Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caregivers' Role Definition and Practices in the Stimulation of Children's Emergent Reading Development in Ruiru, Kenya

Emergent reading refers to the reading related developments that occur before formal reading instruction. Although research on this concept exists in other countries, It is a relatively new concept in Kenya and for this reason has not received much attention in research. Recent studies in Kenya are consistently reporting poor reading achievements among children in primary school. These studies show that most of the reading difficulties begin from early childhood years and continue impacting on children’s reading attainment in their later school years. This implies that there is need to establish issues surrounding reading development from children’s early years. The study from which this paper draws investigated the current status of caregiver perceptions and practices with 30 to 42 months old children around print. The study found that caregivers largely lacked knowledge about children’s emergent reading development and their role in it. Caregivers’ perceptions about their role in children’s emergent reading development were largely negative. These findings implied that children are receiving little or no stimulation to enhance their early reading development. Consequently, they may start preschool with little or no interest and motivation to read. This may explain the reading difficulties that recent research has reported. Important recommendations arising from the study include the need to sensitize caregivers’ and to help them redefine their role in children’s emergent reading development are the key recommendations discussed in this paper. Key words : Emergent reading, Stimulation, Children, Caregivers, Role Definition
Information Brokerage: An Entrepreneurial Approach to Information Services in Nigeria

This article focuses on the genesis of and rationale for information consultancy â€“ also known as information brokerage or independent information profession (IIP) - as a profession in Nigeria. This may not be an easy task since Nigeria is, relatively, a newcomer to this field. This paper takes a look at the possibility and viability of information consultancy as is being practised in some developing and developed countries. It concludes that it is a good venture to be embarked upon. The article also highlights the challenges confronting the profession, especially in the areas of policy formulation, power generation, ICT, skill acquisition, managerial ability, report writing and data analysis, and recommends the way forward for would-be information brokers.
Degreasing the Wheels of Finance

Can there be too much trading in financial markets? We construct a dynamic general equilibrium model, where agents face idiosyncratic liquidity shocks. A financial market allows agents to adjust their portfolio of liquid and illiquid assets in response to these shocks. The optimal policy is to restrict access to this market because portfolio choices exhibit a pecuniary externality: Agents do not take into account that by holding more of the liquid asset, they not only acquire additional insurance against these liquidity shocks, but also marginally increase the value of the liquid asset, which improves insurance for other market participants.
Enact: Reducing Designer-Developer Breakdowns when Prototyping Custom Interactions

Professional designers and developers often struggle when transitioning between the design and implementation of an interactive system. We conducted three studies that focused on the design of custom interactions to understand the mismatches between their processes, tools and representations. We found that current practices induce unnecessary rework and cause discrepancies between design and implementation. We identified three recurring types of breakdowns: omitting critical details, ignoring edge cases
The iMPAcT Tool for Android Testing

This paper presents iMPAcT tool that tests recurring common behavior on Android mobile applications. The process followed combines exploration, reverse engineering and testing to automatically test Android mobile applications. The tool explores automatically the App by firing UI events. After each event fired, the tool checks if there are UI patterns present using a reverse engineering process. If a UI pattern is present, the tool runs the corresponding testing strategy (Test Pattern). During reverse engineering the tool uses a catalog of UI Patterns which describes recurring behavior (UI Patterns) to test and the corresponding test strategies (Test Patterns). This catalog may be extended in the future as needed (e.g., to deal with new interaction trends). This paper describes the implementation details of the iMPAcT tool, the catalog of patterns used, the outputs produced by the tool and the results of experiments performed in order to evaluate the overall testing approach. These results show that the overall testing approach is capable of finding failures on existing Android mobile applications.
LIME: understanding commercial 360° live video streaming services

Personalized live video streaming is an increasingly popular technology that allows a broadcaster to share videos in real time with worldwide viewers. Compared to video-on-demand (VOD) streaming, experimenting with personalized live video streaming is harder due to its intrinsic live nature, the need for worldwide viewers, and a more complex data collection pipeline. In this paper, we make several contributions to both experimenting with and understanding today's commercial live video streaming services. First, we develop LIME (Live video MEasurement platform), a generic and holistic system allowing researchers to conduct crowd-sourced measurements on both commercial and experimental live streaming platforms. Second, we use LIME to perform, to the best of our knowledge, a first study of personalized 360° live video streaming on two commercial platforms, YouTube and Facebook. During a 7-day study, we have collected a dataset from 548 paid Amazon Mechanical Turk viewers from 35 countries who have watched more than 4,000 minutes of 360° live videos. Using this unique dataset, we characterize 360° live video streaming performance in the wild. Third, we conduct controlled experiments through LIME to shed light on how to make 360° live streaming (more) adaptive in the presence of challenging network conditions.
The impact of interest rates on stock returns: empirical evidence from the JSE Securities Exchange

