Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Operation and social participation in a radio local model

The communicative map of a territory is formed by a few diverse mass media, which can differ in supports or in territorial scope. This research studies a specific typology: the local radio channels that broadcast in Catalonia. Thus, the local communication is analysed taking into account aspects such as the media organization, the broadcasting services or the professional profiles. The researched territory has 51 towns, with more than 40 operative mass media, 11 of which are local or regional radio stations. The object of study is the set of local radio stations that operate in this Catalan region. In a globalized world, knowing what’s close to us is of a great relevancy, and that’s where the local media –and, in this case, the radio– play a crucial role. The choice of radio owes to its immediate and nearby operation. We have selected the stations that spread their contents from and for their territory across the Frequency Modulation (FM). These local radios offer to their audience a gateway to the media that it is not possible in other general companies. In all the time dedicated strictly to the own information, these radios only speak about one town or at most about the region, but never about a wider area. The most relevant conclusion is the important role played by the collaborators, people who take part in the radios in different duties without any remuneration and, in many occasions, without too many theoretical and/or practical knowledge on the radio.
How Do Virtual World Experiences Bring about Learning? A Critical Review of Theories.

While students do learn real-world knowledge and skills in virtual worlds, educators have yet to adequately theorise how students’ virtual world experiences bring about this learning. This paper critically reviewed theories currently used to underpin empirical work in virtual worlds for education. In particular, it evaluated how applicable these theories’ learning mechanisms are to virtual world-based learning. Eleven theories were identified from 80 journal papers. Four learning mechanisms were found to be applicable to virtual worlds: that students learn through reflection, verbal interactions, mental operations, and vicarious experiences. However, one commonly implied learning mechanism was found to be inapplicable to virtual worlds: that students undergo a physical sensorimotor experience of the real-world phenomenon through their virtual world actions. An alternative theory is needed to explain how students’ virtual world actions might bring about learning, so as to help educators determine what exactly students can learn by performing virtual world actions.
The Role of Domain-Specific Non-Cognitive Variables in Postsecondary Academic Success

The Self-Regulated Learner must possess certain non-cognitive beliefs in order to remain sufficiently motivated in the pursuit of academic success. Students who are do not possess such beliefs are more likely to struggle in academics. This problem is especially pronounced in students at public universities and community colleges. Even though these students have the appropriate background knowledge to be awarded a high school diploma, they must still acquire certain non-cognitive beliefs, in particular self-efficacy (a belief in oneâ€™s ability to succeed and master the tasks at hand within a given domain), in order to be motivated to apply the knowledge they learned in high school, regulate their study habits, and monitor their progress. This exploratory study surveyed 42 undergraduates enrolled in a psychological statistics course. A hierarchical multiple regression assessed the extent to which self-efficacy predicted final statistics exam grades, while controlling for prior GPA. This analysis showed that prior GPA explained 38.9% of the variability in final exam grades and self-efficacy accounted for another 7.3% of the variance, explaining a total of 46.2% of the variance in final exam performance. These findings indicate that non-cognitive variables play an essential role in the prediction and promotion of academic performance at the college level in public universities. Developing studentsâ€™ self-efficacy beliefs in specific courses may improve studentsâ€™ performance. Different methods of employing interventions to alter studentsâ€™ non-cognitive beliefs are discussed, with particular focus on the use of exam wrappers to promote self-efficacy and improve course grades.
A Secondary Tool for Demarcation Problem: Logical Fallacies

According to Thagard, the behavior of practitioners of a field may also be used for demarcation between science and pseudoscience due to its social dimension in addition to the epistemic one. I defended the tendency of pseudoscientists to commit fallacies, and the number of fallacies they commit can be a secondary tool for demarcation problem and this tool is consistent with Thagardian approach. In this paper, I selected the astrology as the case and I revealed nine types of logical fallacies frequently committed by astrologers while introducing their field and/or defending their claims against the scientific inquiries and refutation efforts. I also argued that recognizing these fallacies may help the audience to demarcate between the scientific and the pseudoscientific arguments.
IT Investment Decisions. Value, Uncertainty and Gut Feeling

