bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Task complexity, student perceptions of vocabulary learning in EFL, and task performance
Authors: Wu Xiaoli , Lowyck Joost , Sercu Lies , Elen Jan 
Published: January 2012

Background. The study deepened our understanding of how students’ self‐efficacy beliefs contribute to the context of teaching English as a foreign language in the framework of cognitive mediational paradigm at a fine‐tuned task‐specific level.Aim. The aim was to examine the relationship among task complexity, self‐efficacy beliefs, domain‐related prior knowledge, learning strategy use, and task performance as they were applied to English vocabulary learning from reading tasks.Sample. Participants were 120 second‐year university students (mean age 21) from a Chinese university.Method. This experiment had two conditions (simple/complex). A vocabulary level test was first conducted to measure participants’ prior knowledge of English vocabulary. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of the learning tasks. Participants were administered task booklets together with the self‐efficacy scales, measures of learning strategy use, and post‐tests. Data obtained were submitted to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and path analysis.Results. Results from the MANOVA model showed a significant effect of vocabulary level on self‐efficacy beliefs, learning strategy use, and task performance. Task complexity showed no significant effect; however, an interaction effect between vocabulary level and task complexity emerged. Results from the path analysis showed self‐efficacy beliefs had an indirect effect on performance. Our results highlighted the mediating role of self‐efficacy beliefs and learning strategy use.Conclusions. Our findings indicate that students’ prior knowledge plays a crucial role on both self‐efficacy beliefs and task performance, and the predictive power of self‐efficacy on task performance may lie in its association with learning strategy use.
University and student segmentation: Multilevel latent‐class analysis of students’ attitudes towards research methods and statistics
Authors: Mutz Rüdiger , Daniel Hans‐Dieter 
Published: January 2012

