Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elementary physical educators’ positioning in teaching English language learners

Public schools in the United States (US) have become more linguistically diverse. With the rise of English as a global language, English Language Learners (ELLs) experience “transnationalism”, which requires them to gain a critical and reflective knowledge of diverse cultures and the valuing of a new language and culture. Many teachers do not recognize the importance of language as a tool for teaching academic subjects. Teachers struggle to shape and guide conversations using language to help ELLs further their development. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary physical education (PE) teachers’ experiences with teaching ELLs. Based on positioning theory, this study employed an interpretive case study research design. Six PE teachers volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected from a survey questionnaire, face-to-face interviews and follow-up e-mails. Three major interrelated and complex themes emerged from the data analysis. These recurrent themes were (a) race and cultural-based stereotype, (b) social inclusion and communication challenges, and (c) PE teachers’ learning experiences. Although each of the PE teachers expressed the view that there were challenges in working with ELLs, they believed that they should implement effective pedagogical methods (inclusive pedagogy), address social justice and diversity issues of ELLs, and develop a positive learning atmosphere for all students.
Another look at symbolic ethnicity

I am pleased not only that Ethnic and Racial Studies chose to remember a nearly forty-year-old article, but also that it is evidently continuing to be read. And as a researcher, I am equally pleased that an ageing empirically derived concept still seems to be relevant. John Stone’s and Kelsey Harris’s complimentary and wide-ranging commentary also discussed my later writing on ethnicity. For this reason, much of their commentary is about ethnicity rather than symbolic ethnicity (SE). My response will follow this pattern as well, although I cannot comment on all the topics they discuss.
Why Do Students Strike? Direct and Indirect Determinants of Collective Action Participation

The current project investigated affective and strategic determinants of participation in collective actions by taking a multidimensional approach to collective identity (see Cameron, 2004) and investigating rational decision-making processes. A field study was conducted during an important student strike within the Canadian province of Quebec. One hundred and eighty four students attending the province’s postsecondary francophone institutions participated in the study. Path modeling was used to investigate two channels to collective action participation. A direct path involved the affective dimensions of identification. An indirect strategic path revealed that pro-action arguments allowed individuals to derive instrumental value, which in turn led them to participate in collective actions. This indirect influence only occurred at higher self-control. The results and their implications for understanding participation in collective actions during social movements are discussed.
Wavelet neural networks for stock trading

This paper explores the application of a wavelet neural network (WNN), whose hidden layer is comprised of neurons with adjustable wavelets as activation functions, to stock prediction. We discuss some basic rationales behind technical analysis, and based on which, inputs of the prediction system are carefully selected. This system is tested on Istanbul Stock Exchange National 100 Index and compared with traditional neural networks. The results show that the WNN can achieve very good prediction accuracy.
The Network‐Performance Relationship in Knowledge‐Intensive Contexts—A Meta‐Analysis and Cross‐Level Comparison

This study examines the generalizability of the network-performance relationship across individual and group levels, focusing on knowledge-intensive contexts. Drawing on a meta-analytical approach, we synthesize the results of 102 empirical studies to test whether network characteristics such as centrality, brokerage, and tie strength similarly influence the job performance of individuals and groups. Results show that while there are no differences in the direction of the network-performance relationship across levels, there are substantial differences in magnitude. Individual performance profits more strongly from a high number of direct connections, whereas groups reap higher benefits from brokerage positions. Additional analyses reveal that the network measurement method, tie content, and performance criteria function as moderators of the network performance relationship, but their influence is consistent neither across network characteristics nor across levels. By meta-analytically comparing and contrasting the network-performance relationship for individuals and groups, we contribute to multilevel research on networks and organizations. Particularly, we move toward the development of a multilevel homology theory of networks. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality Evaluation of Color Plus Depth Map-Based Stereoscopic Video

In the near future, many conventional video applications are likely to be replaced by immersive video to provide a sense of ldquobeing there.rdquo This transition is facilitated by the recent advancement of 3D capture, coding, transmission, and display technologies. Stereoscopic video is the simplest form of 3D video available in the literature. ldquoColor plus depth maprdquo based stereoscopic video has attracted significant attention, as it can reduce storage and bandwidth requirements for the transmission of stereoscopic content over communication channels. However, quality assessment of coded video sequences can currently only be performed reliably using expensive and inconvenient subjective tests. To enable researchers to optimize 3D video systems in a timely fashion, it is essential that reliable objective measures are found. This paper investigates the correlation between subjective and objective evaluation of color plus depth video. The investigation is conducted for different compression ratios, and different video sequences. Transmission over Internet protocol (IP) is also investigated. Subjective tests are performed to determine the image quality and depth perception of a range of differently coded video sequences, with packet loss rates ranging from 0% to 20%. The subjective results are used to determine more accurate objective quality assessment metrics for 3D color plus depth video.
INVO Procedure: Minimally Invasive IVF as an Alternative Treatment Option for Infertile Couples

