Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between parents' perception of school choice and their knowledge of vouchers, charter schools, Clayton county school choice provisions, and no child left behind.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SILLS, JANICE BROWN B.A. CLARK COLLEGE, 1984 M.ED. CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, 1992 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS' PERCEPTION OF SCHOOL CHOICE AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF VOUCHERS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, CLAYTON COUNTY SCHOOL CHOICEPROVISIONS, AND NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND Advisor: Dr. Trevor Turner Dissertation dated December 2008 The purpose of this study was to examine school choice perceptions of parents in Clayton County public school system. The researcher was interested in knowing the belief system from which parents drew conclusions about school choice. The researcher analyzed the relationship between five independent variables: knowledge level of vouchers, knowledge level of charter schools, knowledge level of No Child Left Behind, knowledge level of Clayton County choice and knowledge of No Child Left Behind and two dependent variables: acceptance of school choice and belief in the effectiveness of school choice to improve education. The study was significant due to a gap regarding research that has been conducted, which provided a better understanding of the motivation underlying parents' arguments supporting or opposing various school choice initiatives. 4 quantitative research design was used in the study. A Likert rating scale survey was distributed to parents of children attending one Title I elementary school in Clayton County, Georgia to determine if a significant relationship existed between the independent and dependent variables. The researcher found a statistically significant relationship between three independent variables and one dependent variable (Socioeconomic Status, Effectiveness of School Choice to Improve Education and Knowledge level of Charter Schools and Clayton County's School Choice Options, Acceptance of School Choice). A significant relationship also existed between one independent variable and two dependent variables (Knowledge level of Vouchers, Acceptance of School Choice and Effectiveness of School Choice to improve Education). It was recommended that school system personnel provide more information to parents regarding school choice options in Clayton County. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS' PERCEPTION OF SCHOOL CHOICE AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF VOUCHERS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, CLAYTON COUNTY SCHOOL CHOICE PROVISIONS, AND NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
Regional differences between ambient temperature and incidence of Lyme disease in Hungary

The regional climate impacts on Lyme borreliosis (LB) or Lyme disease have not been studied yet in Hungary. By this study we want to contribute the assessment of the impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases. Our aim was to assess the influence of regional spatial-temporal differences of annual temperature conditions, as well as the start of the vegetation season on LB. We created climatic contrast by selecting three southwestern (Zala, Somogy, Baranya; henceforth: SW) and two northeastern (Nograd and Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen: NE) counties in Hungary. Weekly LB data and the site of infection on county level for 1998-2010 were gained from the National Epidemiologic and Surveillance System. The temperature data were retrieved from the European Climate Assessment and Dataset. The regional differences of the weekly LB incidence were studied in relation to regional temperature differences. Descriptive statistics, linear and polynomial regression models were applied. We observed a 1.6 °C difference in the mean winter temperatures between the two regions: the mean winter temperature of the NE counties was under 0 °C, in the SW counties it was more than 1 °C. In the SW counties spring warming started 2 weeks earlier, and there were only 3 weeks in the year, when the weekly mean temperature sank below 0 °C by few tenths of a degree. In the NE counties, this period lasted for 8 weeks continuously. The first day with mean temperature of 10 °C followed by days with mean temperature > 8 °C was chosen as start of spring. Based on this criterion and according of a linear regression model, in 2010 spring started by 2.5 weeks earlier in the two NE counties, less than 1 week earlier in the three SW counties compared to the beginning year of 1998. A difference of 3 weeks was observed in the detection of 10 cases of LB per week between the 2 NE and 3 SW counties, and there was a 3-4 weeks difference between the annual LB maxima. Comparing the periods of 1998-2003 and 2005-2010, the peak of the LB season sifted from the 28th to the 29th weeks in the NE counties, while in the SW counties this
Customer perceived value in banking services

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to analyse the dimensionality of the concept of perceived value in the banking sector, adapting the GLOVAL scale of measurement of perceived value to the banking services sector.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 200 customers of financial entities were surveyed, and structural equations models were used to verify the reliability and validity of the scale of perceived value.Findings – Perceived value is found to be a multidimensional construct composed of six dimensions: functional value of the establishment, functional value of the personnel; functional value of the service; functional value price; emotional value; and social value. A scale of overall perceived value in financial services was obtained, composed of six dimensions and represented by 22 items that are significant for their measurement.Research limitations/implications – In future studies it would be interesting to include items to measure non‐monetary sacrifices, such as waiting times, queues,.
Concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals at selected medicinal plants harvested in two vegetation periods.

