Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Prompts on Korean EFL Learners’ Writing Performance

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of prompt types on EFL learners’ writing performance. 6 university students and 10 university students were provided with bare and prose prompts and the fluency of their writings was measured by analyzing the length of product (word count) and mean length of T-units (MLTU) was used to measure syntactic complexity. Furthermore, independent T-tests were administered in addition to qualitative analysis in order to determine whether the differences between the two types of prompts were significant. The results showed that while high school students’ writing wrote longer texts and had higher MLTU on the prose prompt than the bare prompt, a large portion of their writing was copied from the prompt when they were provided with the prose prompt. The university students’ writing showed that they wrote longer texts and had higher MLTU on the bare prompt than the prose prompt. In addition, they had responded after the test that they were able to write more freely when they were given the bare prompt. The findings of this study suggest that test developers need to consider the effects of prompt types and examine the quality of the writings more carefully. I. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY One of the most important factors that can affect students’ writing performance in writing assessment is the prompt since it provides information regarding the expected response. In other words, the writing prompt determines and shapes the content of the students’ response. A number of studies have examined the role of prompts in L2 writing assessment (Hirokawa & Swales,1986; Hamp-Lyons, 1991; Kroll & Reid, 1994). Weigle (2002) identifies prompt wording (e.g., question vs. statement, implicit vs. explicit, and amount of context provided) as one of the features that influence task variability. Accordingly, while the topic of the writing prompt may be the same, students’ response could differ as a result of different prompt formats. For example, Way, Joiner, and Seaman (2000) used two different prompt formats (bare and prose model) to compare the quality, fluency, and syntactic complexity in novice students’ L2 writing in French in order to examine the different effects of prompts on students’ writing performance. They conclude from the results of their study that providing authentic prose model prompt allowed students to produce written responses that were better in quality, fluency, and syntactic complexity. From such results, Way et al. (2000) suggest
The Possibility of Cyclical Behavior in a Class of Dynamic Models

The study investigates conditions under which endo genous cyclic behavior may be observed within the context of Predator-Prey (Lotka -Volterra) Models. The analysis also establishes conditions under which such behavior is non-existen t and hence establishes conditions for global convergence to the interior equilibrium, whenever i t exists. The results are then applied to two diverse sets of economic exercises and shows how th e conclusions of those exercises may be established under a much weaker set of assumptions. Based on these discussions, a numerical example of robust periodic behavior is provided.
Mechanisms for Understanding Mental Model Change in Group Model Building

Mental model change and mental model alignment are reported outcomes of group model building. Several explanations have been proposed for these changes. This paper explores the experiences of participants in group model building workshops where delayed evaluations suggested that lasting mental model change has occurred. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore how participants believed that the workshops changed their thinking. The results are compared with proposed mechanisms for mental model change: operator logic, system archetypes, modelling as persuasion, and boundary objects. Although individuals typically possess incomplete insight into their own learning, understanding participants' recollections helps practitioners to better communicate with clients and potential clients. Interview results support the boundary object mechanism as most consistent with participants' own recollections.
Fabrication and Applications of Metal Nanowire Arrays Electrodeposited in Ordered Porous Templates

At present, there is a huge anticipation that the realm of nanotechnology will soon be realized, and the life will become easier and more enjoyable – thanks to numerous new products and apparatus that will be operating on ‘nano-facts’ and nano-sized objects. Material properties and functionalities of the bulk tend to differ when one or more of its dimensions are reduced down to between 100 to 1 nm, the so called ‘nanosize regime’. Thin films (two dimensional, or 2D), nanowires/nanotubes (one dimensional, or 1D), and nanoparticles/quantum dots (zero dimensional, or 0D) constitute the basic classes of nanomaterials. Among these, particularly the 1D-materials are highly desirable, as their geometric shape and high surface area impart high functionally. For example, metal nanowires (MNWs) are likely to become an integral part of future nanodevices, at least as the elements interconnecting the functional components such as ‘nano’-transistors. Additional to the provision of electrical connection to nano-circuits, the MNWs are expected to be utilized as the functional components in various applications ranging from high density perpendicular data storage to nano-sensors, from high-sensitivity nano-electrodes to meta-materials, and so on. In this chapter, we shall focus on the potential applications of MNWs that are synthesized via the template fabrication method. Template synthesis of MNWs arrays comprises the electrochemical reduction of the ions of one/more desirable metals inside the nano-pore channels of an insulating membrane fabricated via self-assembly. Owing to its cost effectiveness, versatility and high throughput the template fabrication, being a bottom up synthesis method, offers significant promise for the production of versatile, tailor-made MNWs. For most end applications, it is desirable to have MNWs with high aspect ratio (ratio of wire length to diameter) and/or specific surface area, production reproducibility as well as uniformity in wire size and shape in conjunction with high spatial ordering. Thus, the self- organized porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membrane, displaying most of the desirable template properties, has become the centre of focus for MNWs synthesis.
EXCRETION LEVEL OF TRACE MINERALS IN BROILERS FED ORGANIC MINERAL