Background. It is often claimed that psychology students’ attitudes towards research methods and statistics affect course enrolment, persistence, achievement, and course climate. However, the inter‐institutional variability has been widely neglected in the research on students’ attitudes towards research methods and statistics, but it is important for didactic purposes (heterogeneity of the student population).Aims. The paper presents a scale based on findings of the social psychology of attitudes (polar and emotion‐based concept) in conjunction with a method for capturing beginning university students’ attitudes towards research methods and statistics and identifying the proportion of students having positive attitudes at the institutional level.Sample. The study based on a re‐analysis of a nationwide survey in Germany in August 2000 of all psychology students that enrolled in fall 1999/2000 (N= 1,490) and N= 44 universities.Methods. Using multilevel latent‐class analysis (MLLCA), the aim was to group students in different student attitude types and at the same time to obtain university segments based on the incidences of the different student attitude types.Results. Four student latent clusters were found that can be ranked on a bipolar attitude dimension. Membership in a cluster was predicted by age, grade point average (GPA) on school‐leaving exam, and personality traits. In addition, two university segments were found: universities with an average proportion of students with positive attitudes and universities with a high proportion of students with positive attitudes (excellent segment).Conclusions. As psychology students make up a very heterogeneous group, the use of multiple learning activities as opposed to the classical lecture course is required.
Pial arteriovenous fistulae in pediatric patients: associated syndromes and treatment outcome
Authors: Walcott Brian P , Smith Edward R , Scott R Michael , Orbach Darren B 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivePediatric pial arteriovenous fistulae (pAVF) are rare vascular lesions of the CNS, reported to have up to a 25% association with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. The presentation, treatment and syndromes associated with pAVF in children are reported here.DesignA pediatric database for pAVF was retrospectively reviewed. Patients with carotid–cavernous fistulae, dural arteriovenous fistulae, brain arteriovenous malformations and vein of Galen malformations were excluded. Radiographic outcome was assessed using digital subtraction angiography, and clinical outcome by the Functional Status Scale (6=normal, maximal incapacity=30).ResultsBetween July 2003 and June 2011, seven patients with pAVF (six intracranial and one spinal) were treated. Mean age was 4.2 years. The most common clinical presentation was high output cardiac failure (43%). Two patients (29%) harbored a known mutation in the RASA1 gene, associated with a hereditary vascular syndrome: capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation. No patient had hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Treatment resulted in complete lesional obliteration in six of seven patients, with treatment ongoing in the seventh. Five of seven patients had combined endovascular and surgical treatment while two underwent endovascular embolization alone. Functional Status Scale scores at the most recent follow-up were 6 in all but one patient who had presented with a pretreatment hemianopsia.ConclusionTreatment is effective in obliterating pAVF in children, with an excellent prognosis seen in our cohort. Genetic screening is indicated, with capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation being the most frequently seen syndrome. No patients had hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia.
Dural arteriovenous fistulae in pediatric patients: associated conditions and treatment outcomes
Authors: Walcott Brian P , Smith Edward R , Scott R Michael , Orbach Darren B 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveDural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF) are rare vascular lesions of the CNS with potentially significant morbidity and mortality. Our experience in the treatment of children with dAVF is reported.DesignOur neurosurgical and neurointerventional pediatric database was retrospectively reviewed for patients with dAVF. Brain arteriovenous malformations, pial fistulae, vein of Galen malformations and extracranial fistulae were excluded. Angiography was used to assess radiographic outcome in all cases. Clinical outcome was assessed by the pediatric Functional Status Scale (6=normal, maximal incapacity=30).ResultsBetween July 2003 and June 2011, seven patients with dAVF were treated, with a mean age at presentation of 4.8 years. Presenting symptoms included facial venous prominence, headache, macrocephaly and symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure; one patient (14%) had asymptomatic dAVF discovered on imaging follow-up after craniotomy for cavernous malformation. Two cases (28%) were associated with vascular anomaly syndromes, PHACE association and PTEN associated syndrome. Venous sinus thrombosis was identified in four patients (57%) and was associated with a systemic hypercoagulable state or trauma. Complete obliteration was achieved in six of seven patients. Treatment was exclusively endovascular in six patients and by combined surgical/endovascular means in the remaining patient. No treatment complications were experienced. Functional Status Scale scores at an average of 2 years of follow-up were 6 in all patients.ConclusionTreatment is effective in the obliteration of dAVF in children and is well tolerated, with patients having excellent prognoses. Genetic screening and hypercoagulable workup are indicated, particularly when other anomalies or sinus thrombosis coexist.
The cost and cost-effectiveness of opportunistic screening forChlamydia trachomatisin Ireland
Authors: Gillespie Paddy , O'Neill Ciaran , Adams Elisabeth , Turner Katherine , O'Donovan Diarmuid , Brugha Ruairi , Vaughan Deirdre , O'Connell Emer , Cormican Martin , Balfe Myles , Coleman Claire , Fitzgerald Margaret , Fleming Catherine 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to estimate the cost and cost-effectiveness of opportunistic screening forChlamydia trachomatisin Ireland.MethodsProspective cost analysis of an opportunistic screening programme delivered jointly in three types of healthcare facility in Ireland. Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using an existing dynamic modelling framework to compare screening to a control of no organised screening. A healthcare provider perspective was adopted with respect to costs and included the costs of screening and the costs of complications arising from untreated infection. Two outcome measures were examined: major outcomes averted, comprising cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility in women, neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia, and epididymitis in men; and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained. Uncertainty was explored using sensitivity analyses and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.ResultsThe average cost per component of screening was estimated at €26 per offer, €66 per negative case, €152 per positive case and €74 per partner notified and treated. The modelled screening scenario was projected to be more effective and more costly than the control strategy. The incremental cost per major outcomes averted was €6093, and the incremental cost per QALY gained was €94 717. For cost-effectiveness threshold values of €45 000 per QALY gained and lower, the probability of the screening being cost effective was estimated at <1%.ConclusionsAn opportunistic chlamydia screening programme, as modelled in this study, would be expensive to implement nationally and is unlikely to be judged cost effective by policy makers in Ireland.
R&D OF SICF/SIC COMPOSITE FOR FUSION REACTOR MATERIAL
Authors: YOON HAN-KI , CHO HO-JUN , KOHYAMA AKIRA , NODA TETSUJI 
Published: January 2012

During the operation of a fusion reactor, a certain type of transients could induce rapid cooldown of the reactor with relatively high or increasing system pressure. This induces a high tensile stress at the inner surface of the blanket, which is called the thermal shock. Test Blanket Module (TBM) has been designed to account for the performance of DEMO-relevant blanket. But, the TBM uses helium as coolant and tritium as purge gas, and FM steel, SiC f / SiC composites as a structural material. The SiC f / SiC composites with a SiC sub-layer/ PyC interlayers were therefore fabricated in order to improve the oxidation resistance. In the refractory field SiC f / SiC composites need to investigate residual stress and thermal shock behavior when high chemical stability and corrosion resistance are necessary. In this study, SiC f / SiC composite were fabricated by NITE process and the chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) method. SiC f / SiC composites have been examined and the detail analyses of the microstructure and the mechanical strength were conducted. Various pyrolytic carbons ( PyC ) with SiC interlayer coatings were applied to the composites for improvement of the mechanical properties at the interface.
GIS-based techniques for assessing the vulnerability of buildings to tsunami: current approaches and future steps
Authors: Tarbotton C. , Dominey-Howes D. , Goff J. R. , Papathoma-Kohle M. , Dall'Osso F. , Turner I. L. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The Papathoma Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA) model offers a GIS (geographical information system)-based method of estimating the vulnerability of buildings to a potential tsunami threat. In the absence of fully validated building fragility curves, it provides an effective means of identifying vulnerable buildings/populations and estimating the loss associated with a tsunami. However, the PTVA model is limited by a number of factors, including a poor representation of the tsunami hazard, insufficient field testing/validation, and a data intensive and highly qualitative framework. These limitations significantly reduce its capacity as an accurate and practical tool for end users, such as emergency services and community planners. Presented in this paper is an extensive review of the PTVA methodology and recommendations on how the PTVA model can be improved to address the needs of end users. It is argued that the most recent version of the PTVA model, PTVA-3, offers the best available method for assessing the vulnerability of buildings to tsunamis. As such, the future development of new, and the refinement of existing, GIS-based tsunami vulnerability assessment techniques should consider the PTVA-3 model as the baseline.
Earthquake catastrophe models in disaster response planning, risk mitigation and financing in developing countries in Asia
Authors: Winspear Nigel , Musulin Rade , Sharma Mohan 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Earthquake catastrophe models combine simulated earthquake hazard intensity parameters, such as ground-shaking intensity and liquefaction potential, with spatial data layers describing the geography and vulnerability of exposed assets at risk (property, populations and infrastructure) to calculate the probability of loss. There is significant scope for applying catastrophe models to disaster relief planning, risk mitigation and financing, especially for earthquake-prone developing economies in Asia. Potential uses of earthquake catastrophe models in these areas include the following.

