Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of the emotion happy as induced by colors on the performance of grade 1 pupils in addition

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the emotion “happy” as induced by colors on the addition performance of grade 1 pupils. The experiment involved the pupils in the experimental group (n=80) were taught addition, using modules developed by the researcher which utilized seductive augmentation of learning materials through colors, the pupils in the control group (n=70) were taught addition using the method in the current math education program which do not utilize emotion-based teaching aids. The study was implemented for 1 week. Pre-test and post-test developed by the researcher based on the math competencies for grade 1 of the Department of Education (DepEd) were administered to the pupils before and after the study and data obtained were statistically analyzed. The study found that Gold, Yellow, Rose, Red and Green were respectively the top five colors that induced happy emotion. Although significant statistical difference was registered between the pre-test and post-tests of the control group (t (70) = -7.04, m = -1.04, sd= 1.23, p = <. 001), the performance of the experimental group registered statistically significant difference over the control group (t (80) = -26.75, m =-. 292, sd=. 99, p = <. 001. This showed that the experimental group had better performance than the control group. Thus, there is statistical basis to claim that the emotion happy as induced by certain colors improved the addition performance of grade 1 pupils.
Pb(II) removal and its adsorption from aqueous solution using zinc oxide/graphene oxide composite

Abstract Eliminating soluble lead ion from wastewater through adsorption has been more critical with the nonstop anthropogenic activity releasing it as waste. This study focuses on synthesizing zinc oxide-modified graphene oxide (ZnO/GO) following the solvothermal method and evaluating its capacity in adsorbing Pb(II) ion. The synthesized ZnO/GO was characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis; the results revealed that the graphene oxide (GO) had successfully bonded with zinc oxide (ZnO). The adsorption of Pb(II) on the functionalized ZnO/GO was studied under different experimental conditions, which confirmed the high adsorption capacity of ZnO/GO in removing Pb(II). The optimum pH and adsorbent dosage of ZnO/GO were at pH 5 and 0.16 g/L and the maximum adsorption capacity reached 909.09 mg/g. The most rapid adsorption occurred in the first 30 minutes of contact time with the equilibrium time achieved in 160 minutes and the adsorption isotherm and kinetic followed the Langmuir and pseudo-first order model. Therefore, the newly synthesized ZnO/GO showed superior adsorption capacity for Pb(II) compared to its pure GO.
Legislative agendas during periods of inequality: evidence from Europe and the United States

ABSTRACT This article investigates the relationship between economic inequality and legislative agendas. It argues that rising inequality makes agenda setting especially vulnerable to the influence of economic elites, and that elites use their influence to keep redistributive policies from receiving governmental attention. Empirical tests use data on public laws and bills introduced in the legislatures of five European countries between 1981 and 2012, and the United States between 1948 and 2015. As inequality becomes more acute, we observe a migration in legislative attention away from issues dealing with the social safety-net. These effects are more pronounced earlier in the policy process, which is consistent with the idea that elites can act as gatekeepers of legitimate policy ideas. These findings suggest that economic stratification shapes the policymaking debate in ways that make redistribution less likely.
Experiencing presence

This essay brings literature in experimental psychology and visual perception into conversation with psychological anthropology to propose a new theory of presence. We examine data on Catholic nuns’ experiences of God’s presence, proposing that presence—indeed all perceptual consciousness—can be conceived of as the dynamic and ever-emerging interaction of a perceiver-environment system. By understanding presence as interactional, we shift away from framing experience of the divine as a puzzle to be explained in the face of what we know about the natural order of things toward a model in which perceptual experience is co-constituted by a perceiver and environment in relation. By proposing a common language that can be used to talk across the bounds of the “natural” and “social” sciences, this essay introduces a model that can capture and represent the lived experiences of individuals in a way that both takes that experience seriously and renders that experience open to empirical investigation.
Analysis of Differences in the Choice of the Economic Value of Urban Trees in Madrid When Displayed in Situ and in Photographs

