Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the experience of playing self-paced games

Self-paced games are digital games which do not require players to make a move within a particular period of time, so the game can be played at whichever speed the player desires. Game experience measures can help game designers and increase understanding of how games create engagement. This thesis aimed to develop new measures of the experience of playing self-paced games. It investigated two possible measures; measuring cognitive load using pupil dilation and measuring attention using irrelevant distractor images. The first approach found a significant difference in pupil dilation between easy and hard variants of a task taken from the game Two Dots. In a subsequent study, participants played three different versions of Two Dots – one of which required no cognitive effort. There was no significant difference in pupil dilation due to cognitive load between the games. It seems likely that although players could use sustained cognitive effort to play the game, they chose not to, and use other strategies instead. I concluded that pupil dilation is unlikely to be an effective measure of game experience. The second approach developed a new measure known as the distractor recognition paradigm. This measure surrounds the game with constantly changing irrelevant images. After playing, participants are tested on how many of these images they recognise. An initial study found a significant difference in images recognised between two very different versions of the game Two Dots. There was also a significant difference in distractors recognised between three more similar games. This was found to be a stronger measure of game attention than using eye tracking and also found to be effective if the distractor images were placed inside the game graphics. This approach succeeded in the aim of the thesis which was to find a new measure of the experience of playing self-paced games.
Utjecaj suznoga filma na vidnu funkciju [The influence of tear film on visual function]

Purpose: Purpose of this study was to explore the influence of tear film on visual acuity by measuring post-blink blur time (PBBT) using standard Snellen charts, in subjects with and without tear film dysfunction symptoms, to ascertain whether this parameter could be quantified by using subject's time interval estimation, to explore method's repeatability and ease of implementation in everyday clinical practice, and, finally, to find whether results of this test correlate with any other observed parameter. ----- Methods: Standard ophthalmology practice equipment was used: Snellen charts and slit lamp. Chronometer was used by the examiner for checking subject's measurement. Slit lamp examination included the estimation of conjunctival hyperemia, LIPCOF test, TBUT test, corneal fluorescein staining and the Meibomian gland expression. ----- Results: 200 subjects were enrolled in study (age 18-75), 100 in group with tear film dysfunction symptoms and 100 in group without such symptoms. Statistically significant difference between PBBT values measured by both the subject and examiner was found between groups, with lower values in group with tear film dysfunction symptoms. Moderate corelation was found between TBUT and PBBT measurements. ----- Conclusions: PBBT, measured by the subject, was found to be reliable tool in detecting dry eye. Furthermore, it is simple, quick and noninvasive diagnostic tool, requiring only Snellen charts. High repeatability and negligible difference between values measured on both eyes enable clinician to obtain relevant measurement by measuring only one eye once, although pre-test measurement is recommended to test patient's cooperation. 7 seconds are proposed as cutoff between normal and pathologic values.
Gambling behavior of ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese college students in the United States

ABSTRACT This study examined gambling activity and risk for gambling problems among ethnic Chinese- and Vietnamese- American college students. The Canadian Adolescent Gambling Inventory (CAGI) was administered to a stratified sample of 653 undergraduates at a public university in the northeastern United States. This sample included racial-ethnic subsamples large enough to compare gambling behavior among Chinese, Vietnamese, Other Asian, Black, Latino, and white students. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of having gambled in the past three months were lower than whites only for Other Asians [odd’s ratio(OR) = . 320, p < . 05] and Latinos [OR = . 477, p < . 05] and not for Chinese, Vietnamese, or Blacks. Among students who gambled in the last three months, the odds of meeting criteria for high severity risk of problem gambling were higher for the Chinese [OR = 5.381, p < . 05], Latinos [OR = 6.520, p < . 05], and Blacks [OR = 6.540, p < . 05] than for whites. The odds of meeting criteria for some degree of risk were higher for Vietnamese than white students [OR = 2.736, p < . 05]. These findings suggest the need for future study of underlying risk factors for students of minority racial-ethnicity.
Social determinants affecting the mental health of HIV infected Latino men who have sex with men living on the U.S. - Mexican border

