Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Match and Mismatch between Pre-Primary Teachers’ Beliefs and Classroom Instruction in Teaching and Learning to Read Kiswahili in Tanzania: Implications for Teacher Education

Teachers’ beliefs have the potential of influencing teachers’ instructional decisions and/or even accept, resist or renegotiate the mandated curriculum intentions. Yet, knowledge about these relations in Tanzania’s pre-primary education is largely lacking. This study sought to narrow this gap of knowledge by exploring pre-primary teachers’ beliefs about learning and teaching to read Kiswahili in Tanzania, and the extent to which these beliefs are related to classroom instructional practices and curriculum intentions. The study was informed by a qualitative hermeneutic-phenomenology methodology. Twenty-one pre-primary teachers were involved in this study. Of these, three were males and 18 were females. Of the participants, six had primary teacher education background whereas two had attended a one-year pre-school training course. Empirical materials were generated over a period of six months using 21 semi-structured interviews, 12 classroom observations, 12 post-observation video-stimulated interviews, and content analysis of lesson plans and curriculum. The study findings reveal that teachers’ beliefs about teaching to read Kiswahili revolve around direct and systematic phonics instruction and integration of reading and writing activities. The findings further demonstrate that there was both match and mismatch between the teachers’ beliefs, their instructional practices and curriculum intentions. Thus, the study recommends the provision of on-going reflective teacher in-service training, fostering of teacher effective participation in curriculum development process, and doubling of efforts aimed to address contextual factors, which interrupt classroom instructional practices and affect the relationship between teachers’ beliefs and curriculum intentions. Keywords: Teachers’ beliefs, learning to read difficulties, pre-primary teachers
How Much is CEO Education Worth to a Firm? Evidence from European Firms

The emergence of an industry dedicated to evaluating the quality of university institutions around the world makes it possible to analyze whether students who graduate from highly-ranked schools perform better during their working lives. We focus on the education of CEOs who lead European listed firms, and analyze its impact on firm performance. If better schools produced better managers, we should find better firm performance for the firms led by managers who have graduated from highly-ranked schools. However, we do not find clear support for this claims, and rather our analysis shows that the ranking position of a university is not significantly linked to firm performance. Moreover, we find that the results of any such estimate are highly sensitive to the performance measure used and the type of ranking chosen. "QS University Rankings" and "Times Higher Education University Rankings" produce results that are more in line with our assumption. Unlike accounting ratios, market-based performance measures tend to provide stronger support for our hypothesis. JEL codes : G34; I26; J24
The Association between Motor Laterality and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease

Background and Purpose The relationship between the side of motor symptoms and cognitive impairment has rarely been reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We aimed to estimate the influence of motor laterality on cognition in PD patients. Methods We enrolled 67 patients with PD, and they were divided into two groups according to side of symptom onset or predominant motor symptom presentation (right and left). Right-sided PD (RPD, 40) and left-sided PD (LPD, 27) patients underwent a neuropsychological battery exploring memory, attention/working memory, frontal/executive, visuospatial, and language functions. Student's t-test and Chi-square test have been carried out to compare the clinical and neuropsychological data between two groups. Results There were no significant differences in any neuropsychological test between the RPD and LPD groups, except for digit forward span test. RPD patients scored lower on the digit forward span test than LPD patients (5.43±9.49 vs. 6.15±1.38, p=0.045). Conclusions RPD patients seem to experience more difficulties in attention and working memory than did LPD patients. The laterality of motor symptoms is not a major determinant for cognitive impairment in PD patients but, we should consider differences of cognitive deficits depending on the side of motor symptoms to treat patients with PD.
Spatial information on total solar radiation: Application and evaluation of the r.sun model for the Wedel Jarlsberg Land, Svalbard

