Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Repeated Aggregate Cross-Sectional Data Be Used to Measure Average Student Learning Rates? A Validation Study of Learning Rate Measures in the Stanford Education Data Archive. CEPA Working Paper No. 19-08.

In this paper we compare two approaches to measuring the average rate at which students learn in a given school or district. One type of measure—longitudinal growth measures—relies on student-level longitudinal data. A second type—cohort growth measures—relies only on repeated aggregated, crosssectional data. Because student-level data is often not readily available, cohort growth measures are sometimes the only type available. The estimated school and district learning rates reported in the Stanford Education Data Archive (SEDA), for example, are cohort growth measures based on aggregated data. Understanding how much researchers and policymakers can rely on these cohort growth estimates requires one to know how well, and under what conditions, the estimates obtained from this approach align with those based on longitudinal data. In this report we address these questions. We do so by using longitudinal student data from three states (Massachusetts, Michigan, and Tennessee) to construct both average gain score measures (longitudinal growth) and change-in-average measures (cohort growth) for each public school district and school serving students in any of grades 3-8 in the three states. We then compare the two sets of estimates in order to assess how well the latter replicates the former. We do this separately for districts and schools. We find that the longitudinal and cohort growth measures are generally highly correlated in these three states. On average, the cohort growth measures largely rank schools and districts similarly to longitudinal growth measures. The correlations at the district-level (r=0.87) are somewhat higher than the schoollevel correlations (r=0.80), which reflects the fact that there is less student mobility among districts than among schools. Additionally, in cases where student mobility in and out of schools or districts is high, the measures are less well aligned. Mobility rates are higher, on average, in small schools and districts, schools with long grade spans, and in charter schools. As a result the alignment of the two measures is weaker in these cases. We conclude that the cohort growth measures are useful proxies for longitudinal growth measures in most, but not all cases.
Tertiary Education Saving Patterns among Malaysian Parents

While tertiary education provides many benefits to the individual, the community and the nation, we cannot deny that the cost is high and continues to rise each year. The younger generation have to take up loans to finance their study costs and then they have to pay back the loans after completing their studies. As such, the funds from the parents can be seen as an alternative which could help in realizing the tertiary education goal. The question is, do the parents realize and know the importance of tertiary education savings? Have they saved for their children’s education? How much do they save per month? Are the savings enough for their children’s university education? What is the savings medium utilized to make savings? Therefore, this paper focuses on two main objectives. The first objective is to identify the patterns of children's tertiary education savings among parents in Malaysia and the second objective is to determine the medium of saving used by parents to save their money. The findings indicated that all the respondents knew and realized the importance of tertiary education savings for their children or those under their care. The majority of parents in the low income and high-income groups did not make any savings while those in the medium income group did save with a mean amount of RM755 per month. Additionally, all respondents who had saved for tertiary education agreed that their funds would not be enough to cover all the expenses. Some savings mediums had been utilized for the tertiary education fund such as banks, Tabung Haji and Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) and others. To encourage the saving habit, all parties including parents, the government, banks and others should play their part so that the children’s tertiary education process would be a smooth, fuss-free journey.
THE ROLE OF SMF 1, SMF-2, SMF-3 IN METAL-INDUCED WHOLE ANIMAL VULNERABILITY AND DOPAMINE NEURON DEGENERATION IN CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

J. LeVora, R. Settivari, R. Nass. Biochemical and genetic analysis of Parkinson’s disease associated proteins, molecular transporters, and stress response proteins in C. elegans models of manganism. Society for Neuroscience, Washington DC, 2008. R. Settivari, J. LeVora, R. Nass. Pharmacogenetic and biochemical analysis of Parkinson’s disease, manganism, and dopamine neuron-associated proteins in C. elegans: effects on mitochondria function and dopamine neuron vulnerability. Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, MD, 2009. J. LeVora, R. Settivari, R. Nass. Biochemical and genetic analysis of Parkinson’s disease associated proteins, molecular transporters, and stress response proteins in C. elegans models of manganism. IUPUI Research Day, Indianapolis, IN, 2009. J. LeVora, R. Settivari, R. Nass. Biochemical and Genetic Analysis of Parkinson’s Diseaseassociated and Stress Response Proteins in C. elegans Models of Manganism. International C. Elegans Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, 2009. R. Settivari, J. LeVora, R. Nass. Pharmacogenetic and biochemical analysis of Parkinson’s disease-associated proteins in C. elegans: effects on mitochondrial function and dopamine neuron vulnerability. International C. Elegans Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, 2009. R. Settivari, J. LeVora, R. Nass. Role of the divalent metal transporter, glutathione stransferase pi, and ER stress response proteins in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and Manganism. Society of Toxicology, Salt Lake City, UT, 2010. R. Nass, R. Settivari, J. LeVora. Parkinson’s Disease and Manganism. Second World Parkinson Congress, Glasgow, UK, 2010. R. Settivari, G. Sinclair, J. LeVora, N. VanDuyn, S. Zhou, R. Nass. SKN-1-dependent GST-Pi inhibits dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s Disease and Manganism. Aging, Metabolism, Stress, Pathogenesis, and Small RNAs, Madison, WI, 2010. R. Settivari, J. LeVora, N. VanDuyn, S. Zhou, G. Sinclair, R. Nass. Gst-pi inhibits dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. Society of Toxicology, Washington, DC, 2011. R. Settivari, S. Zhou, N. VanDuyn, J. LeVora, G. Sinclair, R. Nass. Role of Nrf2/SKN-1 dependent and ER stress proteins in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. International Worm Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, 2011.
The Relationship of Country Image, ProductCountry Image, and Purchase Intention of Korean Products: Focusing on Differences among Ethnic Groups in South Africa

