Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A view through the long lens: Pre-service teachers' perceptions of multi-campus course delivery

This paper explores the results of a survey that was conducted with 277 pre-service teachers studying at two regional university campuses in Victoria, Australia in 2014. Data showed that participants expressed high level of satisfaction with the quality of their undergraduate courses in education including the flexible teaching and learning experiences. However, many reported experiencing frustration with accessing cloud-based learning materials and support services, including communication with lecturers. Challenges in accessing learning materials were mainly attributed to slow internet speed which increased the time taken to download resources. Access to support services and lecturers was made difficult because many key staff were located at the larger, urban campuses, thus sometimes causing delay in communication with them. This study recommends that university faculties review the accessibility of services, facilities and resources for rural and remote students. Recommendations include greater attention to the presentation of online learning materials to ensure accessibility for all students, regardless of internet speed and location. Moreover, findings showed that by closer examination of the accessibility of services to reflect the reality and complexity of students’ lives, universities could increase equity for rural and remote students.
Spatial dependency and technical efficiency: An application of a bayesian stochastic frontier model to irrigated and rainfed rice farmers in bohol, philippines

We investigated the role of spatial dependency in the technical efficiency estimates of rice farmers using panel data from the Central Visayan island of Bohol in the Philippines. Householdâ€ level data were collected from irrigated and rainfed agroâ€ ecosystems. In each ecosystem, the geographical information on residential and farmâ€ plot neighborhood structures was recorded to compare householdâ€ level spatial dependency among four types of neighborhoods. A Bayesian stochastic frontier approach that integrates spatial dependency was used to address the effects of neighborhood structures on farmersâ€™ performance. Incorporating the spatial dimension into the neighborhood structures allowed for identification of the relationships between spatial dependency and technical efficiency through comparison with nonspatial models. The neighborhood structure at the residence and plot levels were defined with a spatial weight matrix where cutâ€ off distances ranged from 100 to 1,000 m. We found that spatial dependency exists at the residential and plot levels and is stronger for irrigated farms than rainfed farms. We also found that technical inefficiency levels decrease as spatial effects are more taken into account. Because the spatial effects increase with a shorter network distance, the decreasing technical inefficiency implies that the unobserved inefficiencies can be explained better by considering small networks of relatively close farmers over large networks of distant farmers.
Diversity of springtails (Hexapoda) according to a altitudinal gradient

The objective of this work was to elevate gradient effect on diversity of Collembola, in a temperate forest on the northeast slope of Iztaccihuatl Volcano, Mexico. Four expeditions were organized from November 2003 to August 2004, at four altitudes (2,753, 3,015, 3,250 and 3,687 m a.s.l.). In each site, air temperature, CO2 concentration, humidity, and terrain inclination were measured. The influence of abiotic factors on faunal composition was evaluated, at the four collecting sites, with canonical correspondence analyses (CCA). A total of 24,028 specimens were obtained, representing 12 families, 44 genera and 76 species. Mesaphorura phlorae, Proisotoma ca. tenella and Parisotoma ca. notabilis were the most abundant species. The highest diversity and evenness were recorded at 3,250 m (H' = 2.85; J' = 0.73). Canonical analyses axes 1 and 2 of the CCA explained 67.4% of the variance in species composition, with CO2 and altitude best explaining axis 1, while slope and humidity were better correlated to axis 2. The results showed that CO2 is an important factor to explain Collembola species assemblage, together with slope and humidity.
Explaining the variation in the value of building energy efficiency certificates: A quantitative meta-analysis

The built environment has been identified as one of the cost effective platforms for reducing energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. With policies and the know-how in existence, the real estate sector has already adopted measures such as building codes and energy efficiency labels to drive prices and spur demand with the objective of increasing the demand for energy efficient buildings. Since 2008, many studies have emerged estimating the price premium that is expected to be associated with energy efficient buildings. Evidence from such studies has so far been mixed. We use a meta-regression approach to identify some of the underlying drivers causing the variation. Our results reveal that energy efficiency is highly valued in the sales market and the non-residential sector. We also observed that Europe values energy efficiency over the US possible due to their relative strengths of their energy efficiency policies as revealed on the international energy efficiency rankings. Labels with categorical scales have a weak impact on the value of energy efficiency labels while the effects of regulation by voluntary strategies tend to decline with time, with the effect lasting over a period of thirteen years. These are vital information for policy issues in achieving significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Ecological significance of ploidy level of native and invasive populations of Solidago gigantea

