Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective Use of ICT by Student Teachers – Is It Improving?

Effective use of ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) by student teachers is vital if these technologies are going to be successfully used in the education of children in schools. An earlier study identified three main obstacles that could have limited ICT uptake by student teachers in 1996/97: student access to computers; the ICT policy adopted by initial teacher training providers; and the lack of encouragement for students to use ICT in teaching practice. This paper presents a comparative study of the ICT competence and attitudes of a similar cohort of student teachers in the 1999/2000 academic year, attending a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education course to teach in United Kingdom secondary schools. It argues that, while the overall sample of 1999/2000 student teachers appeared to be more competent and confident in the use of ICT than in 1996/97, female and younger students lagged behind their male and older peers. This issue needs to be addressed in the ICT policy adopted by initial teacher training providers. (Contains 31 references.) (Author/MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Measuring and Explaining Inflation Persistence: Disaggregate Evidence on the Czech Republic

The paper provides an empirical analysis of inflation persistence in the Czech Republic using 412 detailed product-level consumer price indexes underlying the consumer basket over the period from 1994:M1 to 2005:M12. Subject to various sensitivity tests, our results suggest that raw goods and non-durables, followed by services, display smaller inflation persistence than durables and processed goods. Inflation seems to be somewhat less persistent after the adoption of inflation targeting in 1998. There is also evidence for aggregation bias, that is, aggregate inflation is found to be more persistent than the underlying detailed components. Price dispersion, as a proxy for the degree of competition, is found to be negatively related to inflation persistence, suggesting that competition is not conducive to reducing persistence.
The Perceived Leader Support Behavior for Subordinate's Creativity: The Moderating Effect of Trust

Problem statement: The main goal behind this study tries to figure out whether or not the leader’s supportive behavior will influence subordinates’ creativity and is there any affection of trust between leaders’ supportive behavior and subordinates’ creativity? Approach: This study was conducted to examine the relationships between leader support behavior and subordinate creativity and the moderating effect of trust on subordinates' creativity under the leader support behavior. Results: From the analysis, we found the supportive behavior of leaders, employees’ creativity and employee to leaders’ trust is significant related and trust is also partial moderating. Conclusion: Based on the finding of the this study, we argue that leadership of creative subordinates required leader support behavior and trust in management, thus, the creativity in organization could be enhanced.
Knowledge and Practices of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Women in Rural Uttar Pradesh

Background: Breast feeding has been defines as the practice through which adequate nutrition and other nutritional requirements of the new born are being taken care of. Exclusively Breast feeding is a term used to define the process by which only breast milk is given to the new born till the first six months of life. But it has been enveloped in many layers of the factors like the Social and cultural attitudes which further affect the practice and rate of breast feeding worldwide and also in India which is considered to be one of the major reasons for the IMR and under-5 mortality rate. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured interview schedule. A total of 256 mothers who were in their reproductive age and had delivered in the last 12 months were interviewed. Results: While studying the practice of exclusive breast-feeding among the participants it was seen that the practice of exclusive breast-feeding was were low among them, i.e., only 24.8% of the total women going for the practice of exclusive breast-feeding. On looking at the various reasons for the early cessation of exclusive breast feeding, multiple responses were seen like breast related factors included reasons like breast feeding were painful or the baby had difficulty in swallowing. Cultural belief was seen to be one of most dominant factor for the practice of giving prelacteal feed. It was seen that many factors associated with the practice of breastfeeding including psychosocial factors, maternal socio-demographic characteristics, hospital practices and environmental support, etc. Conclusion: Nutrition has been considered to be one of the basis of a healthy foundation of the future. Breast milk and breast feeding has been considered to be the best nutrition for the new born till the first six months of age. Under nutrition during first two years impairs not only the cognitive development, intelligence, strength, energy and productivity. Although breast feeding is almost universal in India the rate of early initiation of breast feeding and exclusive breast feeding are dismally low. Several f actors can be attributed to this which has a great influence on the breast feeding practices.
WOOD SHRINKAGE PREDICTION USING NIR SPECTROSCOPY

The ability to predict wood shrinkage could help manufacturers avoid lumber with abnormal dimensional stability or match pieces with similar properties in glued assemblies. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a rapid, nondestructive technique that has been used to predict various wood properties, including extractive content and density. Fifty-seven mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ) blocks were scanned using an NIR spectrometer, and were measured for specific gravity, extractives content, and total volumetric swelling. Models were created to predict the wood properties using the NIR data. These models could provide reasonable predictions of shrinkage, density, and extractives content. The use of nonlinear kernel and wavelet statistical techniques improved model performance. It may be possible to use NIR spectroscopy for the on-line sorting of wood according to dimensional stability.
Casein hydrolysates as a source of antimicrobial, antioxidant and antihypertensive peptides

