Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness analysis of education and health interventions in developing countries

High-quality impact evaluations, including randomised experiments, are increasingly popular, but cannot always inform resource allocation decisions unless the costs of interventions are considered alongside their effects. Cost-effectiveness analysis is a straightforward but under-utilised tool for determining which of two or more interventions provides a (non-pecuniary) unit of effect at least cost. This paper reviews the framework and methods of cost-effectiveness analysis, emphasising education and health interventions, and discusses how the methods are currently applied in the literature.
Habituation of Auditory Steady State Responses Evoked by Amplitude-Modulated Acoustic Signals in Rats

Generation of the auditory steady state responses (ASSR) is commonly explained by the linear combination of random background noise activity and the stationary response. Based on this model, the decrease of amplitude that occurs over the sequential averaging of epochs of the raw data has been exclusively linked to the cancelation of noise. Nevertheless, this behavior might also reflect the non-stationary response of the ASSR generators. We tested this hypothesis by characterizing the ASSR time course in rats with different auditory maturational stages. ASSR were evoked by 8-kHz tones of different supra-threshold intensities, modulated in amplitude at 115 Hz. Results show that the ASSR amplitude habituated to the sustained stimulation and that dishabituation occurred when deviant stimuli were presented. ASSR habituation increased as animals became adults, suggesting that the ability to filter acoustic stimuli with no-relevant temporal information increased with age. Results are discussed in terms of the current model of the ASSR generation and analysis procedures. They might have implications for audiometric tests designed to assess hearing in subjects who cannot provide reliable results in the psychophysical trials.
The Relationship between Group Size and Performance on a Microcomputer Problem-Solving Task for Learning Handicapped and Nonhandicapped Students

Microcomputers are a powerful resource. Yet, in order for teachers to use this technology effectively, they need information about how specific variables might affect the performance of mildly handicapped as well as nonhandicapped learners. This study examines the effect of group size on performance measures, the relationship between group size and task engagement, and the relationship of task engagement to performance for both types of learners. Twenty learning handicapped and twenty nonhandicapped boys from upper elementary grades participated for ten minutes, three times per week for a four-week period on a mathematics problem solving task. Each student worked individually, with a handicapped partner, and with a nonhandicapped partner. Results indicated that it was as effective for students to work with a partner at the computer as it was for them to work alone. This finding occurred although dyads had half as much time at the computer as students working alone. Task engagement was also similar for children working in dyads or individually. Following each computer session a paper and pencil task was administered individually to the study participants. There was no difference in number correct related to group size; yet, at the most difficult task level, learning handicapped children solved more problems correctly following a computer session in which they worked with a partner. It appears that given a software program which requires students to apply mathematics skills to a new situation, it is effective to have two children working together at the computer.
Some structural consequences of diffusion

Abstract This study investigates the diffusion and structural adaptation of quotative be like into a rural African American speech community. The data come from a longitudinal corpus of recordings (1988–2010) with rural African American Vernacular English (AAVE) speakers born between 1894–2002. Previous research suggests other innovative AAVE features have diffused into this community from neighboring urban areas (Cukor-Avila 1995, 2001; Cukor-Avila & Bailey 1995b, 1996) approximately a generation after they appear in urban varieties. The present analysis supports Cukor-Avila (2002) that be like has followed a similar path of diffusion, and adds new recordings of young speakers to provide necessary data to explore the transmission of be like in the community, its continued diffusion, and how these processes reinforce each other as be like becomes the primary means of expressing quoted speech. In addition, the present study explores how quotative be like has been structurally adapted into the AAVE copula system. (AAVE, transmission, diffusion, adaptation, quotative be like)*
Evolution of Online Campaigning: Increasing Interactivity in Candidate Web Sites and Blogs Through Text and Technical Features

Political candidates have responded to the public's desire to use the Internet as an interactive information source by creating their own online presence. This study is a content analysis of the Web sites and blogs of the 10 Americans vying to be the Democratic candidate for the 2004 presidential election. Focusing on interactivity, data indicated front pages hyperlink to participation areas such as Donation or Volunteer sections and rarely linked to external content. Blogs used hyperlinks at a rate less than Web sites. Interactivity was encouraged through text, as 83.7% of Web sites asked voters to become more involved. Blog posts discussed issues and attacked the opponents, including President Bush. For the most part, blog posts were personal in nature and used direct address. The tactical use of advanced Web site features showed a technological progression of political campaigning and an overall increase in interactivity through technology and text.
Experiences in deploying a wireless mesh network testbed for traffic control

