Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Critical period hypothesis : a comparative study between young and adult learners

Critical Period Hypothesis is one of the central aspects of language acquisition discourse. In this study through a comparative series young and adult learners have been compared on different areas of language and skills as well. Due to various reasons they learn foreign language and everyone’s comfortable and uncomfortable zones are different. Some adult learners feel easy with vocabulary whereas some young learners feel easy with speaking skills. In spite of having some differences and similarities according to them different linguistics aspect such as motivation, learner’s belief play a significant role to learn a language before and after critical period.
Elliptic curve cryptography: Java implementation issues

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is based in one of the hardest arithmetic problems, the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem, making ECC a reliable cryptographic technique. In addition to this advantage, ECC requires shorter keys compared to other public key algorithms, which suggests its use in low-end systems such as smart cards because of its efficiency and limited hardware requirements. Currently the leading smart card technology is Java card. Though both Java 2 standard edition (J2SE) 5.0 and Java card (JC) 2.2. 1 include classes and interfaces making ECC available to Java programs, they are not complete, making it necessary to use additional, non-standard packages if the programmer wants to use ECC for different operations (digital signature, data encryption and decryption, etc.). In the present work, we provide a complete review of the state of the art of ECC in J2SE and Java card, with a complete list of operations available in both standard implementations and proprietary packages.
Determining factors that impact the calibration of consumer-grade digital cameras used for vegetation analysis

ABSTRACT Digital cameras can collect quantitative leaf data, such as chlorophyll content and leaf area index (LAI), because they act as a simple broadband radiometer. However, a cross-calibration between cameras is needed for the purpose of extracting vegetation information from various image repositories. The objective of this study was to examine the variation between multiple consumer-grade camera types – single reflex lens (SLR), point-and-shoot, and cellphone cameras – for the purpose of collecting reliable quantitative data when monitoring vegetation. The specific objectives were to: 1) identify the optimal light conditions for the calibration procedure, 2) determine the variability of exposure value (EV)-corrected calibrated digital numbers (cDNev) values among eight consumer-grade digital cameras, and 3) compare the cDNev values with the raw digital numbers (DN), exposure-adjusted digital numbers (DNev), and calibrated digital numbers (cDN) as these latter three components are easier to compute. This study demonstrated that light intensity was important for calibrating cameras to ensure sensor saturation, and that an improper white-balance setting can negatively impact data collection. In one experiment, the coefficient of variation (CV) between the eight cameras examined in the study was reduced from 29% using raw DN to 16% using cDNev values. Likewise, the root mean square error in estimating leaf chlorophyll-a using a common vegetation index for digital camera, excess green index (EGI), was reduced from 131 to 96 mg g−2. However, for both experiments, there was only a weak statistical difference between cDNev and DNev, indicating that exposure information was the most useful in minimizing the differences between cameras. Although digital cameras are not nearly as accurate as specialized remote-sensing equipment, they do offer the potential for greater collection opportunities. This study demonstrates the potential of using consumer-grade digital cameras to derive quantitative information from citizen science projects.
John Gray: The Value of Silence in Therapy and What it Means to be Human

As a philosopher, one would expect John Gray to have much to say about the human condition. A recent work of his, however, The Silence of Animals, may contain some interesting parallel insights into therapy. Gray sees no radical discontinuity between humans and animals. Whereas non-human animals seek silence in the face of danger, the ‘human animal’ tries to run away from its inner chatter. Ultimately, the ‘human animal’ will never find complete silence due to its tendency to form narratives in order to make sense out of life. Instead, Gray advocates that the ‘human animal’ should turn outwards towards nature for temporary respite from meaning making. Gray’s insights have implications for ‘third wave’ therapies such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction which emphasizes reflection and silence, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which Gray would regard as trying to overcome language through language by replacing one myth (‘progression’ through cognitive restructuring) with another (‘acceptance,’ of loving one’s fate). Nevertheless, it shall be argued that Gray’s own solution, of turning outward towards nature, is romantic and impractical.
Individual Strategy and Social Structure

Suggests a reorientation of game theory in which players are not hyper-rational and knowledge is incomplete; postulates a simple adaptive learning process; and applies this framework to the study of social and economic institutions. Discusses learning; dynamic and stochastic stability; adaptive learning in small games; variations on the learning process; local interaction; equilibrium and disequilibrium selection in general games; bargaining; and contracts. Young is Scott and Barbara Black Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins University. Bibliography; index.
Community Detection in Political Discussions on Twitter

