Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of pre-task planning on foreign language performance

The Effects of Pm-task Planning on Foreign Language Performance Jiraporn Sanganin Ph.D. Thesis Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, OISE, University oCToronio, 2001 To date. Little Lî research bas investigated either pre-task planning processes or application of pre-task plans. To fil1 this gap in research literanxre, this study examines, arnong JO Gnde 11 Thai EFL students, the effects both of pre-task planning conditions and levels of cognitive and linguistic demand of t aks upon: (1) the participants' pre-task planning processes; (2) their application of pre-task plans; and (3) the complexity, accuracy. itnd fluency of their produced monologues. Data were collected, using a 4-by-2 research design with four PR-task planning conditions and two task types. Three of the four pre-task planning conditions were established based on their particular focus: content focused (CFPP), Ianguage focused (LFPP), and content and language focused (CLFPP). The fourch, minimal pre-task planning, was a conuol condition. The two tasks had, respectively, a low and a high level of cognitive and linguistic demand (LCLD and Ha). Results regarding the effects of the CFPP, LFPP, and CLFeP conditions show tfiat: (1) the pre-task planning processes underlying these ihree conditions were consistent with Levelt's (1989) speech production model; (2) the CFPP and CLFPP conditions promoted participants' application of their pre-task plans; (3) the CFPP and CLFPP conditions promoted complexity, respectively, in the low and high tasks; and (4) the three conditions promoted accuracy and fluency, either in one. the other, or both tasks. Results conceming task demand show that: (1) the LCLD task was more effective than the HCLD cask in influencing participants to direct their attention towards content planning; (2) the LCLD and HCLD tasks did not differently affect the participants' application of their pre-task plans; and (3) the HCLD task promoted complexity while the LCLD task promoted accuracy and fluency. The results support the c l a h of previous research that pre-task planning has the potentiai to improve EFL learners' speech performance. They aIso suggest that Levelt's (1989) mode1 of speech production is relevant for. (1) andyzing EFL leamers' pre-task planning process; (2) explaining its eflects on the learners' application of pre-task plans and produced speech; and (3) guiding pedagogy on pre-task planning implementation.
Profit Taxation and Bank Risk Taking

How can tax policy improve financial stability? Recent studies point to large potential stability gains from a reform that eliminates the debt bias in corporate taxation. It is well known that such a reform reduces bank leverage. This paper analyzes a novel, complementary channel: bank risk taking. We model the portfolio choice of banks under moral hazard and thereby emphasize the `incentive function' of equity. We find that (i) an allowance for corporate equity (ACE) and a lower corporate tax rate discourage risk taking and offer stability and welfare gains, (ii) a revenue-neutral introduction of the ACE unambiguously improves financial stability, and (iii) capital regulation and deposit insurance importantly influence the tax sensitivities of bank risk taking.
The Tolerance of Tamils: War-Related Experiences, Psychological Pathways, and the Probability of Granting Civil Liberties to Former Enemies

This article evaluates the psychological pathways between war exposure and the formation of political tolerance in Sri Lanka after the civil war between 1983 and 2009. To date, little is known in the political science literature about the interplay between war experiences, their psychological footprints, and the formation of political tolerance. Using survey data from 2016, we are able to evaluate the psychological consequences of war experiences, differentiating between the issues of both war-related distress and posttraumatic growth. Our results based on path models reveal that war exposure does not uniformly damage political tolerance: experiences of posttraumatic growth, a highly discussed phenomenon, are able to increase an individual’s probability of granting basic civil liberties to an opposing group.
Face spoofing detection from single images using active shape models with Stasm and LBP

Besides the recognition task, todays biometric systems need to cope with additional problem: spoofing attacks, like presenting a photo of a person(client) to camera. We study in this paper an anti-spoofing solution for distinguishing between ‘live’ and ‘fake ‘ faces. In our approach we focused in face detection using Viola-Jones algorithm and Active Shape Models with Stasm for locating landmarks. Then, we apply Local Binary Patterns (LBP) operator to extract the features in each region of the image. Finally, we use a nonlinear Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier with kernel function for determining whether the input image corresponds to a live face or not. Our experimental analysis on a publicly available database NUAA, showed excellent results compared to existing methods.
Youth entrepreneurship in emerging economies: can family support help navigate institutional voids?

