Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Academic Self-Efficacy on Academic Achievement of Online Foreign Language Learning : A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study in Japanese Higher Education Environment

A number of earlier studies have reported that self-efficacy and academic achievement are correlated. However, although many self-efficacy scales exist, the correlation between academic achievement and such self-efficacy scales has not been tested so far. In particular, there are only a few studies on the relation between academic achievement of foreign language learning with information, communication, and technology (ICT) and self-efficacy scales. The present study examines whether general and academic self-efficacy scales differ from each other in correlating academic achievement of foreign language learning with ICT in a higher education environment. General and academic selfefficacy scales were measured for 279 Japanese college students. Their test scores (sentence production and vocabulary) of foreign language learning courses in which Moodle was used were also obtained. First, these correlations were analyzed. Then, if a correlation of the test scores with either general self-efficacy or academic self-efficacy was found, the relation was tested for a significant correlation pattern. Academic self-efficacy statistically correlated with both sentence test and vocabulary test scores. In contrast, general self-efficacy correlated with neither of the test scores. No significant interaction was noted between general self-efficacy*academic self-efficacy for both sentence test and vocabulary test scores. Although there is no statistical interaction between general self-efficacy and academic self-efficacy correlating with academic achievement of foreign language learning with ICT, academic self-efficacy is more likely to explain academic achievement in foreign language education in a college setting with ICT than general self-efficacy. This also implies that academic self-efficacy can be more effectively applicable than general self-efficacy to foreign language learning among Japanese college students.
The Dynamics of General Fuzzy Cellular Automata 1

We continue the investigation into the dynamics and evolution of fuzzy rules, obtained by the fuzzification of the disjunctive normal form, and initiated for rule 90 in [2], for rule 110 in [10] and for rule 30 in [3]. We present general methods for detecting the evolution and dynamics of any one of the 255 fuzzy rules and apply this theory to fuzzy rules 30, 110, 18, 45, and 184, each of which has a Boolean counterpart with interesting features. Finally, it is deduced that (except for at most nine cases) no fuzzy cellular automaton admits chaotic behavior in the sense that no sensitive dependence on the initial string can occur.
Novel Complex GUCY 2 D Mutation in Japanese Family with Cone-Rod Dystrophy

PURPOSE. All mutations in the retinal guanylate cyclase gene (GUCY2D) that causes autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (CORD) are associated with an amino acid substitution in codon 838. A novel heterozygous complex missense mutation of I915T and G917R in the GUCY2D gene was found in a Japanese family with autosomal dominant CORD. The clinical features associated with this mutation were described.
Presenting TWITTIRÒ-UD: An Italian Twitter Treebank in Universal Dependencies

In this paper we describe the early stage application of the Universal Dependencies to an Italian corpus from social media developed for shared tasks related to irony and stance detection. The development of this novel resource (TWITTIR `O-UD) serves a twofold goal: it enriches the scenario of treebanks for social media and for Italian, and it paves the way for a more reliable extraction of a larger variety of morphological and syntactic features to be used by sentiment analysis tools. On the one hand, social media texts are especially hard to parse and the limited amount of resources for training and testing NLP tools further damages the situation. On the other hand, we thought that adding the Universal Dependencies format to the ﬁne-grained annotation for irony, that was previously applied on TWITTIR `O, might meaningfully help in the investigation of possible relationships between syntax and semantics of the uses of ﬁgurative language, irony in particular.
artitioning of forest evapotranspiration : The impact of edge effects nd canopy structure

The magnitude of small scale variability in tree transpiration was explored in a structurally heterogeneous Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. ) plantation in western Denmark. The trees are arranged in a distinctive small scale mosaic (0.25 ha) of young open-canopy stands interspaced with older mature closed-canopy stands. Tree transpiration was measured in the open and closed canopy stands using Granier type thermal dissipation probes; forest floor evapotranspiration (ET) was estimated by monitoring the weight of cut out sections of forest floor; and total ET was estimated using the eddy covariance (EC) method. We show that (a) canopy structure had a major impact on transpiration rate allowing the open-canopy stands to transpire at approximately 30% higher rate than the closed-canopy stands; (b)
Aalborg Universitet Towards a better understanding of corneal stem cells biology

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Multivariate multilevel model of well-being across Europe during the crisis

