Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Task Difficulty and Its Components: Are They Alike or Different across Different Macro-genres?

Task difficulty across different macro-genres continues to remain among less attended areas in second language development studies. This study examined the correlation between task difficulty across the descriptive, narrative, argumentative, and expository macro-genres. The three components of task difficulty (i.e., code complexity, cognitive complexity, and communicative stress) were also compared in the four macro-genres. The design included the administration of short reading texts with comparable length and readability indices based on the four macro-genres followed by task difficulty questionnaire. The macro-genre-based reading textsalong with the task difficulty questionnaire were administered to 50 EFL students in the University ofLorestan, Iran. Task difficulty questionnaire explored the learners’ perceptions of task difficulty in the code complexity, cognitive complexity, and communicative stress domains. The results revealed that there were no significant differences among the task difficulty components in the four macro-genre-based text types. The findings also showed that there was no significant correlation between task difficulty of each macro-genre with those of the other genres except thoseofthe narrative and expository genres.The findings hold implications for the use of macro-genres with different task difficulty indices in task-oriented programs, teacher training, and testing.
Inside the black box of class size effects: Behavioral responses to class size variation

Experimental and quasi-experimental evidence on class size provide estimates of the total policy effect of class size variation. Since a class size intervention may trigger changes in the other inputs of the human capital production function, this total policy effect can be smaller or larger than the direct effect of a class size change. This paper examines the behavioral responses of pupils and parents to class size variation in Swedish primary schools. Parents respond to larger classes by helping their children more with their homework and by moving more frequently. Students respond to larger classes by spending less time on their homework and by reading less. We construct a simple model to derive the conditions under which our findings are consistent with the negative effect of class size on achievement reported in Fredriksson et al. (2012b).
THE EFFICACY OF INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS IN MANAGING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM DISORDER

This study attempted to ascertain the efficacy of Discrete Trial Teaching and observational learning techniques for parents in managing children with autism disorder. The sample for this study consisted of 20 parents (male and female) purposively selected from Benin City, Edo State. The instrument, titled „Knowledge of Managing Autism among Parents Questionnaire‟ (KMAPAQ), containing 25 structured questions, was developed and employed by the researchers. Two hypotheses were tested. Data collected were analyzed using independent t-test. The results showed that there was significant difference between parents‟ in the experimental and control groups‟ knowledge of managing autism. The mean score of parents‟ experimental group was 91.40; greater than 58.70 mean score of the control group. A significant difference did not exist between male and female parents knowledge of managing autism. (t cal =0 .585, t cal =0. 589; p >.05). On the basis of the findings, it was suggested that parents irrespective of sex should be exposed to intervention strategies to manage and support children with autism in order to reduce their challenges.
Iron deficiency anemia among hospitalized children in a rural teaching hospital: a cross sectional study

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency disorder in the world. The present study was conducted to know the prevalence and severity of iron deficiency anemia among of 6 months to 60 months old children. A large proportion of iron deficiency is preventable with appropriate and timely intervention.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 100 children clinically suggestive of anemia with hemoglobin level less than 11gm/dl admitted in pediatrics ward of tertiary care hospital. 5 ml of blood sample was taken and complete hemogram, peripheral blood film and serum ferritin estimation was done. Case were studied in reference to history, age, clinical examination, hemoglobin level and confirmation of iron deficiency anemia was done by serum ferritin levels.Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in present study was 56%. It was most prevalent in the age group of 6 to 24 months. Exclusively breastfed children showed higher prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in present study, however no statistical correlation was found. Low Serum ferritin levels have statistically significant result with socioeconomic status, with as many as 69.4% suffering from iron deficiency anemia belonging to low socioeconomic status.Conclusions: Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia remains alarmingly high and major health problem in our country. All anemia are not iron deficiency anemia. Low socioeconomic status is a huge hurdle in child health and greatly influences prevalence of iron deficiency anemia. Serum ferritin is a most sensitive marker of iron deficiency anemia, helps diagnose it early in its course, which can be missed on clinical or routine blood investigations.
The structure and evolution of the dryline and surrounding boundary layer on 22 May 2002 during IHOP