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide practical implications for Korean companies searching for new market opportunities. From the experimental analysis, the impact of country image on product-country image and purchase intention of Korean products are measured. In addition, this study disaggregates the impacts of country image and product-country image and purchase intention among ethnic groups in South Africa for searching further useful implications. <br> <br>Design/methodology – To examine South African consumers’ country image and product-country image towards Korean products, data were collected between June and July 2019 through an online questionnaire, and 335 questionnaires were used for analysis. Firstly, the multivariate analysis was conducted to examine the general tendency of South African consumers’ perceptions of country image to Korea, product-country image, and purchase intention among three ethnic group consumers. Then in order to verify the country image model and hypotheses of the study, we analyzed the structural models for each of the three ethnic groups and compared the sizes of the path coefficients for each groups. To compare the difference of path coefficients across ethnic groups, configural invariance, metric invariance, and scalar invariance tests were conducted sequentially. <br><br>Findings – In the black and white ethnic groups, the country image had a statistically significant impact on product-country image, but it did not affect the purchase intention to Korean products. The product-country image showed a statistically significant impact on the purchase intention to Korean products in both ethnic group. However, in the coloured ethnic group consumer, the country image had a significant effect on the product-country image, but it did not affect the purchase intention of Korean products. In addition, the product-country image did not have a significant influence on the purchase intention of coloured ethnic group consumers unlike black and white ethnic group consumers. The results of this study suggest that even though differences in terms of the impact of CoI on PCI and PI were investigated for the sample of white, coloured, and black respondents, the groups seemed to respond in a reasonably comparable manner. <br><br>Originality/value – South Africa occupies more than 20% of Africa’s total GDP in sub-Saharan Africa and is a hub for Southern African logistics as a hub for Korean companies to enter Africa. However, it is rare to find a study focused on the determinants of consumer behavior in South Africa. In particular, this study disaggregates the impacts of country image and product-country image on consumer behavior across ethnic groups in South Africa. Therefore, this study could provide practical implications for Korean firms which desire to diversify their export markets and pioneer future markets.
Potential of solubility, enzymatic methods and NIRS to predict in situ rumen escape protein

The percentage of feed protein escaping rumen degradation was measured by the in situ method (%EPsitu) for 29 compound feeds, untreated and formaldehyde-treated soyabean meal and 12 forages: 3 grass silages, 2 maize silages, fresh grass, grass hay, fodder beets, fresh potatoes, ensiled beet pulp, chopped ear-maize silage and brewers' grains. Loss of particles through bag pores was determined by the difference between the washable fraction (W) and the fraction soluble in borate-phosphate buffer at pH 6.7 (S). W - S was most pronounced for compound feeds (on average 14.4 percentage units), for brewers' grains and maize silages. A correction of %EPsitu, assuming that W - S degrades like the potentially degradable fraction, was not appropriate. Solubility in borate-phosphate buffer after 1 h, enzymic degradability by protease from Streptomyces griseus or ficin after 1, 6 and 24 h and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) (for compound feeds alone) were examined as a routine method to predict %EPsitu. With the buffer and S. griseus the effect of pH (6.7 vs. 8.0) and at pH 8.0 the effect of amount of substrate (500-mg sample vs. 20 mg N) were tested. With ficin, 500-mg samples were incubated at pH 6.7. Predictions were better when compound feeds and forages were considered separately. However, the best in vitro method was different for the 2 feed categories, being solubility in buffer for the compound feeds and enzymic degradation of a constant amount of protein with S. griseus at pH 8.0 for forages. NIRS showed potential to predict %EPsitu of compound feeds, but needs more reference samples. The Dutch feed tables appeared more accurate than the best in vitro method for compound feeds, but was too inaccurate for some forages like fodder beets, maize silage and ear-maize silage.
Effects of extended exercise and carbohydrate feedings on substrate oxidation and muscle glycogenolysis

