Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented Reality Learning Experiences: Survey of Prototype Design and Evaluation

Augmented reality (AR) technology is mature for creating learning experiences for K-12 (pre-school, grade school, and high school) educational settings. We reviewed the applications intended to complement traditional curriculum materials for K-12. We found 87 research articles on augmented reality learning experiences (ARLEs) in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library and other learning technology publications. Forty-three of these articles conducted user studies, and seven allowed the computation of an effect size to the performance of students in a test. In our meta-analysis, research show that ARLEs achieved a widely variable effect on student performance from a small negative effect to a large effect, with a mean effect size of 0.56 or moderate effect. To complement this finding, we performed a qualitative analysis on the design aspects for ARLEs: display hardware, software libraries, content authoring solutions, and evaluation techniques. We explain that AR incur three inherent advantages: real world annotation, contextual visualization, and vision-haptic visualization. We illustrate these advantages through the exemplifying prototypes, and ground these advantages to multimedia learning theory, experiential learning theory, and animate vision theory. Insights from this review are aimed to inform the design of future ARLEs.
Women’s Land Rights in the Transition to Individualized Ownership: Implications for Tree‐Resource Management in Western Ghana*

This study explores the impact of evolutionary changes in land-tenure institutions on womens land rights and the efficiency of tree-resource management in western Ghana where cocoa is the dominant crop. Under matrilineal traditions land is transferred from a dead man to his brother or nephew (sisters son) in accordance with the decision of the extended family or matrilineal clan. Recently husbands have increasingly been transferring land to their wives and children as a gift during their own lifetime. The author’s hypothesis is that the incidence of gifts increases in areas where matrilineal inheritance is practiced in order to strengthen individual land rights. Using household-level data on land acquisition and field data on cocoa-tree planting and yields from 60 Akan villages the authors test that hypothesis. Their findings suggest that gift transactions usually in return for labor on a husband’s cocoa plot are the most important mode of land acquisition for women. Legal reform as illustrated by the Intestate Succession Law of 1985 also provide women with the means of obtaining access to their husband’s land.
Protoplanetary Disk Turbulence Driven by the Streaming Instability: Nonlinear Saturation and Particle Concentration

We present simulations of the nonlinear evolution of streaming instabilities in protoplanetary disks. The two components of the disk, gas treated with grid hydrodynamics and solids treated as superparticles, are mutually coupled by drag forces. We find that the initially laminar equilibrium flow spontaneously develops into turbulence in our unstratified local model. Marginally coupled solids (that couple to the gas on a Keplerian timescale) trigger an upward cascade to large particle clumps with peak overdensities above 100. The clumps evolve dynamically by losing material downstream to the radial drift flow while receiving recycled material from upstream. Smaller, more tightly coupled solids produce weaker turbulence with more transient overdensities on smaller length scales. The net inward radial drift is decreased for marginally coupled particles, whereas the tightly coupled particles migrate faster in the saturated turbulent state. The turbulent diffusion of solid particles, measured by their random walk, depends strongly on their stopping time and on the solids-to-gas ratio of the background state, but diffusion is generally modest, particularly for tightly coupled solids. Angular momentum transport is too weak and of the wrong sign to influence stellar accretion. Self-gravity and collisions will be needed to determine the relevance of particle overdensities for planetesimal formation.
More to gain: Sudden gains in experiential therapy for depression

The present study involves the first attempt to identify sudden gains in a sample of clients undergoing experiential treatment for depression. “Sudden gains,” or sudden, substantial improvements in depressive symptomology between consecutive psychotherapy sessions, have been repeatedly observed among depressed clients in psychotherapy. Approximately 45% of depressed clients appear to experience sudden gains, and those clients who do experience sudden gains appear to have significantly better treatment outcomes than those who do not (Tang et al., 2007). While there exists some evidence for the generalizability of sudden gains across treatment modalities (e.g., Kelly et al., 2007; Present et al., 2008), to date there have been no published investigations demonstrating that sudden gains occur in experiential therapies. An archival videotape data sample of therapist-client dyads was drawn from a larger subject pool originally recruited for a clinical trial at the York University Psychotherapy Research Clinic (Goldman, Greenberg, & Angus, 2006). Thirty-six dyads were identified as appropriate for inclusion in the present study. These cases were then coded moment-by-moment using selected psychotherapy process measures; this data was added to existing archival outcome data for analysis. Results of the study revealed that sudden gains were present in the data set. Consistent with previous investigations (e.g., Tang et al., 2007), sudden gain onset was found to be associated with a significant increase in the number of cognitive changes experienced by clients. Sudden gain onset was also found to be associated with deepened client experiencing, and the observed changes in both of these constructs were found to be correlated. The bulk of the dramatic symptom decrease associated with sudden gains (74.89%) was found to occur within the session preceding the sudden gain. During this
THE STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF GALAXIES CONTAINING ULXS