Estimating probable levels of damage across an area resulting from a range of possible earthquake events. These estimates are useful in assessing the scale of the response required when an earthquake event actually occurs and for devising a realistic plan for the disaster response effort.

Quantifying the humanitarian and economic benefit of introducing or upgrading existing risk mitigation measures in advance of their introduction; and assessing the loss potential of possible sites for future infrastructure and/or industrial facilities.

Quantifying risk metrics fundamental to the pricing of financial risk transfer solutions that enable the transfer of the cost of relief and reconstruction away from the damaged national economy, thereby cushioning it from financial shock caused by major earthquake damage.
Geological hazards of SW Natib Volcano, site of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the Philippines
Authors: Lagmay A. M. F. , Rodolfo R. , Cabria H. , Soria J. , Zamora P. , Abon C. , Lit C. , Lapus M. R. T. , Paguican E. , Bato M. G. , Tiu G. , Obille E. , Pellejera N. E. , Francisco P. C. , Eco R. N. , Aviso J. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The SW sector of Mount Natib, a potentially active volcano in the Bataan volcanic arc in western Luzon, is the site of a mothballed nuclear power plant that members of the national legislature have proposed to activate. Detailed geological fieldwork was conducted to assess the capability of the volcano and to identify any volcanic hazards it might pose to the nuclear plant. The nearest eruptive centre is 5.5 km away from the plant. SW Natib Volcano is underlain by lava flows, lahar deposits and at least six pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits, three directly underlying the nuclear reactor facility. A fault trending N30°E is aligned with the Lubao Fault, a capable fault NE of the volcanic edifice. Radon emissions at the traces of these faults are high and comparable to those at known active faults. An associated thrust fault at the nuclear site cuts through lahars up to the ground surface. The results presented here can be used for general hazard preparedness of local communities, and may assist the government to decide whether or not to recommission the nuclear power plant.
Exploratory spatial analysis of typhoon characteristics in the North Pacific basin
Authors: Feng Chen-Chieh , Terry James P. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

This paper analyses the spatial pattern of three tropical storm migratory behaviour parameters – track sinuosity, minimum pressure and duration of intense typhoons. The best-track data of the western North Pacific basin archived by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Tokyo were used. The local Getis–Ord
G