PU RPO SE: The purpose o f this study was to examine the effects o f exogenous carbohydrate intake during eight hours o f prolonged exercise on muscle glycogenolysis and whole-body substrate oxidation. M ETHODS: Eight well-trained males participated in two 8-hour exercise trials. During each hour, subjects repeated 25 minutes cycle ergometer exercise, 5 minutes rest, 25 minutes treadmill exercise, and 5 minutes rest. Each 25 minute exercise segment consisted o f two steady state and three interval work bouts. Muscle biopsies were obtained preand post-exercise. Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, after hour 4, and post-exercise. Metabolic gases were collected during hours 1,4, 5, and 8. Every 15 minutes, subjects ingested 150 mL of either a 10% carbohydrate solution (CHO) or a sweetened placebo (PLA). Subjects were provided with a standardized breakfast and lunch. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the rate o f muscle glycogenolysis between trials (9.4 ±2.1 and 13.7 ± 4.6 mmol kg wet wt.‘*hr'’ for CHO and PLA, respectively). Rates o f whole-body carbohydrate oxidation demonstrated a general maintenance throughout exercise for the CHO trial but showed a decline throughout the PLA trial. Blood glucose and insulin were higher for CHO after hour 4 and post exercise compared to PLA. CONCLUSION: The results from this study suggest that regular exogenous carbohydrate feedings during prolonged, intermittent exercise attenuate muscle glycogenolysis while maintaining plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and rates o f whole-body carbohydrate oxidation. KEY W ORDS: substrate oxidation, muscle glycogenolysis, prolonged exercise
Changes in Morpho-Physiology, Water Relations and Nutrients in ‘Tukra’ Diseased Leaves of A Few Mulberry Varieties

' Tukra' disease was observed in M-5, MR-2, Kosen, Ichinose, Gosoerami, BC2-59, Tr-4 and 5-13 mulberry varieties during December March, 1992. Disease incidence was more in Ichinose and least in Kosen and BC2-59. As the plant resumed normal growth, there was proliferation of multiple shoots (3-7) from the diseased region which is reported for the first time. 'Tukra' affected leaves of S-13 did not show significant difference in moisture content. Striking increase in chloroplast pigments was observed in all tukra-affected leaves. Total soluble proteins in tukra-affected leaves decreased in all mulberry varieties except MR-2. No significant change in sugar content was observed in 'Tukra' leaves. Increased content of total sucrose was noticed in S -13, M-5 and Ichinose. But starch content was drastically reduced in S-13, M-5, Ichinose, Gosoerami (51-66%) and the reduction was lesser in MR-2, Kosen, BC2-59 and Tr-4 (13-21%). In all the mulberry varieties 'tukra'-affected leaves showed increase in total free amino acids. Except MR-2, and Tr-4, all the other tukra-affected leaves contained higher content of total phenol. Feeding of 'tukra' affected leaves did not interfere with silkworm rearing and cocoon yield. It may be due to retainability of moisture, chloroplast pigments, nutrients and all morin factors in tukra-affected leaves. Based on incidence and occurrence, the following varieties may be considered to be comparatively resistant to the occurrence of tukra in the order of preference as follows: Kosen>BC2-59>MR-2>S-13
Structure and development of complex plasmodesmata

This thesis presents an investigation into the development of plasmodesmata (PD), which are specialised pores in plant cell walls through which the cytosol and membranes of neighbouring cells are linked. Modification of PD from their initial single-tube (‘simple’) structures to branched (‘complex’) structures is an important part of tissue maturation as it allows cells to restrict the movement of syplasmically mobile molecules including hormones, RNAs and proteins. Conversion of PD from simple to complex is co-ordinated across large populations of cells to produce symplasmic domains, transport barriers, and preferential transport pathways. The development of PD is therefore intrinsic to the wider development and morphogenesis of cells, tissues, and organs. The aim of this project was to investigate the development of PD from simple to complex, particularly during the predictable, large-scale conversion of PD structure that accompanies the leaf transition from sink state to source. To study this I used transgenic plants expressing a GFP-tagged viral protein which accumulates specifically in complex PD, while leaving simple PD unlabelled. The project follows the development of complex PD from the early stages of leaf development to maturity using a range of microscopy techniques. Structured illumination microscopy was used to view labelled PD at super resolution, which gave new structural details about complex PD using a breakthrough technology. Conventional and high-throughput confocal and electron microscopy were used to localise PD within tissues in a broad survey of PD location in leaves to identify patterns of PD development. An imaging chamber was developed that allowed the development of complex PD to be viewed in real time and identified conditions that can trigger structural conversion of PD. Finally, a high-throughput microscopy study was performed to identify how hormones, sugar availability, environmental stresses, defence responses and inhibitors can affect PD development.
Who Watches the Watchmen: Evidence of the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on New York City Policing

