In order to assess college students'overall language proficiency,a new format,banked cloze,is included in the revised CET-4.Based on the previous studies on banked cloze in China,this paper discusses on how to con...In order to assess college students'overall language proficiency,a new format,banked cloze,is included in the revised CET-4.Based on the previous studies on banked cloze in China,this paper discusses on how to construct highly valid CET-4 banked cloze in line with the revised CET Syllabus(2006).展开更多
In 2016, there is a reform of the TEM-4 cloze test, which changes from multiple choice cloze test toward banked cloze test. The study takes multiple choice cloze test in 2015 before reform and bank cloze test after re...In 2016, there is a reform of the TEM-4 cloze test, which changes from multiple choice cloze test toward banked cloze test. The study takes multiple choice cloze test in 2015 before reform and bank cloze test after reform in 2016 as research subjects, and research data are from true test results of 48 test-takers. The performance analysis was done by using FACETS(Version 2.7) and SPSS 19.0. This research aims at exploring the relationships between two different cloze forms and the differentiated performance of test-takers, and also testing reliability and validity of two cloze forms. Results show that multiple choice cloze test and banked cloze test have great difference on reflecting test-takers' English ability. Banked cloze test can better reflect test-takers' English ability if more items are added.展开更多
AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the...AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the blood glucose levels in transfused and non-transfused patients during LT. METHODS: A retrospective study on 60 biliary pediatric patients and 16 adult patients undergoing LT was carried out. Transfused pediatric patients were included in Group Ⅰ (GⅠ), those not transfused in Group Ⅱ (GⅡ). Twelve adult patients were not given transfusion and assigned to Group Ⅲ(GⅢ); whereas, four adult patients who received massive transfusion were assigned to Group Ⅳ (GⅣ). The blood glucose levels, volume of blood transfused, and the volume of crystalloid infused were recorded, compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed that the changes in blood glucose levels during LT for both non-transfused and minimally transfused pediatric groups and non-transfused and massively-transfused adult groups were almost the same. CONCLUSION: We conclude that blood transfusion does not cause significant changes in the blood glucose levels in this study.展开更多
The research topic of this paper is about the transformation process of Libyan Main Wahda Bank to Islamic Banking, and how Islamic Marketing has been practiced in this bank. The study aims to investigate bankers＇ vie...The research topic of this paper is about the transformation process of Libyan Main Wahda Bank to Islamic Banking, and how Islamic Marketing has been practiced in this bank. The study aims to investigate bankers＇ views towards Islamic Banking and Islamic Marketing practices in Benghazi City. Few interviews with bankers were conducted to design the research instrument, which validated and circulated to bankers responsible for Islamic Banking affairs at Wahda Bank. Data were collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences （SPSS）. Tests of normality mean scores, T-test, Anova, Correlations and Reliability Analysis were all used in this research paper. The key finding is that there is a consensus among participants that the bank faces numerous challenges including： cultural obstacles, insufficient regulations, increasing environmental challenges, weaknesses of higher authorities responsible for banking affairs, weakness of technology, and poor administrative performances. The study exhibited low level of customer satisfaction on Islamic banking products marketed. The study urges the need to develop a governmental Islamic banking strategy to focus on spreading Islamic Banking and Islamic Marketing culture. Learning from leading Islamic countries＇ experiences would be a critical future step to develop Libyan banks＇ practices. It also advises reconsidering the current banking legislations, and explaining their implications properly. Islamic Marketing and customer satisfaction measurement should be given a priority in bank＇s future strategies. Finally, the paper concludes with research limitations, implications and suggests future research.展开更多
This paper reports Tanzanian bankers＇ reasons for not giving SMEs the amount they request as loans to finance their businesses. Open ended interviews were used to collect primary data from eight interviews in six com...This paper reports Tanzanian bankers＇ reasons for not giving SMEs the amount they request as loans to finance their businesses. Open ended interviews were used to collect primary data from eight interviews in six commercial banks that serve SMEs and which have been in operation for more than five years. Secondary data was obtained from different documents like World Bank reports, brochures and websites of visited banks to mention the few. Findings show that sectors which are perceived as too risky by banks, poor documentation by borrowers which make banks unable to assess their creditworthiness, lack of understanding by SMEs themselves as to why they are doing businesses they do, lack or very limited knowledge on financial management by SMEs, lack of awareness of different products offered by different banks, stagnant businesses as well as lack of proper securitiries to cover their loans are reasons behind banks reluctant to provide loans to SMEs. Findings clearly show that it is still difficult for new SMEs to access finance from banks in Tanzania. It is critical for existing SMEs to put their houses in order to the level that is acceptable by banks if they need to approach banks for loans. Banks in Tanzania need to review their policies on the maximum amount of loans to SMEs to reflect the market demands. At the moment, new SMEs should not have much hope of getting finance assistance from most banks. Further, training institutions should continue educating SMEs on relevant aspect that are important to lenders and lastly, the government should consider providing guarantee to SMEs sectors that are perceived as too risky by banks just like the ongoing initiatives in the agriculture sector.展开更多
