Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An exploratory study of the impact of software changeability

Antipatterns are poor design choices that make object-oriented systems hard to maintain by developers. In this study, we investigate if classes that participate in antipatterns are more change-prone than classes that do not. Specifically, we test the general hypothesis: classes belonging to antipatterns are not more likely than other classes to undergo changes, to be impacted when fixing issues posted in issue- tracking systems, and in particular to unhandled exceptions-related issues - a crucial problem for any software system. We detect 11 antipatterns in 13 releases of Eclipse and study the relations between classes involved in these antipatterns and classes change-, issue-, and unhandled exception-proneness. We show that, in almost all releases of Eclipse, classes with antipatterns are more change-, issue-, and unhandled-exception-prone than others. These results justify previous work on the specification and detection of antipatterns and could help focusing quality assurance and testing activities.
Mathematics Dictionary: Enhancing Students’ Geometrical Vocabulary and Terminology

Students ’ understanding of geometric vocabulary and terminology is still an area of concern when teaching and learning geometry. The chapter addresses the benefits of integrating mathematics dictionary and polygon pieces into the teaching and learning in order for students to be proficient in geometry. However, there is little evidence in the literature regarding teachers ’ integration of mathematics dictionary and polygon pieces in the teaching and learning of geometry with an aim to support students ’ geometrical vocabulary and terminology. Consequently, the aim of the chapter is to provide an overview of how the integration of mathematics dictionary into the teaching and learning can be promoted. Also it provides the empirical and theoretical evidence of how mathematics dictionary influences students ’ under-standings of geometrical vocabulary and terminology. The uses of mathematics dictionary and polygon pieces modify how learners learn, from passive to hands-on, and promote visualisation, respectively. The chapter recommends that mathematics teachers integrate mathematics dictionary and polygon pieces into the teaching and learning of geometry to all students to promote independent learning.
RECONNECT: A flexible Router Architecture for Network-on-Chips

In this thesis a Network on Chip (NoC) router implementation called RECONNECT realized in BSV, is presented. It is highly configurable in terms of flit size, the number of provided Input Port (IP)/Output Port (OP) pairs and support for configurations during runtime, to name a few. Depending on the amount of available IP/OP pairs, the router can be integrated into different topologies. Due to the ability to be configured during runtime, the router can even support multiple topologies. A developer is then able to choose among the available topologies the one that promises the highest performance for an application. However this work only concentrates on tessellations like toroidal mesh, honeycomb and hexagonal. Routing algorithms that were needed to be developed or adapted, are presented. In addition a step-by-step example of the routing algorithm development for the honeycomb topology is included in this thesis. This enables a system designer who wishes to use RECONNECT for any other topology that is not discussed such as a hypercube or a ring, to develop the required routing algorithm easily and fast. The impact of the chosen topology on the execution time of several real life algorithms has been analyzed by executing these algorithms on a target architecture called REDEFINE, a dataflow multi-processor consisting of Compute Elements (CEs) and Support Logic (SL). For this purpose an NoC comprising of RECONNECT routers establishing communication links among the CEs, has been integrated into REDEFINE. It has been found out that for very small algorithms, the execution time does not depend on the choice of topology, whereas for larger applications such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption and decryption, it becomes evident that the honeycomb topology performs worst and the hexagonal one best. However it is observed that in many cases the additional links that are provided by the hexagonal topology, when compared with the mesh, are not utilized due to the topology unawareness of the REDEFINE SL. Hence the algorithm execution time for mesh topology is often on par with hexagonal ones. In addition to the chosen topology it is investigated, how the size of the flit affects these algorithms. As expected the performance of the NoC decreases, if the flit size is reduced so that the packets have to be segmented into more flits. Further it is analyzed, if the NoC performance is sufficient
Changes in seasonality of births in Poland in the years 1900–2009

