Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metacognition and Its Role in Mathematics Learning: an Exploration of the Perceptions of a Teacher and Students in a Secondary School

The study aims to explore teachers’ and students’ perspectives regarding metacognition and its role in mathematics learning. The use of case study was a methodical means to achieve elaborate data and to shed light on issues facing the study. The participants consisted of a case study class from a secondary school in Saudi Arabia. The instruments used for data collection were semi-structured interviews and classroom observation. The data produced essential finding based on thematic analysis techniques, regarding study’s aim. Firstly, the traditional method can hinder mathematics teaching and learning through metacognition. Secondly, although metacognitive mathematics instruction should be planned, the strategy that is introduced should be directly targeted at improving the monitoring and regulation of students’ thought when dealing with mathematics problems.
SYNCHRONY AND SCALING IN DYNAMICS OF VOLES AND MICE IN NORTHERN JAPAN

One hundred and seventy-six time series of the Japanese wood mouse (Apo- demus speciosus) and 185 time series of the grey-sided vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus) spanning 31 years (1962-1992) were studied with respect to synchrony and spatial cor- relation in population dynamics. The time series were collected at fixed sites as part of the rodent census program of the Japanese Forestry Agency. The survey locations cover a region of 115 by 270 km in northern Hokkaido, Japan. The average correlation between the time series was 0.34 (cu95% = (0.31, 0.36)) for the grey-sided vole and 0.16 (C195% = (0.13, 0.18)) for the Japanese wood mouse. This average correlation was decomposed spatially using spatial autocorrelation techniques and the nonparametric covariance func- tion. The lower region-wide correlation in the latter species was found to be due to the spatial covariance dropping more rapidly with distance. The spatial scale of the dynamics was measured by the Lo correlation length (the distance at which the covariance is equal to that between two randomly chosen sites within the region). This distance was estimated to be -50 km for the grey-sided vole and 20-30 km for the Japanese wood mouse. The Lo correlation length was linked to the scaling of the underlying ecological processes through a simple epiphenomenological model motivated by diffusion theory (the exponential co- variance model). A review of the ecology of the rodent species indicates that the spatial scale of the pattern of fluctuation of the grey-sided vole is more extensive than can be accounted for by a process of dispersal of voles. Predator movement and regulation of the vole by predators are possible causes of the pattern of spatial covariance. The Japanese wood mouse has a scale of dynamics slightly larger than what may be accounted for by the movement of individuals. This species constitutes a negligible part of predators' diet. Food resource dynamics may be an important regulatory factor and a source of spatial covariance. We interpret the results as indicating that the natural scales of regulation are species specific and can be large relative to the scale of local populations.
Behavioral Analysis of a DC/DC Single-Switch High Step-up

In this paper, the analytical behavior for all modes of operation of a DC/DC single-switch high step-up Reduced Redundant Power Processing (R2P2) I-IIA Buck-Boost/Boost converter is investigated. The analysis is very important in order to define correctly the design specifications of the converter for a given application. Experimental results validate the theoretical analysis in all operational modes. Moreover, a photovoltaic application is considered and the efficiency of the converter is evaluated.
Multi-scale climate modelling over Southern Africa using a variable-resolution global model

Evidence is provided of the successful application of a single atmospheric model code at time scales ranging from shortrange weather forecasting through to projections of future climate change, and at spatial scales that vary from relatively low-resolution global simulations, to ultra-high resolution simulations at the micro-scale. The model used for these experiments is a variable-resolution global atmospheric model, the conformal-cubic atmospheric model (CCAM). It is shown that CCAM may be used to obtain plausible projections of future climate change, as well as skilful forecasts at the seasonal and short-range time scales, over the Southern African region. The model is additionally applied for extended simulations of present-day climate at spatial scales ranging from global simulations at relatively low horizontal resolution, to the micro-scale at ultra-high (1 km) resolution. Applying the atmospheric model at the shorter time scales provides the opportunity to test its physical parameterisation schemes and its response to fundamental forcing mechanisms (e.g. ENSO). The existing skill levels at the shorter time scales enhance the confidence in the model projections of future climate change, whilst the related verification studies indicate opportunities for future model improvement.
A Successful Surgical Repair of Cranial Meningocele with Bilateral Nasal Choristoma in a Calf

