results shows that generally all subjects have a good balance and orientation level in all tests (with open and closed eyes). Also based on the results we can say that the correlation between posture and balance changes in ages 19-20 it’s really relevant. T he posture screening and the analysis of balance are of great importance in studies trying to understand the ageing process. Also differences between genders are of great interest especially if a proper exercise program focused in postural improvement can be implemented
Maternal Pregnancy Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Risk of Hypospadias and Cryptorchidism in Male Offspring

Background The etiologies of the male urogenital anomalies cryptorchidism and hypospadias are poorly understood. It has been suggested, however, that in utero hormone levels may be related to risk. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds, may alter hormone levels and thereby affect the fetus. Objectives To examine whether in utero PCB exposure is related to cryptorchidism and hypospadias, we examined PCB levels among pregnant women enrolled in the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP). Methods The CPP enrolled pregnant women at 12 U.S. medical centers between 1959 and 1965. For the present research, we analyzed third-trimester serum samples from the mothers of 230 sons with cryptorchidism, 201 sons with hypospadias, and 593 sons with neither condition. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression and examined the associations of each anomaly with individual PCB congener levels, sum of PCBs, and several functional groupings of PCBs. Results In general, the ORs for cryptorchidism or hypospadias showed no notable associations with individual PCB congener levels or functional groupings of PCBs. However, the ORs and 95% CIs for the sum of PCBs associated with hypospadias were as follows: 0–1.9 μg/L, reference group; 2–2.9 μg/L, OR = 1.57, 95% CI, 1.05–2.34; 3–3.9 μg/L, OR = 1.45, 95% CI, 0.90–2.34; and ≥ 4.0 μg/L, OR = 1.69, 95% CI, 1.06–2.68; p-value for trend = 0.08. Conclusions Given the large number of associations examined, these findings do not strongly support the hypothesis that PCBs are associated with cryptorchidism or hypospadias. Because population serum PCB levels at the time of sample collection were considerably higher than levels at present, it is unlikely that current PCB exposure is related to the development of either anomaly.
Regulatory Policies for Demand-Driven Innovation by Heterogeneous Firms

We investigate the innovation rate under the impact of business cycles to understand R&D activities and to derive implications for public policies. Combining price competition and endogenous market structure with the framework of dynamic game, we study the Markov perfect equilibrium where heterogeneous firms choose whether to participate in the innovation race and the innovation rate. Based on the analytical results derived from the price competition, we find that increased income per capita tends to improve aggregate innovation, while incumbents reduce their innovation efforts as more entrants enter the innovation race, the competition pressure increases. Income inequality shocks may reduce or have no impact on innovation, depending on equilibrium region. We find subsidies to reduce innovation incentive, and policies such as tax incentives that reduce the variable R&D costs to have consistently positive effects. Our findings on both the income shocks and policies are consistent with the empirical evidences.
Bmc Complementary and Alternative Medicine Evaluation of Hypoglycemic and Anti-hyperglycemic Potential of Tridax Procumbens (linn.)

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Tridax procumbens Linn. (Family-Asteraceae; common name-Dhaman grass) is common herb found in India. Traditionally, the tribal inhabitants of Udaipur district in Rajasthan (India) uses the leaf powder (along with other herb) orally to treat diabetes. There is a need to evaluate extracts of this plant in order to provide scientific proof for it's application in traditional medicine system.
Dietary Patterns and Risk of Frailty in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older People in Hong Kong: A Prospective Cohort Study

Dietary pattern analysis is an emerging approach to investigate the association between diet and frailty. This study examined the association of dietary patterns with frailty in 2724 Chinese community-dwelling men and women aged ≥ 65 years. Baseline dietary data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire between 2001 and 2003. Adherence to a priori dietary patterns, including the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was assessed. Factor analysis identified three a posteriori dietary patterns, namely “vegetables-fruits”, “snacks-drinks-milk products”, and “meat-fish”. Incident frailty was defined using the FRAIL scale. Binary logistic regression was applied to examine the associations between dietary patterns and four-year incident frailty. There were 31 (1.1%) incident frailty cases at four years. Every 10-unit increase in DQI-I was associated with 41% reduced risk of frailty in the sex- and age-adjusted model (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.59 (0.42–0.85), p = 0.004). The association attenuated in the multivariate adjusted model (0.69 (0.47–1.02), p = 0.056). No association between other dietary patterns and incident frailty was observed. Our study showed that a better diet quality as characterized by higher DQI-I was associated with lower odds of developing frailty. The contribution of MDS or a posteriori dietary patterns to the development of frailty in Chinese older people remains to be explored.
Effect of artificial light on the drift of aquatic insects in urban central Texas streams

