Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A cross-national analysis of the relations of school choice and effectiveness differences between private-dependent and public schools

We apply propensity score matching to the estimation of differential school effectiveness between the publicly funded private sector and the public sector in a sample of 26 countries. This technique allows us to distinguish between school choice and school effectiveness processes and thus to account for selectivity issues involved in the comparison of the 2 sectors. Concerning school choice, we found 2 patterns: a choice of upwardly mobile parents for private schools and a preference for segregation by (lower) middle-class parents. As regards school effectiveness, our results indicate that, after controlling for selectivity, a substantial advantage in reading achievement remains among students in publicly funded private schools in 10 out of the 26 countries.
On a problem of

The FLAME project at UT-Austin advocates programming dense linear algebra algorithms at a high level of abstraction, thus reducing the coding effort. The problem is that for many key algorithms this adversely impacts the performance of the resulting libraries. We have designed and prototyped a source-to-source translator that transforms the code from a high to a low level representation. Thus, one has the benefits of abstraction without the penalty of reduced performance.
The legacy of 20th Century landscape change on today's woodland carabid communities

For many species, the effects of landscape change can involve a time‐lag and result in an extinction debt. The landscape matrix plays a vital role in supporting species populations. However, the importance of the historical composition and configuration of landscape mosaics has received little attention, with studies focusing on the effects of loss and fragmentation of single (focal) habitat over time. We investigated the importance of historical and contemporary landscape heterogeneity (composition and configuration) to identify how landscape change has, and is continuing to have, an effect on current woodland carabid communities.
Reading in times of loss: An exploration of the functions of literature during grief

This study examined the use of literature as a coping strategy among people who had experienced loss, comparing it to the use of music. Theory suggested that these artistic media can facilitate insight, recognition, support, relaxation, new emotions, and/or distraction. Among 198 respondents, 64 (32%) reported using neither medium during their grief period, 65 (33%) used only music, 19 (10%) used only literature, and 50 (25%) used both. Using artistic media was related to an emotional experience of the loss in two ways: 1) preference for emotion-focused coping was greater among those who used artistic media, 2) those who had used artistic media also reported greater impact of the loss. Reading was most strongly associated with distraction and listening to music with recognition. For those using both media, this suggests a coping process that alternates between distraction and recognition, in line with the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement.
Socially responsible investment and financial performance: evidence from the Johannesburg securities exchange

Socially responsible investment (SRI) is fast becoming one of the major considerations for investors across the world. Both corporate and individual investors use the SRI index of organizations to make investment decisions. Although this model of investing is popular in the Western world, evidence suggests that the process has been gaining prominence in the developing world. The Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) launched its Socially Responsible Investment Index (SRI Index) in 2004 as a means of identifying an index of listed companies that integrate the principles of triple bottom line reporting in their business activities. Using panel data regression, this article analyzes the financial performance of companies listed on the JSE SRI Index between 2004 and 2010 in relation to their social responsibility measures. The results demonstrate that companies listed as constituents of the JSE SRI Index have better financial performance than those that are non-constituents. A high awareness of social responsibility as indicated by the JSE SRI Index makes for a more profitable portfolio and enhances the prospects of listed companies that are rated as having attained a certain level of social responsibility as indicated by the JSE SRI Index to yield better returns to their investors.
Customer satisfaction in the context of the use of viral marketing in social media

Businesses could sustain their market presence at traditional brick and mortar or through the Internet by facilitating and encouraging the public to pass along a marketing message known as viral marketing. Nonetheless, it should be conducted in ethical manner to disseminate credible and trusted message content among both parties. This study aims to analyse the influence of some pre-defined factors (namely, playfulness, critical mass, community driven, and peer pressure) in customer satisfaction in the context of the use of viral marketing in social media. For this purpose, 200 respondents were randomly drawn from among students at a public university in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia. A questionnaire was implemented and the results were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that critical mass stood out as the most the important predictor of customer satisfaction with viral marketing via SNS, followed by playfulness. Meanwhile, social network website with high level of critical mass has more influence on potential users to believe and participate in viral marketing activity. Conclusion and recommendations for future study are also discussed.
The Relationship between Stress and Job Satisfaction: An Evidence from Malaysian Peacekeeping Mission

