Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Argumentive Writing as a Collaborative Activity

Argumentive Writing as a Collaborative Activity Flora Albuquerque-Matos Although converging evidence indicates that argumentive thinking and writing are best promoted by collaboration with others, it is still unclear which instructional approaches exert most benefits. The present study builds on the success of using a dialogic approach to develop argumentation skills in middle school students. The key component of the approach used here is the creation of an adversarial classroom setting in which students engage deeply in dialogic argumentation, which is viewed here as a process involving two or more individuals who hold opposing views. In dialogic argumentation, the focus of students’ attention will tend to center on the discursive goals of strengthening their own positions and weakening the position of the opponents. These goals of discourse ensure that students not only exercise supporting their claims with reasons and evidence but also practice making and responding to critiques, which is said to promote students’ mastery of the argument-counterargument-rebuttal structure. While the literature describes compelling advantages of dialogic approaches, it also reports valid concerns. A main concern is that during dialogic argumentation arguers have diverging goals of advancing their own positions, which may prevent the integration of opposing arguments. In an attempt to explore whether this disadvantage can be minimized, the present study examines whether the addition of a collaborative writing activity, as a form of peer argumentation that draws students’ attention towards a converging goal, to the dialogic curriculum provides students a further degree of support in developing their argumentive writing skills. It is hypothesized that collaborative writing would serve as a bridge between dialogic and individual argumentation by changing the focus of students’ attention from the adversarial to the collaborative dimensions of argumentation. To examine this hypothesis, two classes of sixth grade students participated in a month-long intervention that promoted deep engagement in dialogic argumentation on a series of challenging topics. Groups differed only with respect to participation in collaborative writing. Analysis of individual essays on the final intervention topic indicates that students who participated in collaborative writing showed gains relative to students who didn’t in coordinating evidence with claims, specifically in drawing on evidence to make claims that are inconsistent as well as consistent with their favored positions. On a transfer topic, students in the collaborative writing condition continued to surpass students in the individual writing condition; however, the gains were restricted to drawing on evidence to make claims that are consistent with the students’ favored positions. The results support the claim that the combination of adversarial and collaborative forms of peer argumentation in classroom instruction is a promising path for developing middle school students’ argumentive writing skills. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Affects the Proliferation and Differentiation of the Osteoblasts from Newborn Rats

Alcohol exerts teratogenic effects and its consumption during pregnancy may cause various alterations in the fetus, including deficit of bone development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the initial responses, on osteoblasts isolated from newborn rat calvaria, after prenatal ethanol exposure. Nine pregnant rats were divided into three groups according to the diet fed during pregnancy: Rats fed 20% ethanol, pair-fed and control were the groups. At 3 days of life, newborn rats were euthanized for removal of the calvaria and isolation of osteogenic cells by sequential enzymatic digestion. The cells were cultured for a maximum period of 14 days. The effect of alcohol was investigated by the measurement of cell adhesion, proliferation and viability, total protein content, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone matrix formation. The results showed the highest proliferation in ETH group on the 3th day and the highest ALP activity and bone matrix formation, in this group, on the 14th day, indicating that prenatal ethanol seems to affect the proliferation early and the ALP activity and bone matrix formation in more advanced periods.
Comparison of finite element formulations for sound transmission modeling in the outer ear

The work described in this paper is part of a broader research activity on the development of a virtual ear. The present study focuses on the tympanic membrane and auditory canal modeling, which are main components in sound transmission. The standard finite element method (FEM) and alternative methods (the spectral method and the generalized finite element method) suitable for the modeling of sound propagation at high frequencies have been applied. Two domains (fluid and structural) for the auditory canal and the tympanic membrane, respectively, have been considered in order to evaluate the coupling of different methods and to apply a fluid-structure interaction formulation. The analysis results on an anatomical finite element model, which include pressure distribution in the auditory canal and displacement distribution and frequency response of the tympanic membrane, confirm experimental and theoretical data reported in the literature. The spectral and generalized FE methods have been implemented and applied to approximated three-dimensional models of the outer ear. The validation of such methods with standard FEM simulation at increasing mesh density shows their computational advantages in terms of reduced required mesh density for accurate results.
An anisotropic elastoplastic model for soft clays based on logarithmic contractancy

