Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Key Competences across the Curriculum--And Europe.

The development of key competences for lifelong learning has been an important policy imperative for EU Member States. The European Reference Framework of key competences (2006) built on previous developments by the OECD, UNESCO and Member States themselves. It defined key competences as knowledge, skills and attitudes applied appropriately to contexts. Now most Member States have incorporated key competences, or similarly broad learning outcomes, into their school curriculum frameworks. This is a necessary but insufficient step towards implementation; for the effective development of learners' key competences, assessment must also change. This article focuses on the challenge of assessing cross-curricular key competences in primary and secondary education. It is based on a major study for the European Commission (Gordon, et al., 2009), which drew on information gathered and validated with the help of experts in each of the 27 EU Member States. The study's typology of assessment provides a basis for reviewing some recent developments in Member States. Present challenges and innovative responses are addressed, including ‘unpacking’ key competences, ‘mapping’ them to contexts and ‘accessment’ of their full scope and range. Policy developments are considered in the context of the author's work with the European Commission's Thematic Working Group on the assessment of key competences. The article concludes with considerations for policy and practice.
Identification With All Humanity as a Moral Concept and Psychological Construct

Studies of those who rescued Jews during the Holocaust suggest that their most shared quality was a sense “of belonging to one human family” (Monroe, 1996, p. 205), caring deeply about human beings without regard for their race, religion, or other distinction. In this article, we first note the development of the concept of “one humanity” since the late 15th century, and then we summarize recent work with a new measure of that caring—the Identification With All Humanity Scale (IWAH). Research with the IWAH establishes that identification with all humanity is more than (a) an absence of prejudice and its sources and (b) the sum of positive qualities, such as dispositional empathy and principled moral reasoning. Many people appear to intuit that a mature moral person would identify with all humanity, even when they do not do so themselves. Finally, a brief discussion is offered of how identification with all humanity may develop or could be taught.
Association of cerebral emboli with accelerated cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

OBJECTIVE Spontaneous cerebral emboli occur frequently in patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The authors investigated the effect of cerebral emboli on cognitive and functional decline in both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia patients over a 2-year period. METHOD Cerebral emboli entering the middle cerebral arteries were counted at baseline and every 6 months over the following 18 months using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in 144 patients with dementia (Alzheimer's disease, N=84; vascular dementia, N=60). Deterioration in cognition was measured every 6 months over 2 years using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog), the Mini-Mental State Examination (to assess cognition), the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia (to assess function), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (to assess behavioral and psychological symptoms). The relationship between cerebral emboli and progression of dementia was analyzed using longitudinal regression modeling, adjusted for age, sex, diagnostic subtype, age at onset of dementia, and significant vascular risk factors. RESULTS Spontaneous cerebral emboli were detected in 63 (44%) dementia patients, 36 (43%) Alzheimer's disease patients, and 27 (45%) vascular dementia patients. ADAS-Cog scores revealed faster deterioration in cognitive functioning in patients with cerebral emboli over 2 years, with a mean increase in score of 15.4 in these patients, compared with only 6.0 for those without cerebral emboli. Similarly, Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia scores revealed more rapid deterioration in those with cerebral emboli, with a mean increase in score of 59.0 in these patients, compared with 17.9 for those without cerebral emboli. Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores also indicated faster decline in patients with cerebral emboli, with a mean increase in score of 12.0 in these patients, compared with a mean decrease in score of -3.8 for patients in whom no emboli were detected. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous cerebral emboli predict more rapid progression of dementia over 2 years in both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Clinical trials on the inhibition of cerebral emboli in the prevention and treatment of dementia are needed.
Methodology Needs Analytics: A Rejoinder to Martyn Hammersley

