Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Swapping in World of Warcraft: A look into personal relationships and gender identity in the gaming environment

Massively multi player online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are virtual environments that allow thousands of players to come together at one time to interact, fight monsters, and solve challenges. Role-playing in particular offers some unique benefits and opportunities that are not spared in its virtual equivalent. Gender-swapping, that is when a player chooses to play as a character that is the opposite gender of him or her is one of those benefits. This study will explore the phenomenon of gender-swapping, looking for the diverse reasons players may have to assume an identity so extremely opposite of their own. The purpose of this research is to answer the question “Why do people genderswap in MMORPGs and how does that effect their interpersonal relationships within the game? ” In order to answer this question it has been broken into three parts. First, how does gender-swapping affect the player in a casual group? Second this study looks at how gender swapping affects a closer group; in game these groups are called guilds. Last will be a quick analysis of class, the chosen job (i.e. Mage, Priest) taken on by a player in order to perform within their group; and group roll, the players job as either one who takes damage, deals damage or heals the group; as a form of non-verbal communication within the game.
Determinants of Corporate Risk Taking and Risk-Return Relationship

This research empirically tests for the determinants of corporate risk taking and the risk-return relationship in China, with the sample of listed companies’ financial data from 2004 to 2012 in the electric power and thermal industry in China. The authors use a dynamic model that included risk, corporate performance, industry performance, performance expectations and aspirations. The results presented in the test suggest that corporate performance and past risk both have a negative influence on corporate risk, while performance expectations and aspirations have a positive influence on corporate risk. It provides evidence of the argument on the corporate risk-return relations of Behavioral Theory of Firm. A low-performance corporate will seek risk actively and a high-performance corporate will avoid risk. The phenomenon of “Bowman’s paradox” exists in China’s enterprises.
Testing for Differences in the Tails of Stock-Market Returns

In this paper, we use a database consisting of daily stock-index returns for 20 countries to test for similarities between the left and right tail of returns as well as for cross-sectional differences. To mitigate the issue of dependency between stock returns, we estimate the distribution of extremes over subsamples of two months. We document a good fit of the model and show that the left and right tails of returns behave very similarly. Across countries, we find that extremes are located at different levels and that their dispersion varies. On the other hand, the tail index, charactering large extreme realizations is found to be constant worldwide. Our results are not due to a lack of power. We also discuss the results from an economic point of view.
SOCIO -PSYCHOLOGICAL SPORT MARKETING ATTITUDES OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SPORTS GOALS IN NIGERIA

One of the strategy implementations in the achievement of the Nigeria Sport policy development is tes). They were purposively sampled. The main research tool was the questionnaire that was used to obtain information on the different variables. The descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages were used for the analysis of the demographic information, while inferential statistics of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses formulated at 0.05 level of significance. The results confirmed that Nigerian government is solely responsible for marketing sports which ought not to be if effective sports marketing must be realized toward the attainment of the millennium goals. Also revealed are fair positive socio -psychological attitudes of few corporate organizations, and negative socio - psychological attitudes from individuals of most corporate organizations. Suggestions were advanced towards the improvement of achieving the sports developmental goals.
Influence of Social Factors on Student Satisfaction Among College Students With Disabilities

A significant body of research on student retention reflects that social and environmental factors influence continued enrollment in postsecondary education and academic success. Yet, for students with disabilities, more emphasis is placed on accommodations, access, and support services without sufficient attention to the social aspect of the student experience. In this study, we investigated belonging as a primary contributor to student satisfaction and examined the degree to which other social factors modified this relationship among a sample of students with disabilities attending public, 4-year universities. A higher sense of belonging was associated with greater student satisfaction in our sample. Through multiple mediation modeling, we found that self-advocacy and perception of the campus climate toward students with disabilities independently modified the relationship between belonging and student satisfaction. These results have important implications for understanding the influence of belonging and student satisfaction, and supporting and retaining students with disabilities.
Dividends Policies in an Emerging Market

*Dr. Hassan Mounir El-Sady, Associate Professor of Finance, Department of Business Administration, College of Commerce, Cairo University, Egypt. Email: helsady@hotmail.com **Dr. Hosny Ibrahim Hamdy, Professor of Statistics, Department of Quantitative Methods, College of Business Administration, Kuwait University, Kuwait. Email: farm48@cba.edu. kw ***Dr. Khaled Al-Mawazini, Assistant Professor of Economics at Gulf University for Sinces & Technology, Kuwait. Email: mawazini.k@gust.edu. kw. ****Dr. Turki Alshammary, Associate Professor of Finance, Kuwait University, College of Business Administration, Kuwait. Email: dari@cba.edu. kw. Dividends Policies in an Emerging Market
Combing genetic and photo-identification data to improve abundance estimates for the North Atlantic right whale