Recent studies on the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction have attracted significant attentions from researchers. The literatures on organizational stress, work related stress consists of two important dimensions: physiology and psychology. The ability of employees to appropriately handle stress in performing job may have a significant impact on individual outcomes, especially job satisfaction. Although the relationship is important, the role of work related stress as an important determinant has been given less attention in organizational stress research literature. Thus, this study was done to measure the association between work related stress and job satisfaction using self-report questionnaires collected from Malaysian peacekeeping personnel at a conflicting Middle Eastern country. The outcomes of testing hypothesis using SmartPLS path model analysis highlighted four important findings: first, physiological stress was significantly associated with job satisfaction. Second, psychological stress was significantly associated with job satisfaction. The finding confirms that work related stress does act as an important determinant of job satisfaction in the organizational sample. Further, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n4s3p647
DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS IN MALAYSIA

This paper tries to suggest the implementation of knowledge management strategy for property management business in Malaysia. The strategy which is a conceptual model for this research work, formulated from various literature surveys. This will then be a conceptual model for this study. The study is based on conceptual design framework on knowledge management approach for property management companies. Case study is among registered property companies with Board of Valuers, Estate Agents and Appraisers. This is to determine the level of implementation for knowledge management strategy of the identified property management companies. Knowledge Management is relatively a new terminology for property management industry in Malaysia. However, some of the elements are in place. Thus, this model will be tested to distinguish the level of implementation. And it will then to be as a base of knowledge management system for property management industry in Malaysia. This study will give significant contribution to the property management industry in Malaysia. As business environment is evolve which knowledge is vital, property managers should participate in globalisation changes. This concept will in turn revolutionise organisation into more innovative and competitive companies.
THE USEFULNESS OF RAPD AND AFLP MARKERS FOR DETERMINING GENETIC SIMILARITY IN RYE (SECALE L.) SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES

In this work we searched for genetic similarities in twelve wild rye species and subspecies and a control (S. cereale ssp. cereale, cv. Walet), using RAPD and AFLP markers. AFLP is useful for distinguishing homo- and heterozygotes but is not recommended for evaluation of codominant markers. We assessed the usefulness of the applied methods for examining genetic similarity in rye. RAPD yielded four groups of genetic similarity, with similarity values between 0.32 and 0.81. AFLP markers distinguished two groups of genetic similarity, ranging from 0.49 to 0.79.
The Copernicus Complexio: a high-resolution view of the small-scale Universe

We introduce Copernicus Complexio (COCO), a high-resolution cosmological N-body simulation of structure formation in the ΛCDM model. COCO follows an approximately spherical region of radius ∼17.4 h−1 Mpc embedded in a much larger periodic cube that is followed at lower resolution. The high-resolution volume has a particle mass of 1.135 × 105 h−1 M⊙ (60 times higher than the Millennium-II simulation). COCO gives the dark matter halo mass function over eight orders of magnitude in halo mass; it forms ∼60 haloes of galactic size, each resolved with about 10 million particles. We confirm the power-law character of the subhalo mass function, , down to a reduced subhalo mass Msub/M200 ≡ μ = 10−6, with a best-fitting power-law index, s = 0.94, for hosts of mass 〈M200〉 = 1012 h−1 M⊙. The concentration–mass relation of COCO haloes deviates from a single power law for masses M200 < afew × 108 h−1 M⊙, where it flattens, in agreement with results by Sanchez-Conde et al. The host mass invariance of the reduced maximum circular velocity function of subhaloes, ν ≡ Vmax/V200, hinted at in previous simulations, is clearly demonstrated over five orders of magnitude in host mass. Similarly, we find that the average, normalized radial distribution of subhaloes is approximately universal (i.e. independent of subhalo mass), as previously suggested by the Aquarius simulations of individual haloes. Finally, we find that at fixed physical subhalo size, subhaloes in lower mass hosts typically have lower central densities than those in higher mass hosts.
In vitro Plantlet Regeneration from Mature Embryos of Linden (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) and Multiplication of its Buds

In this study, the effects of different sucrose, BAP and Kinetin concentrations in MS medium on plantlet formation, bud formation on the plantlets and development of embryos isolated from the seeds of Tilia platyphyllos under in vitro conditions were investigated. In addition, the effects of different culture times on the development of embryos and plantlet formation were studied. The results indicated that the cultured embryos on the media supplemented with sucrose (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 g/l) developed plantlets with epicotyls and roots. The best results were obtained on the medium supplemented with 30 g/l of sucrose. Epicotyls of the embryos developing roots and shoots on the media with sucrose were transferred without roots to the medium of MS supplemented with BAP (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/l) or Kinetin (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/l). The average number of buds formed on the excised epicotyl explants on the media with BAP was higher than that with Kinetin. The best hypocotyl and root length growths were observed on the embryos which were cultured one month after harvesting the seeds on the medium supplemented with 30 g/l of sucrose. Some of the plantlets were then transferred into a mixture of 2 : 1 : 1 of peat, sand and perlite media, respectively, and were kept in greenhouse conditions. The results indicated that it is possible to germinate the embryos of the mature linden seeds on media supplemented with sucrose and then by using plantlet epicotyls taken into culture, multiplication of the buds can be realised.
Analysis of Federal Design-Build Request for Proposal Evaluation Criteria

