Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing Chemistry Students’ Study Skills Through Integration of Visual Organizers in Teaching ESP

This study is aimed at development chemistry students’ study skills through integration of visual organizers (VOs) in teaching English for Special Purposes (ESP). The research specifically examined the students’ attitude toward the chemistry content of English classes and the achievement of two groups of 54 students under study. The results of the study indicated that there is a significant difference between the level of study skills in dealing with chemistry in English of the students in the experimental group before and after the experiment. The result of students’ perception about visual organizers, as a strategy and approach to teaching English through chemistry, highlighted the rаtionale in this undertaking. All communicative activities and presentations used by the teacher in the class incorporating visual organizers in identified formats such word webbing, web diagram, flowcharts, concept maps, Venn diagram and pictorial graphics obtained a positive perception of chemistry information in English. Performance, on the other hand, indicated the VO’s effectiveness in facilitating the learning of English and study skills development. This analysis implied that the experimental group performed significantly better than their peers in the control group. Facilitating English learning through chemistry content can be made through integrating visual organizers that help develop students’ study skills. Hence, the use of visual organizers effect changes in learning chemistry content for the better. Visual organizers help students perform better and improve their attitude toward learning English for professional communication.
Life History of the Cutthroat Trout, Salmo Clarki Richardson, in Logan River, Utah

Abstract This study of the cutthroat trout in Logan River, Utah, was based on 306 specimens collected during 1948 and 1949 with an alternating-current electric shocking machine. Cutthroat trout composed 24 percent of the anglers' catch during 1948 and 31.5 percent in 1949. The greatest numbers were found in areas with a high stream gradient. An estimated minimum number of 43.6 pounds of cutthroat per acre and 565 fish per mile was obtained from a series of shocking operations during 1949. Scale analysis was employed in determining the age of the fish. With a scale magnification of 50x, the body-scale (L/S) relationship of the cutthroat trout can be described as a curvilinear regression line, and expressed by the equation:L = 3.411 S1.2006The smallest average annual growth increment was 53 millimeters. This was based on a growing season of approximately 200 days. Growth began in the latter part of March and extended to early October. The relationship between standard length and weight was expressed mathema.
Word Power: Content Analysis in the Presence of Competing Information

Earnings announcements are the first notice of a firm’s financial performance and preempt the informational value of subsequent 10-K filings. This study evaluates tone measures that use earnings announcement returns or 10-K filing returns to interpret the relative strength of positive and negative words used in annual reports. I find that market reaction to earnings announcements are more informative than 10-K filing returns, and as these filing returns misclassify the relative strengths of words and consequentially tone measures. Market reaction to earnings announcements allows quantifying tone and elaborating the interpretation of financial language use better. In fact, my approach yields stronger correlation of qualitative information to first and second moments of stock returns, that is, future returns and volatility, and future profitability.
Anticipating Acquirers

Prior literature documents that acquirers earn declining returns to acquisitions as they continue acquiring. Using a novel typology of serial acquirers, we show that subsequent acquisitions by acquirers are predictable ex ante. Controlling for market anticipation, there is little evidence that acquirers earn declining returns in their acquisitions sequence. We also find strong evidence of persistence in performance in acquirers, both for prior winners and prior losers. However persistent winners are not frequent acquirers. Persistent losers appear to be overvalued at the time of the acquisition and pay with overvalued stock, leaving them better off than if they had never acquired. Our methodology significantly enhances our understanding of acquisition dynamics compared to previous studies.
The Effectiveness of Administrative Consolidation Processes in Urban Functional Areas. Case Studies from Poland and the USA

Urban functional areas usually extend beyond the city's administrative boundaries. As a result, there is a problem of coordinating effective public service provision between the city and its suburbs. A review of world experience shows that two institutional solutions are usually applied here – intercommunal cooperation or adaptation of administrative borders to the scope of the functional zone. However, the studies so far have not provided an answer as to which method is more effective. The objective of the paper is to compare the processes of adapting administrative borders to urban functional areas. The hypothesis was formulated that uniform management of the entire functional area favors effectiveness and institutional sustainability of public service provision. Princeton in the USA and Lubin in Poland were selected as case studies. Princeton is an example of successful administrative consolidation of the city with the surrounding rural commune, while in Lubin, unfortunately, such a project was not implemented. In the conclusion was found that inter-communal cooperation does not provide sustainable solutions and is exposed to cadenza changes of decision-makers. The most effective seems to be the consolidation of individuals, but its success depends on a very well prepared and transparent procedure.
Distribution of genetic diversity within and between Western Mediterranean island populations of the black rat Rattus rattus (L. 1758)

