Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Politics and Public Infrastructure Investments in Local Governments: Empirical Evidence from Flemish Municipalities (1996–2009)

This article offers new evidence on the political determinants of local government's public investment policy. A public infrastructure investment function was estimated using data for 307 out of 308 Flemish municipalities covering the period 1996–2009. The results reveal that government composition and the timing of the elections matter. The presence of the Liberal Party decreases investments, whereas fragmentation of the government has the opposite effect. Significantly higher investment levels were recorded in years preceding elections contrary to post-election years, which show important slowdown in investment policies. Finally, the analysis shows that local governments are sensitive to the investment policy of neighbouring municipalities. The positive spatial interaction effect implies that a municipality's investments increase on average with 26.2% of changes in investment levels by neighbouring municipalities.
Economic Development and the Family Structure: From the Pater Familias to the Nuclear Family

We provide a theory that is able to account for the observed comovement between the shift in intergenerational living arrangements from coresidence to non-coresidence and economic development. Our theory is consistent with the diminution in the status of the elderly documented by some sociologists. The results from our analysis show that, when technical progress is fast enough, the economy experiences a shift from stagnation to growth, there is a transition from coresidence to non-coresidence, and the social status of the elderly tends to deteriorate.
Auditory training of English vowels for first-language speakers of Spanish and German

This study compared how first-language Spanish and German speakers learn English vowels via computer-based auditory training. Spanish has fewer vowels than German, and thus Spanish speakers may have more unused room in their vowel space for new category learning. However, our results demonstrated that Germans improved twice as much (20 percentage points) as Spanish speakers (10 percentage points) following 5sessions of training on English vowels (highvariability identification with feedback). The results suggest that the large first-language vowel inventory of German speakers facilitates rather than interfere with new learning.
Anticonvulsant Activity of the Decoction of Crossopteryx febrifuga in Mice

The decoction of Crossopteryx febrifuga is evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in mice using strychnine (STR), picrotoxin (PIC), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), maximal electroshock (MES) and isonicotinic hydrazid (INH) induced convulsions. A decoction of C. febrifuga at doses of 80 and 100 mg/kg protects 83.33% of mice against STR-induced convulsions. At the dose of 120 mg / kg, it protects 100% of mice against PIC-induced convulsions. On PTZ-induced convulsions, C. febrifuga decoction protects 66.67% and 100% of mice, respectively at doses of 120 and 100 mg / kg. While 66.67% and 83.33% of mice are protected against MES-induced convulsions respectively at the doses of 100 and 120 mg / kg. Moreover, it increased the latency time of convulsions induced by INH at the doses of 80, 100 and 120 mg / kg.
Hierarchical Modeling of Variability in Regional Climate Models Using Markov Random Fields

Collections of climate model output, called ensembles, are used to explore the uncertainties associated with projections of climate change. These uncertainties can come from many sources, and we outline a framework based on a hierarchical model for exploring and quantifying these uncertainties. A key feature of this hierarchical model is that it can be expressed as an analysis of variance (ANOVA) where the effects are spatial surfaces. These surfaces are modeled via a novel form of a Markov random field that exploits the regular grid structure to produce a computationally efficient representation. This approach is demonstrated on the first phase of the regional climate model ensemble being generated by the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program. This particular ensemble includes six regional models with common boundary conditions provided by reanalysis data, and the results of the statistical analysis on total winter precipitation demonstrates that there are significant differences in the models relative to the interannual variability.
Challenges to Dynamic Assessment in Second Language Learning

The concept of the zone of the proximal development can contribute not only to the assessment, but also to the teaching within the second language learning environment. However, the unifying philosophy within sociocultural theory (SCT) in relation to language and thought has also merged the assessment and teaching procedures into the concept of Dynamic Assessment (DA). The process of DA lets the teacher/mediator permeate into both the actual and potential zones of the development. It teaches and assesses at the same time. This contributive and critical article focuses on the peculiarities of DA. It introduces two new approaches within DA: Dynamic Assessment and Teaching (DAT), and Dynamic Teaching and Assessment (DTA). Moreover, it will discuss where DA stands within applied linguistics, the idea of transcendence both as the device of development and assessment, and the doubts applied linguists might have regarding the promising outcome of metacognitive awareness as a key point in the process of development in DA. After evaluating the problem of validity and reliability of DA, the article will critically analyze the two realizations of DA: interactionist and interventionist. Finally, the mere process of development within SCT in general, and DA in particular will be discussed.
Characterization of Textile Industrial Effluents and its Effects on Aquatic Macrophytes and Algae

