Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender and educational background and their effect on computer self-efficacy and perceptions

This report describes research into gender and educational background and its relationship with computer self-efficacy and perceptions of Computer Science amongst university students and school students in South Africa. It is important to understand these issues in the specific cultural and economic environment of South Africa. The main focus of this report is on self-efficacy which is defined as the beliefs an individual has about their ability to complete certain tasks. The Cassidy and Eachus scale is used to measure general computer self-efficacy, and course-specific self-efficacy was measured by statements describing achievement in the course. Amongst first year Computer Science university students, male students had significantly higher self-efficacy than female students and predicted higher marks, but there was no difference in their actual marks. Amongst secondary school students no significant gender differences were found in general computer self-efficacy. For boys, there was no link between plans to take computing at school and selfefficacy. For girls, those who had decided to take computing had higher self-efficacy. Students with a disadvantaged educational background were found to have mixed self-efficacy beliefs. They had lower general computer self-efficacy than students with an advantaged educational background, and higher course-specific self-efficacy and mark prediction. However, their actual marks were lower. Appendices to the report describe additional research. University students without prior experience of programming had lower self-efficacy, lower predicted marks and lower actual marks than those with prior programming experience. Women with no prior experience had particularly low general computer self-efficacy beliefs. School students with higher usage of computers had higher self-efficacy. Boys had higher computer usage than girls. Boys perceived Computer Science as less male-oriented than girls. There was no link between perceptions of male-orientedness and plans to study computing at school.
The Effects of Evidence Bounds on Decision-Making: Theoretical and Empirical Developments

Converging findings from behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging studies suggest an integration-to-boundary mechanism governing decision formation and choice selection. This mechanism is supported by sequential sampling models of choice decisions, which can implement statistically optimal decision strategies for selecting between multiple alternative options on the basis of sensory evidence. This review focuses on recent developments in understanding the evidence boundary, an important component of decision-making raised by experimental findings and models. The article starts by reviewing the neurobiology of perceptual decisions and several influential sequential sampling models, in particular the drift-diffusion model, the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model and the leaky-competing-accumulator model. In the second part, the article examines how the boundary may affect a model’s dynamics and performance and to what extent it may improve a model’s fits to experimental data. In the third part, the article examines recent findings that support the presence and site of boundaries in the brain. The article considers two questions: (1) whether the boundary is a spontaneous property of neural integrators, or is controlled by dedicated neural circuits; (2) if the boundary is variable, what could be the driving factors behind boundary changes? The review brings together studies using different experimental methods in seeking answers to these questions, highlights psychological and physiological factors that may be associated with the boundary and its changes, and further considers the evidence boundary as a generic mechanism to guide complex behavior.
Propagation Properties and Stress Sensitivity of S-PCF, H-PCF and O-PCF

Propagation properties of square, hexagonal and octagonal lattice photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have been analyzed here for both stressed and unstressed conditions. The analysis has been carried out using finite element method. All types of PCFs are investigated here by varying number of air hole rings with same design and operating parameters. The results show that external stress causes PCFs deformation as well as change of propagation properties and this effect is not same for different types of PCFs. We have found that hexagonal PCFs are comparatively more sensitive than square and octagonal for birefringence properties. Furthermore propagation properties of octagonal PCFs remain almost unchanged with the increase of external stress. It is also found that PCFs with lower number of number of air hole rings is comparatively highly sensitive than higher number of air hole rings.
Interaction patterns in synchronous Chinese tutorials

ABSTRACT Speaking in Chinese is problematic for all learners, particularly for beginners and more so during online interaction. Despite the fact that interaction has been identified as crucial for the development of speaking skills, it can be hindered by students’ lack of language competence or their anxiety. Teacher-centred practices in tutorials can further limit the opportunity for learners to speak. In an attempt to identify the best ways of supporting online speaking practice, this research explores the interaction patterns between the learners and teachers of Chinese during online synchronous tutorials. Five recordings of Beginners’ online Chinese tutorials in small groups have been analysed using social network analysis. The fact that teaching content and tasks remain similar across all instances, allows the researchers to compare interaction patterns and to find the deciding factors in forming interaction patterns. All the following can play a role: language, skills level, task, and individual teacher style. The findings reveal common practices in the teaching of Chinese speaking skills; and can inform training for online language teachers, enhancing their ability to modify interaction patterns and scaffold students’ speaking online.
Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience Synaptic Neuroscience

