Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Student Use Patterns of Streaming Video Lecture Capture in a Large Undergraduate Classroom

Evaluating Student Use Patterns of Streaming Video Lecture Capture in a Large Undergraduate Classroom by Nathan E. Whitley-Grassi MA, State University of New York University at Buffalo, 2007 BS, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Education Walden University May 2017 Abstract Large classes that allow smaller amounts of instructor-student interaction have become more common in today’s colleges. The best way to provide needed opportunities for students to overcome this lack of interaction with instructors remains unidentified. This research evaluated the use of video lecture capture (VLC) as a supplemental method for teacher-student interaction and what, if any, impact it and attendance have on studentLarge classes that allow smaller amounts of instructor-student interaction have become more common in today’s colleges. The best way to provide needed opportunities for students to overcome this lack of interaction with instructors remains unidentified. This research evaluated the use of video lecture capture (VLC) as a supplemental method for teacher-student interaction and what, if any, impact it and attendance have on student performance in large lecture courses. This ex post facto study conducted at a Northeastern research university utilized cognitive and andragogical frameworks to examine the relationships between the independent variables frequency of video viewing, quantity of videos viewed, and course attendance, as well as their impact on course performance in a large lecture course (N=329). Data sources included archival data from the learning management system and student survey responses. Analysis included a series of two-way ANOVA tests. The results indicated that the frequency of video viewing was found to have a significant positive effect on course performance (F = 3.018, p = .030). The number of VLC videos not viewed was also found to have a significant negative effect on course performance (F = 1.875, p = 0.016). Other independent variables were not found to have any significant main effect or interaction effect with the dependent variable, course performance. Findings from this research may be used by educators, students, and administrators planning course sizes and availability to better understand the relationship between these variables and how VLC can be used effectively in large lecture classes thus leading to improved efficacy in VLC use. Evaluating Student Use Patterns of Streaming Video Lecture Capture in a Large Undergraduate Classroom
CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN KENYA: EVIDENCE FROM FIRMS LISTED AT THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE

The research aims at establishing, the effect of capital structure on financial performance of firms listed at the NSE. The population of interest of this study was the firms quoted at the NSE, and a census of all firms listed at the NSE from year 2002-2011 was the sample. Secondary data was collected from the financial statements of the firms listed at the NSE. The study used Causal research design and Gretl statistical software to perform the panel Regression analysis. The study concluded that debt and equity are major determinants of financial performance of firms listed at the NSE. There was evidence of a negative and significant relationship between capital structure (DE) and all measures of performance. This implies that the more debt the firms used as a source of finance they experienced low performance. The study also concluded that firms listed at NSE used more short-term debts than long term.
Neuroimaging in Dementia and Other Amnestic Disorders

Neuroimaging has revolutionized the field of cognitive neuroscience. Early studies of brainbehavior relationships relied on a precise neurological examination as the basis for hypothesizing the site of brain damage that was responsible for a given behavioral syndrome. Episodic amnesia, for example, clearly implicated the hippocampus as the site of recent memory abilities. Clinicopathological correlations were the earliest means of obtaining precise data on the site of damage causing a specific neurobehavioral syndrome (D'Esposito & Wills, 2000). In 1861, Paul Broca's observations of nonfluent aphasia in the setting of left inferior frontal gyrus damage cemented the belief that this brain region was critical for speech output (Broca, 1861). The advent of structural brain imaging more than 100 years after Broca's observations, first with computed tomography (CT) and later with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), paved the way for more precise anatomical localization of the cognitive deficits that are manifest after brain injury. Anatomical analyses of Broca's aphasia using structural neuroimaging (Naeser et al., 1989, Dronkers, 1996, Alexander et al., 1990) have more precisely determined that damage restricted to the inferior frontal gyrus causes only a transient aphasia, with recovery within weeks to months. Instead, damage to deep white matter and insular cortex causes persistent nonfluency. Noninvasive, structural neuroimaging provides the remarkable power to detail anatomical pathology in every stroke patient without re-lying upon the infrequently obtained autopsy. Neuroimaging is a powerful tool for creative exploration of the epidemiology, diagnostic sensitivity, progression and therapeutic efficacy in many brain diseases featured by memory impairment (Apostolova & Thompson, 2008). Some consider modern functional neuroimaging methods as useful tools to establish similarities and differences between different forms of amnesias with respect to their brain correlates, while others consider them adequate for constituting groups of patients in a research perspective, but still out of reach for the practitioner (Celsis, 2000).
Effects of Release Modifier and Annealing on Polyvinyl Acetate-Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Microspheres Containing Diclofenac Sodium