Trace elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn) and heavy metals (Pb and Cd) contents were determined in leaves of medicinal plants: plantain (Plantago lanceolata), birch (Betula verrucosa) and herb of nettle (Urtica dioica) harvested in two vegetation periods: 2003 and 2004 in Branica Radzynska (Lublin region), with the use of AAS technique. The lowest lead concentration was found in plantain leaves harvested in 2003 (0.56 mg∙kg-1 DM) and nettle herb from both periods (0.6–0.9 mg∙kg-1 DM. The highest lead contents, much exceeding permissible level of 2.0 mg∙kg-1 DM were recorded in birch leaves: 9.8 mg∙kg-1 DM in 2003 and 5.7 mg∙kg-1 DM in 2004. Nettle herbs harvested in 2004 and birch leaves collected in 2003 appeared to be largely contaminated with cadmium (0.43 mg∙kg-1 DM each), which was slightly beyond permissible limit (0.3 mg∙kg-1 DM). Trace elements contents as well as lead and cadmium depended on harvest date and plant species.
Implications of the observed anticorrelation between solar wind speed and coronal electron temperature

[1] Electron temperatures at the source of the solar wind are now obtained routinely and continuously from measurements of charge states of solar wind ions with modern solar wind composition spectrometers over a wide range of solar wind speeds. While the general anticorrelation between solar wind speed and electron temperature was previously noted, the physical processes responsible for this anticorrelation were not well understood, nor were mechanisms proposed that would produce this observed anticorrelation. We present a detailed analysis of solar wind measurements made with the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) on Ulysses over nearly an entire solar cycle and the full latitude range of Ulysses. We show that the electron temperature, T, derived from the O7+/O6+ density ratios, is not only well anticorrelated with measured solar wind speed, Vsw, in general, but also that the dependence of Vsw on 1/T is well represented by the solar wind equation derived by Fisk [2003]. This equation is based on the simple model in which the plasma of both the fast and slow wind is released from magnetic loops, which are opened by reconnection with open field lines. Fitting these SWICS data to the Fisk equation, we infer the dependence on loop height of the ratio of the magnetic field strength to mass density near the base of the loops (at the altitude of reconnection) and infer the solar cycle and latitude dependence of the size of the loops and of the strength of the average open field. We suggest that the same simple mechanism can account for both the fast and slow solar wind and that the final speed of the solar wind is determined primarily by the electron temperature in magnetic loops on the Sun, from which the solar wind originates.
Analysis of reef fish abundance in the Gulf of California , and projection of changes by global warming

The Gulf of California has high endemism and diversity of its reef fish fauna. This study analyzes the abundance of 20 dominant species in the region, and evaluates possible changes to be caused by temperature increments. Stationary censuses of fishes were done in six regions during 2006, and oceanographic information for each one, including mean, minimum and maximum surface temperature, photosynthetic pigments, and nitrate, phosphate and silicate concentrations, was gathered. These factors were included in stepwise regressions to evaluate its influence on individual species, and the equations were used to project change in abundance as a result of warming in accordance to three scenarios: +1°, +2° and +3°C. The models indicated that as temperature rises, 4 species may reduce their abundance, 14 increase it and 2 may remain stable; also, 6 species may extend their geographic ranges. At community level, richness, taxonomic distinctness, diversity and average trophic level will likely increase with temperature, but the latter two will eventually return to their original levels. In conclusion, the Gulf of California fish fauna will not react homogeneously to the warming; some species may change their distribution and shifts in composition and structure are expected. These events may cause an ecological imbalance in teleost assemblages, and consequently affect the functions of the reef ecosystem in the gulf.
Alignment and Monitoring Systems for Accelerators and Experiments Based on BCAM - First Results and Benefits of Systems Developed for ATLAS, LHCb and HIE-ISOLDE

In the last few years alignment and monitoring systems based on BCAM cameras active sensors, or their HBCAM evolution, have been developed at the request of the Technical Coordination of LHC experiments and HIE-ISOLDE facility Project Leader. ADEPO (ATLAS DEtector POsition) has been designed to speed up the precise closure 0.3 mm of large detector parts representing in total ~2500 tons. For LHCb a system has been studied and installed to monitor the positions of the Inner Tracker stations during the LHCb dipole magnet cycles. The MATHILDE (Monitoring and Alignment Tracking for HIE-ISOLDE) system has been developed to fulfil the alignment and monitoring needs for components of the LINAC enclosed in successive Cryo-Modules. These systems have been in each case configured and adapted to the objectives and environmental conditions: low space for integration; presence of magnetic fields; exposure to nonstandard environmental conditions such as high vacuum and cryogenic temperatures. After a short description of the different systems and of the environmental constraints, this paper summarizes their first results, performances and their added value.
Use of Agro Industrial Residues for the Production of Amylase by Penicillium sp. for Applications in Food Industry

