Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motivations of High School Students of Different Sex and Age

Background. The actual motive may be experimentally diagnosed through study of the system of perceived motivations. However, since perceived motivations are always expressed in terms that are not unambiguous (for a number of reasons, including age, gender, context, etc.), the experimental reconstruction of the actual motive is always associated with an ambiguity in interpretation of the respondents’ perceived motivations. We need to use a method of diagnosing motivations that would allow us to identify, for the groups of students studied, not only the contribution of a particular perceived motivation, but also the substantive features of the designated motives, through the pattern of correlations of these perceived motivations. Objective. This article presents the results of research on the age and gender specifics of learning motivations of high school students. Design. Experimental identification of their motivational profiles was made by means of factor analysis, separately for each of four groups of pupils (in Moscow schools with a traditional learning paradigm): two junior groups (8th-9th grades, 14-15 years old) of boys (62) and girls (59); and two senior groups (10th-11th grades, 16-17 years old) of boys (63) and girls (54). Results. As a result, a motivational structure specific for the corresponding gender and age was identified and described. Conclusion. We showed that as a child grows up, the orientation in learning becomes more and more generalized, with a stronger expression for boys than for girls. In the junior group, girls have a motivation that is oriented to the future, whereas boys do not; such motivations in boys are seen only in the senior group and are inextricably linked to the parents’ approval. Both for boys and girls, the content of their motivation for cognitive achievement in the older age group is based on two motives, which are independent at the younger age: curiosity and prestige. However, with girls, apart from a desire to learn new things, the aspiration to differ notably from others and to demonstrate their achievements to others is significantly greater than with boys.
Electrodiagnosis in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Review

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a narrowing of the spinal canal and/or the neuroforamina through which the spinal cord roots enter and exit. The symptoms of LSS usually begin over the course of several months and include neurogenic claudication. This is characterized by low back pain that radiates down one or both legs producing pain or weakness. LSS can be quite debilitating and can have a profound negative effect on one’s activities of daily living and overall quality of life. Imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are routinely performed in the work-up of suspected LSS. In recent years, there has been much controversy over the actual clinical usefulness of these studies. When compared to electrodiagnostic studies, CT and MRI have been shown to have increased false negative and false positive rates. Electrodiagnostic studies show dynamic physiological neural function and has become a valuable tool in LSS. This information can be used to determine the location and severity of LSS, differentiate LSS from other conditions, and monitor the progression. Electrodiagnostic techniques such as somatosensory evoked potentials, dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSEPs), and paraspinal mapping (PM) increase both the sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing LSS. DSEPs provide useful information on multi-level, multiple rootlet disease. PM reflects the physiology of nerve roots and has been found to be superior to extremity needle EMG. Electrodiagnostic techniques are becoming the standard in the diagnosis and therapeutic decisions for LSS and other related diseases.Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2010;56:75-80.
Disjointness properties for Cartesian products of weakly mixing systems

For n 1 we consider the class JP(n) of dynamical systems each of whose ergodic joinings with a Cartesian product of k weakly mixing automorphisms (k n) can be represented as the independent extension of a joining of the system with only n coordinate factors. For n 2 we show that, whenever the maximal spectral type of a weakly mixing automorphism T is singular with respect to the convolution of any n continuous measures, i.e. T has the so-called convolution singularity property of order n, then T belongs to JP(n 1). To provide examples of such automorphisms, we exploit spectral simplicity on symmetric Fock spaces. This also allows us to show that for any n 2 the class JP(n) is essentially larger than JP(n 1). Moreover, we show that all members of JP(n) are disjoint from ergodic automorphisms generated by infinitely divisible stationary processes. 1. Introduction. In this paper we deal with several properties of dy- namical systems which are related to the notion of disjointness. This notion was introduced by Furstenberg (8) and, among other motivations, bore fruit in the development of tools to classify dynamical systems and construct ex- amples of dierent behaviour. We will devote our attention to classes of
BANK INFORMATION MONOPOLIES: EVIDENCE FROM TUNISIA

The purpose of this paper is to examine the problem of bank information monopoly using detailed information on the debt structure of 47 Tunisian non-financial firms over the 1998-2003 period. We find that bank debt is negatively related to agency costs of moral hazard and adverse selection. We argue that there is a potential hold-up problem leading firms that are exposed to information asymmetry to limit bank financing in order to avoid rent extraction from banks. Further, our results suggest that this hold-up problem can be resolved either by issuing public debt or by bank equity participation.
Reducing microzones and sulfide production in marine snow

