Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Do Teachers Improve ? The Relative Importance of Specific and General Human Capital

One of the most consistent findings in the literature on teacher quality is that teachers improve with experience, especially in the first several years. This study extends this research by separately identifying the benefits of general teaching experience and specific curriculum familiarity. I find that both specific and general human capital contribute to teacher improvement and that recent specific experience is more valuable than distant specific experience. This paper also contributes to a broader literature on human capital acquisition, as it is among the first to examine human capital specificity using a direct measure of productivity.
Find your way by observing the sun and other semantic cues

In this paper we present a robust, efficient and affordable approach to self-localization which requires neither GPS nor knowledge about the appearance of the world. Towards this goal, we utilize freely available cartographic maps and derive a probabilistic model that exploits semantic cues in the form of sun direction, presence of an intersection, road type, speed limit and ego-car trajectory to produce very reliable localization results. Our experimental evaluation shows that our approach can localize much faster (in terms of driving time) with less computation and more robustly than competing approaches, which ignore semantic information.
The INSETRom project in Turin (Italy): outcomes and reflections

This paper presents and discusses the theoretical and pedagogical reasons behind the IN‐SErvice Training for Roma Inclusion (INSETRom) project, and results from interviews with teachers, Roma families and children. The focus here is on teaching, learning and communicative experiences in Turin multicultural classrooms attended by Roma pupils, all of which provide relevant indications for teacher‐training course contents and methodology. Teacher expectations and the evaluation of the training course were assessed through questionnaires and focus‐group interviews. The paper includes a reflection on the educational aims and outcomes of INSETRom, including a number of classroom experiments carried out at the end of the training course. It also frames this work in the context of historical and sociocultural developments that shed light on the current state of affairs.
When Will Interviewers Be Willing to Use High‐Structured Job Interviews? The Role of Personality

This study investigates the effects that three types of interviewer personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) can have on interviewer intention to use a high‐structured interview (HSI). This study also investigates both the degree to which interviewers felt that their accountability to the interview regarding the process and the final employment decision influenced their intention to use HSI, and see if the accountability moderated the relationship between interviewer personality traits and interviewer HSI‐use intension. Results from 327 interviewers show that the interviewers with high conscientiousness, agreeableness, and felt accountability were more inclined to use HSI. Moreover, highly conscientious interviewers who felt high outcome accountability would exhibit a relatively pronounced willingness to conduct HSI.
Management Control for Stimulating Different Types of Creativity: The Role of Budgets

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we examine the role of budgets as a central instrument within the management control system (MCS) in a creative context. In particular we investigate whether creative firms characterized by different kinds of creativity use their budgets in a similar way. We hereby distinguish between expected creativity (for open, self-discovered problems) and responsive creativity (for closed, presented problems) (Unsworth 2001) and investigate the interactive versus diagnostic use of budgets (Simons 1990, 1991, 1995). Based on a comparative study involving four creative firms, we find that creative firms, being mainly characterized by expected creativity, use their budgets in a more interactive way. In creative firms in which responsive creativity is most important, the budgets are used in a rather diagnostic way. This study contributes to the management control literature by acknowledging that a diagnostic use of budgets does not per se stifle creativity. Instead, it is important to understand.
Mechanism of receptor‐oriented intercellular calcium wave propagation in hepatocytes

Intercellular calcium signals are propagated in multicellular hepatocyte systems as well as in the intact liver. The stimulation of connected hepatocytes by glycogenolytic agonists induces reproducible sequences of intracellular calcium concentration increases, resulting in unidirectional intercellular calcium waves. Hepatocytes are characterized by a gradient of vasopressin binding sites from the periportal to perivenous areas of the cell plate in hepatic lobules. Also, coordination of calcium signals between neighboring cells requires the presence of the agonist at each cell surface as well as gap junction permeability. We present a model based on the junctional coupling of several hepatocytes differing in sensitivity to the agonist and thus in the intrinsic period of calcium oscillations. In this model, each hepatocyte displays repetitive calcium spikes with a slight phase shift with respect to neighboring cells, giving rise to a phase wave. The orientation of the apparent calcium wave is imposed by the direction of the gradient of hormonal sensitivity. Calcium spikes are coordinated by the diffusion across junctions of small amounts of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphos phate (InsP3). Theoretical predictions from this model are confirmed experimentally. Thus, major physiological insights may be gained from this model for coordination and spatial orientation of intercellular signals. —Dupont, G. , Tordjmann, T. , Clair, C. , Swillens, S. , Claret, M. , Combettes, L. Mechanism of receptororiented intercellular calcium wave propagation in hepatocytes. FASEB J. 14, 279–289 (2000)
Physical punishment as perceived by parents in Russia: implications for professionals involved in the care of children