This study was conducted to microencapsulate water soluble diclofenac sodium (DS), a potent NSAID advocated for use in painful, inflammatory, and certain non-rheumatic conditions. To modify its release pattern, polyvinyl acetate-polyvinyl pyrrolidone based matrix polymer, Kollidon ® SR (KSR) was used as wall material. Microspheres were prepared by water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion solvent evaporation technique using KSR while maintaining core to polymer ratio at 1:1. Two release modifiers namely polyethyleneglycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and talc at four different concentrations (3%, 5%, 10% and 15% wt/wt of the wall material) were used to investigate their effect on microsphere properties and release kinetics of the drug. Optimized batches were characterized according to particle size distribution, surface morphology, differential scanning thermogram, and in vitro release of the drug. In vitro dissolution study was conducted in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.2 for 8 hours. Microsphere sizes were within the range of 497-922μm. No interaction between drug and excipients was observed. Characteristic changes in the microsphere surface were observed due to the presence of PEG 6000 and talc. All optimized batches showed good controlled release property with immediate burst release. Annealing (heating the microspheres at 60°C for 24 hours) was found effective in controlling the immediate burst release of the drug. Case I or fickian-type release mechanism was found predominant in case of all formulated microspheres. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 12(1): 41-50, 2013 (June) DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/dujps.v12i1. 16299
Threonine requirement of female broilers from 22 to 42 days of ag.

Threonine is considered to be the third limiting amino acid for broilers. The aim of this study was to determine the threonine requirement of female broilers from 22 to 42 days of age. Seventy five, one-day of age female broiler chicks (Ross 308) were divided into five dietary treatment groups of similar mean weight, comprising 15 birds each, individually. They were fed a basal starter diet containing 23% CP, 3200 ME kcal/kg, 0.91% threonine and 1.10% lysine (Lys) during the first 3 weeks. At the end of the first feeding period, the broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups receiving 0.70 (control diet), 0.75, 0.80, 0.85 and 0.90% of threonine. During the feeding period, growth performance parameters, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were determined. The results obtained in the experiment showed that the group receiving 0.75% threonine attained the best performance. The results of our investigation also showed that the highest body weight gain occurred at 0.75% threonine; the tendency in better feed conversion ratio in the group receiving 0.80% threonine for female broilers. Our results suggest that the current NRC (1994), recommendation of 0.74% threonine for 21 to 42 days old broilers is adequate to support relative growth performance.
Ecological studies on fish fauna associated with Macrocystis pyrifera belts in the south of Fueguian Islands, Chile

Fish fauna, habitat characteristics, and trophic relations within a Macrocystis pyrifera kelp community were studied in fjords and channels in the south of Tierra del Fuego, Chile between 1979 and 1980. The ichthyofauna is very similar to that described for the subantarctic islands, especially because of the predominance of nototheniid species. Greater species richness was found associated with rocky substrates. Experimental modifications of kelp canopy affected the abundance of only 3 out of 18 fish species. No fish were found to be herbivorous or to prey on sea urchins, but their diet was dominated by detritivores (amphipods and isopods) associated with the kelp. Comparison of these organizational features with those in kelp communities of the northern hemisphere illustrates notable contrasts. In spite of these differences, the trophic position of fish is similar within a recycling food web. These Tierra del Fuego fish assemblages also appear to optimize microhabitat utilization in the rocky substrate, as has been documented in the North Pacific Ocean
The Big Five, Type A Personality, and Psychological Well-Being

The aim of this research was to investigate how the Big Five and Type A personality variables relate to psychological well-being. Additionally, the study examined the effect of age on psychological well-being. Various social media sites such as Facebook were used to recruit 286 Participants (209 males, 74 females) from the community population. The sample was broad with an age range 18-85. Participants completed a demographic measure as well as the Ryff’s Psychological Well-being scale, the International Personality Item Pool- Big Five Scale, the Framingham Type A Behavior Scale and a Social Desirability Scale. Pearson’s product correlations and a hierarchical multiple regression were performed to determine the ability of the personality variables and Type A personality scores to predict psychological well-being. The results indicated that the personality variables (the Big Five) predicted psychological well-being but that the addition of variance from the Type A personality variable added insignificantly to the prediction. Psychological well-being was negatively correlated with age. Further studies on personality and psychological wellbeing are needed, including the role of mindfulness in contributing along with personality variables to psychological well-being.
New Alleles of Rice ebisu dwarf (d2) Mutant Show both Brassinosteroid-Deficient and -Insensitive Phenotypes