BACKGROUND To date, several countries have documented changes over time in the pattern of seasonal fluctuations of births. Differences in these changes between countries allow us to better understand the social and economic factors determining birth seasonality. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to explore birth seasonality in Poland over a period of 110 years. METHODS The study was conducted using the birth dates of 48,090,100 Polish citizens born in the years 1900–2009 and registered in the General Electronic System for Registration of the Population. I transformed the data into monthly time series of births, normalized the monthly birth rates for the unequal duration of months and years, and detrended by taking them to the centred 12-month average. Finally, I estimated seasonality patterns for particular decades by means of least squares regression on the harmonic model. RESULTS As many as three, relatively stable seasonal birth patterns occurred in Poland in the studied period. In 20 century Europe, the first one (1900–1919), characterised by a minimum birth rate in June, had previously only been observed in Italy. The second pattern with the spring peak and local peak in September remained almost unchanged in Poland for the longest time (1950–1979). Then, within a decade, it transformed into a new, third pattern (1990–2009), with peaks in July and September. CONTRIBUTION This article is the first to document in detail the changes in birth seasonality in Poland over a period of 110 years. 1 University of Szczecin, Poland. Email: jacek.cypryjanski@usz.edu. pl. Cypryjański: Changes in seasonality of births in Poland in the years 1900–2009 1442 http://www.demographic-research.org
The Impact of Business Cycle on Pakistani Banks Capital Buffer and Portfolio Risk

This study attempts to estimate the impact of business cycle on Pakistani banks capital buffer and portfolio risk. Dynamic Panel data model, which includes a set of control variables reflect bank characteristics, has been estimated by using two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) during the period of 2004-2014. The main results exhibit that bank capital buffer fluctuates counter-cyclically but business cycle fluctuations have no significant impact on portfolio risk. The main results support to Basel III accord that capital conservation buffer and counter-cyclical capital buffer are essential for banking institutions to help the economy. This study departs from existing literature because it focuses on developing country in assessment of behavior of capital buffer in a cyclical manner. The study contribute to the existing literature by revealing that counter-cyclical fluctuation of capital buffer may be due to shortsightedness of banks or low loan demand during downturns. This study will help policy makers to make and implement viable decisions on the optimal capital buffers and policy maker will seize an opportunity to devise strategies to ensure that banks have a sufficient buffer built up at all times to help protect the banks, their depositors and the economy at large.
Scaffolding L2 Academic Reading and Self‐Regulation Through Task and Feedback

Research has shown that successful readers at the tertiary level are able to select appropriate reading strategies, apply them consistently, and monitor their own comprehension (e.g. Grabe, 2008). However, less is known about how such metacognitive and strategic reading behaviours can be fostered while students are reading in authentic, self-study contexts, outside of the EAP classroom. Departing from the theory of self-regulation and how it is trained (e.g. Zimmerman, 2008) and insights from the literature on feedback (e.g. Hattie & Timperley, 2007), the overarching aim of our study was to create a learning context in which students were guided by teacher feedback to self-monitor and reflect on their reading behaviours while undertaking course reading at home. A group of academically novice, but high proficiency L2 English students enrolled in a teacher education programme were recruited. These participants were asked to keep a reading blog during a six-week EAP module, recording what they did and why as they engaged with a range of literature such as journal articles and book chapters, based around a teaching-related theme. In response, their teacher provided continuous and individual formative feedback on the posts. This feedback was planned to include both positive reinforcement of effective reading behaviours and questions to prompt reflection. In our paper, we begin by presenting the rationale behind our intervention and the task design. We then discuss whether certain types of feedback via the blogs were more conducive to student engagement with that feedback and performance. We conclude by making recommendations for EAP interventions focused on reading, based on our insights. References Grabe, W. (2008). Reading in a second language: Moving from theory to practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hattie, J. & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77 (1), 81-112. Zimmerman, B. (2008). Self-Regulation and Motivation: Historical background, methodological developments, and future prospects. American Educational Research Journal, 45, (1), 166 –183.
Exploring Author Context for Detecting Intended vs Perceived Sarcasm

We investigate the impact of using author context on textual sarcasm detection. We define author context as the embedded representation of their historical posts on Twitter and suggest neural models that extract these representations. We experiment with two tweet datasets, one labelled manually for sarcasm, and the other via tag-based distant supervision. We achieve state-of-the-art performance on the second dataset, but not on the one labelled manually, indicating a difference between intended sarcasm, captured by distant supervision, and perceived sarcasm, captured by manual labelling.
Yield Curve Dynamics and Fiscal Policy Shocks