Light pollution can reduce night time drift of larval aquatic insects in urban streams by disrupting their circadian rhythms. Previous studies on larval insect drift show that disruption in drift leads to changes in reproduction as well as intraspecific and interspecific interactions. The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the effects of extreme artificial light on insect drift in urbanized, high clarity spring systems of the karst Edwards Plateau, TX. We quantified taxa richness, diversity, and abundance in aquatic insect night time drift under two treatments (ambient night time light and artificial light addition) and among five streams using a paired design. Richness and diversity of drifting aquatic insects were similar between treatments but abundance was 37% less in the light addition treatment than that of the control. Effects of light addition on mean abundance was more notable in large streams with a 58% decrease in Simuliidae (compared to that of the control) and 51% decrease in Baetidae. Reduced drift from light addition suggests the potential of artificial lighting disrupting insect drift and consequently community structure. Results of this experiment support a growing body of knowledge on how urbanized systems influence stream communities.
Neurotrophic effects of progranulin in vivo in reversing motor neuron defects caused by over or under expression of TDP-43 or FUS

Progranulin (PGRN) is a glycoprotein with multiple roles in normal and disease states. Mutations within the GRN gene cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The affected neurons display distinctive TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) inclusions. How partial loss of PGRN causes TDP-43 neuropathology is poorly understood. TDP-43 inclusions are also found in affected neurons of patients with other neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease. In ALS, TDP-43 inclusions are typically also immunoreactive for fused in sarcoma (FUS). Mutations within TDP-43 or FUS are themselves neuropathogenic in ALS and some cases of FTLD. We used the outgrowth of caudal primary motor neurons (MNs) in zebrafish embryos to investigate the interaction of PGRN with TDP-43 and FUS in vivo. As reported previously, depletion of zebrafish PGRN-A (zfPGRN-A) is associated with truncated primary MNs and impaired motor function. Here we found that depletion of zfPGRN-A results in primary MNs outgrowth stalling at the horizontal myoseptum, a line of demarcation separating the myotome into dorsal and ventral compartments that is where the final destination of primary motor is assigned. Successful axonal outgrowth beyond the horizontal myoseptum depends in part upon formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters and this was found to be disorganized upon depletion of zfPGRN-A. PGRN reversed the effects of zfPGRN-A knockdown, but a related gene, zfPGRN-1, was without effect. Both knockdown of TDP-43 or FUS, as well as expression of humanTDP-43 and FUS mutants results in MN abnormalities that are reversed by co-expression of hPGRN mRNA. Neither TDP-43 nor FUS reversed MN phenotypes caused by the depletion of PGRN. Thus TDP-43 and FUS lie upstream of PGRN in a gene complementation pathway. The ability of PGRN to override TDP-43 and FUS neurotoxicity due to partial loss of function or mutation in the corresponding genes may have therapeutic relevance.
Indonesia's Cocoa Boom: Hands-Off Policy Encourages Smallholder Dynamism

This case study of Sulawesi's cocoa market is a counterpoint to investigations of highly regulated markets - agricultural and otherwise. The Indonesian island's rapid expansion surprised the world cocoa market, especially because it came mostly from smallholders. The authors examine the smallholders' production and marketing systems and the government policies implemented for smallholders to identify any policy lessons that might be useful for other countries. Following is a brief description of what they found: 1) the following factors contributed to the rapid expansion: the availability of suitable land, low production costs, a highly competitive marketing system, relatively good transport infrastructure, favorable macroeconomic policies, and the smallholders' entrepreneurship; 2) until the recent imposition of a value-added tax, Indonesia's government left cocoa marketing and distribution freer of government interventions than many other commodities. Other commodities were affected by direct involvement of the National Logistics Agency, price controls, and exclusive trade licensing requirements; 3) as a result of the competitive cocoa marketing system, the farmgate price of cocoa in Indonesia is about 90 percent of the f.o. b price - a much higher share than cocoa produced in other countries and than other commodities produced in Indonesia. This relatively free marketing and distribution system must be maintained for cocoa to develop further; and 4) some general government policies have benefited the cocoa subsector as well as others. Exchange rates have been kept competitive, such as the absence of export tax and the building of basic infrastructure in the outer islands. Several issues must be addressed for cocoa to be further developed: the quality of cocoa, the adding-up problem (export revenues not increasing in proportion to export quantities), the recently imposed value-added tax, the cocoa pod-borer, export marketing, research, retribution, local repressing, environmental problems, and governmental interventions now being discussed for cocoa sector. Government and industry must also resist the natural temptation for current players to become more conservative, to protect their interests.
Information technology and organizational change: causal structure in theory and research

