Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
College Student Views on Criminality and Community Correctional Sanctions: A High-Impact Practice

ABSTRACT College students’ perceptions and how those viewpoints can be impacted by education are vital to many academic fields, especially that of criminology and criminal justice. This research project measured college student perceptions toward general aspects of criminality and community corrections sanctions in addition to their change in perceptions once exposed to a high-impact learning practice in an upper-level undergraduate community corrections course. Overall, significant changes in attitudes were noted between male and female students and students who reported not having experience as a victim of crime from those who do have victimization experience. The current study has the potential to help scholars better understand if student views toward criminality and community corrections programming are impacted by high-impact learning practices in the classroom as well as to assist in the future implementation of high-impact practices within community corrections courses.
Soybean seed lustre phenotype and surface protein cosegregate and map to linkage group E.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) seeds vary in their surface properties. The lustre, or glossiness, of seeds has been classified into several different phenotypes. Soybean seeds that have a dull lustre or moderate bloom (B) may also have abundant seed surface protein, namely, an abundance of the hydrophobic protein from soybean (HPS). The seed surface protein HPS is an allergen (Gly m 1) that causes asthma in persons allergic to soybean dust. In this study, seed lustre and surface protein content are compared among 71 different soybean cultivars and lines. Dull-seeded phenotypes usually possessed abundant surface protein in comparison to shiny-seeded types, although exceptions were observed. An F2 population of 82 individuals from a cross of OX281 (dull lustre, abundant HPS) and Mukden (shiny lustre, trace amounts of HPS) provided a basis for inheritance studies and genetic mapping analysis. Results indicate that dull seed lustre (B) and surface protein (Hps) loci are dominant Mendelian traits that cosegregate and map to soybean linkage group E. Molecular markers were used to construct a genetic map of 28 cM encompassing B and Hps. Two different molecular markers cosegregated with each of the loci. This study provides additional evidence that Hps may play a role in the adhesion of endocarp tissues to the seed, and offers new methods of selection for seed lustre and surface protein composition in soybean.
Correlation between Clinical and Histological Findings in Parathyroid Tumors Suspicious for Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the parathyroid is a rare malignancy that can be cured surgically if the proper diagnosis and treatment is given initially. Arriving to the clinical suspicion of a malignancy preoperatively is by far the most important step for a good prognosis. Our goal is to review the correlation between clinical and final histopathological findings that can arouse the suspicion of such malignancy and their true predictive value in the diagnosis. All patients that underwent surgical removal of the parathyroid mass between March of 1992 and March of 2003 were reviewed retrospectively at Providence Hospital and Medical Centers. Among 168 patients who underwent parathyroid excision, 14 (8.3%) had hyperplasia of the parathyroid, 121 (72%) had benign adenoma, 25 (14.8%) had other benign lesions, and 8 (4.7%) patients had primary carcinoma of the parathyroid confirmed by pathology. Our mean serum calcium level was 11.57 mg/dL, which was lower than the mean level (12 mg/dL) for benign hyperparathyroidism. The mean tumor size was 2.18 cm, smaller than the proposed for malignant criteria, and none of the eight patients (0%) had any symptoms of hypercalcemia at the time of diagnosis. Seven of eight patients (87.5%) had frank signs of invasion together with other histological features, and two patients had associated papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Five patients from our series did not meet clinical criteria for malignancy (tumor size > 3 cm, palpable mass, and serum calcium > 14 mg/dL), but had undisputable histological findings (high mitotic pattern, fibrous trabeculae, capsular invasion, vascular invasion, and nodular involvement). On the other hand, 17 patients with benign histology had tumors greater than 3 cm, and an additional 18 had palpable masses on physical examination. We believe that these patients need to be followed closely. The patients with diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma, their kindred, and those with large adenomas may benefit from genetic screening for HRTP2 gene mutations in search of early detection of tumors suspicious for malignancy. This is based on the fact that we did not find correlation between the clinical presentation and the histological features in our patients with proven malignancy.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND

Over the past decade, Northern New Englanders have focused on expanding local agricultural production despite a lack of economic research on regional market dynamics. This thesis follows a two-tiered approach to investigate the consumers and producers of local agriculture in northern New England. The first tier identifies the current constraints and expansion barriers faced by regional local growers using focus group methods. The second tier investigates regional consumers’ purchasing habits, values, and willingness to pay for locally grown fresh produce using a consumer survey and discrete choice analysis techniques. The qualitative results from producer focus groups (n = 48) suggest that local growers from Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire would face financial restrictions if they were to expand their farming operations. Additionally, challenges with laborers and consumers hinder current local production efforts in the region. The regional consumer survey results (n = 647) suggest that consumers from Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire care most about maintaining local farmlands, supporting the local economy, and buying produce that is cultivated without pesticides when choosing to purchase fresh produce. Locally grown produce is seen as superior in its ability to support the local economy, in its freshness, and in its quality; however, local prices are still a top deterrent for those who choose not to purchase locally grown produce. The consumer discrete choice analysis results suggest a weak regional demand for a wide range of local produce options. For example, only local tomatoes and green beans command a price premium from all three states, with percent price premiums ranging from 35-81% and 28-46% for each produce item, respectively. The constraints in supplying local produce are possibly compounded by the consumers’ relatively weak willingness to pay for a variety of local produce options. The combination of both producer and consumer results allow for a better understanding the economic challenges that face local agriculture expansion in the northeast region.
English Only Vs. Bilingual Education: Ensuring a Language-Competent Society

There has been a resurgence of interest in the question of whether English should be designated the o££iciallanguage of the United States. The leading organization of English Only advocates, US. English, has attracted considerable support for its campaign to win official status for English. It hopes to accomplish this purpose by any of several methods: an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, state legislation, or repeal of laws and regulations permittingpublic business to be conducted in a language other than English. However, a counter group, English Plus, has also won a following. It supports the acquisition and use of English for all U.S. residents [for example, by increasing the number of Adult English-as-a-Second-Language and literacy programs for adult immigrants], but also promotes bilingual education for the growing number of immigrant and other linguistic minority children in U.S. schools. English Plus also advocates broadening the range of health and other social services available to individuals who speak languages other than English. Eighteen states have enacted laws designating English as the official state language. These states are Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, 'Iennessee, and Virginia. Unlike the other states, however, Hawaii has not one, but two official languages: English and Hawaiian. As various states have considered constitutional amendments making English the official language, legal scholars have examined the constitutional provisions that apply to language rights issues in the classroom, workplace, courtroom, and social service agencies [Piatt, 19901. The issue is hotly contested. In Arizona, for example, District Court Judge Paul G. Robinson
Base sequence differences between the RNA components of Harvey sarcoma virus

The 50 to 70S RNA of the Harvey sarcoma-Moloney leukemia virus (MLV) complex consists of 30 to 40S RNA subunits of two different size classes and contains sequences homologous to Moloney mouse leukemia virus and to information contained in a C-type rat virus, termed NRK virus. We have isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis the large (component 1) and the small (component 2) 30 to 40S RNA species from the Harvey sarcoma-MLV complex. Harvey RNA component 1 was completely complementary to DNA transcribed from MLV RNA and showed no homology to DNA transcribed from NRK virus when annealed under conditions of DNA excess. Harvey RNA component 2 was about 65% complementary to MLV DNA and about 33% complementary to NRK virus DNA. Approximately 60 to 80% of the MLV-specific sequences in RNA component 2 is either a distinct molecular species or is part of a hydrid molecular including NRK virus- and MLV-specific sequences. The rest of the MLV sequences in component 2 could be accounted for by degraded component 1 co-purifying with component 2. The possible role of these sequences in the ability of the virus to transform cells is discussed.
Empirical Analysis on Efficiency of Listed Real Estate Companies in China by DEA

The real estate industry plays an important role in the economic development in China. The purposes of this paper are to measure the operating efficiency of the real estate industry and also compare the different influencing factors on the efficiency. 30 companies listed in Shenzhen and Shanghai markets are selected as the sample companies of operating efficiency study. The data is collected from 2009 until 2015. C2R and B2C models of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) are used to derive findings. The present study applied Tobit regression model to study different factors’ influence on the efficiency. We concluded that efficiency was not high among most companies and the efficiency gap was quite wide. The results of the Tobit regression model showed that the efficiency was positively correlated with the net interest rate and education level, not so correlated with proportion of the first major shareholders and negatively with asset-liability ratio. Based on the conclusions, the paper put forward some specific suggestions.
Framework for Evaluating and Comparing Performance of Power System Reliability Criteria