Accurate abundance estimates are important for the management of species. Many abundance estimates are based off of capture-mark-recapture analyses which have several limitations that can reduce the accuracy of abundance estimates. By integrating pedigrees into abundance estimates, the accuracy of these estimates can be improved. In this study, a method created by Creel and Rosneblatt (2013) was adapted and used to estimate abundance of the North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis). Both genetic and sightings data, obtained from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, were used to estimate abundance. This method is compared to the photo-identification method typically used to estimate abundance for this species. The results of this study suggest that the photoidentification method for this species is actually more accurate than other researchers have previously believed.
Novice attitude changes during a first course In computing: a case study

M.J. Wagener Rekenaar Spaaksintese: Die Omskakeling van Teks na 1 Klank E.C. Anderssen A CAI Model of Space and Time with Special Refer7 S.H. von Sohns ence to Field Battles H.A. Goosen A Model for Fault-Tolernat Computer Systems 16 C.H. Hoogendoorn E.M. Ehlers Random Context Structure Grammars 23 S.H. von Solms C.S. M. Mueller Set-Oriented Functional Style of Programming 29 P.J.S. Brower User Attitudes: Main Reason Why Information Sys40 terns Fail C.F. Sc beepers Polygon Shading on Vector Type Devices 46 G.R. Finnie Novive Attitude Changes During a First Course in 56 Computing: A Case Study P.O. Clayton Hands-On Microprogramming for Computer Science 63 Students BOOK REVIEW 39 CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT 68
Non-methane organic gas emissions from biomass burning: identification, quantification, and emission factors from PTR-ToF during the FIREX 2016 laboratory experiment

Abstract. Volatile and intermediate-volatility non-methane organic gases (NMOGs) released from biomass burning were measured during laboratory-simulated wildfires by proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF). We identified NMOG contributors to more than 150 PTR ion masses using gas chromatography (GC) pre-separation with electron ionization, H3O+ chemical ionization, and NO+ chemical ionization, an extensive literature review, and time series correlation, providing higher certainty for ion identifications than has been previously available. Our interpretation of the PTR-ToF mass spectrum accounts for nearly 90 % of NMOG mass detected by PTR-ToF across all fuel types. The relative contributions of different NMOGs to individual exact ion masses are mostly similar across many fires and fuel types. The PTR-ToF measurements are compared to corresponding measurements from open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR), broadband cavity-enhanced spectroscopy (ACES), and iodide ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry ( I− CIMS) where possible. The majority of comparisons have slopes near 1 and values of the linear correlation coefficient, R2 , of > 0.8, including compounds that are not frequently reported by PTR-MS such as ammonia, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), nitrous acid (HONO), and propene. The exceptions include methylglyoxal and compounds that are known to be difficult to measure with one or more of the deployed instruments. The fire-integrated emission ratios to CO and emission factors of NMOGs from 18 fuel types are provided. Finally, we provide an overview of the chemical characteristics of detected species. Non-aromatic oxygenated compounds are the most abundant. Furans and aromatics, while less abundant, comprise a large portion of the OH reactivity. The OH reactivity, its major contributors, and the volatility distribution of emissions can change considerably over the course of a fire.
Effects of species traits on the genetic diversity of high‐mountain plants: a multi‐species study across the Alps and the Carpathians

To test the influence of various species traits, elevation and phylogeographical history on the genetic diversity of high-mountain plants in the Alps and Carpathians. The regular sampling grid comprised the whole range of the European Alps and the Carpathians. Twenty-two high-mountain plant species were exhaustively sampled and their genetic diversity was assessed with amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). ANOVAs were used to check for relationships between species traits and species genetic diversity, and to test whether genetic diversity was influenced by altitude and phylogeographical history (i.e. Alps versus Carpathians). In both mountain systems, species dispersed and pollinated by wind showed higher genetic diversity than species with self or insect pollination, and with animal- or gravity-dispersed seeds. Only in the Alps did altitudinal range size affect species genetic diversity significantly: species with narrow altitudinal ranges in the highest vegetation belts had significantly higher genetic diversity than those expanding over wide altitudinal ranges. Genetic diversity was species specific and significantly higher in the Alps than in the Carpathians, but it was not influenced by elevation. Wind pollination and wind dispersal seem to foster high genetic diversity. However, species traits are often associated and their effects on genetic diversity cannot be clearly disentangled. As genetic diversity is species specific, comparisons across species need to be interpreted with care. Genetic diversity was generally lower in the Carpathians than in the Alps, due to higher topographical isolation of alpine habitats in the Carpathians and this mountain massif's divergent phylogeographical history. Elevation did not influence genetic diversity, challenging the long-held view of decreasing genetic diversity with increasing elevation in mountain plants.
-An experiment with changing consumer prices