Abstract Institutional voids plague entrepreneurship in emerging economies. In this paper, we investigate how the social structure of the family can enable young entrepreneurs to navigate the institutional voids and progress through the venturing process. Findings suggest that both institutional voids and family support have a significant effect on startup activities, and that family financial support helps absorb the negative influence of capital market voids. Our study begins to explain the relationship between institutional voids and family support, thereby contributing to the ongoing development of institutional theory in an emerging economy context and to the literature on family influences on entrepreneurship.
ASSESSMENT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN DAURA TOWNSHIP, KATSINA STATE

Solid waste management in urban centers of developing countries has been a major challenge as a result of increasing population, migration and rising standard of living. This study focuses on Daura Township, Katsina State northern Nigeria. The methodology deployed to achieve the aim is through direct observational technique during two field visits to the town. There is also the administration of questionnaire on respondents that were purposively sampled for the study and interview with the Zonal Officer of the waste management agency in charge of Daura town. The results obtained have shown that the State Government provides 78.12% of the waste disposal facilities while 12.88% of the facilities comprise the use of open spaces and uncompleted buildings. The efficiency of waste collection for disposal by the waste management agency is 55% of the wastes generated with the remaining 45% not collected for proper disposal. The major findings are that 22.82% of the respondents disposed wastes in authorized sites, waste materials are allowed to accumulate before vehicles and equipments are sent to collect the wastes for disposal and some of the residents are not cooperating with the Agency to ensure proper waste management.The challenges associated with waste management include blockage of drainages, air and land pollution, littering of streets and road sides. It is therefore recommended that adequate facilities, machineries and equipment should be provided by the State Government and public enlightenment campaign should be carried out to overcome the challenges of solid waste management in the township.
Can phonological awareness predict concurrent reading outcomes in a deep orthography?

Phonological awareness can predict reading skills in typical readers (Bradly & Bryant, 1983; Stahl & Murray, 1994) and can distinguish between typical reading and reading deficit in alphabetic languages (Snowling, 1981; Stanovich & Siegel, 1994; Bryant et al., 1990). Yet the nature of phonological awareness and the causal link between phonological awareness and reading skill are subject to debate (Harm & Seidenberg, 1999; Castles & Coltheart, 2004; Blomert & Willems, 2010). Phonological awareness is often defined as sensitivity to the phonological structure of language and the ability to segment, isolate and manipulate the sounds of a specific language. We report the results of a study whose aim was to determine the sensitivity of phonological awareness tests in distinguishing between typical readers and deficit readers in Urdu. Urdu has a deep orthography, which however, presents readers with challenges different from the type offered by a language, such as English (Farukh & Vulchanova, 2014). The tasks included in the battery were typical phonological awareness tasks, such as phoneme manipulation, rhyme oddity, rhyming, and syllabification. Our results show that none of the phonological awareness tasks successfully predict concurrent poor reading skills. Most notably, one task, syllabification, predicts reading accuracy in the Control group only, but not in the Reading Deficit group. We discuss these results in light of the grain-size hypothesis and the orthographic depth hypothesis of reading, and from the point of view of stages in literacy acquisition.
Neural-Symbolic Learning for Semantic Parsing

Our goal in this thesis is to build a system that answers a natural language question (NL) by representing its semantics as a logical form (LF) and then computing the answer by executing the LF over a knowledge base. The core part of such a system is the semantic parser that maps questions to logical forms. Our focus is how to build high-performance semantic parsers by learning from (NL, LF) pairs. We propose to combine recurrent neural networks (RNNs) with symbolic prior knowledge expressed through context-free grammars (CFGs) and automata. By integrating CFGs over LFs into the RNN training and inference processes, we guarantee that the generated logical forms are well-formed; by integrating, through weighted automata, prior knowledge over the presence of certain entities in the LF, we further enhance the performance of our models. Experimentally, we show that our approach achieves better performance than previous semantic parsers not using neural networks as well as RNNs not informed by such prior knowledge
THE APPLICATION OF THE ALTMAN Z-SCORE IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE BUSINESS MODEL OF THE COMPANY

In the paper, there has been discussed the problem of adaptability of the instruments of management accounting to the assessment of the business model of the company, while indicating their impact on the management process in the area of efficiency of the selected company of the cement sector. The aim of the paper is to learn the possibilities and validity of the application of discriminant analysis in the form of Altman model and interdependence analysis expressed with Pearson’s correlation coefficient to assess the business model implemented in the surveyed company. The research methods applied to achieve the objective are: critical analysis of literature, descriptive analysis, trend analysis, Altman model and Pearson’s correlation coefficient as well as case study. The research period is the years 2005– –2015. The problem of adaptability of the instruments of management accounting for the assessment of the business model of the company is important and up-to-date due to its impact on decision-making processes in the area of efficiency of enterprises.
Hawkweed invasion does not prevent indigenous non-forest vegetation recovery following grazing removal.