Intravaginal culture (IVC), also called INVO (intravaginal culture of oocytes), is an assisted reproduction procedure where oocyte fertilization and early embryo development are carried out within a gas permeable air-free plastic device, placed into the maternal vaginal cavity for incubation. In the present study we assessed the outcome of the INVO procedure, using the recently designed INVOcell device, in combination with a mild ovarian stimulation protocol. A total of 125 cycles were performed. On average 6.5 oocytes per cycle were retrieved, and a mean of 4.2 were placed per INVOcell device. The cleavage rate obtained after the INVO culture was 63%. The procedure yielded 40%, 31.2%, and 24% of clinical pregnancy, live birth, and single live birth rates per cycle, respectively. Our results suggest that the INVO procedure is an effective alternative treatment option in assisted reproduction that shows comparable results to those reported for existing IVF techniques.
Second-language learners’ writing anxiety: Types, causes, and teachers’ perceptions

APA Citation El Shimi, E. (2017). Second-language learners' writing anxiety: Types, causes, and teachers' perceptions [Master’s thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/673 MLA Citation El Shimi, Ehab. Second-language learners' writing anxiety: Types, causes, and teachers' perceptions. 2017. American University in Cairo, Master's thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/673
Postpartum Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

We describe a 24-year-old woman with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis that developed 3 weeks after normal delivery. She was treated with methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis, in addition to teratoma excision. However, her recovery was slow, and dysmnesia and mental juvenility persisted even two years after onset. To date, five patients with postpartum anti-NMDAR encephalitis have been reported. All of those patients showed psychotic symptoms and were suspected of having postpartum psychosis in the early period of the encephalitis. Changes in hormonal factors, modification of immune tolerance, or retrograde infection of the ovary may be contributing factors for postpartum anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
Optimal transmit design for miso secrecy-rate maximization with general covariance constraints

The notion of providing secure communication via physical-layer designs has gained much attention in recent studies. This paper considers the transmit covariance design for a generalized secrecy rate maximization (SRM) problem under the scenario of a multi-input single-output channel overheard by multiple multi-antenna eaves-droppers. This generalized SRM design encompasses various existing SRM designs, e.g., the per-antenna power constrained design and the interference temperature constrained design. While the considered generalized SRM problem is nonconvex by nature, this paper shows that the problem can actually be solved in a convex fashion, by recasting the generalized SRM problem as a semidefinite program (SDP). The development of the solution to the generalized SRM shows that transmit beamforming is generally an optimal transmit strategy. Simulation results are also provided to demonstrate the secrecy-rate performance gains of the proposed algorithm over some closed-form, but suboptimal algorithms.
A Positive Feedback Loop of IL-21 Signaling Provoked by Homeostatic CD4+CD25− T Cell Expansion Is Essential for the Development of Arthritis in Autoimmune K/BxN Mice 1

Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint-specific autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The K/BxN mouse is a model of rheumatoid arthritis that is thought to be mainly due to autoantibody-mediated inflammatory responses. We showed previously that homeostatic proliferation of autoreactive CD4+ T cells is required for disease initiation in the K/BxN mice. In this study, we show that the homeostatically proliferating CD4+CD25− T cells produce IL-21. We generated IL-21R-deficient (IL-21R−/−) K/BxN mice and found that these mice were completely refractory to the development of spontaneous arthritis. They contained fewer CD4+ T cells with a reduced proportion of homeostatically proliferating cells, fewer follicular Th cells, and, surprisingly, more Th17 cells than their control counterparts. They also failed to develop IgG1+ memory B cells and autoantigen-specific IgG1 Ab-secreting cells. IL-21 induced expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) a regulator of osteoclastogenesis, and few RANKL-expressing infiltrates were found in the synovia of IL-21R−/− K/BxN mice. Thus, our results demonstrate that IL-21 forms a positive feedback autocrine loop involving homeostatically activated CD4+ cells and that it plays an essential role in the development of autoimmune arthritis by mechanisms dependent on follicular Th cell development, autoreactive B cell maturation, and RANKL induction but independent of Th17 cell function. Consistent with this, in vivo administration of soluble the IL-21R-Fc fusion protein delayed the onset and progression of arthritis. Our findings suggest that effective targeting of IL-21-mediated processes may be useful in treating autoimmune arthritis.
Intercultural and cross-cultural health communication: Understanding people and motivating healthy behaviors.