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v TABLE OF CONTENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES . xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Problem and Statement of Purpose . 2 1.2 Study Aims and Research questions . 3 1.3 Assumptions . 3 1.4 Study Rationale and significance . 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 6 2.1 General Background and Context . 6 2.1.1 The HIV/AIDS Pandemic . 6 2.1.2 HIV/AIDS in the World . 9 2.1.3 HIV in the U.S. . 10 2.1.4 HIV in Texas . 11 2.1. 5 HIV in El Paso . 11 2.1. 6 HIV and the U.S.-Mexico Border . 12 2.1. 6.1 HIV healthcare on the U.S. Mexico border . 13 2.2 HIV/AIDS in Latinos . 14 2.2.1 HIV in Latino MSM . 15 2.3 Stress and Depression among Latino MSM . 16 2.4 Social Determinants of Health in HIV/AIDS . 19 2.4. 1 Structural Violence . 20 2.4. 2 Stigma towards HIV/AIDS and MSM . 21
Male attitudes and behavioural change in Tanzania, in relation to HIV and AIDS : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . V TABLE OF CONTENTS . VI LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES . X ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS . XI GLOSSARY OF TERMS . XII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. 14 RESEARCH AIM, QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVES . 16 BACKGROUND TO HIV AND AIDS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA . 17 GENERAL BACKGROUND TO TANZANIA . 23 TANZANIA, HIV AND AIDS . 26 IRINGA REGION, HIV AND AIDS . 35 STRUCTURE OF THESIS . 37 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ON BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE, HIV AND AIDS . 40 INTRODUCTION . 40 DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES TO HIV AND AIDS . 44 Modernisation . 44 Neo-liberalism . 45 Alternative development . 46 Rights based response to HIV and AIDS . 47 THEORIES OF BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE AND INDIVIDUAL FACTORS RELATING TO HIV . 49 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY FACTORS INFLUENCING HIV PREVENTATIVE BEHAVIOUR . 60 STIGMA, HIV AND AIDS . 62 THE CHURCH, HIV AND AIDS. 63
Evaluation of Once Daily Aminoglycoside Use in the Elderly

Purpose This study evaluated the incidence of nephrotoxicity due to once daily aminoglycoside (ODA) use in elderly patients at two South Florida institutions. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who received 7 mg/kg/day of either gentamicin or tobramycin was conducted. Results Eighty-one (49%) males and 84 (51%) females with a mean age of 73 (range, 60 to 95) years were included. Nephrotoxicity was evident in 16 patients (9.7%). Of these, eight (4.8%) experienced nephrotoxicity possibly associated with aminoglycoside administration. A subgroup analysis of nonnephrotoxic patients compared with nephrotoxic patients revealed no significant differences in mean initial serum creatinine (1 mg/dL vs 0.95 mg/dL, P = 0.861) or dosing interval (31.4 vs 31.5 hours, P = 0.983). The mean duration of aminoglycoside treatment was less in the nonnephrotoxic group compared with the nephrotoxic group (5.2 vs 9.9 days, P < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this retrospective evaluation suggest that ODA dosing in the elderly is safe; however, patients should be monitored closely, especially when they require more than 5 days of aminoglycoside therapy, or are receiving concomitant nephrotoxic agents.
Shared mechanisms support controlled retrieval from semantic and episodic memory: Evidence from semantic aphasia

Semantic cognition is supported by at least two interactive components: semantic representations and control mechanisms that shape retrieval to suit the circumstances. Semantic and episodic memory draw on largely distinguishable stores, yet it is unclear whether controlled retrieval from these representational systems is supported by shared mechanisms. Patients with semantic aphasia (SA) show heteromodal semantic control deficits following stroke to left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG), an area implicated in semantic processing plus the control of memory and language. However, episodic memory has not been examined in these patients and although the role of LIFG in semantics is well-established, neuroimaging cannot ascertain whether this area is directly implicated in episodic control or if its activation reflects semantic processing elicited by the stimuli. Neuropsychology can address this question, revealing whether this area is necessary for both domains. We found that: (i) SA patients showed difficulty discarding dominant yet irrelevant semantic links during semantic and episodic decisions. Similarly, recently encoded events promoted interference during retrieval from both domains. (ii) Deficits were multimodal (i.e. equivalent using words and pictures) in both domains and, in the episodic domain, memory was compromised even when semantic processing required by the stimuli was minimal. (iii) In both domains, deficits were ameliorated when cues reduced the need to internally constrain retrieval. These cues could involve semantic information, self-reference or spatial location, representations all thought to be unaffected by IFG lesions. (iv) Training focussed on promoting flexible retrieval of conceptual knowledge showed generalization to untrained semantic and episodic tasks in some individuals; in others repetition of specific associations gave rise to inflexible retrieval and overgeneralization of trained associations during episodic tasks. Although the neuroanatomical specificity of neuropsychology is limited, this thesis provides evidence that shared mechanisms support the controlled retrieval of episodic and semantic memory.
Neurologic findings in vitamin E deficiency.

