Overview of Data Mining`s Potential Benefits and Limitations in Education Research

Education researchers are increasingly interested in applying data mining approaches, but to date, there has been no overarching exposition of their methodological advantages and disadvantages to the field. This is partly because the use of data mining in education research is relatively new, so its value and consequences are not yet well understood. Yet statisticians, sociologists and those who study computer-based education have discussed the methodological merits of data mining in education research. This article brings together their perspectives, providing an interdisciplinary overview of potential benefits and drawbacks. The benefits, regardless of scholar background, largely emphasize the speed and ease with which data mining approaches can help explore very large datasets. Perceived drawbacks, however, differ based on disciplinary expertise. For example, statisticians question data mining’s exploratory nature and non-reliance on sampling theory, while sociologists raise concerns about an excessive reliance on data in research designs and in understandings of education. Accessed 1,817 times on https://pareonline.net from October 14, 2018 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

T/B scaling without quasiparticle mass divergence: YbCo2Ge4

YbCo$_2$Ge$_4$ is a clean paramagnetic Kondo lattice which displays non-Fermi liquid behavior. We report a detailed investigation of the specific heat, magnetic Gr\"uneisen parameter ($\Gamma_{\rm mag}$) and temperature derivative of the magnetization ($M$) on a high-quality single crystal at temperatures down to $0.1$~K and magnetic fields up to 7~T. $\Gamma_{\rm mag}$ and $dM/dT$ display a divergence upon cooling and obey $T/B$ scaling. Similar behavior has previously been found in several other Yb-based Kondo lattices and related to a zero-field quantum critical point without fine tuning of pressure or composition. However, in the approach of $B\rightarrow 0$ the electronic heat capacity coefficient of YbCo$_2$Ge$_4$ saturates at low $T$, excluding ferromagnetic quantum criticality. This indicates that $T/B$ scaling is insufficient to prove a zero-field quantum critical point.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures (including supplemental material

A sequencing protocol of some DNA regions in nuclear, chloroplastic and mitochondrial genomes with an individual colony of Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii Cleve (Bacillariophyceae)

From cultured cells of micro algal species of Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii Cleve, total DNA was extracted with a buffer containing a chelating agent, Chelex 100. Each DNA fragment for 18s rDNA, 16s rDNA and coxI in nuclear, chloroplastic and mitochondrial genomes, respectively, were amplified from the DNA extracts by polymerase chain reactions, and their sequences were determined. This protocol for determining DNA sequences, was scaled down for the DNA extracts from small amounts of cells. Finally, DNA sequences in genomes were determined with 10 cells collected by a micromanipulation technique. The quantity of cells corresponded to an individual colony of this species. With this protocol, DNA sequences in various regions in genomes of each individual micro algal species living in natural environments can be determined directly, without isolation of strains and cultures

Structural Features of Antiviral APOBEC3 Proteins are Linked to Their Functional Activities

Human APOBEC3 (A3) proteins are cellular cytidine deaminases that potently restrict the replication of retroviruses by hypermutating viral cDNA and/or inhibiting reverse transcription. There are seven members of this family including A3A, B, C, DE, F, G, and H, all encoded in a tandem array on human chromosome 22. A3F and A3G are the most potent inhibitors of HIV-1, but only in the absence of the virus-encoded protein, Vif. HIV-1 utilizes Vif to abrogate A3 functions in the producer cells. More specifically, Vif, serving as a substrate receptor, facilitates ubiquitination of A3 proteins by forming a Cullin5 (Cul5)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, which targets A3 proteins for rapid proteasomal degradation. The specificity of A3 degradation is determined by the ability of Vif to bind to the target. Several lines of evidence have suggested that three distinct regions of A3 proteins are involved in the interaction with Vif. Here, we review the biological functions of A3 family members with special focus on A3G and base our analysis on the available structural information

Ultra-low formations in the exchange rates of Japanese yen and BRICs countries\u27 currencies, and ultra increase in the competitive powers of export prices in the period of high economic growth

　This paper clarifies the real states of ultra-low level in the exchange rates of Japanese Yen and BRICs countries\u27 currencies in the period of high economic growth.　The paper clarifies the real state and the mechanism of ultra increase in the competitive powers of export prices brought about by the ultra-low exchange rate formations in the currencies concerned, through the case of the competitive power differential formantions of the export prices between rice grown in Japan and rice grown in China.　I developed ""the money value parity"" and ""the realization rate of the currency value"" as a new concept and index to analyze exchange rates. The money value parity shows the true reasonable exchange rate. The realization rate of the currency value shows the percentage of the money value parity taken up by the exchange rate, or the exchange rate level.　The realization rate of the Yen value in the period of high economic growth is 9〜30% under the fixed exchange rate system of US$1=360 yen. That of the Chinese Yuan value is 1.4〜4.7$1=107.77yen. That of Chinese Yuan is US$1=8.2785yuan. That of Japanese Yen shows reasonable level near the money value parity, but that of Chinese Yuan shows ultra low, ultra underestimation. As the exchange rate of Chinese Yuan rises, Chinese rice export price rises. When that of Chinese Yuan is US$1=1.2896yuan, Chinese rice export price becomes equal to Japanese producer price. When that of Chinese Yuan is US$1=0.1705yuan (the money value parity), Chinese rice export price exceeds Japanese producer price by 7.6 times. The position reverses itself.論文 (Article

Improvement Effect of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Hyperlipidemia in Miniature Schnauzer Dogs: An Open Study in 5 Cases of One Pedigree

This is the first study to examine the long-term effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid mainly on serum lipoproteins in dogs with hyperlipidemia. We studied 5 Miniature Schnauzer cases whose fasting serum total triglyceride and very-low-density lipoprotein of triglyceride levels were extremely high (635 ± 116 and 520 ± 92 mg/dL, respectively). Although the total cholesterol values were normal, the very-low-density lipoprotein of cholesterol level was high (49 ± 7 mg/dL). Each dog received a 5-aminolevulinic acid supplement (5 mg/day) orally for 6 months. The mean values of total triglyceride, verylow- density lipoprotein of both triglyceride and cholesterol decreased significantly after the treatment period (319 ± 29, 245 ± 18, and 27 ± 2 mg/dL, respectively, P < 0.05). Our present results may present evidence that 5-ALA administration contributes to improvement of hyperlipidemia in Miniature Schnauzer

Study of a self quenching streamer mode in pure gases of DME and isobutane

A self quenching streamer (SQS), or limited streamer mode has been studied in single wire chambers with cross-sections 12x12 mm and wire diameters 15, 25 and 50 microns. Chambers were filled with either pure dimethyl ether (DME) or isobutane gases and irradiated with Gd-148 alpha and Fe-55 x-ray sources. Clear transitions from a proportional to 100% SQS mode were observed on all three diameter wires with both gases irradiated with alpha particles. Double SQS discharges due to inclined tracks observed in DME gas allowed an estimation of a streamer size along the wire of less than 1 mm. The second SQS discharge appears less than 1 mm from the first within about 500 ns. Charge spectra obtained with DME irradiated with Fe-55 x-rays might also be interpreted as a transition to a SQS mode, although no direct evidence of that was seen in the observed pulse shapes