Glucoamylase production has been investigated by solid state fermentation using agro-industrial residues, rice bran, wheat bran and banana peel by Penicillium sp. Out of the different agricultural residues tested for enzyme production, rice bran yielded the maximum glucoamylase activity (10.29 ± 0.07 Units/ml), protein content (1.22 ± 0.0014 mg/ml) and specific activity (8.4 Units/mg protein) with Penicillium sp. after 7th day of fermentation as compared to other agro residues. Media supplementation with carbon and nitrogen sources enhances the enzyme activity. For maximum production of enzyme, sucrose (13.70 ± 0.77 Units/ml) (1% mass level) and yeast extract (14.41 ± 0.07Units/ml) (1% mass level) as carbon and nitrogen source respectively were found optimum on rice bran with Penicillium sp. Optimum enzyme activity was observed at 90°C, pH 9. The partial purification of enzyme from rice bran by Penicillium sp. was done with 60% ammonium sulphate precipitation showed maximum enzyme activity. Enzyme hydrolysis showed maximum activity (3.69 Units/ml) with potato starch from rice bran by Penicillium sp.
ADHD and stop -signal behavioral inhibition: Is mean reaction time contaminated by exposure to intermittent stop -signals?

The current study investigates two recently identified threats to the construct validity of behavioral inhibition as a core deficit of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on the Stop-signal task: calculation of mean reaction time from go-trials presented adjacent to intermittent stop-trials, and non-reporting of the stop-signal delay metric. Children with ADHD (n=12) and typically developing children (TD) (n=11) were administered the standard stop-signal task and three variant stop-signal conditions. These included a No-Tone condition administered without the presentation of an auditory tone; an Ignore-Tone condition that presented a neutral (i.e., not associated with stopping) auditory tone; and a second Ignore-Tone condition that presented a neutral auditory tone after the tone had been previously paired with stopping. Children with ADHD exhibited significantly slower and more variable reaction times to go-stimuli, and slower stopsignal reaction times (SSRT) relative to TD controls. Stop-signal delay (SSD) was not significantly different between groups, and both groups’ go-trial reaction times slowed following meaningful tones. Collectively, these findings corroborate recent meta-analyses and indicate that previous findings of stop-signal performance deficits in ADHD reflect slower and more variable responding to visually presented stimuli and concurrent processing of a second stimulus, rather than deficits of motor behavioral inhibition.
In‐situ measurements of wave electric fields in the equatorial electrojet

Electric field wave measurements have been performed on two sounding rockets in the equatorial ionosphere. During a daytime flight from Chilca, Peru, intense electrostatic waves were detected on the upward-directed electron density gradient. During a nighttime flight from Kwajalein Atoll, similar waves were detected on a downward directed gradient. These results are in agreement with a gradient drift instability explanation of the generation of the waves. The wave amplitudes were as high as 5 mV/m, implying perturbation drifts comparable to the driving drift velocities. Power spectra from the turbulent region show a peak at long wavelengths, followed by a nearly flat spectral region before breaking into a power law form with negative index of 3.6-3.7 for wavelengths not greater than 30 m. Similarities between the spectra of the two flights suggest that the fundamental processes of the instabilities are the same in the day and nighttime conditions. The rocket data are consistent with radar results presented in a companion paper which show coherent, kilometer scale waves present in the electrojet.
Influence of inter and intra-rows spacing on yield and yield components of tomato cultivars

Tomato is an important cash crop in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia and currently plant spacing practiced by growers quite different from research recommendation.Field experiment was carried out at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, in the year 2011/12 and 2012/13 off seasons with the objectives of evaluating the effect of four inter-row spacings (70, 80, 90, and 100 cm) and three intra-row spacing (20, 30 and 40 cm) on yield and yield components of fresh market(Bishola) and processing (Cochoro) tomato cultivars. The treatments were arranged in 2x4x3 factorial in a split-split plot design in three replications. Data were collected on plant canopy width, above ground dry biomass as well total, marketable and unmarketable fruit yield and on quality parameters such as TSS, fruit length and diameter were analyzed. The results indicated that inter and inter-row spacing had a significant effect on plan canopy width, above ground dry biomass, total, marketable, unmarketable fruit yield, TSS, fruit length and diameter. The highest canopy width of Bishola (77.08 cm) was recorded at 40 cm x 100 cm whereas for Cochoro (71.30 cm) at 40 cm x 90 cm. Maximumfruit TSS (3.72) was recorded at 40 cm intra-row spacing and this was not significantly different from 30 cm (3.68). The highest total fruit yield of 100.45 and 92.55 ton/ha were recorded for closer inter and intra-row spacing of 70 and 20 cm, respectively. However, the highest marketable yield was obtained at 90 cm (51.48 ton/ha) inter-row spacing and at 30 cm (45.78 ton/ha) intra row spacing and this was not significantly different from 40 cm. The study suggest that 30 cm x 90 cm or 40 cm x 90 intra-inter row spacingcombination was suitable for obtaining higher marketable yield and good quality fruit around Melkassa and similar conditions in Ethiopia.
The influence of the composition and charges of the acrylic resins, the hydrophilic polymer, and the other excipients on the release rate of drug from the matrices.