This study’s objective is to identify the benefits federal owners are seeking through the design-build process by analysis of research data gathered from 110 requests for proposal (RFP) evaluation plans issued for $1.5 billion of federal work by 11 different agencies. The output from this study was then compared to a 1996 study whose authors sought to analyze the reasons cited by owners to use design-build project delivery. That study included a survey of 108 owners of public and private projects, which represented over $12.5 billion of construction. The goal of comparing the 1996 survey with the results of the new research project is to discover correlations between owner attitudes and the selection criteria identified in government RFPs. The comparison produced some interesting results. First, although owners in 1996 cited schedule as the most significant reason for selecting design-build delivery, the federal RFP content analysis found it to carry a very low average weight. Another finding shows that f.
Oxidant markers and their impact on antioxidant status and erythrocyte fragility in theileriasis in calves

The present study has been carried out on the calves less than one month of age suffering from clinical Theileriosis. All the cases came to Referral veterinary polyclinic, IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly for treatment during 2015. Erythrocytic LPO in clinically affected calves were significantly (P<0.05) higher than healthy animals. GSH, and SOD values in ailing calves were significantly (P<0.05) lower than healthy control and postreated calves. Catalase was also higher in infected calves but non significant. The hemoglobin concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in ailing animals. The erythrocyte fragility at 0.9%, 0.8% and 0.6% NaCl concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group. However, there were less erythrocytic fragility observed in NaCl 0.4% and 0.2% concentration in infected animals. In conclusion, anemia occurs in Theileria annulata infection is due to corpuscular oxidative damage as revealed from lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status which contribute to RBC fragility and consequent anemia.
CHANGE OF SPEED IN SIMULATED CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RACING: A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS

The purpose of the study was to identify the kinematic changes of the diagonal stride technique (DST) associated to a decrease of speed during a simulated cross-country ski race. Eight male cross-country skiers skied a 15 km course composed of 6 laps of 2.5 km. Full DST cycles were recorded using a digital camera for each lap. The fastest and slowest laps for each skier were selected, from which the following variables were studied: (i) cycle length and cycle frequency, (ii) propulsion length and duration, (iii) swing length and duration and (iv) trunk and knee angles. The skiing speed was significantly decreased between the first and the second part of the simulated race. The speed change was associated only with modification of the spatial components of the DST cycle (cycle and phase lengths, trunk and knee angles). The cycle durations remained constant. It was concluded that the decrease of speed resulted from a deterioration of the technique reducing the application of propulsion forces.
An assessment of the impact of glyphosate and 2,4-D amine salt on weeds in Niger.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the efficacy of two herbicides, viz., glyphosate and 2,4- D amine salt at varying doses for the control of the main noxious weeds. The lowest application rate (0.5l per ha of 2,4-D and 2l per ha of glyphosate) of both herbicides gave a control of shoot grow th and drastically reduced the green biomass compared to unweeded plots at different time intervals after the application. There was no re-growth up to nine da ys after spraying in all tr eated plots. The highest control of the density of noxious weeds has been obtained with 2,4-D amine salt at the dose of 1.5 l per ha and glyphosate at the dose of 4l per ha in six days after treatment; the reduction rate was more than 85%. Data on green biomass also showed drastic reduction following herbicide application.
COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF CHICORY EXTRACTS RICH IN FRUCTANS AND POLYPHENOLS

extracts produced from roots and peels contained 61.8% and 47.7% of fructans in dry matter, respectively. The content of the most beneficial FOS with DP3÷10 in those preparations reached 47.3% and 34.5% of dry matter, respectively. The preparations contained from 0.5 to 1.7% of polyphenols, with chlorogenic and dicaffeoylquinic acids predominating. The lyophilized extract obtained from chicory seeds was the richest in polyphenol compounds and contained over 10% of total phenolics, including 71% of dicaffeoylquinic acids, and was characterised by the highest antioxidant activity (0.513 mmol TAEC/g of preparation).
HEPATITIS C VIRUS LOAD IN SEROPOSITIVE LIVER AND KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS BY QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR BEFORE AND AFTER TRANSPLANTATION

