Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Fidelity of Implementation of an Anti-Bullying Policy Related to Student Bullying and Teacher Protection of Students?

Bullying is a significant school problem. Policies have been developed to reduce bullying, yet little is known about their implementation, which must occur for these policies to have an effect. This study examines associations between the overall implementation of a state anti-bullying policy and implementation of specific components outlined in the policy with two outcomes: bullying among students and teacher protection of students. Data were collected from 588 educators in K-12 schools across North Carolina a year following the enactment of an anti-bullying law in the state. Results show that overall policy implementation fidelity is inversely related to student bullying and positively related to teacher protection. In addition, the implementation of certain policy components (i.e., educator and student knowledge of bullying reporting procedures, training of educators about protected classes from bullying, student knowledge of protected classes, and educators reporting and remediating bullying based on protected classes) is significantly related to the outcomes. Thus, the implementation of certain anti-bullying policy components may be more potent in addressing bullying. Future research should identify constellations of policy strategies that need to be activated in schools to eliminate bullying.
Military Expenditure, Investment and Growth

ABSTRACT This paper considers the issues involved in estimating the effect of military expenditure on growth and the reasons for the lack of consensus in the literature. It briefly reviews the economic theory, emphasising the difficult identification issues involved in determining the interaction between military expenditure and output and discusses econometric methods for panels. It then takes advantage of the extended SIPRI military spending to construct a relatively large balanced panel of countries for the period 1960–2014. Rather than the usual focus on the direct relation between military spending on growth, it focusses upon the investment channel. It provides estimates of various models examining the interaction between the three variables and finds that the data do not suggest any strong relations between military expenditure and either investment or growth. This is not unexpected given the theoretical and econometric problems identified.
A synthesis of an aircraft approach, landing & overrun

All conventional aircraft flights start at a point of departure with a take-off and end at the destination with a landing. During this phase, the aircraft is transferred from the airborne state to the ground-borne state and brought to a halt. Although landing an aircraft looks simple but in reality it is difficult to predict the performance during this phase due to its very dynamic nature, a high sensitivity to piloting technique and uncertainties in aerodynamics. As this critical manoeuvre (beside takeoff) takes place in close proximity to the ground, and at a low airspeed (‘dirty’), there is a relatively a high risk to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. A significant number of incidents and accidents occur during this crucial phase in which the aircraft could not be stopped on the runway during landing-known as overruns. Although it has been a problem for quite a long time, unfortunately, not much has been learned. This paper presents some important and interesting facts regarding runway overruns and the crucial aspects during the penultimate stages of the landing process together with the airworthiness and regulatory requirements.
Biosynthesis of copper(II) oxide nanoparticles using Murayya koeniggi aqueous leaf extract and its catalytic activity in 4-nitrophenol reduction

Copper(II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has a wide range of applications as catalysts. The natural abundance of copper and its relatively low cost make it a viable alternative to catalysts made from expensive precious metals such as platinum and palladium. In this study, a rapid, simple and green method was developed for the synthesis of CuO NPs using an aqueous extract of Murayya koenigii leaves. Several parameters were optimized, namely, the volume of leaf extract, pH, reaction temperature and reaction time. The optimum condition for the biosynthesis was obtained by using 3 mL of leaf extract; 10 mL of 5 mM CuSO, at pH 11, at room temperature. The biosynthesis was completed within 50 minutes. The synthesized CuO NPs were characterized using Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analyses. The UV-Vis absorption spectra confirmed the formation of CuO NPs with characteristic peak at 634 nm. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis of the biosynthesized CuO NPs confirmed the surface adsorption of the bioactive components in the leaf extract that acted as the reducing agent and stabilizing agent for the metal nanoparticles. XRD analysis showed a series of diffraction peaks at 2θ of 32.5°, 35.5°, 38.6°, 48.8°, 53.4°, 58.1°, 61.5°, 66.3°, 68.0°, 72.4° and 75.0°, corresponding to (110), (002), (111), (202), (020), (202), (113), (311), (220), (311) and (222) respectively. From TEM images, CuO NPs were of spherical shape with a mean diameter of 8.4 nm. The biosynthesized CuO NPs demonstrated good catalytic activities on the reduction 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of sodium borohydride, NaBH4 and can be reused three times without significant decrease in the catalytic activities
It was unfair! Should I appeal? The moderating role of Agreeableness and Neuroticism between Fairness Perceptions in Assessment and Intention to Appeal