We use an affine term structure model with time-varying macro trends and a vector autoregression model to investigate the response of the US Treasury yield curve to changes in fiscal policy. By accounting for the timing of the fiscal policy in the shock identification we can separate the effect of news about future increases in government spending from the effect of innovations in changes of current government expenditures. Further, we use the Baker, Bloom, and Davis (2016) uncertainty index dataset to explain the flight to quality type of events. By controlling for the low frequency movement in yields and the decomposition of yield to risk neutral rates and term premia we show that the news channel is driven by a cautious response of agents to an increase in projected future government spending and leads to a drop in yields. This result contrasts with shock into contemporaneous spending which has no significant impact on bond yields.
Beautiful and good woman: gender role negotiation among Taiwanese women who belly dance

Abstract Confucian values have strongly influenced gender stereotypes in Taiwan. Contrary to traditional gender expectations, the display of the female body is exceptionally encouraged in belly dancing. Utilizing data collected from 21 experienced dancers in Taiwan, this study examines the conflicts that women face when taking part in belly dancing, but also how they merge belly dancing with ideal gender images without conflict. The results show that, whilst few of the women experience inner conflicts, some experience external conflicts, usually with family members. However, by viewing belly dancing as a leisure exercise, a frugal and natural approach to acquiring femininity and beauty, the participants sought to differentiate themselves from the ‘bad others’ to construct a ‘beautiful-and-good’ female image. More generally, we have sought to demonstrate that critical analysis of the physically active female body must always be cognizant of the specific characteristics of those societies towards which the research is directed.
Contributing Factors Leading to Couples' Decisions to Participate in Premarital Preparation: Contextual and Individual Influences

ABTRACT. Florida’s Marriage Preparation and Preservation Act (FMPPA) went into effect in 1999 and provides incentives to couples for receiving premarital preparation, similar to policies in six other states. Since the FMPPA’s inception, no studies have examined whether state policy incentives are achieving the desired impact of increasing couples’ likelihood of seeking premarital preparation. This study addressed contextual, external motivators including policybased incentives and internal motivators contributing to couples receiving premarital preparation, testing a model combining facets from the Health Belief Model (Stretcher, Champion, & Rosenstock, 1997) and Self Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985). Results indicated that couples’ values, indicated by the influence of respected recommenders; and positive attitudes held about premarital preparation (PMP), explained the influence of external motivators, such as limited time and funding on whether or not couples received PMP. Implications for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers are discussed. Background
What Determines Sukuk Issuance Type in Indonesia?

We empirically investigate the determinants of sukuk issuance type in Indonesia to issue either ijarah sukuk or mudharabah sukuk. We include sukuk characteristics, sharia-related factors, and firm characteristics, provide empirical evidence on the determinants of sukuk issuance type by incorporating sukuk-specific factors, firm-specific factors, and sharia compliance variables, and address the role of Sharia Supervisory Board, as the sharia representative of firm compliance for sharia products, in the issuer’s choice of sukuk type. By studying 88 sukuk issuance in Indonesia from 2009 to 2017, we find that firm profitability and the sharia compliance level have a significant effect on the probability of issuing mudharabah sukuk. Some other factors’ characteristics including sukuk yield, firm age, and inflation rate are also found to have a significant effect.
An Empirical Study on the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Technical Innovation

The paper empirically studies the corporate governance under the background of technological innovation based on fixed effect panel regression model. The structure is as follows: ownership concentration, equity checks and balances, executive currency remuneration and senior management shareholding ratio are positively correlated with technological innovation, and the proportion of independent directors the number of meetings held during the year in the shareholders' meeting and the board of directors were negatively related to technological innovation. Finally, it puts forward suggestions to improve the awareness of technological innovation of enterprises and improve the corporate governance structure.
Innovated Altman’s Model as a Predictor of Malfunctioning of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract The research was conducted with the aim of finding a model that best predicts the financial success or failure of the company. On the sample of 392 SME in Bosnia and Herzegovina, testing possibilities using the innovated Altman’s model for prediction of financial difficulties of the enterprise was carried out. The financial statements from the end of the year 2014 of these companies were reviewed. The sample was divided into two groups: companies that had blocked transaction accounts during 2015 and 2016 and those companies that did not have blocked transaction accounts during this period. Testing has shown that the Altman’s model may, but with limited capability, be used to predict the disruption of small and medium-sized businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The paper presents the facts that affect the business of SME in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and way they influence selection and, possibly, other predictors of non-business operations
Volatility Interruptions, idiosyncratic risk, and stock return