Textile industries release huge amount of effluents to aquatic systems, which contain toxic and hazardous pollutants degrading the environment. A laboratory scale study was conducted to characterize physicochemical parameters of local textile industrial effluents and evaluate their impact on aquatic macrophytes and algae. Total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solid (TDS) was found 100 to 336 mg/L and 1856 to 4356 mg/L, respectively. The recorded pH was 9.6 to 11.2 and temperature 40.5 to 43°C. Dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was recorded 0.11 to 0.5, 151.24 to 299.1 and 652.8 to 2304 mg/L, respectively. Electrical conductivity (EC) was monitored 2210 to 6020 μs/cm; salinity was found 1.1 to 3.3 ‰, and color 1890.75 to 5625 PCU. Zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) were 0.0838 to 0.596, 0.0 to 0.0006, 0.018 to 0.1727 ppm, respectively. Except heavy metals concentrations all of the physicochemical parameters were found beyond the standard limit set by department of Environment (DoE). Textile industrial effluents showed the toxic effects on aquatic macrophytes and algae, as aquatic macrophytes could hardly survive 2 days on textile effluents and noticeable reduction of algal concentration was found when grown on textile effluents. Key words: Textile effluents; Toxic effects; Physicochemical parameter; Aquatic macrophytes; Algae DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v45i1. 5187 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 45(1) , 79-84, 2010
A portrait of Centaur 10199 Chariklo

Context. An ESO Large Program was undertaken in October 2006 (P.I.: M. A. Barucci) to provide as complete observations as possible of about 40 Trans-Neptunian Objects and Centaurs, to investigate their surface properties. Hence, new visible and nearinfrared observations of Centaur 10199 Chariklo (1997 CU26)) were performed. Aims. We investigate Chariklo’s surface composition. It has already been suspected of being inhomogeneous. We try to confirm this assumption by comparing our results with previously published works, and find an explanation related the observed variations. Methods. A spectral modeling is applied to the spectra, using different types of mixtures, to place constraints on the amount of water ice present in our new spectrum. Several spectra, obtained at different moments by different groups, are compared by studying the variations in the depth of absorption bands attributable to water ice. The irradiation doses received by Chariklo’s surface are also considered to interpret the observed variations. Results. The presence of water ice is not confirmed by our featureless near-infrared spectra. The main component on the surface, identified by our spectral modeling, is amorphous carbon, which may have been produced by irradiation if Chariklo originated in the transneptunian region. The suspected surface heterogeneity is also confirmed. We show that the variations in Chariklo’s spectral behaviour could be explained by a variation in the number of craters across the surface. Comet-like activity is not detected in our data, though it cannot be excluded.
A comparison of five indirect methods for characterizing the light environment in a tropical forest

We compared five methods for measuring light availability in the tropical forest understorey: the LAI-2000 PCA, an empirical LAI-metre, a densiometre, photosensitive diazo paper metres, and hemispherical photographs. Measurements were made along three 250 m transects and adjacent to 95 seedlings on four logged or virgin plots of a French Guianese forest. Correlation analysis showed that more mobile and less expensive methods, such as the LAI metre and diazo paper metres, can provide similar information to more cumbersome or expensive equipment such as the LAI-2000 metre or hemispherical photographs. All instruments except the densiometre detected differences among seedlings from different post-logging microsites. Few significant correlations were found between light measures and the number of trees or their basal area within 10 m, which may reflect an increase in the density of smaller stems and lianas during post-logging succession.
Formation of spinel-, hibonite-rich inclusions found in CM2 carbonaceous chondrites

Abstract We report petrography, mineral chemistry, bulk chemistry, and bulk isotopic compositions of a suite of 40 spinel-rich inclusions from the Murchison (CM2) carbonaceous chondrite. Seven types of inclusions have been identified based on mineral assemblage: spinel-hibonite-perovskite; spinelperovskite- pyroxene; spinel-perovskite-melilite; spinel-hibonite-perovskite-melilite; spinel-hibonite; spinel-pyroxene; and spinel-melilite-anorthite. Hibonite-bearing inclusions have Ti-poor spinel compared to the hibonite-free ones, and spinel-hibonite-perovskite inclusions have the highest average bulk TiO2 contents (7.8 wt%). The bulk CaO/Al2O3 ratios of the inclusions range from 0.005 to 0.21, well below the solar value of 0.79. Hibonite-, spinel-rich inclusions consist of phases that are not predicted by condensation calculations to coexist; in the equilibrium sequence, hibonite is followed by melilite, which is followed by spinel. Therefore, hibonite-melilite or melilite-spinel inclusions should be dominant instead. One explanation for the . missing melilite. is that it condensed as expected, but was lost due to evaporation of Mg and Ca during heating and melting of spherule precursors. If this theory were correct, melilite-poor spherules would have isotopically heavy Mg and Ca, assuming Rayleigh fractionation accompanied evaporation. Except for one inclusion with FMg = 4.3 ± 2.6. /amu and another with isotopically light Ca (FCa = -3.4 ± 2.0./amu), however, all the inclusions we analyzed have normal isotopic compositions within their 2σ uncertainties. Thus, we found no evidence for significant mass-dependent fractionation. Conditions necessary for non-Rayleigh evaporation are unlikely if not unrealistic, and our preferred explanation for the general lack of melilite among hibonite-, spinel-bearing inclusions is kinetic inhibition of melilite condensation relative to spinel. Because of similarities between the crystal structures of hibonite and spinel, it should be easier for spinel than for melilite to form from hibonite.
Literacy Environments of Preschool Education Classrooms in Turkey: The Case of Muğla