A new constitutive model for soft structured clays is developed based on an existing model called S‐CLAY1S, which is a Cam clay type model that accounts for anisotropy and destructuration. The new model (E‐SCLAY1S) uses the framework of logarithmic contractancy to introduce a new parameter that controls the shape of the yield surface as well as the plastic potential (as an assumed associated flow rule is applied). This new parameter can be used to fit the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, the undrained shear strength or the stiffness under shearing stress paths predicted by the model. The improvement to previous constitutive models that account for soil fabric and bonding is formulated within the contractancy framework such that the model predicts the uniqueness of the critical state line and its slope is independent of the contractancy parameter. Good agreement has been found between the model predictions and published laboratory results for triaxial compression tests. An important finding is that the contractancy parameter, and consequently the shape of the yield surface, seems to change with the degree of anisotropy; however, further study is required to investigate this response. From published data, the yield surface for isotropically consolidated clays seems ‘bullet’ or ‘almond’ shaped, similar to that of the Cam clay model; while for anisotropically consolidated clays, the yield surface is more elliptical, like a rotated and distorted modified Cam clay yield surface. © 2015 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The relationship between a costume prop and a toddler’s type and intensity of movement and social participation

With obesity on the rise in young children, the need to examine interventions to increase activity levels, a factor in obesity, in childhood is apparent. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between toddlers wearing a costume prop and their type and intensity of movement as well as their level of social participation. It was hypothesized that intensity of movement and types of movement would increase when the child wore a cape compared to no cape. A total of fifty-four subjects between the ages of 24 and 36 months participated in the study, structured into an intervention group (n = 27) and a control group (n = 27). Toddlers in the control group were observed for 20 minutes during free play inside the classroom wearing a specifically designed data collection garment (which looked like a “vest”) to record movement and sound. Participants in the intervention group were observed with the same data collection garment and the costume prop “cape” for 20 minutes during morning free-play period inside. The toddlers‟ behaviors were coded as outlined by Brown, Pfeiffer, McIver, Dowda, Joao, Almeida, and Pate‟s (2006) Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in ChildrenPreschool (OSRAC-P), modified to capture the unique movements of toddlers for the present study. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) were utilized to examine the effect of a costume prop on intensity of activity, types of gross motor movement, and forms of social play. Results revealed the intervention group exhibited significantly greater engagement in onlooker, solitary, and parallel play (p < .001) than the control group. No significant differences in the levels of intensity or types of activity exhibited between the two groups. Implications for further research on physical activity and stimulating physical activity in the classroom are discussed
HOW TO MODEL AND TEST FOR THE MECHANISMS THAT MAKE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS TICK

One must provide information about the conditions under which (the measurement outcome) would change or be different. It follows that the generalizations that figure in explanations (of measurement outcomes) must be change-relati ng. Both explainers (e.g., person pa- rameters and item parameters) and what is explained (meas- urement outcomes) must be capable of change, and such changes must be connected in the right way (1). Rasch's unidimensional models for measurement tell us how to connect object measures, instrument calibrations, and meas- urement outcomes. Substantive theory tells us what inter- ventions or changes to the instrument must offset a change to the measure for an object of measurement to hold the measurement outcome constant. Integrating a Rasch model with a substantive theory dictates the form and substance of permissible conjoint interventions. Rasch analysis absent construct theory and an associated specification equation is a black box in which understanding may be more illusory than not. The mere availability of numbers to analyze and statis- tics to report is often accepted as methodologically satisfac- tory in the social sciences, but falls far short of what is needed for a science.
Dominance patterns of competing phytoplankton groups in the wake of an island

We study the patterns of dominance of different phytoplankton species competing for the same nutrient in the wake of an island. These dominance patterns are a result of the interplay of biological growth with physical transport processes. We study the planktonic biological activity in the wake of an island which is close to an upwelling region providing nutrients for the growth of the plankton. Particularly we are interested in the competition of different plankton groups possessing different needs of nutrients for their growth. Our results are based on the numerical analysis of a simple kinematic flow mimicking the hydrodynamics in the wake coupled to a four component plankton model which consists of nutrients, two phytoplankton groups and zooplankton. We show that mesoscale hydrodynamic structures emerging in the wake of the island, e.g. vortices, can lead to spatio-temporal patterns in which each of the phytoplankton groups dominates in different regions of the ocean. We study the mechanism of the emergence of these inhomogeneous dominance patters by investigating the nutrient transport in the flow and the interaction of hydrodynamic and biological time scales. We show that the composition of the plankton community is different inside and outside of mescoscale hydrodynamic vortices. Moreover we demonstrate that the time periodicity of the patterns can be different from the periodicity of the flow.
Zeros of quadratic zeta-functions on the critical line