The present study investigates the testees' test-taking process for banked cloze, focusing on the following two aspects: the information sources and strategies. Employing simultaneous introspection and immediate r...The present study investigates the testees' test-taking process for banked cloze, focusing on the following two aspects: the information sources and strategies. Employing simultaneous introspection and immediate retrospection, the study is conducted among 18 non-English major students. After examining their test-taking processes, a framework for analyzing testees' test-taking processes for banked cloze test is put forward. And then the researcher applies this framework to analyze the testees' protocols. Results show that regarding information sources, clause-level information accounts for the largest proportion, followed by text-level information, sentence-level information and extra-textual information, and in terms of strategies, the testees show a clear preference for bottom-up processing strategies, followed by top-down processing strategies and test-wise processing strategies. The verbal protocols have further revealed that the proficient readers seem to have a context-based reading model and they prefer to grasp the gist of the text, whereas the less proficient readers often employ word-based approaches and they are apt to identify parts of the text.展开更多
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe is strategically positioning itself as a critical bridge for Zimbabwe’s local businesses,seeking to navigate the vast and complex Chinese market.
Belowground bud banks are essential for the regeneration of plant population in arid desert areas,and their response to environmental changes could reflect adaptive strategies of plants to desert habitats.However,the ...Belowground bud banks are essential for the regeneration of plant population in arid desert areas,and their response to environmental changes could reflect adaptive strategies of plants to desert habitats.However,the size and composition of belowground bud banks and their response to environmental factors in the desert steppe zone remain poorly understood,challenging desertification control efforts in arid desert areas.This study examined the density and vertical distribution of horizontal and vertical rhizome buds of a rhizomatous legume herb Sophora alopecuroides L.,its population characteristics,and soil physical-chemical properties in three habitats(interdune lowland(IL),flat sandy land(FSL),and desert steppe(DS))in a desert steppe zone,northern China.Our findings revealed that:(1)total and horizontal rhizome bud densities of S.alopecuroides differed significantly among the three habitats(P<0.05),with the largest total rhizome bud density(177 buds/m2)in IL and the smallest(63 buds/m2)in DS;(2)horizontal rhizome buds distributed in the deep soil layer were dominant in IL,while vertical rhizome buds in the top soil layer were predominant in DS;and(3)soil coarse sand,nutrient content,and population density were the primary factors affecting bud bank density of S.alopecuroides.Specifically,horizontal rhizome buds were dependent largely on soil coarse sand content,and vertical rhizome buds tended to be more related to soil organic matter content and population density.Our results indicated that horizontal rhizome buds were more important in IL with frequent aeolian disturbance,whereas vertical rhizome buds were more important in DS with abundant water and nutrient resources.The plastic responses and survival strategies of S.alopecuroides bud bank to different habitats provide valuable information for the effective implementation of desertification control measures and the management of desert steppe ecosystems.展开更多
Burnout is an escalating global occupational health challenge,requiring valid and reliable assessment tools.This study validates the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(CBI)for assessing burnout among Sudanese workers in the...Burnout is an escalating global occupational health challenge,requiring valid and reliable assessment tools.This study validates the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(CBI)for assessing burnout among Sudanese workers in the education,healthcare,and banking sectors,where burnout prevalence is high.Utilizing the 19-item CBI,translated into Arabic,the study measured burnout across three dimensions:Personal Burnout(PB),Work-related Burnout(WB),and Client-related Burnout(CB).A total of 1068 participants were surveyed,including 438 teachers(41%),326 healthcare workers(30.5%),and 304 bank employees(28.5%).Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses confirmed the construct validity of the CBI,while concurrent validity was supported through moderate to high correlations with the Maslach Burnout Inventory(MBI)domains,except for a weak correlation between Depersonalization and PB/WB.Reliability was established through Cronbach’s Alpha(α),McDonald’s Omega(ω),Composite Reliability(CR),Average Variance Extracted(AVE),and discriminant validity,all of which were satisfactory across the three groups.The study resulted in two final versions of the CBI:a 17-item version for healthcare workers and a 19-item version for teachers and bank employees.Both versions are available in Arabic,and stakeholders are recommended to use the CBI tailored to each sector’s specific psychometric properties.This tailored approach ensures accurate measurement of burnout,aiding psychologists,therapists,and policymakers in addressing and mitigating burnout effectively within each professional group.展开更多
China's Central Bank Injects Liquidity Through Multiple ToolsThe People s Bank of China (PBOC),the country's central bank,injected liquidity into the market using multiple tools in November,it said in a statem...China's Central Bank Injects Liquidity Through Multiple ToolsThe People s Bank of China (PBOC),the country's central bank,injected liquidity into the market using multiple tools in November,it said in a statement recently.The PBOC injected RMB 1 trillion (about USD 141.2 billion) through its medium-term lending facility (MLF) over the last month and withdrew RMB 900billion,resulting in a net injection of RMB 100 billion,the bank said.展开更多
Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and unce...Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and uncertainties,assessing bank performance is a complicated decision-making problem.The current paper proposes the Fuzzy Level Based Weight Assessment(F-LBWA),the Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights(F-LMAW),and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution(MARCOS)combination as a practical and robust decisionmaking tool to cope with many complex ambiguities.In the first phase,the suggested hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM)approach estimates the weight coefficients of the performance criteria with the aid of a combined version of the F-LBWA and F-LMAW methods.In the second phase,the MARCOS method determines the ranking performance of the decision alternatives.The introduced model is tested and validated on a case study assessing publicly traded bank performance in Pakistan.The findings obtained from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the presented F-LBWAF-LMAW-MARCOS approach produces consistent solutions and is a reliable and effective procedure in rational decision-making.展开更多
We often hear statements like“the market raises expectations for central bank interest rate cuts,resulting in higher commodity prices”.Given the current situation,the People’s Bank of China might adopt a more accom...We often hear statements like“the market raises expectations for central bank interest rate cuts,resulting in higher commodity prices”.Given the current situation,the People’s Bank of China might adopt a more accommodative monetary policy to mitigate the impact of the China-U.S.trade friction.Will this further easing of the monetary environment lead to an increase in natural gas prices?展开更多
The Leymus chinensis grassland is one of themost widely distributed associations in the warmtemperate grassland and due to overgrazing in recent years,it has experienced varying degrees of degradation.Vegetative regen...The Leymus chinensis grassland is one of themost widely distributed associations in the warmtemperate grassland and due to overgrazing in recent years,it has experienced varying degrees of degradation.Vegetative regeneration via bud banks serves as the primaryway of vegetation reproduction in the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.However,the role of the bud bank in the vegetation regeneration of grazing grassland remains unclear.Based on the relationship between the under-ground bud bank and above-ground vegetation of L.chinensis grassland under different grazing stages,this study aimed to explore whether the grazing grassland could self-recover through the existing bud bank.The findings revealed that the bud density initially increased and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity,indicating that appropriate grazing promoted vegetation renewal.Moreover,grazing significantly influenced the composition of the bud bank:during the early grazing stage,the rhizome buds accounted for the main part,and tiller buds dominated during the mid-stage grazing;while during the late-stage grazing,root-sprouting buds prevailed.The meristem restriction index for light,moderate,and heavy grazing grasslands was close to one;conversely,overgrazing and extreme overgrazing grasslands exhibited the highermeristemrestriction index(2.00,3.19),suggesting that plant regeneration was constrained by bud banks under light-grazing conditions where regenerate rates failed to meet above-ground modular’s recovery requirements following overgrazing and extreme overgrazing events.Consequently,moderate grazing grasslands could achieve natural community recovery by continuously adjusting their vegetative regeneration strategies.Understanding the role of bud banks in vegetative regeneration in grazing grassland will not only supply theoretical support for the ecological succession process of degraded grassland but also provide practical experience for the sustainable management of the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.展开更多
A gravity-driven membrane(GDM)system is a cleaning-free ultrafiltration(UF)process for decentralized water purification.However,GDM has a poor permeate quality and low stable flux when the feed water contains high lev...A gravity-driven membrane(GDM)system is a cleaning-free ultrafiltration(UF)process for decentralized water purification.However,GDM has a poor permeate quality and low stable flux when the feed water contains high levels of particulates,organic matter,and micropollutants.To address these challenges,this study used riverbank filtration(BF)as a pretreatment for GDM.The experimental results showed that BF could effectively reduce turbidity and particulate organic matter,and preferentially remove biopolymers and protein-like fluorescent components from natural organic matter.The removal efficiencies of micropollutants(diclofenac,carbamazepine,acetamidophenol,and bisphenol A)increased by 15.2%-65.3% in the presence of BF.Moreover,BF-GDM improved the removal of assimilable organic carbon(AOC)by 42%,thereby enhancing the biological stability of the permeate.Despite a modest increase of approximately 20%in the removal of dissolved organic matter,the BF significantly improved the stable flux from 2.8 to 7.3 L·m^(-2)·h^(-1).This remarkable improvement is attributed to the effective removal of key foulants,including particulate substances,biopolymers,and protein-like fluorescent substances,which leads to a thinner bio-cake layer with a higher density of microorganisms.Additionally,because of the high microbial diversity of the soil,BF pretreatment enriched the microbial diversity of the biocake layer,thereby enriching functional microorganisms capable of degrading pollutants in BF-GDM,such as Nitrospirota and Ascomycota.Overall,BF is a highly effective pretreatment for GDM,which potentially broadens its application to polluted source water.展开更多