Evolutions in the power system challenge the manner in which power system reliability is managed. In particular, currently used reliability criteria, typically the deterministic N-1 criterion, are increasingly inadequate. Moving to an alternative approach is difficult as quantifying benefits is hard in a multifaceted environment and system operators are reluctant to move away from the easy and transparent existing criterion. This paper presents a generic framework to evaluate and compare socio-economic and reliability performance of power system reliability criteria, focussing on the short term decision making process of transmission system operators (TSO). The framework can also be used to tune the parameters of reliability criteria. Short term operational planning and real time operation TSO decision making processes are simulated considering various reliability criteria. The framework is applied to a 5 node test system and the 24 node IEEE reliability test system, showing that the applied probabilistic reliability criterion outperforms deterministic N-0 and N-1 approaches in those systems in terms of expected reliability and socio-economic indicator values. The effect is larger in the bigger system with more operational flexibility.
Energy-Delay Optimization of the STT MRAM Write Operation Under Process Variations

Due to an inherently high write current, spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memories suffer from high write time/energy. Typical write schemes using voltage sources aggravate write time/energy due to the source degeneration of the access transistor and high sensitivity to the process variations. In this paper, we propose a new write technique that uses “current sources” to mitigate the impact of process variations on the switching performance compared to “voltage sources. ” Using current sources for write, we determine the optimal biasing conditions that minimize write energy or write energy-delay product (EDP). However, the optimal biasing conditions are different for “0”→“1” and “1”→“0” transition, and hence, we propose a two-step write. Writing an entire word in a memory array involves certain bit-cells being written “1” (“0”→“1”) and other bit-cells written “0” (“1”→“0”), if redundant writes (“0”→“0” and “1”→“1”) are ignored. As the first step of write, the bit-cells that require “0” to be written are suitably biased for low energy or low EDP, while the bit-cells requiring “0”→“1” transition are turned OFF (i.e., don't care bit-cells during step 1). In step 2, the bit-cells requiring “1” to be written are biased for low energy or low EDP (cells requiring “1”→“0” transition are don't care bit-cells during step 2). The proposed write results in the reduction of switching time by 52% and write energy by 73% compared to the typical one-step write based on voltage sources.
Modelling the decrement in running intensity within professional soccer players

ABSTRACT Knowledge of the most intense periods of competitive soccer may assist in the development of specific training methodologies. Objectives: To quantify the peak running intensity of professional soccer and to establish the rate of decline in this intensity as a function of time. Methods: Activity profiles were obtained from 24 players across 40 professional matches. Peak values were calculated for moving averages 1–10 minutes in duration for relative distance (m∙min−1), high-speed relative distance (HS m∙min−1), average acceleration/deceleration (m∙s2) and metabolic power (Pmet). To quantify the decrease in running intensity for longer moving average durations, each measure was evaluated relative to the moving average duration, as a power law relationship. Results: Peak relative distance and Pmet were lowest for central defenders (effect size [ES] = 0.79–1.84), whilst acceleration/deceleration intensity was highest for wide defenders (ES = 0.67–1.42). Differences in the rate of decline in running intensity between positions were considered trivial to small, indicating a similar rate of decline in running intensity across positions. Conclusions: Using power law, the peak running intensities of professional soccer can now be predicted as a function of time, providing coaches with a useful tool for the prescription and monitoring of specific training drills.
Impact of Forward and Backward Scattering and Corneal Higher-Order Aberrations on Visual Acuity after Penetrating Keratoplasty

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the relationship of forward and backward scattering and corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) with corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods: This retrospective study comprised 25 eyes of 25 consecutive patients who underwent PK using the VisuMax femtosecond laser system and age-matched 25 eyes of 25 healthy subjects. We quantitatively assessed objective scattering index (OSI) using the double-pass instrument (OQAS II, Visiometrics), corneal densitometry (CD) and corneal HOAs with the Scheimpflug rotating camera (Pentacam HR, Oculus) 1 year postoperatively. Results: The OSI, CD, and corneal HOAs were significantly larger in the PK group than those in the control group (p ≤ 0.011). We found significant correlations of logMAR CDVA with the OSI (r = 0.477, p = 0.016), and with the anterior, posterior, and total corneal HOAs of the central 4-mm zone (anterior: r = 0.573, p = 0.003, posterior: r = 0.596, p = 0.002, total: r = 0.472, p = 0.017), but no significant association with the CD of the 0–2 mm zone at any layers (anterior: r = 0.236, p = 0.257, center: r = 0.139, p = 0.506, posterior: r = 0.073, p = 0.728, total: r = 0.212, p = 0.308). Similar results were obtained when the analysis was repeated with corneal HOAs of the central 6-mm zone and CDs in 2–6 mm zone. Conclusions: Our pilot study demonstrated that the postoperative CDVA was significantly correlated with OSI and corneal HOAs, but not with backward scattering in post-PK eyes, suggesting that OSI as well as corneal HOAs plays an essential role in postoperative visual performance after PK.
The Effect of Estate Tax Change on the Controlling Shareholding Structure and Corporate Value of Family Firms

