Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Volunteer tutors: agents of change or reproduction?: an examination of consciousness, ideology, and praxis

Volunteer tutors play a significant role in delivering adult literacy programs. It is estimated that up to 60 per cent of all instructors in adult literacy programs in the United States are volunteers (Ziegler, McCallum, & Bell, 2009). However, volunteer tutors' work or experience are rarely the subjects of research. Volunteer tutors' contributions to adult literacy are significant because they have personal relationships with learners while being expected to deliver ministry guidelines. In this paper, we examine the narratives of three volunteer tutors from a program in Ontario, Canada, to understand whether and how volunteer tutors act as agents of change or reproduction. Using a Marxist analysis, we review the consciousness, ideology, and praxis of the volunteer tutors in this study. We delve critically into the work of volunteer tutors to illustrate the potential and the limitations of volunteer tutors' role in bringing about social transformation in the field of adult literacy.
Genetic diversity of wheat grain quality and determination the best clustering technique and data type for diversity assessment

Wheat is an important staple in human nutrition and improvement of its grain quality characters will have high impact on population's health. The objectives of this study were assessing variation of some grain quality characteristics in the Iranian wheat genotypes and identify the best type of data and clustering method for grouping genotypes. In this study 30 spring wheat genotypes were cultivated through randomized complete block design with three replications in 2009 and 2010 years. High significant difference among genotypes for all traits except for Sulfate, K, Br and Cl content, also deference among two years mean for all traits were no significant. Meanwhile there were significant interaction between year and genotype for all traits except Sulfate and F content. Mean values for crude protein, Zn, Fe and Ca in Mahdavi, Falat, Star, Sistan genotypes were the highest. The Ca and Br content showed the highest and the lowest broadcast heritability respectively. In this study indicated that the Root Mean Square Standard Deviation is efficient than R Squared and R Squared efficient than Semi Partial R Squared criteria for determining the best clustering technique. Also Ward method and canonical scores identified as the best clustering method and data type for grouping genotypes, respectively. Genotypes were grouped into six completely separate clusters and Roshan, Niknejad and Star genotypes from the fourth, fifth and sixth clusters had high grain quality characters in overall.
The Effect of Duration and Glottalization on the Perception of Rhythm

Humans are finely attuned to rhythm in many physical domains, from the purely anatomical to the perception of acoustic fluctuations in the speech signal. In fact, humans tend to hear rhythmic patterns even when sequences of sounds are physically indistinct, such as the clicking of a metronome or dripping water (e.g. Bolton 1894, Iversen et al. 2008, Fletcher 2010, Crowhurst and Teodocio 2014). Human languages exhibit rhythmic patterns expressed in the alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables (e.g. Bolton 1894; Halle 1973; Prince 1983; Hayes 1980, 1995, among many others). Researchers have therefore been keenly interested in understanding the perceptual factors that might underlie rhythmic distinctions in the speech domain. One significant body of research has investigated the physical correlates of stressed and unstressed syllables in various languages, and their consequences for the perception of stressed syllables. An early theme in the psychoacoustic research of the late 19 century, now seeing renewed interest, pertains to the perception of natural groupings of sounds. In this paper, we report the outcome of a study that is aligned with research in the second category. We studied the influence of varying vowel duration and glottalization on listeners’ preferred syllable pairings in multisyllabic alternating sequences.
Comparative Study of Heart Rate Variability in Normotensive and Hypertensive Individuals