The optimal allocation of foreign resources requires a minimum level of domestic development,including financial development to benefit from the potential benefits of foreign direct investment.This study discusses the...The optimal allocation of foreign resources requires a minimum level of domestic development,including financial development to benefit from the potential benefits of foreign direct investment.This study discusses the mediating role of financial development in the effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth and establishes the banking sector threshold for the 18 least developed African countries over the period 2000 to 2020.We used the generalized method of moments(GMM)and the threshold regression(TR)as part of the dynamic panel data model.The results show the non-significant contribution of foreign direct investment and the banking sector to economic growth.After interaction,the effect of foreign direct investment becomes positive but not significant.However,the coefficient of the interaction variable is significantly negative.This implies that the financial system is unable to allocate foreign resources efficiently.For this reason,this paper resorted to applying the threshold regression to determine the minimum threshold of the banking sector and established a threshold of 74.58%.It therefore becomes necessary for the 18 least developed African countries to develop the financial system in order to get full benefits of foreign direct investment.展开更多
This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of generative AI(GenAI)by Vietnamese banks and highlight the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.It extends the technology-organi...This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of generative AI(GenAI)by Vietnamese banks and highlight the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.It extends the technology-organization-environment(TOE)framework to incorporate GenAI-specific factors in the Vietnamese banking sector,characterized by rapid digitization and stringent regulations.A survey yielded 236 valid responses.The data were analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLSSEM).The key factors identified include organizational readiness(OR),compatibility(CPT),competitive pressure(CP),complexity(CPL),relative advantage(RA),firm size(FS),and government support(GS).OR emerged as the most influential factor because of a robust IT infrastructure and skilled personnel.CPT and CP were also significant,driving banks to adopt GenAI for a competitive edge.However,CPL presents challenges,requiring simpler AI solutions and clear risk mitigation policies.This study enhances the understanding of GenAI adoption within the Vietnamese banking sector,emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies for different bank sizes and the critical role of technology readiness for effective integration.The findings provide actionable insights into banks navigating their digital transformation journeys.展开更多
Amid the deepening implementation of rural revitalization strategies and rapid fintech development,rural commercial banks-core financial institutions serving agriculture,rural areas,and farmers(the“three rurals”)and...Amid the deepening implementation of rural revitalization strategies and rapid fintech development,rural commercial banks-core financial institutions serving agriculture,rural areas,and farmers(the“three rurals”)and county economies-have seen their tellers’service quality and operational efficiency directly impact market competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities.This study examines teller performance management in rural commercial banks from a business management perspective.By analyzing structural issues in existing performance management systems and integrating theoretical frameworks with industry case studies,it proposes systematic optimization measures.The research aims to provide practical references for establishing scientific and efficient teller performance management systems in rural commercial banks,thereby enhancing service quality,strengthening talent support,and better serving the rural financial market.展开更多
Reconfiguration,as well as optimal utilization of distributed generation sources and capacitor banks,are highly effective methods for reducing losses and improving the voltage profile,or in other words,the power quali...Reconfiguration,as well as optimal utilization of distributed generation sources and capacitor banks,are highly effective methods for reducing losses and improving the voltage profile,or in other words,the power quality in the power distribution system.Researchers have considered the use of distributed generation resources in recent years.There are numerous advantages to utilizing these resources,the most significant of which are the reduction of network losses and enhancement of voltage stability.Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II(NSGA-II),Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),and Intersect Mutation Differential Evolution(IMDE)algorithms are used in this paper to perform optimal reconfiguration,simultaneous location,and capacity determination of distributed generation resources and capacitor banks.Three scenarios were used to replicate the studies.The reconfiguration of the switches,as well as the location and determination of the capacitor bank’s optimal capacity,were investigated in this scenario.However,in the third scenario,reconfiguration,and determining the location and capacity of the Distributed Generation(DG)resources and capacitor banks have been carried out simultaneously.Finally,the simulation results of these three algorithms are compared.The results indicate that the proposed NSGAII algorithm outperformed the other two multi-objective algorithms and was capable of maintaining smaller objective functions in all scenarios.Specifically,the energy losses were reduced from 211 to 51.35 kW(a 75.66%reduction),119.13 kW(a 43.54%reduction),and 23.13 kW(an 89.04%reduction),while the voltage stability index(VSI)decreased from 6.96 to 2.105,1.239,and 1.257,respectively,demonstrating significant improvement in the voltage profile.展开更多
文摘In order to assess college students'overall language proficiency,a new format,banked cloze,is included in the revised CET-4.Based on the previous studies on banked cloze in China,this paper discusses on how to construct highly valid CET-4 banked cloze in line with the revised CET Syllabus(2006).
