Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOTOR SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND EARLY INTERVENTION FOR PRESCHOOLERS WITH MENTAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (CASE STUDIES)

The purpose of the present study was to assess the motor skills performance of preschoolers with mental and developmental disorders and to propose individualized intervention programs. Participants included 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl, 48 to 79 months old, who were attending the same special kindergarten. Both quantitative and qualitative aspects of their performance were examined. With regards to quantitative examination, participants were measured using the following test - the movement assessment battery for children (Henderson & Sugden, 1992). Meanwhile qualitative results were obtained through personal observation. Finally a motor skill intervention program was planned for each child according to his/her results.
MATLAB Toolbox for Classical Matrix Groups

We consider structured matrix groups arising in the context of nondegenerate bilinear or sesquilinear forms on $\Rn$ or $\Cn$, which remain invariant under similarities by matrices in their associated automorphism group. We develop a \M toolbox for generating random matrices from these automorphism groups with, wherever possible, prescribed condition numbers. The matrix groups considered are the complex orthogonal, real, complex and conjugate symplectic, real perplectic, real and complex pseudo-orthogonal, and pseudo-unitary groups. We outline all necessary background theory before presenting a self-contained treatment of each group, outlining some applications of the group and deriving an algorithm for their random generation. We first focus our attention on the groups for which a structured SVD or CSD is available, and show that this allows for precise control of the condition number via numerically stable algorithms. We then consider the groups which lack such a decomposition, where we construct matrices via products of generalized $\Ga$-reflectors. We perform tests which model the behaviour of the condition number in these cases, allowing for its approximate control, and finally we consider the effect of rounding errors on the resultant matrices. The implementation in \M of these algorithms is hoped to be beneficial for researchers developing structure-preserving algorithms for structured problems.
Policy-Induced Environmental Technology and Inventive Efforts: Is There a Crowding Out?

Substantial policy effort is devoted to stimulate environmentally friendly technology through regulation and subsidies. Since innovation is a crucial productivity driver, a potential crowding out of inventive efforts in affected firms may increase the cost of regulation. We study the effects of regulation-induced environmental technology on innovation activities for a sample of firms in Germany. We find some evidence for a crowding out of firms' in-house R&D, especially for firms facing financing constraints. Innovation outcomes and investments in innovation-related fixed assets are not affected. Moreover, subsidy-backed environmental technology does not crowd out R&D.
Vortex-wide chlorine activation by a mesoscale PSC event in the Arctic winter of 2009/10

Abstract. In the Arctic polar vortex of the 2009/10 winter temperatures were low enough to allow widespread formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). These clouds occurred during the initial chlorine activation phase which provided the opportunity to investigate the impact of PSCs on chlorine activation. Satellite observations of gas-phase species and PSCs are used in combination with trajectory modeling to assess this initial activation. The initial activation occurred in association with the formation of PSCs over the east coast of Greenland at the beginning of January 2010. Although this area of PSCs covered only a small portion of the vortex, it was responsible for almost the entire initial activation of chlorine vortex wide. Observations show HCl (hydrochloric acid) mixing ratios decreased rapidly in and downstream of this region. Trajectory calculations and simplified heterogeneous chemistry modeling confirmed that the initial chlorine activation continued until ClONO2 (chlorine nitrate) was completely depleted and the activated air masses were advected throughout the polar vortex. For the calculation of heterogeneous reaction rates, surface area density is estimated from backscatter observations. Modeled heterogeneous reaction rates along trajectories intersecting with the PSCs indicate that the initial phase of chlorine activation occurred in just a few hours. These calculations also indicate that chlorine activation on the binary background aerosol is significantly slower than on the PSC particles and the observed chlorine activation can only be explained by an increase in surface area density due to PSC formation. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between the magnitude of the observed HCl depletion and PSC surface area density.
Operationalising and Managing Variety

Purpose To extend the conceptual model of a service system presented by Godsiff. (Godsiff, 2010). The model based on Ashby‟s Law of Requisite Variety (1964) suggests a number of possible sources of variety including, the value proposition, the customer and producer inputs and the customer and producer outcomes. Frei proposes two strategies for managing variability, accommodation often provided by employees managing the variations presented by the customers and variety reduction through the value proposition. (Frei, 2006). This paper explores both the types of variability and the strategies adopted to manage variability through the analysis of a case study based on a commercial laundry.
THE RESILIENCE OF DYNAMIC HUB STRUCTURE AND DECAY IN HUBS’ CREATIVE CAPABILITY IN THE KOREAN POP MUSIC INDUSTRY, 1929-2012.