Abstract Genetic diversity was estimated by allozyme analysis at 26 loci in black rat populations (Rattus rattus) from 15 western Mediterranean islands (Hyeres, Corsica, Sardinia and related islets). Although overall variability levels were low (H=0.025), the mean heterozygosity values for the islands were similar to those for three reference mainland populations. Within the islands, however, genetic diversity varied in relation to island size and geographic isolation. In particular, most small insular populations were significantly more variable than those on both large and isolated islands. The genetic relationships between island populations were established byFSTanalyses indicating possible geographic origins and patterns of colonization. The maintenance of unexpectedly high levels of variability in the small island populations is discussed in relation to changes in the demographic and social structure observed in these populations. These island populations of black rat illustrate how genetic diversity may be efficiently maintained in a series of interconnected spatially fragmented populations.
Exploration in Teams and the Encouragement Effect: Theory and Experimental Evidence

This paper analyzes a two-person, two-stage model of sequential exploration where both information and payoff externalities exist and tests the derived hypotheses in the laboratory. We theoretically show that, even when agents are self-interested and perfectly rational, the information externality induces an encouragement effect: a positive effect of first player exploration on the optimality of the second player exploring as well. When agents have other-regarding preferences and imperfectly optimize, the encouragement effect is strongest. The explorative nature of the game raises the expected surplus compared with a payoff equivalent public goods game. We empirically confirm our main theoretical predictions using a novel experimental paradigm. Our findings are relevant for motivating and managing groups and teams innovating not only for private but also and especially so, for public goods. This paper was accepted by John List, behavioral economics.
Distribution of bats along an elevational gradient in the Andes of south‐eastern Peru

At least 193 species of mammals are known to occur within the Manu Biosphere Reserve in south-eastern Peru, contributing to its stature as one of the world's richest protected areas. Bats (Order Chiroptera) comprise more than 42% (82 species) of this diversity. Analyses of bat capture records over a transect extending more than 3 km in elevation show that most bat species at Manu are widely distributed in the Amazon Basin. Few are montane endemics or are localized in south-eastern Peru, although exceptions to this generalization include two species new to science. Highland bat faunas tend to be attenuated versions of those found below, and the elevational zonation of bat communities is weak. Species turnover with elevation is monotonic and more-or-less smooth, with Jaccard's similarity values falling to 0.5 for sites differing by 750m in elevation. Subtle and orderly change in species composition with elevation is also reflected in the nested-subset structure of these communities; over 19 different levels, this pattern of hierarchical structure is both striking and highly significant. Elevational ranges of species generally increase with elevation, in accordance with Stevens' extension of ‘Rapoport's rule’ of range amplitude. However, support for ‘Stevens' rule’ may be trivial, given Amazonian richness and Andean impoverishment. Reduced richness and poorly developed endemism in Andean bat communities contrast with patterns shown by sympatric rodent faunas, which are diverse and strongly endemic on the Altiplano and markedly zoned along the Eastern Versant. Contrasts are less sharp with bird communities, which nevertheless exhibit stronger zonation and higher endemicity. Factors responsible for these distinctive distributional patterns are discussed.
Plant sterols in vegetables, fruits and berries

The plant sterol contents of the most important vegetables, fruits and berries available in Finland were determined by capillary gas chromatography. The sample preparation procedure included both acid and alkaline hydrolysis to liberate sterols from their conjugates. The plant sterol contents of fresh vegetables ranged from 51 to 370 mg kg−1 fresh weight (fw) in samples obtained from retail sale. The highest contents (>300 mg kg−1) were measured in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and dill and the lowest (51 mg kg−1) in potato. The range of sterol contents on a dry weight (dw) basis was high, 246–4100 mg kg−1 dw. Considerable variation was also observed when individual samples of some vegetables were compared. Sitosterol was the main sterol (proportion 43–86%) in all vegetables except cucumber and spinach, in which Δ7-sterols dominated. The total sterol contents were in the range 116–228 mg kg−1 fw in all fresh fruits except avocado, which contained more sterols, 752 mg kg−1 fw. In fresh berries the corresponding range was 60–279 m kg−1 fw. The wild berries lingonberry and blueberry were better plant sterol sources than the cultivated berries blackcurrant, redcurrant and strawberry. In fruits and berries the proportion of sitosterol ranged from 61–93% total sterols. On the basis of the results, the contribution of vegetables, fruits and berries to the total average daily plant sterol intake was estimated to be ca 60 mg. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Relative importance of different dispersal vectors for small aquatic invertebrates in a rock pool metacommunity