The results of the application and evaluation of the r.sun model for calculation of the total solar radiation for the Wedel Jarlsberg Land (SW Spitsbergen) are presented. Linke Turbidity Factor (LTF), which is the obligatory parameter for direct and diffused radiation calculations with the r.sun model, is derived here with the empirical formula and meteoro− logical measurements. Few different approaches for calculation of LTF are presented and tested. The r.sun model results, calculated with these various LTF, are evaluated through comparison with total solar radiation measurements gathered at Polish Polar Station. The r.sun model is found to be in good agreement with the measurements for clear sky condi− tions, with the explained variance (R 2 ) close to 0.9. Overall, the model slightly underesti− mates the measured total radiation. Reasonable results were calculated for the cloudiness condition up to 2 octas, and for these r.sun model can be considered as a reliable and flexible tool providing spatial data on solar radiation for the study area.
A tutorial on particle filters for online nonlinear/non-Gaussian Bayesian tracking

Increasingly, for many application areas, it is becoming important to include elements of nonlinearity and non-Gaussianity in order to model accurately the underlying dynamics of a physical system. Moreover, it is typically crucial to process data on-line as it arrives, both from the point of view of storage costs as well as for rapid adaptation to changing signal characteristics. In this paper, we review both optimal and suboptimal Bayesian algorithms for nonlinear/non-Gaussian tracking problems, with a focus on particle filters. Particle filters are sequential Monte Carlo methods based on point mass (or "particle") representations of probability densities, which can be applied to any state-space model and which generalize the traditional Kalman filtering methods. Several variants of the particle filter such as SIR, ASIR, and RPF are introduced within a generic framework of the sequential importance sampling (SIS) algorithm. These are discussed and compared with the standard EKF through an illustrative example.
Self-financing of fiscal measures in the EU-simulation-based analysis using the quest model with endogenous growth

The question of whether and to what extent …scal reforms can pay for themselves through higher growth is central both from the theoretical and the policymakers'point of view. This paper uses a dynamic general equilibrium model with endogenous growth to analyse the macro- economic and budgetary eects of a series of …scal measures on the EU economy, with an em- phasis on their degree of self-…nancing, i.e. their ability to partially oset lost revenues due to general equilibrium incentive eects. The model includes an endogenous technological change mechanism in the form of the product-variety framework suggested by Jones (1995, 2005) and disaggregates the labour force into three skill categories. This allows an analysis of the conse- quences of capital and labour income and consumption tax cuts, but also of the impact of more targeted policies such as tax credits on R&D investment and skill-biased labour tax cuts. The paper …nds that the degree of self-…nancing of the measures varies between 20% in the case of a cut in the labour income tax rate paid by high-skilled workers and 52% in the case of a reduction in the tax rate on low-skilled labour income. The paper also …nds that the elasticity of labour supply is an important factor aecting the impact of a labour tax cut. Finally, we test the sensitivity of the eects of the tax reforms to the initial level of the tax rate, …nding that the output expansion and the degree of self-…nancing are larger when the initial tax rates are higher.
Coastal measurements of short-lived reactive iodocarbons and bromocarbons at Roscoff, Brittany during the RHaMBLe campaign

Abstract. Atmospheric concentrations of the volatile reactive iodocarbons C2H5I, 1-C3H7I, 2-C3H7I, CH2ICl, CH2IBr, CH2I2 and bromocarbons CH2Br2 and CHBr3 were determined by GC/MS analysis of marine boundary layer air at Roscoff, Brittany on the northwest coast of France during September 2006. Comparison with other coastal studies suggests that emissions of these trace gases are strongly influenced by site topography, seaweed populations and distribution, as well as wind speed and direction and tide height. Concentrations of the very short-lived dihalomethanes CH2IBr and CH2I2 in particular showed evidence of tidal dependence, with higher concentrations observed at low tide during maximum exposure of seaweed beds. We also present a limited number of halocarbon measurements in surface seawater and estimate sea-air fluxes based on these and simultaneous air measurements. CH2Br2 and CHBr3 were strongly correlated both in air and in seawater, with CH2Br2/CHBr3 ratios of 0.19 in air and 0.06 in water. The combined midday I atom flux from the photolabile diahlomethanes CH2I2, CH2IBr and CH2ICl of ~5×103 molecules cm−3 s−1 is several orders of magnitude lower than the estimated I atom flux from I2 based on coinciding measurements at the same site, which indicates that at Roscoff the major I atom precursor was I2 rather than reactive iodocarbons.
Corrigendum to “ Statistical analysis of severe magnetic fluctuations in the near-Earth plasma sheet observed by THEMIS-E ” published in

