Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teaching Strategies Employed by Academics in STEM Education: A Qualitative Inquiry

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education needs a teaching workforce that is knowledgeable and skillful. Previous studies have reported the effectiveness of the delivery of the STEM education using the outcome-based education approach. Yet, the implementation of STEM education has been equally criticized. This study is a qualitative inquiry using the grounded theory approach to identify the teaching strategies employed by academics involved in STEM education in a leading private university in Malaysia. In particular, the inquiry focusses on the outcome-based education and its implementation in STEM education. Eight academics involved in STEM education from a private university in Malaysia were recruited using a purposive sampling procedure. In-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured questions. The findings suggest that the participants are apprehensive of using outcome-based education in implementing STEM education and would require more training on this approach. The data yielded teaching strategies and challenges faced by STEM academics in the implementation of outcome-based education.
FDI Technology Spillovers and Spatial Diffusion in the People’s Republic of China

This paper investigates the geographic extent of foreign direct investment (FDI) technology spillovers and diffusion in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). We employ spatial dynamic panel econometric techniques to detect total factor productivity (TFP) innovation clusters, uncover the spatial extent of technology diffusion, and quantify both the temporal and spatial dimensions of FDI spillovers. Our empirical results show that FDI presence (measured as employment share) in a locality will generate negative and significant impacts on the productivity performance of domestic private firms in the same location. Nevertheless, these negative intra-regional spillovers are found to be locally bounded. Domestic private firms enjoy positive FDI spillovers through interregional technology diffusion via labor market channels; these interregional spillovers appear in spatial feedback loops among higher-order neighboring regions. In the long run, the positive interregional spillovers outweigh the negative intra-regional spillovers, bestowing beneficiary total effects on domestic firms through labor market channels. FDI spillovers measured as sales income share, however, are negative in both intra-regional and interregional dimensions.
Sensitization to the Stimulant Motor Effects of Ethanol Is Not Dependent On Tolerance to Ataxic or Sedative Properties of Ethanol in Female Mice

Ethanol (EtOH)-induced behavioral sensitization (EIBS) is defined as an enhancement of locomotor activity following repeated EtOH exposure and is proposed to reflect an increase in EtOH “wanting”. However, the reliability of the sensitization model in studying addiction is still a matter of debate. One major criticism is that the increase in locomotion occurring during sensitization may be a by-product of tolerance to the ataxic and/or sedative effects of EtOH. We investigated the relationship between EIBS amplitude and sensitivity to EtOH-induced ataxia and sedation after the development of tolerance to EtOH depressant effects in adult female DBA/2J mice. After receiving daily injection of saline or 2 g/kg EtOH during 10 consecutive days to induce EIBS, recovery from acute motor incoordination produced by ethanol (2 g/kg EtOH using rotarod) and from loss of righting reflex (4 g/kg EtOH) was measured. We showed that induction of EtOH sensitization after repeated administration of EtOH is associated with a more rapid recovery from acute motor incoordination and from sedation produced by ethanol when compared to the acute groups, suggesting the development of tolerance to the ataxic and sedative effects of EtOH. However, correlational analyses failed to detect any relationship between EIBS amplitude and the response to EtOH ataxic or sedative effects. Altogether, our results confirm and extend previous data showing a tolerance to the ataxic and sedative properties of EtOH after repeated exposure to EtOH and suggest that this tolerance is not related to the amplitude of EIBS.
ŞİRKET PERFORMANSLARININ ÖLÇÜLMESİNDE VERİ ZARFLAMA ANALİZİ YAKLAŞIMI GENEL VE SEKTÖREL BAZDA DEĞERLENDİRMELER

Bu calismada Veri Zarflama Analizi(VZA) kullanilarak IMKB'de islem goren sirketlerin goreli etkinlikleri belirlenmistir. Veri Zarflama Analizi, cok sayida girdi ve cikti olmasindan dolayi organizasyonel karar birimlerinin goreli etkinliklerinin olculmesinin guc oldugu durumlarda kullanilan dogrusal programlama tabanli bir tekniktir. Calismada oncelikle IMKB'de islem goren ve saglikli verisi olan tum sirketler esanli olarak degerlendirilmis ve goreli etkinlikler elde edilmistir. Elde edilen sonuclar Incelendiginde sektorel bazda gruplanmalar gozlenmistir. Bu nedenle ikinci asamada sirketler sektorel bazda kendi aralarinda degerlendirilmis ve sektor ici goreli etkinlik skorlarina ulasilmistir.
Essays on Monetary Policy