A two-day old, male, non-descript calf was presented with rare congenital defect of Cranial Meningocele sizing 15x12cm and was with bilateral Nasal Choristoma. It is defined as a mass of normal histological tissue in an abnormal location. The Cranial Meningocele was diagnosed radiographically however, histopathological examination of nasal growth revealed Hyaline & Cartilaginous Nasal Choristoma. In this case the nasal Choristoma was associated with cranial Meningocele and after surgical intervention animal recovery was uneventful.
DNA repair gene XPG C 46 T polymorphism predicts response to platinum-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and prognosis in clinical stage II / III rectal cancer patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of XPG C46T (rs1047768) gene polymorphism on response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (XELOXART Trial) and prognosis in Chinese clinical stage II/III rectal cancer patients. A total of 180 patients diagnosed with clinical stage II/III rectal cancer received XELOXART Trial was enrolled in this study. XPG C46T was genotyped by the Taqman real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and was assessed for correlation with clinical variables, tumor response, disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine independent factors contributing to OS. Concerning the XPG C46T polymorphism, the C/C genotype was significantly associated with pathologic response to XELOXART Trial and better outcomes (DFS and OS) (P < 0.05), while the C/T genotype and T/T genotype could not provide any predictive information. The Cox proportional hazards model indicated that CT stage [P < 0.05, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.06-3.52], CN stage (P < 0.05, HR = 4.25, 95% CI = 2.13-8.49) and XPG C46T polymorphism (P < 0.05, HR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.67-3.45) were independent factors in predicting OS. In conclusion, our study found that XPG C46T C/C is associated with response to XELOXART Trial and prognosis in clinical stage II/III rectal cancer received XELOXART Trial. Additional well-designed, large sample, multicenter, prospective studies are needed to confirm the result of this study.
The dating of dipterocarp tree rings: establishing a record of carbon cycling and climatic change in the tropics

In a first step to obtain a proxy record of past climatic events (including the El Niño–Southern Oscillation) in the normally aseasonal tropical environment of Sabah, a radial segment from a recently fallen dipterocarp (Shorea superba) was radiocarbon dated and subjected to carbon isotope analysis. The high‐precision radiocarbon results fell into the ambiguous modern plateau where several calibrated dates can exist for each sample. Dating was achieved by wiggle matching using a Bayesian approach to calibration. Using the defined growth characteristics of Shorea superba, probability density distributions were calculated and improbable dates rejected. It was found that the tree most likely started growing around AD 1660–1685. A total of 173 apparent growth increments were measured and, therefore, it could be determined that the tree formed one ring approximately every two years. Stable carbon isotope values were obtained from resin‐extracted wholewood from each ring. Carbon cycling is evident in the ‘juvenile effect’, resulting from the assimilation of respired carbon dioxide and lower light levels below the canopy, and in the ‘anthropogenic effect’ caused by increased industrial activity in the late‐nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This study demonstrates that palaeoenvironmental information can be obtained from trees growing in aseasonal environments, where climatic conditions prevent the formation of well‐defined annual rings. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
COTTON FIBER QUALITY CHARACTERIZATION WITH VIS-NIR REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY : TOWARD AN OPTIMAL SENSOR

The objectives of this research are to (1) assess the performance of the Vis-NIR method for predicting cotton fiber quality parameters with different calibration methods, and (2) determine useful spectral wavebands and bandwidths for predicting various fiber quality parameters. This study is directed toward the development of optoelectronic sensors to measure cotton fiber quality in real time in situ. Sixty seed cotton samples of two varieties were handpicked and ginned with a laboratory-scale saw-type gin. Ginned lint samples were measured with a Cary 500 UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer in a wavelength range from 400 to 2500 nm. A portion of the lint samples was subjected to High Volume Instrument (HVI) measurement of six fiber quality parameters: micronaire, length, strength, uniformity, brightness (Rd), and yellowness (+b). Two methods, band-averaging (BA) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT), were used to preprocess the spectral data. Calibration models for each fiber quality parameter were developed with multiple linear regression (MLR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR); and the performance of the models was assessed with cross validated root mean squared error (RMSEcv) and coefficient of determination (R) between predicted and measured values. Among all six fiber quality parameters, micronaire and +b can be most successfully predicted, with R greater than 0.80 and 0.70, respectively. Prediction of length, uniformity, and strength was moderately successful, with R ranging from 0.40 to 0.70. Prediction of Rd was poor (R < 0.4). More interestingly, the RMSEcv of the calibration model for most fiber quality properties approaches the measurement accuracy of HVI instruments specified by USDA-AMS, indicating that a Vis-NIR optoelectronic sensor could perform with an acceptable level of measurement accuracy. Among the different model calibration methods, DWT-MLR generally performed better than BA-MLR and BA-PLSR, which can be attributed to the fact that DWT considers wavebands of varying bandwidths for incorporation into the model. Results of this study indicated that development of optoelectronic sensors based on Vis-NIR reflectance of cotton lint appears promising.
EULER SYSTEMS FOR HILBERT MODULAR SURFACES