the same timing difference leads to insignificant changes, whereas post-pre-post induces a strong potentiation of synapses in hip-pocampal cultures (Wang et al., 2005). Quite generally, triplet and quadruplet dependencies measured in various experiments (Froemke and Dan, 2002; Wang et al., 2005) cannot be explained by standard STDP models. Third, the STDP function derived from standard experiments with pairs of spikes (Markram et al., 1997; Bi and Poo, 1998; Sjöström et al., 2001) does not explain the dependence of plasticity upon the timing of bursts of several postsynaptic spikes (Kampa et al. or some voltage dependence (Brader et al., 2007) resolve at most one or two of the above issues, but not all of them. The basic shortcoming of the family of classical phenomeno-logical STDP models is an inappropriate focus on a single pair of pre-and postsynaptic spikes. There are a couple of promising phenomenological STDP models that go beyond the pair
The evolution of star formation in quasar host galaxies

We have used far-infrared data from IRAS , Infrared Space Observatory ( ISO ), Spitzer Wide-Area Infrared Extragalactic (SWIRE), Submillimetre Common User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) and Max-Planck Millimetre Bolometer (MAMBO) to constrain statistically the mean far-infrared luminosities of quasars. Our quasar compilation at redshifts 0 z I -band luminosities −20 I AB IRAS against Spitzer and ISO , finding evidence that IRAS 100-μm fluxes at 0.44±0.07 opt at any fixed redshift below z = 2. We also find evidence for evolution of the mean SFR in quasar host galaxies, scaling as (1 + z ) 1.6±0.3 at z I -band absolute magnitude fainter than −28. We find no evidence for any correlation between SFR and black hole mass at 0.5 z < 4. Our data are consistent with feedback from black hole accretion regulating stellar mass assembly at all redshifts.
Psychometric properties of a translated arabic version of cerebral palsy-quality of life questionnaire: primary caregiver form

Background In the context of child rehabilitation, quality of life (QOL) is an important health-related outcome measure that has a great clinical utility as it can guide practice. Study objectives The aim of this study was to develop a translated Arabic version of primary caregiver form of cerebral palsy QOL questionnaire for children aged 4–12 years (CP QOLـChild) and to assess its validity and reliability to be readily used in Arabic and Egyptian cultures. Patients and methods The original English version of CP-QOL questionnaire was translated into Arabic language using forward–backward translation method, and then a cross-sectional survey was conducted including 200 children with cerebral palsy aged 4–12 years and their caregivers. Caregivers of children were interviewed to collect data about their demographic characteristics, age, and sex of their children. They were asked to fill the translated Arabic version of QOL questionnaire. Assessment of psychometric properties including test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and item internal consistency was conducted. Results The translated questionnaire showed excellent test–retest reliability and good internal consistency as the intraclass correlation ranges from 0.88 to 0.97 and Cronbach’s α exceeds 0.7 except for the domains of family health and emotional well-being. The majority of the items have moderate to good correlation with their domain scores. Four out of seven domains showed significant correlation with Gross Motor Function Classification System. Conclusion The translated Arabic version of CP-QOL questionnaire (caregiver form) is valid and reliable and could be used to assess quality of life of children with cerebral palsy in Arab-speaking population.
Mapping Longitudinal Development of Local Cortical Gyrification in Infants from Birth to 2 Years of Age

Human cortical folding is believed to correlate with cognitive functions. This likely correlation may have something to do with why abnormalities of cortical folding have been found in many neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about how cortical gyrification, the cortical folding process, develops in the first 2 years of life, a period of dynamic and regionally heterogeneous cortex growth. In this article, we show how we developed a novel infant-specific method for mapping longitudinal development of local cortical gyrification in infants. By using this method, via 219 longitudinal 3T magnetic resonance imaging scans from 73 healthy infants, we systemically and quantitatively characterized for the first time the longitudinal cortical global gyrification index (GI) and local GI (LGI) development in the first 2 years of life. We found that the cortical GI had age-related and marked development, with 16.1% increase in the first year and 6.6% increase in the second year. We also found marked and regionally heterogeneous cortical LGI development in the first 2 years of life, with the high-growth regions located in the association cortex, whereas the low-growth regions located in sensorimotor, auditory, and visual cortices. Meanwhile, we also showed that LGI growth in most cortical regions was positively correlated with the brain volume growth, which is particularly significant in the prefrontal cortex in the first year. In addition, we observed gender differences in both cortical GIs and LGIs in the first 2 years, with the males having larger GIs than females at 2 years of age. This study provides valuable information on normal cortical folding development in infancy and early childhood.
Optimization with generalized deviation measures in risk management