A cognitive process is activated when consumers encounter a price in a purchase situation. The price is evaluated relative to a reference price, which represents a mixture of factors such as previously encountered price levels, competing price levels and prices paid by others. In this study an economic experiment investigates how E-commerce price levels affect reference prices already established in conventional stores, and the attitudinal and behavioural effects deviations from the reference price have in E-commerce. The findings reveal that low prices encountered in E-commerce lower reference prices formed in conventional stores, and that a price increase in E-commerce causes unfairness perceptions, dissatisfaction, negative word-of-mouth communication and switching intentions, even when the new price level is lower than the initial reference in the conventional store. The theoretical implications support the applicability of established reference price theories in E-commerce, and emphasises the importance of including both online and offline price levels in future research. The managerial implications suggest that low prices in E-commerce can make prices in conventional stores change from fair to unfair instantaneously and highlights the importance of balancing prices online and offline.
Multinational investment in Romania's liberalised energy markets

This paper is the first half of a two-part research into the nature and impact of multinational investment in Romania’s energy markets in the context of privatisation and liberalisation reform as pursued by the Romanian government since 1990s. It is to be argued that multinational investment in a strategically and politically sensitive industry, undertaken by (largely) state-owned European utilities, presented challenges to Romanian policy makers and will continue to do so into the future. In reforming the industry to meet the EU requirements with respect to sustainability, energy intensity, fuel diversification and energy security although the market design and structure appears correct, Romania has yet to see how energy companies will behave, along with the implications for domestic energy consumers. In this first paper, we trace the evolution of market reform in Romania. We explain what has happened and why; while in the second paper, pending the release of relevant data, we explore the success of privatisation of the energy sector from the standpoint of achieving the ideals of a competitive market. The paper contributes to the growing FDI literature on multinational investors in infrastructure industry (Hausman, Hertner and Wilkins, 2008), especially in the context of developing economies (Gils et al, 2007; Ramamurti and Doh, 2004) and electricity supply (Woodhouse, 2006). This research explains the decreasing role played by the state in infrastructure industries and the extent to which reliance upon market forces as self-regulatory mechanisms to promote fair governance and policy aims is likely to be successful.
Temporal Changes in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ANTARCTIC CONTINENTAL SHELVES

Oceanography THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE OCEANOGRAPHY SOCIETY CITATION Gille, S.T. , D.C. McKee, and D.G. Martinson. 2016. Temporal changes in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current: Implications for the Antarctic continental shelves. Oceanography 29(4):96–105, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2016. 102. DOI https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2016. 102 COPYRIGHT This article has been published in Oceanography, Volume 29, Number 4, a quarterly journal of The Oceanography Society. Copyright 2016 by The Oceanography Society. All rights reserved. USAGE Permission is granted to copy this article for use in teaching and research. Republication, systematic reproduction, or collective redistribution of any portion of this article by photocopy machine, reposting, or other means is permitted only with the approval of The Oceanography Society. Send all correspondence to: info@tos.org or The Oceanography Society, PO Box 1931, Rockville, MD 20849-1931, USA. DOWNLOADED FROM HTTP://TOS.ORG/OCEANOGRAPHY
THE IMPACT OF MASS FLOW AND MASKING ON THE PRESSURE DROP OF AIR FILTER IN HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL ENGINE

This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculation approach to predict and evaluate the impact of the mass-flow inlet on the pressure drop of turbocharger`s air filtfer in heavy-duty diesel engine. The numerical computations were carried out using a commercial CFD program whereas the inlet area of the air filter consisted of several holes connected to a channel. After entering through the channel, the air passes among the holes and enters the air filter. The effect of masking holes and hydraulic diameter is studied and investigated on pressure drop. The results indicate that pressure drop increase with decreasing of hydraulic diameter and masking of the holes has considerable affect on the pressure drop.
Upgraded photometric system on the 85-cm telescope at Xinglong station