Wireless mesh networks (WMN) have attracted considerable interest in recent years as a convenient, flexible and low-cost alternative to wired communication infrastructures in many contexts. However, the great majority of research on metropolitan-scale WMN has been centered around maximization of available bandwidth, suitable for non-real-time applications such as Internet access for the general public. On the other hand, the suitability of WMN for mission-critical infrastructure applications remains by and large unknown, as protocols typically employed in WMN are, for the most part, not designed for real-time communications. In this paper, we describe the Smart Transport and Roads Communications (STaRComm) project at National ICT Australia (NICTA), which sets a goal of designing a wireless mesh network architecture to solve the communication needs of the traffic control system in Sydney, Australia. This system, known as SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System)and used in over 100 cities around the world, connects a hierarchy of several thousand devices -- from individual traffic light controllers to regional computers and the central Traffic Management Centre (TMC)-- and places stringent requirements on the reliability and latency of the data exchanges. We discuss our experience in the deployment of an initial testbed consisting of 7 mesh nodes placed at intersections with traffic lights, and share the results and insights learned from our measurements and initial trials in the process.
Luhmann, Habermas and the theory of communication

In his critique of Luhmann’s sociology, Habermas (1987) argued that individuation and socialization are possible on the basis of linguistic structures. This critique touches the blind spot of sociological systems theory as a meta-biology. Whereas the paradigm shift from action theory towards communication theory was fully reflected in Luhmann’s sociology, the difference between the self-organization of social systems and the autopoiesis of biological systems remained underspecified. Social systems allow for communication about observations from within the system and/or from another perspective. Observers are able to participate both in the variation and in the selection; Giddens (1976) introduced in this context the metaphor of a ‘double hermeneutics. ’ Through language the distinction between uncertainty and meaningful information is communicated reflexively, and the consequent codification may be changed without becoming confused. The implied communicative competences can be specified from the perspective of communication theory.
Contextual and Analytic Qualities of Research Methods Exemplified in Research on Teaching

The aim of the present article is to discuss contextual and analytic qualities of research methods. The arguments are specified in relation to research on teaching. A specific investigation is used as an example to illustrate the general methodological approach. It is argued that research methods should be carefully grounded in an understanding of the nature of the investigated phenomena. This makes a case-based description fundamental. It is also argued, that the complexity and uniqueness of phenomena have to be met by a combination of contextual and analytic methodological characteristics, to reach descriptions that give a valid basis for a sustainable development of knowledge. Contextual analysis is presented as a useful methodology meeting those requirements. The aim is to discuss the most fundamental characteristics of contextual analysis and not to give a detailed description of the use of the methodology.
The causes of non‐attendance: an empirical study

This paper presents new evidence obtained from an empirical study which used three distinct groups of professionals engaged in the attempt to “brainstorm” reasons for pupils' non‐attendance. The evidence suggests that the “causes” of pupils' non‐attendance can be sub‐divided into three main fields: pupils who dislike coming to school; those who experience home difficulties; and, those with psychological problems. The roles of society and of the government are considered. Key issues which need to be resolved in order to improve school attendance are examined and ideas for further research postulated.
Comparison of Human Tear Film Osmolarity Measured by Electrical Impedance and Freezing Point Depression Techniques

Purpose: Tear hyperosmolarity is diagnostic of dry eye disease (DED), yet difficulty in measurement has limited its utility; development of new instruments could facilitate its clinical application. This study compares the new OcuSense TearLab osmometer (OcuSense, Inc, San Diego, CA), based on electrical impedance “lab-on-a-chip” nanoliter technology, with the freezing point depression Clifton Osmometer (Clifton Technical Physics, Hartford, NY). Methods: Thirty-six subjects were recruited: 15 DED (9 women, 6 men age: 41 ± 16 years) and 21 controls (12 women, 9 men age: 35 ± 12 years); criteria for DED were noninvasive tear breakup time <10 seconds, Schirmer I test <5 mm, and positive symptoms. Samples were collected from the inferior tear meniscus for testing with both osmometers. Results: Osmolarity values measured with OcuSense TearLab were 308 ± 6 and 321 ± 16 mOsm/L for controls and dry eye, respectively, and those measured with Clifton were 310 ± 7 and 323 ± 14 mOsm/L for controls and dry eye, respectively; these values were significantly different. Significant correlation was found between OcuSense and Clifton measurements (r = 0.904; P = 0.006). Bland-Altman analysis revealed agreement between techniques; the majority of points fell within the 95% confidence limits, and actual values differed by less than 1%. A cutoff value of >316 mOsm/L, derived from the distribution of osmolarity values, was used to diagnose DED with an effectiveness of 73% sensitivity, 90% specificity, and 85% positive predictive value for the OcuSense and 73% sensitivity, 71% specificity, and 65% positive predictive value for the Clifton in the study samples. Conclusions: Tear film osmolarity measured with the OcuSense TearLab system correlates well with the Clifton Osmometer. The new instrument has the potential to provide clinicians with a readily available clinically applicable measure, which could become the gold standard in DED.
Formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies and QSO activity