The crisis in Europe in 2007 has detrimental effect on its citizens’ well-being including on both happiness and health. Most studies of well-being use health or happiness as a single outcome. They either explain happiness in terms of health (and other factors) or conversely health in terms of happiness. Even more, a few studies include contextual effects at both NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 levels in explaining well-being. This study investigates the individual and (a relatively detailed at NUTS 3) contextual factors, in explaining covariation in happiness and health. We thus use multivariate multilevel model to explain two well-being aspects: happiness and health not separately, but simultaneously. We focus on countries across Europe during the crisis by using data from European Values Study 2008. Because of large number of missing data especially in income data and NUTS 3 level data, we use the recently developed multiple imputation using Bayesian estimation to deal with the problem. We find that determinants of both happiness and health are quite similar. Both at individual and NUTS 3 levels, happiness and health are strongly and positively correlated. Education, income and GDP growth are positively associated with happiness and health. Conversely, age, individual unemployment, unemployment rates in NUTS 3 level are negatively associated with happiness and health.
Key :-Channel 1 Channel 5 Channel 2 Channel 6 Channel 3 Channel 7 Channel 4 Channel 8 Wholesale Retailer 1 Producers Assembler s Retailer 2 Consumers

The indigenous chicken (IC) (Gallus domesticus) production is an important agricultural activity in many households in Kenya. Despite its importance, little research has been carried to enhance its productivity. Focus now is on IC because it presents an ideal poverty-food insecurity exit strategy especially for smallholders. It has been recently noted that market linkages is key in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, there is little information on the marketing efficiency of IC in Makueni. Therefore the objective of this study was to analyse the marketing efficiency of the IC market and make policy recommendations to support IC value chain. A total of 66 IC traders and 130 producers were selected using purposive random sampling in Makueni and Nairobi counties. A pretested questionnaire was administered and data analysed using the shepherd index and multiple regression. A total of 8 marketing channels were identified, with a marketing efficiency index of between 5.29 and 1.81. Marketing cost, number of intermediaries, marketing margin, profit and price of IC had a significant effect on the marketing efficiency. Therefore it was recommended that contract models should be adopted for collective marketing and an improved marketing efficiency.
A stakeholders ’ perspective on the effects of the Sharing Economy in tourism and potential remedies

Due to the continuous growth of the Sharing Economy, its positive and negative consequences become highly visible in our daily life and are controversially discussed. The majority of existing studies on the impact of the Sharing Economy and corresponding actions stays on a descriptive level and is mostly limited to governmental intervention without incorporating other involved parties. This study provides empirical data on the impact of P2P accommodation sharing and derives precise and applicable recommendations for regulations, platform providers, and users of Sharing Economy services. We found that the consequences of this phenomenon depend on the kind of sharing and differs regionally. Our findings indicate that the Sharing Economy could be managed without necessarily imposing bans or adapting existing regulations.
Contraindications and precautions with inhalation therapy in COPD. Awareness or unawareness, a questionaire

Increased risk and mortality in COPD patients has been recently verified, when using inhalation therapy (LABA, LAMA, ICS) under certain clinical circumstances. Aims and objectives: To explore if medical doctors of different sub-speciality, age or clinical employment were aware of these recent clarified possible risks for COPD patients. Methods: An electronic questionnaire (SurveyXact) was forwarded in January 2013 to the medical doctors with an available email address in the Danish medical societies of A) pulmonary medicine (n=234), B) cardiology (n=1185), and C) geriatrics (n=58/206). Results: Doublets (n=15), active decliners (n=25) and non-functioning addresses (n=27) were excluded. Among the 1438 distributions, full responders were 407/1438 (28%) and partial responders 87/1438 (6%). Among physicians of the 3 respective societies and among non-specialists (group D), the proportions of never using contraindications or precautions towards LABA were 37%, 79%, 59%, and 65%, respectively (p=0.00002). The same proportions towards LAMA were 22%, 77%, 47%, and 64%, respectively (p<0.00001). The proportions towards ICS were 48%, 84%, 65%, and 75%, respectively (p=0.00001). Very few doctors (n=24) mentioned recent myocardial infarction, severe arrhythmias or severe heart failure as relative contraindications for LAMA inhalation. Conclusions: The proportions of doctors never using any contraindications towards LAMA, ICS or LABA were significantly higher among cardiologists and non-specialists. The recent indications of increased mortality in also specific cardiologic or nephrologic conditions using soft mist tiotropium in COPD, did not seem to influence the clinical practice, yet.
A Survey on Relay Selection Techniques in Cooperative Communication