: Vitamin E is one of the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant nutrients. Severe vitamin E deficiency can have a profound effect on the central nervous system. Cystic fibrosis, chronic cholestatic liver disease, abetalipoproteinemia, short bowel syndrome, isolated vitamin E deficiency syndrome and other malabsorption syndromes all may cause varying degrees of neurologic deficits due to related vitamin deficiencies. The classic abnormalities in vitamin E deficiency progress from hyporeflexia, ataxia, limitations in upward gaze and strabismus to long-tract defects, profound muscle weakness and visual field constriction. Patients with severe, prolonged deficiency may develop complete blindness, dementia and cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment must be tailored to the underlying cause of vitamin E deficiency and may include oral or parenteral vitamin supplementation. The more advanced the deficits, the more limited the response to therapy. Therefore, a good neurologic examination and periodic serum vitamin E levels are essential in patients at risk of vitamin E deficiency.
From re-viewers to me-viewers: The #Bookstagram review sphere on Instagram and the uses of the perceived platform and genre affordances

This study looks at the emerging forms of reviewing cultural products by investigating #bookreviews on Instagram. The multiple-case study focuses on characteristics of book-review posts in global and national contexts. First, the global community is outlined, with the help of quantitative data (N=163,269 entries). Second, a local book-reviewing community (N=645 entries) is studied, with a thematic analysis of platform and genre affordances. Instagram-native formats identified include textual reviews, metacoverage of reviews, video reviews, reviews with visual effects and facilitated reviews. The findings have implications for the conceptualisation of user-generated reviewing as part of cultural critique, which requires the incorporation of the consumption/prosumption paradigm into the understandings of cultural intermediation.
Total Quality Management Practices and Organizational Performance

This article examined Total Quality Management (TQM) practices and organizational performance using data gathered from Cway Water Group, Lagos to consummate the study. Total quality management aims at enhancing the quality of products, services and processes in all departments and sections in an organization. Sometimes improvement in quality gives rise to increased cost. The paper, therefore, critically examined the extent to which drive for total quality ultimately impinges on corporate performance. Descriptive research design was adopted. Data were gathered from respondents using structured questionnaire. A total of 325 respondents were used as sample size for the study. The data gathered were analyzed using tables and percentages. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested using SPSS statistical software with regression and correlation analysis. The test of hypotheses revealed that TQM has significant effect on organizational performance as the P-Value was found to be less than 0.05 occasioning the rejection of the null hypothesis. The test also revealed that TQM has positive effect on customer satisfaction. The paper recommended that top management of organizations should make TQM practices top priority in their operations in the interest of sustainable performance.
An investigation into extraverts’ and introverts’ speaking anxiety in English classes

Th e presented study aimed at investigating the relationship between the extraversion level and speaking anxiety in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context on the one hand, and testifying the relationship between the extraversion degree and speech fl uency and speech accuracy, on the other hand. To this end, 60 advanced university students, including 12 males and 48 females, participated in the study at the quantitative phase, and 28 of them, including 14 from the extraversion levels, and 14 from the introversion levels, were observed on their oral performance at the qualitative phase. Based on Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation using SPSS in the quantitative section, the fi ndings revealed a strong negative correlation between the extraversion level and public speaking anxiety, on the one hand, and a strong positive correlation between the extraversion degree and speech fl uency in the qualitative phase, on the other hand. Speech accuracy revealed having no signifi cant correlation with the extraversion degree. Indeed, extraversion and introversion seem to be the major personality diff erences that have attracted the attention of psycholinguists, in particular Dornyei (2005); henceforth, it would be worth clarifying the underlying characteristics of this construct to gain a more comprehensive view of these personality type indicators, respectively.
Children’s attitudes towards animal cruelty: Exploration of predictors and socio-demographic variations

ABSTRACT Assessing the risk for animal cruelty is imperative, yet understudied and problematic due to the sensitivity of the topic. Early prevention is critical, yet very little research examines cruelty when it first appears in childhood. The aim of this study was to explore children’s attitudes towards types of animal cruelty, to investigate potential demographic differences, and to examine potential associations between acceptance of cruelty and cognitive and affective factors that place children ‘at-risk’ for cruelty perpetration. Questionnaire data was collected from 1127 children in schools. The results indicate that cruelty attitudes are predicted by some demographic variables such as urban living, being male, younger age and not having pets, but depend on the type of animal cruelty. Acceptance of cruelty predicted low compassion and low reported humane behaviour towards animals. Acceptance of cruelty was predicted by negative attitudes towards animals, lower beliefs in animal minds and low attachment to pets, signifying the importance of targeting such variables in future prevention programmes. This study is an original contribution to research into childhood animal cruelty in the general population, with implications for designing and implementing early prevention programmes that tackle problematic attitudes to cruelty.
“This Intense Desire to Know the World”: Factors Influencing the Selection of Multicultural Children's Literature