Aim Newly formed polyploids experience problems of establishment and spread similar to those faced by newly introduced alien species. To help understand the significance that polyploidy plays in biological invasions, we mapped the distribution of ploidy levels in Solidago gigantea Aiton in its native range in North America and in Europe and East Asia where it is invasive. Methods We used flow cytometry to measure ploidy levels in a total of 834 plants from 149 locations. Together with data from contributors and a literature review we assembled ploidy level data for 336 locations. Cytogeographic maps from North America and Europe were prepared incorporating new and previously published ploidy level data. Results In the native range, we found diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid plants, and also one triploid and one pentaploid plant (2n = 3x and 2n = 5x are new reports for this species). There was a high degree of geographic separation among the ploidy levels, and populations with mixed ploidy were rare. However, four zones where plants of different ploidy could come into contact were identified. In Europe and East Asia only tetraploid plants were found. Main conclusions The present geographic separation in North America suggests that the ploidy levels are ecologically differentiated, though further investigations are needed to identify the nature of these differences. Alien populations appear to be exclusively tetraploid, but it is not clear whether this is because tetraploids were selectively introduced or diploids were unsuccessful. In any case, comparisons between native and introduced populations need to account for ploidy level.
Lake–landscape connections at the forest–tundra transition of northern Manitoba

Abstract To better understand aquatic–terrestrial linkages in the sub-Arctic, and specifically the relative importance of landscape position versus land cover, we surveyed lakes, soils, land cover, and lake/basin characteristics in a 14 000 km2 region of acidic forest–tundra landscape near northern Manitoba, Canada (59.56°N, 97.72°W) in 2009. We analyzed 39 different biological, chemical, and physical variables for lakes and soils. We used a remote-sensing– based classification to determine that the landscape was 21% water, 46% peat-forming lowland, and 24.9% open tundra, and we assigned lake order to all lakes based on the order of the outlet stream for each lake. Lakes were oligotrophic to mesotrophic (median total phosphorus: TP = 11.8 μg L−1), N-limited (median dissolved inorganic nitrogen: TP = 1.6), acidic (median pH 5.7), and had moderate amounts of dissolved organic carbon (median DOC = 5.2 mg L−1). We identified 2 principle groups of variables represented by DOC and conductivity/ cations, respectively, that captured major axes of lake variation. DOC, 2 measures of DOC quality (a250/a365 [a proxy for molecular weight and aromaticity] and specific ultraviolet absorbance), and Fe and were significantly correlated with percent cover of lowland forest, but conductivity/cations were not correlated with variation in land cover. Soils were generally acidic (pH 2.7–4.4) and nutrient-poor, and wetland soils contained more carbon and higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and other cations than upland open tundra. Landscape position of lakes (measured as lake order) did not capture systematic differences in land cover or lake biogeochemistry. Our results highlight the importance of lowland export of DOC to lakes and further suggest the need for additional regional studies of aquatic–terrestrial connections in Arctic and sub-Arctic landscapes.
Chronic Toxicity of Ammonia to Rainbow Trout

Abstract The chronic effects of ammonia to rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri were studied in a laboratory test conducted over a 5-year period. Fish were tested at five concentrations over the range 0.01–0.07 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia; the mean pH of the test water was 7.7, and the mean temperature was 9.3 C. Parental fish were exposed for 11 months, the first filial generation (F1) for 4 years, and the second filial generation (F2) for 5 months. The parental fish spawned of their own volition at all ammonia concentrations tested; baskets containing crushed rock served as the spawning substrate. The F1 fish did not spawn voluntarily at either 3 or 4 years of age, although manual spawning of 4-year-old F1 fish produced viable eggs. There was no significant correlation between ammonia concentration and numbers of egg lots spawned, total numbers of eggs produced, numbers of viable eggs, growth of progeny, or mortality of parents or progeny in any of the generations tested. Blood ammonia concentrations were meas.
Bank customers’ preferences and responses to Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in Ghana

The study seeks to investigate Ghanaian bank customers’ ranked preference for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and determine which initiative has the greatest effect on attitude and behaviour toward banks. A sample of 384 retail bank customers is employed in the study. Applying a one-way MANOVA and two uni-variate ANOVAs, the study finds that customers have the highest preference for corporate philanthropy initiatives, followed by customer-centric and community volunteering initiatives. Additionally, the overall effects of CSR initiatives on customers’ attitude and behavioural intentions toward bank brands are found to be significant. More specifically, the study finds, using a Scheffe post-hoc test, that corporate philanthropy initiative have the greatest effect on both attitude and behavioural intentions towards bank brands. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the best type of CSR initiative that retail banks should apply to stimulate customers’ attitude and behaviour towards their brands in Ghana is corporate philanthropy initiatives.
Precipitation Trends over Time Using Mann-Kendall and Spearman’s rho Tests in Swat River Basin, Pakistan

