Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of Learning Efficacy Among Rural Area Students in Ledang Johor

This present study designed to investigate the learning efficacy level among rural area students in Ledang Johor. In additions, this study intends to examine the significant difference level of leaning efficacy between lower and upper form students. Moreover, this study was done to examine the significant difference level of learning efficacy between male and female students. A total of 523 students sampled from four school in Ledang participated in the survey, employing a 12-item questionnaire measuring Learning efficacy. The items were pilot-tested before being administered to the respondents. The data was analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics, and Independent T-Test. The result shows that, the majority of students experience a moderate level of self-efficacy. Regarding the comparison level of learning efficacy between the lower and upper form students, the finding of the current study indicates that, there is no significant difference level of learning efficacy between lower and upper form students. Lastly, for comparison self-efficacy between male and female, the result revealed there is a significant difference in learning self-efficacy, and female student’s records high score rather than male. This study will provide information regarding secondary students’ level of self-efficacy. Subsequently, counsellors and school administrators can use the information to find appropriate ways to help students increase their self-efficacy level. Hence, students will indirectly benefit from this study. Students can improve their learning performance, be more positive, and focus towards achieving better academic results, which will eventually prevent them from getting involved in any discipline problems.
Use of Falling Weight Deflectometer Data to Quantify the Relative Performance of Reinforced Pavement Sections

Falling Weight Deflectometer testing was conducted in a Farm-to-Market Road (FM 2), located in Grimes County, Texas. The pavement involves eight different experimental cross sections including control section, base reinforced with 3 different geosynthetic products, lime stabilized subbase and combinations of the latter two. The subgrade is high plasticity clay, which, due to moisture fluctuations subjects the flexible pavement to environmental loading. The objective of this paper is to characterize the possible benefits of the 3 types of geosynthetic reinforcements as well as of lime stabilization and quantify the relative benefits of each stabilization technique. Deflection measurements from 9 field trips conducted from February 2006 to August 2009 are evaluated. Modified deflection basin parameters (DBPs) are defined to identify layer properties and are used to assess the relative damage to the base, subbase and subgrade for different sections. The variations in the DBPs over three periods of wetting and drying are presented along with analysis of the observed trends. In addition, condition survey was performed, during 3 years, to visually identify distresses in various sections. Thus, the deflection data analyses complemented by visual observations reveal the relative field performance of different geosynthetics and throws light on the relative merits of base reinforcement against lime stabilization.
Great Role in Gynecological Cancer Prophylaxis of a Unique Health Check-Up Institute, Ningen Dock in Japan (Review)

In Japan, there are unique facilities (namely Ningen Dock) for health check-up that provide asymptomatic participants with a health examination, including cancer screening activities, at their own expense. The most advanced examination equipment and examinations do not only provide high accuracy, but they also reduce stress on the body of the client. Usage of the medical equipment and diagnostic techniques allows us for successful detection of many diseases in their early stages of development. This early detection leads to quicker response for the disease. On the other hand, gynecological cancer screening is a relatively simple, low cost, and noninvasive method. In this chapter, we introduce a major role of Ningen Dock in gynecological malignancy prophylaxis. Ningen Dock attendances are associated with extremely low positive gynecology cancer screening incidence (0.03%). The level of knowledge and attitude toward screening may be related to multiple factors such as ethnicity, place of residence, income, and social-economic status. Not paying attention to cancer screening may be the risk factors for non-attendance to health check-up. These findings are of importance for improving the gynecological cancer screening practices of the lower screening attendance in Japan.
Earnings, Schooling and Vocational Education and Training

Young persons who do not go on to university face two main educational choices; whether to complete Year 12 and/or whether to undertake a vocational (VET) qualification. These two choices are independent. Both early leavers and completers may subsequently obtain a VET qualification. However, the parametric models that are commonly used to analyse the causal effect of education presume that educational attainments form an ordered sequence. This has the effect of restricting the effects of educational attainments on earnings. This paper departs from this restrictive approach. It estimates the effect of Year 12 completion and VET qualifications on early career earnings using both a single and multiple treatment-effect approach. By using matching methods to estimate these effects, it also allows for the effects of educational qualifications differ between persons. It is found that neither completion of Year 12 nor a VET qualification has an effect on early career earnings over and above the forgone experience.
Complex spatial dynamics maintain northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) genetic diversity in a temporally varying landscape

