Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Socio-Cognitive Training Program on Self-Processes and the Self-Regulatory Functioning of Low Achieving Students in Singapore

This study investigates the effects of a classroom-based intervention program aimed at enhancing low achieving students' self-perceptions of their own ability, agency, control, and efficacy. The quasi-experimental study with 89 secondary school students was carried out over ten 35-45 minute weekly sessions in two Singapore schools. By adopting a socio-cognitive perspective in which self regulatory processes and personal agency beliefs are incorporated, the program aimed at fostering the students' will through helping them to appraise their role in assuming personal responsibility in change processes, and their skill through using various metacognitive and cognitive strategies to effect personal changes. The exposures to the instructional activities showed a positive impact on the self-efficacy and self-regulation in the academic domain but not on aspects of self-concept, social efficacy and social regulation, suggesting that these two socio-cognitive variables may be more amenable to change than social constructs
The Effects of Praise and Motivational Interviewing on Fostering Intrinsic Motivation in Youth

Techniques for fostering intrinsic motivation in children have been investigated. However, far less research has been done on adolescents. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is one tool that has been explored for fostering intrinsic motivation in adolescents. In this thesis, I draw on reflections from my clinical social work internship to demonstrate how MI may serve as a beneficial tool for fostering positive behavior and belief changes related to adolescents’ typical daily challenges. Specifically, I use case studies to explore the impact of MI on adolescents’ 1) self-esteem, 2) resiliency in the face of hardship 3) academic performance and 4) relationships.
Better Wed Over the Mixen than Over the Moor? Break-Ups of Inter-Ethnic Marriages in Italy

This paper studies the resilience of inter-ethnic marriages in Italy through the lenses of marriage duration by means of survival and treatment-effect analyses. Our main findings are that inter-ethnic marriages have a significantly higher risk of separation even when we control for social and economic characteristics of the spouses; however, when we restrict the analysis to more recent marriages, we observe that co- and inter-ethnic marriages converge in longevity. Finally, we find evidence of self-selection into inter-ethnic marriages. Overall our findings points to a society that is becoming increasingly open to cultural and ethnic diversity, as well as more secular.
Ballistic metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor

Experiments on ultra‐small metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) less than 100 nm have been widely reported recently. The frequency of carrier scattering events in these ultra‐small devices is diminished, so that further suppression of carrier scattering may bring these devices close to the regime of ballistic transport. Carrier scattering is suppressed by constructing their channel regions with intrinsic Si and also by low temperature operation. This article proposes the ballistic transport of carriers in MOSFETs, and presents the current‐voltage characteristics of the ballistic n‐channel MOSFET. The current is expressed with the elementary parameters without depending on the carrier mobility. It is independent of the channel length and is proportional to the channel width. The current value saturates as the drain voltage is increased and the triode and the pentode operation are specified as in the conventional MOSFET. Similar current‐voltage characteristics in the ballistic transp.
WILL "DISTRICT HEATING COME TO TOWN"? ANALYSIS OF CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE UK

District heating is based on a simple idea: the distribution of heat from one or more sources to a number of buildings via a network of pipes carrying steam or hot water. Complementing this simplicity is the complexity of the sociotechnical processes which lead to the initiation (or not) of a network and shape its emerging configuration. The UK Government has recently signalled an interest in substantially increasing the deployment of district heating in the UK from the meagre 1–2% of heat demand it currently serves. This interest is driven by the potential of district heating to help achieve three key goals of energy policy: security of supply, tackling fuel poverty, and mitigating climate change. This dissertation explores the likely fortunes of district heating in the current UK context by employing (and adapting) a Technological Innovation Systems framework. A wide variety of factors are found to be important to successfully initiating schemes and dealing with the complex coordination problems associated with their growth. There are several reasons to be optimistic about the near-term prospects for district heating, though a number of issues remain to be overcome. One of these is the fact that local authorities occupy a crucial position, but their engagement is frequently described as “patchy”. While this may in part be attributed to an information deficit, this dissertation explores some of the structural issues of local governance that impede the ability of local authorities to play their full role. Options for dealing with these difficulties are discussed.
Decentralization of public administration in the process of building a democratic society