The determination of an asset’s economic value has always been an important step in improving its management. The Madrid Region legislated the application of the first version of the Norma Granada as a method of appraising ornamental trees. However, the trees in the city of Madrid are only assessed in terms of ecosystem services (i-Tree Eco). A photograph of the asset to be appraised is often used in studies on the valuation of publicly-owned socio-environmental assets such as trees or landscapes. As a tree’s value is very closely linked to its size and to a number of features that can be seen through direct observation of the specimen, it is important to verify the validity of photographs as a method for obtaining the public’s opinion. This work presents a comparison between the valuations chosen by members of the public when observing the tree in situ and in a photograph. The aim is to verify the validity of photographs for their application to a larger sample and to understand qualitatively how citizens assess the trees in a city. The following appraisal methods were used: the American method, Council of Tree Landscape Appraisers (CTLA), Norma Granada and the Burnley method. The survey consisted of ten specimens from ten different species, and ten surveys were taken for each stem, making a total of 100 for each tree species and 1000 surveys in all. The surveys were done randomly and individually. Each interviewed chose one of the three values they were shown when observing the specimen in the photograph and in situ; 84% of the 1000 surveys gave as a result the same value choice when looking at the specimen on site and seeing it in a photograph.
Apathy is not associated with reduced ventral striatal volume in patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND A growing body of neuroimaging research has revealed a relationship between blunted activation of the ventral striatum (VS) and apathy in schizophrenia. In contrast, the association between reduced striatal volume and apathy is less well established, while the relationship between VS function and structure in patients with schizophrenia remains an open question. Here, we aimed to replicate previous structural findings in a larger independent sample and to investigate the relationship between VS hypoactivation and VS volume. METHODS We included brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 60 patients with schizophrenia (SZ) that had shown an association of VS hypoactivation with apathy during reward anticipation and 58 healthy controls (HC). To improve replicability, we applied analytical methods employed in two previously published studies: Voxel-based morphometry and the Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT) algorithm. VS and dorsal striatum (DS) volume were correlated with apathy correcting for age, gender and total brain volume. Additionally, left VS activity was correlated with left VS volume. RESULTS We failed to replicate the association between apathy and reduced VS volume and did not find a correlation with DS volume. Functional and structural left VS measures exhibited a trend-level correlation (rs = 0.248, p = 0.067, r2 = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Our present data suggests that functional and structural striatal neuroimaging correlates of apathy can occur independently. Replication of previous findings may have been limited by other factors (medication, illness duration, age) potentially related to striatal volume changes in SZ. Finally, associations between reward-related VS function and structure should be further explored.
Algorithms and Applied Econometrics in the Digital Economy

This dissertation contains three papers that together study various aspects of the digital economy. Chapter 1 is entitled “The Impact of Financial Assistance on Online Learner Outcomes” and is an evaluation of the financial assistance program at edX, an online learning platform. I use Regression Discontinuity Design to evaluate the financial assistance program’s effect on learner completion and certificate rates. I find large effects on both outcomes, even though it was free for learners to complete and pass a course during the period under study. These results indicate that learners value the signal of an edX verified certificate. To quantify the certificate’s signaling value for the applicant subpopulation, I estimate a distribution of applicant willingness-to-pay. Lastly, I provide descriptive statistics for the applicant subpopulation, showing that financial assistance applicants are much more engaged than the average platform learner and also disproportionately live in countries with low or medium UN Human Development Index ratings. Chapter 2 is entitled “Nowcasting Trends in the US Housing Market. ” In this chapter, I extend a state-of-the-art flu tracking algorithm called Auto-Regressive with GOogle search as exogenous variables (ARGO) to nowcast trends in the US
Investigating Symptoms of Concussion and Depression in Adolescent Athletes Devoid of a Recent Concussion Injury

Sport-related concussion is a concern for all athletes involved in sport and recreational activity. At this time, few investigations have sought to examine the relationship between concussion-like and depressive symptoms in an adolescent athlete population prior to the occurrence of a concussion; examining these two symptom categories among a group of healthy individuals is necessary to understand the relationship that exists between concussion and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and relationship between concussion and depressive symptoms, and various demographic and medical history variables. Healthy uninjured adolescent athletes (aged 13 to 18 years old) completed validated symptom scales assessing perceived current concussion-like and depressive symptoms. Findings indicate that many athletes experience concussion-like and depressive symptoms in the absence of a recent injury. Therefore it may be unrealistic for an adolescent athlete to reach asymptomatic status prior to their return-toplay following an actual concussion. Results highlight large differences in the reporting of both concussion-like and depressive symptoms between males and females. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Gene Expression Signature and Molecular Mechanism of Redox Homeostasis in Colorectal Cancer