The two hypotheses that explain the observed persistence in interest rate changes are monetary policy inertia and serially correlated macro shocks. In this study, I use an ordered probit-based analysis to provide evidence that the effect of inertia on the Federal Reserve’s monthly funds rate adjustment is only moderate. This finding indicates that the Fed’s response to serially correlated factors plays an important role in policy setting. These predictions are in line with a recent interpretation that inertia and serially correlated shocks simultaneously affect monetary policy.
Relationships between eutrophication, cyanobacteria blooms and avian botulism mortalities in the Great Salt Lake

Massive bird mortalities due to botulism occur in Farmington and Bear River Bays in the Great Salt Lake. During 2007 we investigated whether there could be a relationship between blooms of the toxic cyanobacteria, Nodularia spumengia and botulism outbreaks in Northern Shoveler ducks and other birds. Our limnological analyses indicated that Farmington Bay was hypereutrophic, with chlorophyll concentrations reaching more than 100 μg/L on most dates in the summer. The extreme eutrophication led to nighttime anoxia, even in sites as shallow as 30 cm. In 2007 cyanotoxin (nodularin) concentrations were moderately high (> 20 μg/L) in May and June, but declined when salinities rose above 50 g/L and Nodularia disappeared. Because of the high salinity, cyanobacterial densities were much lower in 2007 than have been observed previous and subsequent to the study. In 2007 bird mortalities were minimal and there was no major outbreak of botulism. Analyses of American Avocet and Northern Shoveler livers indicated that cyanotoxin levels were below levels of detection. Although cyanotoxin levels in Farmington Bay are well above those that have caused bird and mammal mortalities elsewhere, further analyses of bird mortalities during years of high cyanobacterial blooms and botulismrelated mortalities will be necessary to rigorously test the hypothesis that cyanotoxins initiate the botulism outbreaks.
The Effects of an Induced Negative Mood State on Ground- Based Learning in Student Pilots

Author: Angela Sophia Wendell Title: The Effects of an Induced Negative Mood State on GroundBased Learning in Student Pilots. Institution: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Degree: Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems Year: 2002 The United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation Instructors Handbook (D.O.T.) (1999) emphasizes that aviation students must maintain a healthy and positive state of mind in order to succeed at learning. Factors such as worry, lack of interest, physical discomfort, and anxiety are all listed as obstacles to a student's ability to learn successfully during flight instruction. In addition, numerous studies support the idea that a negative mood state will have a detrimental effect on learning. This study attempts to investigate the effects of an induced negative mood state on groundbased learning in student pilots.
Comparison of Coronary Artery Calcium Scores with Platelet Volume and Uric Acid Levels in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Imaging with Computed Tomography

Methods: For this retrospective study, patients with a preliminary diagnosis of chronic ischemic heart disease were taken from our hospital with patients from the clinic with laboratory tests and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) performed. In total, there were 190 patients. Radiology reports and MDCT reports, clinical features, and values from the laboratory were obtained from the data system. The patients were divided into three groups according to the risk of coronary event, which was identified by coronary artery calcium score, age, and gender: low (105), medium (45), and high (40). The correlation between MPV and uric acid values was examined within these three groups. In addition, the patients with and without type 2 DM had the correlation with actual values examined. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Barlow, Euan and Tanyimboh, Tiku (2012) Multi-objective optimisation of water distribution systems using a genetic algorithm embedded with an enhanced evolutionary direction crossover operator. In: 10th International Conference on Hydroinformatics,

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A multiparametric method of interpolation using WOA05 applied to anthropogenic CO 2 in the Atlantic

This paper describes the development of a multiparametric interpolation method and its application to anthropogenic carbon (C ANT ) in the Atlantic, calculated by two estimation methods using the CARINA database. The multiparametric interpolation proposed uses potential temperature (θ), salinity, conservative ‘NO’ and ‘PO’ as conservative parameters for the gridding, and the World Ocean Atlas (WOA05) as a reference for the grid structure and the indicated parameters. We thus complement CARINA data with WOA05 database in an attempt to obtain better gridded values by keeping the physical-biogeochemical sea structures. The algorithms developed here also have the prerequisite of being simple and easy to implement. To test the improvements achieved, a comparison between the proposed multiparametric method and a pure spatial interpolation for an independent parameter (O 2 ) was made. As an application case study, C ANT estimations by two methods (φC T o and TrOCA) were performed on the CARINA database and then gridded by both interpolation methods (spatial and multiparametric). Finally, a calculation of C ANT inventories for the whole Atlantic Ocean was performed with the gridded values and using ETOPO2v2 as the sea bottom. Thus, the inventories were between 55.1 and 55.2 Pg-C with the φC T o method and between 57.9 and 57.6 Pg-C with the TrOCA method.
Objectively Determined Fair-Weather CBL Depths in the ARW-WRF Model and Their Comparison to CASES-97 Observations

