Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Switching from Group Lending to Individual Lending: The Experience at China’s Largest Microfinance Institution

ABSTRACT We analyze group and individual lending using data from 26,579 loan-specific observations in 2014–2016 for CFPA Microfinance, China’s largest microfinance institution (MFI). We show that MFIs in China have converted a large share of their group liability portfolio into individual liability lending, particularly in southern China. Changes in loan contracts, especially loan size and interest rates, significantly increased repayment risk, whereas long borrowing history improved repayment performance. The higher repayment risk of individual lending was likely compensated by higher interest income. Our research indicates that, under certain circumstances, individual lending can be an important form of loans for MFIs.
Forecasting crude oil futures prices using global macroeconomic news sentiment

We propose a method of incorporating macroeconomic news into a predictive model for forecasting prices of crude oil futures contracts. Since these futures contracts are more liquid than the underlying commodity itself, accurate forecasting of their prices is of great value to multiple categories of market participants. We utilize the Kalman filtering framework for forecasting arbitrage-free (futures) prices and assume that the volatility of oil (futures) price is influenced by macroeconomic news. The impact of quantified news sentiment on the price volatility is modelled through a parametrized, non-linear functional map. This approach is motivated by the successful use of a similar model structure in our earlier work, for predicting individual stock volatility using stock-specific news. We claim the proposed model structure for incorporating macroeconomic news together with historical (market) data is novel and improves the accuracy of price prediction quite significantly. We report results of extensive numerical experiments which justify our claim.
Fast-mapping in Persian-speaking late-talking toddlers

ABSTRACT This mixed two-way experimental, cross-sectional study investigated fast-mapping (FM) of novel nouns and verbs in 63 Persian-speaking toddlers aged 30 months, including 31 late-talking (LT) and 32 typically developing (TD) matched with respect to age and maternal education. Toddlers were classified as LT if they had limited expressive vocabulary or limited two-word combinations. The fast-mapping task included four novel object and action labels and four familiar nouns and verbs. The LT group comprehended and produced significantly lower novel words than the TD group. The LT toddlers received significantly lower scores in the FM of verbs than in the FM of nouns, as well as in novel words production compared with novel word comprehension. These results demonstrate that children with LT behave in word-learning almost the same as children with specific language impairment, confirming the potential risk of later language disorder in children with LT.
Les sources de conflit travail-famille et d’enrichissement chez les professionnels de soins dans le secteur hospitalier

Les professionnels hospitaliers en particulier les soignants, doivent faire face a une augmentation de l’activite hospitaliere et a d’autres pressions dans un contexte de baisse des recrutements consecutive aux restrictions budgetaires. Ils sont souvent soumis a de fortes exigences de travail et fortement exposes au stress. Ces difficultes, que rencontrent les personnels soignants, majoritairement feminins, au travail, debordent dans la sphere privee faisant aujourd’hui de la conciliation vie privee-vie professionnelle l’un des principaux enjeux de la qualite de vie au travail des soignants. L’etude quantitative menee aupres de professionnels de soins ayant une charge de famille (enfant a charge) d’un centre hospitalier de l’ouest de la France, vise a evaluer l’impact de certains facteurs organisationnels tels que la latitude decisionnelle, les exigences de travail, le temps et les horaires dans la survenance de conflit travail-famille et le developpement de l’enrichissement travail-famille. Les resultats de cette recherche mettent en evidence le role que jouent les exigences de travail dans la survenance du conflit travail-famille mais egalement dans le developpement de l’enrichissement travail-famille. Il apparait egalement une nouvelle place de l’autonomie qui previent certes le conflit famille-travail mais ne contribue pas au developpement de l’enrichissement travail-famille et famille-travail, ce qui pose la question de la nature de l’autonomie chez les soignants. Par ailleurs, le temps et les horaires ne previennent plus le developpement du conflit mais favorisent clairement le developpement de l’enrichissement entre les spheres professionnelle et familiale.
Relational Job Characteristics and Prosocial Motivation: A Longitudinal Study of Youth Care Professionals