Manuscript type. Empirical. <br><br>Research question/issue. Estate tax planning has always been a primary concern of large shareholders when arranging the controlling shareholding structure of family firms. This paper provides evidence on the effect of a drastic change in estate tax on the shareholding structure of family‐controlled firms in Taiwan, as well as the impact of these changes on the firms' corporate value. We examine a 2008 policy change in Taiwan that substantially reduced the estate tax from a maximum rate of 50% to a single tax rate of 10%. Research findings/insights. We analyze a 12‐year period from 2002 to 2014 looking at data of family‐controlled, listed companies with IPOs prior to 2001. The empirical results reveal a reduced motivation among controlling families to circumvent estate tax through altering the shareholding structure after the law change. The results also reveal a positive impact on firm value as a result of the reduction in the tax burden of controlling families. These findings contribute to the family firm and tax literature and provide insight into the effects of tax policy change on the controlling structure of family firms and the consequent benefits on firm value. <br><br>Theoretical/academic implications. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first empirical study that establishes a significant relationship between estate tax and tax‐avoidance behaviors reflected in the change of the shareholding structure of a family firm. Many research topics linking estate tax with other corporate governance issues in family firms are here unexplored. <br><br>Practitioner/policy implications. For the policymaker, this study highlights the increase of firm value due to a reduction in the estate tax rate. Moreover, a tax‐friendly environment can help the controlling family commit themselves to the proper management of the firm instead of expending effort on tax minimization to safeguard their wealth.
What Remains of Milton Friedman's Monetarism?

From the early 1960s until the early 1970s with the emergence of rational expectations, under the rubric of monetarism, Milton Friedman defined macroeconomic debate. Although the Keynesian consensus that he challenged has disappeared, the current academic literature makes little reference to monetarist ideas. What happened to them? The argument here is that those ideas remain relevant but require translation into terms expressible in modern macroeconomic models and in the monetary policies of central banks, neither of which contain any obvious references to money. Moreover, the Friedman and Schwartz methodology for identifying shocks retains relevance.
Binding of the Src SH2 domain to phosphopeptides is determined by residues in both the SH2 domain and the phosphopeptides

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains are found in a variety of signaling proteins and bind phosphotyrosine-containing peptide sequences. To explore the binding properties of the SH2 domain of the Src protein kinase, we used immobilized phosphopeptides to bind purified glutathione S-transferase-Src SH2 fusion proteins. With this assay, as well as a free-peptide competition assay, we have estimated the affinities of the Src SH2 domain for various phosphopeptides relative to a Src SH2-phosphopeptide interaction whose Kd has been determined previously (YEEI-P; Kd = 4 nM). Two Src-derived phosphopeptides, one containing the regulatory C-terminal Tyr-527 and another containing the autophosphorylation site Tyr-416, bind the Src SH2 domain in a specific though low-affinity manner (with about 10(4)-lower affinity than the YEEI-P peptide). A platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R) phosphopeptide containing Tyr-857 does not bind appreciably to the Src SH2 domain, suggesting it is not the PDGF-R binding site for Src as previously reported. However, another PDGF-R-derived phosphopeptide containing Tyr-751 does bind the Src SH2 domain (with an affinity approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of YEEI-P). All of the phosphopeptides which bind to the Src SH2 domain contain a glutamic acid at position -3 or -4 with respect to phosphotyrosine; changing this residue to alanine greatly diminishes binding. We have also tested Src SH2 mutants for their binding properties and have interpreted our results in light of the recent crystal structure solution for the Src SH2 domain. Mutations in various conserved and nonconserved residues (R155A, R155K, N198E, H201R, and H201L) cause slight reductions in binding, while two mutations cause severe reductions. The W148E mutant domain, which alters the invariant tryptophan that marks the N-terminal border of the SH2 domain, binds poorly to phosphopeptides. Inclusion of the SH3 domain in the fusion protein partially restores the binding by the W148E mutant. A change in the invariant arginine that coordinates twice with phosphotyrosine in the peptide (R175L) results in a nearly complete loss of binding. The R175L mutant does display high affinity for the PDGF-R peptide containing Tyr-751, via an interaction that is at least partly phosphotyrosine independent. We have used this interaction to show that the R175L mutation also disrupts the intramolecular interaction between the Src SH2 domain and the phosphorylated C terminus within the context of the entire Src protein; thus, the binding properties observed for mutant domains in an in vitro assay appear to mimic those that occur in vivo.