Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fourth-Grade Teachers Use of MTSS-RTI to Teach Mathematical Word Problem-Solving

Fourth-Grade Teachers Use of MTSS-RTI to Teach Mathematical Word Problem-Solving by Theodell J. Blake MS, Touro College, 2007 Med, University of Sheffield, 1998 BS, Andrews University, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Special Education Walden University May 2019 Abstract Schools in Florida used the multitiered system of support response to intervention framework to help students achieve the state and national standards but, in the national report card, 61% of the fourth-graders assessed in mathematics failed to achieve proficiency. Research indicated that the students lacked mathematical word problemsolving skills. The purpose of the qualitative study was to discover how fourth-gradeSchools in Florida used the multitiered system of support response to intervention framework to help students achieve the state and national standards but, in the national report card, 61% of the fourth-graders assessed in mathematics failed to achieve proficiency. Research indicated that the students lacked mathematical word problemsolving skills. The purpose of the qualitative study was to discover how fourth-grade special and general education teachers used the response to intervention framework evidence-based curriculum, instruction, intervention, assessment, and student data to teach math word problem-solving skills to children who have persistent and significant difficulties. Welner’s zone of mediation framework and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory form the conceptual framework for the study. The teachers provided data through indepth interviews, math intervention program, training document, teachers’ guides, assessment tools, and observation. All the data was uploaded to the latest version of NVivo and analyzed based on the research questions. The study findings showed that participants used all the features of the response to intervention framework to teach math word problem-solving skills and address the needs of at-risk students. Teachers should continuously reinforce math vocabulary, terminology, and math reading comprehension skills of students. Administrators and teachers should be able to use the findings of this study to improve the use of the response to intervention features to develop the math word problem-solving skills of students and influence teachers’ pedagogical practices. Fourth-Grade Teachers Use of MTSS-RTI to Teach Mathematical Word Problem-Solving by Theodell J. Blake MS, Touro College, 2007 Med, University of Sheffield, 1998 BS, Andrews University, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Trajectory Calculations for Spherical Geodesic Grids in Cartesian Space

Abstract This paper shows how to obtain accurate and efficient trajectory calculations for spherical geodesic grids in Cartesian space. Determination of the departure points is essential to characteristic-based methods that trace the value of a function to the foot of the characteristics and then either integrate or interpolate at this location. In this paper, the departure points are all computed in relation to the spherical geodesic grids that are composed of a disjoint set of unstructured equilateral triangles. Interpolating and noninterpolating trajectory calculation approaches are both illustrated and the accuracy of both methods are compared. The noninterpolating method of McGregor results in the most accurate trajectories. The challenge in using McGregor’s method on unstructured triangular grids lies in the computation of the derivatives required in the high-order terms of the Taylor series expansion. This paper extends McGregor’s method to unstructured triangular grids by describing an accurate an.
Influence of mechanical damage and storage on various quality aspects of potatoes

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mechanical damage on both the contents of dry matter and chlorogenic acid and the degree of blackspot for five cultivars of potatoes of various earliness groups. The study was conducted immediately after the harvest as well as after two, four and six months of storage under constant conditions (air temperature +4 °C and RH 95%). Mechanical damage leads to a greater accumulation of chlorogenic acid and increases the tubers’ susceptibility to blackening, irrespective of the earliness group. The duration of storage significantly determines the dry matter content of chlorogenic acid and the susceptibility to blackening of raw tuber flesh to the greatest extent for cultivars of the medium-early group. A significant (P < 0.01) correlation was demonstrated between the dry matter and chlorogenic acid contents and the degree of blackspot, which was higher on damaged tubers.
Environmental controls of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) growth across a climatic and edaphic gradient

Lucerne is one of the most valuable forage species because of its high productivity and nutritional traits. However, the knowledge of spatio-temporal variability and environmental controls of its growth generated from the simultaneous study of several sites and throughout several years is extremely scarce. Five-year biomass data were analyzed from four rain fed sites located across a climatic and edaphic gradient in Argentina. The aims proposed were to characterize annual and seasonal lucerne growth, to analyze environmental controls of spatial and emporal growth, and to compare water use efficiency (WUE) among sites. Annual growth differed significantly among sites, ranging between 7,514 and 14,262 kg DM/ha. This range at the spatial scale was mainly explained by variations in annual rainfall and WUE among sites. Seasonal growth depended on incident radiation and actual evapotranspiration. Interannual variability of lucerne growth was explained by precipitation occurred during the growing season in the driest sites, on sandy soils with less water retention capacity. Knowing the sources of variability of lucerne growth, would allow developing more efficient livestock management due to less uncertainty on the forage production dynamics.
Volatile Organic Compound emissions from soil: using Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) for the real time observation of microbial processes