ebisu dwarf (d2) is a mutant caused by mutation in a rice brassinosteroid biosynthetic enzyme gene, CYP90D2/D2, thereby conferring a brassinosteroid-deficient dwarf phenotype. Three newly isolated d2 alleles derived from a Nipponbare mutant library (d2-3, d2-4, and d2-6) produced more severe dwarf phenotypes than the previously characterized null allele from a Taichung 65 mutant library, d2-1. Linkage analysis and a complementation test clearly indicated that the mutant phenotypes in d2-6 were caused by defects in CYP90D2/D2, and exogenous treatment with brassinolide, a bioactive brassinosteroid, rescued the dwarf phenotype of three Nipponbare-derived d2 mutants. However, the content of endogenous bioactive brassinosteroid, castasterone, and the expression of brassinosteroid-response genes indicated that partial suppression of the brassinosteroid response in addition to a brassinosteroid deficiency has occurred in the Nipponbare-derived d2 mutants. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility that wild-type Nipponbare has some defects in an unknown factor or factors related to the brassinosteroid response in rice.
The demand for public expenditure in Fiji

This paper analyses current government expenditure in Fiji using annual data from 1969 to 1999. Alternative theories of government expenditure are reviewed and a distinction is made between economic/apolitical determinants and institutional/political determinants. Both types of variables appear to be necessary to explain government expenditure. Demand for government goods and services is estimated to be price inelastic and income elastic, consistent with estimates for other countries.
Fiscal stimulus: An overlapping generations analysis

Motivated by the revival of Keynesian-inspired fiscal activism in response to the global financial crisis of 2008-09, this paper analyses stylised simulations of fiscal stimulus using an overlapping generations model that allows for feedback effects of stimulus spending on intertemporal consumption decisions of households, via the tax rate, wages and the interest rate. Simulations vary according to the size and type of stimulus, and the speed and way in which the stimulus is unwound. The main qualitative result is that the short run output gains from fiscal stimulus are transitory - the fiscal multiplier turns negative and remains negative long after the stimulus ends, mainly because it must be reversed in some way. Also, the overlapping generations framework allows an intergenerational welfare analysis. Among the biggest winners from stimulus are those about to retire. The biggest losers are those near the start of their working lives when the stimulus is implemented.
Multi temporal scale variations of summer precipitation in wet seasons over China and their association with 500 mb geopotential height

Multi scale characteristics of summer precipitation variation were studied using rotated principle component analysis and wavelet analysis on 76 stations for the period 1968-1997. We found 2 significant precipitation periods in northern and southern China corresponding to the movement of the East Asian summer monsoon. The 2 precipitation periods are characterized by a continuous 3 d mean precipitation higher than 10 mm in northern China during early July to late August and higher than 20 mm in southern China during early May to late June. The precipitation amounts in the first half of August over northern China and second half of June over southern China are the major con- tributors to the total precipitation during the 2 rainy periods, respectively. In addition, a weekly time scale precipitation variation of about 7.2 d during the first half of August over northern China and an intraseasonal time scale of 25 d during the second half of June over southern China are evident dur- ing wet seasons. Case studies for 2 extreme wet seasons over northern China in 1994 and 1996 show that weekly time scale precipitation is associated with a 500 mb anomaly over the Sea of Japan dur- ing July to August. The 2 wet seasons over southern China in 1968 and 1994 show that intraseasonal time scale precipitation is closely associated with 500 mb geopotential height over the tropical west- ern Pacific during May to June.
Explaining the Intention to Use Electronic HRM among HR Professionals: Results from a Pilot Study

Electronic human resource management (E-HRM) technology provides human resource (HR) functions with the opportunity to create new avenues for contributing to organizational success. This paper aims to examine HR professionals' self-reported intention to use E-HRM technology by employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as the research framework. This study is a preliminary investigation based on data collected from 51 HR professionals. The respondents completed a survey questionnaire measuring their responses to four constructs in the TPB. These were administered during the seminar organized by HR professional body in Malaysia. Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used as the technique for data analysis. The results of this study showed that only attitude toward usage was significant predictor of intention to use E-HRM technology while subjective norm and perceived behavioural control were not. Overall, this study found that the three explanatory variables in the TPB explained about 64 percent of the variance in intention to use E-HRM technology. The paper hopes to obtain greater insights into the applicability of TPB in future research on this unique topic among the HR professionals as a whole.
Energy Futures Volatility, Trading Activity, and Regime Switching

This paper examines asymmetric impacts of various percentages of futures trading activities on price volatility for energy futures of crude oil and heating oil at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Due of turbulent energy futures prices from the early 2000s, this paper applies threshold autoregressive model to determine structure changes, and the sample prior to and beginning 2000s are also analyzed separately. Results for periods beginning 2000s strongly confirm findings by Bessembinder and Seguin (1993) of a significant positive relation between unexpected volume and volatility and a significant negative relation between expected open interest and volatility. We further find stronger impacts of extremely higher or lower unexpected volume for both two and extremely higher unexpected open interest for heating oil on the volatility since 2000s whereas smaller impacts are found prior to 2000s. Hence, it provides more valuable insights on varying relations of volatility, volume, and open interest in energy futures markets throughout the time.
Ex ante and ex post valuations of a cultural good. Are preferences or expectations changing?

