Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visuospatial Executive Functions are Improved by Brief Brain Training in Young Rugby Players - Evidence of Far Transfer Test Effects: A Pilot Study

Brain training apps are becoming increasingly popular for at home use and as an adjunct to more traditional therapies. There is uncertainty about whether the effects of brain training transfer to real-world cognition, or performance on other cognitive assessment tests, or is specific only to the brain training app. Executive functions (EF’s) are higher-order cognitive processes important for activities of everyday living and autonomous goal-directed behaviour [1]. EF’s are associated with frontal brain networks that are susceptible to injury after head trauma and concussion so it is important to know whether these functions can be trained after a short training period (transfer effects beyond gains on app play), to general cognitive ability but findings so far have been mixed. The present study investigated efficacy of brief computerised brain training to in producing far-transfer effects to performance on standardised clinical tests of cognition in young rugby players with mixed concussion history, over a 4-week period. Athletes cognitive ability was assessed at baseline and after the training period on standardised tests to establish whether there were transfer effects. The putative relationship between concussion frequency and severity on baseline cognitive performance was also investigated. Results showed effective transfer effects from initial training to selective visuospatial executive functions. There was also a decline over the training period in non-verbal strategy initiation, although ability remained at average levels. Players showed no cognitive deficits at baseline, but correlational analyses and MR results indicated that concussion frequency, not severity, was a significant predictor of some visuospatial executive function scores at baseline. These preliminary findings hold promise for full scale studies investigating efficacy of brief brain training and association between sport-related concussion and cognition.
Psychological Empowerment and Project Success: The Role of Knowledge Sharing

This article assessed the relationship between psychological empowerment and project success through direct and indirect effects of knowledge sharing. The assumptions outlined in this article were built on the self-determination theory (SDT). In this article, two surveys were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Data for study 1 were collected from employees (N = 168) working in the Pakistani telecommunication sector, while data for study 2 were gathered from (N = 160) employees working on development sector projects. Time-lagged design was employed to minimize common method bias. As a result, psychological empowerment emerged as a critical factor for the project success both directly and indirectly via knowledge sharing. Hence, this article recommends several theoretical and practical implications for practitioners and academicians.
Examining the intellectual capital web reporting by Spanish universities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to know the views of university stakeholders concerning intellectual capital (IC) reporting; second, to examine the quality of voluntary IC disclosure by public Spanish universities on their websites; and third, to analyze some of the potential factors affecting this kind of disclosure. Design/methodology/approach The paper applies a content analysis and a survey. The content analysis was used to analyze the websites of 50 public Spanish universities in the year 2016, while the survey was submitted to all members of the Social Councils of Spanish public universities. Also, a regression analysis (ordinary least square model) is conducted to relate the disclosure index to its determinants. Findings The results of this study show that human capital was the most disclosed category with relational capital being the least frequently disclosed. However, the quality of structural capital disclosures was higher than relational and human capital. Moreover, the results show that size and university’s internationality affect IC disclosure in Spanish public universities. Practical implications This paper stimulates the debate between universities and policy-makers concerning the benefits related to IC reporting as a tool for addressing different stakeholders’ needs. In order to satisfy the information needs of university stakeholders, Spanish universities can be recommended to focus on reporting higher quality information on financial relations, students’ satisfaction, quality standard, work-related knowledge/know-how and collaboration between universities and other organizations such as firms, local government and society as a whole. Originality/value This research brings new expertise regarding IC disclosure in higher education and to reveal some of the possible determinants to improve this disclosure.
Fourth Dengue Fever Outbreak Investigation in Ethiopia: A Case Control Study, July 2015

Background: Dengue fever is a rapidly emerging vector born infectious disease caused by Dengue virus and it is now one of WHO reportable diseases. About 50 -200 million cases, 20,000 deaths occur annually. In Ethiopia the first outbreak of Dengue fever appeared in Dire Dawa city in 2013, where 9441 cases were recorded. The second Dengue fever outbreak occurred in Afar Region. Third and fourth was in Somali Region in Godey town, 2014 and 2015. In Godey town acute febrile illness cases of unknown cause become increased started from May 27, 2015. We investigated to identify risk factors of Dengue fever outbreak and commence control measures. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Godey town, Ethiopia from 8-22 July 2015. Cases were defined according to the WHO guideline and controls were individuals with no sign and symptoms living in the same town with cases. We recruited 50 cases and 100 controls in the study. Medical records and line lists were reviewed. Data were collected at household level using structured questionnaires. Twenty-four serum samples collected from cases. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 software. Result: We identified 223 cases with 0 death, 116 (52%) were male. The mean age of cases was 25.8 years. Ten cases were positive for Dengue fever by PCR at national laboratory. Lack of formal education (AOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.30-7.49), living with ill person (AOR=2.8; 95%CI: 1.22-6.52), open containers in household (AOR=3.6; 95%CI: 1.34-9.38) and presence of larvae in the water containers (AOR=5.4; 95%CI: 2.33-12.44) were risk factors for the outbreak. Conclusion: Poor household water handling, living with ill person and lack of formal education contributes for occurrence of Dengue fever outbreak in Godey town. Health education and all other interventions associated with use of water and sanitation needs to be part of long-term control of Dengue.
A Green Cloud Service Provisioning Method for Mobile Micro-Learning