In November 9, 2014, the Catalan government called Catalan people to participate in a straw poll about the independence of Catalonia from Spain. This article analyzes the use of Twitter between November 8 and 10, 2014. Drawing on a methodology developed by Guerrero-Solé, Corominas-Murtra, and Lopez-Gonzalez, this work examines the structure of the retweet overlap network (RON), formed by those users whose communities of retweeters have nonzero overlapping, to detect the community structure of the network. The results show a high polarization of the resulting network and prove that the RON is a reliable method to determinate network community structures and users’ political leaning in political discussions.
Work environment and work-to-family conflict: examining the mediating role of heavy work investment

Abstract This research examined the relationships between work environment (i.e., workload and development opportunities), heavy work investment (i.e., work engagement and workaholism) and work-to-family conflict (WFC) over time. A three-wave longitudinal study was conducted among 464 employees from a Belgian public administration. Workload and opportunities for development at Time 1 were found to be respectively negatively and positively associated with work engagement at Time 2, which in turn was negatively associated with WFC at Time 3. Only workload at Time 1 was positively associated with workaholism at Time 2 which, in turn, was positively associated with WFC at Time 3. In the interests of both organizational effectiveness and employees’ well-being, it is important to identify the work-related variables that influence perceptions of WFC. Moreover, in order to manage human resources effectively in companies, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which the work environment influences WFC.
Multicultural perspectives : a case study of staff development in an urban elementary school.

MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVES: A CASE STUDY OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN AN URBAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 1993 MARIE-FRANCE CAMBRONNE, B.S., HUNTER COLLEGE M.S. HUNTER COLLEGE ED.D. , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST Directed by: Dr. Byrd L. Jones This case study reported on the process of designing, implementing, and evaluating a low-cost, school-based staff development program for teachers at the Ulysses Byas elementary school in Roosevelt, New York serving a predominantly African American population. The study was designed to provide teachers with useful resources for building multicultural curriculum into their regular school program. Action research methodology was used in this case study as a vehicle for the staff development program. The success of this project was contingent upon voluntary participation by staff members who perceived the information and activities of use in their classroom. Prior to this study, the researcher gathered information about teachers’ needs and then reviewed numerous studies pertaining to multicultural education and possible answers. A series of four workshops were held. The workshops focused on providing opportunities for teachers:
Biologically-inspired adaptive dynamic walking of the quadruped on irregular terrain

We attempt to induce a quadruped robot to walk dynamically on irregular terrain by using a neural system model. In the paper, in order to realize walking on irregular terrain, we propose the biologically-inspired control method consisting of four levels, these are: "adaptive control using a muscle stiffness model", "adaptive control based on vestibular sensation", "parameters adjustment based on somatic sensation and reflexes coordination based on vestibular sensation", and "motion switching based on visual information". As results of basic experiments of each level, we show that a robot can walk on a single bump, and walk up and dozen a slope by using such adaptive control method. We also show that the functions as a lower controller in the Drew's physiological model for leg control mechanism based on visual information are satisfied by a CPG characterized by mutual entrainment with a musculo-skeletal system, automatic interpolation, and self stabilization. These findings suggest a simple method for producing autonomous adaptive dynamic walking on terrain of high degree irregularity.
A Study on Developmentally Appropriate Programming Education Learning Materials for Lower-Elementary School Students

In Japan, programming education will be introduced in the Courses of Study for Elementary School from FY2020. Although various studies have been conducted on this topic, very few have examined Japanese elementary school computational thinking in terms of the developmental stages of elementary school children. Thus, we developed programming learning materials using concrete objects that can be understood by lower-elementary students. Specifically, we divided program-oriented thinking into three steps: concrete, logical, and abstract thinking; we then made the pupils carry out work in this order to encourage them to think of the sequence of actions necessary to implement the intended act, which involved the measurement and control of an illumination system. Furthermore, we discuss the validity of the proposed material based on questionnaire results of student participants and their parents of a workshop.
NEW PRINCIPLE BASED ON WAVELET TRANSFORM FOR POWER SYSTEM SHORT-TERM LOAD FORECASTING