Factors controlling vegetation restoration of depleted short-tussock grasslands are poorly understood. We investigated effects of mouse-ear hawkweed (‘hawkweed’, Pilosella officinarum) cover and environmental stress associated with landform and soil type on the rate and pattern of indigenous vegetation recovery from grazing in the highly-modified 1000-ha Lake Tekapo Scientific Reserve in the north of the Upper Waitaki (‘Mackenzie’) Basin. The reserve has been destocked of sheep and under effective rabbit control since 1992. At that time, mouse-ear hawkweed dominated vegetation on three of its five major landforms (up to 42% cover), and 44–89% of soil was exposed. In 2011 we resampled 12 original vegetation monitoring plots that were established in 1993. Indigenous vegetation recovered in the 18 years following removal from grazing despite high levels of initial modification and exotic cover dominance. Exposed soil and rock decreased, and indigenous plant cover and litter increased across all landforms, while vascular and nonvascular indigenous plant cover increased at different ends of a landform-driven productivity gradient. Hawkweed invasion did not retard recovery; to the contrary, the extent and rate of recovery was higher on more productive landforms with higher initial hawkweed cover. The pattern of change across the reserve was consistent with grazing having exerted a powerful constraint on the growth and biomass of both indigenous and exotic palatable species prior to reservation. Soil moisture stress appeared to delay the timing of hawkweed invasion, and to constrain productivity and hence the rate of indigenous vegetation recovery following release from grazing. We propose a testable model of interacting influences of grazing and environment on indigenous vegetation and the niche of mouse-ear hawkweed, in which recovery outcomes depend on environmental productivity. We suggest that removal of feral grazing as well as stock, size of recovery area, limited monitoring-disturbance, and timing of grazing-release relative to hawkweed invasion may explain why our results and conclusions contrast with those from other studies of release of fescue-tussock grasslands from pastoral grazing.
Endogenous Information Acquisition and the Partial Announcement Policy

We consider implementability and the welfare effects of a partial announcement policy using a model of a beauty contest where agents' actions are strategic complements and where their decisions on public information acquisition are endogenous. The following results are obtained: i) if the authorities sell public information at a constant price, multiple equilibria emerge and a partial announcement equilibrium is unstable; ii) here exist pricing rules that ensure the uniqueness and stability of mixed strategy equilibria, which indicates that a partial announcement policy can be implemented; iii) the optimal price of public information rises as its precision increases relative to private information; iv) the optimal price is independent of the degree of strategic complementarity.
Trend Analyses of Critical Values Obtained for Maximum CBR Distance Achievable in Ubicomp MANETs Using Location Aware Transmission Strategies

– Many sub-fields concerned with ubicomp, like location-tracking, ubicomp functionalities and MANET transmission strategies, are being put to serious research [1-58]. However, their merging still is far from being fruitfully reached. Specifically, the enforcement of location-aware transmission strategies is hoped to enhance energy management in ubicomp. The enhancements being expected include [1] improvements in location refresh rates and accuracy, the application of land-based GPS systems, development of better protocols optimised for transmission according to distance criteria and refining the precision of the distance criteria to apply the protocol. The understanding of distance coverages by transmitted packets in ubicomp environments and corresponding variations over different node densities, is undeniably gainful for refining transmission protocols in MANETs. One distinct empirical study was carried previously [27] in which metric Maximum CBR Distance, Max_CBR_Dist, was devised and probed in. This was succeeded by the study of trends of parameters of equations for metric Max_CBR_Dist [43]. In this paper, the next level of probing is put as: “What are the observable critical values in Max_CBR_Dist trends? What are the trends of variation observable within each critical value for metric Max_CBR_Dist over varying node densities? ” Designers will use the output presented here, towards deriving augmented “realistic” ubicomp scenarios for future ubicomp tools. This piece of research stands as a follow-up of previous investigations [1-58].
Response to the review of hess-2018-0351 RC 1 : Responses