This study examined the relationship between the perceived fairness of the assessment process and the intention of participants to appeal the process, while taking into consideration the influence of two personality traits. Specifically, two of the Big Five traits, neuroticism and agreeableness, were included in the model, based on their special importance in predicting “anger-like” reactions similar to that triggered by unfairness. This study builds on the theoretical integration of the two dominant frameworks of organizational justice, and on two separate empirical studies that use different methodologies (simulation study vs. correlational study): a personnel selection simulation and a study of an academic examination process. The pattern of results was similar in both studies. Neuroticism was not detected as a moderator based on the significance of the interaction term, but conditional effect analysis identified the specific area of scores where neuroticism was found to have a buffer effect on intention to appeal. Agreeableness weakens the relationship between perceived fairness and intention to appeal. However, contrary to our expectation, high agreeableness does not decrease but rather increases the probability of appealing the assessment process when it is perceived as unfair, thus providing evidence for the Pollyanna myth, i.e., that highly agreeable individuals are more likely to react to and appeal unfairness.
Association between glycemic control and serum fibrinogen levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Poor glycemic control has been reported to be associated with increased vascular complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. High fibrinogen level has been described as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. High fibrinogen has been suggested to be involved in the excess rate of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 DM. The present study was undertaken to find correlation between glycemic control and plasma fibrinogen level in patients with type 2 DM.Methods: Three hundred ten patients aged ≥30 years of either sex were included in this cross sectional study. Estimation of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum fibrinogen, serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triglycerides (TG), serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was done. Categorical and continuous variables were tested using Chi-Square test/Fisher’s exact test and unpaired ‘t’ test respectively. Pearson’s correlation was used to study correlation between serum fibrinogen levels and HbA1c, Body mass index (BMI), TC, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and TG.Results: Mean serum fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in DM patients whose HbA1c, LDL cholesterol and TG levels were higher. Correlation between serum fibrinogen was 0.59, and 0.45 with HbA1c, and BMI respectively. Multivariate step-wise regression analysis showed higher HbA1c and higher BMI were the independent and significant predictors of higher serum fibrinogen levels. HbA1c was the stronger predictor of serum fibrinogen than BMI.Conclusions: Fibrinogen levels were independently associated with HbA1c value in patients with type 2 DM.
Idiopathic Osteosclerosis Of The Jaws In Turkish Subpopulation: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Findings

Objective: Idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) was defined as an asymptomatic, incidental radiographic finding of intrabony sclerosis with unknown origin. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate IO distribution, location, relationships and radiographic features by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in Turkish subpopulation. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of CBCT images of 279 individuals, 140 females and 139 males aged 20-69. In received images IO distribution, location in the jaws, dental and cortical relationships, shape and internal structure were evaluated. In axial and cross-sections superoinferior (SID), mesiodistal (MDD) and buccolingual (BLD) distances of IO were measured. The data was compared with age groups and gender. Results: Ninety-two IO in 75 individuals were detected with 26.9% distribution rate. There was a higher prevalence in mandible (82.6%) than maxilla (17.4%). The most frequently involved area was posterior mandible (43.4%). No statistically significant difference in the distribution of IO was found between genders (p˃0.05). There was a higher prevalence among young group than middle-aged and above middle-aged groups (p=0.026). According to relation of IO with dental roots separate IO (76.1%) was the most frequent relationship. Seven IO (7.6%) were detected as not related with any cortical structure. Mean SID, MDD and BLD were recorded 5.58; 4.80 and 4.18 mm respectively. Conclusion: IO was detected at a high rate in Turkish subpopulation. CBCT was found as an efficient method to evaluate radiographic features, relationships and location of IO within the jaws before surgical and orthodontic operations.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of crocin isolated from saffron in treatment of burning mouth syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a debilitating disorder with few limited treatment modalities. Because of the proven association between BMS symptoms, and depression and anxiety, treatment modalities that alleviate the two latter etiologic factors can be clinically effective. Thus, owing to the antidepressant and potential analgesic effects of crocin (as an active constituent of saffron), the present study was performed to compare the effect of crocin and citalopram (as control) on BMS symptoms and depression/anxiety in patients with BMS. Materials and Methods: The present double-blind randomized clinical trial was carried out on BMS patients. Patients were randomly divided into citalopram (n=21) and crocin (n=26) groups and treated for 11 weeks. BMS symptoms (based on Visual Analysis Scale (VAS)), as well as anxiety and depression (based on Hamilton questionnaire) were evaluated at baseline and during the treatment period. Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square test, Independent t-test, Friedman, and Spearman correlation were employed for statistical analysis. Results: Our findings showed a significant effect for crocin on the severity of BMS symptoms, anxiety and depression in BMS patients. Conclusion: Crocin can be considered for treatment of BMS subjects with concurrent anxiety and/or depression.
On the Deterministic-Code Capacity of the Two-User Discrete Memoryless Arbitrarily Varying General Broadcast Channel with Degraded Message Sets