THE RESILIENCE OF DYNAMIC HUB STRUCTURE AND DECAY IN HUBS’ CREATIVE CAPABILITY IN THE KOREAN POP MUSIC INDUSTRY, 1929-2012. LEE, SAEROM Graduate School of Business Seoul National University This study examines how decay in hubs’ creative capability and their inter-temporal changes influence performance in a creative field. Drawing on the literature on complex networks and the concept of knowledge recombination, I find that the proportion of hubs with decay in creative capability has curvilinear (i.e., inverted U-shaped) effect on creative performance in a network with static hubs – that is, a social system can reach the highest level of performance when few static hubs refrain from adopting new knowledge. This study also finds that a network with inter-temporal changes in hubs is resilient to such decay and consistently result in higher performance than a network with static hubs, since such changes serve as crucial access to knowledge diversity within the whole system.
SKELETON BASED APPROACH FOR FLOWER CLASSIFICATION

In this paper, we present an effective system for recognizing flower images taken by digital cameras. A flower image is segmented by eliminating the background using a Iterated Graph Cut method. We obtained the skeleton from the segmented flower images using skeleton pruning method. The shape context feature are extracted from skeleton of flower images. In this work, nearest neighbor is used as a classifier. To corroborate the efficacy of the proposed method, an experiment was conducted on our own data set of 30 classes of flowers, containing 3000 samples. The data set has different flower species with similar appearance (small inter-class variations) across different classes and varying appearance (large intra-class variations) within a class. In addition, the images of flowers are of different poses, with cluttered background under different lighting and climatic conditions. An experiment has been conducted by picking images randomly from the database, it is shown that relatively a good performance can be achieved, using shape context features with the nearest neighbor classifier algorithm.
Examining the relationship between big five personality factors, coping styles and depression in pregnant women

A B ST R A C T People with different personality traits show different coping styles and different degrees of vulnerability to the experience of traumatic events. Pregnancy is one of the events that may cause stress and depression in some women and put mother and child’s health at risk. In this study the relationship between pregnant women’s big five personality factors, coping styles and depression has been studied. The population of the study consists of all pregnant women who referred to a specialized center of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Iran in the first quarter of 2009. 130 questionnaires (Revised NEO Personality inventory, Multidimensional Coping Inventory (MCI) and depression questionnaires) with multi-stage random cluster sampling were distributed among subjects, 80 of which were completed and analyzed using SPSS16 statistical software. Regression and MANOVA statistical methods were used to analyze the data. The results show that Neuroticism has a significant negative relationship with task-oriented coping style and a significant positive relationship with emotion-oriented coping style and depression. Extraversion has a significant positive relationship with task-oriented coping style. Also, Agreeableness has a significant positive relationship with task-oriented coping style and a significant negative relationship with avoidance-oriented coping style and depression. Conscientiousness has a significant positive relationship with task-oriented coping style. Furthermore, task-oriented coping style has a significant negative relationship with depression and emotion-oriented coping style has a significant positive relationship with depression. Applying pregnant women’s personal characteristics enables us to predict their styles of coping with stress and depression. Therefore, stress management meetings and training and treatment courses for mothers are of great importance.
Estrogen treatment and periodontal disease progression: an experimental study in ovariectomized rats

The aim of this study was to investigate different periods of estrogen replacement therapy onset on the progression of experimental periodontitis in ovariectomized rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty five female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and divided into two groups, experimental and control that received 17s estradiol or vehicle, respectively. Each group was subdivided into five subgroups that started the treatment immediately, one, two, three and four weeks after the ovariectomy. A month after ovariectomy, a cotton ligature was placed around the maxillary second molars. Thirty five days after ligature placement, the animals were killed. It was analyzed the macroscopic, radiographic, microscopic and histometric aspects of the periodontal area. RESULTS: The results indicated that estrogen-deficient state may not have a direct effect on the alveolar bone adjacent to the maxillary second molar roots. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this experiment, estrogen replacement therapy did not delay the progression of induced periodontitis. KEYWORDS: Estradiol; osteoporosis, ovariectomy; periodontal diseases.
Marital Status, Partnership and Health Behaviour: Findings from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS)