The authors examine empirical concepts related to intercultural health understanding and offer a theoretical perspective upon how to promote effective communication and understanding between physicians or public health practitioners and their patients. However while effective communication and mutual understanding between practitioners and patients is a necessary condition to promoting health and preventing disease it is not enough on its own. Once mutual understanding of a health issue is reached people must be motivated to act in health-promotive manners. The blind application of Western-based theories on how to encourage such behavior may be inappropriate and even harmful in some cultures. Culturally-based theories and approaches are called for. The author identifies culturally-universal and culturally-specific empirical variables to consider when motivating patients to adhere to medical regimens or when motivating target audiences to change their behaviors in health promoting or disease-preventing ways.
Equivalence of relational database schemes

We investigate the question of when two database schemes embody the same information. We argue that this question reduces to the equivalence of the sets of fixed points of the project-join mappings associated with the two database schemes in question. When data dependencies are given, we need only consider those fixed points that satisfy the dependencies. A polynomial algorithm to test the equivalence of database schemes, when there are no dependencies, is given. We also provide an exponential algorithm to handle the case where there are functional and/or multivalued dependencies. Furthermore, we give a polynomial time test to determine whether a project-join mapping preserves a set of functional dependencies, and a polynomial time algorithm for equivalence of database schemes whose project-join mappings do preserve the given set of functional dependencies. Lastly, we introduce the “update sets” approach to database design as an application of these results.
A Class of Interior Proximal-Like Algorithms for Convex Second-Order Cone Programming

We propose a class of interior proximal-like algorithms for the second-order cone program, which is to minimize a closed proper convex function subject to general second-order cone constraints. The class of methods uses a distance measure generated by a twice continuously differentiable strictly convex function on $(0,+\infty)$, and includes as a special case the entropy-like proximal algorithm [Eggermont, Linear Algebra Appl. , 130 (1990), pp. 25-42], which was originally proposed for minimizing a convex function subject to nonnegative constraints. Particularly, we consider an approximate version of these methods, allowing the inexact solution of subproblems. Like the entropy-like proximal algorithm for convex programming with nonnegative constraints, we, under some mild assumptions, establish the global convergence expressed in terms of the objective values for the proposed algorithm, and we show that the sequence generated is bounded, and every accumulation point is a solution of the considered problem. Preliminary numerical results are reported for two approximate entropy-like proximal algorithms, and numerical comparisons are also made with the merit function approach [Chen and Tseng, Math. Program. , 104 (2005), pp. 293-327], which verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Aspects of quantum gravity: Quantum space-time and black hole thermodynamics

Michele Arzano: Aspects of quantum gravity: quantum space-time and black hole thermodynamics. (Under the Direction of Prof. Yee Jack Ng) This work is devoted to the study of certain quantum properties of space-time at the Planck scale and of black holes. We discuss the possibility that in quantum gravity scenarios the symmetry structure of flat space-time might deviate from the classical relativistic picture and lead to broken or deformed Poincaré invariance. The striking feature of these “quantum” space-time models is the possibility that they might have experimentally observable effects. We discuss how a purely kinematical model within these frameworks, besides providing the threshold anomalies needed to explain the existence of above-GZK cosmic rays, can modify the Bachall-Waxman bound on the flux of neutrinos that are expected to be produced together with such cosmic rays. A relevant characteristic of “quantum” space-time scenarios with modifications of relativistic kinematics is the emergence of a Planck-scale particle localization limit that reflects the presence of the Planck length as an intrinsic spatial resolution limit for regimes in which quantum and gravitational effects are of the same magnitude. We propose a remarkable argument which relates the type of quantum gravity corrections to the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy-area relation for black holes and the form of the Planck-scale particle localization limit. Using this argument we are able to constraint the form of the deformed energy-momentum dispersion relation expected to emerge in the low-energy limit of loop quantum gravity. The same argument is then generalized to quantum gravity frameworks which predict a modifications of Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation. We carried on a systematic study of the effects of modified energy-momentum dispersion relation and generalized uncertainty principle for an evaporating black hole ob-
A Meta-Analytic Re-Appraisal of the Framing Effect