Background Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular disorder that affects many organs of our body . Heart rate variability (HRV) is a simple, sensitive and non-invasive tool to monitor the cardiovascular function . The present study is for assessment of sympathovagal balance by analysing HRV in hypertensive individuals. Objectives To analyse Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in normotensive and hypertensive individuals. Material and methods -30 hypertensive and 30 normotensive subjects between the age group of 30-60 years were selected. Lead-II ECG was recorded using instrument PHYSIOPAC-PP4, MEDICAID system, Chandigarh and HRV analysis was done using KUBIOS HRV analyser. Spectral indices of HRV based on frequency domain such as normalized low frequency power (LFnu), normalized high frequency power (HFnu), ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power (LF-HF ratio) and time domain such as standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), root mean square successive difference (rMSSD) and the proportion of NN50 to the total number of NN intervals (pNN50) were assessed. ResultsOur results showed LFnu (78.17±5.73) and LF-HF ratio(2.14±0.24) was significantly increased in hypertensives and significant decrease was seen in HFnu (37.13±3.70), SDNN (149.1±4.82), rMSSD (36.4±4.75)and pNN50 (9.97±1.90) in hypertensives by student’s paired ttest . Conclusion-Above result suggests increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity. The pathophysiology of hypertension is primarily due to an increase systemic vascular resistance. This is attributed to enhanced sympathetic activity leading to sympathovagal imbalance. KeywordsHypertension (HTN), Heart Rate Variability (HRV),Time Domain Measures, Frequency Domain Measures. Author for correspondenceDr Rupali Parlewar, Email ID rupalifulzele@gmail.com
Singularities in cylindrical vector beams

Cylindrical vector beams with azimuthal and radial polarization distributions are studied for singularities. It is shown experimentally that these beams have screw dislocation as well as edge dislocation at the same time. The relation between phase and polarization of light beam is the key to understand this fact. We envisage that this has potential application in phase synthesis using polarization engineering. Further, the polarization singularities in these inhomogeneously polarized beams are examined by measuring Stokes parameters across the cross-section of these beams.
MotionComposer: un dispositivo que convierte el movimiento en música

Using video-based motion tracking technology, it is possible to make music without touching a musical instrument, but instead by gesturing in space. With a focus on therapeutic, healthcare and pedagogic contexts, the MotionComposer (MC) is one of a small but growing number of tools being developed today which let all kinds of users participate, including those with different abilities. The aim of the MotionComposer is not just to make a fun trick, but rather to delve into the deeper muscle-music relationships that lie at the heart of healthy music and dance expression. After briefly describing the device, this paper describes some of the therapeutic and pedagogical aspects of its use.
Theories on Executive Pay: A Literature Overview and Critical Assessment

Executive pay is a major issue in the corporate governance debate. As well in practice as in theory debate still exists how executive pay levels and structures can be explained. This paper provides an overview of 16 theories that have been used in the literature to explain the phenomenon. The theories can be classified into three types of approaches; 1) the value approach; 2) the agency approach; and 3) the symbolic approach. A critical assessment of the theories shows that the dominant use in the literature of the perfect contracting approach of agency theory neglects: 1) the socially determined symbolic value that executive pay could represent, and 2) the contextual conditions under which executive pay is set. A more conclusive understanding of executive pay would be based on considering executive pay as an outcome of socially constructed corporate governance arrangements in which the actors involved have considerable discretion to influence the outcomes. Incorporating such a view in attempts to explain executive pay provides a more conclusive explanation of the recurrent debate on executive pay in theory and practice.
A chemical model for the atmosphere of hot Jupiters

Our purpose is to release a chemical network, and the associated rate coefficients, developed for the temperature and pressure range relevant to hot Jupiters atmospheres. Using this network, we study the vertical atmospheric composition of the two hot Jupiters (HD209458b, HD189733b) with a model that includes photolyses and vertical mixing and we produce synthetic spectra. The chemical scheme is derived from applied combustion models that have been methodically validated over a range of temperatures and pressures typical of the atmospheric layers influencing the observations of hot Jupiters. We compare the predictions obtained from this scheme with equilibrium calculations, with different schemes available in the literature that contain N-bearing species and with previously published photochemical models. Compared to other chemical schemes that were not subjected to the same systematic validation, we find significant differences whenever non-equilibrium processes take place. The deviations from the equilibrium, and thus the sensitivity to the network, are more important for HD189733b, as we assume a cooler atmosphere than for HD209458b. We found that the abundances of NH3 and HCN can vary by two orders of magnitude depending on the network, demonstrating the importance of comprehensive experimental validation. A spectral feature of NH3 at 10.5$\mu$m is sensitive to these abundance variations and thus to the chemical scheme. Due to the influence of the kinetics, we recommend the use of a validated scheme to model the chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres. Our network is robust for temperatures within 300-2500K and pressures from 10mbar up to a few hundreds of bars, for species made of C,H,O,N. It is validated for species up to 2 carbon atoms and for the main nitrogen species.
The Balassa-Samuelson effect in an imperfectly competitive economy: empirical evidence for G7 countries