In this paper, we consider the zeros of quadratic zeta-functions on the critical line. We begin by explaining the term quadratic zeta-functions. By this, we mean either the Epstein zeta-function associated with a positive definite binary quadratic form or the zeta-function of an ideal class in a quadratic field. One common feature of these things is that each of them has a functional equation of certain type (see §2, in particular (2.9)). The main result of this paper is an analogue of (1.1). If 1/2+iγ∗ n (γ ∗ n ≥ 0) is the nth zero of any of the quadratic zeta-functions mentioned above, we prove
Female Temporary Contraceptive Method: Availability and Its Effectss

Unintended pregnancy and high fertility pattern continue to be a major public health problem. In response to the increasing trend of population growth, almost all countries of the world have realized and started controlling measures by applying modern techniques of the fertility control. Different complications like weight gaining, irregular and painful menstruation with excessive bleeding exists as side effects of various control mechanism. Depo-Provera was problematic having irregularities on menstruation since last five years. There is lacking of choices contraceptive methods from health facilities. Therefore, there is need of proper promotion to the community as well as availability of all the devices from the grass root level.
Number 293 – November 2007 Asset Booms and Tax Receipts : The case of Spain , 1995-2006 by C

At about 33⁄4% for more than 10 years in a row, Spain is enjoying the longest period of sustained growth above the euro area since the late sixties. This period is also characterised by a combination of persistently low real interest rates and a dynamic demography, which has been feeding unprecedented growth in asset markets. In parallel, total-tax receipts have grown by about 41⁄4 percentage points of GDP, thus recording an elasticity with respect to GDP of 1.2. This paper discusses and assesses the extent to which the increase in tax receipts can be associated to changes in the composition of GDP, which would fade out after the current expansion tapers off. Econometric analyses provide evidence that 50 to 75 percent of the increase in tax revenues, observed in Spain between 1995 and 2006, might be of a transitory nature and would disappear with the asset boom. On this basis, in a context of significant composition effects, using standard tax elasticities may lead to an overestimation of structural revenues and to an incorrect assessment of the fiscal stance. This may be relevant in EMU because the likelihood of occurrence of asset booms may be relatively high when the monetary-policy stance is far from consistent with the country's inflation. Furthermore, in the specific case of Spain, the size of transitory composition effects associated to the current asset boom highlights the interest for the policymakers of the country to carefully assess the implementation of unfunded tax cuts and/or expenditure increases, especially those more difficult to revert in bad times. (*) We thank P. Claeys, R. de Frutos, V. Gaspar, J. Gonzalez-Minguez, J. Kröger, M. Mamatzakis, R. Morris, R. Ramos, J. Surinach, P. van den Nord and participants at the ECFIN seminar on Tax Elasticities for useful comments, and M. Watson for stimulating discussions. This work has been developed within the framework of the Working Group C of the Euro Area Project 2, benefiting from discussions with A. Deruennes, M. Larch, and A Turrini. The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the European Commission. The authors can be contacted at: carlos.martinez@ec.europa. eu luis-angel.maza-lasierra@ec.europa. eu javier.yaniz-igal@ec.europa. eu
Effects of team task structure on team climate for innovation and team outcomes

In this cross-sectional study we analyzed, whether team climate for innovation mediates the relationship between team task structure and innovative behavior, job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, and work stress. 310 employees in 20 work teams of an automotive company participated in this study. 10 teams had been changed from a restrictive to a more self-regulating team model by providing task variety, autonomy, team-specific goals, and feedback in order to increase team effectiveness. Data support the supposed causal chain, although only with respect to team innovative behavior all required effects were statistically significant. Longitudinal designs and larger samples are needed to prove the assumed causal relationships, but results indicate that implementing self-regulating teams might be an effective strategy for improving innovative behavior and thus team and company effectiveness.
Evaluation and Analysis: Development Trend of China’s Logistics Industry under Supply Chain Globalization Environments