4 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 5 1.1 Context of Study . 5 1.2 Motivation and Objectives of the Study. 6 1.3 Contribution . 7 1.4 Research Organisation . 8 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND . 9 2.0. Introduction: Theoretical Framework . 9 2.1 Efficient Market Hypotheses (EMH) . 9 2.1.1 Weak-form EMH . 9 2.1.2 Semi-strong form EMH . 10 2.1.3 Strong-form EMH . 10 2.2 Asset Pricing Theory . 11 2.2.1 Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) . 11 2.2.2 Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) Model . 12 2.3 Vector Auto-regression (VAR) approach. 14 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW . 15 3.
Exploring Low-Occlusion Qwerty Soft Keyboard Using Spatial Landmarks

The Qwerty soft keyboard is widely used on mobile devices. However, keyboards often consume a large portion of the touchscreen space, occluding the application view on the smartphone and requiring a separate input interface on the smartwatch. Such space consumption can affect the user experience of accessing information and the overall performance of text input. In order to free up the screen real estate, this article explores the concept of Sparse Keyboard and proposes two new ways of presenting the Qwerty soft keyboard. The idea is to use users’ spatial memory and the reference effect of spatial landmarks on the graphical interface. Our final design K3-SGK displays only three keys while L5-EYOCN displays only five line segments instead of the entire Qwerty layout. To achieve this, we employ a user-centered computational design method: first study the reference effect of a single landmark key (line segment) from empirical data, then make assumptions to generalize the effect to multiple landmarks, and finally optimize the best designs. To make the text entry function more complete, we also design and implement gestural interactions for editing operations and non-alphabetical characters’ input. User evaluation shows that participants can quickly learn how to type with K3-SGK and L5-EYOCN. After five 15-phrase typing sessions, participants achieve 88.1%--92.8% of the full Qwerty keyboard in terms of words per minute on the smartphone and 98.4%--99.1% on the smartwatch. The differences on character and word error rate between our keyboard designs and the full Qwerty keyboard are not significant. The results of out-of-vocabulary words input are also promising. In addition, participants can quickly recall the typing skills and maintain the input performance even after a few days. User feedbacks in real application contexts show that with the low occlusion keyboard, users can acquire more information and perform less scrolling on the smartphone and achieve a higher input efficiency on the smartwatch with a more fluent input experience.
Dynamic Rules of Action , Market Knowledge Absorptive Capacity and Firm Innovativeness : An Empirical Analysis

The concept of market knowledge absorptive capacity (AC) is one of the dynamic capabilities that a firm has which is crucial for market success of the organization. However, the effect of market knowledge AC on the firm innovativeness (i.e. product and process) and the impact of dynamic rules of action embedded in organizational structure and behaviors on this capacity is interestingly missing in the AC literature. By investigating 241 firms, this paper indicates that a) dynamic rules of action are positively associated with market knowledge AC variables, b) market knowledge AC is positively related to firm innovativeness, c) firm innovativeness is positively associated with firm performance. In addition, we show that market knowledge AC influences firm performance via firm innovativeness.
The Impact of Socio-Economic Characteristics on Cash and Food Crop Production: Implications on Household Food Situation in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya

Socio-economic characteristics of households have significant implications on decisions related to utilization of household farms in order to meet food and non-food needs. This paper aims to establish the impact of socio-economic characteristics on cash and food production and the resultant household food situation in Kisii Central sub-County, Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 209 household heads drawn from three sub-Locations with the highest population density within the LM 1 , UM 1 and LM 2 agro-ecological zones. Data on gender and education level of the household heads, household size, farm size and household income was collected. The cash and food crop production data collected was the number of households involved in their production and the amount of land allocated to each activity. Assessment of the food situation was based on self-report by household heads in relation to levels of food availability within a period of one year. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used in data analysis and in particular, Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to analyze the impact of socio-economic characteristics on cash and food crop production and household food situation. The level of education of the household head (0.021) and household income (0.019) had significant impact on the food situation of households engaged in both cash and food crop production. Farm size had an impact on households engaged in food crop production (0.001). Most households were found to be food secure (77.5%). This study recommends that rural populations be encouraged to acquire formal education. Household income levels should also be enhanced through investment in value addition and establishment of cottage industries. Keywords: Cash and food crop production, Household socio-economic characteristics, Food situation
Antioxidant Trace Elements and Oxidative Stress Levels Associated with Pasteurellosis in Camel-Calves (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in the electrolyte and trace elements profiles, antioxidants and oxidative stress level associated with pneumonic pasteurllosis in camel-calves in Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, venous blood samples were obtained from 48 camel-calves with pneumonic pasteurellosis and 48 randomly selected clinically healthy camel-calves (control group). Serum trace elements including sodium, potassium, chloride, copper and zinc were assayed. Serum malondialdehyde and low-density lipoprotein levels as well as total antioxidant capacity; hydrogen peroxide concentration; and activity of reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were measured. Moreover, copper/zinc ratio and oxidative stress index were calculated. In camel-calves with pneumonic pasteurellosis, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the level of serum sodium, potassium, chloride, copper and zinc; total antioxidant capacity; and the activity of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase when compared with control group. Meanwhile, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in copper/ zinc ratio; level of malondialdehyde and low density lipoprotein; concentration of hydrogen peroxide; and oxidative stress index in pneumonic camel-calves compared to control group. The results indicate that electrolyte profiles, trace element level and oxidants antioxidants balance are greatly disturbed in camel-calves with pasteurellosis.
FOOD CACHING VERSUS IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION IN THE NUTHATCH: THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL CONTEXT

We studied the hoarding behaviour ofthe Nuthatch Sitta euro­ paea in wild during winter, and examined whether or not the trade-off between caching (external reserves) and consumption (internal reserves, fat deposit) in this species is a function ofthe social context in whichthe individ­ ual forages. We compared the caching behaviour of birds foraging solitary or with another bird (conspecific or heterospecific). When solitary, the Nuthatch hoarded in ahigherproportionthan when in the presence of another individual. The time feeding was significantly longer when in social than when solitary. The efficiency of caching (loss of the cache due to robbery or disturbance) also decreased when another individual was present. The results of this study undertaken in natural condition demonstrated that the presence of another individual was perceived by the Nuthatch as a source ofpotential cache loss. In a social context Nuthatches tended to increase internal reserves (fat deposits), also benefiting from the potential robber by sharing vigilance (conversion ofscanning time into feeding time). Ifsolitary, Nuthatches maxi­ mized external reserves (caches) for later consumption. We conclude that the decision about the way energy reserves are generatedby the species stud­ ied is dependent on the social context in which the individual is involved. Dept. Ecologia Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Jose Gu­ tierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Effects of supplements on milk nitrogen efficiency of buffalo cows.

Effect of introducing supplements to cross bred buffalo cows (Murrah non descriptive, live weight 305 kg ±14, parity 3, stage of lactation 198-215 days) were tested in a field experiment. Treatments tested were natural herbage + low cost concentrate ration (GT; 686 g/ dry matter (DM) /head/day; rice bran 35%, urea 12%,molasses 45%, mineral mixture 8%Treatment 1);natural herbage+farm made concentrate ration (FMC), 1800 g/DM /head/day; 40% coconut poonac, 40% rice bran, 18% soybean meal, 2% mineral mixture –Treatment 2); Treatment 2 + tree fodder (TF-480 g/DM/head/day) –Treatment 3; Treatment 1 + (TF) –Treatment 4 respectively. The cows in four treatments were allocated in a Latin square design. Average herbage intake was estimated as 5±0.21 kg /head/day with 21% DM and 9.21% crude protein. Milk yield was highest (P 0.05) with cows in T4 followed by cows in T3 and T1 while cows in T2 had the lowest MNE. The contribution of low cost concentrate ration with balanced energy, nitrogen and minerals had beneficially influenced the overall nitrogen metabolism thus improving the MNE. Considering the cost and other associative practical applications in using high cost concentrate rations (41 Rs/kg) under small farmer conditions could be reduced with better results by incorporating low cost concentrate rations (17 Rs/kg) and freely available green leguminous forages.
Effect of different environmental conditions on the incorporation of trace elements by larval shells of Mytilus galloprovincialis