Abstract. In this study we report on the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitric oxide (NO) from two contrasting soils (equatorial rainforest and arid cotton field) analyzed in a laboratory based dynamic chamber system. The effect of soil moisture and soil temperature on VOC and NO emission was examined in laboratory incubation experiments by measuring as a pre-saturated soil dried out. Our results suggest that real time monitoring of VOC emissions from soil using a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) instrument can be used to improve our understanding of the release mechanisms of trace gases (e.g. NO, N2O) that are involved in the nitrogen cycle. Moreover, we report on the release rate of various VOC species, many of which exhibit a temperature dependent response indicative of biological production, namely a temperature amplification factor (Q10) ∼ 2–3. Contrary to the conventional modeling of NO emissions from soils, that the release of NO from the overall community across the range of soil water content can be modeled as an optimum function, we suggest that VOC measurements indicate there exist multiple distinct contributing microbial guilds releasing NO. These microbial guilds could likely be individually identified with the observed VOC profiles. Using a cotton field soil sample from a Sache oasis (Taklimakan desert, Xinijang, P. R. China), we identify five VOC emission groups with varying degrees of NO co-emission. An equatorial rainforest soil (Suriname) was shown to emit a variety of VOC including acetaldehyde, acetone, DMS, formaldehyde, and isoprene that vary strongly and individually as a function of temperature and soil moisture content. PTR-TOF-MS with high time resolution, sensitivity, and molecular specificity is an ideal tool for the real time analysis of VOC and NO emitting processes in soil systems. These experiments can be used as a template for future experiments to more completely and specifically identify the active microbial guilds in soils and to characterize the impact of soil VOC emissions on the atmosphere.
Control of "Hyalesthes obsoletus" nymphs based on chemical weeding and insecticides applied on "Urtica dioica"

Bois noir is a grapevine yellows disease associated with Candidatus Phytoplasma solani and transmitted to grapevines by means of the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Homoptera, Cixiidae). The overwintering nymphs of the vector acquire the phytoplasma feeding on roots of herbaceous plants, including Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle). In German and Italian vineyards the possibility to control the H. obsoletus nymphs feeding on stinging nettle roots using chemical weeding and insecticides was investigated. In particular, the effect of herbicides, applied in autumn and in different spring timings, and neonicotinoid insecticides on vector adult emergence was evaluated. Trials conducted to control nettle with glyphosate or a mixture of glyphosate+flazasulfuron significantly reduced the density of emerging adult vectors. The efficacy of herbicides was highest when they were applied in autumn or in early spring with the nymphs not older than the fourth instar. Herbicides applied too close to the beginning of the emergence of adults reduced numbers only during the late part of the planthopper flight-period. Although neonicotinoid insecticides applied in early spring gave efficacy comparable to herbicides, their use is not advisable for the negative side effects on non-target arthropods (e.g. honeybees). Overall, the combination of cultural practices and accurately timed applications of selective herbicides might help to refine the current Integrated Pest Management recommendations for controlling nettle, H. obsoletus and consequently bois noir.
Changes in the red giant and dusty environment of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi following the 2006 eruption

We present near-infrared spectroscopy of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi (RS Oph) obtained on several occasions after its latest outburst in 2006 February. The 1-5 μm spectra are dominated by the red giant, but the H I, He I and coronal lines present during the eruption are present in all our observations. From the fits of the computed infrared spectral energy distributions to the observed fluxes, we find T eff = 4200 ± 200 K for the red giant. The first overtone CO bands at 2.3 μm, formed in the atmosphere of the red giant, are variable. The spectra clearly exhibit an infrared excess due to dust emission longward of 5 μm; we estimate an effective temperature for the emitting dust shell of 500 K, and find that the dust emission is also variable, being beyond the limit of detection in 2007. Most likely, the secondary star in RS Oph is intrinsically variable.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MOLYBDENUM-REDUCING AND GLYPHOSATE-DEGRADING Klebsiella oxytoca STRAIN SAW-5 IN SOILS FROM SARAWAK

Bioremediation of pollutants including heavy metals and xenobiotics is an economic and environmentally friendly process. A novel molyb-denum-reducing bacterium with the ability to utilize the pesticide glyphosate as a carbon source is reported. The characterization works were carried out utilizing bacterial resting cells in a microplate format. The bacterium reduces molybdate to Mo-blue optimally between pH 6.3 and 6.8 and at 34 o C. Glucose was the best elec-tron donor for supporting molybdate reduction followed by lactose, maltose, melibiose, raffinose, d-mannitol, d-xylose, l-rhamnose, l-arabinose, dulcitol, myo-inositol and glycerol in descending order. Other requirements include a phosphate concentration at 5.0 mM and a molybdate concentration between 20 and 30 mM. The molybdenum blue exhibited an absorption spec-trum resembling a reduced phospho-molybdate. Molybdenum reduction was inhibited by mercury, silver, cadmium and copper at 2 ppm by 45.5, 26.0, 18.5 and 16.3%, respectively. Biochemical analysis identified the bacterium as Klebsiella oxytoca strain Saw-5. To conclude, the capacity of this bacterium to reduce molybdenum into a less toxic form and to grow on glyphosate is novel and makes the bacterium an important instrument for bioremediation of these pollutants.
A Model for Coronal Hole Bright Points and Jets Due to Moving Magnetic Elements

