Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Leadership Styles on Classroom Instruction for Secondary Schools in Tanzania

This study investigates the effect of leadership styles namely instructional, transactional, and transformational on classroom instruction. The study was conducted at Arusha region secondary schools whereby six schools were used to collect data through questionnaires and four schools through interviews. This study 90 teachers involved in filling the questionnaire, however, 71 (78.9%) teachers responded from six different schools whereas all the four head teachers who were expected to participate in the interview responded. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used for data collection. The study findings showed that instructional leadership affect classroom instruction by the head of school highly developing detailed school calendar and conducts school program in order to achieve goals by defining school mission(M=3.37). Also, it was found out that school heads lowly manage school curriculum and instruction (M=2.86) so as to ensure new and innovative teaching methods are shared among teachers. Transactional leadership had effect classroom instruction as a result of the head of school awarding for good performance while on the other side impose punishment or warnings for misconduct (M=3.01). Transformational leadership styles affect classroom instruction by the head of school setting direction(M=3.15), Developing People(M=3), and Redesigning the organization (M=3.14). Also, the results show that there is a significant positive correlation at a level of p<0.05 was found between the effect of leadership on teaching and instructional leadership, transactional leadership as well as transformational leadership styles. Between all variables a significant positive correlation with p<0.01 was found ranging between r=0.32 to r=0.41. The proposed strategies to improve classroom instruction include training, financial and material resource, empowerment of school head, motivation, and involvement of educational stakeholders.
Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Fun: Is There a Relationship Between Video Game Use and Self-Regulated Learning?

Self-regulated learning (SRL) occurs when students proactively optimize their learning. Ingrained within this process is metacognition: the knowledge, control, and regulation of cognition. A high level of metacognition helps students to maximize learning. Video games may have an influence on metacognition, though past research on video games has found varying effects. While some studies found improvements in problem solving and task perseverance, others found correlations with aggressive behaviours and addictive behaviours. To contribute to the literature surrounding video game effects and to explore possible categorizations with video games, two studies were done. The first study explored the possibility of characterizing video game genres according to complexity and sociability. The results of Study 1 were used to aid the interpretation of Study 2 to potentially explain the interaction between video game use, metacognition and academic performance. The results suggested that complexity ratings for each genre of video games were significantly different from each other. However, sociability ratings did not capture enough detail to be used as a useful indicator. The second study explored the relationship between video game use, socialization in video games, metacognition, and academic performance. More specifically, the study examined the possibility that video game use and socialization in video games can predict academic performance. This relationship was expected to be mediated by metacognition. The results suggested that there was no mediation effect. It seems that, as a whole, video game use, socialization in video games, and metacognition can predict academic performance. However, each individual predictor was not significant by itself. 1 chen.j.shihchieh@gmail.com; Written for an Honour’s Thesis (PSYC 5000/5010). Special thanks to Dr. Jocelyn Lymburner for recommending the submission. Funding provided by SEEF. This project piqued Shih-Chieh’s interest in data analysis. Now that he has graduated, he hopes to continue to improve his skills in data analysis and put them to use. 2 Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Department of Psychology 2 CHEN, S. , LYMBURNER, J.
Does the recommendation task affect a CARS performance ?

There is growing interest on improving the performance of recommender systems (RSs) by using context-aware recommender systems (CARS). However, companies may adopt different recommendation tasks, from recommending few items of very high interest to recommending all possibly interesting items. These tasks are influenced by some characteristics of the application and other business conditions. The aim of this research is to experimentally investigate whether a CARS always outperforms a traditional RS or if it happens only in some specific recommendation tasks. To this aim, we have compared the performance of a RS and three approaches to CARS, namely a pre-filtering and two post-filtering methods, by using two recommendation tasks, the first recommending only the top-k items, the second recommending all the items potentially good for the customer. Experiments were performed across several conditions and using three datasets from e-commerce applications.
Valvular heart disease Is pre-operative anaemia a risk marker for in-hospital mortality and morbidity after valve replacement ?