The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory activity in ovine αs2-casein and bovine κ-casein hydrolysates with antibacterial activity. Several pep- tides which had been previously identified in these hydrolysates were selected in order to fulfil cer- tain structural requirements and they were chemically synthesised to evaluate their antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory activity. Hydrolysates of ovine αs2-casein and bovine κ-casein with pepsin strongly inhibited ACE activity, with IC50 values of 41.8 and 9.97 μmol·L −1 , respectively. The κ-casein hy- drolysate also exhibited a significant oxygen radical absorbance capacity, seven times higher than that of Trolox. From the chemically synthesised peptides, two of them, LKKISQ and PYVRYL, both from ovine αs2-casein, exerted potent ACE-inhibitory activity in the range of the most po- tent food-derived antihypertensive peptides described to date (IC50 values of 2.6 and 2.4 μmol·L −1 , respectively). The latter sequence, corresponding to the C-terminal hexapeptide of the ovine αs2- casein molecule, also had antioxidant activity. The activity found is discussed in relation to the peptide sequences. αs2-casein / κ-casein / antibacterial activity / antioxidant activity / angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity / bioactive peptide
Racial Context and the 2008 and 2012 US Presidential Elections

White voter support was a key to Barack Obama’s historical win of the Presidency in 2008, which begs the question of whether America had entered into an era of post-racial politics. Obama’s white support, however, declined in his 2012 reelection. To account for the variation in Obama’s white voter support in states, this article examines the previous contextual explanations of white voting behavior. Drawing on arguments in the recent American political development literature (King and Smith 2005, Novkov 2008), this research proposes a new racial tension theory to link Obama’s white voter support to the deep-seated racial tension at the state level. In doing so, a theoretic and empirical solution is offered to solve the problem of high correlations between the major contextual variables measuring black density (Key 1949), racial diversity (Hero 1998), state political culture (Elazar 1984) and social capital (Putnam 2000). The converged findings based on multiple methods clearly show that the state-level white support for Obama in both 2008 and 2012 was directly related to the racial context of a state. Overall this study reveals the enduring, rather than vanishing, effect of race.
Seasonal evolution of the effective thermal conductivity of the snow and thesoil in high Arctic herb tundra at Bylot Island, Canada

Abstract. The values of the snow and soil thermal conductivity, ksnow and ksoil, strongly impact the thermal regime of the ground in the Arctic, but very few data are available to test model predictions for these variables. We have monitored ksnow and ksoil using heated needle probes at Bylot Island in the Canadian High Arctic (73° N, 80° W) between July 2013 and July 2015. Few ksnow data were obtained during the 2013–2014 winter, because little snow was present. During the 2014–2015 winter ksnow monitoring at 2, 12 and 22 cm heights and field observations show that a depth hoar layer with ksnow around 0.02 W m−1 K−1 rapidly formed. At 12 and 22 cm, wind slabs with ksnow around 0.2 to 0.3 W m−1 K−1 formed. The monitoring of ksoil at 10 cm depth shows that in thawed soil ksoil was around 0.7 W m−1 K−1, while in frozen soil it was around 1.9 W m−1 K−1. The transition between both values took place within a few days, with faster thawing than freezing and a hysteresis effect evidenced in the thermal conductivity–liquid water content relationship. The fast transitions suggest that the use of a bimodal distribution of ksoil for modelling may be an interesting option that deserves further testing. Simulations of ksnow using the snow physics model Crocus were performed. Contrary to observations, Crocus predicts high ksnow values at the base of the snowpack (0.12–0.27 W m−1 K−1) and low ones in its upper parts (0.02–0.12 W m−1 K−1). We diagnose that this is because Crocus does not describe the large upward water vapour fluxes caused by the temperature gradient in the snow and soil. These fluxes produce mass transfer between the soil and lower snow layers to the upper snow layers and the atmosphere. Finally, we discuss the importance of the structure and properties of the Arctic snowpack on subnivean life, as species such as lemmings live under the snow most of the year and must travel in the lower snow layer in search of food.
Genetic Investigation of Natural Hybridization between Rainbow and Coastal Cutthroat Trout in the Copper River Delta, Alaska