The extent and frequency of passive overland dispersal of freshwater invertebrates as well as the relative importance of different dispersal vectors is not well documented. Although anecdotal evidence subscribing the feasibility of individual vectors in various aquatic systems is abundant, dispersal rates have rarely been quantified for different vectors in one study system. Earlier studies also usually investigated dispersal potential rather than actual dispersal rates. In this study we have estimated passive dispersal rates of invertebrate propagules within a cluster of temporary rock pools via water, wind and amphibians in a direct way. Overflows after heavy rains mediated dispersal of a large number of propagules through eroded channels between pools, which were collected in overflow traps. Taking into account model based predictions of overflow frequency, this corresponds with average dispersal rates of 4088 propagules/channel yr−1. Wind dispersal rates as measured by numbers of propagules collected on sticky traps mounted between pool basins were very high (average dispersal rate: 649 propagules m−2 in one month) and were positively related to the proximity of source populations. Finally, invertebrate propagules were also isolated from the faeces of African clawed frogs Xenopus laevis caught from the pools (on average 368 propagules/frog). The combination of short distance wind and overflow dispersal rates likely explain the dominant species sorting and mass effect patterns observed in the metacommunity in a previous study. Amphibian mediated dispersal was much less important as the Xenopus laevis population was small and migrations very rare. Based on our own results and available literature we conclude that both vector and propagule properties determine local passive dispersal dynamics of freshwater invertebrates. Accurate knowledge on rates and vectors of dispersal in natural systems are a prerequisite to increase our understanding of the impact of dispersal on ecology (colonisation, community assembly, coexistence) and evolution (gene flow, local adaptation) in fragmented environments.
Gender-Based Operational Issues Arising From On-Demand Ride-Hailing Platforms: Safety Concerns and System Configuration

Problem definition: A critical problem associated with ride-hailing platforms is safety for female users (riders and drivers). One way to resolve or at least alleviate this problem is to migrate from the commonly adopted gender-neutral "pooling" system that matches riders with drivers without considering gender to a "hybrid" system with a female-only option. Will switching to a hybrid system result in a win-win outcome for all parties (riders, drivers and the platform)? If the current pooling system is kept, how shall platforms work on the user safety to improve their performance? With a hybrid system, female riders would have the flexibility to choose between the pooling and female-only option. Taking into consideration the limited supply of female drivers, should such flexibility also be granted to female drivers? Academic/Practical Relevance: In this paper, we make an initial examination of how female users' safety concerns affect the system configuration of ride-hailing platforms. Methodology: A game-theoretical analysis is used to investigate the performance of two operational systems: a pure pooling system and a hybrid system. For each system, we analyze a two-stage queueing game by first determining the respective equilibrium "joining" and "participating" behaviors of riders and drivers, and then deriving the platform's optimal pricing and wage decisions. Results: First, we show that in a pooling system, the marginal improvement in the platform's profit increases with the safety confidence on the rider demand side but diminishes with the safety confidence on the driver supply side. Therefore, platforms should improve female riders' safety confidence as much as possible while ensuring that female drivers' safety confidence is sufficiently high. Interestingly, we demonstrate that increasing driver safety confidence may not lead to more female riders joining the pooling system. We find that in a hybrid system, flexibility should not be fully granted to female drivers because it can jeopardize the efficiency of the system. A comparison of the equilibrium outcomes associated with pooling and hybrid systems reveals that when safety-concerned female users' safety confidence falls to certain levels, switching from a pooling system to a hybrid system can result in a win-win outcome on the two most important goals, increasing the accessibility for safety-concerned female users and improving the platform's profitability, although male and safety-unconcerned female users might be worse off. Managerial Implications: Our results shed light on platforms' operational system design, that is, on which side the platform should put more effort into enhancing safety confidence in a pooling system, when to switch to a hybrid system and to what extent the platform should grant female drivers flexibility to choose in a hybrid system. Our analysis also provides a plausible explanation for the adoption of different systems in countries with differing levels of female safety.
Effect of temperature on cone bursting, seed extraction and germination in five provenances of Pinus roxburghii from Garhwal Himalaya in India

Pinus roxburghii (chir pine or long-needle pine) is considered to be a fire-hardy species. In this study the effect of a wide range of elevated temperatures (from 40 °C to 150 °C) on cone bursting and subsequent seed germination was examined in five provenances of P. roxburghii in comparison to sun drying. The maximum germination percentage (88.6 ± 1.46%; mean ± SE) was recorded with seeds from the Jasholi provenance extracted from cones dried artificially at 40 °C and germinated at 25 °C. At bursting these cones retained 6.9 ± 0.83% moisture content and the seeds retained 8.8 ± 0.32% moisture content. The germination percentage of the seeds from the Jasholi provenance extracted at 150 °C, at which temperature cone bursting occurred within 45 min, was only 22.2% when germinated at 30 °C. These cones retained 4.8 ± 0.54% moisture content and the seeds retained 7.0 ± 0.42% moisture content after bursting. In general, increasing temperature above 40 °C was inversely proportional to seed germinability.
In Short Supply: Efficiency Implications of Rational Attention Allocation