Although IT investment evaluation has been one of the core subjects of IT research since the early days of the use of computers in business and a plethora of evaluation methodologies and taxonomies have been developed, there is little doubt that IT investment evaluation still is problematic and that many crucial decisions are based on gut feeling (belief) rather than on the result of analytical tools. Obviously, there is a limit to what can be evaluated by formal methods, but all too often the switch to non formal evaluation methods or no evaluation at all is made much too soon. It is argued that the main drivers for this switch are the high level of uncertainty surrounding those IT projects, the high risk of project failure and the intangible nature of many of the expected benefits. Being unable to quantify the expected return of the project, the decision is based on gut feeling. It is our purpose to try to reconcile analytical tools to belief on the basis of a shared notion of value.
Original Research Article Lactic Acid Fermented Permeates and Mushroom Powder (Pleurotus ostreatus Hk 35) for Improvement of the Nutritional Value and Quality of Pan Bread

Malnutrition has many adverse effects on human health, especially in pre-schoolers and children of school age. In this study, fermented dairy permeate and mushroom powder were used for enhancing the quality and the nutritional values of pan bread. The highest sensory score was recorded for bread supplemented with 100 % fermented dairy permeate without mushroom powder (82.76). The bread made with 100 % fermented dairy permeate and 5 % mushroom powder had the highest protein (16.05 %), dry matter (63.23 %), and ash (1.84 %) contents. In addition, all mineral contents significantly were increased by adding fermented dairy permeate and mushroom powder. Compared to the control, the percentages in protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and iron increased by 31.99, 301.29, 102.35, 176.81, 43.94, 194.82, 90.90 and 268.49 percent, respectively. In addition, microbiological studies revealed that the total counts of spore formers and molds decreased as the percentage of fermented dairy permeate in the dough increased. From these results, it can be concluded that fermented dairy permeate and mushroom powder improve the quality and significantly increase the nutritional values of the bread via protein and mineral contents and extend the shelf-life of pan bread. K e y w o r d s
Analysis of Farmers’ Perceptions of the Effects of Climate Change in Kenya: The Case of Kyuso District

A cross-sectional analysis was carried out to evaluate how farmers in Kyuso District have perceived climate change. Data was collected from 246 farmers from six locations sampled out through a multistage and simple random sampling procedure. The logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess factors influencing farmers’ perceptions of climate change. The analysis revealed that 94% of farmers in Kyuso District had a perception that climate was changing. In this regard, age of the household head, gender, education, farming experience, household size, distance to the nearest input/output market, access to irrigation water, local agro-ecology, access to information on climate change, access to extension services, off farm income and change in temperature and precipitation were found to have significant influence on the probability of farmers to perceive climate change. Since the level of perception to climate change revealed by the study was found to be high (94%), the study suggests that more policy efforts should thus be geared towards helping farmers to adapt to climate change.
Factors Associated With The Prevalence Of Under-Nutrition In Pre-School Children In Matisi Peri-Urban Location, Trans-Nzoia District, Kenya

Under-nutrition is a serious problem facing pre-schoolers worldwide and especially in developing countries. Peri- urban populations are normally characterized by difficult socio- economic situations which are likely to have direct or indirect implications on the health of pre-scholars hence may contribute to the prevalence of under-nutrition. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of under-nutrition of pre-schoolers and the associated risk factors. The study used a cross-sectional survey of pre-scholars from Matisi peri-urban location, Trans- Nzoia district. Children’s anthropometric measurements including body weight, height, and MUAC were taken. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to gather socio- demographic and environmental factors of the pre-scholars. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Chi square test and logistic regression were used to find associations between factors and under-nutrition. Epi- Info version 3.5. 1 was used to analyze anthropometric data which generated z scores (SD). Results were considered significant at 5% ? -level. The results obtained were;- the mean age (in months) was 38±10.7. Majority (95.2%) of the children were immunized. Prevalence of Under-nutrition (stunting, underweight and wasting) was (24%), (21.6%) and (5.3%) respectively. Children who were fed colostrums had 96.6% less chances of stunting and those who had completed immunization had 83.3% less likely to be stunted (p=0.010, OR 0.034, 95%CI 0.003–0.443: p=0.019 OR 0.167, 95% CI 0.037 – 0.747) respectively. Preschoolers who had suffered fever two weeks prior to the study (p=0.032 OR 3.660, 95% CI 1.118-11.982) were four times likely to be stunted and mothers with a high parity were twice likely to have stunted children. Complete immunization and fecal waste disposal site were associated with underweight (p= 0.028 OR 0.205 95% CI 0.05-0.844 and p=0.002 OR 3.7 95% CI 1.601-8.911) respectively. We therefore conclude the most prevalent forms of under-nutrition were stunting and underweight. The government and partners should put emphasis on the importance of complete immunization, proper disposal of fecal waste, proper child feeding methods. There is also need for slum upgrading projects and residents should be assisted to start Income Generating Activities to raise their living standards. Key words: Peri-urban, pre-school, Prevalence, Under-nutrition
Tag-reporting levels for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) caught by anglers in South Carolina and Georgia estuaries