Surface boundaries such as fronts (e.g. Carbone 1982; Nielsen and Nielley 1990), sea-breezes (e.g. Laird et al 1995; Kingsmill 1995), and thunderstorm outflows (e.g. Wakimoto 1982; Mahoney 1988) play an important role in the initiation of deep convection, and thus have been extensively studied. The dryline has also become a subject of increasing interest due to its frequent association with convection initiation (CI) and subsequent development of severe weather (Rhea 1966; Bluestein and Parker 1993). During the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment or VORTEX (Rasmussen et al 1994), the structure of the dryline was observed in several cases (Atkins et al 1998; Ziegler and Rasmussen 1998; Weiss and Bluestein 2002). Results from these experiments have improved the conceptual model of dryline morphology, though details of the temporal and spatial variability needed to predict convection initiation processes are lacking. Although we have a fairly good understanding of the mesoscale conditions favor storm development, a lack of high resolution observations in many previous studies has precluded an examination of the very small, kilometer-scale processes which force CI (Johns and Doswell 1992; McNulty 1995). During the spring and summer of 2002, the International H2O project (IHOP) was conducted over the southern plains to gain a better understanding of the four-dimensional distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere (Weckwerth et al 2004). One of the main
A STUDY OF SELF-IDENTITY CHANGES AND CORRELATION OF INFLUENTIAL FACTORS OF THAI STUDENTS STUDYING ENGLISH

English is regarded as an International Language. Most Thai students have to learn English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Significantly, learning languages, not only English, is related to a foreign culture’s behavioral norms, and cultural values that usually determine a person’s self-identity. Especially, students in English major may undergo self-identity changes. This quantitative study investigated types of self-identity changes occurring in undergraduate students majoring in English, at Naresuan University (Eng NU) and Thammasat University (Eng TU), also students majoring in English Literature at Thammasat University (Eng Lit). In addition, this study investigated the factors which had influenced these self-identity changes. The instrument of the research was a questionnaire. ANOVA is carried out to test difference and analyze the correlation between six types of changes and six independent variables (t-test).
Effects of Relationship Marketing (RM) on Customer Loyalty (Case Study: Mehr Bank, Kermanshah Province, Iran).

The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the components of relationship marketing and customer loyalty. In terms of implementation, this study has been a correlation and conducted as field. Statistical population of present study is all customers with an account in Mehr Bank in the province of Kermanshah. Sampling method is simple random systematic, method of data collection is field and data collection tool have been Ndobisi & Wah(2005) standard questionnaire . After the questionnaires distributed, 384 questionnaires were analyzed. Method of data analysis was the correlation coefficient and regression that performed by using spss software. Research findings indicate that there is a relation between relationship marketing components including trust, commitment, communication quality, conflict handling and competence on customer loyalty and also to regression testing that all variables were examined simultaneously on customer loyalty; results showed that all components have an impact on customer loyalty.
Money and Real Fluctuations: Calibrating a Cash in Advance Model for the Chilean Economy

In this paper we assess the ability of a cash-in-advance model to replicate the behavior of the macroeconomic variables of the Chilean economy for quarterly data spanning between Q1:1986 and Q1:2000. The monetary models that we studied are able to replicate the phase shift and correlation with GDP of many macroeconomics variables such as consumption, price level and productivity. However, there are some other variables in which the model fails; namely money and capital stock. Introducing an "erratic" monetary growth rate improves the ability of the model to replicate the behavior of consumption. A sensitivity analysis shows that the main determinant of output volatility is the standard deviation of technology shock. Other deep parameters do not have an important quantitative effect on the cyclical behaviour of the macroeconomic variables.
Influences of forest structure and landscape features on spatial variation in species composition in a palm community in central Amazonia

Abstract: The mechanisms that maintain palm species diversity in tropical rain forests are still debated. Spatial variation in forest structure produces small-scale environmental heterogeneity, which in turn can affect plant survival and reproductive performance. An understanding of how palms respond to variation in forest heterogeneity may help to explain the diversity and structure of their assemblages. We used multivariate ordination statistics and multiple linear models to analyse how palm assemblages are affected by forest structure and landscape features in central Amazonia. In 72 (250×4 m) forest plots distributed over an area of 64 km2, we recorded all seedling and adult palms, and measured topographic and soil variables, and components of forest structure and tree abundance. We found 16976 adults and 18935 seedlings of 46 palm species and five varieties including two morphological forms making a total of 50 botanical entities. Results show that landscape features (altitude, slope, proportions of soil sand and clay) and various components of forest structure (such as degree of forest openness, abundance of forest trees, logs and snags, and leaf litter mass), influence spatial variation in richness, abundance and species composition of palms, creating ecological gradients in palm community composition. Despite the statistically significant effects of environmental variables, most species occurred throughout the full range of the ecological gradients we studied, indicating that there is either relatively weak niche specialization in the palms, or that the competition between the species is mediated by diffuse demographic processes that cannot be evaluated only through studies of species distributions.
Prediction in Social Science