We statistically analyzed severe magnetic fluctuations in the nightside near-Earth plasma sheet at 6–12 RE (Earth radii; 1 RE = 6371 km), because they are important for non-magnetohydrodynamics (non-MHD) effects in the magnetotail and are considered to be necessary for current disruption in the inside-out substorm model. We used magnetic field data from 2013 and 2014 obtained by the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms E (THEMIS-E) satellite (sampling rate: 4 Hz). A total of 3322 severe magnetic fluctuation events were identified that satisfied the criteria σB/B > 0.5, where σB and B are the standard deviation and the average value of magnetic field intensity during the time interval of the local proton gyroperiod, respectively. We found that the occurrence rates of severe fluctuation events are 0.00312, 0.0312, and 0.0675 % at 6–8, 8–10, and 10–12 RE, respectively, and most events last for no more than 20 s. From these occurrence rates, we estimated the possible scale sizes of current disruption by severe magnetic fluctuations as 11.47 RE by assuming that four substorms with 5 min intervals of current disruption occur every day. The fluctuation events occurred most frequently at the ZGSM (Z distance in the geocentric solar magnetospheric coordinate system) close to the model neutral sheet within 0.2 RE. Most events occur in association with sudden decreases in the auroral electrojet lower (AL) index and magnetic field dipolarization, indicating that they are related to substorms. Forty-seven percent of magnetic fluctuation events were accompanied by ion flow with velocity V > 100 km s−1, indicating that for half of cases the violation of ion gyromotion tends to occur during high-speed flow in the near-Earth plasma sheet. The superposed epoch analysis also indicated that the flow speed increases before the severe magnetic fluctuations. We discuss how both the inside-out and outside-in substorm models can explain this increase in flow speeds before magnetic fluctuation events.
Surfactant selection for enhanced contaminant extraction

Successfully implementing surfactant-enhanced subsurface remediation requires careful consideration of fundamental surfactant properties and economic considerations; namely, targeting the residual contamination, maximizing contaminant elution, and recovery and re-use of the surfactant. This paper discusses surfactant-enhanced solubilization versus mobilization for a variety of contaminants. Unit processes for contaminant- surfactant separation and surfactant re-use are summarized, and surfactant impacts on these processes are described. Finally, field demonstration results are presented that reinforce these concepts. This paper thus highlights key factors critical to the successful design and implementation of surfactant enhanced subsurface remediation systems. BACKGROUND Pump-and-treat groundwater remediation has frequently proven inefficient, especially when a trapped oil phase (residual saturation) is present. Surfactant-enhanced subsurface remediation is a leading technology for enhancing pump-and-treat remediation of such sites. This enhancement can be due to micellar-enhanced aqueous concentrations or due to ultra-low interfacial tensions, and ultra-high solubilization, realized along with middle phase microemulsion systems. This paper discusses fundamental surfactant and economic factors critical to successful implementation of this technology, with examples from field demonstration studies that reinforce these concepts.
Acoustic biomass estimation of mesopelagic fish: backscattering from individuals, populations, and communities