AbstractHigh-resolution 24-h runs of the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model are used to test eight objective methods for estimating convective boundary layer (CBL) depth h, using four planetary boundary layer schemes: Yonsei University (YSU), Mellor–Yamada–Janjic (MYJ), Bougeault–LaCarrere (BouLac), and quasi-normal scale elimination (QNSE). The methods use thresholds of virtual potential temperature Θυ, turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), Θυ,z, or Richardson number. Those that identify h consistent with values found subjectively from modeled Θυ profiles are used for comparisons to fair-weather observations from the 1997 Cooperative Atmosphere–Surface Exchange Study (CASES-97). The best method defines h as the lowest level at which Θυ,z = 2 K km−1, working for all four schemes, with little sensitivity to horizontal grid spacing. For BouLac, MYJ, and QNSE, TKE thresholds did poorly for runs with 1- and 3-km grid spacing, producing irregular h growth not consistent with Θυ-p.
Connectionist Models of Decision Making

This chapter discusses some approaches to computational modelling of decision making. Concretely, it concerns with connectionist models of decision making and it contributes to the categorization of such models. The models presented in this chapter are algorithmic and structural descriptions of the mental process of decision making. First of all, there are some definitions that must be stated in this chapter. A decision occurs when a person faces several options (alternatives), then evaluates the consequences of choosing each alternative and, finally, selects one depending on her/his preferences (Rustichini, 2009). Preference is an abstract relation between two options: when presented with options
Variability in seed traits, oil content and genetic diversity in local and exotic accessions of Jatropha curcas L. in Senegal

Variability in seed traits, oil content and genetic diversity of Jatropha curcas L. according to rainfall gradient in Senegal are hereby reported and discussed. Seed oil variability ranged from 58.61% in Sudanian zone to 46.94% in Sahelian zone. Seed oil content and seed thickness were correlated to rainfall with a correlation coefficient of 0.62 and 0.48 respectively. However, seed length, breadth and 20 seed-weight were not correlated to rainfall. The random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers used to assess genetic variation showed a clear polymorphism. The mean polymorphism rate was 42.68%. A low variability was observed in the accessions. The genetic diversity was not correlated to geographic position. On the basis of coefficient similarity values, the accessions were genetically diverse. Cluster analysis based on similarity values classified Jatropha curcas L. accessions into three major clusters of which cluster I was the largest group. The lowest genetic distance (0.029) was recorded between Karang and Kaffrine accessions whereas the highest genetic distance (0.274) was observed between Bignona and Karang accessions. Accession from Bignona recorded the highest intra-population variation. Special attention must be accorded to accessions with high oil content, seed weight and high intra-population variation for future selection programs. Keywords : Jatropha curcas L. , seed size, oil content, genetic diversity, Senegal. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(34), pp. 5267-5277
A new species of amphipod crustacean, Pleusymtes comitari sp. nov., associated with gorgonians on deep-water coral reefs off Ireland

A new species of pleustid amphipod of the genus Pleusymtes is described from the west coast of Ireland. It was found to be common in association with an Acanthogorgia sp. gorgonian at 725 and 900 m depth on coral habitats in the continental shelf-break areas of the Porcupine Seabight and Porcupine Bank. It is assumed to be a commensal due to its modified pereopod dactyls.
Morphological and Otsu’s Thresholding-Based Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation for Detection of Retinopathy

Retinal blood vessel segmentation is crucial as it is the earliest process in measuring various indicators of retinopathy sign such as arterial-venous nicking, and focal arteriolar and generalized arteriolar narrowing. The segmentation can be clinically used if its accuracy is close to 100%. In this study, a new method of segmentation is developed for extraction of retinal blood vessel. In this paper, we present a new automated method to extract blood vessels in retinal fundus images. The proposed method comprises of two main parts and a few subcomponents which include pre-processing and segmentation. The main focus for the segmentation part is two morphological reconstructions which are the morphological reconstructions followed by the morphological top-hat transform. Then the technique to classify the vessel pixels and background pixels is Otsu’s Thresholding. The image database used in this study is the High Resolution Fundus Image Database (HRFID). The developed segmentation method accuracies are 95.17%, 92.06% and 94.71% when tested on dataset of healthy, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and glaucoma patients respectively. Overall, the performance of the proposed method is comparable with existing methods with overall accuracies were more than 90 % for all three different categories: healthy, DR and glaucoma.
Locating positions of γ-ray-emitting regions in blazars