Abstract Despite inroads made by critical realism against the ‘scientific method’ in social science, the latter remains strong in subject-areas like human resource management. One argument for the alleged superiority of the scientific method (i.e. its scientificity) lies in the taken-for-granted belief that it alone can formulate empirically testable predictions. Many of those who employ the scientific method are, however, confused about the way they understand and practice prediction. This paper takes as a case study empirical research on the alleged empirical association between human resource management practices and organisational performance. By unpacking the confusion surrounding the two basic notions of prediction used, it reveals what is wrong with them, why the scientific method cannot actually make accurate predictions and why, therefore, the scientific method fails to meet its own criteria for scientificity. Finally, explanation is considered in order to prevent any confusion between it and prediction and to offer what we call tendential prediction.
Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinski, 1894) in the River Odra estuary - another invader threatening Baltic Sea coastal lagoons

Dikerogammarus villosus is a pontogammarid species that has rapidly extended its range in Europe starting from the Ponto-Caspian basin. In the 1990s it moved from the Hungarian to Austrian section of the River Danube, and then (after the opening of the Main-Danube canal) invaded German inland waterways. Using the canals joining the different river systems, the species has reached the River Odra. There it quickly spread both up- and downstream, reaching for the first time the Baltic Sea coastal waters (the Szczecin Lagoon) by 2002, extending the list of alien species that can be found in the Baltic. Based on samples taken in 2002-2004, D. villosus occurrence in the Szczecin Lagoon and adjacent coastal waters were identified. A mass occurrence of the species was found in some places already in 2002. Owing to the fact that an important (both for open sea and inland traffic) shipping route crosses the lagoon, populated by the new species, it is very probable that the area can act as a stepping stone in dispersal of D. villosus to other oligohaline Baltic Sea coastal waters.
Geochemical characterization of supraglacial debris via in situ and optical remote sensing methods: a case study in Khumbu Himalaya, Nepal

Surface glacier debris samples and field spec- tra were collected from the ablation zones of Nepal Hi- malaya Ngozumpa and Khumbu glaciers in November and December 2009. Geochemical and mineral compositions of supraglacial debris were determined by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. This composition data was used as ground truth in evaluating field spectra and satel- lite supraglacial debris composition and mapping methods. Satellite remote sensing methods for characterizing glacial surface debris include visible to thermal infrared hyper- and multispectral reflectance and emission signature identifica- tion, semi-quantitative mineral abundance indicies and spec- tral image composites. Satellite derived supraglacial debris mineral maps displayed the predominance of layered sili- cates, hydroxyl-bearing and calcite minerals on Khumbu Hi- malayan glaciers. Supraglacial mineral maps compared with satellite thermal data revealed correlations between glacier surface composition and glacier surface temperature. Glacier velocity displacement fields and shortwave, thermal infrared false color composites indicated the magnitude of mass flux at glacier confluences. The supraglacial debris mapping methods presented in this study can be used on a broader scale to improve, supplement and potentially reduce errors associated with glacier debris radiative property, composi- tion, areal extent and mass flux quantifications.
Evolution of dwarf galaxies: a dynamical perspective

For a rotating galaxy, the inner circular-velocity gradient dRV(0) provides a direct estimate of the central dynamical mass density, including gas, stars, and dark matter. We consider 60 low-mass galaxies with high-quality H I and/or stellar rotation curves (including starbursting dwarfs, irregulars, and spheroidals), and estimate dRV(0) as VRd/Rd, where Rd is the galaxy scale length. For gas-rich dwarfs, we find that VRd/Rd correlates with the central surface brightness μ0, the mean atomic gas surface density Σgas, and the star formation rate surface density ΣSFR. Starbursting galaxies, such as blue compact dwarfs (BCDs), generally have higher values of VRd/Rd than dwarf irregulars, suggesting that the starburst is closely related to the inner shape of the potential well. There are, however, some "compact" irregulars with values of VRd/Rd similar to BCDs. Unless a redistribution of mass takes place, BCDs must evolve into compact irregulars. Rotating spheroidals in the Virgo cluster follow the same correlation between VRd/Rd and μ0 as gas-rich dwarfs. They have values of VRd/Rd comparable to those of BCDs and compact irregulars, pointing to evolutionary links between these types of dwarfs. Finally, we find that, as for spiral galaxies and massive starbursts, the star-formation activity in dwarfs can be parametrized as ΣSFR = ɛ Σgas/τorb, where τorb is the orbital time and ɛ ≃ 0.02. Appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda. org
Pareto Optimal Pro-cyclical Research and Development

