Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
School Discipline and Security

Prior research finds that racial and ethnic minority students are more likely than White students to receive school punishments, yet little prior research considers students' perceptions of the fairness of school rules and their enforcement. Using data from a nationally representative survey of students, the authors consider whether African American and Latino and Latina students, and particularly males, perceive school safety practices as less fair overall, less well communicated, and less evenly applied than White students do. The authors also consider whether particular security strategies (security guards, metal detectors, and locker checks) impact these perceptions of fairness. The results suggest that African American students perceive less fairness and consistency of school rules and their enforcement than do White students, though the perceptions of Latino/a students do not vary significantly from those of White students.
An evaluation system for training programs: a case study using a four‐phase approach

Purpose – With the increased importance of training in organizations, creating important and meaningful programs are critical to an organization and its members. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a four‐phase systematic approach to designing and evaluating training programs that promotes collaboration between organizational leaders, trainers, participants and evaluators.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a case study of a leadership training program conducted at a Midwestern corporate university. Analysis of the qualitative data from interviews with participants and field notes during the first two iterations of the program highlight three major aspects that were then used to develop a unique measure for the evaluation of subsequent iterations. The case study was conducted over a period of 31/2 years involving a total of 175 managers.Findings – A main finding in this study was that content was three times stronger than applicability. This finding was critical in understanding the learn.
Improving de novo protein structure prediction using contact maps information

The use of residue-residue contact maps in protein structure prediction (PSP) has proved promising during the last CASP editions (CASP10, 11 and 12). The goals of this work are to carry out an assessment of the information given by contact maps and to develop a strategy to use the contact constraints from these maps to improve the quality of the predicted models in a de novo PSP approach. A residue-residue potential, with information from contact maps, is proposed in the form of distance constraints. This potential is added to the fitness function of the GAPF program, which predicts protein structures using a genetic algorithm with phenotypic crowding in a free-modeling approach. Two contact maps were generated to evaluate the potential developed here: (i) a native contact map obtained directly from the experimental structure and, (ii) a filtered contact map with only the native contacts present in a map predicted by MetaPSICOV. The experiments performed indicate that the contact potential implemented in the GAPF program promoted an important improvement in the accuracy of the predictions, confirming the use of contact maps as a useful strategy for de novo PSP methodologies. Our results also stress the need to develop better strategies to filter and enhance the information of predicted contacts.
Locating nature's citizens: Latin American ecologies of political space

Scholars of environmental citizenship have often drawn attention to the spatial mismatch between ecological systems and nation-states, arguing that citizenship needs to be scaled up to meet global environmental challenges. I argue that rethinking the scale of ecopolitical engagement requires moving beyond a simple spatial hierarchy topped by ‘the global’. Debates in human geography lead us towards a relational conception of space, where densely networked interactions produce dynamic and multi-layered configurations of actors. Supplementing this perspective with political-ecological and post-humanist theories of human–nature interaction, citizenship can be understood as a process of political becoming within shifting assemblages of socio-ecological relationships. The second half of the analysis deploys this theoretical perspective to narrate three vignettes that locate nature's citizens in a diversity of socio-ecological contexts, debates and conflicts in Latin America. Drawing on regional scholarship, these vignettes examine the political ecology of citizenship in relation to water, climate governance and the struggles of indigenous peoples.
A Benzo[a]pyrene-induced Cell Cycle Checkpoint Resulting in p53-independent G1 Arrest in 3T3 Fibroblasts*

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix family. Although physiological ligands for the AhR have not been identified, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) are high affinity AhR ligands that induce nuclear translocation and sequence-specific DNA binding of the AhR. AhR-regulated genes include members of the cytochrome P-450 family that are known to oxidize B[a]P to form genotoxic (DNA-damaging) metabolites. Murine Swiss 3T3 cells express high levels of AhR. Treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with B[a]P during the G1 phase of the cell cycle resulted in growth arrest, as shown by inhibition of growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis. By contrast, other murine 3T3 fibroblasts not expressing detectable levels of AhR did not undergo growth arrest in response to B[a]P. The AhR antagonist α-naphthoflavone prevented B[a]P-induced growth arrest, further demonstrating that cessation of cell growth was mediated by the activated AhR. A nongenotoxic AhR ligand (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) did not elicit growth arrest, showing that ligand activation of the AhR alone was insufficient to block cell cycle progression. However, genomic DNA from B[a]P-treated Swiss 3T3 cells contained covalent adducts, whereas that from 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated cells did not, showing that G1 arrest correlated with DNA damage resulting from genotoxic B[a]P metabolites. B[a]P-induced DNA damage and growth arrest was coincident with elevated levels of nuclear p53 protein and induction of the p53-regulated mdm-2 proto-oncogene. However, Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts expressing “dominant negative” mutant p53, as well as primary fibroblasts from p53−/− “knockout” mice, also underwent growth arrest in response to B[a]P. Therefore, B[a]P-induced growth arrest occurs via p53-independent mechanisms.
‘Getting in, getting out’: militia membership and prospects for re-integration in post-war Liberia*