We propose a new method to locate the gamma-ray-emitting positions R gamma from the measured time lags tau(ob) of gamma-ray emission relative to broad emission lines. The method is also applicable to lower frequencies. R-gamma depends on parameters tau(ob), R-BLR, upsilon(d) and theta, where R-BLR is the size of the broad-line region, upsilon(d) is the travelling speed of disturbances down the jet and theta is the viewing angle of the jet axis to the line of sight. As tau(ob) = 0, tau(ob) 0, the broad lines zero-lag, lag or lead the gamma-rays, respectively. It is applied to 3C 273, in which the lines and the radio emission have enough data, but the gamma-rays do not. We find tau(ob) 0 for the 5, 8, 15, 22 and 37 GHz emission relative to the broad lines H alpha, H beta and H gamma. The lag may be positive or negative; however, current data do not allow discrimination between the two cases. The measured lags are of the order of years. For a given line, tau(ob) generally decreases as radio frequency increases. This trend most likely results from the radiative cooling of relativistic electrons. The negative lags have an average of tau(ob)= -2.86 yr for the 37 GHz emission, which represents the lines lagging the radio emission. The positive lags have tau(ob) = 3.20 yr, which represents the lines leading the radio emission. We obtain the radio-emitting positions R-radio = 0.40-2.62 pc and R-radio = 9.43-62.31 pc for the negative and positive lags, respectively. From the constraint of R-gamma less than or similar to R-radio, we have R-gamma less than or similar to 0.40-2.62 pc for the negative lags. For the positive lags, 4.67-30.81 < R-gamma less than or similar to 9.43-62.31 pc. These estimated R-gamma are consistent with those of other studies. These agreements confirm the reliability of the method and assumptions. The method may also be applicable to BL Lacertae objects, in which broad lines were detected.
Infrared monitoring of aluminium milling processes for reduction of environmental impacts

In modern manufacturing contexts, process monitoring is an important tool aimed at ensuring quality standard fulfilment whilst maximising throughput. In this work, a monitoring system comprised of an infrared (IR) camera was employed for tool state identification and surface roughness assessment with the objective of reducing environmental impacts of a milling process. Two data processing techniques, based on statistical parameters and polynomial fitting, were applied to the temperature signal acquired from the IR camera during milling operations in order to extract significant features. These features were inputted to two different neural network based procedures: pattern recognition and fitting, for decision making support on tool condition and surface roughness evaluation respectively. These capabilities are discussed in terms of reducing waste products and energy consumption whilst further improving productivity.
Factors affecting trust in publishing personal information in online social network: An empirical study of Malaysia’s Klang Valley users

Online Social Networking (OSN) is a platform that enables one to socialize over the world online without having to meet anyone physically or face to face. However, privacy in OSN sites is becoming a main concern for users because of the potential threats that come with sharing one’s personal information online. The purpose of our study was to examine the key factors that influence the trust in publishing personal information on Online Social Network (OSN) sites in Malaysia. Primary data were gathered from 201 users comprising university students and working adults residing in the Klang Valley. Five factors were selected to gauge the users’ perception of potential threats , namely, security/privacy of the website, word of mouth of family and friends, functional motives of OSN users, social motives of OSN users and psychological motives of OSN users. Results of the study showed that security/privacy, word of mouth, functional motives and social motives significantly affected the publishing of respondents’ personal information on online social network sites. The implication is that the largest challenge of both now and in the future, in terms of users protecting themselves and their information, will be to find out and understand how to effectively access and change the privacy settings offered by all OSN sites. Keywords: online social network, security/privacy, word of mouth, functional motive, social motive, psychological motive
Gas exchange and carbon metabolism in young plants of muruci (Byrsonima crassifolia L.) submitted to water deficit

The Byrsonima genus covers various fruit species known in the Brazilian Amazon as murucizeiro, which is considered as a species with good nutritional quality and features in its composition a variety of volatile compounds. The adaptation of plants to water stress is a complex physiological and biochemical phenomenon. Depending on the intensity and duration of stress, changes ranges from a rapid change in the flow of ions to improve the osmotic pressure, reduction of gas exchange, stabilization of cell structures by osmotic protection to a more drastic change in plant growth pattern. The aim of this work was to study gas exchange and carbon metabolism in young plants of muruci (Byrsonima crassifolia L.) submitted for water suspension. The experimental design was completely randomized with two water conditions: control and drought, with 14 repetitions, totaling 28 experimental units. The parameters analyzed were relative water content, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic pigments, concentrations of starch, total soluble carbohydrates and sucrose. The suspension of irrigation for 25 days provided significant differences in all parameters, promoting decreases in the metabolic pathways of plants and reducing the relative water content by 26.92%, transpiration 90%, stomatal conductance 94.79%, photosynthetic pigments (Clrofila (42.1%), Chlorophyll b (50%), Carotenoids (45.1%) and overall (33.3%)) and starch in leaves and roots (73.43 and 63.63%), but increase in the control plants with the total soluble carbohydrates at 63, 87 and 39.5% and sucrose content as 64.73 and 43.99% in the leaves and roots. Therefore, these changes indicated that these plants are susceptible to soils with low water availability. Key words: Carbohydrates, drought, muruci, photosynthetic pigments, transpiration, sucrose.