文摘In 2016, there is a reform of the TEM-4 cloze test, which changes from multiple choice cloze test toward banked cloze test. The study takes multiple choice cloze test in 2015 before reform and bank cloze test after reform in 2016 as research subjects, and research data are from true test results of 48 test-takers. The performance analysis was done by using FACETS(Version 2.7) and SPSS 19.0. This research aims at exploring the relationships between two different cloze forms and the differentiated performance of test-takers, and also testing reliability and validity of two cloze forms. Results show that multiple choice cloze test and banked cloze test have great difference on reflecting test-takers' English ability. Banked cloze test can better reflect test-takers' English ability if more items are added.
文摘AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the blood glucose levels in transfused and non-transfused patients during LT. METHODS: A retrospective study on 60 biliary pediatric patients and 16 adult patients undergoing LT was carried out. Transfused pediatric patients were included in Group Ⅰ (GⅠ), those not transfused in Group Ⅱ (GⅡ). Twelve adult patients were not given transfusion and assigned to Group Ⅲ(GⅢ); whereas, four adult patients who received massive transfusion were assigned to Group Ⅳ (GⅣ). The blood glucose levels, volume of blood transfused, and the volume of crystalloid infused were recorded, compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed that the changes in blood glucose levels during LT for both non-transfused and minimally transfused pediatric groups and non-transfused and massively-transfused adult groups were almost the same. CONCLUSION: We conclude that blood transfusion does not cause significant changes in the blood glucose levels in this study.
文摘The research topic of this paper is about the transformation process of Libyan Main Wahda Bank to Islamic Banking, and how Islamic Marketing has been practiced in this bank. The study aims to investigate bankers＇ views towards Islamic Banking and Islamic Marketing practices in Benghazi City. Few interviews with bankers were conducted to design the research instrument, which validated and circulated to bankers responsible for Islamic Banking affairs at Wahda Bank. Data were collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences （SPSS）. Tests of normality mean scores, T-test, Anova, Correlations and Reliability Analysis were all used in this research paper. The key finding is that there is a consensus among participants that the bank faces numerous challenges including： cultural obstacles, insufficient regulations, increasing environmental challenges, weaknesses of higher authorities responsible for banking affairs, weakness of technology, and poor administrative performances. The study exhibited low level of customer satisfaction on Islamic banking products marketed. The study urges the need to develop a governmental Islamic banking strategy to focus on spreading Islamic Banking and Islamic Marketing culture. Learning from leading Islamic countries＇ experiences would be a critical future step to develop Libyan banks＇ practices. It also advises reconsidering the current banking legislations, and explaining their implications properly. Islamic Marketing and customer satisfaction measurement should be given a priority in bank＇s future strategies. Finally, the paper concludes with research limitations, implications and suggests future research.