Using tetrazolium salts we tested the hypothesis that reducing microzones can form within detrital aggregates (i.e. marine snow). Even when the ambient waters were well oxygenated, patches of reduced tetrazolium salts were found in marine snow indicating that strongly reducing microzones were present in these aggregates. Further, in both laboratory-made and field-collected marine snow we found measurable amounts of sulfide. Sulfide was present in marine snow on 9 out of 10 sample dates and the sulfide concentration within marine snow ranged from 1.3 to 25 pm01 S 1' On only 1 out of 10 dates was sulfide detected in the oxygenated waters surrounding the aggregates. The sulfide in the marine snow was probably produced by anaerobic microbes in the reducing microzones in the marine snow. Our data suggest that the paradoxical production of sulfide in aerobic water columns is probably due to production within anoxic microzones within marine snow.
Spatio-temporal variation of the zooplankton community in a tropical wetland (Bhoj Wetland), Bhopal, India

Bhopal, the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India is famous for its numerous lakes. The Bhoj Wetland is a wetland of international importance (Ramsar Site). In the two years of study period, a total of 82 zooplankton species were recorded from February 2008-January 2010. Out of which 66 species were recorded in the 1st year (2008-2009), and 70 species documented during the 2nd year (2009-2010). The zooplankton population belongs to five major groups namely: Rotifera (46%), followed by Cladocera (34%), Protozoa (10%) and Copepoda and Ostracoda contributing 6 and 4%, respectively. With regards to Rotifera, in the major peak of June 2009 (38 species), was dominated by the various species of Brachionus and Keratella. The population density data revealed that cumulative site mean density ranged from 84 to 1579 Ind. l-1, with an overall mean of 399 Ind. l-1. The 24 months of mean site density indicated a major peak of 1579 Ind. l-1, in June 2009, with 47 and 43% contribution from Copepoda and Rotifera. However, among Copepoda, Cyclops and Nauplius larvae were major contributors to this peak and among Rotifera, Brachionus caudatus and Keratella tropica were dominant contributors. The comparative cumulative mean data on zooplankton in Bhoj Wetland indicate that during the 1st year, the diversity was 31 species and 30 species in the 2nd year. The mean density, during the 1styear was 276 Ind.l-1 that increased to 468 Ind.l-1 in the 2nd year. This variation in density during two years may be attributed low water volume caused by drought conditions in the second year. Bhoj wetland is under eutrophic state as a result of human stress in the catchment area. Further, increase of plant nutrients in the wetland waters is deteriorating its ecological condition.Hence, it is imperative to focus on preservation of these endangered habitats to achieve ecological sustainability. Key words: Zooplankton, diversity, density, indicator species, BhojWetland.
Service quality effects on air passenger intentions: a service chain perspective

This study divides entire airline services into eight service stages and uses a second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to constitute service quality and to examine the causal relationships between two consecutive service stages from a service chain perspective. Two conceptual frameworks – overall framework and service chain framework are proposed. The former incorporates the constructs of service quality, sacrifice, servicescape, service value, satisfaction, switching barriers, and behavioural intentions combined with seven hypothetical causal relationships. The latter depicts seven hypothetical causal relationships between two consecutive service stages. The proposed models are validated by a case study of Spring Airlines, a low-cost carrier (LCC) based in China. The empirical results support all hypotheses except hypothesis 7 that service quality positively impacts behavioural intentions. Notably, test results for the interrelationships between two consecutive service stages suggest that a lack of satisfaction at a specific service stage will affect customer perception of the consequent service stage. Therefore, to improve the service quality for a service stage, the service quality of all upstream service stages must be improved first. This study also found that service quality has a large effect although not direct on behavioural intentions while sacrifice has the smallest effect. A low-fare strategy may not be effective when an airline fails to deliver high-quality service.
EFFICIENCY OF SIMPLIFIED ALTERNATIVE MODELLING APPROACHES TO PREDICT THE SEISMIC RESPONSE OF PRECAST CONCRETE HYBRID SYSTEMS

SUMMARY Two alternative simplified modelling approaches in representing the seismic behaviour of different jointed ductile precast/prestressed connections/systems is herein illustrated. Particular emphasis is given to the modelling of hybrid connections, developed in the PRESSS Program (PREcast Seismic Structural System) coordinated by the University of San Diego, for frame and wall systems. The efficiency and accuracy of the two alternative simplified approaches and analytical methods, one based on section analysis procedure and lumped plasticity models and the other one based on the use of multi-contact spring models, are herein critically discussed and compared through analytical validations of a beam-column subassembly and a wall specimen.
Regional income convergence in India and spatial dependence