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy OPTIMIZATION WITH GENERALIZED DEVIATION MEASURES IN RISK MANAGEMENT By Konstantin P. Kalinchenko May 2012 Chair: Stan Uryasev Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering Our work provides an overview of the so-called generalized deviation measures and generalized risk measures, and develops stochastic optimization approaches utilizing them. These measures are designed to quantify risk when implied distributions are known. We provide useful examples of deviation and risk measures, which can be efficiently applied in situations, when the classical measures either do not properly account for risk, or do not satisfy properties desired for efficient application in stochastic optimization. We discuss the importance of considering alternative risk and deviation measures in the classical models, such as the capital asset pricing model and quantile regression. We apply stochastic optimization and risk management techniques based on the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) to solve a dynamic sensor scheduling problem with robustness constraints on a wireless connectivity network. We also develop an efficient application of the generalized Capital Asset Pricing Model based on mixed CVaR deviation to estimating risk preferences of investors using S&P500 stock index option prices. In the first part we provide an overview of the main classes of generalized deviation measures and corresponding risk measures, and compare them to the classical risk and deviation measures, such as maximum risk, value-at-risk and standard deviation. In addition, we provide a relation between deviation measures and measures of error, which are used in regression models. In some applications, such as simulation, a
5 Exocytic Mechanisms for Axonal and Dendritic Growth

The structure of the nervous system is of great complexity. A large number of distinct neuronal cell types interact in a sophisticated network that runs over long distances. At the same time, communication points between neurons are not static but plastic during both development and adulthood. These fascinating properties underline the construction of the nervous system and its capacity to learn and memorize. Mature neurons are highly polarized cells with two main compartments with distinct processes called neurite: the axon which contains the presynaptic boutons from where neurotransmitters are released and the somato-dendritic domain which contains the postsynaptic receptors. The specific contacts between axons and den-drites, so called synapses, are the basis of communication in the brain and with the other organs. This is the result of the growth of both axons and dendrite toward their specific target along specific pathways during development. The formation of neuronal cell contacts has to occur at the right place and the right time, and, during its journey, the growing neurite has to ignore a number of cues that are recognized by others as their target. Thus, neurons have to be equipped with a highly sensitive apparatus that reads and interprets cues and that allows advance while preventing the premature establishment of contacts. Several studies on the role of attractive and repulsive cues and their effects on the neuronal cytoskeleton have led to an impressive knowledge as to how these molecules might work during brain development. In contrast, the role of membrane trafficking and exocytosis during neuronal morphogenesis has received little attention. It is intuitively obvious that delivery of membrane and exocytosis allow the neuron to grow, but this process has to be tightly connected to the signaling molecules that guide axons and dendrites for site-directed growth to occur during brain development. The question of exocytic mechanisms for axonal and dendritic growth can be split into two: (1) what is the basic function of exocytosis in neurite outgrowth or, in other words, to which extent is it similar to exocytosis involved in other cell growth mechanism? and (2) what are the specific regulations of exocytosis in
Failure of self-disclosure of deferrable risk behaviors associated with transfusion-transmissible infections in blood donors

To date, most studies on deferral of blood donors have focused on men who have sex with men (MSM) and/or injecting drug users. Few have examined deferrable risk behaviors relating to transfusion‐transmissible infections (TTIs) in general. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, nondisclosure of TTI‐related risk behaviors in donors.
Understanding of graphs in social science undergraduate students: selection and interpretation of graphs

How do university students understand the graphs that they read in their textbooks? How does their knowledge regarding the content and their statistical training influence this understanding? Does the kind of task demand also influence this understanding? To answer these questions, we asked a group of psychology students and a group of economics students to choose the most suitable graph for presenting the results of different psychological research studies (reports) (selection task) or to explain in words the results of the same reports shown by means of their graphic representations only (interpretation task). The results showed there were very few differences between groups. Most of the students were able to relate textual information to the adequate graph, but also revealed significant shortcomings and mistakes in their understanding of important syntactic aspects of graphs. They also interpreted the graphs correctly but their interpretation had different levels of complexity, which were not always optimal. We also identified significant differences regarding the difficulty of the reports and the kinds of misinterpretations of graphs. The two tasks thus revealed different pictures of students’ skills in reading and interpreting graphs and, consequently, how the characteristics of task demands influence their performance.
New Compilation Languages Based on Structured Decomposability