Abstract The aim of this current study was to determine the excretion level of the trace organic minerals copper, iron, manganese, and zinc added to broiler diets at different inclusion levels. The treatments consisted of a corn and soybean meal based diet supplemented with inorganic minerals or levels of organic minerals: basal diet containing 0% of microminerals of organic source (MO), 50% MO, 75% MO, and 100% MO. Excretion levels of organic trace minerals varied quadratically in relation to the inclusion levels of organic minerals. The inclusion levels of 50% and 75% of organic minerals led to animals with lower excretion levels of all trace elements evaluated. The performance variables did not suffer any influence of treatments, even when the amount of organic minerals was equivalent to 50% of the recommended levels. The diet with the addition of trace organic minerals at the level of 50% is more efficient since it provides lower levels of trace minerals excretion keeping poultry performance.
Dude, Where’s My Conflict?

Kenneth Boulding’s (1962) notion of a loss-of-strength gradient (LSG) has been successfully applied to explain the military reach of states. The capability of a country (a.k.a. its national strength) is largest at its home base and declines as the nation moves away. Capable states are relatively less impeded by distance and can therefore influence more distant regions. Given armed conflict, battles are expected to occur in areas where the projected powers of the antagonists are comparable. When the aggressor’s projected power is greater than the national strength of the defender, the latter side should give in without violence. This paper is a first attempt to apply Boulding’s theory of international power projection to the study of civil war. Using new data on the point location of conflict onset and a variety of measures of state and rebel strength, this paper tests empirically one corollary of the LSG model: that civil wars in general locate further away from the capital in more powerful regimes.
Pose Normalization based on Kernel ELM Regression for Face Recognition

Pose variation is the one of the main difficulty faced by present automatic face recognition system. Due to the pose variations, feature vectors of the same person may vary more than inter person identity. This paper aims to generate virtual frontal view from its corresponding non frontal face image. The approach presented in this paper is based on the assumption of existence of an approximate mapping between the non frontal posed image and its corresponding frontal view. By calculating the mapping between frontal and posed image, the problem of estimating the frontal view will become the regression problem. In the present approach, non linear mapping, kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) regression is used to generate virtual frontal face image from its non frontal counterpart. Kernel ELM regression is used to compensate for the non linear shape of the face. The studies are performed on GTAV database with 5 posed images and compared with linear regression approach.
Estimating Security Returns Variance:

The typical financial management or investments textbook offers variance as a security risk measure, though usually omitting significant discussion concerning drawbacks to standard historical variance estimators and failing to discuss various alternatives to them. This paper reviews alternative variance estimation procedures, the most commonly used of non-relative risk measures. This review paper is intended to draw together variance estimation procedures from a number of sources for undergraduate or M.B.A. finance instructors intending to provide a more complete applications-oriented classroom discussion of risk measurement. Methodologies discussed here include traditional sample variance estimates, extreme value estimators, Black-Scholes implied volatility and AutoRegressive techniques.
In Vitro Motility, Velocity and Capacitation Status of Merino Ram Spermatozoa

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of Merino rams on the in vitro motility, velocity and capacitation status of ram spermatozoa. Four rams of proven fertility were used in this study. Semen was collected by electro ejaculation. The fresh semen was diluted at four dilutions in Hepes buffered synthetic oviduct fluid. A sample of semen was collected and the motility, velocity and capacitation status of spermatozoa determined and analyzed. The results study showed that motility and velocity of Merino rams spermatozoa were not significantly different. The mean average path velocity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were 91.2 µm/s, 72.2 µm/s and 134 µm/s, respectively. Amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF) and linearity (LIN) was 5.5 µm, 19.5 Hz, and 54.7%, respectively. During the incubation time, progressively more spermatozoa became capacitated such that at the end of the incubation, 40.9±0.9% was capacitated acrosome-intact and 29±2.5% was capacitated acrosome-reacted. In conclusion, the motility and velocity of Merino spermatozoa were similar among rams. There were differences among rams in the capacitation profile; however there was no significant effect of incubation time and dilution rate on the capacitation status. Key w ords : Merino rams, spermatozoa, motility, velocity, capacitation in vitro Animal Production 14(2):104-110
Obtaining stable fOOd emulsiOns between milk and cOrn Oil