Cellular redox homeostasis is the important tool for normal cell function and survival. Oxidants, reductants and antioxidants are the players to maintain cellular homeostasis balance. However, in some conditions like cancer, the concentration and activation of these players are disturbed. This study walks you through the molecular mechanism of redox homeostasis to describe how expression level of these players would help colorectal cancer (CRC) cells continue proliferation and survive in the hypoxic environment of tumor. We proposed that O2- concentration is not detrimentally high in CRC cells since expression level of MnSOD didn’t change noticeably. We also suggested that High proliferative CRC cells obtain their energy by oxidation of H2S in or Electron transport chain (ETC) and keep the adequate concentration of H2S by diminishing the expression level of enzymes involved in sulfide oxidation pathway. Reduction in hydrogen sulfide oxidation results in a decrease in the level of GSH. Glutathione peroxidase enzyme requires GSH to convert H2O2 into oxygen and water. Therefore, Level of hydrogen peroxide stays high which leads to an increase in cell proliferation. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression level of transcription factors sensitive to redox messengers.
Why Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been resisted: A qualitative study and resistance typology

ABSTRACT The current study presents a qualitative exploration of faculty reactions to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) using a netnographic approach. We coded over 1,000 faculty blogs to reveal that resistance to MOOCs is nuanced and not always negative. Specifically, while minimal research has explored whether a potential innovation user has valid reasons for not immediately adopting an innovation, faculty resisted MOOCs using a range of reasons including negative reactions and catastrophization (threat-based resistance), perceived misalignment with professional values (cultural resistance), failure to meet student needs (pragmatic resistance), and a lack of demonstrated effectiveness (precautionary resistance). These findings have implications for scholarly conceptualisations of innovation reactions by suggesting some reactions may be constructive and help with innovation refinement, as in the case of MOOCs.
Effects of Senior Simulation Program for Nursing Students: An integrated Study in South Korea

This research is an integrated study conducted to identify the effects and experiences of the senior simulation applied to nursing students on those students’ attitudes toward seniors. The effects were verified after conducting the senior simulation with 70 nursing students from March 1 to June 30, 2015. As the result of this study, the attitudes were researched and analyzed; they turned more negative after the simulation than before the simulation, but they turned significantly positive after the sharing of thoughts with others, so that the simulation had the final effect of enhancing attitudes. Qualitative measurements showed the enhancement of participants’ understanding of seniors, a regret of past actions, and a consideration for their own later years, along with the will of the nursing students in their future nursing, as they mentioned that this experience had been positive. The senior simulation is an effective mediation of an empathic understanding of students toward seniors, and the simulation should be utilized in nursing education. Also, through the development of various forms of education programs to include senior simulation programs, and by securing enough simulation time for their operation, methods to heighten the educational effect of these programs need to be pursued.
Sonographic Measurement of the Volume of the Normal Thyroid Gland in Adults in Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt

BACKGROUND The incidence of thyroid disease is not uncommon worldwide and the knowledge of thyroid volume is important for diagnosis and radiotherapy. Ultrasonography is an established optimal imaging modality for both screening and evaluation of the thyroid gland and an accurate method of calculating thyroid gland volume. This prospective cross sectional study aimed to establish the normal thyroid gland volume and to correlate the values with sex, age, height and weight of adult patients in Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in the South- South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. METHODS Four Hundred normal adult subjects were studied using a 7.5MHz transducer. The length, width and depth of the thyroid gland were obtained and the thyroid gland volume calculated using the ellipsoid formula obtained by multiplication of length, width, depth and a conversion factor (0.479). In addition, the height and weight of each subject was recorded. Correlation between variables was calculated with the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS The four hundred adult participants included two hundred and four males (51%) and one hundred and ninety-six females (49%) with an age range of 18-62yrs. The mean total thyroid volume was 6.81+2.18cm3 and the mean for the male and female population were 7.44+ 2.05cm3 and 6.14+2.11cm3 respectively. This study established significant difference between Total Thyroid Volume in males and females (P<0.001), a poor linear correlation between the thyroid volume and height (r =0=28), age (r=30) and a weak correlation with weight (r=0.51). CONCLUSION The normal volume of the thyroid gland in normal adults in Port Harcourt using ultrasound has been determined. It is hoped that, these values will serve as a reference standard in ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid gland in Port Harcourt (South - South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria).
Anticoccidial Effects of Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Extract and Its Effect on Blood and Serum Chemistry of Broiler Chickens