In this paper we consider the role of imperfect competition to explain the relative price of non-traded to traded goods within the Balassa-Samuelson framework. Under imperfect competition in the two sectors, relative prices depend on both productivity and markups. We test this implication using a panel of sectors for the seven major OECD countries. The empirical evidence suggests that relative price movements are well explained by relative productivity and variations in mark ups. Unlike the original Balassa-Samuelson model, aggregate demand could affect the real exchange rate by changing the mark ups. Empirical results show that aggregate demand fluctuations lead to changes on the mark ups.
The Impact of Financial Architecture on Technical Innovation

While a large body of literature argues that financial intermediaries exert a causal impact on long-run growth, it doesni¯t investigate the links between financial architecture and technological change. We seek to shed light on these links by exploring the relationship between financial architecture (FA) and what is assumed to be one of the main drivers of economic growth, the technological change (TC). We apply the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to estimate and decompose total factor productivity growth (TFP) into its main components: efficiency change (EC) and technological change (TC). As a second step we regress the technological change (TC) on a set of variables capturing the financial characteristics (i°financial architecturei±) of a sample of OECD countries in order to identify which features of the financial system affect the countryi¯s rate of technological change. Our results confirm that better functioning financial systems ¨C open and competitive ¨C improve resource allocation and accelerate the countryi¯s rate of technological change with positive impact on long-run economic growth.
Australia's external debt: Is it a symptom or a cause of economic slowdown?

Amidst the debate surrounding the ‘debt problem’ in Australia, the key analytical issue of whether external debt is a symptom or a cause of economic slowdown has been ignored. Sachs (1990) and Kenen (1990) argued that the external ‘debt overhang’ is a primary cause of economic slowdown and acts as an obstacle to economic growth. The second view is by Bulow and Rogoff (1990) who argue that the external debts are a symptom of poor economic management and performance rather than a primary cause of stifled economic growth. The statistical tests of causal relationships between the GDP growth rate and the external debt accumulation rate suggest unilateral causation flowing from gross external debt (GED), net external debt (NED) and non-official external debt (NOD) to GDP. The long-term impact of these categories of debt on GDP growth is small but positive. Secondly, gross official external debt (GOD) rate and GDP growth rate are statistically independent (neutral) over the sample period. Thirdly, in this study we have found no evidence of Bulow-Rogoff and Kenen-Sachs propositions.
Antioxidant potentials of Gongronema latifolium (utazi) leaf extracts

This investigation was carried out to explore the antioxidant potential of Gongronema latifolium (utazi) leaf extracts. The homogenised sample was extracted using two different solvents: methanol and aqueous. Total phenolic compounds, reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging activity of Gongronema latifolium leaf extracts were determined. Results showed that total phenol content was significantly (P<0.05) higher in methanol extract (2.73mgGAE/ml) than aqueous extract (1.13mgGAE/ml). DPPH radical scavenging activity was higher in methanol extract (17.94%) than aqueous extract (15.50%). The reducing power of methanol extract (0.94 ± 0.04) was non-significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of aqueous extract (0.20 ± 0.00). Based on this result, methanol extract of Gongronema latifolium revealed a higher antioxidant potential compared to aqueous extract. However, the study showed that Gongronema latifolium leaf extract is a good source of natural antioxidant due to its high antioxidant potentials. Keywords: Gongronema latifolium , antioxidant, phytochemicals, spectrophotometer, herbal
Model-data fusion across ecosystems : From multisite optimizations to global simulations