A total of 1784 legal-size (≥356 mm TL) hatchery-produced red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were tagged and released to estimate tag-reporting levels of recreational anglers in South Carolina (SC) and Georgia (GA). Twelve groups of legal-size fish (~150 fish/ group) were released. Half of the fish of each group were tagged with an external tag with the message “reward” and the other half of the fish were implanted with tags with the message “$100 reward. ” These fish were released into two estuaries in each state (n=4); three replicate groups were released at different sites within each estuary (n=12). From results obtained in previous tag return experiments conducted by wildlife and fisheries biologists, it was hypothesized that reporting would be maximized at a reward level of $100/tag. Reporting level for the “reward”tags was estimated by dividing the number of “reward” tags returned by the number of “$100 reward” tags returned. The cumulative return level for both tag messages was 22.7 (±1.9)% in SC and 25.8 (±4.1)% in GA. These return levels were typical of those recorded by other red drum tagging programs in the region. Return data were partitioned according to verbal survey information obtained from anglers who reported tagged fish. Based on this partitioned data set, 14.3 (±2.1)% of “reward” tags were returned in SC, and 25.5 (±2.3)% of “$100 reward” tags were returned. This finding indicates that only 56.7% of the fish captured with “reward” tags were reported in SC. The pattern was similar for GA where 19.1 (±10.6)% of “reward” message tags were returned as compared with 30.1 (±15.6)% for “$100 reward” message tags. This difference yielded a reporting level of 63% for “reward” tags in GA. Currently, 50% is used as the estimate for the angler reporting level in population models for red drum and a number of other coastal finfish species in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Based on results of our study, the commonly used reporting estimate may result in an overestimate of angler exploitation for red drum.
Another Look At The Determinants Of Foreign Direct Investment In Mena Countries: An Empirical Investigation

The paper is concerned with the analysis of the main determinants of foreign direct investment in MENA countries. The estimation is run on the determinants of FDI in our sample which consist of 36 countries. 12 of these countries were in MENA countries and another 24 were the major recipients of FDI in their respective regions in developing countries. By employing a panel data methodology the study investigates whether the determinants of FDI are similar to the other FDI receiving developing countries. The study reveals that the key determinants of FDI inflows in MENA countries are the size of the host economy, the government size, natural resources and the institutional variables. The paper concludes that, countries that are receiving fewer foreign investments could make themselves more attractive to potential foreign investors. So, the policy makers in the MENA region should remove all barriers to trade, develop their financial system and build appropriate institutions.
How Experiences With Cultural Attractions Affect Destination Image and Destination Loyalty

The components and consequences of cultural attraction experiences have received little attention in the extant literature. This research is designed to close this gap by empirically analyzing the effect of the cultural attraction experience on tourist satisfaction, destination image, and loyalty toward the destination. Data were gathered from 331 tourists at four traditional cultural attractions in Indonesia. The percipients were selected using purposive sampling. This research specifies that the experience quality of cultural attraction consists of four dimensions: staff service, uniqueness and learning, peace of mind, and escapism. The results of the SEM-PLS analysis demonstrate that, among the dimensions, uniqueness and learning and the escapism factors are important determinants of overall experience quality. Further, experience quality is a significant driver of tourist satisfaction, the image of the destination, and tourist loyalty towards the destination. The research model and the findings provide practitioners and academics with an improved understanding of the cultural attraction experience and its consequences.
DETERMINATION OF ISOLATOR TRANSFER MATRIX AND INSERTION LOSS WITH APPLICATION TO SPRING MOUNTS

OF THESIS DETERMINATION OF ISOLATOR TRANSFER MATRIX AND INSERTION LOSS WITH APPLICATION TO SPRING MOUNTS Transmissibility is the most common metric used for isolator characterization. However, engineers are becoming increasingly concerned about energy transmission through an isolator at high frequencies and how the compliance of the machine and foundation factor into the performance. In this study, the transfer matrix approach for isolator characterization is first reviewed. Two methods are detailed for determining the transfer matrix of an isolator using finite element simulation. This is accomplished by determining either the mobility or impedance matrix for the isolator and then converting to a transfer matrix. One of the more useful metrics to characterize the high frequency performance of an isolator is insertion loss. Insertion loss is defined as the difference in transmitted vibration in decibels between the unisolated and isolated cases. Insertion loss takes into account the compliance on the source and receiver sides. Accordingly, it has some advantages over transmissibility which is a function of the damping and mounted resonant frequency. A static analysis is to preload the isolator so that stress stiffening is accounted for. This is followed by modal and forced response analyses to identify the transfer matrix of the isolator. In this paper, the insertion loss of spring isolators is examined as a function of several geometric parameters including the spring diameter, wire diameter, number of active coils, and height. Results demonstrate how modifications to these parameters affect the insertion loss and the first surge frequency.
The branding of community supported agriculture: Myths and opportunities