In recent years valuations of cultural goods and services have been undertaken using the contingent valuation method, because of its flexibility and the advantages it affords over other methods of valuing non-market goods. Yet, in contingent valuation literature few studies have addressed the reliability of the outcomes. This is the goal of the current paper, which presents the results of anapplication of the contingent valuation method to a new museum of contemporary art (Museo Patio Herreriano de Arte Contemporáneo [Spanish Contemporary Art Museum] in Valladolid, Spain). The method was applied at two different times: prior to its opening and after some years. We thus aim to contrast the evolution of preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) estimates at different points in time using bootstrap techniques. Estimations were performed using non-parametric methods and the outcomes reflect stability for valuations made by visitors to the museum but not for the valuations given by residents of Valladolid.
Connection between Caspian sea level variability and ENSO

The problem of the world greatest lake, the Caspian Sea, level changes attracts the increased attention due to its environmental consequences and unique natural characteristics. Despite the huge number of studies aimed to explain the reasons of the sea level variations the underlying mechanism has not yet been clarified. The important question is to what extent the CSL variability is linked to changes in the global climate system and to what extent it can be explained by internal natural variations in the Caspian regional hydrological system. In this study an evidence of a link between the El Niño/Southern Oscillation phenomenon and changes of the Caspian Sea level is presented. This link was also found to be dominating in numerical experiments with the ECHAM4 atmospheric general circulation model on the 20th century climate.
Stem Cells in Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease and Its Monitoring: Tissue Engineering and Clinical Evaluation

Cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases involve molecular and tissue level damage of blood vessels and heart. Coronary Heart Disease and heart failure are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Stem cell transplantation is emerging as a new treatment option. Stem cells are capable to reach and settle down at damaged cardiac tissue. This stem cell option also repairs the myocardial infarction area in heart or vascular territories and ultimately reduces the infarct-related mortality. Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging monitors the real-time status of cardiovascular remodeling or differentiated stem cell autografting. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioluminescence are robust non-invasive monitoring techniques to visualize cardiovascular structure changes due to myocardial dysfunction or restorative myocardial recovery. The present chapter highlights the sources, types, delivery methods of stem cells in cardiovascular treatment, advantages and current limitations of stem cell monitoring, scopes of ultra-high field cardiac 900 MHz MRI and bioluminescence methods applied in stem cell transplantation, to translate stem cell molecular events into clinical success and evaluation of rejuvenation rate with future perspectives. In conclusion , right choice of stem cells, pluripotent stem cell delivery, transplantation and real-time monitoring of stem cell trafficking enhances the stem cell therapeutic efficacy in cardiac engraftment and differentiation. after myocardial infarction in ischemic heart disease Later, autologous intracoronary delivery of mononuclear bone marrow cells 5–9 days after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty [(PTCA); performed within 12 hours of myocardial infarction) suc cessful in 10 patients. Patients showed improved wall motion These clinical trials showed angiogenesis, decreased perfusion defects, and improved ejection fraction by endocardial injection of bone marrow cells (BMC) directly in hibernating myocardium useful in heart failure patients. Later ‘Myoblast Autologous Grafting in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy MAGIC-cell-5-combination cytokine clinical trial’ using intracoronary blood stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells along with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor therapy improved angiogenesis cardiac stem cells useful 3D
Review of formal methodologies for wind–slope correction of wildfire rate of spread

The effects of wind and topographic slope are important considerations when determining the rate and direction of spread of wildfires. Accordingly, most models used to predict the direction and rate of spread contain components designed to account for these effects. Over the years, a variety of different approaches have been developed. In the present manuscript, we examine the various mathematical models employed to account for the effects of wind and slope at a formal level, making comparisons where appropriate. The methods reviewed include scalar methods, which ignore the directional nature of wind and slope effects, as well as methods in which the effects of wind and slope are combined in a vectorial manner. Both empirical and physical models for wind–slope correction are considered.