Abstract. This study uses a variational data assimilation framework to simultaneously constrain a global ecosystem model with eddy covariance measurements of daily net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and latent heat (LE) fluxes from a large number of sites grouped in seven plant functional types (PFTs). It is an attempt to bridge the gap between the numerous site-specific parameter optimization works found in the literature and the generic parameterization used by most land surface models within each PFT. The present multisite approach allows deriving PFT-generic sets of optimized parameters enhancing the agreement between measured and simulated fluxes at most of the sites considered, with performances often comparable to those of the corresponding site-specific optimizations. Besides reducing the PFT-averaged model–data root-mean-square difference (RMSD) and the associated daily output uncertainty, the optimization improves the simulated CO2 balance at tropical and temperate forests sites. The major site-level NEE adjustments at the seasonal scale are reduced amplitude in C3 grasslands and boreal forests, increased seasonality in temperate evergreen forests, and better model–data phasing in temperate deciduous broadleaf forests. Conversely, the poorer performances in tropical evergreen broadleaf forests points to deficiencies regarding the modelling of phenology and soil water stress for this PFT. An evaluation with data-oriented estimates of photosynthesis (GPP – gross primary productivity) and ecosystem respiration (Reco) rates indicates distinctively improved simulations of both gross fluxes. The multisite parameter sets are then tested against CO2 concentrations measured at 53 locations around the globe, showing significant adjustments of the modelled seasonality of atmospheric CO2 concentration, whose relevance seems PFT-dependent, along with an improved interannual variability. Lastly, a global-scale evaluation with remote sensing NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) measurements indicates an improvement of the simulated seasonal variations of the foliar cover for all considered PFTs.
Utilization of Fish Flour in Canned Concentrated Seasoning Stock for Thai Foods Preparation

Herring fish flour possessed high contents of protein, calcium and phosphorus at 64.70 g/100 g, 2,576 mg/100 g and 1,531 mg/100 g, respectively. Herring fish flour was used to replace fresh or dehydrated fish meat in developing five canned concentrated seasoning stocks for Thai food; Nam Ya Pla (fish curry sauce), Kaeng Som (spicy sour mixed vegetable), Kaeng Tai Pla (southern hot curry), Kaeng Kua Fag (red curry with wax gourd), and Kaeng Tae Po (red curry with swamp morning glory). Sensory test exhibited that a suitable amount of herring fish flour incorporated was 15% or 18% of curry paste, that accounted for 2.6-5.1% in the recipe. It was determined that 100 g canned stocks provided protein, calcium and phosphorus as 4.32 – 6.00 g, 126.5 – 136.4 mg and 83.9 – 108.6 mg, respectively. Calcium content of fish flour incorporated dishes was high, supplying 10-25% of the adult Recommended Daily Dietary Allowance in a 100 g portion.
Wage inflation and labour unions in EMU

This paper examines different levels of wage moderation in EMU member states since the introduction of the euro. Most arguments examining wage restraint have done so relying on the assumptions that relations between EMU member states are symmetric and that wage-setting systems are similar across sectors within one country. We introduce one innovation to these approaches and develop a second existing one. The paper adopts a dual-sector approach, where exposed sector unions are still tied to a competitiveness constraint on wages, while sheltered sector unions neither face a hard monetary constraint imposed by the central bank nor are subject to a competitive one. Wage moderation is higher in countries with wage-bargaining institutions which tie wage-setters in the sheltered sector to the exposed sector through a co-ordination mechanism. The second innovation is that of asymmetries between Germany and other EMU member states.
Self-motivated agents that learn