::: The ::: use ::: of :::::: ground :::::: based ::::::::::: precipitation :::::::::::: measurements ::: in :::: radar ::::::::::: precipitation :::::::::: estimation :: is :::: well :::::: known ::: in ::::: radar ::::::::: hydrology. :::::::: However, ::: the :::::::: approach ::: of ::::: using :::::: gauged ::::::::::: precipitation :::: and :::: near :::::: surface ::: air :::::::::: temperature ::::::::::: observations :: to :::::::: improve :::: radar ::::::::::: precipitation ::::::: estimates :: in :::: cold ::::::: climates :: is ::::: much ::: less :::::::: common. : In cold climates, :::::::::: precipitation :: is :: in the form of precipitation (snow or rain or a mixture of snow and rain) results in uncertainty in radar precipitation estimation. Estimation often proceeds without distinguishing the state of :: the :::: two ::::::: phases. ::: Air :::::::::: temperature :: is :::::::: intrinsic :: to ::: the ::::: phase ::: of ::: the ::::::::::: precipitation :::: and ::::: could 5 ::::::: therefore ::: be :: a ::::::: possible :::::::: covariate :: in :::: the :::::: models ::::: used :: to :::::::: ascertain ::::: radar : precipitation which is known to impact the radar reflectivity – precipitation relationship ::::::: estimates. In the present study, we investigate the use of air temperature within a nonparametric predictive framework to improve radar precipitation estimation for cold climates. Compared to radar reflectivity gauge relationships, this approach uses gauge precipitation and air temperature observations to estimate radar precipitation. A nonparametric predictive model is constructed with radar precipitation rate and air temperature as predictor variables, and 10 gauge precipitation as an observed response using a k-nearest neighbour (k-nn) regression estimator. The relative importance of the two predictors is ascertained using an information theory-based rationale :::::::: weighting. Four years (2011-2015) of hourly radar precipitation rate from the Norwegian national radar network over the Oslo region, hourly gauged precipitation from 68 gauges, and gridded observational air temperature were used to formulate the predictive model and hence make our investigation possible. Gauged precipitation data were corrected for wind induced catch error ::::::::: undercatch before using them as true 15 observed response. The predictive model with air temperature as an added covariate reduces root mean squared error (RMSE) by up to 15 % compared to the model that uses radar precipitation rate as the sole predictor. More than 80 % of gauge locations in the study area showed improvement with the new method. Further, the associated impact of air temperature became insignificant at more than 85 % of gauge locations when the temperature was above :::: near :::::: surface ::: air :::::::::: temperature :::: was ::::::: warmer :::: than 10◦ C, which indicates that the partial dependence of precipitation on air temperature is most important for colder climates 20 alone ::::: useful ::: for :::::: colder :::::::::: temperatures.
DETERMINANTS OF DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO: A STUDY OF LISTED COMPANIES IN INDONESIA STOCK EXCHANGE

This study examines the performance of the determinants of dividend payout ratio of listed companies in Indonesia Stock Exchang period 2011-2016. This study use independent variable such as firm size, institutional shareholding, free cash flow, growth and return on asset. The analysis is performed using the data derived from the financial statements of listed companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange during a six-year period. The Panel Data Analysis is used to estimate the regression equation. The result shows that there is relationship between firm size, institutional shareholding, free cash flow, growth and return on asset with dividend payout ratio which simultaneously have significant relationship with dividend payout ratio and the value is 54.93%. The result of this research also shows that institutional shareholding has a positive and significant relationship with dividend payout ratio. Firm size and return on asset have a negative and significant relationship with dividend payout ratio. While the free cash flow has a negative and insignificant relationship with dividend payout ratio and growth has a positive and insignificant relationship with dividend payout ratio.
The linkage between individual, group and organizational learning at a hospital

This article aims to analyze the relation between individual, collective and organizational levels of learning in a hospital. In order to meet this objective, according to previous studies, a quantitative survey was carried out, from the application of questionnaires, with the hospital nurses. The data were analyzed followed by the technic of structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that learning in groups is related to the learning that occurs at the individual and organizational levels. However, individual learning was not significantly associated with organizational learning. Furthermore, it was found that the collective learning substantially influences the organizational learning, compared to individual learning. The results are consistent to those found in other similar studies.
Macro- and Micro-Validation: Beyond the "Five Sources" Framework for Classifying Validation Evidence and Analysis.

This paper argues that the dominant framework for conceptualizing validation evidence and analysis – the ‘five sources’ framework from the 1999 Standards – is seriously limited. Its limitation raises a significant barrier to understanding the nature of comprehensive validation, and this presents a significant threat to effective validation practice. Motivated by a belief that ‘validity by design’ ought to be substantiated through ‘validation of design’ this paper demonstrates the importance of adopting a broader conceptual framework. It introduces a new framework, based upon the metaphor of different validation lenses through which to scrutinize assessment procedures at differing levels of detail, with micro-validation lenses at one end of a continuum and macro-validation lenses at the other. The evolution of validation theory can be seen as a very gradual, if somewhat reluctant, acknowledgement of the importance of micro-validation. This paper recommends micro-validation as the natural foundation for any comprehensive validation program.