Coronal jets and bright points occur prolifically in predominantly unipolar magnetic regions, such as coronal holes (CHs), where they appear above minority-polarity intrusions. Intermittent low-level reconnection and explosive, high-energy-release reconnection above these intrusions are thought to generate bright points and jets, respectively. The magnetic field above the intrusions possesses a spine-fan topology with a coronal null point. The movement of magnetic flux by surface convection adds free energy to this field, forming current sheets and inducing reconnection. We conducted three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of moving magnetic elements as a model for coronal jets and bright points. A single minority-polarity concentration was subjected to three different experiments: a large-scale surface flow that sheared part of the separatrix surface only, a large-scale surface flow that also sheared part of the polarity inversion line surrounding the minority flux, and the latter flow setup plus a “flyby” of a majority-polarity concentration past the moving minority-polarity element. We found that different bright-point morphologies, from simple loops to sigmoids, were created. When only the field near the separatrix was sheared, steady interchange reconnection modulated by quasi-periodic, low-intensity bursts of reconnection occurred, suggestive of a bright point with periodically varying intensity. When the field near the polarity inversion line was strongly sheared, on the other hand, filament channels repeatedly formed and erupted via the breakout mechanism, explosively increasing the interchange reconnection and generating nonhelical jets. The flyby produced even more energetic and explosive jets. Our results explain several key aspects of CH bright points and jets, and the relationships between them.
A Revised Late Holocene Sea-Level Record for Northern Massachusetts, USA

Abstract Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating of basal high-marsh sediments from Romney Marsh, Revere, Massachusetts, provides a revised reconstruction of the late Holocene relative sea-level history of the region. After correction for changes in tidal amplitude, the sea-level change envelope reconstructed from five AMS radiocarbon dates of basal marsh sediments at Romney Marsh in Revere, Massachusetts, indicates a rise in mean sea level (MSL) of close to 2.6 m in the past 3300 years. The data indicate a possible decrease in the average rate of rise from 0.80 ± 0.25 mm/y between 3300 to 1000 YBP to a rate of 0.52 ± 0.62 mm/y between 1000 YBP and the past 150 to 500 years. An increase in the rate of sea-level rise is evident over the past few hundred years. A slowing of the rate of sea-level rise between 1000 YBP and historic times and the increase in the rate of rise to modern values is also evident in other sea-level records from Maine and Connecticut. The coherence between these sea-level records and concomitant climate changes in and around the North Atlantic indicates that regional-scale sea-level fluctuations in the region may be driven by climate forcing. However, earlier sea-level fluctuations correlated to sea-surface temperature variability are not well-resolved by this record or other records in the region and may indicate that changes in sea level are not tightly coupled with sea-surface temperature changes.
Within-Person Configurations and Temporal Relations of Personal and Perceived Parent-Promoted Aspirations to School Correlates Among Adolescents

Grounded in self-determination theory, this longitudinal study examined the academic correlates of middle and high school students’ (N 923; 33.4% male) intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations (i.e., life goals) and the type of aspirations that they perceive their parents to promote to them. Person-centered analysis revealed 3 meaningful groups: a relatively high intrinsic aspiration group, a relatively moderate intrinsic aspiration group, and a relatively high-intrinsic and high-extrinsic aspiration group. Tukey post hoc comparisons indicated that students in the high intrinsic aspiration group scored higher on masteryapproach goals, effort regulation, and grades than students in the other 2 groups and lower on performance-approach goals and test anxiety than students in the high-high aspiration group. A match between learners’ own aspiration profile and the perceived parent-promoted aspiration profile did not alter these between-group differences. Further, intrapersonal fluctuations of intrinsic aspirations covaried with mastery-approach goals over a 1-year time interval, while extrinsic aspirations covaried with performance-approach goals and test anxiety in the same period; none of these within-person associations were consistently moderated by between-student differences in perceived parental aspiration promotion. Instead, perceived parent-promoted intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations were, respectively, positive and negative predictors of between-student differences in positive school functioning. The present results highlight the importance of endorsing and promoting intrinsic aspirations for school adjustment.
A preliminary comparison of beam instabilities among ESRF, APS, and spring-8 x-ray storage ring light sources.