文摘This paper reports Tanzanian bankers＇ reasons for not giving SMEs the amount they request as loans to finance their businesses. Open ended interviews were used to collect primary data from eight interviews in six commercial banks that serve SMEs and which have been in operation for more than five years. Secondary data was obtained from different documents like World Bank reports, brochures and websites of visited banks to mention the few. Findings show that sectors which are perceived as too risky by banks, poor documentation by borrowers which make banks unable to assess their creditworthiness, lack of understanding by SMEs themselves as to why they are doing businesses they do, lack or very limited knowledge on financial management by SMEs, lack of awareness of different products offered by different banks, stagnant businesses as well as lack of proper securitiries to cover their loans are reasons behind banks reluctant to provide loans to SMEs. Findings clearly show that it is still difficult for new SMEs to access finance from banks in Tanzania. It is critical for existing SMEs to put their houses in order to the level that is acceptable by banks if they need to approach banks for loans. Banks in Tanzania need to review their policies on the maximum amount of loans to SMEs to reflect the market demands. At the moment, new SMEs should not have much hope of getting finance assistance from most banks. Further, training institutions should continue educating SMEs on relevant aspect that are important to lenders and lastly, the government should consider providing guarantee to SMEs sectors that are perceived as too risky by banks just like the ongoing initiatives in the agriculture sector.
基金a small part of the research project,"A Chronological Study on the CET Washback"(07BYY030)National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of China
文摘The present study investigates the testees' test-taking process for banked cloze, focusing on the following two aspects: the information sources and strategies. Employing simultaneous introspection and immediate retrospection, the study is conducted among 18 non-English major students. After examining their test-taking processes, a framework for analyzing testees' test-taking processes for banked cloze test is put forward. And then the researcher applies this framework to analyze the testees' protocols. Results show that regarding information sources, clause-level information accounts for the largest proportion, followed by text-level information, sentence-level information and extra-textual information, and in terms of strategies, the testees show a clear preference for bottom-up processing strategies, followed by top-down processing strategies and test-wise processing strategies. The verbal protocols have further revealed that the proficient readers seem to have a context-based reading model and they prefer to grasp the gist of the text, whereas the less proficient readers often employ word-based approaches and they are apt to identify parts of the text.
文摘Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe is strategically positioning itself as a critical bridge for Zimbabwe’s local businesses,seeking to navigate the vast and complex Chinese market.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42207539,42377470)the Key Research and Development Project of Science and Technology Plan of Gansu Province in China International Science and Technology Cooperation Project(25YFWA009).
文摘Belowground bud banks are essential for the regeneration of plant population in arid desert areas,and their response to environmental changes could reflect adaptive strategies of plants to desert habitats.However,the size and composition of belowground bud banks and their response to environmental factors in the desert steppe zone remain poorly understood,challenging desertification control efforts in arid desert areas.This study examined the density and vertical distribution of horizontal and vertical rhizome buds of a rhizomatous legume herb Sophora alopecuroides L.,its population characteristics,and soil physical-chemical properties in three habitats(interdune lowland(IL),flat sandy land(FSL),and desert steppe(DS))in a desert steppe zone,northern China.Our findings revealed that:(1)total and horizontal rhizome bud densities of S.alopecuroides differed significantly among the three habitats(P<0.05),with the largest total rhizome bud density(177 buds/m2)in IL and the smallest(63 buds/m2)in DS;(2)horizontal rhizome buds distributed in the deep soil layer were dominant in IL,while vertical rhizome buds in the top soil layer were predominant in DS;and(3)soil coarse sand,nutrient content,and population density were the primary factors affecting bud bank density of S.alopecuroides.Specifically,horizontal rhizome buds were dependent largely on soil coarse sand content,and vertical rhizome buds tended to be more related to soil organic matter content and population density.Our results indicated that horizontal rhizome buds were more important in IL with frequent aeolian disturbance,whereas vertical rhizome buds were more important in DS with abundant water and nutrient resources.The plastic responses and survival strategies of S.alopecuroides bud bank to different habitats provide valuable information for the effective implementation of desertification control measures and the management of desert steppe ecosystems.
基金funded by King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia,grant number(ORFFT-2025-136-1).
文摘Burnout is an escalating global occupational health challenge,requiring valid and reliable assessment tools.This study validates the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(CBI)for assessing burnout among Sudanese workers in the education,healthcare,and banking sectors,where burnout prevalence is high.Utilizing the 19-item CBI,translated into Arabic,the study measured burnout across three dimensions:Personal Burnout(PB),Work-related Burnout(WB),and Client-related Burnout(CB).A total of 1068 participants were surveyed,including 438 teachers(41%),326 healthcare workers(30.5%),and 304 bank employees(28.5%).Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses confirmed the construct validity of the CBI,while concurrent validity was supported through moderate to high correlations with the Maslach Burnout Inventory(MBI)domains,except for a weak correlation between Depersonalization and PB/WB.Reliability was established through Cronbach’s Alpha(α),McDonald’s Omega(ω),Composite Reliability(CR),Average Variance Extracted(AVE),and discriminant validity,all of which were satisfactory across the three groups.The study resulted in two final versions of the CBI:a 17-item version for healthcare workers and a 19-item version for teachers and bank employees.Both versions are available in Arabic,and stakeholders are recommended to use the CBI tailored to each sector’s specific psychometric properties.This tailored approach ensures accurate measurement of burnout,aiding psychologists,therapists,and policymakers in addressing and mitigating burnout effectively within each professional group.