We present a statistical analysis of the properties of galaxies containing ultraluminous X-ray objects (ULXs). Our primary goal is to establish the fraction of galaxies containing a ULX as a function of ULX luminosity. Our sample is based on ROSAT HRI observations of galaxies. We find that ∼ 12% of galaxies contain at least one ULX with LX > 10 39 erg sand ∼ 1% of galaxies contain at least one ULX with LX > 10 40 erg s. These ULX frequencies are lower limits since ROSAT HRI observation would miss absorbed ULXs (i.e., with NH & 10 21 cm) and those within ∼ 10” of the nucleus (due to the positional error circle of the ROSAT HRI). The Hubble type distribution of galaxies with a ULX differs significantly from the distribution of types for nearby RC3 galaxies, but does not differ significantly from the galaxy type distribution of galaxies observed by the HRI in general. We find no increase in the mean FIR luminosity or FIR / K band luminosity ratio for galaxies with a ULX relative to galaxies observed by the HRI in general, however this result is also most likely biased by the soft bandpass of the HRI and the relatively low number of high SFR galaxies observed by the HRI with enough sensitivity to detect a ULX.
Did My M.D. Really Go to University to Learn? Detrimental Effects of Numerus Clausus on Self-Efficacy, Mastery Goals and Learning

Exams with numerus clausus are very common in Medicine, Business Administration and Law. They are intended to select a predefined number of academic candidates on the basis of their rank rather than their absolute performance. Various scholars and politicians believe that numerus clausus policies are a vector of academic excellence. We argue, however, that they could have ironic epistemic effects. In comparison with selective policies based on criterion-based evaluations, selection via numerus clausus creates negative interdependence of competence (i.e., the success of some students comes at the expense of the others). Thus, we expect it to impair students’ sense of self-efficacy and—by extension—the level of mastery goals they adopt, as well as their actual learning. Two field studies respectively reported that presence (versus absence) and awareness (versus ignorance) of numerus clausus policies at University was associated with a decreased endorsement of mastery goals; this effect was mediated by a reduction in self-efficacy beliefs. Moreover, an experimental study revealed that numerus clausus negatively predicted learning; this effect was, again, mediated by a reduction in self-efficacy beliefs. Practical implications for the selection procedures in higher education are discussed.
Disability Benefits as Social Insurance: Tradeoffs between Screening Stringency and Benefit Generosity in Optimal Program Design

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system is designed to provide income security to workers in the event that health problems prevent them from working. In order to qualify for benefits, applicants must pass a medical screening that is intended to verify that the individual is truly incapable of work. Past research has shown, however, that the screening procedures used do not function without error. If screening were error-free, it has can be demonstrated that it is socially optimal to distinguish the disabled non-worker from the non-disabled, providing benefits to the disabled. In this paper we first demonstrate that if the errors in the medical screening are too large, it will not be optimal to distinguish the disabled from the non-disabled. Then, we use data on the actual quality of screening to determine first, if segmenting the non-working population is desirable, and second whether the current SSDI system relies too heavily on screening than is justified. Our preliminary conclusion is that while screening is good enough to justify some distinction in benefits, it may not be good enough to justify the size of the benefit offered.
Using Environmental Correlations to Identify Loci Underlying Local Adaptation

Loci involved in local adaptation can potentially be identified by an unusual correlation between allele frequencies and important ecological variables or by extreme allele frequency differences between geographic regions. However, such comparisons are complicated by differences in sample sizes and the neutral correlation of allele frequencies across populations due to shared history and gene flow. To overcome these difficulties, we have developed a Bayesian method that estimates the empirical pattern of covariance in allele frequencies between populations from a set of markers and then uses this as a null model for a test at individual SNPs. In our model the sample frequencies of an allele across populations are drawn from a set of underlying population frequencies; a transform of these population frequencies is assumed to follow a multivariate normal distribution. We first estimate the covariance matrix of this multivariate normal across loci using a Monte Carlo Markov chain. At each SNP, we then provide a measure of the support, a Bayes factor, for a model where an environmental variable has a linear effect on the transformed allele frequencies compared to a model given by the covariance matrix alone. This test is shown through power simulations to outperform existing correlation tests. We also demonstrate that our method can be used to identify SNPs with unusually large allele frequency differentiation and offers a powerful alternative to tests based on pairwise or global FST. Software is available at http://www.eve. ucdavis.edu/gmcoop/.
A restriction site to differentiate Plasmodium and Haemoproteus infections in birds: on the inefficiency of general primers for detection of mixed infections