Aims To assess the level of pre-operative haemoglobin (HB) as a risk marker for morbidity and mortality in the early post-operative period of patients who underwent elective valve replacement. Methods and results Between January 1998 and March 2004, clinical and outcomes data were collected for the 201 patients who had elective valve replacement. For each gender, the criterion to choose the best cut-off point was that which achieved the maximum likelihood after several General Additive Model models performed in a Bootstrap procedure. The best cut-off point obtained for pre-operative HB was 12 g/dL. Overall peri-operative mortality (deaths occurring during hospital period or within 30 days) was 9.5%. After adjusting well-known independent pre-operative risk factors for operative mortality, preoperative HB ,12 g/dL was identified as an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.09–9.55; P 1⁄4 0.03). Also adjusting for EuroScore, pre-operative HB remained significant (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.32–10.06; P 1⁄4 0.01). The same model was applied to post-operative morbidity, and pre-operative HB ,12 g/dL was identified as an independent predictor with and without EuroScore (OR, 4.67; 95% CI, 2.03–10.71; P, 0.001), (OR, 5.18; 95% CI, 2.18–12.3; P, 0.001), respectively. Conclusion In patients undergoing elective valve replacement pre-operative HB ,12 g/dL is a risk marker of in-hospital mortality and serious adverse outcomes.
Design and Simulation of 77GHz Substrate Integrated Waveguide Slot Array Antenna

─ In this paper, a 77GHz slot array antenna for millimeter-wave automotive radar application is designed and simulated using HFSS, in which the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is adopted. First, a linear array with 16 slots is designed, and its parameters are achieved by extracting the characteristics of the radiating slot in the array environment and comparing them with the array synthesis result. Then, a tree-shaped unequal feeding network with improved vertical transition is presented to make the entire array more compact. Finally, the configuration of the designed 8 × 16 planar array antenna is given, and the fabrication error is analyzed. The simulation results of the 77GHz SIW slot array antenna show that its sidelobe levels (SLLs) are below -25dB in the E-plane and below -27dB in the H-plane, and the corresponding half-power beamwidths are 13.9° and 9.7°, respectively. Index Terms ─ Automotive radars, feeding network, slot array antenna, substrate integrated waveguide (SIW).
Paired structured light configuration for structural health monitoring

The displacement measurement in structural health monitoring (SHM) was not popular due to inaccessibility and the huge size of the civil infrastructures. The frequently employed approaches such as accelerometer, strain gauge, PZT, GPS, LVDT(Linear Variable Differential Transformer) require high cost and are difficult to install and maintain. To develop an SHM system that directly measures the displacement of the structure using lowcost sensor, we proposed a multiple paired structured light (SL) system. The proposed paired SL module which uses two lasers and a camera in pair is inexpensive to implement and can directly measure the accurate relative displacement between any two locations on the structure. The steepest descent and extended Kalman filter-based displacement estimation methods was proposed by deriving a kinematic equation and its constraints. In this paper, we theoretically justify the minimal configuration of the proposed paired structured light system. To do so, another configurations are further investigated. The calibration method was proposed for this specific configuration. After building a prototype of the paired SL module, some real experiments are performed to test the feasibility of the system for a structural displacement monitoring.
A CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY ON INTERPLAY BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING AND PERSONALITY VALUES' BECOMING

This paper investigated relations of personality values and subjective wellbeing. We examined how values influence life satisfaction of 234 Macedonian and 230 Ukrainian young adults who provided data on personality values (PVQ, Schwartz, 1994 [32]) and life satisfaction (Diener et al., 1985[10]). Hypothesized direct relations of types of values to well-being based on “healthy” (self-direction, stimulation, achievement, benevolence, universalism) and “unhealthy” (power, security, conformity, tradition) values were tested in each sample. Results showed that a) Ukrainians compared to their Macedonian peers reported higher scores on all values except for power; b) conformity and security values correlated with well-being, as predicted, but only in the Macedonian sample. Results partly supported our hypotheses regarding the values conducive to well-being among students in both countries. Findings are discussed in terms of values’ influence for wellbeing of youth in Macedonian and Ukrainian contexts.
Mitigation of the instrumental noise transient in gravitational-wave data surrounding GW170817

In the coming years gravitational-wave detectors will undergo a series of improvements, with an increase in their detection rate by about an order of magnitude. Routine detections of gravitational-wave signals promote novel astrophysical and fundamental theory studies, while simultaneously leading to an increase in the number of detections temporally overlapping with instrumentally- or environmentally-induced transients in the detectors (glitches), often of unknown origin. Indeed, this was the case for the very first detection by the LIGO and Virgo detectors of a gravitational-wave signal consistent with a binary neutron star coalescence, GW170817. A loud glitch in the LIGO-Livingston detector, about one second before the merger, hampered coincident detection (which was initially achieved solely with LIGO-Hanford data). Moreover, accurate source characterization depends on specific assumptions about the behavior of the detector noise that are rendered invalid by the presence of glitches. In this paper, we present the various techniques employed for the initial mitigation of the glitch to perform source characterization of GW170817 and study advantages and disadvantages of each mitigation method. We show that, despite the presence of instrumental noise transients louder than the one affecting GW170817, we are still able to produce unbiased measurements of the intrinsic parameters from simulated injections with properties similar to GW170817.
When to Confront: The Role of Patience