This paper examines the convergence of India's economic growth in per capita incomes of 28 states for the period 1981-2010 and provides the first estimates from spatial panel data model. Our analysis reveals significant local and global spatial dependence in the growth of PCI of Indian states. This implies that all the earlier estimates of convergence rates and the impact of initial income on growth may be inaccurate and biased. Our findings suggest that in addition to a state's own initial income, what matters is how rich or poor their neighbours are. This implies that an initially poor state may grow faster if its neighbours are richer or growing fast. This has implications for growth policy-making in India. JEL Classification: C21 O47 O50
Numerical Models of Blackbody-Dominated GRBs

Blackbody-dominated (BBD) gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are events characterized by the absence of a typical afterglow, long durations and the presence of a significant thermal component following the prompt gamma-ray emission. GRB 101225A (the `Christmas burst') is a prototype of this class. A plausible progenitor system for it, and for the BBD-GRBs, is the merger of a neutron star (NS) and a helium core of an evolved, massive star. Using relativistic hydrodynamic simulations we model the propagation of an ultrarelativistic jet through the enviroment created by such a merger and we compute the whole radiative signature, both thermal and non-thermal, of the jet dynamical evolution. We find that the thermal emission originates from the interaction between the jet and the hydrogen envelope ejected during the NS/He merger.
LEARNING LEVELS IN TECHNICAL DRAWING EDUCATION: PROPOSAL FOR AN ASSESSMENT GRID BASED ON THE EUROPEAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (EQF)

For several years the European Commission for Education and Training has been trying to build a translation device to make comparable national qualifications, aiming to promote workers and learners' mobility within EU and to facilitate their lifelong learning. A basis to achieve this goal is to use common assessment grids to certify skills and abilities. The abilities in Technical Drawing seen as a working tool and as a language of communication, despite the existence of a certification, the ECDL CAD, for the ability to use the computer to draw, are not assessed. This paper highlights the consequences of the lack of skills certification in Technical Drawing, with particular reference to the authors' experiences in corporate and academic contexts. Then, the paper introduces a proposal for an assessment grid for the evaluation of Technical Drawing learning levels, based on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), with separate learning outcomes for knowledge, skills and competences. Finally, it’s shown an example of Europass Certificate Supplement, with reference to the proposed grid, to certify the learning outcomes of a Technical Drawing course taught in our Faculty.
Economic Growth and Exchange Rate Volatility in Case of Pakistan

This study was designed to investigate the relationship of economic growth and exchange rate volatility in Pakistan. The empirical relationship between exchange rate volatility and economic growth have been found while employing Error Correction techniques along with Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) 1982 -1 to 2007 – IV. Notwithstanding, co-integration relationship between growth, exchange rate volatility, reserve money and manufacturing are detected in the long run except exports and imports. Conclusion suggests that domestic economic performance is very sensitive to the exchange rate volatility in the long-run period.
Nasal high-flow in acute hypercapnic exacerbation of COPD

Since the late 1980s non-invasive ventilatory support (NIV) has become a standard treatment in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) with hypercapnia.1 Although NIV has been shown to be extremely useful in this situation, but up to 30% of hypercapnic AECOPD patients do not tolerate NIV for several reasons.2 Nasal high-flow (NHF) provides a warmed and humidified airflow up to 60 Liter/min through a specialized nasal cannula. Oxygen admixture is readily available and should be dosed to a desired saturation.3 NHF combines a wash-out effect with a decrease in CO2 rebreathing, support of inspiratory flow, a small increase in airway pressure, a lowering of ambient air admixture during inspiration and possibly a beneficial effect of warmed and saturated air in the airways. Together, these effects lead to a stabilization of oxygen delivery at higher respiratory rates, a decrease in the work of breathing noticeable by a lower respiratory rate and reduced hypercapnia.4–6 Several studies evaluated the effectiveness of NHF therapy in a variety of clinical situations with effects comparable to NIV.3,7 Most of these investigations excluded patients with hypercapnia. It is therefore, impossible to draw meaningful conclusions on the effectiveness of NHF in AECOPD. Several smaller series have observed a significant decrease in partial arterialized carbon dioxide pressure of CO2 (paCO2) in chronic hypercapnic COPD patients.4,6 There are no data available about other endpoints or in a cohort of solely hypercapnic AECOPD patients.
Extraction of parameters and modelling soil erosion using gis in a grid environment