ABSTRACT Liberian ex-combatants are generally seen as uprooted urban youths with a history of unemployment, underemployment and idleness. The data that form the basis of this article suggest another picture. What caused the Liberian youth to fight were mainly security concerns, suggesting that the effects of ‘idleness’ and ‘unemployment’ are overstated with regards to people joining armed groups. They went to school, worked and lived with parents or close relatives prior to the war. They are not Mkandawire's (2002) uprooted urban youths or Abdullah's (1998) ‘lumpens’. They lived quite ordinary Liberian lives, and based their decision on whether to join an armed group on the security predicament that they believed that they and their families were facing. This suggest that disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and rehabilitation approaches are in need of re-thinking that links them more directly to social cohesion and societal security.
The Effects of Sex and Ethnicity on Evaluations of Advertising Job Candidates: Do Stereotypes Predict Discrimination?

Abstract Women and people of color are not employed in the advertising industry to the extent that might be expected given their proportion in the population. This study examines whether this employment record might be the result of biases against hiring women and people of color. In their evaluations of fictitious candidates for advertising jobs, advertising students were found to discriminate against females and African-Americans through a significant main effect for candidate sex and a significant two-way interaction for candidate ethnicity by qualifications. These effects were not moderated by respondent feminist beliefs, respondent racist beliefs or respondent sex.
Primary follicular and marginal-zone lymphoma of the breast: clinical features, prognostic factors and outcome: a study by the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group.

BACKGROUND Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) of low-grade histology is a rare disease. This multicentric retrospective study was carried out to determine clinical features, prognosis and relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with histologically proven, previously untreated follicular or marginal-zone PBL (MZL PBL) diagnosed from 1980 to 2003 were included in the study. Major end points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and potential prognostic factors. RESULTS We collected data on 60 cases of PBL [36 follicular and 24 marginal-zone lymphoma (MZL)]. Stage was I(E) or II(E) in 57 patients and IVE in three patients due to bilateral breast involvement. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT), alone or in combination, were used as first-line treatments in 67%, 42% and 52% of patients, respectively. Overall response rate was 98%, with a 93% complete response rate. Five-year PFS were 56% for MZL and 49% for follicular PBL (P = 0.62). Relapses were mostly in distant sites (18 of 23 cases); no patients relapsed within RT fields. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed an indolent behaviour of MZL PBL, comparable to other primary extranodal MZL. Conversely, patients with follicular PBL had inferior PFS and OS when compared with limited-stage nodal follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, suggesting an adverse prognostic role of primary breast localisation in this histological subgroup.
Heat Transfer Analysis in the Cylinder of Reciprocating Compressor

Heat transfer inside the cylinder of reciprocating compressor causes decrease of volumetric efficiency due to superheating of the working fluid. Understanding heat transfer phenomenon inside the cylinder is necessary to achieve higher efficiency. There are several empirical correlations available in the literature to date, which are employed in simulation tools due to their easy-to-use properties and they provide fast results with solid accuracy compared to more complex numerical models for heat transfer. Nevertheless, there is a problem with validation these empirical correlations. Solution of this problem could be found in CFD simulation tools. This paper presents the CFD analysis of heat transfer in order to compare heat fluxes calculated by numerical tools with those obtained by empirical correlations. Distribution of transferred heat among the main typical surfaces inside the cylinder is described in this paper. The analysis was done on simplified 3D geometry including the movement of valves and remeshing through the simulation to guarantee mesh quality. Based on the results of numerical analysis a proposal to increase the accuracy of heat transfer prediction is suggested.
Home-to-Job and Job-to-Home Spillover: The Impact of Company Policies and Workplace Culture