—In contrast to most local amphibian populations, northeastern populations of the Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) have displayed uncharacteristically high levels of genetic diversity that have been attributed to large, stable populations. However, this widely distributed species also occurs in areas known for great climatic fluctuations that should be reflected in corresponding fluctuations in population sizes and reduced genetic diversity. To test our hypothesis that Northern Leopard Frog genetic diversity would be reduced in areas subjected to significant climate variability, we examined the genetic diversity of L. pipiens collected from 12 sites within the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. Despite the region’s fluctuating climate that includes periods of recurring drought and deluge, we found unexpectedly high levels of genetic diversity approaching that of northeastern populations. Further, genetic structure at a landscape scale was strikingly homogeneous; genetic differentiation estimates (Dest) averaged 0.10 (SD = 0.036) across the six microsatellite loci we studied, and two Bayesian assignment tests (STRUCTURE and BAPS) failed to reveal the development of significant population structure across the 68 km breadth of our study area. These results suggest that L. pipiens in the Prairie Pothole Region consists of a large, panmictic population capable of maintaining high genetic diversity in the face of marked climate variability.
Post-Foucauldian governmentality: What does it offer critical social policy analysis?

This article considers the theoretical perspective of post-Foucauldian governmentality, especially the insights and challenges it poses for applied researchers within the critical social policy tradition. The article firstly examines the analytical strengths of this approach to understanding power and rule in contemporary society, before moving on to consider its limitations for social policy. It concludes by arguing that these insights can be retained, and some of the weaknesses overcome, by adopting Stenson's realist governmentality approach. This advocates combining traditional discursive analysis with more ethnographic methods in order to render visible the concrete activity of governing, and unravel the messiness, complexity and unintended consequences involved in the struggles around subjectivity.
A method to find groups of orthogous genes across multiple genomes

In this work we propose a simple method to obtain groups of homologous genes across multiple (k) organisms, called kGC. Our method takes as input all-against-all Blastp comparisons and produces groups of homologous sequences. First, homologies among groups of paralogs of all the k compared genomes are found, followed by homologies of groups among k − 1 genomes and so on, until groups belonging exclusively to only one genome, that is, groups of one genome not presenting strong similarities with any group of any other genome, are identified. We have used our method to determine homologous groups across six Actinobacterial complete genomes. To validate kGC, we first investigate the Pfam classification of the homologous groups, and after compare our results with those produced by OrthoMCL. Although kGC is much simpler than OrthoMCL it presented similar results with respect to Pfam classification.
Understanding the determinants affecting the continuance intention to use cloud computing

The purpose of the paper is to understand the fundamental factors influencing the senior manager’s continuance intention to use cloud computing in organizations. A conceptual framework was developed by using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a base theoretical model. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from several companies in IT, manufacturing, finance, pharmaceutical and retail sectors in India. The data analysis was done using structural equation modeling technique. Perceived usefulness and perceived ubiquity are identified as important factors that affect continuance intention to use cloud computing. In addition, perceived ease of use is found having indirect influence through perceived usefulness. The validated model can be used as a framework for managers to ensure successful implementation of cloud computing. The study extended TAM by incorporating additional variables like perceived ubiquity, perceived costs and perceived risks to explore the determinants of continued intention to use cloud computing.
Comparision of Different Raw Densities and Board Thicknesses in the Production of Enzymatically Bonded Fiberboards

Reducing CO 2 emissions for the long term is an important issue in countering climate change. For this reason, the use of renewable construction materials inter alia wood-based materials is becoming increasingly important. Wood based materials often depend on petrochemical-based binding agents, most of which contain and emit formaldehyde. This causes environmental and health-related difficulties that could be rectified by avoiding the utilization of these adhesives. For this purpose, enzymatically bonded medium-density fiberboards (MDF) with a targeted raw density of 650 kg/m³ and 750 kg/m³ and high-density fiberboards (HDF) with a density of 900 kg/m³ were produced in different thicknesses. Laccase-Mediator-System (LMS) was applied to manufacture the boards and to compare them to those glued with UF and inactivated laccase, respectively. These panels were tested in terms of their physical technical properties, such as internal bond strength (IB), modulus of rupture (MOR) and thickness swelling (TS) after 24 h immersion. The aim was to show the correlation between density and these properties for fiberboards bonded this way. Most panels meet the requirements of the European standard when LMS and UF-resin were used. The possibility to produce fiberboards bonded with alternative bonding agents opens up the way to alternative, innovative, healthy and environmental-friendly wood based products.
3ω method for specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements

We present a 3ω method for simultaneously measuring the specific heat and thermal conductivity of a rod- or filament-like specimen using a way similar to a four-probe resistance measurement. The specimen in this method needs to be electrically conductive and with a temperature-dependent resistance, for acting both as a heater to create a temperature fluctuation and as a sensor to measure its thermal response. With this method, we have successfully measured the specific heat and thermal conductivity of platinum wire specimens at cryogenic temperatures, and measured those thermal quantities of tiny carbon nanotube bundles some of which are only ∼10−9 g in mass.
A graph-based approach for implicit discourse relations

Recognizing and classifying implicit discourse relations is a challenging task since hardly any strong indicators exist, and a variety of weak indicators has to be harnessed to yield evidence for a particular discourse relation or another. Most current approaches rely on a combination of shallow, surface-based features and rather specialized hand-crafted features, with a considerable gap in between which is partly due to the sheer complexity of combining evidence from dierent levels of linguistic description. As a way to avoid both the shallowness of word-based representations and the lack of coverage of specialized linguistic features, we use a graph-based representation of discourse segments, which allows for a more abstract (and hence generalizable) notion of syntactic (and partially of semantic) structure, we propose an approach to use a graph-structured representation of discourse units in order to improve the classication of implicit discourse relations. " "
Investigating the Relationship between Stock Prices and Earnings Quality Using Leuz Parton-Simko and Penman Models in Firm's Life Cycle Stages.

The main purpose of this study is to review the relationship between stock prices and earning quality using leuz, barton-simko and penman models during firm's life cycle stages.Analysis of data collected in this study was conducted in two stages. First, samples were classified to growth، maturity and decline stages. Then، running pooled cross-sectional regression analysis and paired-t test two tail comparisons. the hypothesis were tested during 20042009 The results are shown leuz and barton-simko models in growth، maturity and decline stages are significant and penman model regression in growth، maturity and decline stages is not significant. In growth stage , the bartonsimko model، have stronger relationship than leuz model with stock price. In maturity stage،the barton –simko model، have stronger relationship than leuz model with stock price. In decline stage، the leuz model، have the stronger relationship than barton-simko model with stock price.results demonstrate there is a significant differences relationship with models in growth، maturity and decline stages.
Using Cognitive Tools in Gstudy to Investigate How Study Activities Covary with Achievement Goals

Links between students' achievement goal orientations and learning tactics were investigated using software (gStudy) that supports a variety of learning tactics and strategies. An achievement goal questionnaire was administered to 307 students enrolled in an introductory educational psychology course. Data tracing study tactics were logged for 80 of these students who prepared for a test by studying a textbook chapter presented as a multimedia document. Using correlations and canonical correlations, we found relationships between goal orientations and activity traces indicating different forms of cognitive engagement. Notably, mastery goal orientation (approach or avoidance) was negatively related to amount of highlighting, a study tactic that is theorized to be less effective than summarizing and other forms of elaborative annotation for assembling and integrating knowledge.
Nutrient dynamics in Queensland savannas: implications for the sustainability of land clearing for pasture production

Eucalyptus savannas on low nutrient soils are being extensively cleared in Queensland. In this paper we provide background information relevant to understanding nutrient (particularly nitrogen) dynamics in sub/tropical savanna, and review the available evidence relevant to understanding the potential impact of clearing Eucalyptus savanna on nutrient relations. The limited evidence presently available can be used to argue for the extreme positions that: (i) woody vegetation competes with grasses Cor resources. and tree/shrub clearing improves pasture production, (ii) woody vegetation benefits pasture production. At present, the lack of fundamental knowledge about Australian savanna nutrient relations makes accurate predictions about medium- and long-term effects of clearing on nutrient relations in low nutrient savannas difficult. The future of cleared savannas will differ if herbaceous species maintain all functions that woody vegetation has previously held, or if woody species have functions distinct from those of herbaceous vegetation. Research suggests that savanna soils are susceptible to nitrate leaching, and that trees improve the nutrient status of savanna soils in some situations. The nitrogen capital of cleared savanna is at risk if mobile ions are not captured efficiently by the vegetation. and nitrogen input via N-2 fixation from vegetation and microbiotic crusts is reduced. In order to predict clearing effects on savanna nutrient relations, research should be directed to answering (i) how open or closed nutrient cycles are in natural and cleared savanna, (ii) which functions are performed by savanna constituents such as woody and herbaceous vegetation, native and exotic plant species. termites, and microbiotic 7 crusts in relation to nutrient cycles. In the absence of detailed knowledge about savanna functioning, clearing carries the risk of promoting continuous nutrient depiction.
The Effects of Service Convenience, Satisfaction, Commitment on Loyalty to Retail Service Brand