A collaboration has been established among the three highest energy storage ring synchrotron light sources: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) (6 GeV), Advanced Photon Source (APS) (7 GeV), and Super Photon Ring (SPring-8) (8 GeV). The goal is to enhance understanding of impedance and beam instability characteristics for present performance and future machine development. In this paper, we compare the beam instability characteristics of the three rings and present a preliminary discussion of the similarities and differences. Topics for future, in-depth study, such as comparing the effect on the beam of in-vacuum insertion devices (IDs) and small-gap chambers, will be described.
HETEROGENEITY IN WAGE SETTING BEHAVIOR IN A NEW-KEYNESIAN MODEL

In this paper we estimate a New-Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (NK DSGE) model with heterogeneity in price and wage setting behavior. In a recent study, Coibion and Gorodnichenko develop a DSGE model, in which firms follow four different types of price setting schemes: sticky prices, sticky information, rule-of-thumb, or flexible prices. We enrich Coibion and Gorodnichenko framework by incorporating heterogeneity in nominal wage setting behavior among households. We solve this DSGE model and estimate it using Bayesian techniques for the US economy from 1955 to 2008. The estimation results show the relevance of heterogeneity in wage setting among households. More importantly, we identify qualitative and quantitative business cycle features allowed by the heterogeneity in wage rigidity, such as the persistence in price and wage inflation, which a standard NK model with only Calvo-type wage rigidity fails to achieve. We also show that modeling wage-rigidity heterogeneity—as opposed to standard Calvo wages—amplifies the macroeconomic output fluctuations resulting from a technology shock while it mitigates the output fluctuations following a monetary tightening.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Stock Market Development in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Kenya

We examine macro-economic determinants of stock market development in Kenya for the period 2000 to 2009, using quarterly secondary data. The hypothesis on the existence of a co-integrated relationship between stock market development and macro-economic determinants is tested using Johansen-Julius co-integration technique. While an error correction model is used in estimating the relationship between macroeconomic variables, on the one hand, and stock market development on the other. The results indicate that macro-economic factors such as income level, banking sector development and stock market liquidity are important determinants of the development of the Nairobi Stock market. The results also show that macro-economic stability is not a significant predictor of the development of the securities market. Keywords: Stock market, macroeconomic factors, Kenya
The association between industry entry costs and conditional conservative reporting

This thesis examines the potential association between the company’s level of industry entry costs and the degree of conditional conservatism applied by the company. The thesis finds a significant positive association between the industry entry costs and the degree of conditional conservative reporting. These findings are consistent with the corporate governance argument on product market competition, but are inconsistent with the results of Dhaliwal et al. (2014) that find evidence for strategic application of conditional conservatism. Moreover, the political costs argument for the use of conditional conservatism is not supported by the empirical findings of this thesis. As predicted, the corporate governance argument is found to be more pronounced for market followers than for market leaders. This thesis finds no evidence that suggests that the level of information asymmetry increases the need for conditional conservatism as corporate governance mechanism when industry entry costs are high.
A Practical Wavelet Compression for Arbitrarily-Sized Natural Color Images

A practical method for wavelet-based image compression was proposed, where ‘practical’ means that this method can be performed on typical images of any size, whether grey-scaled or color images. Its performance with simple methods used for wavelet decomposition of an arbitrarily-sized image were compared . Color images were transformed into the appropriate domain before the wavelet decomposition was employed in the same way as grey-scaled images. The wavelet coefficient matrices were encoded with an existing bit-plane encoding algorithm of the authors, (non-list context adaptive wavelet difference reduction). With its fast and memory-effective algorithm, the proposed coder performed at the same level as the JPEG2000 standard and significantly outperformed the existing JPEG standard for all test images which were downloaded from the Internet.
Refractive index effects on the scatter volume location and Doppler velocity estimates of ionospheric HF backscatter echoes

Abstract. Ionospheric E×B plasma drift velocities derived from the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) Doppler data exhibit systematically smaller (by 20–30%) magnitudes than those measured by the Defence Meteorological Satellites Program (DMSP) satellites. A part of the disagreement was previously attributed to the change in the E/B ratio due to the altitude difference between the satellite orbit and the location of the effective scatter volume for the radar signals. Another important factor arises from the free-space propagation assumption used in converting the measured Doppler frequency shift into the line-of-sight velocity. In this work, we have applied numerical ray-tracing to identify the location of the effective scattering volume of the ionosphere and to estimate the ionospheric refractive index. The simulations show that the major contribution to the radar echoes should be provided by the Pedersen and/or escaping rays that are scattered in the vicinity of the F-layer maximum. This conclusion is supported by a statistical analysis of the experimental elevation angle data, which have a signature consistent with scattering from the F-region peak. A detailed analysis of the simulations has allowed us to propose a simple velocity correction procedure, which we have successfully tested against the SuperDARN/DMSP comparison data set.