Martyn Hammersley takes issue with our article on two levels: First, as an argument on its own terms, in which he problematizes issues around naturalism and the one-way mirror dilemma, reactivity, and the relationship between methodology and analytics. Second, he uses to it to make broader criticisms of conversation analysis [CA] more generally. Thus, he questions the priority given to tape recording in CA, and the methodological value of CA. We have both written previously in defence (albeit sometimes critical) of the conversation analytic method in sociology (e.g. Hutchby, 1996, 1999; Hutchby and Wooffitt, 1998; Speer, 1999, 2001a, 2001b). In what follows, therefore, we will address our response to what we believe are the most significant points at issue between us: (i) the one-way mirror dilemma and naïve naturalism; (ii) the ‘problem’ of reactivity; and (iii) the principle of reflexivity. We highlight areas where we agree as well as those where we disagree. Broadly, while we disagree with Hammersley’s interpretation of the overall aims of our piece, and his misrepresentation of CA as a method, we nonetheless agree with the position that researchers should deal with the whole issue of ‘reactivity’ (whether it be deemed a ‘problem’ or not) by adopting a reflexive approach to analysis. We suggest, however, that while Hammersley recommends such an approach as an alternative to the perspective put forward in our article, he does not provide any evidence or indication of what such an orientation would look like in his own or others’ work. Indeed, we believe that it is us and not Hammersley who provide a convincing demonstration of just the kind of reflexive approach he argues for. We suggest, finally, that a methodological commitment to reflexivity means very little unless one possesses the analytic resources to put such reflexivity into practice in a convincing way, and thus produce findings about reactivity that are actually borne out by one’s data.
Toward a Conceptualization of Mixed Methods Phenomenological Research

Increasingly, researchers are recognizing the benefits of expanding research designs that are rooted in one tradition (i.e., monomethod design) into a design that incorporates or interfaces with the other tradition. The flexibility of phenomenologically driven methods provides one such example. Indeed, phenomenological research methods work extremely well as a component of mixed methods research approaches. However, to date, a mixed methods version of phenomenological research has not been formally conceptualized. Thus, the purpose of this article is twofold. First, we provide a philosophical justification for using what we call mixed methods phenomenological research (MMPR). Second, we provide examples of MMPR in practice to underline a number of potential models for MMPR that can practically be used in future research.
Socially Desirable Responding in Organizational Behavior: A Reconception

Socially desirable responding (SDR) refers to presenting oneself favorably regarding current social norms and standards. While SDR has concerned organizational researchers as a contaminant in self-assessment, it is argued here that such a presumption is inappropriate and that SDR may represent content variance in some settings. Further, a two-component model of SDR as self-deception and impression management is presented. One or both components of SDR may be related conceptually to the variable of interest such that indiscriminate control of SDR removes the predictive power of a measure. Implications of this reconception are considered for measuring and controlling SDR in organizational research. The distinction between self-deception and impression management is used to clarify a number of theoretical issues.
Associations between parent–child relationship quality and obesogenic risk in adolescence: a systematic review of recent literature

Adolescence is a period of significant cognitive, social and physiological change, presenting unique risk factors for weight gain. Childhood obesity research has traditionally focused on the influence of parent‐level factors on children's eating and weight status. Increasingly, emphasis is turning towards the reciprocal nature of the parent–child relationship and its influence on health behaviour. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the relationship between parent–child relationship quality (defined as the felt emotional bond between parent and child) and obesogenic risk (weight status, eating attitudes and behaviours, level of physical activity and sedentary behaviour) in adolescence; 26 papers were included in the review. The results neither support nor challenge an association between parent–child relationship quality and weight, with study design flaws and limited measurement of the parent–child relationship precluding robust conclusions. The review does however suggests that several aspects of the parent–child relationship are important in understanding eating attitudes and behaviours, including the felt emotional bond between the parent and child, the child's perception of how much the parent cares for them and the mother's sensitivity towards the child. The need for further longitudinal research into the association between parent–child relationship quality and obesity risk across this developmental period is discussed.
Gender, Race, and Meritocracy in Organizational Careers1

This study helps to fill a significant gap in the literature on organizations and inequality by investigating the central role of merit‐based reward systems in shaping gender and racial disparities in wages and promotions. The author develops and tests a set of propositions isolating processes of performance‐reward bias, whereby women and minorities receive less compensation than white men with equal scores on performance evaluations. Using personnel data from a large service organization, the author empirically establishes the existence of this bias and shows that gender, race, and nationality differences continue to affect salary growth after performance ratings are taken into account, ceteris paribus. This finding demonstrates a critical challenge faced by the many contemporary employers who adopt merit‐based practices and policies. Although these policies are often adopted in the hope of motivating employees and ensuring meritocracy, policies with limited transparency and accountability can actually increase ascriptive bias and reduce equity in the workplace.
The Relationship between Oil Price, Exchange Rate and Islamic Stock Market in Malaysia