Soil erosion assessment for watershed management is one of the major concerns because in reality it is not possible to conserve all areas under the threat of erosion because of the financial constraints. Geographic Information Systems are becoming a popular tool when seeking solutions to issues of these kinds, which are spread over large spatial extents. However it is of utmo st importance to ensure a reasonable assessment of soil erosion because this is the core to any such decision making. Use of USLE for erosion assessment using GIS poses concerns since some parameters are polygon specific. This could be overcome easily by the use of grid-based data layers and selecting appropriate size of grids for a particular data set. The most common problem is the computation of the slope length and slope class parameters of a particular grid of a DEM. The present study describes a different methodology to compute these factors using a digital elevation model of the study area. A watershed from Sri Lanka covering an area of 23,000ha was selected for modelling. Field survey results recognised the need to calibrate the model for planning purposes. Model calibration used a weighting scheme. A comparative analysis of results for the same project area from the grid-based model and a model that did not use grid-based data indicated an almost same value of mean annual erosion level for the watershed. This paper also carries a discussion of the key issues that need to be considered when modelling in different environments. Suitably developing a model in a grid data environment provides better flexibility to compute erosion levels for different spatial scales. Grid based method also enables the meaningful use of pixel based remotely sensed land cover information for modelling soil erosion.
Simulation of the dam break problem and impact flows using a Navier-Stokes solver

The impact flow on a vertical wall resulting from a dam break problem is simulated using a Navier-Stokes (NS) solver. The NS solver uses an Eulerian finite volume method (FVM) along with a volume of fluid (VOF) scheme for phase interface capturing. The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of the solver for problems in the category of wave impacts. Previous experiments and other numerical solution techniques are compared with the solver’s results. Different aspects of the flow such as free-surface elevation before and after the initial impact have been studied in depth. The pressure peak due to water impact on the vertical wall has also been analyzed. Water viscosity and air compressibility effects have been assessed. The significance of the time step and grid resolution are also discussed. Results show favorable agreement with experiments before water impact on the wall. However, both impact pressure and freesurface elevations after the impact depart from the experiments significantly. Hence the code is assessed to be good only for qualitative studies.
Breeding System Studies with Three Species of Anagallis (Primulaceae): Self-incompatibility and Reduced Female Fertility in A. monelli L.

Abstract The pollination biology, fruit set and breeding system of Anagallis arvensis, A. parviflora and A. monelli were studied in the field and glasshouse. No pollinators were observed at flowers of A. arvensis and A. parviflora , and hand pollinations indicated that these species are self-compatible taxa which automatically self-pollinate as the petals close at the end of the first day. Flowers of A. monelli were visited by several small halictid bee pollinators and a field diallel with seven plants indicated that this species is self-incompatible. Fruit set in A. monelli is correlated with distance to the nearest conspecific neighbour such that beyond 2 m fruit set is relatively low. The diallel cross, and also an analysis of the number of seeds per capsule for all plants located within 2 m of a conspecific, indicated that about 18% of the population of A. monelli showed low female fecundity and were thus ‘male dominant’ individuals.
Examining the associations between attention, reading and language abilities in young adulthood

This study investigated the relationships between attention, reading and readingrelated measures, and oral language abilities in young adulthood. The majority of studies have focused on younger participants and have used self-report measures of attention. In the present study, a more objective, behavioral measure of attention was used. Factor analyses and structural equation modeling were performed to examine whether the data supported the Simple Theory (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) in this age group and whether some of the variance in reading performance is accounted for by attention. The conventional Simple Theory proposes that reading comprehension performance is the product of decoding and listening comprehension skills and both skills are necessary for reading comprehension. Findings of the current study did not indicate that attentional skills helped explain individual differences in reading comprehension. That is, performance on the attention measures did not significantly correlate with reading, reading-related or oral language performance, nor did they account for additional variance in predicting reading comprehension abilities. Potential explanations for these results, as well as limitations of the present study, are discussed.
Laboratory studies on the olfactory behaviour of Anopheles quadriannulatus

The host preference of Anopheles quadriannulatus Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae), the zoophilic member of the malaria mosquito complex Anopheles gambiae Giles, was investigated in a dual‐choice olfactometer. Naïve female mosquitoes were exposed to CO2, acetone, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, and skin emanations from cows and humans in various combinations. Their behavioural responses were recorded when they had entered one of either upwind traps from where the odours were being released. The mosquitoes did not respond to CO2 when released at human or cattle equivalent concentrations. Too few mosquitoes responded to acetone to allow for a statistical analysis. The combination of CO2+ 1‐octen‐3‐ol was repellent. Cow odour alone was slightly attractive, but there was a synergistic attractive effect of cow odour + CO2. Surprisingly, the mosquitoes were attracted to human odour, and in a choice situation human odour was selected above cow odour + CO2. Anthropophilic An. gambiae Giles s.s. was repelled by cow odour + CO2 in contrast to An. quadriannulatus. In a choice situation, both mosquito species selected human odour above cow odour + CO2. The implications of these results are discussed in the light of recent behavioural data from the field.