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: October 29, 2019 November 18, 2019 November 25, 2019 February 03, 2020 Current experiment was accomplished to evaluate anticoccidial effects Camellia sinensis extract in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks (n=72) were divided into six equal groups. First three groups received Camellia sinensis extract (CSE) @ 40 gm/kg, 50 gm/kg and 60 gm/kg of basal diet till at the end of experiment (40 days). Group D was treated with reference drug Toltrazuril® (1ml/liter of water) with basal diet. Group E served as infected, non-treated control group. Group F served as normal control group which received only basal diet. Anticoccidial activity of Camellia sinensis extract was evaluated by various parameters such as feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, Oocysts per gram of feces (OPG), lesion, and oocyst score and organ weight. Data on hematological parameters and serum chemistry were also collected. Camellia sinensis extract reduced Eimeria infection in expressions of reduced mortality (%), OPG, lesion and oocyst scores and improved FCR in broiler chickens which were non-significantly different to Toltrazuril® (P>0.05). The green tea extract also improved hematology and serum chemistry of infected chickens which were significantly different to infected group (P<0.05). It was concluded from experiment that Camellia sinensis can serve as alternative candidate against poultry coccidiosis. ©2019 PVJ. All rights reserved
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with ribociclib + letrozole: Results from MONALEESA-2.

1020Background: In the MONALEESA-2 trial, ribociclib + letrozole significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and showed higher overall response rates vs letrozole alone in HR+, HER2– ABC. To place these clinical results in the context of patient experience, here we present key patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including HRQoL. Methods: 668 patients were randomized (1:1); 334 each to the ribociclib + letrozole and placebo + letrozole arms. PROs were evaluated during treatment and at progression using the EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23, and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. Changes from baseline in all subscales were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model and time to 10% deterioration was compared between treatment arms using the stratified log-rank test. Results: Questionnaire compliance rates were high (≥90%). During treatment, HRQoL (global health status/QoL score) was maintained and similar in both treatment arms. At progression/end of treatment, HRQoL worsened numerically in both arms. Time to definitive.
A Methodological Framework to support Load Forecast Error Assessment in Local Energy Markets

Due to the expansion of small-scale distributed generation, residential consumers are evolving to active participants in energy markets. Concepts like Local Energy Markets (LEM) are designed to harvest flexibility of these prosumers and contribute to a stable power system operation. However, the stochastic nature of the consumption of households increases the difficulty of accurate forecasts and can lead to erroneous bids and penalty payments. State of the art load forecasting methods can reduce this error to a certain extend. Yet, for a systematic assessment of the implications of forecast errors, a method capable of generating forecast time series with defined errors is required. With this method, measures to decrease the implications of forecast errors (e.g., aggregation of participants) can be evaluated. In this paper, we introduce such a method based on nonlinear optimization. After an analysis of typically used error metrics and achieved forecast errors in the literature, the proposed method is evaluated using German household load profiles demonstrating similar statistical properties as found in the literature. Additionally, we show the application of the method to a LEM simulation case revealing that a participation of a household without flexible assets would only be profitable for forecast errors instead of accuracies below 30-40%.
Modified tests for exponentiality in the presence of Type II right censored data

The exponential distribution is one of the most popular choices of model, especially in survival analysis and reliability theory. Typically, to test the hypothesis that the underlying distribution of lifetimes are exponentially distributed based on censored data, the standard goodness‐of‐fit tests used in the complete sample case are modified. However, none of the characteristic or Laplace function based tests have been adapted to incorporate censored data. In this paper, we modify three well‐known tests for exponentiality on the basis of either the characteristic function or Laplace transform to accommodate Type II right censored data. We compare the power of the three newly changed tests to some existing modified tests in an independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) and a model‐based setup through a Monte Carlo study, where it was found that the newly adjusted Baringhaus and Henze test outperformed all other tests considered.
Stemming the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa: Are our HIV/AIDS campaigns failing us?

Abstract Media-based campaigns are critical tools in changing the behaviours that are fuelling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. However, given the absence of an effective behaviour-change response in the face of the epidemic, many have come to doubt the efficacy of these campaigns. Campaign designers who profess to using best-practice principles in designing HIV/AIDS campaigns also report that although some of these campaigns book changes in beliefs and attitudes, they seldom have a significant effect on the behaviours that are fuelling the epidemic. This situation raises a number of general questions with regard to South African HIV/AIDS campaigns: How effective are media-based campaigns in general in changing health-related behaviours? Are South African HIV/AIDS campaigns successful or not? If not, why not, what could be done to optimise their efficacy? What aspects of South African HIV/AIDS campaigns contribute to their efficacy and could be up-scaled in future campaigns? This article provides a critical analysis of the processes followed in the design of the Living Positively Campaign and of the design features of the messaging of the booklet Living positively with HIV and AIDS. This analysis clearly indicates that despite claims by campaign designers of adherence to best-practice heuristics, very few of them are implemented in the design of HIV/AIDS campaigns.