Full integration of Ukraine into the European political and economic environment requires further democratization of social processes. A complete transition from an authoritarian or totalitarian regime to a democracy is essential for the creation of a new economic basis of society. This transformation of public consciousness, as an inevitable stage in the construction of a market economy requires new forms of organization of state regulation of all the processes in different sectors and at different levels. The modern concept of Public administration is firmly established as the standard form of organization of processes and technological support of public administration in Ukraine. The using of a certain unified model of decentralization of Public administration in the framework of Local Self Government will ensure the necessary level of transparency in dealing with many of the common problems of regional development, including those in the context of economic liberalization.
Real-time blind separation of acoustic signals using SIMO-model-based independent component analysis

A new real-time two-stage blind source separation (BSS) method for convolutive mixtures of speech is proposed, in which a single-input multiple-output (SIMO)-model-based independent component analysis (lCA) and a new SIMO­ model-based binary masking are combined. SIMO-model­ based lCA can separate the mixed signals, not into monaural source signals but into SIMO-model-based signals合om in­ dependent sources in their original form at the microphones Thus, the separated signals of SIMO・model-based ICA can maintain the spatial qualities of each sound source. Owing to this attractive prope口y, novel SIMO-model-based binary masking can be applied to efficiently remove the residual in­ terference components after SIMO-model-based ICA. In ad­ dition, the performance deterioration due to the latency prob­ lem in ICA can be mitigated by introducing real-time binary masking. We develop a pocket-size real-time DSP module implementing the new BSS method, and report the experi­ mental evaluation of the proposed method's superiority to the conventional BSS methods, regarding moving-sound separa­ tlOn.
The Problems with Using the Concept of ‘Citizenship’ in Early Years Policy

Early years policy increasingly uses the concept of ‘citizenship’ in relation to children in Australia and worldwide. This concept is used as a taken-for-granted idea; however, there is no singularly agreed-upon answer to the question of what ‘citizenship’ means when used in relation to children, and what practical considerations it carries both for policymaking and for implementation. This article introduces theoretical ideas of ‘citizenship’ from the field of political theory in order to begin a discussion on how we imagine and might imagine children as citizens in policy discourses. Some conceptualisations of children as citizens are also discussed and questioned as starting points to consider in regard to the use of the notion of children as citizens in policy and practice.
A note on institutional hierarchy and volatility in financial markets

From a statistical point of view, the prevalence of non-Gaussian distributions in financial returns and their volatilities shows that the Central Limit Theorem (CLT) often does not apply in financial markets. In this article, we take the position that the independence assumption of the CLT is violated by herding tendencies among market participants, and investigate whether a generic probabilistic herding model can reproduce non-Gaussian statistics in systems with a large number of agents. It is well known that the presence of a herding mechanism in the model is not sufficient for non-Gaussian properties, which crucially depend on the details of the communication network among agents. The main contribution of this article is to show that certain hierarchical networks, which portray the institutional structure of fund investment, warrant non-Gaussian properties for any system size and even lead to an increase in system-wide volatility. Viewed from this perspective, the mere existence of financial institutions with socially interacting managers contributes considerably to financial volatility.
The Improvement of Fiction Prose Study as a Teaching Material Based on Makassar Local Wisdom Integrated with Mobile Learning at FKIP Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar

The purpose of this research was to produce the prototype of fiction prose study as the valid, effective, and practical teaching material based on Makassar local wisdom integrated with mobile learning. It applied research and development (R&D) by using Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluation (ADDIE) method. The samples of this research were from the students of Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. Technique of data collection included test, questionnaires, observations, interviews, and documentation. The data were analyzed by qualitative descriptive and descriptive statistics. The finding of this research was the fiction prose study as a valid teaching material based on Makassar local wisdom integrated with mobile learning reviewed from its contents, presentation, graphic, language, and technology source. It was proven from the result of preliminary field test which indicated the teaching material as in high validation category. Similarly, the results of main field test and operational field test showed the same category as well. In conclusion, the teaching material was effective to improve students’ understanding related to the values of Makassar local wisdom along with their learning result. It was also a practical material referred to its implementation and management in learning process.
LLRF Controls and Feedback: Free-Electron Lasers and Energy Recovery Linacs