Researchers have acknowledged the growing importance of service convenience for consumer value, yet little research has explored the relationship between service convenience and retail service brand. This cross-sectional study, therefore, seeks to empirically examine the service convenience to influence brand satisfaction, continuance commitment and affective commitment, and further enhance loyalty to retail service brands. Based on three retail service brand settings in different retail formats examined, service convenience directly and positively affects brand loyalty. In addition, service convenience indirectly affects brand loyalty through brand satisfaction, continuance commitment, and affective commitment. Brand satisfaction and brand loyalty have an insignificant relationship. Then, practitioners should emphasize service convenience, including decision convenience, access convenience, transaction convenience, benefit convenience, and post-benefit convenience, as these constructs are key for developing consumer brand loyalty in the service industry and serve as a source for competitive advantages.
The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of the Liberal Arts AN INTEGRATIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL NARCISSISM TO RECONCILE THE SCHISM BETWEEN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL-PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY A Thesis in Psychology by

The conceptualization and assessment of narcissism is inconsistent across research disciplines, leading to a criterion problem which weakens the nomological net. Clinical psychology commonly considers narcissism to be a pathological personality characteristic (e.g., Narcissistic Personality Disorder) and employs measures targeted at assessing maladaptive narcissistic functioning and outcomes. Narcissism is also a widely studied personality trait in socialpersonality psychology. However, this large literature, mainly employing the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), often suggests narcissism is a relatively adaptive personality trait associated with mental health. I offer an integrative approach suggesting that normal narcissism and pathological narcissism are distinct personality dimensions. The present research examined the associations of two narcissism inventories, the NPI (a social-personality measure) and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (a clinical measure) across the psychologically meaningful domains of developmental antecedents, personality, self conscious emotions, adjustment, and externalizing problems and found a pattern of convergent and divergent external correlations establishing each as an adequate measure of normal and pathological narcissism respectively. An integrative two-dimensional model of normal and pathological narcissism is constructed from the narcissism scores from each measure to demonstrate the utility of the proposed nomological net. Conceptualizing the nature of narcissism as two distinct but theoretically related dimensions (normal, pathological), organizes a variety of important personality, psychopathology, and affective constructs in a theoretically synthetic and clinically meaningful way.
Quantitative contraction rates for Markov chains on general state spaces

We investigate the problem of quantifying contraction coefficients of Markov transition kernels in Kantorovich ($L^1$ Wasserstein) distances. For diffusion processes, relatively precise quantitative bounds on contraction rates have recently been derived by combining appropriate couplings with carefully designed Kantorovich distances. In this paper, we partially carry over this approach from diffusions to Markov chains. We derive quantitative lower bounds on contraction rates for Markov chains on general state spaces that are powerful if the dynamics is dominated by small local moves. For Markov chains on $\mathbb{R^d}$ with isotropic transition kernels, the general bounds can be used efficiently together with a coupling that combines maximal and reflection coupling. The results are applied to Euler discretizations of stochastic differential equations with non-globally contractive drifts, and to the Metropolis adjusted Langevin algorithm for sampling from a class of probability measures on high dimensional state spaces that are not globally log-concave.
An Exploratory Study on the Role of Familiarity in Product Evaluations

There is growing interest among researchers working in the areas of product-country image effects, and more generally international consumer behaviour, in the potential relationship between consumers’ familiarity with, and evaluation of, products from various countries. We use data from a consumer survey in Hungary to attempt an initial exploration of this relationship. The data support findings from earlier similar studies but also suggest that affective considerations may be playing a considerable role in the evaluations of domestic products, and that the relationship of familiarity with product evaluations may vary significantly from country to country and may not be as strong as previously thought.
Cross-lagged Relations between Motivation and Proficiency in English as a Foreign Language among Chinese University Students

The relationship between motivation and EFL proficiency is an issue of great concern in previous research on foreign language learning. However, work in this area offers inconclusive evidence with regard to the directionality of their relations. Using cross-lagged structural equation modeling, this study investigated the directionality of the relations between motivation and EFL proficiency among a sample of 262 Chinese university students (147 female, 115 male). The author adopted a three-wave, longitudinal, cross-lagged panel design and found that changes in instrumental orientation resulted in changes in EFL proficiency throughout the first school year. Changes in integrative orientation were not causally associated with changes in proficiency during the first semester, but the latter predicted the former during the second semester. Changes in motivational intensity predicted changes in proficiency during the first semester, but the relationship became insignificant during the second semester. Theoretical and applied implications were discussed. Keywords: Cross-lagged relation; Motivation; EFL proficiency; Chinese university students