As a fundamental reform of traditional education, mobile micro-learning has developed rapidly in recent years. However, with the frequent access of users to cloud platforms, mobile terminal is facing serious energy consumption pressure, which limits the development of micro-mobile learning. Therefore, we propose a green cloud service provisioning method for mobile micro-learning. Firstly, the category homogenizing method and dynamic TF-IDF (D-TF-IDF) are used to classify user request, which can provide guidance for future service mode selection. Secondly, we search service from the 2-tier cloud architecture module according to the classified accuracy. Finally, Grey Wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm is used to find the server with the lowest energy consumption and finish service provisioning process. The simulation results demonstrate that our method can achieve saving energy goal. In addition, the accuracy of D-TF-IDF algorithm ran up to 83.91%, which is 2.92% higher than that of Nave Bayes algorithm, 3.65% than that of Rocchio algorithm, and 7.64% than that of TF-IDF algorithm.
Information Value of Property Description: A Machine Learning Approach

Abstract This paper employs machine learning to quantify the value of “soft” information contained in real estate property descriptions. Textual descriptions contain information that traditional hedonic attributes cannot capture. A one standard deviation increase in the uniqueness of a property based on this “soft” information leads to a 15% increase in property sale price in a hedonic price model and a 10% increase in a repeat sales price model. The effects in the hedonic model appear to arise through two channels: the unobserved quality of the housing unit, and the market power of the housing unit relative to competing properties. The effects in the repeat sales model appear to be driven entirely by the market power of the unit. Further, an annual hedonic price index ignoring our measure of unobserved quality overstates real estate prices by between 10% to 23% and mistimes the stabilization of housing prices following the Great Recession. Similar, but smaller effects, are observed for the repeat sales price index.
Prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among children of local farmers in central Malawi

Background Child undernutrition is a public health problem in Malawi. In 2015, about 23% of child mortality was linked to the phenomenon. Child undernutrition is more prevalent in rural areas and there is limited data to inform rural-specific programs. The aims of this study are to examine the prevalence and risk factors of undernutrition among 0-59 months-old children in rural central Malawi. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 538 child/mother dyads were systematically selected from postnatal clinics. Anthropometric assessment techniques and socio-demographic questionnaire was used to collect data. Child Z-scores for anthropometric data were calculated using World Health Organization’s (WHO) anthro v3.2. 2. Logistic regressions were used to determine correlates of undernutrition. Results The rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 42%, 11%, and 3%, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression models, household limited access to safe water, and maternal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) were risk factors of child stunting ( OR =1.72, CI : 1.13-2.61) and ( OR =1.505, CI : 1.001-2.261) respectively. Child deworming, born at a low weight, and household food insecurity were some of risk factors of child underweight ( OR = 2.14, CI: 1.18-3.89), ( OR = 2.41, CI : 1.23-4.71), and ( OR = 1.89, CI : 1.01-3.51) respectively. Households that were near domestic water supply had low risk of registering wasted children than households that were far from water supply ( OR = 0.18, CI: 0.41-0.79). Conclusions Only the prevalence of child stunting is greater in central Malawi compared to national level. This study suggest that programs that can promote access to potable water, food security, child deworming, improving child birth weight, and reduction of IPV against mothers can reduce the risk of child undernutrition.
Ongoing solution reproducibility of earth system models as they progress toward exascale computing