Acoustic survey methods are useful to estimate the distribution, abundance, and biomass of mesopelagic fish, a key component of open ocean ecosystems. However, mesopelagic fish pose several challenges for acoustic biomass estimation based on their small size, wide depth range, mixed aggregations, and length-dependent acoustic reflectance, which differentiate them from the larger epipelagic and neritic fish for which these methods were developed. Foremost, there is a strong effect of depth on swimbladder resonance, so acoustic surveys of mesopelagic fish must incorporate depth-stratification. Additionally, the 1-3 cm juveniles of many species are not only more abundant, but can also be stronger acoustic backscatterers than the larger adults that comprise most of the biomass. The dominant species in terms of biomass may thus be weak acoustic backscatters. Failure to properly incorporate depth, the full size distribution, and certain less-abundant species into mesopelagic acoustic analyses could lead to errors in estimated biomass of up to three orders of magnitude. Thus, thorough validation, or "ground-truthing ", of the species composition, depth structure, population size distribution, capture efficiency of the sampling device, and acoustic properties of the fish present is critical for credible acoustic estimates of mesopelagic fish biomass. This is not insurmountable, but requires more ancillary data than is usually collected.
Response of plant-pollinator communities to fire: changes in diversity, abundance and floral reward structure

Globally, plant-pollinator communities are subject to a diverse array of perturbations and in many temperate and semi-arid systems fire is a dominant structuring force. We present a novel and highly integrated approach, which quantifies, in parallel, the response to fire of pollinator communities, floral communities and floral reward structure. Mt Carmel, Israel is a recognised bee-flower biodiversity hotspot, and using a chronosequence of habitats with differing post-fire ages, we follow the changes in plant-pollinator community organisation from immediately following a burn until full regeneration of vegetation. Initially, fire has a catastrophic effect on these communities, however, recovery is rapid with a peak in diversity of both flowers and bees in the first 2 years post-fire, followed by a steady decline over the next 50 years. The regeneration of floral communities is closely matched by that of their principal pollinators. At the community level we quantify, per unit area of habitat, key parameters of nectar and pollen forage known to be of importance in structuring pollinator communities. Nectar Volume, nectar water content, nectar concentration and the diversity of nectar foraging niches are all greatest immediately following fire with a steady decrease as regeneration proceeds. Temporal changes in energy availability for nectar, pollen, total energy (nectar + pollen) and relative importance of pollen to nectar energy show a similar general decline with site age, however, the pattern is less clear owing to the highly patchy distribution of floral resources. Changes in floral reward structure reflect the general shift from annuals (generally low-reward open access flowers) to perennials (mostly high-reward and restricted access flowers) as post-fire regeneration ensues. The impact of fire on floral communities and their associated rewards have clear implications for pollinator community structure and we discuss this and the role of other disturbance factors on these systems.
Multinationals vs. Cooperatives: The Income and Efficiency Effects of Supply Chain Governance in India

The impact of multinational firms on the domestic agricultural sector in developing countries is controversial, in particular in India. Relying on a unique set of household-level data from the state of Punjab, we study the biggest dairy company in the world (Nestle) in India and compare its vertical spillover effects on upstream suppliers to other market channels (informal sector and cooperatives). We find that farmers that supply informal channels are less efficient and earn less profits per dairy animal than farmers supplying the cooperative and the multinational sector. Further, we find that farmers in the multinational channel are more efficient than farmers in the cooperative channel, but equally profitable. Hence, we do not find that supplying the cooperative channel is more beneficial for local dairy farmers than supplying the multinational channel. Overall, however, dairy productivity and profitability levels are still dramatically low, with tremendous scope for dairy development.
Development of RAPD Markers for Studies on a Populus-Chimera

The cells in the shoot meristem of the most higher plants including the genus Populus are arranged in separate layers (L1, L2, L3 etc.). In meristems of plantchimeras cells from different genotypes coexist. A Populus-chimera (MA) was produced, by grafting of P. × canadensis ‘Marilandica’ (M) and P. maximowizcii × P. trichocarpa ‘Androscoggin’ (A). In MA the exogenous layer (L1) forms the epidermis and is derived from M while inner layers (L2, L3 etc.) descend from A. The exogenous epidermis of the periclinal chimera imposed morphological effects on leafs. For the differentiation of M and A in organs of the MA chimera we developed donor specific RAPD markers. One random 10mer primer out of 20 tested revealed the amplification of donor specific DNA bands using extract from leaf tissues of the parents that were combined using extracts from leaf tissue of the chimera. This indicates that the leaves of the MA-chimera are formed by tissues of M and A. The established procedure can be applied to investigate the presence or combination of M or A derived genotypes in other organs of the MA chimera.
The Impact of Mobile Device Use on Shopper Behaviour in Store: An Empirical Research on Grocery Retailing

