Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
D-LUCEA: Curation of the UCU Accent Project Data

The UCU Accent Project was set up in 2010 to collect a wide variety of non-native and native accents of English in an environment where English is the lingua franca, namely an international liberal arts and sciences college in Utrecht in the Netherlands. The recordings were made longitudinally over the three years of undergraduate study, and four cohorts of students were recorded in total. This yielded over 1,000 speech recordings over a six-year period in which the development of both native and non-native English accents in a non-native environment can be examined. In order to facilitate sharing the data with the wider research community, the D-LUCEA project undertook to curate the data. For each recording, the relevant concomitant metadata was produced, giving information to users of the database about the speaker, the technical specifications, the kinds of speech material recorded, and so forth. The project was funded by CLARIN, and specific CLARIN tools for curation were made available to us, including the Component Metadata Infrastructure (CMDI). To date, all of the speech data has been processed such that the metadata is available, and research is already running on this corpus, on topics as varied as prosodic convergence, L1 phonetic drift and phone convergence. Further plans include work with speaker recognition, accent recognition and models of language learning such as Flege’s Speech Learning Model, the Critical Theory Hypothesis, and the Perceptual Assimilation Model.
Fostering Trauma Literacy: From the Classroom to the Newsroom

Covering traumatic story assignments is often central to a journalist’s job. Violent crimes, natural disasters, and tragic personal struggles—these are newsworthy events. Studies have associated trauma coverage with higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, burnout, and other traumatic stress symptoms in reporters. This study uses a survey of print journalists (N = 254) and qualitative interview data to examine the extent that higher education journalism programs helped prepare reporters for covering trauma. Respondents who reported receiving some type of education about trauma journalism reported higher levels of trauma literacy, defined as an awareness of the potential effects of trauma and adaptive coping mechanisms. Results indicate the power of education to produce more prepared journalists. More than half (53%) of respondents reported never having received any type of education related to crisis reporting or covering trauma. A subset of respondents (n = 24) from the sample were interviewed about the extent of their journalism education, their experiences covering traumatic assignments, and their feelings of preparedness on the job.
Conditioned pain modulation assessment using contact heat as conditioning stimulus and two different test stimuli

Introduction. The objective of the study was to determine the potentials and reliability of conditioned pain modulation effect in healthy population by application of a conditioning contact heat stimulus, and heat and pressure applied to the low back region as a test stimulus. Material and Methods. The study included 33 healthy subjects (average age 25.73 ? 5.35 years). Pressure and heat pain thresholds were examined on the paravertebral musculature of the lower back as test stimuli. Contact heat was used on the contralateral forearm as a conditioning stimulus. Conditioned pain modulation was calculated as the difference between pain thresholds after and before conditioning stimulus application. To assess the reliability, identical testing was performed 14 ? 2 days later. Results. The pressure and heat pain thresholds, after the conditioning stimulus, were significantly higher compared to pain thresholds obtained before the conditioning stimulus (101,63 N/cm2 ? 45,21N/cm2 vs 82,15 N/cm2 ? 36,15 N/cm2, t = -7,528, p < 0,001 and 47,08? C ? 2,19o C vs 45,00 ? 3,05? C, t = -6,644, p < 0,001, respectively). The reli? ability of the same protocol, measured 14 ? 2 days after the previous testing, showed good reliability of the pressure pain threshold (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0,636, 95% confidence interval 0,240 - 0,825), and fair of the heat pain threshold (intraclass cor? relation coefficient = 0,435, 95% confidence interval - 0,070 - 0,713). Conclusion. Conditioned pain modulation was successfully induced by contact heat applied via a thermode, a conditioning stimulus. The reliability of this method of testing proved to be fair when it comes to the heat pain threshold and good when it comes to the pressure pain threshold.
Use of electronic information resources by arts undergraduates during the preparation of final year dissertations: a study at University of Peradeniya