We present a methodology for solution reproducibility for the Energy Exascale Earth System Model during its ongoing software infrastructure development to prepare for exascale computers. The nonlinear chaotic nature of climate system simulations precludes traditional model verification approaches since machine precision differences—resulting from code refactoring, changes in software environment, and so on—grow exponentially to a different weather state. Here, we leverage the nature of climate as a statistical description of the atmosphere in order to establish model reproducibility. We evaluate the degree to which two-sample equality of distribution tests can confidently detect the change in climate from minor tuning parameter changes on model output variables in order to establish the level of difference that indicates a new climate. To apply this (baselined test), we target a section of the model’s development cycle wherein no intentional science changes have been applied to its source code. We compare an ensemble of short simulations that were conducted using a verified model configuration against a new ensemble with the same configuration but with the latest software infrastructure (Common Infrastructure for Modeling the Earth, CIME5.0), compiler versions, and software libraries. We also compare these against ensemble simulations conducted using the original version of the software infrastructure (CIME4.0) of the earlier model configuration, but with the latest compilers and software libraries, to test the impact of new compilers and libraries in isolation from additional software infrastructure. The two-sample equality of distribution tests indicates that these ensembles indeed represent the same climate.
Learners.

This study investigates kanji learning (the memorization of Japanese written characters) of university students of Japanese, in order to evaluate their use of mnemonic strategies. The study applies in-depth qualitative methods to broaden the understanding of how foreign language learners use mnemonics when learning kanji. Data were collected over the duration of a year in the form of interviews, stimulated recall sessions, and a questionnaire on mnemonic usage. The study found that while mnemonics are useful to memorize kanji and kanji components when applied in a meaningful way, an over-reliance on this strategy can have negative effects for the learner. The study highlighted numerous accounts of the meaning of a kanji being lost in overly complex mnemonic strategies. Another limitation of mnemonic strategies was associations being made with the meaning of kanji and not with how it was read, causing an inability to read kanji in Japanese.
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Kelompok Pemilihan e-commerce/marketplace menggunakan metode profile matching dan BORDA

The increasing development of information technology, brings developments to the pattern of life of the Indonesian people, especially the pattern of consumption and shipping of goods. Indonesian society is greatly facilitated and spoiled in getting the desired goods and services. This development was caused by the spread of online shopping providers in Indonesia, which can be accessed via smartphones and computers. Indonesia has a very high number of smartphone users, judging from the number of unique audiences at the end of the second quarter, the data obtained from MMX Multi-platform, June 2017. One of the models used in this study is the Profile Matching method, the method can overcome problems ranking by giving weights based on matching two profiles examined on the criteria of each cell phone. The criteria obtained by the user will be the profile value which is then matched with the conformity profile provided by DM. This study uses three decision makers, including economists, IT experts, and the public. To combine the three decisions used the BORDA method approach. The BORDA method is a voting method that can resolve group decision making, wherein its application each decision maker (DM) provides a rating based on the alternative choices available. Furthermore, this research will use the approach of profile matching and BORDA methods in choosing the best marketplace. The results showed that Sophie's marketplace was ranked first.
A Rural Perspective on the Practice and Challenges of Community Participation in Post-Apartheid South Africa Insights from Rural Beaufort-west Municipality

Post-apartheid South African (SA) government devised legalized platforms for citizen participation to channel their voice towards public policy formulation, implementation, outcome, and its impact. Instead of using these platforms, dissatisfied communities with service delivery resort to social protests and unrest. Indeed, citizens’ voice and participation in government decision-making through social protests, is among the critical elements to democracy and good governance. The study sought to investigate the practice and challenges there are, with regards to community participation at the local level within selected rural communities, in South Africa. The study relied on qualitative research methodology to gather primary data. Extant literature was consulted to collect secondary data so that the phenomenon is greatly understood. The results showed that community participation is practiced as a once-off event instead of being viewed as a process that is comprised of interrelated activities. The study concludes that effective community participation requires continual engagement across the entire policy planning, decision making, and implementation stages. Furthermore, as each public policy phase has its challenges, flexible strategies are required to facilitate community engagement and participation. This, for instance, will increase the degree of decision-making consensus, while by default reduce the level of community dissatisfaction with service delivery, which currently South Africa experiences, through social unrest. The research showed that community participation within the rural area is seen as a once-off event or a necessary irritation rather than viewed as part of the entire public policy process stages. This philosophical underpinning informs and influences all the processes associated with community participation. In particular, the municipal administration did not plan for community participation but only reacted to instructions from the municipal council. This lack of planning has had negative multiplier effects on the entire community participation process. Planning was mostly confined to the securing of a venue and informing the community of the meeting to be held.
The Hardware-Software Model: A New Conceptual Framework of Production, R&D, and Growth with AI