This paper examines the role of rational attention allocation in shaping private information acquisition, and its implications for price informativeness and real outcomes. Our setting exploits the listing of options on a stock as a source of variation in the relative value of acquiring information on its close industry peers. Consistent with the predictions of our theoretical model, we find that options listing is associated with a decline in attention, trading volume, and liquidity, and an increase in volatility for peer stocks. These peer firms further experience a decline in stock price informativeness, firm value, and profitability.
Modelling and forecasting stock volatility and return: a new approach based on quantile Rogers–Satchell volatility measure with asymmetric bilinear CARR model

Abstract This paper proposes quantile Rogers–Satchell (QRS) measure to ensure robustness to intraday extreme prices. We add an efficient term to correct the downward bias of Rogers–Satchell (RS) measure and provide scaling factors for different interquantile range levels to ensure unbiasedness of QRS. Simulation studies confirm the efficiency of QRS measure relative to the intraday squared returns and RS measures in the presence of extreme prices. To smooth out noises, QRS measures are fitted to the CARR model with different asymmetric mean functions and error distributions. By comparing to two realised volatility measures as proxies for the unobserved true volatility, results from Standard and Poor 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average indices show that QRS estimates using asymmetric bilinear mean function provide the best in-sample model fit based on two robust loss functions with heavier penalty for under-prediction. These fitted volatilities are then incorporated into return models to capture the heteroskedasticity of returns. Model with a constant mean, Student-t errors and QRS estimates gives the best in-sample fit. Different value-at-risk (VaR) and conditional VaR forecasts are provided based on this best return model. Performance measures including Kupiec test for VaRs are evaluated to confirm the accuracy of the VaR forecasts.
Do Actions Speak Louder than Words? Evidence from Microblogs

This research identifies the determinants of investors' future beliefs by analyzing more than 50 million tweets on thousands of stocks from the microblogging platform StockTwits. To distinguish between the different sources of changes in beliefs, I divide tweets into two categories: beliefs, representing the average sentiment of all investors regarding a particular stock, and actions, representing the actual transactions disclosed by StockTwits' users in their tweets. The results show that investors’ average next-period beliefs are positively impacted by the average sentiment (beliefs and actions) of the previous day. The effect is stronger once the quality of the investment advice is taken into account. Finally, more communication between investors is associated with greater diversity in beliefs as well as higher uncertainty.
Macroeconomic Uncertainty and Oil Price Volatility

This paper shows that higher macroeconomic uncertainty causes higher oil price volatility. Regimes of low and high uncertainty are identified in a threshold VAR model in which the effects of structural oil demand and supply shocks are estimated. The results show that higher macroeconomic uncertainty, as measured by global industrial production volatility, significantly increases the sensitivity of oil prices to shocks in oil demand and supply. This occurs as uncertainty lowers the price elasticity of oil demand and supply. The difference in the estimated oil price elasticities is economically meaningful as the price impact of a similar change in oil production might double when it hits the economy in uncertain times. As such, varying uncertainty can explain why oil price volatility is typically higher during periods such as financial crises and recessions, and why oil price volatility changes over time more generally.
Information Percolation, Momentum and Reversal

We propose a joint theory of time-series momentum and reversal based on a rational-expectations model. We show that a necessary condition for momentum to arise in this framework is that information flows at an increasing rate. We focus on word-of-mouth communication as a mechanism that enforces this condition and generates short-term momentum and long-term reversal. Investors with heterogeneous trading strategies — contrarian and momentum traders — coexist in the marketplace. Although a significant proportion of investors are momentum traders, momentum is not completely eliminated. Word-of-mouth communication spreads rumors and generates price run-ups and reversals. Our theoretical predictions are in line with empirical findings.
Seasonal Changes in the Germination Response of Cyperus inflexus Seeds to Temperature and Their Ecological Significance

Seeds of the summer annual sedge Cyperus inflexus Muhl. are innately dormant at maturity in autumn. Seeds afterripen in the field during winter and germinate in light over a wide range of temperatures in spring and early summer. Seeds that do not germinate during spring and summer are prevented from germinating in autumn and winter because they lose their ability to germinate at lower temperatures. During autumn and winter these seeds regain their ability to germinate at lower temperatures and may germinate the next spring or summer. This narrowing and widening of the temperature range for germination may continue for several years in ungerminated seeds, until light, temperature, and soil moisture all become favorable for germination at the same time. These seasonal changes in the germination responses of the seeds allow germination to occur in spring and summer, when plants can complete their life cycle, and they prevent germination in autumn and winter, when plants cannot complete their life cycle.