A flurry of research examining the effect of body-worn cameras (BWCs) on policing has arrived at mixed and inconclusive set findings. We present a multi-year study of the precinct-by-precinct rollout of BWCs in the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the largest metropolitan police force in the United States. Our study adds meaningfully to the prior body of work and begins to clarify some of the discord within it, particularly with respect to large urban police departments. We estimate the effect of BWC deployment on precinct volumes of citizen stops, arrests, complaints against officers and use-of-force incidents. Results indicate that BWCs lead to both significant increases in police stops of citizens, and significant decreases in arrests and citizen complaints. We find no significant change in the use of force by officers. We also document evidence of significant heterogeneity in the nature of stops and complaints. Our findings speak to at least three potential benefits of BWCs in urban law enforcement: (1) an increase in legitimate proactive policing; (2) a decrease in citizen complaints alleging that the police have abused their authority; and (3) a reduction in arrests (which appears to be beneficial regardless of whether the reduction is a result of modified behavior on the part of police, citizens, or both).
Analyse de l'expression d'une nouvelle cytokine, l'interleukine-27, dans les lymphocytes normaux et tumoraux et de son rôle au cours de la différenciation lymphocytaire B normale

L'interleukine (IL)-27, constituee de EBV-induced gene 3 (EBI3) et de p28, joue un role important dans la regulation des reponses T. Son role dans la reponse B est peu connu. EBI3 est une proteine induite in vitro par l'oncogene viral LMP1 via l'activation de NF-kB. Ce travail montre qu'EBI3 est egalement induite par l'oncogene Tax du virus HTLV-1, de facon dependante de NF-kB, et est exprimee in situ par les cellules tumorales dans les lymphomes EBV+ LMP1+ et dans certains lymphomes associes a l'HTLV-1, en l'absence de detection de p28. Nous montrons que l'IL-27 a des effets directs sur le lymphocyte B humain, modules au cours de la differenciation et dependants du type de co-stimulation. EBI3, mais pas p28, est exprimee par des cellules B du centre germinatif (CG) et par les cellules tumorales de lymphomes B d'origine du CG. Ces resultats suggerent un role d'EBI3 independamment de son association a p28.
Promoting Reflexivity and Reflectivity in Counselling, Education, and Research

Though reflectivity and reflexivity are often perceived as similar concepts with overlaps they both have variations and need to be understood as unique constructs with different manifestations within the field of counselling psychology. Both terms are relevant to the counselling profession; they play a role in how we as counselling psychologists promote and maintain culturally-appropriate interactions with diverse clients. The aim of this paper is to recommend that it is incumbent for us as counselling professionals to engage in reflective and reflexive practices to ensure that we are working in the best interest of everyone we engage with. With the understanding that both concepts are critical components of being ethical, responsive and active in our professional stance, we as counselling psychologists 1 are encouraged to use reflection and reflexivity to develop a good understanding of themselves and our identities inside and outside of the counselling context. It is hoped that this paper will enable the audience to generate meaningful discussions about practical ways to promote consciousness-raising around reflective and reflexive practices; particularly, as we strive to facilitate change in a supportive and safe environment when working within and across various social-cultural and historical contexts.
Toward effective nature conservation on farmland: making farmers matter

Until now the main instrument to counteract the loss of biodiversity and landscape quality in the European countryside has been agri‐environment schemes (AES), which offer short‐term payments for performing prescribed environmental management behaviors. In our opinion this approach is, in its current set‐up, not a sustainable way of enhancing biodiversity and landscape quality. Here we will argue that conservation in agricultural areas is also a social challenge. To change farmers’ behaviors toward more sustainable conservation of farmland biodiversity, instruments should aim to influence individual farmer's motivation and behavior. We should aim to place farmland biodiversity “in the hands and minds of farmers. ”
Work – Life Conflicts among Women in Malaysia: A Preliminary Study

Gender related studies are always engaging. Due to higher percentage of working women, many efforts are channeled to explore issues pertaining to women-at-work. Since many of these working women are also married and some with children, they seem to be dealing with more work-life conflict issues than men. Based on quantitative findings on 118 working women in the country, the following findings were drawn. Household responsibilities and financial needs have significant effect towards work-life conflicts. The rising costs of raising a family and having to deal and balance the responsibilities at work and at home seem to contribute to the work-life conflicts. However, the study failed to establish a significant relationship between workplace environment and work-life conflicts. It is hoped that the outcome of this study could shed some light on greater understanding about women at work.