Over the last decade, retailers and manufacturers alike are increasing their attention to the role of instore mobile technology use with the aim to understand its impact on consumers’ decision making process. The rise of the mobile channel, in fact, has produced disruptive changes in shopping habits designed to gradually reduce the effectiveness of in-store marketing levers in influencing shopping behaviour. This topic is of paramount importance in grocery sector since retailers and manufacturers devote a lot of investments in instore marketing activities with the aim to influence consumers’ decisions and stimulate impulse purchases. Nevertheless, there are few contributions about the influence of the mobile technology in a retail setting and its effects on buying behavior inside the store. Our research intends to explore the impact of in-store mobile technology use on shopper behavior instore in order to understand its effects on planned versus unplanned purchases. According to our preliminary results, consumers using mobile technology instore make less unplanned items and fail to purchase more planned items. Moreover, the use of mobile technology negatively impacts shoppers’ ability to recall in-store stimuli. Our findings are interesting for both retailers and manufacturers who are looking for new ways to better address their marketing efforts and increase consumers’ engagement instore.
Analysts' Assimilation of Soft Information in the Financial Press

Prior research establishes that both sell-side analysts and the media act as information intermediaries in the capital markets. This study investigates whether sell-side analysts use information from firmspecific print news coverage and whether analysts’ assimilation of this news leads to informative recommendations. We find that the quantity of news coverage of a firm is positively associated with subsequent recommendation revisions, and that the tone of the news predicts the direction of the revisions. Moreover, we document that the market reactions to analysts’ recommendation revisions are stronger for firms with more frequent recent news coverage, suggesting a positive relation between the intensity of news coverage and the informativeness of analysts’ recommendations. To understand the nature of news information useful to analysts, we classify news into soft and hard news based on qualitative and quantitative content, and find that the link between news coverage and market reactions to analysts’ revisions is primarily driven by analysts’ assimilation of soft news. Taken together, our paper sheds new light on the sources of analysts’ mosaic of information and the role of analysts in the efficiency of the capital markets.
Ice cliff contribution to the tongue-wide ablation of Changri Nup Glacier, Nepal, central Himalaya

Abstract. Ice cliff backwasting on debris-covered glaciers is recognized as an important mass-loss process that is potentially responsible for the “debris-cover anomaly”, i.e. the fact that debris-covered and debris-free glacier tongues appear to have similar thinning rates in the Himalaya. In this study, we quantify the total contribution of ice cliff backwasting to the net ablation of the tongue of Changri Nup Glacier, Nepal, between 2015 and 2017. Detailed backwasting and surface thinning rates were obtained from terrestrial photogrammetry collected in November 2015 and 2016, unmanned air vehicle (UAV) surveys conducted in November 2015, 2016 and 2017, and Pléiades tri-stereo imagery obtained in November 2015, 2016 and 2017. UAV- and Pléiades-derived ice cliff volume loss estimates were 3 % and 7 % less than the value calculated from the reference terrestrial photogrammetry. Ice cliffs cover between 7 % and 8 % of the total map view area of the Changri Nup tongue. Yet from November 2015 to November 2016 (November 2016 to November 2017), ice cliffs contributed to 23±5 % (24±5 %) of the total ablation observed on the tongue. Ice cliffs therefore have a net ablation rate 3.1±0.6 (3.0±0.6) times higher than the average glacier tongue surface. However, on Changri Nup Glacier, ice cliffs still cannot compensate for the reduction in ablation due to debris-cover. In addition to cliff enhancement, a combination of reduced ablation and lower emergence velocities could be responsible for the debris-cover anomaly on debris-covered tongues.