The effect of the hydrophilic polymers such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, (NaCMC) and the hydrophobic polymers such as Eudragit RL100 and Eudragit RS 100 on the dissolution and the release rate of drug when prepared as controlled release matrices were studied. Tablets were prepared by a direct compression technique. The dissolution tests were performed by both the basket and the paddle methods. In the present study the acrylic resins Eudragit RS 100 and Eudragit RL 100 are separately mixed with the anionic and hydrophilic polymer NaCMC and the other excipients in an attempt to prepare controlled release matrices and to investigate the effect of the charge and composition of these polymers on the drug release. Also the research will study the effect of the pH of the dissolution medium, and the storage of the matrices at different temperatures, on the release rate of the drug. It was found that percent, charge of the polymers, pH of the dissolution medium and storage of matrices at different temperatures affect the release rate of the drug. The experiments were performed in vitro and the data obtained were plotted according to four kinetic models to study the release kinetic. These models were zero order release, first order release, Higuchi equation, and Korsmeyer equation. Zero order release was observed in the formulation with a high percent of the hydrophilic polymers, while high percent of hydrophobic polymers didn’t show zero order release and the drug was liberated in a less time from the matrices.
Invasion and selection-1 No selection for greater size in an introduced grass invading semi-arid grassland Running title: Invasion and selection

Exotic species are often planted for restoration or in order to enhance production. Populations that expand from plantings may undergo selection in directions that differ from those produced by artificial selection prior to planting. Here we test whether a highly productive grass, Agropyron cristatum, introduced to the semiarid Great Plains of North America, evolves during invasion from seeded fields into native grassland. We grew individuals of Agropyron cristatum from six seeded populations and twelve invading populations in twelve common gardens separated by 0.5 -12 km for two growing seasons. Contrary to expectations, individuals from invading populations did not have significantly greater tiller number or growth (increase in tiller number) than did individuals from seeded populations, suggesting that they have not undergone evolution towards increased invasion ability through increased size or growth. Instead, there was a general trend for individuals from invading populations to have lower growth rates and fewer tillers when grown without neighbours. Large size or high growth rates arising from artificial selection prior to introduction may be disadvantageous to populations invading semiarid grassland on dry, nutrient-poor soils. In this case evolution may have resulted in convergence between the relatively large planted species and the smaller native species.
The Lexical Morpheme Acquisition of a Learner of English as a Second Language

The present study aims to examine the acquisition of English lexical morphemes i.e. past –ed marker and plural –s marker on nouns, in L2 (second language) English within the framework of Processability Theory (henceforth PT). The participant of this research was LE, an Indonesian learner learning English as L2 in an instructional context. The data in the form of essay written by LE was collected longitudinally at four points in time during the period of four months. Based on the data, a distributional analysis was carried out, and then the findings were analysed by using the implicational scaling in accordance with the emergence criterion in order to determine the points of acquisition of the two morphological forms under scrutiny. The research finding indicates that the acquisition points of the lexical morphemes appear to follow PT‟s predictions, where the emergence point of past –ed marker and plural –s marker occurred at comparatively the same point in time as hypothesised in PT. Moreover, the finding of this research reveals that the predictions of PT seem to be followed in L2 written English; it indicates PT‟s capacity to account for morphological acquisition in both written and spoken language production.
Environmental Regulation And International Competitiveness: A Critical Review

In this paper, we critically review the literature on environmental regulation and competitiveness at a national level. The concept of international competitiveness (in relation to environmental regulation) is assessed in two broad schools of thought: neoclassical economics and the competitiveness school to which the Porter hypothesis belongs. We identify the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) as the least common denominator for empirical evaluation of the main themes of these two competing schools of thought. As a minimum, one would need to find evidence on PHH to question the validity of the Porter hypothesis. A fully legitimate test of the Porter hypothesis should, inter alia, have a particular emphasis on the impact of well-designed environmental policies on high-value sectors of an economy. Examining the recent empirical literature on the PHH we find that the evidence remains inconclusive. This leaves the Porter hypothesis largely unscathed and challenges the widely-held view of the existence of a trade-off between economic performance and environmental quality.