This paper examines the effects of patience on ordinary conflicts such as divorce, price wars, and commercial litigation. Players optimally decide when, if ever, to start a destructive confrontation. In the unique equilibrium, there is a tight connection between patience, aggressiveness, and strength. In particular, patience may lead to immediate confrontation (the most inefficient outcome). This inefficiency is caused by preemptive moves that deny option values to the opponent. (JEL C73, D74)
Size Anomalies in U.S. Bank Stock Returns: A Fiscal Explanation

The largest commercial bank stocks, ranked by total size of the balance sheet, have significantly lower risk-adjusted returns than small- and medium-sized bank stocks, even though large banks are significantly more levered. We uncover a size factor in the component of bank returns that is orthogonal to the standard risk factors, including small-minus-big, which has the right covariance with bank returns to explain the average risk-adjusted returns. This factor measures size-dependent exposure to bank-specific tail risk. These findings are consistent with government guarantees that protect shareholders of large banks, but not small banks, in disaster states.
A Characterization of Hedge Fund Exposure to Systematic Risks and Market Correlation

Alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, offer potentially high returns for investors willing to stomach the corresponding high-risks and opportunity costs. Additionally, depending on the fund’s methodology, some funds purport to offer limited market exposure in conjunction with their high return potential: they act as true “alternative” investments to the market. The objective of this paper is to analyze hedge funds to determine in what respects they are exposed to the market and systematic risk factors. Using a 21-year basis for data (1994-2015), we will examine fund performance versus the market for a variety of hedge indices. Our analysis provides insight into hedge fund performance during bull, bear, and crash market conditions. By capturing these market cycles, we can measure how exposed the hedge fund returns are to traditional measures of systematic risk in the market. Using a Macro-Market model for our fund returns, we characterize significant factors for modeling fund returns, with respect to each strategy we examine. The intra-strategy analysis allows us to both draw conclusions about market independence for each strategy and compare respective strategies over the 21-year period. In conclusion, we determine to what extent our strategies offer an “alternative” investment. With the present popularity of hedge funds, understanding their correlation with market behavior is more important than ever. This paper strives to provide insight into that relationship and hedge fund dynamics in general.
Electromagnetic Precursors to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes

The Kumamoto area of Kyusyu Island was attacked by a series of large earthquakes (EQs) in April, 2016. The first two foreshocks had the magnitudes of 6.5 and 6.4, and about 1 day later there was the main shock on 15 April (UT) with magnitude 7.3. These are fault-type EQs, and so we would expect a variety of electromagnetic precursors to these EQs because we had detected different phenomena for the 1995 Kobe EQ, same fault-type EQ. As for the lithospheric effect, the ULF data at Kanoya observatory (about 150 km from the EQ epicenters) are used, but the simple statistical analysis could not provide us with any clear evidence of ULF radiation from the lithosphere. However, our conventional analyses indicated clear signatures in the atmosphere as ULF/ELF impulsive emissions and also in the ionosphere as observed by means of VLF propagation anomalies and ULF depression. ULF/ELF radiation appeared on 8-11 April (in UT) (maximum on 10 and 11 April (UT)), while ULF depression took place on 8 and 10 April (in UT), so that both atmospheric radiation and ionospheric perturbation took place nearly during the same time period.
Citizen-Centred Information Dissemination with Multimodal Information Channels

Citizens call for timely and high-quality environmental information for reasons of comfort and health care. This interest recommends an easy-to-understand and easy-to-access presentation of such information. Rather than presenting raw data in an extensive fashion, one ought to engineer customisable information services, that can be tailored to individual user groups, be it for reasons of content or be it for reasons of citizen’s reachability. In A PNEE , we have been designing information services that draw upon various information channels, i.e. mobile-technologies, interactive portals for the Internet, as well as street panels for municipality usage scenarios. In a nutshell, the A PNEE system promotes user-friendly information management and dissemination via multiple information channels, and can be applied in multiple information domains or be part of relevant applications or service back bones. Based on such high quality dissemination services, even environmental information will turn into an attractive product once perceived and provided as indicators for emerging interests of citizens towards levels of comfort.
Theorizing and Measuring Collective Productive Disciplinary Engagement

: This symposium aims to explore current research working toward conceptualizing and measuring productive disciplinary engagement (PDE) contextualized in diverse learning and project contexts. Disciplinary engagement is critical for fostering students’ deep, integrated understanding of STEM content and disciplinary practices. However, there are significant challenges to reaching this engagement quality, with CSCL environments providing opportunities and supports for engagement, but also posing challenges. This symposium aims to account for recent developments, as presenters showcase rich range in exploring application of PDE in diverse domains, grade bands
to Colorectal Cancer ? Telomere Length in the Colon Declines with Age : a Relation