This study examined the quality of the literacy environments of 17 public preschool classrooms in Mugla, Turkey through detailed observations using the OMLIT-CLOC, an inventory of classroom literacy resources that identifies and rates 11 aspects of the literacy environment on a scale from 1 (low) to 3 (high). The results indicated the literacy environments of preschool classrooms in Mugla–including print displays, books, writing and reading areas and listening materials – to be of low-to-moderate quality. Based on the findings of this study, other ways of improving preschool education classrooms can be pinpointed, such as enriching the book genres accessible to children, providing more supplementary print material in the classroom and integrating literacy materials, toys and props into other classroom learning centers.
The Mediating Role of Cognitive and Social Presence on the Relationship between Perceived Interaction and Satisfaction in CSCL

Cognitive presence and social presence and interaction are important factors of learning of CSCL. This study examines the learning process of two types of CMC: text chat and video chat. Japanese and Philippine EFL learners at the college level participated in this study. We attempted to determine how much each mode of communication impacts learning and how each application may affect language production by NNs as well as whether cognitive and social presence may stimulate both NNs within the two modes. More specifically, the effects of cognitive and social presence on the relationship among interaction and satisfaction were explored. The results reveal that for text chat, cognitive presence is closely related to learning and satisfaction, whereas for video chat, the degree of social presence may be mitigated among Japanese participants, and peer interaction is a more influential predictor of student satisfaction and learning.
Gauging the Processing Times of Ambiguous Sentences: A Reaction Time Study on Persian Undergraduate Students

The present study explored the differences among the process times for sentences containing one of the three kinds of linguistic ambiguities namely, lexical, grouping, and functional ambiguities. A reaction time program of a 30item multiple-choice test of translation was developed. Forty-three Persian undergraduate students took the test. The reaction time of each item was recorded in milliseconds for each participant. A multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) was run to compare the process times for each subsection of the test. The results of the pair-wise comparison tests indicated that there was a significant difference between process times for lexical and grouping ambiguities and between those of lexical and functional ambiguities. There was no significant difference, however, between the process times for grouping and functional ambiguities. The findings of this study can be useful in educating English learners about ambiguities and deciding on which ambiguity should be under more focus and attention.
High‐Precision Mass‐Dependent Molybdenum Isotope Variations in Magmatic Rocks Determined by Double‐Spike MC‐ICP‐MS

Small mass‐dependent variations of molybdenum isotope ratios in oceanic and island arc rocks are expected as a result of recycling altered oceanic crust and sediments into the mantle at convergent plate margins over geological timescales. However, the determination of molybdenum isotope data precise and accurate enough to identify these subtle isotopic differences remains challenging. Large sample sizes – in excess of 200 mg – need to be chemically processed to isolate enough molybdenum in order to allow sufficiently high‐precision isotope analyses using double‐spike MC‐ICP‐MS techniques. Established methods are either unable to process such large amounts of silicate material or require several distinct chemical processing steps, making the analyses very time‐consuming. Here, we present a new and efficient single‐pass chromatographic exchange technique for the chemical isolation of molybdenum from silicate and metal matrices. To test our new method, we analysed USGS reference materials BHVO‐2 and BIR‐1. Our new data are consistent with those derived from more involved and time‐consuming methods for these two reference materials previously published. We also provide the first molybdenum isotope data for USGS reference materials AGV‐2, the GSJ reference material JB‐2 as well as metal NIST SRM 361.
Health Perceptions As Predictors of Exercise Adherence in Older Women