This article concerns theories about why and how information technology affects organizational life. Good theory guides research, which, when applied, increases the likelihood that information technology will be employed with desirable consequences for users, organizations, and other interested parties. But what is a good theory? Theories are often evaluated in terms of their content-the specific concepts used and the human values served. This article examines theories in terms of their structures-theorists' assumptions about the nature and direction of causal influence. Three dimensions of causal structure are considered-causal agency, logical structure, and level of analysis. Causal agency refers to beliefs about the nature of causality: whether external forces cause change, whether people act purposefully to accomplish intended objectives, or whether changes emerge unpredictably from the interaction of people and events. Logical structure refers to the temporal aspect of theory-static versus dynamic-and to the logical relationships between the "causes" and the outcomes. Level of analysis refers to the entities about which the theory poses concepts and relationships-individuals, groups, organizations, and society. While there are many possible structures for good theory about the role of information technology in organizational change, only a few of these structures can be seen in current theorizing. Increased awareness of the options, open discussion of their advantages and disadvantages, and explicit characterization of future theoretical statements in terms of the dimensions and categories discussed here should, we believe, promote the development of better theory.
The treatment of severe self-injurious behavior through sensory stimulation: A case report

Self-injurious behavior of an institutionalized man with profound intellectual disability was treated with a daily 15-min sensory stimulation program, which consisted of moving the arms and hands of the participant, swinging his body, and massage. The frequency of self-injurious behavior was measured in 10-min sessions. Using a reversal design, it was shown that sensory stimulation decreased the participant’s self-hitting behavior significantly, both in intensity and in frequency. Sensory stimulation is recommended for use in those cases in which functional analysis has shown that self-injury may be reinforced by its sensory consequences.
Fooling the Eyes: The Influence of a Sound-Induced Visual Motion Illusion on Eye Movements

The question of whether perceptual illusions influence eye movements is critical for the long-standing debate regarding the separation between action and perception. To test the role of auditory context on a visual illusion and on eye movements, we took advantage of the fact that the presence of an auditory cue can successfully modulate illusory motion perception of an otherwise static flickering object (sound-induced visual motion effect). We found that illusory motion perception modulated by an auditory context consistently affected saccadic eye movements. Specifically, the landing positions of saccades performed towards flickering static bars in the periphery were biased in the direction of illusory motion. Moreover, the magnitude of this bias was strongly correlated with the effect size of the perceptual illusion. These results show that both an audio-visual and a purely visual illusion can significantly affect visuo-motor behavior. Our findings are consistent with arguments for a tight link between perception and action in localization tasks.
The Impacts of Moral Evaluations and Descriptive Norms on Children's and Adolescents’ Tolerance of Transgression

Tolerance of transgressions can influence the social cognitive and moral development of children and adolescents. Given the prevalent tolerance for bribery throughout the developing world and in China, the present research identified bribery as a serious transgression and investigated the various effects of moral evaluations and descriptive norms on transgression tolerance with increasing age. Thus, two studies examined these effects among primary, middle, and high school students (N = 972, 10-, 13-, and 16-year-olds). In Study 1, students’ transgression tolerance was negatively influenced by moral evaluations, and no age trend emerged. However, students reported more transgression tolerance with age owing to their increasing understanding of descriptive norms. In Study 2, the descriptive norms were manipulated: individuals in the high descriptive norm condition showed greater transgression tolerance than those in the low descriptive norm condition. An increasing tolerance of transgressions was observed only for those in the high descriptive norm condition. The effect of descriptive norms was found to contribute to the transgression tolerance trend.
Recent Immigration to Canada and the United States: A Mixed Tale of Relative Selection 1

Using large-scale census data and adjusting for sending-country fixed effect to account for changing composition of immigrants, we study relative immigrant selection to Canada and the U.S. during 1990–2006, a period characterized by diverging immigration policies in the two countries. Results show a gradual change in selection patterns in educational attainment and host-country language proficiency in favor of Canada as its post-1990 immigration policy allocated more points to the human capital of new entrants. Specifically, in 1990, new immigrants in Canada were less likely to have a B.A. degree than those in the U.S.; they were also less likely to have a highschool or lower education. By 2006, Canada surpassed the U.S. in drawing highly educated immigrants, while continuing to attract fewer low-educated immigrants. Canada also improved its edge over the U.S. in terms of host-country language proficiency of new immigrants. Entry-level earnings, however, do not reflect the same trend: Recent immigrants to Canada have experienced a wage disadvantage compared to recent immigrants to the U.S., as well as Canadian natives. One plausible explanation is that while the Canadian points system has successfully attracted more educated immigrants, it may not be effective in capturing productivity-related traits that are not easily measurable.