This research discusses the relationship between oil price, macroeconomic variables and Islamic stock market in Malaysia. The objective of this research is to analyze the dynamic effects of oil price and macroeconomic variables changes on Islamic stock market in Malaysia using an estimation of Vector Auto Regression (VAR) method. The variables involved in this research are Crude Oil Price (COP), Foreign exchange rates of Ringgit Malaysia - United States Dollar (MYR) and FTSE Bursa Malaysia Emas Shariah Index (FBMES). Using monthly data over the period January 2007 - December 2011, the study applies the co-integration analysis, multivariate Granger causality test, Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Variance Decomposition (VDC) analysis. The findings showed that Islamic stock prices are co-integrated with oil price and exchange rate variables. Based on cointegration relationship analysis, the Islamic stock price is positively and significantly related to the oil price variable but inversely and not significantly related to the exchange rate variable. Using Granger causality test, only oil price variable is Granger-caused by the Islamic stock return in Malaysia. Therefore, oil price shock will affect the Islamic stock return in the short and long run in Malaysia. Keywords: Malaysian, expenditure on education, economic growth, vector error correction model.
Attitudes to lesbians and homosexual men: medical students care

Editor,—We read with interest the article by Fethers and colleagues on STIs and risk behaviours in women who have sex with women (WSW) and the accompanying editorial by Marrazzo.1, 2 It is gratifying to see our own results3 replicated in a larger and more complete study. Marrazzo highlights many of the methodological difficulties and deficiencies in research into WSW and comments specifically on “ lack of interest” or homophobia contributing …
Sport and National Identity: A Comparison of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups™

Abstract Big sport events may strengthen negative nationalism or alternatively fuel positive patriotism. The 2006 FIFA World™ Cup held in Germany enabled Germans to express certain types of identities. Given Germany's history, there is the question whether this was accompanied with xenophobia. In South Africa, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is in part held to transcend deeply entrenched social cleavages and to help foster national cohesion. This article explores the way in which large-scale sport events such as the FIFA world tournament can influence processes related to national identity construction. Through an analysis of the social effects of the 2006 finals held in Germany some prospects are raised for the 2010 World Cup. Empirical data show that the 2006 tournament did not contribute to sustainable patriotism but it did have small effects in reducing xenophobia. Hereby it enhances a longer-established trend. Although there are cases of violence against foreigners in East Germany, xenophobia has been diminishing since the 1980s. National pride, too, has been growing since then. In South Africa national pride is much stronger, although it is diminishing within the white population. However, national identity is cross-cut by stronger racial identities. In spite of the implementation of certain policies by the national government, xenophobia against African foreigners is becoming a latent phenomenon. Major sport events can be used to promote values such as team spirit and discipline, but also at a wider level, tolerance, multiculturalism and solidarity.
Attitudinal and motivational aspects of aberrant driving in a West African country.

Attitudinal and Motivational Aspects of Aberrant Driving in a West African Country Road tra ic crashes are reaching pandemic proportions in Ghana. Drivers of commercially operated passengercarrying minibuses contribute signi icantly to road crashes. This study investigated the individual and situational determinants of aberrant driving among this population group in the Manya Krobo District of eastern Ghana. Thirteen drivers took part in face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions regarding their tra ic risk perception, attitudes, behaviour, and motivations for risk-taking. Three key informants also provided information on tra ic behaviour in the area. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. Participants described drivers’ poor working conditions, bad road and vehicle conditions, poor road signage and signalisation as signi icant contributors to aberrant driving in the District. Inadequate driver training, irregularities in licensing drivers, and fatalistic beliefs were also considered key determinants of dangerous driving. Our indings suggest that road tra ic crashes in Ghana result from the interaction of systems. They highlight the need to pay greater attention to the activities of commercial drivers and vehicle owners in suburban Ghana. We submit that effective countermeasures would require community psychology approaches to build relationships between individuals and local community organisations in order to in luence local government policy and to effect lasting tra ic behaviour changes.
Polyploidy can Confer Superiority to West African Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Trees