The 85-cm telescope at Xinglong station is a prime focus system that operates well with high science outputs. The telescope has been upgraded since 2014 with a new corrector, and new filters and camera, which are provided by Beijing Normal University. The filter set is the Johnson-Cousins UBVRI system. We report the test results of the new system including bias, dark current, linearity, gain and readout noise of the CCD camera. Then we derive accurate instrumental calibration coefficients in UBVRI bands with Landolt standard stars during photometric nights. Finally, we give the limiting magnitudes with various exposure times and signal-to-noise ratios for observers as references.
Project Managers Perceptions about more Effective Leadership Styles

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the type of leadership that can be more effective in the perceptions of project managers. In this case, the research question answer could have a major meaning due to the fact that projects rarely fail due to the lack of professional skills and knowledge; they most often fail because of the type of leadership. The research question is Â“Which are the most effective leadership style for project managers? Â” The methodology used was quantitative through the application of a questionnaire to 78 project managers and the results shows that Transformational Leaders are the most effective according the specificities of the projects.
AN ANALYSIS OF THINKING ORDER OF READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH TEXTBOOK FOR YOUNG FORESTERS OF FORESTRY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OF SAMARINDA

This study aimed at investigating thinking order of reading comprehension questions in English textbook for young foresters of Forestry Vocational school of Samarinda. It also used content analysis method in which the researcher collected, analyzed and classified reading questions based on Bloom Taxonomy cognitive level as well as high and low order thinking. The findings showed that the reading comprehension questions covered all Bloom’s Taxonomy cognitive levels. They were knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The most frequently appeared were knowledge and comprehension level. However, most of the questions were dominated low order thinking and had small number in high order thinking. Besides that, it suggested recommendations and pedagogical implications to develop students thinking skills ability in English classroom. Keywords: English textbook, Reading comprehension question, Thinking skill, Bloom’s taxonomy.
Understanding older consumers’ usage of self-service banking technologies: test of two models

Self-service technologies play a major role in enabling consumers to perform service delivery themselves. This requires consumers adopting this service delivery process to modify their behaviour, however some consumers may resist change. Evidence of this is particularly strong in older consumers (plus 50 years of age) where their usage of self-service banking technologies (SSBT’s) is considerably lower than for younger consumers. This paper specifically explores the beliefs, attitudes, intentions and usage behaviour of SSBT’s by older consumers through the comparison of the suitability, fit and explanatory power of two existing models, namely the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen 1991) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, Bagozzi & Warshaw 1989). Survey methodology approach using a mailed questionnaire to 600 randomly selected respondents resulted in the return of 208 (35%) usable questionnaires. The use of SSBT’s varied across the sample with 19% (40) non-users; 19 % (40) low users ( 60%). The models were tested using AMOS 4.01 (Arbuckle & Wothke 1999), maximum likelihood estimation method. The TAM had a less than acceptable fit resulting in a modified TAM. The Modified TAM when compared with the TPB model had an overall better fit to the data in that all fit statistics were within acceptable limits and similar explanatory power. However, with the addition of two specific belief constructs in the modified TAM, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, these constructs provide a richer understanding of the factors that influence attitude (A), behaviour intention (BI) and behaviour (B) of older consumers’ usage of SSBT’s. Further, the failure of the perceived behavioural control pathway to contribute to the explanation of SSBT behaviour in the TPB model effectively gives the advantage to the Modified TAM. It is primarily for these reasons that the Modified TAM is favoured over the TPB model in this study.
Geometrical constraints in foraminiferal architecture: consequences of change from planispiral to annular growth

Large-sized, porcelaneous, planispiral-involute foraminifera react to the loss of alar chamber extensions in the transition from reniform to cyclical growth stages by compensating the abrupt loss of alar apertures with the production of meandrine lateral chambers fed from apertures in the ultimate alar prolongation. This is an analogy common to Late Cretaceous meandropsinids and Late Tertiary archaiasines. In genera with an early annular growth due to oblique-overcrossed stolon systems, the chamberlets of the main layer have oblique-retrovert stolons feeding lateral chamberlets disposed according to a chessboard pattern over the whole lateral surface of the discoidal shell, as in so many orbitoidiform genera. In lamellar foraminifera developing a median supplemental skeleton with radial canal systems, spiral marginal crests are laterally covered by a single, retrovert-spiral string of supplemental chamberlets per growth step, forming step by step a complete lateral cover as in Biplanispira. Early annular-concentric median supplemental skeletons are laterally covered by successive expanse chambers as in Vaughanina. The function of some, not all, lateral shell compar- tments as greenhouse for vegetal symbionts is briefly discussed.