This study examines how changes in relational job characteristics relate to the prosocial motivation of public professionals. Drawing on relational job design theory, changes in job contact and job impact are hypothesized to covary with prosocial motivation. With a unique longitudinal design, we study youth care professionals in The Netherlands, who are embedded in a reform aimed at decentralizing youth care to bring professionals closer to their clients. Quantitative data were collected through a three-wave survey prior to the reform implementation and at, respectively, 1 and 2 years after its implementation. The results indicate that changing levels of job contact and job impact are related to changes in prosocial motivation. The study contributes to academic debates regarding the dynamic nature of prosocial motivation and our findings provide longitudinal evidence for relational job design theory.
Effect of Ego Depletion and Expectancy Beliefs on Working Memory, Problem Solving, Task Persistence, and Performance

The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of ego depletion and expectancy beliefs (EB) about the limited will power of self-control on task performance and task persistence through a 2 (ego depleted vs. non-ego depleted group) x 3 (group with positive EB, group with negative EB, and the group without any EB) between subject experimental design. The participants (N = 210) were undergraduates of University of Sargodha who were randomly distributed to each of the six treatment conditions. Ego Depletion Task (Baumeister, Bratslavsky, Muraven, & Tice, 1998) and Feedback Task (Fried & Aronson, 1995) were adapted for the manipulation of the independent variables. Working memory (WM) was assessed through Digit Symbol Coding subscale of WAIS (Wechsler, 1997) and scores and time taken on an anagram task (Clarkson, Hirt, Jia, & Alexander, 2010) operationalized performance on problem-solving and task persistence, respectively. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the participants in the non-depleted group had significantly higher mean scores on problem-solving and WM tasks than those of their counterparts in the ego-depleted group. The group with the positive EB had the highest mean scores on WM and problem-solving tasks as compared to the other groups. The interaction effect of beliefs about limited will power of selfcontrol and ego depletion remained nonsignificant. Limitations and recommendations for future research were reflected upon.
Observations et modélisation in-situ du carbone des sols boréaux et des émissions de méthane associées

Le methane est l'un des plus puissants gaz a effets de serre present dans l'atmosphere, avec le dioxyde de carbone et la vapeur d'eau. A l'echelle globale, la majorite des emissions naturelles de methane proviennent des zones humides et des pergelisols de haute latitude. Ces zones sont un reservoir important de carbone et dans un contexte de changement climatique, leur devenir est fortement incertain, ainsi que les emissions de gaz a effet de serre associees. Il est ainsi important de comprendre les processus biogeochimiques responsables des flux de methane vers l'atmosphere, et leurs interactions avec les processus de surface. Un des objectifs de cette these est d'integrer au modele de surface continentale ISBA une representation des flux de methane. Pour ce faire, nous avons developpe un modele biogeochimique representant explicitement les gaz dans le sol et les processus de production, consommation et transport associes. Ce module est couple a un nouveau modele dynamique de carbone du sol base sur CENTURY, discretise verticalement, egalement developpe lors de cette these. Le nouveau modele biogeochimique represente correctement les flux de methane et de dioxyde de carbone sur trois sites arctiques distincts, pergelisoles ou non. La representation des processus biogeochimiques sous-terrains est egalement satisfaisante. Certains parametres restent cependant incertains, et le modele est tres sensible aux conditions hydrologiques. Nous avons egalement realise des mesures de carbone sous-terrain sur un des trois sites etudies, situe au Groenland. La comparaison des stocks et profils de carbone mesures avec les resultats du nouveau modele discretise mettent en evidence certaines insuffisances de ce dernier : la parametrisation et la structure originale de CENTURY ne semble pas adaptee aux zones humides arctiques, et la representation de la dynamique verticale du carbone necessite des ameliorations.
VERIFICATION OF THE PEAK FLOW RATES OF THE JULY 1997 FLOOD IN THE UPPER AND MIDDLE ODRA RIVER

Results and conclusions It has been found that previously published peak discharges for the 1997 flood need to be altered to a significant extent. For instance, the maximum discharge in Wrocław is estimated to have reached ca. 3900 m3 ∙ s–1 versus 3640 m3 ∙ s–1 as previously believed, while for the upstream Nysa Kłodzka station, the maximum discharge estimate had to be raised from 3530 m3 ∙ s–1 to 4300 m3 ∙ s–1. On the other hand, for the section below Ścinawa station, the peak discharges were significantly overestimated, even by 1000 m3 ∙ s–1, which is up to 50% of the actual flow. The determined values are hydrologically and hydraulically consistent, i.e. following the law of flow continuity, considering tributary supplies, flood bank breaches, and retention capacity of the river valley.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS IN TERMS OF SOME VARIABLES: A PERSPECTIVE FROM INDONESIA