Abstract Molecular genetic methods were used to quantify natural hybridization between rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss or steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout) and coastal cutthroat trout O. clarkii clarkii collected in the Copper River delta, Southeast Alaska. Eleven locations were sampled to determine the extent of hybridization and the distribution of hybrids. Four diagnostic nuclear microsatellite loci and four species-specific simple sequence repeat markers were used in combination with restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of NADH dehydrogenase 5/6 (ND5/6) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to investigate the genetic structure of trout from both species and identify putative interspecific hybrids. Hybrids were found in 7 of the 11 streams sampled in the Copper River delta, the extent of hybridization across all streams varying from 0% to 58%. Hybrid trout distribution appeared to be nonrandom, most individuals of mixed taxonomic ancestry being detected in streams containing rainbow trout rather .
Métodos de manejo de la salinidad del estiércol bovino para el vermicompostaje con la lombriz roja (Eisenia andrei)

La conductividad electrica (CE) afecta la produccion de vermicompost. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar tres metodos de lavado, riego, remojo y riego controlado (RC) combinados con cinco volumenes de agua (VA) 0, 1, 2, 3 y 4 VA por volumen de estiercol sobre la biomasa y la reproduccion. Los resultados reflejaron diferencias significativas (P
Investor Characteristics, Relationships, and IPO Allocations

We examine the extent to which long-term investors are favored in IPO allocations by using data on first reported holding by an institutional investor at the end of the offering quarter as our proxy for the initial allocation that the institution received. Our results show that underwriters more frequently allocate shares and make larger allocations to investors who have a record of maintaining or even increasing their holdings of past IPO allocations. We examine several alternative measures of long-term investors with qualitatively identical results. In addition, we show that investors who specialize in subscribing to industry IPOs and those with whom underwriters have past IPO relationships also receive higher allocations. Our results support the view that a key objective of underwriters in share allocations is to direct allocations towards investors who are likely to be long-term holders of the stock. JEL classification: G32, G24
Intellectual Capital Efficiency and Firm Financial Performance: Evidence from South East Asian Countries

This study applies a modified version of the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) model proposed by Pulic (1998; 2000) to investigate the impact of IC on financial performance of listed firms in five South East Asian (SEA) countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand over the period 2006 to 2013. The sample employed consists of 16,039 firm-year observations. Financial performance is measured using return on equity and return on assets ratios. The study employs the VAIC model to measure aggregate IC efficiency and its elements: human capital efficiency, structural capital efficiency and tangible capital efficiency. The test results indicate that aggregate IC has a positive and significant impact on financial performance of listed firms in the five SEA countries. The results also show that, among the components of IC, human capital and tangible capital both have positive and significant impact on financial performance of listed firm in the five SEA countries. However, structural capital has a negative impact on financial performance of firms in all SEA countries other than Thailand, which contradicts the theoretical expectation. JEL Classifications: L10, O34
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in OMX Nordic 40

Author: Viljo Lindstén Title: The Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance in OMX Nordic 40 Faculty: School of Business and Management Master’s Program Master’s in Strategic Finance and Business Analytics Year: 2018 Master’s Thesis: Lappeenranta University of Technology Examiners: Professor Kaisu Puumalainen Associate Professor Heli Arminen
Numerical simulations of some possible fire scenarios in a closed car park with RANS and LES

Prior to any CFD (‘Computational Fluid Dynamics’) calculation of a fire in a car park, a realistic fire scenario must be provided as input data. With this scenario, CFD results allow the evaluation of several characteristics of the performance of a smoke and heat control system, including: - effective limitation of the propagation of smoke (and heat) in the car park; - effective creation of a smoke-free access route from the public road on the fire storey for fire fighters to approach the fire source, i.e. facilitation of active fire suppression. - the pressure difference created by the smoke control system in the car park, which should not exceed 60Pa for the sake of opening doors. This paper presents CFD calculation for some possible fire scenarios. We do not consider the possible phenomenon of fire spread in the car park. Rather, we impose a localized fire, modeled as a heat source.
The challenge of monetizing consumer behaviour via advertisements in a multi-sided music business environment