Accurately predicting precipitation trends is vital in the economic development of a country. This research investigated precipitation variability across 15 stations in the Swat River basin, Pakistan, over a 51-year study period (1961–2011). Nonparametric Mann-Kendall (MK) and Spearman’s rho (SR) statistical tests were used to detect trends in monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation, and the trend-free prewhitening approach was applied to eliminate serial correlation in the precipitation time series. The results highlighted a mix of positive (increasing) and negative (decreasing) trends in monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation. One station in particular, the Saidu Sharif station, showed the maximum number of significant monthly precipitation events, followed by Abazai, Khairabad, and Malakand. On the seasonal time scale, precipitation trends changed from the summer to the autumn season. The Saidu Sharif station revealed the highest positive trend (7.48 mm/year) in annual precipitation. In the entire Swat River basin, statistically insignificant trends were found in the subbasins for the annual precipitation series; however, the Lower Swat subbasin showed the maximum quantitative increase in the precipitation at a rate of 2.18 mm/year. The performance of the MK and SR tests was consistent at the verified significance level.
Subsidizing Vocational Training for Disadvantaged Youth in Colombia: Evidence from a Randomized Trial

This paper evaluates the impact of a randomized training program for disadvantaged youth introduced in Colombia in 2005. This randomized trial offers a unique opportunity to examine the impact of training in a middle income country. We use originally collected data on individuals randomly offered and not offered training. The program raises earnings and employment for women. Women offered training earn 19.6 percent more and have a 0.068 higher probability of paid employment than those not offered training, mainly in formal-sector jobs. Cost-benefit analysis of these results suggests that the program generates much larger net gains than those found in developed countries. (JEL I28, J13, J24, O15)
Seascape Genetics: Populations, Individuals, and Genes Marooned and Adrift

Seascape genetics is the study of how spatially variable structural and environmental features influence genetic patterns of marine organisms. Seascape genetics is conceptually linked to landscape genetics and this likeness frequently allows investigators to use similar theoretical and analytical methods for both seascape genetics and landscape genetics. But, the physical and environmental attributes of the ocean and biological attributes of organisms that live in the sea, especially the large spatial scales of seascape features and the high dispersal ability of many marine organisms, differ from those of terrestrial organisms that have typified landscape genetic studies. This paper reviews notable papers in the emerging field of seascape genetics, highlighting pervasive themes and biological attributes of species and seascape features that affect spatial genetic patterns in the sea. Similarities to, and differences from, (terrestrial) landscape genetics are discussed, and future directions are recommended.
Increasing Phonemic Awareness in the Pre-School Aged Child: A Parent-Centered, Play Based Approach

Written as a reference for parents and both present and future early childhood educators, this compilation of studies and accompanying resources is intended to clarify misconceptions and build individual understandings of phonological and phonemic awareness. The relationship between phonemic awareness instruction and stronger reading and spelling abilities has been well established; however, most previous studies of phonemic awareness have utilized educators or trained researchers as the primary instructors and have focused mainly on school aged children ranging from preschool to grade three. The purpose of this review was to extrapolate the potential effects of placing parents in the role of lead instructor of phonemic awareness for children ranging from birth to age 5, as well as to create a set of parent resources informed by this research. The main source of evidence was the National Reading Panel’s meta-analysis of phonemic awareness studies published in 2001. This review and subsequent generalization indicates that through joint participation in phonemically focused phonological awareness activities, in addition to reading aloud regularly, parents have the potential to positively influence their child’s later ability to read and spell.
Reproductive Phenology and Temporal Patterns of Mate Access in Mediterranean Anurans

Acknowledgments. -We are indebted to J. H. Harding for field assistance in obtaining the specimens of Storeria occipitomaculata, to H. A. Dundee for helping to support the fieldwork, to K. M. Brown for sharing his knowledge of snail anatomy, to V. Wallach for critically reading the manuscript, and to K. K. Adler, C. P. Kofron, C. J. McCoy, and A. H. Savitzky for providing copies of some difficult-to-find refer-
Internal sheaths in electronegative discharges

In three component electronegative discharges a parameter regime can be found in which the positive ions reach the local ion sound velocity at a position where the negative ion density may be significant compared to the electron density. For this regime a quasineutral electronegative core breaks down and a space charge region forms. Solutions in the space charge region are obtained in collisionless and collisional cases, neglecting ionization and positive-negative ion recombination. The structure of the non-neutral region is shown to vary significantly with the ratio of the negative ion and electron densities at the core edge, the ratio of ion and electron temperatures, and the ratio of the electron Debye length to the ion mean free path. If the first ratio is not too large the non-neutral region displays potential oscillations on the electron Debye length spatial scale, which damp away on the scale of the ion–neutral mean free path. The non-neutral region then terminates within the plasma. The change in electric potential across this region is several times the negative ion temperature, which is sufficient to confine the negative ions to the core. The non-neutral region merges with a quasineutral halo containing essentially only positive ions and electrons. If the negative ion density is sufficiently high compared to the electron density the electropositive halo disappears and the non-neutral region extends from the ion sound velocity threshold to the wall. For intermediate values of the negative ion density, a space charge double layer forms between the electronegative and electropositive regions.
Spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in grapes with the Prussian Blue reaction