This Dissertation-Restricted is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by ScholarWorks@UNO with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation-Restricted in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself.
Identifier la cible d’un passage d’opinion dans un corpus multithématique (Identifying the target of an opinion transition in a thematic corpus)

L’identification de la cible d’une d’opinion fait l’objet d’une attention récente en fouille d’opinion. Les méthodes existantes ont été testées sur des corpus monothématiques en anglais. Elles permettent principalement de traiter les cas où la cible se situe dans la même phrase que l’opinion. Dans cet article, nous abordons cette problématique pour le français dans un corpus multithématique et nous présentons une nouvelle méthode pour identifier la cible d’une opinion apparaissant hors du contexte phrastique. L’évaluation de la méthode montre une amélioration des résultats par rapport à l’existant.
Switching Economics Courses from Online Back to the Classroom: Student Performance and Outcomes

Online courses offer a number of obvious advantages to students in terms of scheduling and flexibility. Interactions between the instructor and student in an online course though tend to be more limited and strictly defined than they would be in the traditional classroom. Hybrid formats offer greater flexibility and variety for student-instructor interactions and learning exercises than the online format while still retaining some scheduling flexibility. This discussion assesses differences in student performance and outcomes across a sample of 7 sections of a Sports Economics course that over the last five academic years has been offered online, in the traditional classroom, and as a hybrid course. The analysis finds that students in an online course were likely to have scored 16 percent higher than students that took the same course in the traditional classroom. Students in the hybrid format were likely to have scored 4 percent lower than the students in the traditional classroom.
Multiple Employment and Labour Market Segmentation among Collegiate Members of Physical Activity and Sport Science in Spain

: The present study analyses the presence of multiple employment in the collective of university graduates in Physical Activity and Sports Science, as well as the existence of a market segmentation within the different niches of sports employment and their relation to multiple employment. It is a transversal study in which a non-probability convenience sampling method was applied, with a total sample of 1,130 people. The results show the existence of market segmentation as a function of the professional scope (teaching, management, health, competition and out-of-school) due to the working conditions characteristic of each area, resulting in either primary markets with optimal conditions, or secondary markets characterised by instability and working precariousness. This segmentation is accompanied by a higher multiple employment rate in the scopes considered within the secondary market, linked to insecurity and the need for higher income.
The Role of Management Controls in the Higher Education Sector: An Investigation of Different Perceptions

Abstract A variety of empirical studies have investigated the relationship between management controls (MCs) and the financial and nonfinancial performance of for-profit firms, but there is a dearth of research on MCs in the higher education (HE) sector. Our study contributes to MC research by investigating the mediating role of MCs in the relationship between structural autonomy and both research and teaching performance in HE institutions and by comparing the perceptions of two major actors: heads of administration and academic deans. We use survey data of two paired subgroups with 104 heads of administration and 104 academic deans and perform a multigroup analysis with structural equation modeling. We find significant differences between heads of administration and academic deans concerning the relationship between structural autonomy and MCs and between MCs and teaching and research performance for the diagnostic and interactive use of controls. For heads of administration, we find that only strategic boundaries and strategic beliefs are significantly associated with teaching performance, whereas for academic deans, more autonomy is associated with more emphasis on most MCs. Furthermore, for academic deans, more emphasis on diagnostic use, but less on interactive use, is associated with higher research performance.
The Pricing of the Illiquidity Factor’s Conditional Risk with Time-varying Premium

We test the pricing of the systematic risk (β) of a factor of illiquidity, return premium, the return on illiquid-minus-liquid (IML) stock portfolios, whose risk-adjusted return is positive and significant. The expected return is higher for stocks with greater exposure to IML in times of low funding liquidity, that is, IML β conditional on funding illiquidity is positively and significantly priced. Funding illiquidity is proxied by the corporate bond yield spread or by loans made by broker–dealers (including margin loans) relative to total loans. The conditional IML β remains positively and significantly priced after controlling for the systematic risks of other liquidity factors and for firm characteristics, including illiquidity.