Larval dispersal is the main cause of connectivity between populations and the establishment of the complex biogeography of most marine species. The determination of dispersion patterns has been relevant to conservation studies of species, management of fisheries stocks and even for the understanding of ecological processes as the extinction and re-colonization of populations. Carbonate structures of marine organisms work as an archive of environmental information. Through geochemical analysis of fish otoliths, as well as statoliths and shells of invertebrates is possible to discover physical and chemical environmental conditions under which these organisms developed and trace dispersion patterns and natal habitats. However, the incorporation of trace elements in these structures is highly regulated by a range of physical and chemical environmental factors as well as physiological and biochemical. These factors should be considered for an accurate use of geochemical signatures as a means of geographical identification. In order to investigate how the geochemical composition of larval shells from the mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis is influenced by environmental and temporal conditions, individuals were submitted to different temperatures, salinities and water elemental concentrations. The main objective was to understand how the elemental incorporation varies with different parameters of each environmental factor, and if the same is influenced by age. M. galloprovincialis larval were reared during 6 and 14 days under combined treatments of temperature (12, 17, 20 and 25° C) and salinity (26, 32, and 37). Concentrations of the elements Mg, Mn, Ba, Sr, Cu and Zn by the ratio of Ca were analyzed through ICP-MS (inductively wound couple plasma-mass spectrometry) analysis. Elemental fingerprinting, mussel larval shells, temperature, salinity, larval dispersal, Mediterranean mussel
Carbon Dioxide Capture from Ambient Air Using Amine-Grafted Mesoporous Adsorbents

Anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been identified as a major contributor to climate change. An attractive approach to tackle the increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere is direct extraction via absorption of CO2 from ambient air, to be subsequently desorbed and processed under controlled conditions. The feasibility of this approach depends on the sorbent material that should combine a long lifetime with nontoxicity, high selectivity for CO2, and favorable thermodynamic cycling properties. Adsorbents based on pore-expanded mesoporous silica grafted with amines have previously been found to combine high CO2 adsorption capacity at low partial pressures with operational stability under highly defined laboratory conditions. Here we examine the real potential and functionality of these materials by using more realistic conditions using both pure CO2, synthetic air, and, most importantly, ambient air. Through a combination of thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared (TGA-FTIR) spectroscopy we address the primary functionality and by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy the observed degradation of the material on a molecular level.
Precipitating Cloud Characteristics during Changma as Seen in TRMM PR Observations

The climatological characteristics of precipitating clouds during Changma, the summer rainy period in the Korean Peninsula, were investigated using the Precipitation Radar (PR) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. This investigation was further augmented with reanalysis data. Specifically, Changma clouds are compared with post-Changma clouds. Similarities and differences in cloud properties between the two periods are discussed based on seasonal changes in thermodynamic environments. For convective clouds migrating along the Changma (stationary) front, rain intensity is much stronger and cloud height is relatively higher than during any other summer period, including post-Changma period. Convective rain clouds have a large seasonal variability, even during summer. The seasonal variability in rain parameters related to convective rain type appears to be due to the thermodynamic and dynamic environments.
The teaching Of Unhu/Ubuntu through Shona novels in Zimbabwean secondary schools: A case for Masvingo urban district

The study investigated the extent to which secondary schools contributed towards the promotion of unhu among secondary school learners through the teaching of Shona novels. It aimed at assessing teachers and learners’ understanding of unhu and thereby establishing the extent to which they value the teaching of unhu through the Shona novel and ascertain the extent to which Shona teachers use prescribed texts to teach unhu. The study involved 16 Shona teachers and 20 ‘A’ level Shona students from four secondary schools in Masvingo town. Data was gathered through questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. The study established that most teachers and learners had very limited knowledge on the unhu concept. As a result, Shona teachers appreciated the novel as a tool that can be used to impart morals not unhu in its broad sense. Some teachers therefore, unconsciously used fictional works to impart unhu values in learners. It was therefore concluded that despite the potential Shona novels in promoting unhu among Shona learners in secondary schools, teachers used them to a limited extent. This research is of the view that teachers’ awareness of the unhu concept is of paramount importance for effective teaching of the values on pupils through the novel. Thus, there is need for unhu awareness workshops for professionals already in the field and the introduction of the unhu subject in teacher training institutions so that teachers can be effective implementers of the subject. Key words: Unhu/ubuntu, Shona novels, Zimbabwean secondary schools, African world view, traditional education.
Neo‐liberalism as creative destruction

Abstract Neoliberalization has swept across the world like a vast tidal wave of institutional reform and discursive adjustment, entailing much destruction, not only of prior institutional frameworks and powers, but also of divisions of labor, social relations, welfare provisions, technological mixes, ways of life, attachments to the land, habits of the heart, ways of thought, and the like. To turn the neoliberal rhetoric against itself, we may reasonably ask: in whose particular interests is it that the state take a neoliberal stance and in what ways have these particular interests used neoliberalism to benefit themselves rather than, as is claimed, everyone, everywhere? Neoliberalism has spawned a swath of oppositional movements. The more clearly oppositional movements recognize that their central objective must be to confront the class power that has been so effectively restored under neoliberalization, the more they will likely themselves cohere.