We develop a perfectly competitive endogenous growth model in which R&D is the engine of growth. Our model generates pro-cyclical R&D investment and labor input as a pareto optimal response to technology shocks to the consumption and equipment good sectors. The model also reproduces a variety of facts from the U.S. economy. Growth in R&D capital accounts for 75 percent of the growth rate of GNP and the decline in the relative price of equipment investment. Investment in each sector is pro-cyclical. Our results suggest that equipment shocks may be less important than the previous literature has found. After accounting for the endogenous response of R&D, equipment sector shocks only account for a small fraction of the variance in the growth rate of GNP.
Risk Management Committee Attributes and Firm Performance

We investigate the impact of risk management committee attributes on firm performance for a sample of 37 finance companies listed on the Malaysian stock exchange covering period from 2007 financial year to 2011. The result indicates that a committee composed of majority independent directors positively enhances firm market valuation and negatively affects accounting returns. Independent committee chair was found to positively enhance accounting returns while prior executive experience of directors enhances both accounting returns and market valuation of the companies. Lastly, presence of executive on RMC shows a significant negative relationship with ROA. The result supports agency theory which suggests that independent directors are in a better position to monitor the executive and protect the interest of the various stakeholders. In addition, the result suggests that regulatory agencies should consider recommending finance companies to have directors with prior executive experience to serve on risk management committee.
Variability of the western Mediterranean Sea surface temperature during the last 25,000 years and its connection with the Northern Hemisphere climatic changes

Sea surface temperature (SST) profiles over the last 25 kyr derived from alkenone measurements are studied in four cores from a W-E latitudinal transect encompassing the Gulf of Cadiz (Atlantic Ocean), the Alboran Sea, and the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (western Mediterranean). The results document the sensitivity of the Mediterranean region to the short climatic changes of the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly those involving the latitudinal position of the polar front. The amplitude of the SST oscillations increases toward the Tyrrhenian Sea, indicating an amplification effect of the Atlantic signal by the climatic regime of the Mediterranean region. All studied cores show a shorter cooling phase (700 years) for the Younger Dryas (YD) than that observed in the North Atlantic region (1200 years). This time diachroneity is related to an intra-YD climatic change documented in the European continent. Minor oscillations in the southward displacement of the North Atlantic polar front may also have driven this early warming in the studied area. During the Holocene a regional diachroneity propagating west to east is observed for the SST maxima, 11.5–10.2 kyr B.P. in the Gulf of Cadiz, 10–9 kyr B.P. in the Alboran Sea, and 8.9–8.4 kyr B.P. in the Thyrrenian Sea. A general cooling trend from these SST maxima to present day is observed during this stage, which is marked by short cooling oscillations with a periodicity of 730±40 years and its harmonics.
The Level of Emotional Intelligence in Principals of Recognized and Acceptable Schools

The future of our democratic society depends on a strong and vibrant educational system. The 90sbrought us accountability and high stakes testing and our new millennium promises to demand evenmore sacrifices from teachers, students, and principals as expectations rise and pressures increasefor educational improvements. Quality leadership from school principals will be crucial in creatingschools capable of producing students who can excel and compete in today’s challenging globaleconomy.
Statistical Cluster-QSO Weak Lensing in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We investigate the cross-correlation between galaxy clusters and QSOs using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR4 ~5000 deg2 data. With photometric redshifts of galaxies, we select galaxy clusters based on the local projected densities of LRGs brighter than Mr' = −22. The QSOs are from the main sample of SDSS QSO spectroscopic survey to i' = 19. A significant positive correlation is found between the clusters and QSOs. Under the assumption that the signal is caused by gravitational lensing, we fit the signal with singular isothermal sphere (SIS) model and NFW profile halo model. The velocity dispersion σv = 766 km s−1 is derived for the best-fit of SIS model. Best-fit for the NFW model requires the dark matter halo mass within 1.5 h−1 Mpc to be 4.6×1014 h−1 M⊙. The mass parameter Ωcl of the cluster sample is deduced as 0.077 with the SIS model and 0.083 with the NFW model. Our results of Ωcl are smaller than those given by Croom & Shanks and by Myers et al.