The article proposes a new conceptual framework for capturing production, R&D, and economic growth in aggregative economic models which extend their horizon into the digital era. Two key factors of production are considered: hardware, including physical labor, traditional physical capital and programmable hardware, and software, encompassing human cognitive work and pre-programmed software, including artificial intelligence (AI). Hardware and software are complementary in production whereas their constituent components are mutually substitutable. The framework generalizes, among others, the standard model of production with capital and labor, models with capital–skill complementarity and skill-biased technical change, and unified growth theories embracing also the pre-industrial period. It offers a clear conceptual distinction between mechanization and automation of production. It delivers sharp, empirically testable and economically intuitive predictions for long-run growth, the evolution of factor shares, and the direction of technical change.
Gaya Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Guru

Kepemimpinan merupakan aktivitas manajerial yang penting di dalam setiap organisasi khususnya dalam pengambilan kebijakan dan keputusan. Pemimpin adalah seseorang yang berada dalam kelompok, sebagai pemberi tugas atau sebagai pengarah dan mengkondisikan kegiatan kelompok yang relevan, dan sebagai penanggung jawab utama serta bisa memberi contoh baik dalam kedinasan maupun dalam kehidupan sehari-hari sehingga organisasi menjadi kondusif. Ada dua hal yang mengarakterisasi pemimpin dalam melaksanakan tugasnya,yaitu “keterbukaan dan mau melayani”. Pemimpin harus bisa memberikan teladan yang baik dari orang-orang yang dipimpin dan menempatkan personalia dalam organisasi sesuai dengan bidangnya.Untuk melakukannya, di butuhkan tidak hanya kemampuan untuk memanfaatkan sumber yang ada untuk mencapai sasaran, tapi juga kapasitas untuk mengembangkan kepercayaan dan di butuhkan SDM yang tinggi dan “diperdayakannya”. Seorang pemimpin juga harus bisa “ memanusia kan manusia” tidak boleh otoriter dan harus bisa menempatkan diri. Oleh sebab itu, tujuan organisasi tidak hanya diketahui oleh pemimpin atau kelompok, tujuan organisasi harus disosialisasikan kepada semua”pelanggan pendidikan”, supaya tujuan organisasi cepat tercapai sesuai dengan visi dan misi. Kepemimpinan selalu memberikan kesan yang menarik, karena dalam kepemimpinan di perlukan gaya dan sikap yang sesuai dengan iklim lembaga pendidikan dan satuan pendidikan. Adapun macam-macam gaya kepemimpian antara lain: gaya otokratis, gaya Demokratis dan gaya kendali bebas, gaya itu di terapkan untuk meningkatkan kinerja guru, sehingga dapat meningkatkan mutu pendidikan. Kinerja berasal dari kata Job Performance atau Actual performance yang berarti prestasi kerja atau prestasi sesungguhnya yang di capai oleh seseorang. Kinerja merupakan kegiatan yang telah di capai seseorang tenaga kerja dalam melaksanakan tugas dan pekerjaan yang di berikan kepadanya. Manajemen kinerja akan dapat diwujudkan jika ada hubungan dan keinginan yang sinergi antara atasan dan bawahan dalam usaha bersama-sama mewujudkan visi dan misi organisasi.
Differences in the Microsurface and Microvascular Features between Early Gastric Cancer of Corpus and Antrum under Narrow Band Imaging Magnifying Endoscopy

Background Microsurface structure (MS) and microvascular features (MV) of early gastric cancer (EGC) are associated with the histologic type, invasion depth and macroscopic shape of lesions. However, no studies have reported the differences in the MS and MV features between EGCs of antrum and corpus under magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME-NBI). Methods This was a retrospective study including 116 patients with EGC. The characteristics of MS and MV pattern of EGC were evaluated in 2 group, antrum type and corpus type.Results According to the Sakaki’s classification, the MS of EGCs presented as IV, V1 or VI typein in sequence, one level higher than the previous type in the degree of atypia. Tumor location and differentiated degree were identified as independent predictors for MS pattern. For the probability of at least one level higher, in the MS pattern, the corporal EGCs was 5.84 times as high as that of antral EGCs ( χ 2 =9.42, P=0.002, 95%CI 1.89-18.05), and undifferentiated-type lesions was 8.82 times as high as that of the differentiated-type lesions ( χ 2 =11.67, P=0.001, 95%CI 2.53-30.76). No difference in the MV pattern was observed between antral EGCs and corporal EGCs (P=0.7), while the microvascular pattern and microsurface pattern (VS pattern, FNP, ILL-1, ILL-2 and CSP) were significantly different between those 2 groups (P=0.001). Conclusions There are significant differences in the MS and VS pattern of EGC between antrum and corpus types. The antral EGC is less obvious than the corporal EGC, therefore, it is more likely to be missed in clinical gastroscopy.