文摘China's Central Bank Injects Liquidity Through Multiple ToolsThe People s Bank of China (PBOC),the country's central bank,injected liquidity into the market using multiple tools in November,it said in a statement recently.The PBOC injected RMB 1 trillion (about USD 141.2 billion) through its medium-term lending facility (MLF) over the last month and withdrew RMB 900billion,resulting in a net injection of RMB 100 billion,the bank said.
文摘Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and uncertainties,assessing bank performance is a complicated decision-making problem.The current paper proposes the Fuzzy Level Based Weight Assessment(F-LBWA),the Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights(F-LMAW),and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution(MARCOS)combination as a practical and robust decisionmaking tool to cope with many complex ambiguities.In the first phase,the suggested hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM)approach estimates the weight coefficients of the performance criteria with the aid of a combined version of the F-LBWA and F-LMAW methods.In the second phase,the MARCOS method determines the ranking performance of the decision alternatives.The introduced model is tested and validated on a case study assessing publicly traded bank performance in Pakistan.The findings obtained from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the presented F-LBWAF-LMAW-MARCOS approach produces consistent solutions and is a reliable and effective procedure in rational decision-making.
文摘We often hear statements like“the market raises expectations for central bank interest rate cuts,resulting in higher commodity prices”.Given the current situation,the People’s Bank of China might adopt a more accommodative monetary policy to mitigate the impact of the China-U.S.trade friction.Will this further easing of the monetary environment lead to an increase in natural gas prices?
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42377458 and 41907411).
文摘The Leymus chinensis grassland is one of themost widely distributed associations in the warmtemperate grassland and due to overgrazing in recent years,it has experienced varying degrees of degradation.Vegetative regeneration via bud banks serves as the primaryway of vegetation reproduction in the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.However,the role of the bud bank in the vegetation regeneration of grazing grassland remains unclear.Based on the relationship between the under-ground bud bank and above-ground vegetation of L.chinensis grassland under different grazing stages,this study aimed to explore whether the grazing grassland could self-recover through the existing bud bank.The findings revealed that the bud density initially increased and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity,indicating that appropriate grazing promoted vegetation renewal.Moreover,grazing significantly influenced the composition of the bud bank:during the early grazing stage,the rhizome buds accounted for the main part,and tiller buds dominated during the mid-stage grazing;while during the late-stage grazing,root-sprouting buds prevailed.The meristem restriction index for light,moderate,and heavy grazing grasslands was close to one;conversely,overgrazing and extreme overgrazing grasslands exhibited the highermeristemrestriction index(2.00,3.19),suggesting that plant regeneration was constrained by bud banks under light-grazing conditions where regenerate rates failed to meet above-ground modular’s recovery requirements following overgrazing and extreme overgrazing events.Consequently,moderate grazing grasslands could achieve natural community recovery by continuously adjusting their vegetative regeneration strategies.Understanding the role of bud banks in vegetative regeneration in grazing grassland will not only supply theoretical support for the ecological succession process of degraded grassland but also provide practical experience for the sustainable management of the L.chinensis grassland ecosystem.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52270077 and 52070147)。
文摘A gravity-driven membrane(GDM)system is a cleaning-free ultrafiltration(UF)process for decentralized water purification.However,GDM has a poor permeate quality and low stable flux when the feed water contains high levels of particulates,organic matter,and micropollutants.To address these challenges,this study used riverbank filtration(BF)as a pretreatment for GDM.The experimental results showed that BF could effectively reduce turbidity and particulate organic matter,and preferentially remove biopolymers and protein-like fluorescent components from natural organic matter.The removal efficiencies of micropollutants(diclofenac,carbamazepine,acetamidophenol,and bisphenol A)increased by 15.2%-65.3% in the presence of BF.Moreover,BF-GDM improved the removal of assimilable organic carbon(AOC)by 42%,thereby enhancing the biological stability of the permeate.Despite a modest increase of approximately 20%in the removal of dissolved organic matter,the BF significantly improved the stable flux from 2.8 to 7.3 L·m^(-2)·h^(-1).This remarkable improvement is attributed to the effective removal of key foulants,including particulate substances,biopolymers,and protein-like fluorescent substances,which leads to a thinner bio-cake layer with a higher density of microorganisms.Additionally,because of the high microbial diversity of the soil,BF pretreatment enriched the microbial diversity of the biocake layer,thereby enriching functional microorganisms capable of degrading pollutants in BF-GDM,such as Nitrospirota and Ascomycota.Overall,BF is a highly effective pretreatment for GDM,which potentially broadens its application to polluted source water.