We present the results of a numerical code that combines multi-zone chemical evolution with 1D hydrodynamics to follow in detail the evolution and radial behaviour of gas and stars during the formation of elliptical galaxies. We use the model to explore the links between the evolution and formation of elliptical galaxies and QSO activity. The knowledge of the radial gas flows in the galaxy allows us to trace metallicity gradients, and, in particular, the formation of a high-metallicity core in ellipticals. The high-metallicity core is formed soon enough to explain the metal abundances inferred in high-redshift quasars. The star formation rate and the subsequent feedback regulate the episodes of wind, outflow and cooling flow, thus affecting the recycling of the gas and the chemical enrichment of the intergalactic medium. The evolution of the galaxy shows several stages, some of which are characterized by a complex flow pattern, with inflow in some regions and outflow in other regions. All models, however, exhibit during their late evolution a galactic wind at the outer boundary and, during their early evolution, an inflow towards the galactic nucleus. The characteristics of the inner inflow could explain the bolometric luminosity of a quasar lodged at the galactic centre as well as the evolution of the optical luminosity of quasars.
Validity of IQ-Discrepancy Classifications of Reading Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis

According to federal regulations, children with reading difficulties are eligible for special education services under the learning disability category if they display reading skills that are significantly lower than their scores on intelligence (IQ) tests. Children who are poor readers but do not display this discrepancy are not eligible for special education. A meta-analysis involving 46 studies addressing the validity of this classification of poor readers revealed substantial overlap between the IQ-discrepant and IQ-consistent poor readers. Aggregated effect sizes were in the negligible range for the Behavior (–.05) and Achievement (–.12) domains but in the small range for the Cognitive Ability domain (.30). The latter effects were heterogeneous, with larger estimates showing higher performance by the IQ-discrepant poor readers. The size of the effects could be largely explained by the selection criteria used to form groups, indicating that variation in group definitions across studies accounted for variability in effect size estimates. These results provide little evidence supporting the validity of the IQ-discrepancy classification fundamental to public policy concerning students with learning disabilities and cast doubt on the need for IQ tests in identifying these students.
A Literature Review Of Research Quality And Effective Practices In Alternative Education Settings

Effective behavioral practices for students with emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD) are critical. Students with E/BD are often served in alternative education (AE) settings due to behavior that cannot be supported in a typical school setting or due to court adjudication based on delinquent activity. Like other settings for students with E/BD, AE programs must utilize effective intervention practices for students to get the most out of the program and make appropriate behavioral changes. This review examined the literature base of behavioral interventions implemented in AE settings from 1970-2010 to assess the inclusion of nine effective practices recommended for use in alternative settings (Tobin & Sprague, 2000; Nelson, Sprague, Jolivette, Smith, & Tobin, 2009). A total of 39 articles were identified and analyzed that met the study criteria. Results indicated that only 29 studies included any of the effective practices. Additionally, small class size was the most frequently noted effective practice. Finally, the quality of research concerning behavior in AE settings appears to be quite low. Implications of this study and directions for future research are presented.
Global Citizenship Identification and Religiosity

In four studies we examine the associations between religiosity, global citizenship identification, and various kinds of values (e.g., exclusionary, prosocial). Across the studies, general trends emerged showing that religiosity is unrelated to global citizenship identification, and positively related to exclusionary values (e.g., sexual prejudice, ethnocentrism, restricting outgroups). However, examination of the varied motivations to be religious (i.e., intrinsic, extrinsic, quest) showed that quest religious motivation is positively related to global citizenship identification, as well as inclusionary and prosocial values. Furthermore, quest religious motivation was found to positively influence the antecedents and outcomes of global citizenship identification.
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Evaluations of Elementary Students' Scientific Models: An aspect of pedagogical content knowledge for scientific modeling