VlaseVa, R. , M. IVanoVa, n. PetkoVa, P. DeneV, a. stoyanoVa and M. schReIneR, 2014. obtaining stable Food emulsions Between Milk and corn oil. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 20: 1085-1089 the possibilities of preparing stable food emulsions by replacing the milk fat with corn oil in various amounts were studied. For emulsification of corn oil in the milk were used emulsifiers – glycerolmonostearate, soy lecithin and sunflower lecithin, in concentrations 1g.dm-3. It has been found that the emulsions with lycerolmonostearate by concentration of vegetable oil 80 cm3.dm-3 and in combination with milkfat 40 cm3.dm-3 and corn oil 40 cm3.dm-3 are most stable.
Purchasing Power Parity in CEE and Post-War Former Yugoslav States

In this paper we investigate purchasing power parity in the CEE and post-war former Yugoslav countries during the EU integration process in 1994–2006. This work stems from longer-term tests of real exchange rate convergence in the former Yugoslavia. This period is of interest on two fronts: first, it investigates real exchange dynamics in the after-math of a war financed in part through seigniorage; and second, we investigate the level of economic integration with the European Union following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Given the short-run nature of the available data we use both univariate and panel unit root tests with and without structural breaks. The results suggest that there is statistical evidence that real exchange rates between the eight transition countries and Germany are stationary when breaks are accounted for. Given the size of nominal shocks in the region, particularly in the early 1990s, estimates indicate that convergence to the long-run equilibrium is relatively quick.
A Survey on Mining Frequent Itemsets over Data Streams

Mining frequent itemsets over data stream has been challenging task. The incoming data from various sources like ecommerce website, click streams, text, audio, weather forecasting etc. are massive unbounded and high speed that it is impractical to store all, process and scan complete data at the same time to extract information. While processing memory and time are the main parameters must be minimum consumed. Thus the paper provides different algorithms for mining over static and dynamic data also known as data stream
Testosterone and Avian Life Histories: Effects of Experimentally Elevated Testosterone on Behavior and Correlates of Fitness in the Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

Hormones influence many aspects of organismal behavior, physiology, and morphology, and thus hormones may lie at the root of many life-history trade-offs. By manipulating hormones we can create novel phenotypes (i.e., perform phenotypic engineering) and attempt to relate phenotypic variation to fitness. We report the effect of testosterone treatment on parental behavior and vocal behavior of adult male dark-eyed juncos. Testosterone partially suppressed paternal behavior and increased the frequency of song. When we compared treated males and controls for nine potential correlates of fitness (offspring growth and survival to the age of 10 d, condition of females, length of the interval between consecutive nestings, size of subsequent clutches and broods, mate retention within and between breeding seasons, and survival rate), we found no statistical differences. In some measures treated males outperformed controls, but in most the reverse was true. The power of some of our tests was not great enough to detect small differences. At this stage of our investigation, three interpretations of our results seem almost equally probable: (1) a broad range of behavioral phenotypes is selectively neutral in the junco, (2) male parental behavior is beneficial to males only in some years or habitats, or (3) we have yet to measure the correlates of fitness that are most strongly affected by the behavioral changes induced by elevated testosterone.
An Improved LM Curve

Over the last decades, the LM curve has largely disap-peared from research and, to some extent, also from teach-ing. Because of its well-known weaknesses, the LM curve is now frequently replaced with an interest rate rule. The paper suggests an improved LM curve which gets rid of the weaknesses of the LM curve, but retains the LM curve’s strength of including money, and even expands upon this strength.
Determinants of Ethical Identity Disclosure in Islamic Banks: An Analysis of Practices in Bahrain and Malaysia