Abstract The objective of the present work was to adapt the Prussian Blue reaction for the determination of ascorbic acid. The procedure was successfully applied for the determination of ascorbic acid in red and white grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) just previous ingathering. In the present work was used the red and white grapes from Murfatlar vineyard: Mamaia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat Ottonel and Riesling Italian. The results were situated in the range of 0.67 - 1.79 mg vitamin C/100g product for red grapes and respectively 0.50 - 1.49 mg vitamin C/100g for white grapes.
A study on capability of financial ratios in predicting bankruptcy of firms: Evidence from Tehran Stock Exchange

This paper measures the likelihood of bankruptcy based on some financial ratios such as debt ratio, current ratio, sales to total assets, etc. using logistic regression and classification and regression tree techniques (CART). The proposed study gathers the information of 36 bankrupted firms and 36 non-bankrupted firms based on Tobin Q ratio. The study gathers the necessary information over the period 2005-2011. The preliminary results indicate that both methods have the capability to predict bankruptcy but with different accuracy. The likelihood of bankruptcy based on CART method were 97.2, 97.2 and 86.1 in the event of bankruptcy, one year before and two years prior to bankruptcy, respectively. These figures were changes to 98.6, 94.4 and 84.7 based on logistic method.
Is There an On-the-Run Premium in TIPS?

In the U.S. Treasury market, the most recently issued, or so-called “on-the-run,” security typically trades at a price above those of more seasoned but otherwise comparable securities. This difference is known as the on-the-run premium. In this paper, yield spreads between pairs of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) with both matching and nearly-matching maturities but of separate vintages are analyzed. Adjusting for differences in conventional liquidity premiums, values of embedded deflation options, and coupon rates, the results show a small, insignificant premium on recently issued TIPS, which leads us to conclude that there is no on-the-run premium in the TIPS market.
Gradual Solar Coronal Dimming and Evolution of Coronal Mass Ejectionin the Early Phase

We report observations of a two-stage coronal dimming in an eruptive event of a two-ribbon flare and a fast coronal mass ejection (CME). Weak gradual dimming persists for more than half an hour before the onset of the two-ribbon flare and the fast rise of the CME. It is followed by abrupt rapid dimming. The two-stage dimming occurs in a pair of conjugate dimming regions adjacent to the two flare ribbons, and the flare onset marks the transition between the two stages of dimming. At the onset of the two-ribbon flare, transient brightenings are also observed inside the dimming regions, before rapid dimming occurs at the same places. These observations suggest that the CME structure, most probably anchored at the twin dimming regions, undergoes a slow rise before the flare onset, and its kinematic evolution has significantly changed at the onset of flare reconnection. We explore diagnostics of the CME evolution in the early phase with analysis of the gradual dimming signatures prior to the CME eruption.
Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction Effects on Nonlinear Seismic Demand of Structures

2010 NZSEE Conference ABSTRACT: Investigating the seismic demand of structures including soil-foundation- structure interaction (SFSI) effects is a demanding task due to the complexity of the coupled dynamic problem. This task is significantly burdened by uncertainty in the soil and structural parameters and randomness in earthquake characteristics. The objective of this research is to highlight SFSI effects on the seismic demand of nonlinear structures in the presence of these uncertainties and to thus quantify the risk of exceeding response design specifications. This goal is accomplished through a probabilistic Monte Carlo methodology. In the analyses, various soil and structural parameters selected from expected or realistic ranges were combined to generate a large number of simplified analytical models. These models were then subjected to a range of earthquakes with different spectral characteristics. Specifically, 1.36 million nonlinear time-history simulations were run over: (i) models consisting of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) superstructure and a rheological soil-shallow foundation element; and (ii) their corresponding fixed-base models. The demand modification in structural distortion, drift and total displacement due to consideration of SFSI are compared to the results of the corresponding fixed-base systems and are quantified through a comprehensive statistical presentation. The results contradict prevailing views of the beneficial role of SFSI on the structural response and thus show the resulting design guideline assumptions do not hold for all cases. In fact SFSI effects can only be safely ignored with 50% confidence. The rigorous statistical Monte Carlo analysis presented is a significant first step towards reliability-based seismic design procedures incorporating foundation flexibility.