文摘The optimal allocation of foreign resources requires a minimum level of domestic development,including financial development to benefit from the potential benefits of foreign direct investment.This study discusses the mediating role of financial development in the effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth and establishes the banking sector threshold for the 18 least developed African countries over the period 2000 to 2020.We used the generalized method of moments(GMM)and the threshold regression(TR)as part of the dynamic panel data model.The results show the non-significant contribution of foreign direct investment and the banking sector to economic growth.After interaction,the effect of foreign direct investment becomes positive but not significant.However,the coefficient of the interaction variable is significantly negative.This implies that the financial system is unable to allocate foreign resources efficiently.For this reason,this paper resorted to applying the threshold regression to determine the minimum threshold of the banking sector and established a threshold of 74.58%.It therefore becomes necessary for the 18 least developed African countries to develop the financial system in order to get full benefits of foreign direct investment.
文摘This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of generative AI(GenAI)by Vietnamese banks and highlight the challenges and opportunities in digital transformation.It extends the technology-organization-environment(TOE)framework to incorporate GenAI-specific factors in the Vietnamese banking sector,characterized by rapid digitization and stringent regulations.A survey yielded 236 valid responses.The data were analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLSSEM).The key factors identified include organizational readiness(OR),compatibility(CPT),competitive pressure(CP),complexity(CPL),relative advantage(RA),firm size(FS),and government support(GS).OR emerged as the most influential factor because of a robust IT infrastructure and skilled personnel.CPT and CP were also significant,driving banks to adopt GenAI for a competitive edge.However,CPL presents challenges,requiring simpler AI solutions and clear risk mitigation policies.This study enhances the understanding of GenAI adoption within the Vietnamese banking sector,emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies for different bank sizes and the critical role of technology readiness for effective integration.The findings provide actionable insights into banks navigating their digital transformation journeys.
文摘Amid the deepening implementation of rural revitalization strategies and rapid fintech development,rural commercial banks-core financial institutions serving agriculture,rural areas,and farmers(the“three rurals”)and county economies-have seen their tellers’service quality and operational efficiency directly impact market competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities.This study examines teller performance management in rural commercial banks from a business management perspective.By analyzing structural issues in existing performance management systems and integrating theoretical frameworks with industry case studies,it proposes systematic optimization measures.The research aims to provide practical references for establishing scientific and efficient teller performance management systems in rural commercial banks,thereby enhancing service quality,strengthening talent support,and better serving the rural financial market.
文摘Reconfiguration,as well as optimal utilization of distributed generation sources and capacitor banks,are highly effective methods for reducing losses and improving the voltage profile,or in other words,the power quality in the power distribution system.Researchers have considered the use of distributed generation resources in recent years.There are numerous advantages to utilizing these resources,the most significant of which are the reduction of network losses and enhancement of voltage stability.Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II(NSGA-II),Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),and Intersect Mutation Differential Evolution(IMDE)algorithms are used in this paper to perform optimal reconfiguration,simultaneous location,and capacity determination of distributed generation resources and capacitor banks.Three scenarios were used to replicate the studies.The reconfiguration of the switches,as well as the location and determination of the capacitor bank’s optimal capacity,were investigated in this scenario.However,in the third scenario,reconfiguration,and determining the location and capacity of the Distributed Generation(DG)resources and capacitor banks have been carried out simultaneously.Finally,the simulation results of these three algorithms are compared.The results indicate that the proposed NSGAII algorithm outperformed the other two multi-objective algorithms and was capable of maintaining smaller objective functions in all scenarios.Specifically,the energy losses were reduced from 211 to 51.35 kW(a 75.66%reduction),119.13 kW(a 43.54%reduction),and 23.13 kW(an 89.04%reduction),while the voltage stability index(VSI)decreased from 6.96 to 2.105,1.239,and 1.257,respectively,demonstrating significant improvement in the voltage profile.