SUMMARY Avian Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites are easily detected by DNA analyses of infected samples but only correctly assigned to each genus by sequencing and use of a phylogenetic approach. Here, we present a restriction site to differentiate between both parasite genera avoiding the use of those analyses. Alignments of 820 sequences currently listed in GenBank encoding a particular cytochrome B region of avian Plasmodium and Haemoproteus show a shared restriction site for both genera using the endonuclease Hpy CH4III. An additional restriction site is present in Plasmodium sequences that would initially allow differentiation of both genera by differential migration of digested products on gels. Overall 9 out of 326 sequences containing both potential restriction sites do not fit to the general rule. We used this differentiation of parasite genera based on Hpy CH4III restriction sites to evaluate the efficacy of 2 sets of general primers in detecting mixed infections. To do so, we used samples from hosts infected by parasites of both genera. The use of general primers was only able to detect 25% or less of the mixed infections. Therefore, parasite DNA amplification using general primers to determine the species composition of haemosporidian infections in individual hosts is not recommended. Specific primers for each species and study area should be designed until a new method can efficiently discriminate both parasites.
Audience Participation and Perception of Media Programmes : Implications for National Development

Nigeria is a country with a great potential in terms of human and natural resources but the ability to convert the potentials into meaningful socio-economic development is perceived to be grossly deficient. The shift in paradigms from the top-down approaches that emerged in the 1950s and 60s, to the participatory/bottom-up approaches of the 1980s and 1990s, has created more curiosity among scholars concerning the ability of the media to influence development. This challenge motivated the study to evaluate audience perception of media programmes by examining audience perception and participation as well as the impact in the attainment of national development. The development media theory provided a theoretical background for this study while the survey research method was adopted in the collection of quantitative data. Abuja and Lagos were purposively selected because of the concentration of mass media and composition of rural and urban population. A sample size of 1500 respondents was chosen using the random sampling technique. Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Data were analysed using a combination of frequency count and simple percentage. Results revealed that 71.4% had access to development programmes through radio and television, while 36% preferred radio as the medium for access. Radio remained a popular medium for disseminating development messages in Nigeria. In addition, majority of the respondents indicated that media programmes encourage participation in national development. It concluded that the media have been effective in supporting the national objectives. It is recommended that radio be more effectively used in disseminating messages that will impact positively on national development.
A Family of $m$ -Sequences With Five-Valued Cross Correlation

Finding the cross correlation between two m-sequences {st} and {sdt} of the same period 2m -1 , that differ by a decimation d, has been a popular research problem since the 1960s. Many cases with three- and four-valued correlation have been determined. Several values of d are known to lead to five-valued cross correlation but their exact correlation distribution has been open. The correlation distribution is completely determined for one of these families with five-valued cross correlation by using evaluations of certain exponential sums including Kloosterman sums. The decimation considered is the special decimation d = 22k+1/2k+1where m is odd and k=1, i.e., d=5/3 . The paper introduces some techniques that may be useful to obtain further results on related decimations.
Financial Stress, Monetary Policy, and Economic Activity: A Nonlinear Approach

This paper examines empirically whether financial stress conditions play a role as a nonlinear propagator of monetary policy shocks. This propagation takes the form of a threshold vector autoregression in which a regime change occurs if financial stress conditions cross a critical threshold. Using nonlinear analysis methods, we examine questions like: Does monetary policy have the same effect on the real economy in the low financial stress regime and high financial stress regime? Suppose that the economy be currently in a given financial stress regime, does monetary policy shock have a substantial effect on the transition probability from the given regime to another. As suggested among the findings in this paper, contractionary monetary shocks typically have a larger effect than expansionary monetary shocks, and large contractionary monetary shocks have larger effects on output in the high financial stress regime than do in low financial stress regime. Large contractionary monetary shocks increase the likelihood of being in the high financial stress regime. ∗The authors would like to thank. The authors also thank seminar participants at the Bank of Canada,. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors. No responsibility for them should be attributed to the Bank of Canada. Address correspondence to: Fuchun Li, Department of Monetary and Financial Analysis, Bank of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0G9, Canada; e-mail: fuchunli@bank-banque-canada.ca
Relationship between chlorophyll a fluorescence induction and oxygen evolution in barley (Hordeum vulgare) thylakoids treated with -, -, and -cyclodextrins