This research explored the level of students’ basic and integrated Science Process Skills (SPS) based on their academic majors, gender, and grade levels at the end of a chemistry laboratory course. Convenience sampling was used to select 298 undergraduate students at the Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia. A survey method was used, and the data were collected using the Basic SPS (BSPS) and Integrated SPS (ISPS) Observation Checklist. The results showed that the students’ basic and integrated SPS were considered medium and low respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant gap in the students’ performance based on their majors, gender and grade levels. Surprisingly, it was found that the perception and social convention that males are stronger than females in science appears not to be the case among students. Moreover, there was a moderate positive and significant correlation between students’ basic and integrated SPS. Students with a high basic SPS score had the tendency to obtain a higher integrated SPS score. Therefore, it is concluded that prior to starting lab course activities, lecturers need to determine their students’ process skills in order to plan in such a manner that they can assist to raise their students’ current basic and integrated SPS. Keywords: academic majors, grade levels, science process skills, undergraduate students.
The role of uncertainty on agricultural futures markets momentum trading and volatility

Abstract This paper sheds light on the role of different sources of uncertainty on agricultural futures markets momentum trading and volatility. Momentum trading is proxied by two technical analysis indicators – the moving average convergence divergence and the relative strength index – while we also consider two different concepts of uncertainty – the CBOE volatility index of the S&P500 and daily news about the stance of economic policy in the US. To capture different effects on the transmission mechanism of uncertainty shocks, we implement a Bayesian VAR approach, which accounts for time-variation in the coefficients and the variance covariance structure of the model’s innovations. The results point in favor of a time-dependent uncertainty effect on expectations of daily momentum traders in agricultural futures markets. The corresponding trades in these periods push futures prices upwards and downwards and result in an increased volatility. Direct effects of both uncertainty sources on the volatility of agricultural futures markets confirm this view.
Relation of Eighth Graders' Family Structure, Gender, and Family Environment with Academic Performance and School Behavior.

The purpose of this study was to assess how family structure, gender, and family environment were related to both academic performance (end-of-the-year grades and quantitative and verbal achievement factor scores) and school behavior (number of days absent, number of days tardy, and number of in-school detentions). Subjects were 219 middle-class eighth graders (96 boys, 123 girls). Generally, students in two-parent nuclear families had better academic performance and less problematic school behavior than did students in either mother-custody or stepfather families. Boys had more detentions than did girls. Despite significant differences among the three family structures, the family structure variable accounted at most for only 1% of the variability in academic performance and school behavior. A family environment that emphasized achievement and intellectual pursuits accounted for variability in end-of-the-year grades beyond that accounted for by family structure, gender, and family conflict. The joint consideration of family structure, gender, and family environment accounted at most for 11% of the variance in academic performance and school behavior. For students in the mother-custody and stepfather families, contact with father was unrelated to academic performance. Findings are discussed in terms of models of achievement motivation and behavior.
CAN ASL-GLOSS BE USED AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL TOOL TO TEACH WRITTEN ENGLISH TO THE DEAF?

This study addressed the use of ASL-gloss as a potential method for improving reading ability and comprehension for those with profound deafness through the use of the Gray Silent Reading Test (GRST). ASL-gloss can be described as a written form of American Sign Language. Research suggests that on average, individuals who are deaf are reading at about a thirdto fifth-grade level. Presently, there is limited research on the effects of using ASL-gloss with students who are deaf. Participants (n = 31) self-reported as having a profound hearing loss, used ASL as their primary or preferred language, and were over the age of 18. They received the GSRT in English, ASL-gloss, or ASL. Mean differences were analyzed to determine if glossing might produce higher comprehension scores and support the use of an ASL-glossing system as an instructional method in early education. Results did not suggest higher comprehension scores for ASL-gloss or ASL. Results did not support ASL-gloss as an effective method for increased level of comprehension in adults affiliated with Gallaudet University.
Perspective-taking and language competence as predictors of language accommodation by adolescents from monolingual and bilingual households

ABSTRACT In this study, we examined how growing up in a bilingual (Swedish-Finnish) versus monolingual (Swedish only) household in a bilingual region of Finland affected adolescents’ language competence and language-related perspective-taking, and how these factors were related to adolescents’ language choice in interaction. Survey data were collected from 197 secondary school students in Finland, and analyzed via path modeling. Results supported predictions that children from bilingual households are both more aware of other speakers’ linguistic preferences and needs, and more competent in their language skills, and that both these factors contribute to linguistic accommodation (i.e. language choice). Specifically, our findings suggest language competence appears to function as the ‘default’ determinant of language choice and that perspective-taking attenuates this relationship as consideration of others’ wants or needs (that differ from this default) increase. These findings provide new insights into the drivers of language choice in multilingual contexts.
Racism in Remediation: How Black Students Navigate Stereotypes to Achieve Success in Developmental Mathematics