First in this paper a systematic and comprehensive hybrid index evaluation system of regional logistics competitiveness is designed according to the characteristics of China’s regional logistics system under supply chain globalization envi-ronments, and systematic analysis and discussion of the connotation of the various factors in the index evaluation sys-tem are made. Then based on hierarchy analysis thought and fuzzy decision-making principles, the development trend of China’s regional logistics industry is assessed systematically and comprehensively. With the result of the above as-sessment, the key factors and the gradual evolution process of promoting regional logistics industry competitiveness under supply chain globalization environments are discussed. Also, in this paper it points out that enhancing the strength of urban logistic enterprises will promote the competitiveness of regional logistics industry. And the logistics competitiveness of a few major economic zones in China is discussed with conclusion that discrepancy exists in terms of China’s provincial capital city’s logistics development. At last, development strategies for regional logistics are put forward aimed at the west regions of China which have weak competitiveness in logistics industry.
Understanding and Influencing Pupils' Choices as they Prepare to Leave School

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Behavioural intention towards mobile banking usage by South African retail banking clients

In spite of the widespread acceptance and use of the mobile technology and its associated services, South Africa retail banks face a monumental challenge in convincing its clients to accept mobile banking services. Understanding retail banking clients’ behavioral intention toward mobile banking services usage is a key issue in accelerating rapid adoption of the services. Yet, current research pays little attention to the drivers of behavioral intention towards mobile banking usage. This study investigated retail banking clients’ behavioral intention towards mobile banking services usage in South Africa. The results of the analysis based on data sourced from 394 retail banking clients of the four major retail banks in South Africa indicate that all the hypothesized relationships in the core conceptual research model based on theoretical considerations rooted in the TAM and its extensions were supported. Therefore, this study does not only verify that the TAM can be deployed to explain and predict mobile banking acceptance but also derived a research model specifying key drivers of retail banking clients’ behavioral intention towards mobile banking services usage in South Africa. The study also offers practical insights for industry players in designing and marketing mobile banking services in order to garner favorable attitudes and increased behavioral intention among clients to use mobile banking services in South Africa.
PRICING AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES IN THE LIVESTOCK FEED MARKET IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The Nigerian commercial poultry sector is dependent on commercial feeds. Evaluation of the operational and pricing efficiencies of poultry feed marketing is essential for improving efficiencies in the feed industry and lowering the price of poultry products. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the firms studied. Tools used to analyze data collected included index of pricing and operational efficiencies; and regression analysis. The firms studied handled about N251,870,000 of feed per annum, had an annual Inventory Carrying Cost (ICC) of N4,587,762 and an average ICC of N114,694 per firm. The Marketing Costs (MC) for all the firms was N16,813,860 per annum while the average MC was N420,347. Major contributors to ICC were storage; handling and security costs while storage, transportation and capital costs were major contributors to MC. Efforts to minimize costs should therefore be focused at reducing transportation costs and optimal utilization of storage space. The Average Marketing Costs (AMC) declined with increase in quantity marketed (QM) while unit profit increased with QM. Firms therefore need to increase QM. Marketing Margin (MM) and MC were significantly different from each other. Also, QM was a significant explanatory variable of MM, implying that there was no pricing efficiency in the market. Relative efficiency increased with QM, suggesting that firms should strive to increase the quantity of feed marketed. The major contribution of this study is that it provides information on the components of marketing costs and size economies in the poultry feed industry in Ondo State, Nigeria.
The relevance of marketing in the success of innovations. - IPTS WORKING PAPER on CORPORATE R&D AND INNOVATION - Nr. 09/2011

This paper focuses on the combinations of R&D investments and marketing expenditures and their relationships with innovative sales. A higher investment in R&D is associated with a higher quality innovation or a faster innovation, with a positive impact on sales and in a macro sense, in GDP. This paper raises the issue that good innovation need a strong marketing effort in order for this innovation to have an impact in the society, it needs to be desired by consumers. This paper finds empirical evidence that marketing expenditures explains a lot of the success of the innovation (measured in terms of the elasticity of this effort to innovative sales), even more than the flow of investment in R&D. In fact, the size of the coefficient for marketing doubles those found for R&D, a quite surprising result taking into consideration the little importance that marketing has in innovation studies. The mission of the Joint Research Centre is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of European Union policies. As a service of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national. LF-N I-2747-E N -N