Cyclodextrins, a class of cyclic oligomeric compounds consisting of 6–8 units of D-glucose, alter the oxygen evolution of photosystem II (PSII) in barley thylakoids as well as chlorophyll a fluorescence induction, i.e., Fv/Fo and Fv/Fm where Fm is the maximal level of fluorescence when all PSII centres are closed, Fo is the minimal level of chlorophyll fluorescence when all PSII centres are open, and Fv is the variable fluorescence (= Fm – Fo). The highest Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo values are observed in samples treated with αand β-cyclodextrins, i.e., 0.618 and 0.629 (Fv/Fm) and 1.617 and 1.667 (Fv/Fo), respectively, whereas in untreated and γ-cyclodextrin-treated thylakoids, one observes 0.608 and 0.594 (Fv/Fm) and 1.568 and 1.460 (Fv/Fo). This trend is also seen in the oxygen evolution of control and α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin-treated thylakoids, i.e., 183.6, 214.9, 301.7, and 174.0 μmol O2·mg chlorophyll–1·h–1, respectively. First, the fluorescence induction data indicate that in intact thylakoid membranes, the enhancement of oxygen evolution induced by αand β-cyclodextrins originates in the opening of blocked photochemical centres in PSII. Second, the results show that the correlation between the oxygen evolution of PSII and chlorophyll a fluorescence induction is a nonlinear phenomenon represented by a Boltzman expression.
Technological Innovations in Securities Trading: The Adoption of Algorithmic Trading

Technological innovations currently alter the traditional value chain in securities trading. Investment companies that used to buy trading services from their brokers are now enabled by technology to emulate core competencies of their brokers themselves. To investigate the adoption decision regarding one of those new technologies – Algorithmic Trading – a survey among the top European buy-side institutions has been conducted. The proposed research model successfully integrates components from the Task-Technology Fit model with core constructs of the UTAUT model. The results presented in this paper reveal that the fit among the perceived capabilities of the technology and the companies’ individual needs is a main driver for adoption. Further, the expected performance gains seem to excel the expected efforts perceived to be associated with the introduction of the technology, which further fuels the intention to make use of the new technology. Prior expertise about the technology characteristics shows to facilitate the adoption as it increases the expected performance and lowers the expected effort associated with the technology.
Synergistic combination of DT-13 and topotecan inhibits human gastric cancer via myosin IIA-induced endocytosis of EGF receptor in vitro and in vivo

Combination therapy has a higher success rate for many cancers compared to mono-therapy. The treatment of Topotecan (TPT) on gastric cancer (GC) is limited by its toxicity and the potential drug resistance. We found that the combination of the saponin monomer 13 from the dwarf lilyturf tuber (DT-13), performing anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis effects, with TPT synergistically induced apoptotic cytotoxicity in GCs with high EGF receptor (EGFR) expression, which was dependent on DT-13-induced endocytosis of EGFR. With TPT, DT-13 promoted EGFR ubiquitin--mediated degradation through myosin IIA-induced and Src/ caveolin-1 (Cav-1)-induced endocytosis of EGFR; inhibited EGFR downstream signalling and then increased the pro-apoptotic effects. Moreover, the synergistic pro-apoptotic efficacy of DT-13 and TPT in GCs with high EGFR expression was eliminated by both the NM II inhibitor (−)-blebbistatin and MYH-9 shRNA. The combination therapy of DT-13 with TPT showed stronger anti-tumour effects in vivo compared with their individual effects. Moreover, the results of combination therapy revealed selective upregulation of pro-apoptotic activity in TUNEL assays and cleaved caspase-3 and NM IIA in immunohischemical analysis; while specific downregulation of p-extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), EGFR and Cav-1 in immunohischemical analysis. Collectively, these findings have significant clinical implications for patients with tumours harbouring high EGFR expression due to the possible high sensitivity of this regimen.
Electrical Tongue Stimulation Normalizes Activity Within the Motion-Sensitive Brain Network in Balance-Impaired Subjects as Revealed by Group Independent Component Analysis

Multivariate analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data allows investigations into network behavior beyond simple activations of individual regions. We apply group independent component analysis to fMRI data collected in a previous study looking at the sustained neuromodulatory effects of electrical tongue stimulation in balance-impaired individuals. Twelve subjects with balance disorders viewed optic flow in an fMRI scanner before and after 5 days of electrical tongue stimulation. Nine healthy controls also viewed the visual stimuli but did not receive any stimulation. Multiple regression of the 47 estimated components found two that were modulated by the visual stimuli. Component 7, comprised primarily of the primary visual cortex (V1), responded to all visual stimuli and showed no difference in task-related activity between the healthy controls and the balance-impaired subjects before or after stimulation. Component 11 responded only to motion in the visual field and contained multiple cortical and subcortical regions involved in processing information pertinent to balance. Two-sample t-tests of the calculated signal change revealed that the task-related activity of this network is greater in balance-impaired subjects compared with controls before stimulation (p=0.02), but that this network hypersensitivity decreases after electrical tongue stimulation (p=0.001).