An inner bound on the deterministic-code capacity region of the two-user discrete memoryless arbitrarily varying general broadcast channel (AVGBC) was characterized by Jahn, assuming that the common message capacity is nonzero; however, he did not indicate how one could decide whether the latter capacity is positive. Csiszar and Narayan's result for the single- user AVC establishes the missing part in Jahn's characterization. Nevertheless, being based on Ahlswede's elimination technique, Jahn's characterization is not applicable for symmetrizable channels under state constraint. Here, the various notions of symmetrizability for the two-user broadcast AVC are defined. Sufficient nonsymmetrizability condition that renders the common message capacity of the AVGBC positive is identified using an approach different from Jahn's. The decoding rules we use establish an achievable region under state and input constraints for the family of degraded message sets codes over the AVGBC.
Clinical and biochemical profile of patients hospitalized with jaundice: Experience from a teaching hospital in north India

Background: Jaundice is a common problem in both medical and surgical practice. For best line of management, it is very essential to differentiate all types of jaundice. The cause can often be correctly anticipated clinically but usually biochemical and radiological imaging investigations are required for confirmation. Here we present a study on clinical and biochemical profile of jaundice patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: It was an observational study and all patients admitted with jaundice in the department of medicine meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled. Data was collected on a self-designed, pretested and structured format.Results: Out of 100 patients, 77 were males, and median age of 47.5 years. Apart from jaundice, anorexia was the most common presenting complaint (90%), while ascites was the most common finding. Cirrhosis (60%) was the most common cause of jaundice. The mean total bilirubin was 7.9 mg%. Mean Hemoglobin in patients with cirrhosis was 9.7gm/dL. 78% patients of cirrhosis revealed esophageal varices. Majority (80%) showed hypoproteinemia. PT was prolonged >3sec in 87% of cases. On USG shrunken liver was noted in all patients with cirrhosis, enlarged liver was found in two patients of liver abscess while altered echotexture was seen in 66% cases. 90 patients improved, 9 died and only one was referred.Conclusions: Alcoholic liver disease was the leading cause of cirrhosis (92%). Jaundice in general and alcoholic cirrhosis in particular affects mostly the productive age group of the male population and has a high economic burden on our society.
Measured Improvement of Indoor Coverage for Fixed Wireless Loops With Multiple Antenna Receivers

We present measured gains of spatial and angular diversity receivers for fixed narrowband wireless links at 2.4 GHz, in scenarios where indoor service is provided from an outdoor base station. We tested the performance of maximal ratio (MRC), equal gain (EGC) and selection (SC) combiners, and compared them to angular selection diversity using directive antennas. Spatial fading statistics were found to be adequately described by means of Rayleigh distributions. Our empirical results show that a MRC will result in around 10 dB of diversity gain when 90% of the target coverage area must be served. The benefits of using a properly aimed directive antenna or equivalently a steered array of closely spaced antennas, was found to be within 1 dB of that of a MRC, with the advantage of requiring a smaller size array.
The None in Three Victim Responsiveness Assessment (Ni3: VRA): a new outcome measure for intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention programs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate the None in Three Victim Responsiveness Assessment (Ni3: VRA) examining affective and cognitive responsiveness toward victims of intimate partner violence. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected at two time points in a sample of 359 young people from Barbados and Grenada (56.27 percent female; M age=12.73 years). Findings Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the Ni3: VRA scores are best captured by a two-factor solution, including affective and cognitive dimensions. A test-retest correlation confirmed the reliability of the Ni3: VRA over time. Affective responsiveness formed a significant positive association with caring/cooperative behavior. Originality/value The Ni3: VRA can be used for the evaluation of preventive strategies aimed at reducing the rates of IPV.
The Complementarity Between Property Rights and Market Access for Crop Cultivation in Southern Rhodesia: Evidence from Historical Satellite Data

ABSTRACT Agriculture plays a central role in the efforts to fight poverty and achieve economic growth. This is especially relevant in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the majority of the population lives in rural areas. A key issue that is generally believed to unlock agricultural potential is the recognition of property rights through land titling, yet there is no overwhelming empirical evidence to support this in the case of SSA. This paper investigates access to markets as an important pre-condition for land titles to result in agricultural growth. Using the case of Southern Rhodesia, we investigate whether land titles incentivised African large-scale holders in the Native Purchase Areas (NPAs) to put more of their available land under cultivation than their counterparts in the overcrowded Tribal Trust Areas (TTAs). We create a novel dataset by applying a Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning algorithm on Landsat imagery for the period 1972 to 1984 – the period during which the debate on the nexus between land rights and agricultural production intensified. Our results indicate that land titles are only beneficial when farmers are located closer to main cities, main roads and rail stations or sidings.
Corporate investment and earnings surprises