We draw on gender theory and neo-institutional theory to examine the impact of workplace characteristics and family demands on negative job-to-home and home-to-job spillover. Our multivariate analyses of the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce data indicate that family-supportive workplace cultures reduce negative spillover in both directions, whereas the availability of company policies, such as dependent care benefits and flextime, do not. Our results also show that family demands increase spillover more for women than for men. Our findings suggest that the atmosphere of the workplace is more important than the availability of company policies in reducing negative spillover.
Effect of Etelcalcetide vs Cinacalcet on Serum Parathyroid Hormone in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis With Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Secondary hyperparathyroidism contributes to extraskeletal calcification and is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Control is suboptimal in the majority of patients receiving hemodialysis. An intravenously (IV) administered calcimimetic could improve adherence and reduce adverse gastrointestinal effects. Objective To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of the IV calcimimetic etelcalcetide and the oral calcimimetic cinacalcet. Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy active clinical trial was conducted comparing IV etelcalcetide vs oral placebo and oral cinacalcet vs IV placebo in 683 patients receiving hemodialysis with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations higher than 500 pg/mL on active therapy at 164 sites in the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and New Zealand. Patients were enrolled from August 2013 to May 2014, with end of follow-up in January 2015. Interventions Etelcalcetide intravenously and oral placebo (n = 340) or oral cinacalcet and IV placebo (n = 343) for 26 weeks. The IV study drug was administered 3 times weekly with hemodialysis; the oral study drug was administered daily. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy end point was noninferiority of etelcalcetide at achieving more than a 30% reduction from baseline in mean predialysis PTH concentrations during weeks 20-27 (noninferiority margin, 12.0%). Secondary end points included superiority in achieving biochemical end points (>50% and >30% reduction in PTH) and self-reported nausea or vomiting. Results The mean (SD) age of the trial participants was 54.7 (14.1) years and 56.2% were men. Etelcalcetide was noninferior to cinacalcet on the primary end point. The estimated difference in proportions of patients achieving reduction in PTH concentrations of more than 30% between the 198 of 343 patients (57.7%) randomized to receive cinacalcet and the 232 of 340 patients (68.2%) randomized to receive etelcalcetide was −10.5% (95% CI, −17.5% to −3.5%, P for noninferiority, <.001; P for superiority, .004). One hundred seventy-eight patients (52.4%) randomized to etelcalcetide achieved more than 50% reduction in PTH concentrations compared with 138 patients (40.2%) randomized to cinacalcet (P = .001; difference in proportions, 12.2%; 95% CI, 4.7% to 19.5%). The most common adverse effect was decreased blood calcium (68.9% vs 59.8%). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients receiving hemodialysis with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, the use of etelcalcetide was not inferior to cinacalcet in reducing serum PTH concentrations over 26 weeks; it also met superiority criteria. Further studies are needed to assess clinical outcomes as well as longer-term efficacy and safety. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT1896232
An exploration of the use of Christian prayer in mainstream counselling

Interviews were carried out with seven counsellor trainers from British universities to explore the possible use of Christian prayer in mainstream counselling. The data were analysed using Grounded Theory. The results showed that covert prayer is of benefit as a means of grounding the counsellor, a frame of reference for understanding counselling, and as a way of upholding the client. Overt prayer could be used as a way of expressing emotion and as a method of reformulation, but there are ethical implications. Prayer can be used with clients who are able to step back from the act of praying and reflect on their process. Its use must have regard to the client's spiritual development and be supported by good supervision.
Licensed to skill? The impact of occupational regulation on fitness instructors

Occupational licensing, which restricts entry to a job to those with certain qualifications, has traditionally been associated with professionals. Can such forms of occupational regulation support skill development and higher wages lower down the labour market? Cross-national comparisons of a specific occupation can highlight differences in regulation and the interaction between skill formation and industrial relations institutions. We compare the regulation of the occupation of fitness instructor in the UK, France and Norway, focusing on the impact on skills and wages, and suggest that while licensing offers some beneficial outcomes, the relationship with these other institutions is critical.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Gene Polymorphisms, Leukocyte Function, and Sepsis Susceptibility in Blunt Trauma Patients