Polyploidy is a common phenomenon in the evolution of angiosperms. It has been suggested that polyploids manage harsh environments better than their diploid relatives but empirical data supporting this hypothesis are scarce, especially for trees. Using microsatellite markers and flow cytometry, we examine the frequency of polyploids and diploids in a progeny trial testing four different populations of Acacia senegal, a species native to sub-Saharan regions of Africa. We compare growth between cytotypes and test whether polyploid seedlings grow better than diploids. Our results show that polyploids coexist with diploids in highly variable proportions among populations in Senegal. Acacia senegal genotypes were predominantly diploid and tetraploid, but triploid, pentaploid, hexaploid, and octaploid forms were also found. We find that polyploids show faster growth than diploids under our test conditions: in an 18 years old field trial, polyploid superiority was estimated to be 17% in trunk diameter and 9% in height while in a growth chamber experiment, polyploids grew 28% taller, but only after being exposed to drought stress. The results suggest that polyploid A. senegal can have an adaptive advantage in some regions of Africa.
Specialization and Rent-Seeking in Moral Enforcement: The Case of Confession

Moral codes are produced and enforced by more or less specialized means and are subject to standard economic forces. This paper argues that the intermediary role played by the Catholic Church between God and Christians, a key difference from Protestantism, faces the standard trade-off of specialization benefits and agency costs. It applies this trade-off hypothesis to confession of sins to priests, an institution that epitomizes such intermediation, showing that this hypothesis fits cognitive, historical and econometric evidence better than a simpler rent-seeking story. In particular, Catholics who confess more often are observed to comply more with the moral code; however, no relationship is observed between mass attendance and moral compliance. The data also links the current decline in confession to the rise in education, which makes moral self-enforcement less costly, and to the productivity gap suffered by confession services, given its necessarily interpersonal nature.
Murder followed by suicide: A study of the reporting of murder followed by suicide in The Times 1887–1990

Abstract This study of The Times over a hundred years (1887–1990) identified reports of 2,274 cases of murder of which there was evidence that 142 (or 6 per cent) involved murder followed by suicide. While it is important to stress the limitations of The Times as a source, some important patterns emerge. A much higher proportion of murder-suicides is reported in the period between 1887 and 1910. The study supports the view that murder-suicides are mostly family affairs. Reports of female murder-suicides always involve family members. The much higher proportion of reports of male murder-suicides probably reflect the greater likelihood of males committing offences which deviate from this ‘family norm'. The demise of throat-cutting as a method of suicide in the 1920s is quite striking, while shooting continues to be the method of suicide favoured by males in particular.
Introducing agent based implementation of the theory of reasoned action: a case study in user acceptance of computer technology

It is important to predict and analyze user acceptance of computer technology in order to address success and failures of technological products. The Theory of Reasoned Action has been used for two decades in empirical studies to predict user acceptance of computer technology based on parameters of attitude, subjective norm and behavioral intention. Empirical studies are expensive to carry out and inflexible in predicting the diffusion of parameters over time. In this paper we introduce an agent-based implementation that implements a simple version of the theory of reasoned action model. Our agent-based implementation simulates continuous data compared to empirical studies, which collect static data over discrete intervals of time. Empirical studies are unable to account for the changes in data between successive time intervals. Our implementation is cost effective and easy to use. The results we produced corroborate the results obtained from the last few decades of empirical research in this field.
APPRAISAL OF ACCESS TO DENTAL SERVICES IN SOUTH EAST OF IRAN USING FIVE AS MODEL

Background: Access to dental services not only refers to utilization but also to the extent by which the utilization is judged according to professional norms. This study aimed to study the access to dental services using the Five As model. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in southeast of Iran. A sample of 400 subjects participated in the study according to a multistage sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using independent T test, ANOVA and multivariate linear regression models by means of SPSS V.20 software. Findings: Affordability, availability, accessibility, accommodation and acceptability mean scores were 58.2±12.2, 53.9±12.9, 59.4±15.7, 60.2±8.6, 70±11.5 and 60.3±7.4 respectively. According to multivariate linear regression models, there was significant associations between affordability and age, education level, having basic insurance and family income. Moreover, total accessibility was significantly correlated with education and monthly family income. Conclusion: This study showed that access to dental services was at the moderate level among the studied population. It also revealed that age, basic insurance coverage, family income and level of education, are determinants of this accessibility.