Numerous empirical studies have confirmed that married people have a lower risk of morbidity and mortality than unmarried people. However, there is relatively little existing research on the impact of marital status and partnerships on the health behaviour of elderly people in Europe. This study examines the association between partnership status and health-related behaviour among the German population in the second half of life (aged 40-85). We focus on four indicators of health behaviour: smoking, physical activity, body weight, and health check-ups. The data used in the analysis come from the 2008 (n=6,205) and 2014 (n=6,002) waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS). We applied logistic regression models with average marginal effects (AME). The results of our analysis are in line with the findings of previous studies, which indicated that being married has a protective effect on smoking and a negative effect on body weight. Crisis effects are found to be limited primarily to smoking by recently widowed people. Our study provides new empirical insights into the extent to which being married has protective effects on the use of health care, as people who are separated, divorced, or never married are found to be less likely to have regular health check-ups compared to married people. Furthermore, our results for physical activity are contrary to previous findings for younger adults, according to which being married is associated with a lower likelihood of participating in physical activities. The results of the data analyses show that at ages 40 and older, unmarried individuals, especially those who are not in a partnership, are at higher risk of physical inactivity than their married counterparts. Our findings on marital status and partnership status therefore demonstrate that being married is strongly associated with positive health behaviours. The results may be useful for designing health programmes or prevention measures.
Using interactive graphical and technological strategies for EFL reading comprehension: A case study involving engineering students

This qualitative case study engaged a group of engineering students in the use of interactive graphical and technological strategies called interactive graphic organisers (IGOs). IGOs are computer software that provide graphic organising support in order to improve the level of reading comprehension among users. The participants were asked to use three different types of IGOs: cause and effect, a sequence of events, and pros and cons while reading texts. Survey data was gathered through an opinion survey with the intention of collecting and evaluating the students’ perceptions of the use of the IGO software. Findings revealed that most of the learners’ opinions expressed that the use of IGOs was effective. Engineering students also expressed that they would have liked more opportunities to use this software. They felt that by using IGOs, they not only improved their reading scores, but also enjoyed their experience using new strategies via the software.
Determinants of Farmers’ participation in high value crops in Tanzania

This paper is based on a study undertaken to analyze market participation of tomato smallholder famers in three districts of Morogoro region in eastern Tanzania. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was employed to select the sample. Determinants and extent of market participation were estimated using Heckman selection and outcome equations respectively. It was found that characteristics of market participants and non-market participants were not statistically different. The paper recommends that that the government should beef up extension services especially in the aspect of market information to farmers in order to enlighten them on the recommended production techniques, market price and also to improve tomato production. Moreover, rural information centres as well as mobile telephony system should be formed so as to enhance tomato farmers’ regular access to information on market dynamics. Key words : Market participation, smallholders, high value crops, Tanzania.
Foraging responses of Antarctic fur seals to changes in the marine environment

This study examined the relative contribution of environmental variation and the seasonal demands of pup rearing on the foraging behaviour of female Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Bird Island, South Georgia (54°S, 38°W), during 3 austral summers (1994 to 1996). Time-depth recorders measured the diving behaviour of 72 individuals during a total of 385 foraging trips totalling 1964 d at sea. The frequencies of krill, fish and squid in the diet were estimated from prey items contained in scats. In 1996, a year of high krill abundance, females made shorter foraging trips, fewer dives and spent more time ashore than in 1994 when krill was scarce. Females fed exclusively on krill in 1996, and frequent shallow daytime diving indicated that krill were close to the surface during the day. In 1994 and 1995 deeper and longer-duration daytime dives were associated with a higher proportion of fish and squid in the diet. Foraging trip duration, ashore duration and dive frequency increased through the course of the 1995 and 1996 lactation seasons. Females, therefore, appeared to match pup demands by increasing both time feeding at sea and energy delivery to the pup on land. However, the importance of sea surface temperature and duration of night in multiple regression models suggested that physical factors were also important in explaining the seasonal pattern of fur seal foraging behaviour.
The Maastricht Convergence Criteria and Monetary Regimes for the EMU Accession Countries

The goal of this paper is to study the ability of different monetary regimes to satisfy the Maastricht criteria. We perform our analysis in the framework of a two-sector small open economy DSGE model with nominal rigidities exposed to both domestic and external shocks. We analyze the regimes that reflect the policy choices observed in the EMU Accession countries, i.e. peg regime, managed float regime and flexible exchange rate regime with CPI inflation targeting. There exists a significant trade-off between compliance with the CPI inflation criterion and the nominal interest rate criterion. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the probabability that some of the regimes will satisfy all the criteria increases with openness of the economy and also degree of substitution between traded goods. Moreover, provided that two previous conditions are satisfied, degree of exchange rate pass through determines which of the regimes can comply with the criteria. Low degree of pass through enables regimes with managed exchange rate to fulfill all the criteria while high degree of pass through implies that the CPI targeting regime satisfies all the criteria.
NATIVE BITUMENS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL SHALES