ABSTRACT The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) −308 G/A and TNF-β NcO1 polymorphisms have been described to be associated with an increased risk for sepsis in critically ill patients. Functional consequences associated with these polymorphisms remain unclear. We compared the genotype distribution of these TNF polymorphisms with susceptibility to severe sepsis and leukocyte function in blunt trauma patients (n = 70; mean injury severity score, 24 points [range, 4 to 57). Severe sepsis was defined according to the American College of Chest Physicians-Society of Critical Care Medicine consensus conference criteria. Genotyping for the NcO1 polymorphism (alleles TNFB1 and TNFB2) was performed by PCR and digestion of the products with NcO1, and that for the TNF-α −308 G/A polymorphism (alleles TNF1 and TNF2) was performed by real-time PCR. Leukocyte function was assessed by measurement of the production of endotoxin-induced cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin-6 [IL-6], and IL-8) in whole blood. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For the genotypes of the TNF-α −308 G/A polymorphism, differences in the frequency of development of severe sepsis were not detectable. Patients developing severe sepsis after trauma were significantly more likely to posses a homozygous genotype of the TNF-β NcO1 polymorphism. Compared with heterozygotes, the odds ratio for the TNFB2/B2 genotype for the development of severe posttraumatic sepsis was 11 (P = 0.01), and that for the TNFB1/B1 genotype was 13 (P = 0.014). TNF-α −308:TNF-β NcO1 haplotype analysis showed that the TNFB2:TNF2 haplotype is significantly negatively associated with development of severe sepsis. Patients homozygous for the TNFB1 or TNFB2 allele showed a persistently higher cytokine-producing capacity during at least 4 to 8 days after trauma than the heterozygotes. In patients homozygous for the TNF1 allele, a higher TNF-α- and IL-8-producing capacity was found only at day 1 after trauma. Although the TNF-β NcO1 polymorphism appears to be less likely to be causative for development of severe sepsis after trauma, it is thus far the only genetic marker identified which can be used as a relevant risk estimate for severe sepsis in trauma patients immediately after the injury.
The effects of synchronous CMC on speaking proficiency and anxiety: text versus voice chat

This article reports on a study investigating the use of 2 synchronous computer-mediated communication tools: text and voice chat. The experimental design employed 3 groups (text, voice, and control), each consisting of 30 novice-level secondary school learners of English as a foreign language. Over a 4-week period, the participants in the experimental groups engaged in 40–45-minute-long chat sessions in dyads, guided by a total of 8 tasks. The data were collected through preanxiety and postanxiety scales and speaking tests, and the participants' perspectives were investigated through the use of closed and open-ended questionnaires. The results showed that the speaking proficiency of both experimental groups increased, whereas there was a decrease in the anxiety levels only for the text chat group. The results were then interpreted by taking into consideration the data from the questionnaires, and a protocol was proposed for the selection of tools for different learner groups.
Participatory design in the development of innovative technologies for children and young people on the autism spectrum: the COSPATIAL project

This paper outlines the participatory design processes adopted within the COSPATIAL project which is developing interactive, collaborative technologies for children and young people on the autism spectrum to support collaboration and social conversation skills. The project has involved a ‘core design team’ of teachers in a series of design workshops from the start. Groups of typically developing children and those on the autism spectrum have also been regularly involved in design and feedback activities to inform the development of our technology prototypes. Initial impressions from pilot testing suggest that children have enjoyed using the prototypes and teachers have found them useful; we suggest that our participatory design methods have strongly contributed to this positive response.
Moderating effects of supervisor support, monetary rewards, and career paths on the relationship between job burnout and turnover intentions in the context of call centers

Purpose – This study focuses on the management of job burnout among customer service representatives. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether supervisor support, monetary rewards, and career paths moderate the relationship between job burnout and turnover intentions.Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a survey of 287 customer service representatives from seven call centers for the analysis. To validate the research model and test the hypotheses, the authors employed structural equation modeling, and for the moderating effects, the authors conducted a multi‐group analysis after dividing the moderating variables into high and low groups by using each of their means as a split point.Findings – As expected, the results indicate that emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment increased turnover intentions. Emotional exhaustion led to a sharp increase in depersonalization. The results for the three moderating variables indicate that not all intervent.
Long Pentraxin 3: Experimental and Clinical Relevance in Cardiovascular Diseases

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an essential component of the humoral arm of innate immunity and belongs, together with the C-reactive protein (CRP) and other acute phase proteins, to the pentraxins' superfamily: soluble, multifunctional, pattern recognition proteins. Pentraxins share a common C-terminal pentraxin domain, which in the case of PTX3 is coupled to an unrelated long N-terminal domain. PTX3 in humans, like CRP, correlates with surrogate markers of atherosclerosis and is independently associated with the risk of developing vascular events. Studies addressing the potential physiopathological role of CRP in the cardiovascular system were so far inconclusive and have been limited by the fact that the sequence and regulation have not been conserved during evolution between mouse and man. On the contrary, the conservation of sequence, gene organization, and regulation of PTX3 supports the translation of animal model findings in humans. While PTX3 deficiency is associated with increased inflammation, cardiac damage, and atherosclerosis, the overexpression limits carotid restenosis after angioplasty. These observations point to a cardiovascular protective effect of PTX3 potentially associated with the ability of tuning inflammation and favor the hypothesis that the increased levels of PTX3 in subjects with cardiovascular diseases may reflect a protective physiological mechanism, which correlates with the immunoinflammatory response observed in several cardiovascular disorders.