We propose an architecture for the creation of agents with the capacity to learn how to act autonomously, from their interactions with the environment. Prede ned solutions such as manually speci ed behaviours, goals or rewards are avoided in order to maximize autonomous adaptation to unforeseen conditions. We use internal needs to motivate agents to act in an attempt to ful l them. As a consequence of its interactions with the environment, agents make observations which are used to formulate hypotheses and discover the rules that govern the relationship between the agents actions and their consequences. These rules are then used as criteria in the decision making process. Thus, agents behaviours depend on previous interactions and evolve with experience. We started by proposing a single agent architecture and created simple agents de ned by sensors, needs and actuators. These agents adapted autonomously to the environment by discovering behaviours which ful lled their needs. The single agent approach did not scale well neither allowed the satisfaction of multiple needs simultaneously. In order to face these shortcomings we propose a multiagent architecture which solves the scalability problem found in the single agent approach and o ers the capacity to ful l several needs simultaneously. keywords: autonomous agents, motivation, needs, multiagent systems, reinforcement learning
Can Literacy Coaching Provide a Model for School-wide Professional Learning?

This paper examines the potential for literacy coaching to foster school-wide professional learning within the larger context of school reform. Employing qualitative analysis we argue that instructional improvement, the quality of teacher talk, relationships between teachers, and student-learning outcomes can be enhanced by the purposeful adoption of a literacy-coaching model within elementary and middle school settings. Adoption of the literacy-coaching model does not, in and of itself, guarantee any of these outcomes. School leaders must provide strong support and be actively involved with coaching efforts for the model to have broad and lasting effect.
World knowledge integration during second language comprehension

ABSTRACT In order to study the difficulties experienced during sentence comprehension in a foreign language (L2), we investigated semantic and world knowledge information retrieval in L2 comprehenders. Event-related potentials (ERP) were collected in late learners of English whose native language is Spanish, performing a sentence reading task in English. We investigated the mean amplitude of the P2 and N400 ERP components elicited by the critical word of sentences in three conditions: (1) correct,, (2) semantic violation, and (3) world knowledge violation (semantically acceptable but factually untrue). In the N400 window, ERP modulations elicited by semantic and world knowledge violations had similar amplitudes, as previously observed in L1 comprehenders. However, semantic violations failed to modulate P2 mean amplitude as it did in native speakers. These results suggest that, whilst L2 and L1 readers similarly integrate world knowledge and semantic information, L2 readers lack fast semantic access at around 200 ms after the onset of a critical word.
Device fabrication and transport measurements of FinFETs built with 28Si SOI wafers toward donor qubits in silicon

We report on the fabrication of transistors in a FinFET geometry using isotopically purified silicon-28-on-insulator (28-SOI) substrates. Donor electron spin coherence in natural silicon is limited by spectral diffusion due to the residual 29Si nuclear spin bath, making isotopically enriched nuclear spin-free 28Si substrates a promising candidate for forming spin quantum bit devices. The FinFET architecture is fully compatible with single-ion implant detection for donor-based qubits and the donor spin-state readout through electrical detection of spin resonance. We describe device processing steps and discuss results on electrical transport measurements at 0.3 K.
The impact of Odra River waters on the seasonal and spatial distribution of primary production and chlorophyll a concentrations in the Pomeranian Bay in 1996-1997

Primary production and chlorophyll a concentrations were measured in March and May 1996, July and October 1997. The study was carried out in the coastal zone adjacent to the mouths of the Świna and Dziwna, which together drain over 80% of the waters carried by the river Odra, and in the open Pomeranian Bay. Chlorophyll a concentrations in the entire Pomeranian Bay varied between 0.8 and 16.5 mg m. The minimal daily in situ primary production measured in March was 19.3 mgC m d, the July maximum was 1238.6 mgC m d. The potential primary production ranged from 1.5 to 59.2 mgC m h. The rate of * The studies were sponsored by the Foundation for Polish-German Co-operation’s research project in the Pomeranian Bay. 374 S. Ochocki, H. Chmielowski, J. Nakonieczny, M. Zalewski photosynthesis expressed as the assimilation number (AN) varied from 0.3 to 6.6 mgC mgchl h. The waters of the river Odra reinforce eutrophication in the coastal zone of the Pomeranian Bay. The photosynthetic rate there is usually higher than in open bay waters.