We reevaluated and reanalyzed the data of Kühberger’s (1998) meta-analysis on framing effects in risky decision making by using p-curve. This method uses the distribution of only significant p-values to correct the effect size, thus taking publication bias into account. We found a corrected overall effect size of d = 0.52, which is considerably higher than the effect reported by Kühberger (d = 0.31). Similarly to the original analysis, most moderators proved to be effective, indicating that there is not the risky-choice framing effect. Rather, the effect size varies with different manipulations of the framing task. Taken together, the p-curve analysis shows that there are reliable risky-choice framing effects, and that there is no evidence of intense p-hacking. Comparing the corrected estimate to the effect size reported in the Many Labs Replication Project (MLRP) on gain-loss framing (d = 0.60) shows that the two estimates are surprisingly similar in size. Finally, we conducted a new meta-analysis of risk framing experiments published in 2016 and again found a similar effect size (d = 0.56). Thus, although there is discussion on the adequate explanation for framing effects, there is no doubt about their existence: risky-choice framing effects are highly reliable and robust. No replicability crisis there.
Public Perceptions of Billboards: A Meta-Analysis

While outdoor advertising is currently the fastest-growing traditional advertising medium, the value of billboards to the public has long been debated. Drawing on a conceptual framework developed by Farris and Albion (1980), contrasting two schools of thought about advertising's economic and societal role, this study reports a meta-analysis of more than 100 surveys of U.S. public opinion toward billboards, covering almost eight decades of findings from more than 100,000 participants. Variables analyzed include the degree to which the public believes billboards are informative, entertaining, irritating, and helpful to the economy; in need of more regulation; and beneficial overall. Results suggest that, both historically and currently, consumers view billboards positively, and a strong majority do not support billboard bans. Moreover, the overall results are more supportive of the notion that the public subscribes to the Advertising = Information school of thought as opposed to the Advertising = Market Power school.
Public Perception of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This study explored public risk perception of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for civilian commercial operations, including cargo and passenger transportation. Civilian operators are considering the use of UAVs to increase safety while reducing labor costs, but negative perceptions may delay the advancement of these aircraft. To document perception of UAV or UAS aircraft for commercial operations, a questionnaire was distributed to adults (ages 18+) who use commercial air travel. The survey classified age group, gender, and UAV familiarity as demographic variables. This study assessed risk perception of UAVs and its correlation to the variables through statistical analysis to identify whether there was an association between the demographic variables and risk perception. Upon analysis, it was determined that the data from the sample showed no strong evidence that demographic variables influenced risk perception. Many respondents’ risks perceptions involved technology reliability and higher perceived safety with a human pilot onboard.
A Post-Intentional Exploration of Agnostic College Students’ Experiences

Scholars have adapted college student identity development models to examine and highlight the unique, laborious, and varied experiences of marginalized populations. However, researchers have minimally explored the perspectives of nontheistic and nonreligious college students using poststructural methodologies. I followed a post-intentional phenomenological study design (N = 10) to explore how being agnostic or holding a worldview inclusive of agnosticism might take shape for some undergraduate students in college. Findings suggest that, while constructing their identities, students in this study moved through tentative manifestations as reflected by external to internal influences (resources and family), internal processing (identities and labels), and internal to external influences (interpersonal relations and college involvement).
Corporate Governance and the Hedging Premium Around the World

This paper examines the use of foreign currency derivatives (FCDs) as a proxy for risk management and its potential impact on firm value in a broad sample of firms from thirty-nine countries between 1990 and 1999. Our sample allows us to exploit differences in corporate governance across firms and countries, their impact on risk management policies and their value implications. We find that on average, hedging is associated with higher firm value around the world and that corporate governance is an important factor in assessing the value of risk management. The hedging premium is statistically significant and economically large for firms with strong internal corporate governance (such as those with an institutional blockholder) and those which reside in countries with strong external governance (such as those with an English legal origin), and insignificant for firms with weak internal governance and those which reside in countries with weak external governance. Finally, hedging is (not) valuable even when internal corporate governance is weak (strong), if the firm happens to reside in a country with strong (weak) external governance. Overall, our findings suggest that both firm-level and country-level corporate governance play a significant role in understanding when risk management is associated with higher value. Moreover, our results imply that risk management is one channel through which stronger corporate governance translates into higher firm value.
Simple Maximum Entropy Models for Multilingual Coreference Resolution

This paper describes our system participating in the CoNLL-2012 shared task: Modeling Multilingual Unrestricted Coreference in Ontonotes. Maximum entropy models are used for our system as classifiers to determine the coreference relationship between every two mentions (usually noun phrases and pronouns) in each document. We exploit rich lexical, syntactic and semantic features for the system, and the final features are selected using a greedy forward and backward strategy from an initial feature set. Our system participated in the closed track for both English and Chinese languages.