Introduction 1 ft VARIETY of native bitumens are present among the organic constituents of oil shales. These substances range from liquid petroleums through heavy, viscous "tars" and "asphalts" to solid asphaltites and asphaltic pyrobitui mens. The deposits exist in many forms. Petroleum occupies the porous i parts of adjacent strata and may even be found in pores and fractures within the oil shales. Semi-liquid "tars" and "asphalts" occur in the same manner as petroleum and in some places seep from pores or fractures of i outcrops. The solid substances may occur as blebs, nodules, stringers, and veinlets in the oil shales and adjacent rocks, and as veins, some of which are of tremendous size, that cross-cut the oil shales and adjacent rocks. The organic material that was deposited as an original constituent of oil shales generally is considered to be the source of the bitumens associated with these rocks. Until recently there has been but little investigation of 1 the composition and chemistry of these bitumens. The following discussion is a summary of recent studies of the geology and chemistry of some of these substances found on the North American continent. The discussion is intended to be general, but because the bitumen deposits associated with the Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah have been studied in considerable detail, they are described as type examples.
Genotype by trait analysis and estimates of heritability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought and control conditions

In order to observe the behaviour of 100 wheat genotypes under drought stress, an experiment was conducted following randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The outcomes of analysis of variance (ANOVA) depicted highly significant variation among wheat genotypes for all studied attributes in both control and drought stress conditions. Heritability assessed the relative significance of gene action in genetic variation and plays vital role in selection process for yield improvement in collaboration with genetic advance. Principle component analysis (PCA) was also performed to explore the divergent genotypes in wheat germplasm. Positive and significant correlation observed between peduncle length, spike length, spikelet per spike and grain yield under both control and drought stress conditions. PCA and heritability along with genetic advance suggested that these traits and diverse genotype should be given importance in selection programs to get better grain yield in wheat under rainfed conditions.
The multiplier potential of slot machines predicts bet size

The current study extended previous findings that the multiplier potential of a slot machine is related to gambling losses (Sharpe, Walker, Coughlan, Enerson & Blaszczynski, 2005). The multiplier potential of a slot machine was defined as comprising three components; the monetary denomination, the maximum number of pay-lines and the maximum bet multiplication. The relationship between these three components of the multiplier potential and a slot machine’s average bet size was examined in a sample of 323 Australian machines. All machines were operating in gaming venues and expenditure measures were obtained from data recorded by the machines. Results indicated that machine denomination (e.g., 1-cent, 2-cents) and the maximum number of pay-lines were significant predictors of average bet size but no significant relationship was found between the bet multiplication variable and bet size. These results are discussed with regard to established contingencies and reinforcement rates.
Floral nectar affects longevity of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and its hyperparasitoid Dendrocerus aphidum

In this study, the potential consequences of making a three- or four-trophic level system more complex by adding floral resources was studied in the laboratory for a range of plant nectar sources, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and its hyperparasitoid Dendrocerus aphidum. Parasitoids exposed to flowering buckwheat survived 4-5 times longer than those in the control (water only) and 3-4 times longer than those provided with phacelia, alyssum or coriander. Hyperarasitoids provided with buckwheat survived 5–6 times longer than those in the control and 3-5 times longer than those on the other flowering plants. Buckwheat, phacelia, alyssum and coriander can therefore enhance the ‘fitness’ of A. ervi without benefiting its aphid host, which does not feed on nectar. However, the ‘fitness’ of the hyperparasitoid may increase relatively more than that of the parasitoid, depending on the nectar source.
Assessment of the influence of consumer characteristics on the choice of beef quality attributes in Tanzania: An experimental economic approach

Understanding of consumer aspiration on having quality beef is currently a focus of research in most developed markets in which choice cri terion is beyond traditional attributes. However, in most developing countries like Tanzania where strategic quality improvement for the entire beef industry is at the emerging stage, the need to understand consumers’ preference for tenderness, freshness, leanness and hygiene is inevitable for gradual quality improvement initiatives for the domestic market before attempting to search for non-traditional ones. The study was done to identify consumer socio economic driving forces of importance in choice decision making for each quality attribute using a choice based conjoint analysis. Gender, education level and the rate of consumption have been observed to have a significant influence on the choice for different attributes. Consumer age, residence and purchasing habit are confined to tenderness, adipose fat content and chilling status respectively. Incomes, nature of employment, family size, and place of consumption have no choice effect.