Electronic Information Resources (EIR) perform an important role in the reference resources provided by the academic libraries. Readers are increasingly encouraged to use electronic resources for their research purposes. It is evident that most of the undergraduates consider the library as an important place during their course of study, especially during the preparation of final year dissertations. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to examine the usage of EIR by final year undergraduates during the time of preparation of their dissertation. The study used the survey research design with the application of purposive sampling method. The total population of the final year special degree in Arts students of the Faculty of Arts was 619 in 2014/2015 academic year. A total of 49 final year students of the special degree in Arts who visited the Main Library voluntarily participated in this survey within a period of one month from 01/03/2015 to 31/03/2015. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. The study findings indicated that the students used Internet search engines rather than specialized data bases and full-text resources to search information. Nearly 88% of the respondents had never used the library web page to search EIR. Nearly 10% were familiar with electronic resources available in the library. The main problems associated with non-use of EIR are: lack of skills in information searching and very limited training opportunities and limited facilities in accessing the Internet. According to the findings the reasons for lower usage of electronic resources by undergraduates are the lack of basic skills / knowledge in IT and English language barrier. In order to exploit the full potential of electronic information, university library and the faculty should play active roles by organizing awareness programmes, promoting EIR use among students and develop infrastructure facilities in the Main Library to enhance usage of EIR. Introducing information literacy skills course for students’ curricula is recommended to get maximum benefits of EIR Use.
Work-family Interfase and Job Performance: Job Satisfaction as Mediator

The objective of the study was to examine the relationships between work-family interfase, job satisfaction and job performance in an Argentinian workers sample. A cross-sectional empirical study, based on explicative-associative strategy, was designed. An availability sample of 383 workers (195 male) from different kinds of organizations was conformed. Based on past evidence, it was hypothesized the mediator role of job satisfaction. Structural equation analysis showed that the indirect effects of work-family interfase dimensions (conflict and enrichment) on job performance through job satisfaction were statically significant, which indicated partial mediation. All variables explained 72% of job performance variance. Empirical findings and practical implications of the study are discussed.
Similarity-Maintaining Privacy Preservation and Location-Aware Low-Rank Matrix Factorization for QoS Prediction Based Web Service Recommendation

Web service recommendation plays an important role in building service-oriented systems. QoS-based Web service recommendation has recently gained much attention for providing a promising way to help users find high-quality services. To accurately predict the QoS values of candidate Web services, Web service recommendation systems usually need to collect historical QoS data from users, which will potentially pose a threat to the user’s privacy. However, how to simultaneously protect user’s privacy and make an accurate prediction has not been well studied. By taking these two aspects into consideration, we propose a novel QoS prediction approach for Web service recommendation in this paper. Specifically, we first design a similarity-maintaining privacy preservation (SPP) strategy, which aims to protect the user’s privacy and maintain the utility of user data in the meanwhile. Then, we propose a location-aware low-rank matrix factorization (LLMF) algorithm, which employs the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_1$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:msub><mml:mi>L</mml:mi><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="jing-ieq1-2839741.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-norm low-rank matrix factorization to improve the model’s robustness, and combines the matrix factorization model with two kinds of location information (continent, longitude and latitude) in the prediction process. Experimental results on two publicly available real-world Web service QoS datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our privacy-preserving QoS prediction approach.
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AND GIRLS EDUCATION CAPABILITIES IN NZAMBANI WARD KITUI COUNTY IN KENYA: SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

Purpose: This research was carried out in Nzambani sub-county, Kitui County in Kenya. It aimed to find out causes and extent of teenage pregnancies in Nzambani, the impacts of teenage pregnancies on girls’ education capabilities and the current support offered to affected girls in and out of school, and proposals for future support for affected girls in getting their education capabilities. Methodology: An exploratory case study design was used, and key research methods used were reviewing literature, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Ethical clearance was sought from the University College of London, Institute of Education and NACOSTI Kenya. Through snowballing sampling six key informants and three focus group discussions were carried out. Data analysis focused on the thematic areas drawn from the three research questions. Findings: Teenage pregnancy was found to be a common phenomenon in Nzambani, with poverty reported as a major contributor. Other causes of teenage pregnancy were parental negligence, drug abuse, rape and moral decay, peer pressure facilitated by technology, psychological problems and low education levels among parents. The impact of teenage pregnancies and parenting on girls’ education capabilities was found to be school dropout more concentrated among form ones and twos, and deteriorating school performance. The current support offered to affected girls included guidance and counseling; financial, moral and child care by parents especially mothers; and health and nursing care during national exams. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This research recommends rigorous community sensitization on importance of educating pregnant and parenting teenage mothers’, financial and moral support for affected girls especially those in lower secondary since there was low support for their school resumption.
Finishing Strong: GPA and Timely College Graduation Outcomes among Native Hawaiian STEM Majors