Part of the work of teaching elementary science involves evaluating elementary students' work. Depending on the nature of the student work, this task can be straightforward. However, evaluating elementary students' representations of their science learning in the form of scientific models can pose significant challenges for elementary teachers. To address some of these challenges, we incorporated a modeling-based elementary science unit in our elementary science teaching methods course to support preservice teachers in gaining knowledge about and experience in evaluating students' scientific models. In this study, we investigate the approaches and criteria preservice elementary teachers use to evaluate elementary student-generated scientific models. Our findings suggest that with instruction, preservice elementary teachers can adopt criterion-based approaches to evaluating students' scientific models. Additionally, preservice teachers make gains in their self-efficacy for evaluating elementary students' scientific models. Taken together, these findings indicate that preservice teachers can begin to develop aspects of pedagogical content knowledge for scientific modeling.
Multi-stage formulation of optimal Distributed Generation placement using Reinforcement Learning

The advancements in Distributed Generation Technology and the environmental concerns has given a way for adopting more and more Distributed Generation(DG) sources into the power system. The benefits from the Distributed Generation can be guaranteed only if they are integrated at appropriate locations with optimal capacity. This was one of the research interest in the past decade and numerous studies were done on the same. The uncertainty associated with the DG sources is a keen aspect to be considered for the integration. This necessitates the application an optimization algorithm that can handle uncertainties. The paper presents the formulation of Optimal DG placement problem as a multi-stage decision making problem which is solved using Reinforcement Learning that can be applied for handling uncertainties. The proposed algorithm is validated in IEEE-33 Bus Radial distribution System.
All the School's A Stage: Critical Performative Pedagogy in Urban Teacher Education

The authors of this article investigate how a performance module was integrated into a graduate course on children's literature to provide teachers with a space to re-enact and challenge the institutional tensions that were impacting their work as multicultural educators. Based on a combined ethnographic and systemic functional linguistics analysis, this study investigates how performance functioned in the context of this course. Did teachers co-construct a collaborative and transgressive space to challenge the top-down discourses informed by deficit views of diverse students and communities in the school district? Data collected for the study include videotapes of course sessions, field notes, teachers’ written critiques, and curriculum materials. Findings show that the use of this performance module helped expose and challenge institutional power dynamics. However, the invoked heteroglossia of voices and perspectives also maintained deficit discourses about students and parents. Implications about how theater and other arts-based approaches can be integrated into critical teacher education curricula in ways that promote broader social change are discussed.
Putting Transformative Learning Theory into Practice.

This paper elaborates on a number of key criticisms of Mezirow's transformative learning theory as well as providing arguments that validate it. Our paper exemplifies how Mezirow's theory can help adult educators and prospective school teachers understand that social structures and belief systems can influence student learning, that learners make meaning of their experiences in various ways which influence the sort of value systems they develop and that disorienting dilemmas often challenge the validity of one's values and the assumptions that underpin them. It exemplifies how Mezirow's theory can be put into practice in Adult and Higher Education via three case studies undertaken by the authors in different places, at different times and with different sets of learners. These include mature aged women returning to study, PhDs at a Swedish Engineering University, and domestic and international students studying at an Australian regional university. The case studies make use of a values survey, interviews and subsequent focus groups. Data from the survey and interviews are analysed and used to argue that transformative learning (Mezirow, 1991) can be practiced, to good effect, in university staff development
Socio-economic Impacts of Sport Tourism in the Durban Unicity, South Africa

A case study of sport tourism initiatives undertaken in Durban is provided to describe some of the challenges of conducting socio-economic impact research in a transforming South Africa. Based on analyses of socio-economic data of seven sport tourism events held in the last year and supported by the Durban Events Corporation (DEC), key findings and implications of the studies in relation to promoting and sustaining sport tourism in Durban are revealed. In order to maximize sport tourism's potential, it is concluded that Durban must continue to attract investments and businesses linked to sport tourism, further develop cooperative relationships with sport governing bodies, sponsors, business associations and government departments, and make strategic decisions pertaining to its differential branding of distinctive localities and activities.
The family work week

Katherine Marshall is with the Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division. She can be reached at 613-951-6890 or perspectives@statcan.gc. ca. T he paid work week has recently shown a steady decrease in Canada and in most other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (Usalcas 2008). While a drop in the average time spent at the job may suggest more personal time at the individual level, disposable family time is contingent on the combined paid work schedules of family members. In fact, overall family work hours have increased because the number of contributors has increased. In 2008, dualearners accounted for three-quarters of all couples with dependent children—up from just over one-third in 1976. Although individual paid hours are well documented, less is known about employment hours and earnings within families.