Telomeres shorten with age, which may be linked to genomic instability and an increased risk of cancer. To explore this association, we analyzed telomere length in normal colorectal tissue of individuals at different ages using quantitative-fluorescence in situ hybridization (QFISH) and quantitative-PCR (Q-PCR). Using Q-FISH, we also examined the histologically normal epithelium adjacent to, or distant from, colon adenomas and cancers, in addition to the neoplasms. Q-FISH and Q-PCR showed that telomere length was inversely associated with age until fages 60 to 70; surprisingly, beyond this age, telomere length was positively associated with age. This association was found exclusively in epithelial, and not in stromal, cells. Peripheral blood lymphocytes showed an inverse association between telomere length and age, but without any apparent increase in telomere length in the oldest individuals. Telomere length in larger adenoma lesions (>2 cm) was significantly shorter than in normal adjacent (P = 0.004) or normal distant (P = 0.05) tissue from the same individuals. However, telomere length in histologically normal epithelium adjacent to cancers or in adenomas <2 cm was not statistically different from that of the normal distant mucosa or from normal controls, evidence that a telomere-shortening field effect was not present. We suggest that the positive association between telomere length and age in the oldest patients is a consequence of selective survival of elderly patients with long colonocyte telomeres. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(3):573–7)
Digital WPI Interactive Qualifying Projects ( All Years ) Interactive Qualifying Projects May 2017 Creative Robotics Studio

The Creative Robotics Studio was initiated as an IQP dedicated to exploring the potential artistic qualities of robotic technologies. This year, we sought to better understand the emotional aspects of human-robot Interaction through studies of robot motion. Specifically, we endeavored to analyze the contexts and kinematic quantities of motion in relation to human affect using a preliminary survey of human opinions on robotic technologies, and an experiment testing human reactions to robotic movements. Using this data, we planned on designing a library of independent motions that can be applied to other robotic designs to facilitate more effective human-robot interactions. Our results, though less conclusive than initially proposed, showed promise for our experimental process and subsequently delivered lexicon. Mission statement: The Creative Robotics Studio seeks to explore how robotic motion affects an audience’s emotional response towards the robot itself. The team will develop an experiment to empirically measure a spectrum of emotional responses from fear or disgust to comfort or congeniality and then use those findings to develop a set of motion guidelines and tools for increasing the accuracy and efficacy of Human Robot Interactions. Project Objectives: 1. Develop a library of gestures with the intent of exploring the emotional aspects of Human-Robot Interactions 2. Map the gesture library to the ABB IRB 1600 3. Design an experimental methodology measuring affective responses based on the gesture library. 4. Conduct the experiment and using the results develop guidelines for using the gesture library to improve HRI Creative Robotics Studio 5
Laboratory Characterization of Structural Capacity of North American Heavy Haul Concrete Crossties

Over the past few decades, the use of concrete crossties in North America has increased as a high-performance alternative to timber crossties, especially in heavy-haul freight and higher speed rail corridors. To accommodate heavier axle-loads and prevent center cracking, railroads and suppliers have consistently increased the bending moment thresholds that a crosstie must withstand, leading to stiffer elements that may be more prone to brittle cracking. This paper attempts to characterize the structural capacity of the crosstie at two critical design locations, the center and the rail seat cross sections. Concrete crossties were subjected to four-point bending tests at both the center and rail seat, while recording corresponding deflections using protocols adapted from the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual on Railway Engineering. Experimentation was performed on some of the most representative concrete crosstie designs that are currently installed in North America, with 70 individual crossties undergoing tests. The resulting load-deflection curves illustrate the variability of each crosstie’s response to load and characterize the flexural performance of the crossties. Results showed that North American crosstie designs frequently have significant reserve capacity and high stiffness. The results also indicate that even severely abraded crossties can have enough flexural capacity to withstand typical field loading conditions.
The Public’s Perception of Sponsorship in Major Sporting Events

Sports Sponsorship has been the marketing tool of choice for companies aiming to reach wide target audiences and to benefit from branding impact globally and nationally (Macintosh et al, 2012). This study proposed to gain an increased understanding of the public’s perception of sponsorship in sports events in the UK whilst focusing on three main factors; brand awareness, corporate image, and consumer involvement. Thirty three participants completed a questionnaire relating to past experiences of sponsorship at sporting events. The findings from this study indicate that there is a strong relationship between sports involvement of consumers whom have a strong association or emotional connection with a particular club or sports team and their feeling towards sports sponsorship. Further findings of the study show that there is a lack of interest in sponsorship by sports consumers, with many of the participants claiming to not be interested in or affected by sponsorship stimuli.