Analysing the frequency characteristics of the power load , a new method for the short-term load forecasting is presented based on the wavelet transform (WT), particularly the multiresolution analysis technique. By the WT, the different load sequence components are projected to the different scales in which the matching forecast methods can be used. The forecasting results are then obtained by the reconstruction of the forecast results in different scales. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can offer higher forecast precision.
La Escala EFECO para Valorar Funciones Ejecutivas en Formato de Auto - Reporte

espanolEl cuestionario EFECO es un instrumento que permite valorar las funciones ejecutivas desde una perspectiva ecologica, ya que se basa en el reporte conductual de la vida diaria del sujeto. El objetivo de la investigacion fue validar el cuestionario EFECO en un formato de auto - repo rte. Participaron 250 adolescentes ecuatorianos entre 13 y 18 anos de edad ( M edad = 16.23, DE = 1.73). Se encontraron resultados significativos en consistencia interna ( α = .64 - .95), correlacion entre items ( r =.32 - .62), correlacion entre sub - escalas (r = .40 - .76), analisis factorial confirmatorio de dos factores ( x 2 = 38.87, CFI = .98, RMSEA =.06 [.035 - .094], SRMR = .027) y capacidad discriminante en monitorizacion, flexibilidad cognitiva, organizacion de materiales, iniciativa, memoria de trabajo y planificacion de adolescentes con diferente rendimiento academico. Se discuten los resultados en relacion a estudios pre vios y bajo la importancia de contar con un instrumento con validez ecologica para evaluar funciones ejecutivas. EnglishEFECO questionnaire is an instrument that allows assessing executive functions from an ecological perspective because it is based on a day - by - day behavioral report of an individual. The aim was to validate EFECO questionnaire in a self - report format. Parti cipants were 250 Ecuadorian adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years ( M age = 16.23, SD = 1.73). As results, there was found a significant internal consistency (α= .64 - .95), c orrelation among items (r=.32 - .62), correla tion among sub - scales (r=.40 - .76), confirmatory factor analysis of two factors (x 2 =38.87, CF I= .98, RMSEA=.065 [.035 - .094], SRMR=.027) and discriminant capacity in monitoring, cognitive flexibility, organization of material, initiative, working memory and planning of adolescents with differe nces on academic performance. In the discussion part, results are presented in relation to previous findings and taking on account the importance of having an instrument with an ecological validity to assess executive functions.
Physical accessibility, key factor for entrepreneurship in people with disabilities

This article analyzes the problem of people with disabilities in terms of physical accessibility to education, information, and use of ICT, asking themselves if these barriers have an impact on the entrepreneurship of this group. For this, 15 people have been interviewed related to the world of disability and entrepreneurship. The methodology used has been the semi-structured, individualized and oral in-depth interview. The analysis of the discourse has been carried out with the professional software Atlas.TI, and it is clear that among the barriers experienced by the interviewees are those that prevent them from having the knowledge and information necessary to undertake. In all cases, it is a matter of highlighting the possible proposals that allow putting in value the strategies that these entrepreneurs have set in motion, as well as the problems they have found.
9-Level Trinity DC Source Inverter using Embedded Controller

: Trinary DC source cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter and the switching pattern scheme is used to improve the performance of Multilevel Inverter (MLI) which reduces the switching losses. The proposed MLI can synthesize high quality output voltage near to sinusoidal waves. This scheme significantly reduces the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and switching losses. The circuit configuration is simple and easy to control. For the developed technique simulations are carried out through MATLAB/SIMULINK
Multiparadigmatic approach in organization studies: developments and limitations

This paper aims to discuss the developments and limitations of multiparadigmatic approach to developing organizational studies. The model of the four paradigms (functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist and radical structuralist) proposed by Burrell and Morgan (1979) accelerated the proliferation of competing perspectives, besides generating the polarization and segregation. Each paradigm is treated in a unique perspective and therefore incommensurable with another paradigm, against the scholars who defend the communication between paradigms. The pluralistic view is relevant because it encourages scholars to see organizations in different prisms to succumb to the reductionist view of the theory of organizations, and encourage the development of new perspectives for organizational analysis. However, the use of multiple paradigms also presents limits, since the researcher when dealing with different approaches can be without reference or justification, besides sometimes having difficulty to be away from the dominant paradigm. All these joints and paradigmatic joints can be made, provided that the researcher always has a reference and a basis, in order to maintain the coherence and the consistency of what is being researched.
Communication of Leaders (Baby Boomers) in the Digital Era (Case Study: Transition from Conventional to Online at PT Tempo Inti Media Tbk)

The research objectives are: 1) to find out how the leader communication strategy of Tempo Media Group in the transformation process from conventional to online, 2) to find out whether baby boomers are able to adapt to the millennials generation; especially in the transition process at PT Tempo Inti Media Tbk, 3) to find out the views of millennials towards baby boomers, especially the view when receiving communication messages from company leaders in the transformation process at Tempo Media Group. This research applies descriptive qualitative method and chooses a case study to find out more in detail the phenomenon of leader communication that has the characteristics of baby boomers in the digital era. In addition, this research will review more in the communication strategies of Tempo Media Group directors on the process of organizational change from conventional to online. The research findings found that the transformation of the digital era disrupts several jobs, changes consumer behavior and is able to read market needs and interests by presenting current and appropriate programs by embracing the millennials based on the interest of the readers. The transformational leader at Tempo applies a communication strategy with communication matching features to the millennial’s generation based on the negative behavior of employees who are reluctant to change because they are comfortable with the Tempo situation.
Propensity Score Matching in a Study on Technology-Integrated Science Learning.