The low-level radio frequency (LLRF) system generates the drive sent to the high-power components. In this paper, we give the basics of LLRF controls and feedback. This includes a brief introduction to the two concepts for this school, i.e., the energy recovery linac and the free-electron laser, and their main differences, from a LLRF perspective. The physical behaviour of the subcomponents (detector, amplifier, cavity, etc.) within an LLRF feedback loop is outlined, together with its system modelling in the time and frequency domains. System identification using special input–output signals is introduced. Furthermore, stability checks for the closed-loop operation and the feedback controller design in the time and frequency domains are briefly discussed. This paper concludes with some examples for system identification, its feedback design, and the achieved stability at different facilities, showing the need for LLRF control and feedback eration.
Convolutional neural networks applied to neutrino events in a liquid argon time projection chamber

We present several studies of convolutional neural networks applied to data coming from the MicroBooNE detector, a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC). The algorithms studied include the classification of single particle images, the localization of single particle and neutrino interactions in an image, and the detection of a simulated neutrino event overlaid with cosmic ray backgrounds taken from real detector data. These studies demonstrate the potential of convolutional neural networks for particle identification or event detection on simulated neutrino interactions. We also address technical issues that arise when applying this technique to data from a large LArTPC at or near ground level.
Solitary waves with recirculation zones in axisymmetric rotating flows

In this paper, we describe a theoretical asymptotic model for large-amplitude travelling solitary waves in an axially symmetric rotating flow of an inviscid incompressible fluid confined in an infinitely long circular tube. By considering the special, but important, case when the upstream flow is close to that of uniform axial flow and uniform rotation, we are able to construct analytical solutions which describe solitary waves with ‘bubbles’, that is, recirculation zones with reversed flow, located on the axis of the tube. Such waves have amplitudes which slightly exceed the critical amplitude, where there is incipient flow reversal. The effect of the recirculation zone is to introduce into the governing amplitude equation an extra nonlinear term, which is proportional to the square of the difference between the wave amplitude and the critical amplitude. We consider in detail a special, but representative, class of upstream inflow conditions. We find that although the structure of the recirculation zone is universal, the presence of such solitary waves is quite sensitive to the actual upstream axial and rotational velocity shear configurations. Our results are compared with previous theories and observations, and related to the well-known phenomenon of vortex breakdown.
Hybrid PSO based Leach Algorithm for Reducing Energy Consumption in Wireless Sensor Networks

An evolutionary algorithm for reducing energy consumption in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is presented in this paper. Metaheuristic particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and its variants is used for the selection of Cluster Head (CH) in such a manner so that its energy used uniformly with the delayed disintegration of the network. For this purpose, the LEACH algorithm, random clustering approach has been replaced by PSO clustering. The PSO variants Gbest and Lbest are used for clustering . A new hybrid PSO is also proposed for node clustering for which improved performance has been achieved. Simulation results show the improvement in energy conservation if we employ Hybrid PSO.
Biochemical Impact of Fodder Galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) on Agro-ecosystems

Multifunctional allelochemicals activities stimulate an increase in an employment spectrum of biologically active compounds in biological farming. The understanding of the allelochemical action mechanisms makes it possible to use these compounds to enhance crop production and develop a more sustainable agriculture, including weed and pest control through crop rotations, residue management and a variety of approaches in bio-control. The aim of this research was to establish and to compare the total amount of phenolic compounds and allelopathic activity of the aqueous extracts produced of different shoot parts (leaves, stems, blossoms and seed) and roots of new crop, namely fodder galega at their different growth stages. Biochemical impact of the aqueous extracts produced of fodder galega ground part and roots on the germination data of the test–object subjected significantly on the galega growth stage and extract concentration. The biochemical effect of all tested extracts and concentrations had the same tendency to inhibit the test–object seed germination. The extracts of the ground part were more toxic than those of roots and had a stronger suppressive effect on the test–plant germination. Phenols concentration and conventional coumarine unit (CCU) content increased evenly in dependence on total phenols concentration at all plant development stages accordingly to the extracts concentration gradient. Phenols concentration as well as their activity of ground part and roots increased from shooting to flowering stage.
Preparation of highly hydrophobic cellulose based surfaces by silica particles and fluorosiloxane deposition