Since the mid-1980s, participants in community supported agriculture (CSA) have promoted, proliferated, and adapted the CSA model, resulting in CSAs gaining popularity as a trusted “brand. ” They have developed and expanded CSA by pursuing common branding strategies, such as building name recognition, differentiating the brand from other farm and food producers, and developing CSA narratives and mythologies with positive associations that attract advocates. However, CSA has not been branded via a typical centralized, hierarchical process, but rather through the independent, informally organized collective efforts of its farmers and members. With no standardized licensing or certification process (unlike “organic”), CSAs remain liberated from a strict set of allowed practices, yet debates still occur about what constitutes a “real” CSA. Despite the fact that many idealistic promotional claims of CSA have been validated, one glaring weakness is that many CSA farmers still struggle to achieve financial security. The positive brand mythology surrounding CSA has made it difficult for participants to acknowledge and confront this shortcoming. Drawing on qualitative field research and review of archival CSA materials, this paper examines the identity making and branding of CSA. I constructively critique some of the most fundamental aspects of CSA: its constructed image and its actual practice. Through this lens, I ask how the independent, open-source branding has helped or hindered CSA proponents in achieving goals. By focusing on these aspects my hope is that a variety of advocates, academics, farmers, CSA members, and others, can collaborate on developing a positive next era for CSA and its offshoots both within and beyond agriculture and food—projects aimed at strengthening consumer/producer alliances, cooperative practices, and ethically based community economies.
High-performance workplace practices from the employees' perspective

This paper examines the effects of high performance workplace practices on employees' work attitudes, wage and quality of work. The model is recursive and workplace practices can affect work attitudes both directly and indirectly, by influencing the wage and job content. The results suggest three distinct ways to elicit motivation: give employees voice either in formal arrangements and/or by promoting suggestions, set up partly autonomous teams and adopt appraisal schemes. Appraisals indirectly impact on motivation by raising the wage, though they strengthen supervision and intensify effort at the expense of safety; on the contrary, voice practices indirectly affect work attitudes by intrinsically enriching the job in terms of autonomy and discretion. Team-working scores mixed results: positive on work attitudes, wage and job quality if the team is autonomous in deciding tasks and time, largely negative if the team self-determines the group membership or is held responsible for the output, impoverishing jobs if no autonomy is allowed and, at best, granted. Finally, the adoption of quality standards reduces employees' motivation although it is associated with better working conditions.
Balanced Realization for Stable Nonlinear Input-Affine Systems

In this paper, we are concerned with the balancing for stable nonlinear time invariant input-affine system. Firstly, the system's Hankel norm is computed via game theoretical approach incorporating with the parameter optimization technique. This computation algorithm is derived based on the continuity of the costate vector at present time, which leads to a benefit to avoid solving the controllability and observability functions through a set of partial differential equations. Afterward, the balanced realization is conducted. Certain numerical examples are used to demonstrate the computational technique for Hankel norm and balanced realization.
POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF PERSIAN GAZELLE (GAZELLA SUBGUTTUROSA SUBGUTTUROSA) IN BAMOO NATIONAL PARK, SHIRAZ, IRAN: A PRESENCE-ONLY MODEL APPROACH

Using 30 Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa presence-only data related to maximum entropy (Maxent) and ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) models, but gained from field surveys, the present study was an attempt to assess how the Persian gazelle (subgutturosa) was distributed in Bamoo National Park located in Shiraz, Iran. While Maxent is thought to be predictive of satisfaction of environmental requirements, ENFA is considered as a tool for investigating the niche and habitat preferences of the species. All of the analyses by the models demonstrated the species distribution and the subgutturosa habitat. According to Maxent, vegetation, trough, and predator were witnessed to be most influential in the distribution, whereas ENFA revealed that elevation and vegetation were of highest value in terms of Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa distribution. Interestingly enough, the predator variable was found to be highly contributing by Maxent but avoidable by ENFA. Also, the prediction level of the models turned out to be higher than chance occurrence under curve (AUC) = 0.5.