Interest for high data rates is expanding quickly for the future wireless generations, because of the prerequisite of universal coverage for wireless broadband services. More base stations are expected to convey these services, keeping in mind the end goal to adapt to the expanded limit request and intrinsic unreliable nature of remote medium. Moreover, this would straightforwardly compare to very high basis expense and energy utilization in cellular systems. Recently, high power utilization in the network is turning into a matter of sympathy toward the administrators, both from financial and ecological perception. Cooperative communication, which is viewed as a virtual Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) channel, can be extremely proficient in contending with fading multipath channels and enhance scope with complexity and cost. With its spread structure, cooperative communication can likewise add to the energy productivity of wireless systems without any restrictions. Utilizing network coding at the highest point of cooperative communication, uses the network resources more effectively. A lot of research has concentrated on highlighting the additions accomplished by utilizing network coding as a part of cooperative communication. Relay selection is a method that can significantly increase the performance of cooperative communication. This paper provides a review on relay selection techniques in cooperative communication
Conservation Agriculture Saves Irrigation Water in the Dry Monsoon Phase in the Ethiopian Highlands

Water resources in sub-Saharan Africa are more overstressed than in many other regions of the world. Experiments on commercial farms have shown that conservation agriculture (CA) can save water and improve the soil. Nevertheless, its benefits on smallholder irrigated farms have not been adequately investigated, particularly in dry monsoon phase in the Ethiopian highlands. We investigated the effect of conservation agriculture (grass mulch cover and no-tillage) on water-saving on smallholder farms in the Ethiopian highlands. Irrigated onion and garlic were grown on local farms. Two main factors were considered: the first factor was conservation agriculture versus conventional tillage, and the second factor was irrigation scheduling using reference evapotranspiration (ETo) versus irrigation scheduling managed by farmers. Results showed that for both onion and garlic, the yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) was over 40% greater for CA than conventional tillage (CT). The soil moisture after irrigation was higher in CA compared with CT treatment while CA used 49 mm less irrigation water. In addition, we found that ETo-based irrigation was superior to the farmers’ irrigation practices for both crops. IWUE was lower in farmers irrigation practices due to lower onion and garlic yield responses to overirrigation and greater water application variability.
Validation of Farsi version of hospital survey on patient Safety culture questionnaire, using confirmatory factor analysis method

Background: Patient safety is one of the most important components of health care quality. Given that assessing the current culture of patient safety is the first step in improving patient safety, we decided to translate and validate one of the most used patient safety culture assessment tool (HSOPS questionnaire) for the first time in Iran, and in this way take a step toward improving patient safety in our hospitals. Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was done among four general hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), which were selected purposefully. Questionnaires randomly distributed among 420 members of the study population, and were collected after completion. Results were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), internal Consistency and correlation. Results: The value of Fitness function (FF) was 14.25 and according to that, the value of Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) was 0.96. Almost in all of the dimensions, the internal consistency of items in the translated Persian questionnaire was lower than the original one and ranged between 0.57 to 0.8. Conclusion: Regarding to the findings of this study the Persian translation of the HSOPS questionnaire is a valid tool for the assessment of patient safety culture in Iran's hospitals.
Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Saffron Petals on Some Bacterial Pathogens

Article type: Research Article Background: Saffron is an interesting minor spice with a food coloring history and its active components have shown several useful pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antiinflammatory, antitumor, radical scavenger effects, learning and memory-improving effects, antiAlzheimer, antipruritic, etc. Because of negative consumer perception of chemical preservatives, attention is shifting towards natural alternatives. Particular interest has been focused on the potential application of plant essential oils. The aim of the present study was undertaken to evaluate the interaction of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron petals and different concentrations of it against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Methods: The hydroalcoholic extract of saffron petals and different concentrations of extract (60, 90, 120 mg/ml) by a blank sterilized disc diffusion test was assessed against four different grampositive and negative bacterial pathogens. Also, a full randomized factorial design experiment was conducted with three replications. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by LSD test for multiple comparisons. Results: The results of ANOVA showed that saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract and antibiotics were an effective on all tested bacterial strains and the most effective antibacterial properties has been observed on Listeria monocytogenes followed by Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities of concentration of saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract was not significant on E. coli, but was significant on Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium. Also, it was shown that the increases of the concentration of the extract caused higher antibacterial effects. The highest antibacterial effect of saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract was 120 mg which was observed against the L. monocytogenes. Saffron petals hydroalcoholic extract showed more antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that saffron petals extract has considerable potential as a herbal-base antimicrobial compound. Article history: Received: 10 Jun 2019 Revised: 09 Jul 2019 Accepted: 02 Aug 2019 Published: 05 Sep 2019
BOARD SIZE AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF UGANDAN MICRO FINANCE INSTITUTIONS