We construct an Euler system—a compatible family of global cohomology classes—for the Galois representations appearing in the geometry of Hilbert modular surfaces. If a conjecture of Bloch and Kato on injectivity of regulator maps holds, this Euler system is nontrivial, and we deduce bounds towards the Iwasawa main conjecture for these Galois representations.
An Example of Burrow System Architecture of Dispersing Damaraland Mole-Rats

The Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) is a social, subterranean rodent that occurs in the red Kalahari sands. This species exhibits extreme reproductive skew with a single breeding female whereas reproduction in subordinate group members is completely blocked. Rainfall, as it greatly facilitates burrowing, provides the opportunity for individuals to disperse from their natal colony and hence, to overcome reproductive suppression. However, because rainfall is scarce, optimal conditions for burrow system construction are restricted to very short periods of the year. In order to observe the construction of a new burrow system of dispersing individuals, I released a small group (two females, one male) following heavy rains, and monitored their burrowing activity in the form of mound production during the following weeks. Recapture revealed that a new male had joined the group. Over a period of one month the four individuals extruded 127 mole hills and constructed a tunnel system with a total length of approximately 100 metres. Mound production ceased after 30 days due to the lack of subsequent rain. The study provides an example of dispersal in Damaraland mole-rats and gives new insights into the method of burrow system construction of this species. It further highlights the high costs associated with dispersal.
Analysis of Farmers’ Stated Risk and Their Perceptions Towards Climate Change in the Northwest of Mexico

Risk attitudes are relevant factors affecting the production and investment decisions at farm level. They are key factors that are related to farmers’ attitudes towards environment and climate change. Several methodological approaches are available to measure the level of stated risk of an economic agent. The Multiple Price List (MPL) method is one of the methods that is gaining relevance. In this study we apply the MPL and relate the risk outcomes with farmers’ characteristics and their perception towards environment and climate change. Data was collected using a face to face survey carried out for a group of 370 agricultural producers of the irrigation district located in northwest of Mexico. Results showed an average risk of about 0.32, locating the agricultural producers of the region in a group with risk aversion, according to the MPL scale. The heterogeneity analysis showed that the socioeconomic factors and the perceptions towards climate change are related to the farmers´ stated risk level. Farmers who are young women with propensity to use public support to invest were shown to be greater risk lovers. Farmers in the region have perceived climate change to a greater extent like floods, hail, diseases and pests, and changing vegetation.
Minor effect of physical size sorting on iron solubility of transported mineral dust

Abstract. Observations show that the fractional solubility of Fe (FS-Fe, percentage of dissolved to total Fe) in dust aerosol increases considerably from 0.1 % in regions of high dust mass concentration to 80 % in remote regions where concentrations are low. Here, we combined laboratory geochemical measurements with global aerosol model simulations to test the hypothesis that the increase in FS-Fe is due to physical size sorting during transport. We determined the FS-Fe and fractional solubility of Al (FS-Al) in size-fractionated dust generated from two representative soil samples collected from known Saharan dust source regions using a customized dust re-suspension and collection system. The results show that the FS-Fe is size-dependent and ranges from 0.1–0.3 % in the coarse size fractions (>1 μm) to ~0.2–0.8 % in the fine size fractions ( 100 μg m −3 ) to ~0.2 % at low concentrations ( –3 ) due to physical size sorting (i.e., particle gravitational settling). These values are one to two orders of magnitude smaller than those observed on cruises across the tropical and sub-tropical North Atlantic Ocean under an important pathway of Saharan dust plumes for similar dust mass concentrations. Even when the FS-Fe of sub-micrometer size fractions (0.18–0.32 μm, 0.32–0.56 μm, and 0.56–1.0 μm) in the model is increased by a factor of 10 over the measured values, the calculated FS-Fe of the dust is still more than an order of magnitude lower than that measured in the field. Therefore, the physical sorting of dust particles alone is unlikely to be an important factor in the observed inverse relationship between the FS-Fe and FS-Al and the atmospheric mineral dust mass concentrations. The results suggest that processes such as chemical reactions and/or mixing with combustion particles are the main mechanisms to cause the increased FS-Fe in long-range transported dust aerosols.
An empirical study of the motives and benefits of ISO 9000 certification: the UAE experience