Purpose : To determine if health perceptions, measured by SF-36 subscales, could identify women more likely to adhere to exercise, particularly during exercise adoption and maintenance phases. Design and Methods: Subjects (Age = 67 ± 5 yr, BMI = 24.4 ± 3 kg/m2) were 189 estrogen-taking, postmenopausal women in a 2-year home-based resistance-training program. Results : Vitality, role-emotional, bodily pain, social functioning, and mental health subscales of the SF-36 were significantly (p<.05) predictive of exercise adoption. Vitality, role-emotional, general health, and bodily pain subscales were significantly (p<.05) predictive of exercise maintenance. Implications: Women who perceived themselves as having more energy, fewer emotional problems, less pain, fewer social problems, less feelings of nervousness and depression were more likely to start exercising. Women who perceived themselves as having more energy, fewer emotional problems, excellent health, less pain were more likely to continue exercising. Additionally, the present study indicated that different components of the SF-36 affected different behavior phases of adherence during the exercise program.
Patents as Substitutes for Relationships

Firms face a trade-off between patenting, thereby disclosing innovation, and secrecy. In this paper, we show how such public-information provision through patents acts as a substitute for private information acquired in financial relationships. As a shock to innovation disclosure, we use the American Inventor's Protection Act that made the content of firms' patent applications public within 18 months after filing, rather than at the grant date. Firms in industries that experienced a greater change in the publicity of their patent applications were significantly more likely to switch lenders. We also consider the reverse link of the substitution relationship, and explore the impact of improved lender informedness following the creation of universal banks on firms' patenting behavior. We find that firms patent less, without negatively altering their investment in innovation and its outcomes, such as new-product announcements.
Simplified Settling Velocity Formula for Sediment Particle

A new and simplified formula for predicting the settling velocity of natural sediment particles is developed. The formula proposes an explicit relationship between the particle Reynolds number and a dimensionless particle parameter. It is applicable to a wide range of Reynolds numbers from the Stokes flow to the turbulent regime. The proposed formula has the highest degree of prediction accuracy when compared with other published formulas. It also agrees well with the widely used diagrams and tables proposed by the U.S. Inter-Agency Committee in 1957.
Association of Biofilm Formation with Antimicrobial Resistance Among the Acinetobacter Species in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to detect biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species and to observe correlation between biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance among Acinetobacter isolates. Methods: Two hundred fifty six clinical samples collected from patients who were admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and on device, patients from Surgery, Medicine, Gynae & Obs and Urology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and from Burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital were included in this study. Biofilm formation and antibiotyping were performed for the isolates of Acinetobacter species recovered from clinical samples including tracheal aspirates, blood, urine, wound swab, pus, throat swab, endotracheal tubes, burn samples, ascitic fluid, sputum, aural swab, oral swab, cerebrospinal fluid, and catheter tip. Correlation of biofilm formation with antimicrobial resistance pattern among Acinetobacter isolates were also observed in this study. Result: A total of 256 various specimens were studied of which 95 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 161 Non ICU samples. Out of 95 ICU and 161 Non ICU samples, Acinetobacter species were isolated from 32 (33.7%) and 20(12.4%) respectively. From 32 ICU and 20 Non ICU Acinetobacter isolates, 28 (87.5%) and 11 (55%) were biofilm producers. Biofilm forming capacity of Acinetobacter species was significantly (p<0.008) greater in ICU than in Non ICU isolates. In both ICU and Non ICU isolates, biofilm forming Acinetobacter species were 100% resistant to amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, and aztreonam. Resistance to antibiotics such as gentamicin, amikacin, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin and imipenem was higher among biofilm forming Acinetobacter isolates in ICU than Non ICU isolates. Susceptibility to colistin was 100% in Non ICU isolates but in ICU it showed 7.1% resistance. Conclusions: This investigation showed that most of the clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species were biofilm producers especially from ICU samples and they were multidrug resistant. Even polymixin resistant Acinetobacter isolates are slowly emerging. This is very alerming for us that biofilm forming multidrug resistant Acinetobacter species represents a severe threat in the treatment of hospitalized patients. So, antibiotic policy and guidelines are essential to eliminate major outbreak in future. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jom.v14i1. 14533 J MEDICINE 2013; 14 : 28-32
General Multiple Mediation Analysis With an Application to Explore Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Survival

Mediation refers to the effect transmitted by mediators that intervenes in the relationship between an exposure and a response variable. Mediation analysis has been broadly studied in many fields. However, it remains a challenge for researchers to differentiate individual effect from multiple mediators. This paper proposes general definitions of mediation effects that are consistent for all different types (categorical or continuous) of response, exposure, or mediation variables. With these definitions, multiple mediators can be considered simultaneously, and the indirect effects carried by individual mediators can be separated from the total effect. Moreover, the derived mediation analysis can be performed with general predictive models. For linear predictive models with continuous mediators, we show that the proposed method is equivalent to the conventional coefficients product method. We also establish the relationship between the proposed definitions of direct or indirect effect and the natural direct or indirect effect for binary exposure variables. The proposed method is demonstrated by both simulations and a real example examining racial disparities in three-year survival rates for female breast cancer patients in Louisiana.