The member owned microfinance institutions, the Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), have gained National recognition as important poverty reduction tools in Uganda, through improving access to finance and financial services. However, the positive impact of these SACCOs, on the welfare of the low income people can only be sustained, if they can achieve good financial performance. Moreover, it is well documented that microfinance organisations have had various degrees of sustainability and one such sustainability is financial sustainability. The purpose of this paper therefore, was to examine the effect of board size on financial sustainability of SACCOs in Central Uganda. The study found that when board size in SACCOs reduces, financial sustainability increases and it also culminates into board effectiveness. The key recommendation in this study is that, SACCOs in Uganda, should maintain small boards as stipulated in their legal guidelines.
Conceptual Analysis and Research Questions: Do the Concepts of "Learning Community" and "Community of Practice" Provide Added Value?.

The concepts of "learning community" and "community of practice" may hold value to researchers, but questions exist as to how well they help in organizing and clarifying the type of critical thinking involved in investigative work. This paper approaches the problem from two directions. One is to deconstruct the two concepts themselves and explore their range of meanings. The other is to explore more grounded research questions about learning and the conditions for learning that are relevant to researching learning communities and/or communities of practice. The purpose of this investigation is to develop criteria by which one can judge whether these two ideas provide useful frameworks for organizing questions involving learning communities and communities of practice. The discussion includes asking what kind of empirical evidence is needed to recognize such communities when perceived, and what kind of learning is occurring, how it is taking place, and what the factors are that affect its magnitude and direction(s). If these concepts do not provide added value to researchers, then it is possible that they may provide the route to yet other theories that provide greater purchase on the problems of facilitating learning in a wide range of
Prognostic Score-Based Difference-in-Differences Strategy

In policy evaluations, the standard difference-in-differences (DID) method relies on the strong assumption that the average confounding effect of concurrent events is the same for the comparison group unaffected by the policy and the experimental group affected by the policy. Recent advancements include using propensity score matching or weighting to equate the covariate distribution between the comparison group and the experimental group. Another approach is to estimate the distribution of the counterfactual outcome of the experimental group resembling the outcome change in the comparison group. We propose an alternative strategy that involves a pair of prognostic scores per unit representing the predicted pre-policy outcome and the predicted post-policy outcome under the comparison condition in the absence of policy change. Subsequent DID analyses within subclasses defined by this pair of prognostic scores allow for a calibrated adjustment. This study compares the identification assumptions required by the prognostic score-based strategy with those of the existing strategies. We illustrate with an evaluation of a policy requiring all ninth graders to take algebra.
On the inflation and inflation uncertainty nexus : Evidence from quantile regression

This study empirically investigates the link between inflation and its variability in Ghana through quantile regression analysis. Utilizing monthly time series data spanning five decades, we find robust evidence to support the hypotheses that inflation drives inflation uncertainty and vice versa. In contrast to the conditional mean approach, results from quantile estimates suggest that the impact of either inflation uncertainty on inflation or the reverse differs significantly in magnitude with stronger impact observed for the higher tail of the distribution of the outcome variable. Implications of our results for economic policy are analysed. JEL classification: C21; E31; E64
MULTIPLE DYNAMIC PERSPECTIVES TO INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES

The efficient operation of complex industrial processes requires the organization of large amounts of heterogeneous data. We explain that both, these data characteristics as well as the need for context sensitive information interfaces, require the design of visualizations with multiple dynamic perspectives on the data. The benefits of animated 3D information visualization are stated and an efficient motion parallax technique is proposed. Additionally, a navigation concept for information rich semantic 3D environments that frees the user from part of the mental load is described. We present new metaphors for visualizing the data in those perspectives like Cone-View, animated 3D Explosion View, and Rotary Diagram. Moreover, a labeling technique for dynamic 3D environments is explained. Although still at an early state of development, our implementation of this toolbox of concepts, metaphors, and techniques promises to indicate an new generation of industrial process visualization systems.