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to analyze the different aspects of the motives and benefits of certified ISO 9001: 2000 companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach – A total of 900 certified UAE companies were surveyed in April 2004 in UAE. The response rate was equal to 23.2 percent.Findings – The paper finds that certified companies were more concerned by internal reasons like improving processes or products than by external reasons like pressure from customers or imitation of competitors. In addition, the certification process had generated more internal benefits than external ones.Research limitations/implications – These findings may indicate that the surveyed firms will sustain their quality efforts as continuous improvement is one of the cornerstones of ISO 9001: 2000 standard. In April 2004, when this survey was conducted, the number of certified companies listed in Dubai or in Abu Dhabi Stock Exchanges was still small. This limited the analysis of the certification'.
An Analysis of Application of Mean Glandular Dose and Factors on Which It Depends to Patients of Various Age Groups

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer nowadays and it is the leading cause of death caused by cancer in women (Jemal et al., 2011). It has become one of the main health problems both in developed and in developing countries. More than a million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year all over the world (Ferlay et al., 2004). According to researches of the American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society, 2002), since 2002 breast cancer has been the second largest cause of death caused by cancer in women. According to a research conducted in 2007 in Korea, breast cancer was the second most frequently detected type of cancer in women (Kyu-Won et al., 2010). In 2008 there were 3, 2 million (Ferlay et al., 2010) new cases of cancer in Europe out of which 421, 000 (13,1%) (Ferlay et al., 2010) cases were breast cancers. According to the mentioned research, after colorectal cancer (436, 000 cases) breast cancer is the second most frequently registered cancer in Europe (Ferlay et al., 2010). In Bosnia and Herzegovina 1600 new cases of breast cancer are registered every year (Saric, 2009). Nowadays, mammography represents the best diagnostic way for detection of breast cancer. This diagnostic medical discipline applies a specially designed roentgen apparatus for breast examination. A good topographic position and a high degree of mobility of the breast (Fajdic, 2001) enable a great number of early diagnosed breast cancers detected with mammography. Ultrasound breast diagnostic is often used as an additional method to classic mammography for breast cancer detection, especially identification of cysts in the breast (Fajdic, 2001). Nowadays there are classic (film-screen) and digital mammography. While digital mammography enables a superior contrast resolution, its spatial resolution is somewhat lower in regard to the standard technique (Kuzmiak et al., 2005). Advantages and disadvantages of these two types of mammography were compared in more than ten studies (Rosselli Del Turco et al., 2007; Skaane, 2009). One of the main arguments for giving priority to digital mammography in regard to classic mammography was the fact that digital systems cause less radiation during an examination (Hermann et al., 2002; Moran et al., 2005). The newest study shows that digital mammography cannot guarantee significantly lower patient doses in regard to classic mammography (Hauge et al., 2011). The objective of most studies about mammography is to define benefits and risks caused by application of radiation in
Analysis of short-period regional phase path effects associated with topography in Eurasia

Propagation of regional seismic phases is highly dependent on path effects, but we have a limited understanding of these effects and no general procedure for accounting for path variation influence on regional waveforms. Thus, there is strong regional variability in the effectiveness of regional wave discriminants used to identify small earthquakes and nuclear explosions. Motivated by many observations of correlation between surface geology and regional phase behavior, we empirically explore the relationship between short-period regional and upper mantle distance signal energy and statistics of topography along different travel paths using data for underground nuclear explosions at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. We find strong linear correlations of the logarithmic rms amplitude ratio Sn / Lg (and to a lesser extent, P/Lg ) with mean altitude, rms roughness, rms slope, and skewness of topography along the paths to receivers in Eurasia. This indicates that energy partitioning in the regional wave field is controlled by wave-guide structure and attenuation variations that are manifested in surface topography. This suggests that it is feasible in many cases to directly calibrate regional discriminants for path effects in terms of observable surface topography, as a surrogate for overall path properties. The relationships also help to understand the nature of regional phase propagation.
Localization Performance of Real and Virtual Sound Sources

Abstract : This paper describes how a 3D-Audio system for use in fighter aircrafts was evaluated in an experiment, by comparing localization performance between real and virtual sound sources. Virtual sound sources from 58 selected directions were evaluated, while 16 of these directions were also evaluated using real sound sources, i.e. loudspeakers. 13 pilots from the Royal Danish Air Force and 13 civil persons were used in the test. The localization performance was split into a constant and a stochastic difference between the perceived direction and the desired direction (stimulus). The constant difference is a localization offset and the stochastic difference is a measure for the localization uncertainty. Stimuli length of both 250 ms and 2's enabled investigation of the importance of head movements, i.e. using head tracking. Real and virtual sound sources could be located with an uncertainty of 10o and 14o degrees for azimuth while the uncertainty for elevation was 12o and 24o (real and virtual sound sources). No significant localization offset was found for azimuth, while an average offset for elevation of 3o 6o degrees was found using long stimuli. A significant difference between the localization offset obtained in different directions was found especially for elevation, where the offset was found to have a strong correlation to the stimuli elevation.