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one the major health concern among the infected transplant patients. Considering several complications of the disease in them, pre and post-transplantation studies should be performed for monitoring of the infection, as well as, developing new treatment protocols. Objectives: The current study was conducted to determine the Hepatitis C Virus RNA level among seropositive liver and kidney transplant recipients in Namazi Hospital; the main transplantation center in southern Iran. Materials and Methods: RNAs were extracted from 105 serum samples of seropositive liver and kidney transplant recipients and analyzed by Real-time PCR assay using a set of primers. Results: HCV RNA was detected in a total of 46/105 (43.8%) recipients’ serum samples [39/46 (84.8%) males and 7/46 (15.2%) females]. Moreover, 8/46 (17.4%) and 38/46 (82.6%) were kidney and liver recipients, respectively. The copy number of HCV RNA, measured by the Real-time PCR assay, ranged from 5 × 102 to 3.14 × 109 copies/mL; Median 2.37 × 105 copies/mL and 1.7 × 103 to 9.44 × 104 copies/mL; Median 2.89 × 104 copies/ mL in liver and renal transplant patients, respectively. The comparison of viral load between liver pre transplant recipients group and post transplant counterpart indicated that the copy number of HCV RNA was significantly higher in the post transplant recipients (P = 0.033). The prevalence of the viral nucleic acid was significantly higher in males than in females (P = 0.026). Similarly, with regards to the age groups, the prevalence of HCV RNA was significantly higher in age group ≥ 45 years than age group < 45 years (P = 0.028). Conclusions: Considering the results, it can be concluded that HCV RNA detection is strongly suggested in transplant patients group to determine the prevalence of the disease and their responses to antiviral therapy and diagnosis of drug resistance. In addition, continuous and regular surveillance of HCV RNA level in such patients is highly recommended in order to better manage the complications of graft loss and reduce the mortality rate. Further studies are needed to find new therapeutic methods to lower the incidence of infection of new healthy allograft tissues in HCV RNA positive recipients.
GRAZING OF SELECTED GENERA OF GREEN, RED AND BROWN MACROALGAE

Macrobenthic algae and grazers like gastropods, amphipods etc. eventually form a key component of intensified grazing ecosystem in rocky intertidal area. Grazing gastropods suppresses the abundance of canopy forming algal species, thus lead to a reduced algal diversity in the long term. We conducted feeding trials with single and mixed diet during a 28-Days indoor experiment to examine the grazing intensity among green, red and brown algae namely Ulva lactuta, Enteromorpha linza, Gelidium and Padina tetrastromatica following a gut content analysis of experimental gastropods such as Euchelus asper and Nerita oryzarum. Feeding experiments revealed that Euchelus asper consumed 70% Enteromorpha, 10% Ulva and about 10% Gelidium whereas, Nerita oryzarum consumed 45% Ulva and 10% Enteromorpha during single diet experiment. Euchelus asper showed its preference towards all experimental diet where as Nerita preferred Ulva to a greater extends than Enteromorpha and rest other combined diet. Our results showed a higher grazing pressure exerted by Euchelus asper might pose a threat for algal culture and form competition in animals of same trophic level intern affecting their population. Similar experiment may be useful to control mass canopy forming algal growth and habitat studies for grazing animals will also be attributed.
Moisture budget of the bimodal pattern of the summer circulation over South America

[1] Submonthly variations in warm-season (January–February) precipitation over South America, in particular over the Amazon basin, central southwest Brazil, north Argentina, and Paraguay are studied. Two distinct regimes of lower tropospheric winds (westerlies and easterlies) were observed in Rondonia during the Wet Season Atmospheric Mesoscale Campaign (WETAMC) component of the Large-Scale Atmosphere-Biosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) field campaign. The westerly (easterly) winds were associated with strong (weak) convective activity over the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ). The period of this study (January and February of 1999) was divided into SACZ and no SACZ (NSACZ) regimes. The vertically integrated moisture fluxes over South America obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Data Assimilation Office (NASA/DAO) assimilation system show that during the SACZ (NSACZ) period, strong (weak) convergence occurred over the Amazon basin with divergence (convergence) over southwestern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay. These moisture budgets also indicated that moisture transport from the tropics to the extratropics in the South American sector occurs more efficiently during the SACZ regime than during the NSACZ regime.