1. Abstract Music is no longer a separate product in itself ‐ songs and albums have become commoditized, and music is now considered by some as a means to an end. Today, it can be legitimately argued that it is consumer behaviour, delivery channels, and the experience of music rather than the tracks themselves that are monetized. This has led to the introduction of new business models, such as ad-supported music streaming and download services, in order to attempt to create value by taking advantage of the changing nature of music consumption. Today’s music industry is no longer represented by a linear value chain, but a complex, multi-sided network, with stakeholders that include artists, consumers, channel marketers, advertisers, and rights holders, among others. In this multi-sided, inter-dependent, networked environment, no single stakeholder has control over the monetization of music. Though consumers have substantial power and freedom in the network, they alone cannot singlehandedly influence its success or failure, because other participants such as rights holders form a crucial part of the network. With disruptive consumer behaviour transforming linear supply chains into complex networks, the task of monetization has become increasingly challenging. This paper specifically considers the plight of the ad-supported music download service as the central platform of a multi-sided network. It introduces the concept of a multi-sided network, gives an overview of the economic and consumer behavioural relationships in the network, and comments on the viability of a network based around an ad-supported model, based on the findings of a study by Harris [7].
Protection of Stored Products with Special Reference to Thailand

Stored products include materials, which may be dried, rendering them storable for future use as food, industrial raw materials, medicines, or as planting materials. These include cereals, pulses, dried seeds and root crops. Insect infestation is a major contributor to quality deterioration of stored products kept in warm and humid climates. Considerable physical and nutritional loss sustained are due to infestation of stored food products by weevils, bruchids and other insects. Apart from the detrimental economic impact, these losses pose a major threat to food security. Traditional methods of applying spices, medicinal plants and their extractives, and inert materials with pest control potential as storage protectants, have increasingly been explored and exploited in the developing world as alternatives for the control of pests of stored products. In addition to insects, several other organisms attack stored products. These include microorganisms (mainly fungi and bacteria, which cause infection and deterioration), mites, rodents and birds. Plants and plant products can affect insects and other storage pests in various ways by exhibiting pest control activities as toxicants, attractants, repellents, antifeedants and growth regulators; they are also effective as antimicrobials and antifungals. Several kinds of materials are used as a means of stored food protection, including chemical fumigation, treatment with synthetic pesticides, and inert materials. This paper will review research relevant to the application of botanical pesticides, particularly those derived from spices and medicinal plants, and also inert materials, which are traditionally applied to control stored food pests in Thailand.
Vertical Distribution and Movements of Larval Redfishes ( Sebastes spp . ) in the Southern Gulf of St .

The vertical distribution of larval redfishes (Sebastes spp.) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in May is described, based on published survey data. In daylight, the larvae are most abundant between 11 and 30 m depth but are not very concentrated with depth and are taken from the surface to at least 180 m depth. At night, their depth mode rises to the uppermost 10m; a highly significant change in vertical distribution. This pattern contrasts with that found by a previous study in the Gulf of Maine where the larvae appeared to be highly concentrated at certain depths but showed no diel migration. Possible reasons for these differences include the sizes of larvae caught, hydrographic conditions and the species composition of the redfishes in the two areas. Based on these results, it is proposed that surveys for the abundance or geographic distribution of redfish larvae should use oblique, rather than horizontal tows.
New Reductions of a Matrix Generalized Heisenberg Ferromagnet Equation

We present in this report 1+1 dimensional nonlinear partial differential equation integrable through inverse scattering transform. The integrable system under consideration is a pseudo-Hermitian reduction of a matrix generalization of classical 1+1 dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnet equation. We derive recursion operators and describe the integrable hierarchy related to that matrix equation.
Molecular and morphological characterization of Caralluma species.

Caralluma a genus of the family Asclepiadaceae is an important medicinal and threatened succulent plant in Pakistan. Ethnobotanically, it is being used either to cure diabetes and fat accumulation or as vegetable in different regions of Pakistan. The main objective of present study was to investigate genetic variations within and between two species of Caralluma viz., Caralluma tuberculata and Caralluma edulis collected from different locations. Random primers OPC series was used for genetic characterization. Ten RAPD markers were used and only 6 of them gave reproducible results with all the primers showing polymorphism (79%) among the samples of both the species. The primer OPC5 showed highest number of bands (89). UPGMA cluster analysis of molecular data showed mixed grouping of samples of both the species and failed to differentiate the species at molecular level. Morphological data of both the species was also recorded for comparison with the molecular data. Based on morphological data the two species of Caralluma were clustered into two groups, viz., C. tuberculata and the C. edulis, while molecular data showed a high level of genetic diversity as both species have shown mixed patterns.