"THIS INTENSE DESIRE TO KNOW THE WORLD:" FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SELECTION OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S LITERATURE Kasey L. Garrison Old Dominion University, 2012 Chair: Carol A. Doll Multicultural children's literature offers readers the opportunity to experience new perspectives and cultures or reaffirm and develop their socio-cultural identity (Boston & Baxley, 2007; Yokota, 2009). The availability of diverse titles for youth is critical in enhancing 21st Century literacy and social skills (AASL, 2007; Common Core, 2010; Krashen, 2004). The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing collection development and the selection of multicultural children's literature in public library collections in geographically and demographically diverse communities across one southeastern state. Employing a mixed methods design, the researcher first surveyed ten library system collections totaling 70 libraries and library branches for three ethnic specific and two non-ethnic specific children's literature awards: Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (APAAL), Coretta Scott King Award, Pura Belpre Award, John Newbery Award, and Randolph Caldecott Award. The non-ethnic specific awards, the Caldecott and Newbery, were present most in the library collections with the King, Belpre, and APAAL following, respectively. The researcher used the surrounding demographics of each library to investigate the relationship between the diversity of the community and the collection (U.S. Census, 2011). The researcher also identified and surveyed librarians from each system who make selection decisions for the children's section. Findings indicate a wide variety of factors influencing the selection of multicultural children's literature. Using hierarchical regression analyses, the presence of the King and Belpre Award winners were found to be statistically significant predictors of the APAAL, suggesting that librarians use these lists for selecting multicultural children's literature for their collections. The community demographics for each ethnic group were also found to be statistically significant predictors for each corresponding ethnic specific award. The interviewed librarians indicated formal and informal factors on selection including award lists; community needs assessment; and anticipated circulation. They highlighted challenges influencing the selection process with issues like the availability of quality multicultural literature, what is reviewed in selection aids they use, and their ability to select titles about cultures outside of their own experiences. Their responses support the importance of preservice and continuing education to provide opportunities for promoting library services to a globally diverse community. Copyright, 2012, by Kasey L. Garrison, All Rights Reserved. This is dedicated to my best friend, my partner, my rock, Jared. You made this possible in so many ways. Thank you for everything you do every day. I love you.
Exploring Factors Motivating Entrepreneurial Intentions: The Case of Italian University Students

This study aims to identify the factors motivating the intentions of university students to become entrepreneurs. Leveraging data from a survey of 941 Italian students and adopting Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour, this paper employs the structural equation model to identify factors explaining students&#8217; entrepreneurial intentions. The findings show that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control positively shape Italian students&#8217; intentions. Moreover, the findings signal that the skills acquired during the university pathway play a crucial role in encouraging students to consider entrepreneurial choices. The paper extends and complements the academic and policy debate in the field of entrepreneurship offering a comprehensive investigation of the factors affecting entrepreneurial intentions. It also allows us to contend that higher education may have an important role to play in fostering the entrepreneurial intentions of young people. This is especially significant given current global economic conditions and the renewed importance of self&#8208;employment strategies.
An Intersectional Examination of Self-Compassion in Single Mother CalWORKs Students of Color at a Community College

Author(s): Dawber, Christina Michelle | Advisor(s): Vargas, Manuel | Abstract: Self-compassion has been shown to bolster resilience (Leary, Tate, Adams, Batts Allen, a Hancock, 2007), intrinsic motivation (Neff, Hseih, a Dejitthirat, 2005), and a general sense of well-being (Arimitsu a Hofman, 2015) as students cope with academic and life stressors. While research has begun exploring gender as a factor for self-compassion in college students (Lockard, Hayes, Neff, a Locke, 2014; Neff, Pisitsungkagarn, a Hsieh, 2008; Yarnell, Neff, Davidson, a Mullarkey, 2019), and, to a lesser extent, race (Hayes, Chun-Kennedy, Edens, a Locke, 2011; Lockard at al., 2014), there still remains a critical void of literature. Self-compassion researchers who focused on college settings have yet to explore the intersection of gender and race and have failed to consider social class entirely. To address this void of literature, the following phenomenological study explored self-compassion in 10 single mother California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) students of color at a Southern California community college. Through a thematic analysis of individual interviews and take-home journals, four common experiences of emotional distress were identified: (a) Identification as a Welfare Recipient, (b) Academic Performance, (c) Ongoing Welfare-to-Work Requirements, and (d) Restricted Time With Child Dependents. Of these experiences, three elicited connections with intersectional oppression in the areas of gender, race, and social class, with one, Restricted Time With Child Dependents, excluding a connection with racial oppression. Common ways in which participants relate to themselves during these experiences, and in general, showed connections with less self-compassion in the areas of self-judgment and overidentification, with an even split in the area of isolation versus a sense of humanity. Participation in CalWORKs and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education student support groups and workshops where students openly share personal adversities appeared to mediate this split. Findings from this study offer important implications for the use of an intersectional framework to examine complex topics like self-compassion and offer insight for the development of a group-appropriate self-compassion intervention. The findings also demonstrate a need for welfare reform and for community college leaders to better address the mental health of single mother CalWORKs students of color at their institutions.