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explores how Black students in community college developmental mathematics navigate stereotypes about their abilities and succeed. I apply stereotype management, a conceptual framework typically used to explain how minoritized groups in K-12 settings and universities succeed despite negative labeling. Using data from a narrative study about Black students who succeeded in developmental mathematics, this study features eight participants (two females and six males) and reveals (a) implicit and explicit offenses endured from faculty and peers in math classrooms; (b) behaviors prompting management practices; and (c) strategies employed to navigate the offenses. Results suggest that despite participants’ ability to navigate discriminatory behaviors, emotional stressors shaped their perceptions about the treatment Black students withstand in these courses. Implications address negative relations between Black students and their Latinx peers and faculty and provide strategies to support students, particularly those whose mathematics abilities are questioned.
TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON SELF-DETERMINATION OF STUDENTS WITH VISION DISABILITY: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE

Self-determination is an essential psychological characteristic which plays a pivotal role on quality of life. Self-determination skills’ development may enable students with vision disability to succeed in school, work and community. Purpose: The present study investigates the perceptions of special and general education teachers about the role of social acceptance and self-acceptance on self-determination of students with vision disability. Methodology: 26 general and 17 special education teachers participated. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Their analysis was conducted through ATLAS.ti 8 software and followed the coding system by distinguishing groups of data and tracing thematic patterns. Results: The analysis of the data revealed that social acceptance plays a crucial role in triggering selfdetermination skills. Also, social acceptance constitutes a major prerequisite for self-determination development. In addition, self-acceptance seems to be an influence factor on self-determination development. Further, self-acceptance may compose a significant skill of self-determination. Discussion: Results confirmed the significant role of social acceptance and self-acceptance on selfdetermination of students with vision disability. Results are in line with relevant literature.
Drivers of soil carbon stabilization in oil palm plantations

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) in agroecosystems is necessary to mitigate climate change and soil degradation. Management practices designed to reach this goal call for a deeper understanding of the processes and drivers of soil carbon input stabilization. We identified main drivers of SOC stabilization in oil palm plantations using the well‐defined spatial patterns of nutrients and litter application resulting from the usual management scheme. The stabilization of oil palm‐derived SOC (OP‐SOC) was quantified by δ13C from a shift of C4 (savanna) to C3 (oil palm) vegetations. Soil organic carbon stocks under frond piles were 20% and 22% higher compared with harvest paths and interzones, respectively. Fertilization and frond stacking did not influence the decomposition of savanna‐derived SOC. Depending on management zones, net OP‐SOC stabilization equalled 16–27% of the fine root biomass accumulated for 9 years. This fraction was similar between frond piles and litter‐free interzones, where mineral NPK fertilization is identical, indicating that carbon inputs from dead fronds did not stabilize in SOC. A path analysis confirmed that the OP‐SOC distribution was largely explained by the distribution of oil palm fine roots, which itself depended on management practices. SOC mineralization was proportional to SOC content and was independent on phosphorus availability. We conclude that SOC stabilization was driven by C inputs from fine roots and was independent of alteration of SOC mineralization due to management. Practices favouring root growth of oil palms would increase carbon sequestration in soils without necessarily relying on the limited supply of organic residues.
Computer-Mediated Communication Perspective on Theories of Mating Relationships: A Literature Review

This study provides a review of the theories relevant to the understanding of online dating. Dating as a concept and as an activity has a specific history and takes a specific form. It traditionally occurred in the offline world although there were mediated aspects to it with daters advertising themselves in newspapers and magazines and on other available platforms. There are theories that try to explain the dating process and how relationships form between humans. There are associated theories of impression formation which are not exclusive to the dating context but are nonetheless relevant to it. There is then the migration of these various theories from the offline into the online world. This paper reviews all this theoretical evidence through focusing on two key elements. The first is the efficacy with which offline theories can explain behavior in the online world and the importance of new developments in the explanation of interpersonal relationships and communications in the online world. The second is the cultural specificity of specific theories and any research that has been produced to test them.