Abstract:We examine GPA and timely graduation among Native Hawaiian (NH) students using a unique dataset of bachelor degree recipients from the University of Hawai'i. Our findings indicate that NHs have lower average GPA at graduation and the differences persist across the entire distribution of GPA. More troubling were the larger differences in GPA between NHs and their fellow student STEM majors. We find that where students attend high school matters for STEM majors, whereas NHs in non-STEM majors take statistically longer graduate than their peers, regardless of their high school. More comprehensive research is imperative to understand these disparities, including how they translate into labor force outcomes and earnings.
Effect of changing air to hydrogen ratio on the performance of flame photometric detector (S-mode) in the analysis of Organophosphorus – Pesticides by GC-FPD

In the present work, a sensitive method for the quantification of Organophosphorus – Pesticides (Malathion and Dimethoate) has been improved. The performance of flame photometric detector (FPD) was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility. The detector was strongly depending on the absolute and relative flow rates of air and hydrogen gases. The best air-to-fuel ratio for both Malathion and Dimethoate was found to be 0.6 (S mode), the minimum detection limit was found to be 0.0135 mg/l and wide linear dynamic range from 0.04038 to 1212 mg/l.
Analyzing College Students from Divorced and Intact Families and Their Family Communication Patterns and Interpersonal Communication Motives

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to investigate family communication patterns and interpersonal communication motives that college students use to communicate with their parents. In addition, this study analyzed sex differences among the different family types (e.g., divorced or intact families). The study also analyzed the relationships between family communication patterns and the relationship to parental closeness. These objectives were met over two studies. Findings suggest that there were specific communication motives (i.e., pleasure, relaxation, inclusion, and escape) that sons used to communicate with their fathers and fathers compared to daughters. Also, there were certain communication motives (i.e., escape and inclusion) that daughters used to communicate with their mothers compared to sons. Results showed that there are certain interpersonal motives (i.e., relaxation, inclusion, escape, and pleasure) that young adults use with their parents in divorced versus intact families. Results from this study suggest that family type difference and sex differences have an impact on familial communication.
Individuals' Cryptocurrency Adoption: A Proposed Moderated-Mediation Model

Although adoption of cryptocurrencies has received much attention in recent literature, little is known about what factors affecting adoption of Bitcoin. Since the context of cryptocurrencies is different from traditional technologies, several factors derived from the Blockchain technology may play important roles in adoption. We conducted email interviews with 165 students to identify the positive utilities (benefits) and negative utilities (risks) attached to Bitcoin. Then, based on a literature review and the results of our explorative research, we propose a qualitative theoretical model which extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and utility theory. Our theoretical model consists of correlations amongst the following constructs: positive and negative utilities, structural provisions, perceived value, attitude, personality traits, and intention to adopt Bitcoin. The proposed model can serve as a foundation for future studies addressing factors shaping individuals’ Bitcoin adoption decisions. Further research is required to empirically test the model to articulate Bitcoin adoption at the individual level.
Too good to be true, too good not to share: the social utility of fake news

ABSTRACT While fake news has been widely reviled as an attack on democracy, less has been written about its threat to interpersonal relationships. Social networks have become increasingly popular for sharing news and as a result have also offered fertile ground for the spread of fake news. This paper considers the impact of the latter on the former, particularly in circumstances where the sharer either does not know or does not suspect that the news they are sharing is fake. This distinction is important because while sharing information and news may be construed as a social good, sharing news that turns out to be fake might negatively impact relationships. How do people react when the news they have shared with the intention of fostering social cohesion turns out to be fake, and as a result damages that cohesion? Based on 12 focus groups, this study examines how social media users react to fake news and how it affects interpersonal relationships between sender and receiver.
The Effect of Brand Awareness, Brand Image and Perceived Quality on Customer Behaviour Intention

Brand equity adds value added to a business and can be a factor for success in a competitive market. In the competitive market of food truck business, food truck operators should understand that brand equity could give significant impacts on customer revisit intention. Therefore, this study examines the role of brand awareness; brand image and perceived quality as dimensions of brand equity from the perspective of food truck business, in creating the customer revisit intention. Through survey questionnaires distributed to 451 food truck customers in the Klang Valley; brand awareness, brand image, as well as perceived quality were measured together against customer behavioural intention. The results of this study indicate that brand awareness is the most significant dimension that influences revisit intention, followed by perceived quality and finally, brand image; providing a useful insight on brand equity and food truck business. Findings from this study can be used as a guideline for food truck operators to focus on and strategize their brand equity. It is hoped that this will create a healthy competition amongst food truck operators.
Campus-Level Variation in the Prevalence of Student Experiences of Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence

Objective: Sexual assault and intimate partner violence are problems on college campuses, yet few studies have examined campus-level factors that may be associated with their prevalence. This study examines campus-level factors that influence rates of sexual assault and intimate partner violence among college students. Method: Data are from 474 campuses that participated in the National College Health Assessment survey between 2011 and 2015. We used linear regression models to assess the impact of campus-level variables on campus rates of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Results: Significant campus-level predictors of sexual assault rates included rates of binge drinking, proportions of sexual minority students, lower student mean age, and higher proportions of students reporting experiences of discrimination. The strongest campus-level predictors of intimate partner violence rates included greater average number of sexual partners, lower rates of binge drinking, older student mean age, and lower proportions of full-time students. Conclusions: Campus-level factors associated with rates of sexual assault and intimate partner violence provide intervention targets for college administrators and student support staff. Colleges should address both individual and college-level factors in their efforts to prevent and reduce sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
An exploration of support systems for nursing staff working in safeguarding children

Multi-agency activity to safeguard children is increasing in the United Kingdom, with a growing number of children now subject to child protection plans or in local authority care (Radford et al 2013, Bentley et al 2017). The number of cases managed through the criminal justice system or attracting media attention, demonstrate abuse and neglect of children is extensive and significant (Brandon et al 2008, HM Government 2018).
Modelling of Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems MMaMS 2014 Path planning with modified A star algorithm for a mobile robot

Abstract This article deals with path planning of a mobile robot based on a grid map. Essential assumption for path planning is a mobile robot with functional and reliable reactive navigation and SLAM. Therefore, such issues are not addressed in this article. The main body of the article introduces several modifications (Basic Theta*, Phi*) and improvements (RSR, JPS) of A star algorithm. These modifications are focused primarily on computational time and the path optimality. Individual modifications were evaluated in several scenarios, which varied in the complexity of environment. On the basis of these evaluations, it is possible to choose path planning method suitable for individual scenario. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of the Modelling of Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems MMaMS 2014. Keywords: path planning, A* algorithm, Basic Theta*, Phi*, Jump Point Search Nomenclature SLAM Simultaneous Localization and Mapping A* A star RSR Rectangular Symmetry Reduction JPS Jump Point Search
Career Adaptability in Serbia: Examining the CAAS model

This study examined the psychometric properties of a Serbian translation of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS ? Serbian Form). Two different studies involving Serbian employed adults were conducted. In the first study (n = 374), the results of confirmatory factor analyses supported the four-factor structure of the scale and it is shown that the overall CAAS score and sub-dimension scores were highly reliable. The second study (n = 270) demonstrated the external validity of the instrument. Correlations with narcissism, career satisfaction, supervisory support, perceived social support, and burnout were consistent with the theoretical expectations and results of previous studies, suggesting good external validity of the instrument. The configural, metric, scalar, and residual measurement invariance of the CAAS ? Serbian Form among two samples were established. It was concluded that the CAAS ? Serbian Form has adequate psychometric properties, and hence could be considered as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring career adaptability of employed adults.
Mental health facilitator service implementation in Mexico: a community mental health strategy

ABSTRACT NBCC’s Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) program is designed to increases service accessibility by training paraprofessionals. Interviews from community stakeholders in Mexico were analyzed with Consensual Qualitative Research to explore the multi-year impacts of MHF. Positive findings corroborate prior research from other countries, however this sample highlights long-term barriers to implementation. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Praktikalitas Perangkat Pembelajaran Transformasi Geometri Berbasis Flipped Classroom Pada Peserta Didik Kelas XI SMAN 1 Padang

This paper discuss about practicality of product that are result of developmental research of learning device based on flipped classroom to improve mathematical problem solving ability for XI grade students of Senior High School on transformation material. This developmental research using Tjeerd Plomp model development procedure consisting of 3 stages, namely preliminary analysis stage, prototype development stage, and assessment phase. Data of practicality are collected by observation sheets, interview and students quosionare. The result show that learning device (lesson plan, learning video, student work sheet) are practically on learning geometry transformation based on flipped classroom. Keyword: practicality, learning device of geometry transformation, flipped classroom