i

*
(
d
) statistic (where
d
is distance) was employed in a geographical information system (GIS) environment to identify clusters of hot spots and cold spots of the three parameters. The analysis of storm-track sinuosity identified one dominant hot-spot cluster of sinuously tracking storms far from the continental margins of the North Pacific Ocean, with three small cold-spot clusters of straight-tracking storms relatively close to mainland SE Asia. The analysis of the second and third parameters revealed extensive overlap between the cluster of very intense typhoons (i.e. hot-spot cluster of minimum pressure, mean 926 hPa) and the cluster of long-duration typhoons (i.e. hot-spot cluster of duration at typhoon intensity, mean 5.4 days). The findings suggest that the Philippines and the Northern Marianas Islands are vulnerable to strike by both longer-lived and extremely violent typhoons. Overall, the technique highlights the strong potential for statistical clustering analysis to visualize and understand geospatial patterns in typhoon meteorological characteristics.
Geovisualization of tropical cyclone behaviour in the South Pacific
Authors: Gienko Gennady A. , Terry James P. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
A combination of computational power, dynamic graphics and geographical information system (GIS) packages creates a powerful platform for advanced visualization tools to explore complex geographical phenomena in an interactive computer environment – known as geovisualization. Geovisualization is a relatively new computer-based approach that refers to a set of methods and techniques to support geospatial data analysis through the use of four-dimensional (4D), multi-variable and interactive visualization. In this paper, we illustrate and discuss the value of several spatialization techniques that are used to perform analysis of spatial structures of climatic and meteorological elements, especially through the geovisualization of characteristics and behaviour of tropical cyclones in the South Pacific Ocean. Preliminary findings are encouraging, allowing patterns and dependencies between chosen cyclone features to be identified, in turn indicating the enormous potential of geovisualization for analysing multi-variate spatial attributes within large tropical cyclone datasets.
The value of a Pacific-wide tsunami database to risk reduction: putting theory into practice
Authors: Goff James R. , Chagué-Goff Catherine , Terry James P. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The recent 2011 Tōhoku Tsunami showed yet again the devastating impact that these events can have on coastal communities. Even prior to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami there had been a growing awareness of the need to document a record of past tsunamis for risk reduction purposes. The bulk of such early databases were based on historical data. Only in recent years have palaeotsunami databases started to be collated. When one considers that the Pacific region accounts for 85% of known historical tsunamis worldwide, it is unsettling that we have only documented 11 palaeotsunamis throughout all Pacific Island countries (PICs). The way forward to enhance our understanding of palaeotsunamis, and to better understand the magnitude and frequency of events from local, regional and distant Pacific sources, is to gather data from each PIC. By collating data from each island it should be possible to map the spatial and temporal distribution of past events over the last several thousand years throughout the entire Pacific region. These data will provide the essential baseline information needed for achieving more effective disaster risk reduction for PICs.
Flood generation during the SW monsoon season in northern Thailand
Authors: Lim Han She , Boochabun Kanokporn 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This paper analyses the annual floods for the city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand using a relatively long dataset (1921–2009) to study the mechanisms behind flood generation in this region. Four floods of different magnitudes were chosen for the empirical analysis. Daily rainfall, flow and baseflow data are analysed together with information about tropical storm occurrence–frequency and El Ninõ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events to identify the occurrence and causes of floods. We found that floods are caused by a variety of factors but the most extreme floods are often caused by a combination of wet catchment conditions and heavy rainfall due to monsoonal effects or tropical storms. Tropical storms play a variable role in that their occurrence in the earlier part of the monsoon season may only wet up the catchment and have no part to play in the peak-flow generation. However, heavy rainfall due to tropical storms during the later part of the monsoon season may result in extreme floods. Typhoon Damrey (2005) is such an example as a 100 year flood event occurred after the passage of this typhoon across northern Thailand. Flood forecasting and management therefore need more high-resolution information about rainfall patterns and tropical storm activity.
Marine inundation hazards in French Polynesia: geomorphic impacts of Tropical Cyclone Oli in February 2010
Authors: Etienne Samuel 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Marine inundation hazards in French Polynesia are various and unevenly distributed in the territory; they are strongly related to the physiography (topography, bathymetry, coral reef development) of these oceanic islands. Cyclones and tsunamis appear as predominant processes in the definition of coastal flooding risks for Polynesian people. This study examines the geomorphic impacts of Tropical Cyclone Oli, which struck the western part of French Polynesia in February 2010. Submarine reef erosion is quantified through coral colony degree of destruction and massive coral colony displacement. Sediment transport and beach retreat are quantified, and flow velocities at the coastline are estimated through boulder analysis. Erosion and resilience of a sandy bank (cay) at the reef margin is also considered on Tubuai Island through satellite image analysis and GPS field survey. Outer-reef slope angle appears as a major control factor for coral destruction, with vertical submarine cliffs relatively shielded compared to gentle slopes. Submarine boulder measurements provide valuable estimates of flow velocity profile with depth. Beachrock slab measurements also provide estimates of flow velocities at the reef–beach junction. Combining these different geomorphic markers might be a way to apprehend the flow velocity variation when the cyclone waves cross the coral reef.
Partial factorization of a dense symmetric indefinite matrix
Authors: Reid John K. , Scott Jennifer A. 
Published: January 2012

At the heart of a frontal or multifrontal solver for the solution of sparse symmetric sets of linear equations, there is the need to partially factorize dense matrices (the frontal matrices) and to be able to use their factorizations in subsequent forward and backward substitutions. For a large problem, packing (holding only the lower or upper triangular part) is important to save memory. It has long been recognized that blocking is the key to efficiency and this has become particularly relevant on modern hardware. For stability in the indefinite case, the use of interchanges and 2 × 2 pivots as well as 1 × 1 pivots is equally well established. In this article, the challenge of using these three ideas (packing, blocking, and pivoting) together is addressed to achieve stable factorizations of large real-world symmetric indefinite problems with good execution speed.
The ideas are not restricted to frontal and multifrontal solvers and are applicable whenever partial or complete factorizations of dense symmetric indefinite matrices are needed.