ABSTRACT We find that firm-level investment is negatively related to the likelihood of meeting or beating analysts’ short-term EPS forecasts. In a 35-year panel dataset of US based companies, we find evidence that suggests firms with the best growth opportunities, opaque firms, and firms with higher than usual bonus compensation, are the ones to alter investment in order to beat benchmarks. Utilizing the passage of Sarbanes-Oxley as a natural experiment we find that firms trade off accruals-based earnings management in lieu of investment cuts. Results are robust to a number of covariates, and endogeneity or reverse causality does not seem to drive our inferences. This study suggests that, consistent with survey results from Graham, Harvey, and Rajgopal [2005. “The Economic Implications of Corporate Financial Reporting. ” Journal of Accounting and Economics 40: 3–73], managers may reduce or delay corporate investment to meet or beat short-term earnings benchmarks.
Communication and cross-examination in court for children and adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

Courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have identified children and adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) as vulnerable witnesses. The call from the English Court of Appeal is for advocates to adjust questioning during cross-examination according to individual needs. This review systematically examined previous empirical studies with the aim of delineating the particular communication needs of children and adults with ID during cross-examination. Studies utilising experimental methodology similar to examination/cross-examination processes, or which assessed the communication of actual cross-examinations in court were included. A range of communication challenges were highlighted, including: suggestibility to leading questions and negative feedback; acquiescence; accuracy; memory and understanding of court language. In addition, a number of influencing factors were identified, including: age; IQ level; question styles used. This review highlights the need for further research using cross-examination methodology and live practice, that take into consideration the impact on communication of the unique environment and situation of the cross-examination process.
Precoder Design for MIMO Broadcast Channels

This paper considers precoder designs in downlink MIMO broadcast channels. We present a MMSE feedback precoding scheme, which is analogue to the MMSE generalized decision feedback equalizer (GDFE) in the uplink MIMO multiple access channel. The proposed scheme obtains the same level of total mean-square error as the MMSE-GDFE in the dual uplink with perfect decision, and it achieves a sum capacity that is very close to the sum capacity of MIMO BC. It can also offer a significant gain over the linear precoding techniques in term of average error probability
Comparison and Contrast in Soil Depth Evolution for Steady State and Stochastic Erosion Processes: Possible Implications for Landslide Prediction

The importance of gradual erosion relative to landsliding depends predominantly on the slope angle. One factor of critical influence in landsliding along with slope angle and slope shape is the soil depth. Understanding soil depth development on steep topography is fundamental for understanding and predicting the occurrence of landsliding at threshold landscapes. We develop a model to predict soil depth that addresses both threshold and gradual processes. If erosion is a gradual process, soil depth increases until the soil production rate no longer exceeds the erosion rate, and steady state is reached. The predicted soil depth (x) is proportional to the ratio of the infiltration to the erosion rate. Identifying a predictive result for erosion as a function of slope angle (S) allows a test of both the erosion and soil production models with field observations. The same theoretical approach to soil production should be applicable when the principal erosion process is shallow landsliding. After landslides, soil recovery initially follows our predicted power law increase in time, though with increasing time background erosion processes become important. At a time equal to a landslide recurrence interval, the soil depth can exceed the steady state depth by as much as a factor 2. By comparing predicted and observed x(S) results, we show that the accessed result for erosion as a function of slope angle is accurate. Soils deeper than the depth predicted at the landslide recurrence interval are beyond the stability limit. This result suggests an important practical relevance of the new soil production function.
An Eye-Tracking Evaluation of Driver Distraction and Road Signs

Driving is a complex task that requires auditory, visual, and tactile attention. It is difficult enough for drivers to handle the increasing number of distractions when they are in a familiar environment, but what happens when drivers are placed in a new environment? If we understood this issue, we could design tools to reduce driving hazards and minimize distractions. We address this gap by exploring drivers' behaviour when they encounter road signs from different countries. We conducted two eye-tracking studies with 50 participants. Participants' spent increased time looking at unfamiliar road signs. Misinterpretation occurred due to the influence of previous experience and many drivers drove at reduced speeds throughout to compensate for the anticipated cognitive load. We suggest developing context-aware in-vehicle systems that use web mapping services to present drivers with road signage information. Based on our results, we also provide four recommendations to improve driver safety.