This work is focused on modification of cellulose filters surface in order to hydrophobise a material and decrease water drop adhesion to its surface. Proposed modification methods include deposition of silica particles to obtain desired material roughness and coating material with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (FOTS) to decrease its surface energy.
The impact of guided inquiry methods of teaching on the critical thinking of high school students

The objective pursued by the present study is to investigate the impact of guided inquiry and traditional methods of teaching on the critical thinking skills among second grade high school students. Given the purpose, a total of 190 second grade high school students were chosen through random, multi-step and cluster sampling methods in the form of 8 classes and placed into 8 experimental and control groups. A pre-test post-test design was administered to the control group. The demographic information was collected by a researcher –made questionnaire and the thinking skills information was determined by Watson - Glaser test. Two- factor covariance method was used for data analysis. Results showed that the guided inquiry method of teaching had significant impact (lower than 0.05) on the critical thinking skills of students in inference and conclusion subscales. The impact of gender factor on the students’ critical thinking was significant, in terms of conclusion and interpretation subscales as well. The impact of interaction between gender and teaching method was also significant in inference and interpretation subscales. Keywords: critical thinking, guided inquiry teaching method, traditional teaching method.
Climate and marine biogeochemistry during the Holocene from transient model simulations

Abstract. Climate and marine biogeochemistry changes over the Holocene are investigated based on transient global climate and biogeochemistry model simulations over the last 9500 years. The simulations are forced by accelerated and non-accelerated orbital parameters, respectively, and atmospheric pCO2, CH4, and N2O. The analysis focusses on key climatic parameters of relevance to the marine biogeochemistry, and on the physical and biogeochemical processes that drive atmosphere–ocean carbon fluxes and changes in the oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). The simulated global mean ocean temperature is characterized by a mid-Holocene cooling and a late Holocene warming, a common feature among Holocene climate simulations which, however, contradicts a proxy-derived mid-Holocene climate optimum. As the most significant result, and only in the non-accelerated simulation, we find a substantial increase in volume of the OMZ in the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) continuing into the late Holocene. The concurrent increase in apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) and age of the water mass within the EEP OMZ can be attributed to a weakening of the deep northward inflow into the Pacific. This results in a large-scale mid-to-late Holocene increase in AOU in most of the Pacific and hence the source regions of the EEP OMZ waters. The simulated expansion of the EEP OMZ raises the question of whether the deoxygenation that has been observed over the last 5 decades could be a – perhaps accelerated – continuation of an orbitally driven decline in oxygen. Changes in global mean biological production and export of detritus remain of the order of 10 %, with generally lower values in the mid-Holocene. The simulated atmosphere–ocean CO2 flux would result in atmospheric pCO2 changes of similar magnitudes to those observed for the Holocene, but with different timing. More technically, as the increase in EEP OMZ volume can only be simulated with the non-accelerated model simulation, non-accelerated model simulations are required for an analysis of the marine biogeochemistry in the Holocene. Notably, the long control experiment also displays similar magnitude variability to the transient experiment for some parameters. This indicates that also long control runs are required when investigating Holocene climate and marine biogeochemistry, and that some of the Holocene variations could be attributed to internal variability of the atmosphere–ocean system.
Enhancement of Perturbation and Observation Algorithm for Maximum Power Point Tracking of PV Solar System

Renewable energy technologies has been an area of intensive research and have been experiencing a rapid growth and improvement over the years which have made them attractive to the global energy agencies because of it environmental friendliness and it affordable cost of implementation. In this paper, we presents an improvement of Perturbation and Observation (P&O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms that improves the maximum power point of a Photovoltaic (PV) solar system under fast rapidly changing atmospheric condition. Simulation results shows that the 59.25W of maximum power of photovoltaic array when using normal P&O algorithm was stepped up to 59.70W using improved P&O algorithm with 95% reduction in overshoot. The results were interpreted using MATLAB/Simulink as a means of validation and it is evident that the improved perturbation and observation algorithm recorded an improvement of 0. 50W of maximum power of the photovoltaic array as compared to the normal P & O algorithm.