We introduce in this paper two new, complete propositional languages and study their properties in terms of (1) their support for polytime operations and (2) their ability to represent boolean functions compactly. The new languages are based on a structured version of decomposability--a property that underlies a number of tractable languages. The key characteristic of structured decomposability is its support for a polytime conjoin operation, which is known to be intractable for unstructured decomposability. We show that any CNF can be compiled into formulas in the new languages, whose size is only exponential in the treewidth of the CNF. Our study also reveals that one of the languages we identify is as powerful as OBDDs in terms of answering key inference queries, yet is more succinct than OBDDs.
Binaural interaction in low-frequency neurons in inferior colliculus of the cat. III. Effects of changing frequency.

The effects of changing stimulus frequency on the interaural phase sensitivity of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) were studied in barbiturate-anesthetized cats in order to reexamine the issue of characteristic delay (CD). Since the results obtained with the interaural delay and binaural beat stimuli are similar, we used the averaged interaural delay curves and binaural beat period histograms as comparable expressions of a neuron's interaural phase sensitivity. When the averaged interaural delay curves at different frequencies are plotted on a common time axis, for some cells the resulting superimposed delay curves show peaks or troughs that coincide at some CD. For most cells, though, this method of detecting a CD by visual inspection yields ambiguous and uncertain results. Composite curves, computed from the average of all the normalized superimposed delay curves, are also not helpful for showing CD. In order to provide a more objective means of analyzing the data, we plotted the mean interaural phase versus the stimulating frequency and computed the linear regression line, using the mean square error as a measure of linearity. The slope of the regression line is the CD for the neuron, and the phase intercept is referred to as the characteristic phase (CP). Cells that display a CD at the peak discharge have a CP = 0.0 cycles, while those that show a CD at the minimum discharge have a CP = 0.5. Cells that exhibit a CP at any value other than 0.0, 0.5, or 1.0 will have a CD at some relative amplitude other than the peak or trough. For cells that exhibit a CD at the peak or trough, results of the analysis procedure using the phase-frequency plot correspond to those obtained from visual inspection. For cells that do not show a common peak or trough, the analysis procedure not only specifies the location of the CD but also provides a statistical criterion of the linearity. From this analysis about 60% of the runs were identified as satisfying the criteria for CD at the P less than 0.005 level and 71% of these CDs are between +/- 300 micros. Most CD cells do not have the CD at the peak or trough of the response. Our results differ from those found in previous studies but they are in essential agreement with the original concept put forth by Rose et al. (31). Some cels exhibit little change in the CD or CP with variations in intensity, while others display marked systematic shifts in both CD and CP. In general, the peaks and troughs of the composite curves show less variability with intensity than the CD. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The changing character of precipitation

Abstract From a societal, weather, and climate perspective, precipitation intensity, duration, frequency, and phase are as much of concern as total amounts, as these factors determine the disposition of precipitation once it hits the ground and how much runs off. At the extremes of precipitation incidence are the events that give rise to floods and droughts, whose changes in occurrence and severity have an enormous impact on the environment and society. Hence, advancing understanding and the ability to model and predict the character of precipitation is vital but requires new approaches to examining data and models. Various mechanisms, storms and so forth, exist to bring about precipitation. Because the rate of precipitation, conditional on when it falls, greatly exceeds the rate of replenishment of moisture by surface evaporation, most precipitation comes from moisture already in the atmosphere at the time the storm begins, and transport of moisture by the storm-scale circulation into the storm is vital.
The 1st International Scientific Conference on the Challenges of Contemporary Management in the Global Economy: Leadership, Strategies, Social Responsibility

The 1st International Scientific Conference The challenges of contemporary management in the global economy: Leadership, strategies, social responsibility was held on 13 – 14 March 2017 in Toruń, Poland. The conference was organised by the Department of Business Excellence, the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland as an event of the Welconomy Forum 2017. The aim of the conference was to present, analyse and discuss the issues related to: – Leadership including: contemporary concepts of leadership, roles played by top, middle and first line managers, challenges (both external and intra-organisational) faced by leaders journAL of CorporAte responsibiLity And LeAdership