ABSTRACT Islamic banks are banks that are set up to operate within the Islamic business framework that is more equitable and based on socio-economic welfare of the society and the people. In Islamic law on commercial transactions and other related contractual activities (the framework), transparency and adequate disclosure are the fundamental determinants of a successful and peaceful relationship between the contracting parties. This is because the stakeholders of Islamic banks believed that the prescriptions of the framework would be the key determinants of the bank’s Ethical Identity Disclosures (EID). This study aimed at exploring and identifying the practical determinants of EID in Islamic banks. Disclosure information in annual reports (from 2007 to 2011) of 21 Islamic banks operating in Bahrain and Malaysia was gathered and analysed using Ethical Identity Index (EII) and Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) models. The results of EII and MRA on nine ethical disclosure dimensions consisting of 80 constructs and 4 assumed determinants of EID among Islamic banks indicated that EID of both countries is low and that independent directors do not affect the level of social disclosure. However, board size, Shari’ah supervisory Board and investment account holders can significantly influence the disclosure level in Islamic banks. Hence, we conclude that our findings are in conflict with main theories such as agency theory, however supports institutional theory. Keywords: Ethical identity disclosure; determinants; Islamic Banks; Bahrain; Malaysia ABSTRAK Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneroka dan mengenalpasti penentu-penentu yang praktikal berkaitan Etika Pendedahan Identiti(EID) di bank-bank Islam. Laporan tahunan bagi tempoh 5 tahun (2007-2011) bagi 21 bank-bank Islam yang beroperasi di Bahrain dan Malaysia, telah dikumpulkan dan dianalisa. Kajian menggunakan Indeks Etika Pengenalan (EII) dan model Analisa Regresi Berganda (MRA). Hasil analisa EII dan MRA ke atas sembilan dimensi etika pendedahan yang terdiri daripada 80 konstruk dan 4 penentu andaian EID di kalangan bank-bank Islam menunjukkan bahawa, EID di kedua-dua negara adalah rendah dan pengarah bebas tidak memberi kesan kepada tahap pendedahan sosial. Walau bagaimanapun, saiz lembaga pengarah, lembaga penasihat syariah dan pemegang-pemegang akaun pelaburan boleh mempengaruhi tahap pendedahan dalam bank-bank Islam. Kesimpulannya penemuan kajian ini adalah bertentangan dengan teori-teori yang sedia ada seperti teori agensi dan menyokong teori institusi. Kata kunci: Etika pendedahan identiti; penentu-penentu; bank-bank Islam; Bahrain; Malaysia
Differential expression analysis of oil palm fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes with gel-free quantitative proteomics

The control mechanisms of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis continue to intrigue, particularly at protein level. The cross talk between transcriptional and metabolic regulatory networks remains undefined. In order to understand the metabolic factors affecting oleic acid biosynthesis in Elaeis guineensis var. tenera (oil palm), two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (2DLC-MS/MS) was attempted to capture the main fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes involved in oleic acid production. These enzymes were extracted from the chromoplast of low and high oleic mesocarps of 20th week after anthesis. Chromoplast proteins were separated using offline 2DLC for mass spectrometric analysis. Two subunits of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase, β-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydrogenase, 3-enoylACP reductase, β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase and stearoyl-ACP desaturase were identified. The relative expression of these fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes was determined using isobaric tags labelling. Initial assessment revealed that β-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydrogenase and β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase were present in a higher abundance in the high oleic acid mesocarps while the accumulation of 3-enoyl-ACP reductase was lower relative to the other fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes investigated. The existence of other differentially expressed metabolic enzymes suggests that the control mechanism of fatty acid production, in particular oleic acid, might involve more than just the main fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes.
ERRORS OF SUPERVISED CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES ON REAL WORLD PROBLEMS

In supervised learning, classifiers are trained with data consisting class labels to solve real-world classification problems. Decision trees, random forest, naive Bayes, Bayesian networks, K- Nearest neighbourhood logistic regression, artificial neural networks and support vector machines are some of the most popular classification techniques among the class of popular classifiers available for researchers. Although each one of these techniques has their own strengths in dealing varied real-world problems, they have inherent problems too. No classification technique can be universally applied for all real world applications. In the past, several researchers tried to understand the behaviour of these techniques by applying to different areas of research. In the present paper, we experimented with training and test datasets used by some of the researchers to get better understanding on the behaviour of the above classifiers. Study reveals the inadequacies of some of the techniques and superiority of support vector machines and logistic regression over other tools used.
Software Fault Injection: A Practical Perspective

Software fault injection (SFI) is an acknowledged method for assessing the dependability of software systems. After reviewing the state-of-the-art of SFI, we address the challenge of integrating it deeper into software development practice. We present a well-defined development methodology incorporating SFI—fault injection driven development (FIDD)—which begins by systematically constructing a dependability and failure cause model, from which relevant injection techniques, points, and campaigns are derived. We discuss possibilities and challenges for the end-to-end automation of such campaigns. The suggested approach can substantially improve the accessibility of dependability assessment in everyday software engineering practice. the SimianArmy resiliency testing tool suite, targets applications built upon AWS by making single-node instances unavailable. The approach of