Propensity score matching (PSM) has been used to estimate causal effects of treatment, especially in studies where random assignment to treatment is difficult to obtain. The main purpose of this article is to provide some practical guidance for propensity score sample matching, including definitions, procedures, decisions on each step, and methods of statistical analysis. The authors also implemented PSM in the data analysis of a study that examines factors affecting middle school students’ technology-integrated science learning. Procedures of PSM are demonstrated and some cautions and tips for researchers in the field of education are included as well.
Hand Gesture Tracking Method Based on Kalman Filter and Skin Color Feature

The effective and robust hand gesture tracking is the premise of the dynamic hand gesture recognition.According to the characteristics of hand gesture movement,a hand gesture tracing method was presented on the basis of the Kalman filter and the skin color model.Firstly,the hand movement target was recognized with the background difference and the skin color model.At the same time,the movement parameters of Kalman filter were set by the parameters of spatial structure.Then,the tracking matching function based on the feature of spatial structure was calculated to correct the target predicted position,and the target region of dynamic hand gesture and its motion track were also got.The results showed that the proposed method was effective,accurate and robust to track hand gesture and was adapted to hand change,turning path and other situations.
Robustness optimization of load-capacity nonlinear model in weighted network for cascading failure

Cascading failure behavior in weighted network is studied based on the load-capacity relationship,and a loadcapacity nonlinear model is proposed in this paper.To solve the parameter optimization problem of the model,influencing factors of parameter value are specified by using theoretical analysis at first,and then multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm based on crowding distance sorting strategy(MOPSO-CD) is used to optimize capacity parameters by taking the robustness measure and network cost measure as the objective function,where the robustness measure is defined as the ratio of network connectivity fore-and-aft cascading failure and the network cost measure is defined as the average of the ratio of network capacity and load.The numerical simulations on both model networks and real-world networks verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and the optimization method.
Analysis of Various DCVSL Structures and Implementation of Full Adder with Them

The Differential Cascode Voltage Switch Logic (DCVSL) is a CMOS circuit technique which has potential advantages over conventional NAND/NOR logic in terms of power dissipation, circuit delay, layout density and logic flexibility. In this paper, a detailed comparison of all the DCVSL structures are provided including the implementation of Full Adder circuit with the help of those DCVSL structures, which includes Static DCVSL, Dynamic DCVSL and Modified DCVSL. The performance analysis is done in Cadence Virtuoso 90nm CMOS Technology. The working of these DCVSL structures is based on the concept of ‘Multiplexer’. A multiplexer also known as ‘mux’, which is a device where from a number of input signals, selection is done. It is basically a combinational logic circuit. The multiplexer is a unidirectional device, which is used in applications where a data must be switched from multiple sources to a destination. The analysis of all these DCVSL structures is followed by the implementation of Full Adder. Adders are the building blocks in computer systems. Digital Computer Systems widely uses Arithmetic operations. Addition is a necessary arithmetic operation, which is also the root for arithmetic operation such as multiplication. Similarly, adding another XOR gate, the basic adder cell can be modified to function as subtractor, which can be used for division. Therefore, 1-bit Full Adder cell is the ultimate and simple block of an arithmetic unit of a system. So, the basic 1-bit Full Adder cell must be improved, so that the performance of the digital circuits. In VLSI, there is always a trade-off between speed and power dissipation. One parameter is improved, the other gets degraded. Hence, the parameter power delay product is introduced. So, to achieve speeds, high drivability hybrid-DCVSL design methodologies are used to build adder cell in this work. The DCVSL gates produces both complementary and true outputs using single gate architecture. And, the multipliers in the design are based on the pass transistor logic (PTL), because these occupies less chip area per component and also are simple to construct. The parameters compared are power dissipation, propagation delay time, power delay product, transistor number and power dissipation (average). The Static DCVSL structure produces best result in terms of power dissipation, delay and power delay product. Whereas, in case of the Adder circuit, the power consumption is best for the Dynamic DCVSL Adder, along with the delay and the power delay product for the output Sum; but for the output Cout, the best option is Static DCVSL Adder, as the delay and the power delay product is least in this case.