To contribute to a knowledge base about the approach of families in Russia towards implementing physical punishment, a study was conducted with 100 parents in St Petersburg. A majority of the participants indicated that it was legitimate to use some measure of physical punishment. The use of an object as a measure was considered acceptable by one‐third of the participants, especially towards children in the age range 5–12. Forty percent of the participants thought that physical punishment should be implemented in a less harsh way towards girls. The most frequently mentioned rationale for its implementation was violation of collectivist‐based norms. A majority of the participants expressed disapproval for state intervention in the way parents handle inappropriate behavior of children unless the situation was extreme. They also indicated a medium‐to‐low level of willingness to seek help from formal sources if their child has a problem. Since physical punishment is considered a risk factor for physical abuse, the findings illuminate the necessity for professionals involved in the care of children to design prevention and intervention programs that could reduce this risk.
Vampire Stories in Greece and the Reinforcement of Socio-Cultural Norms

This paper investigates the relationship of humans with the supernatural and the function of the latter as a normalizing factor in social organization. The focus is on traditional Greek stories about vampires and the aim is to study the relationship between vampires and the ‘cultural capital’ of the local community, on the one hand, and, on the other, beliefs about the progress of the soul after its departure from the body upon death. The Greek vampire (vrikolakas) is examined in relation to both the concept of faith in Orthodox Christianity and traditional death rituals, some of them pagan survivals.
Personal Strivings and Motive Dispositions: Exploring the Links

This study sought to determine the relations among personal strivings, motive dispositions, and personality needs. Subjects generated lists of their personal strivings and completed a picture story exercise similar to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and the Affiliation, Achievement, Dominance, and Nurturance scales of the Personality Research Form (PRF). Personal strivings were correlated with relevant scores from both the TAT and the PRF. Scores on the TAT and PRF were also not independent. Results are interpreted using McClelland's operant-respondent distinction and McClelland, Koestner, and Weinberger's distinction between implicit and explicit motivation. Personal strivings would appear to be best regarded as thought-operant schemata in McClelland's terminology.
Longitudinal effects of contact on intergroup relations: The role of majority and minority group membership and intergroup emotions

A field study was conducted in the Italian context to examine the longitudinal effects of contact on improved intergroup relations, and to test whether the effects were different for majority and minority group members. Furthermore, we examined the processes underlying contact effects. Participants were 68 Italian (majority) and 31 immigrant (minority) secondary school students, who completed a questionnaire at two time points. The results of regression analyses showed that, consistent with the contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954), quantity and quality of contact longitudinally improved outgroup evaluation and increased the attribution of positive stereotypes to the outgroup; the reverse paths were non-significant. Notably, whereas quantity of contact improved intergroup attitudes and stereotypes for both majority and minority participants, quality of contact had reliable effects only for the majority group. Intergroup anxiety and empathy mediated the longitudinal effects of quantity of contact for both Italians and immigrants; the cross-lagged effects of contact quality on criterion variables for the Italian group were mediated by intergroup empathy. The theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BIOMEDICAL EVALUATION OF FREE-RANGING RING-TAILED LEMURS (LEMUR CATTA) IN THREE HABITATS AT THE BEZA MAHAFALY SPECIAL RESERVE, MADAGASCAR

Abstract Complete physical examinations and biomedical sample collection were performed on 70 free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) from three different habitats in the Beza Mahfaly Special Reserve (BMSR), in southern Madagascar, to assess the impact of humans and habitat on lemur health. Lemurs were chemically immobilized with ketamine and diazepam administered via blow darts for concurrent biomedical, morphometric, and behavioral studies. Subsets of the animals had blood analyzed for hematology, serum chemistry, micronutrients, fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, and E), measures of iron metabolism, and polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR) for Toxoplasma gondii, Hemoplasma spp. , Bartonella spp. , Ehrlichia spp. , Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neorickettsia risticii. Results were compared on the basis of gender and the habitats at the study site: reserve (intact gallery forest), degraded (human inhabited and altered), and marginal (dry didieracea forest with heavy grazing and tree cutting). Levels of vitamin D, triglycerides, and cholesterol, and measures of iron metabolism for BMSR lemurs were greater than those previously reported for a free-ranging lemur population (Tsimanampetsotsa Strict Nature Reserve, Madagascar) with less access to foods of anthropogenic origin. BMSR ring-tailed lemurs from a habitat with less water (marginal) had higher sodium (P = 0.051), chloride (P = 0.045), osmolality (P = 0.010), and amylase (P = 0.05) levels than lemurs from other BMSR habitats, suggesting that these lemurs were less hydrated. Vitamin D levels of male lemurs were higher (P = 0.011) than those of females at BMSR, possibly because of differences in sunning behavior or differential selection of food items. The biological significance is uncertain for other parameters with statistically significant differences. All samples tested (n = 20) were negative for the pathogens tested using PCR assays. Continued concurrent biomedical and ecological research is needed at BMSR to confirm these results and determine their association with population mortality and fecundity rates.
Head Start Fathers’ Involvement With Their Children

Until recently, fathers have been underexamined relative to mothers in research on parenting. Fathers in poverty, as well as stepfathers and nonresidential fathers, have been a particularly understudied group. This study explores Head Start fathers’ involvement with their children. Fathers are defined to include stepfathers as well as nonresidential fathers. Seventy-eight mothers have been interviewed about fathers’ involvement with their children. Mothers generally perceive a modest extent of fathers’ involvement but also report high levels of children’s satisfaction with fathers’ emotional support. Mothers generally report a higher extent of involvement for residential fathers than for nonresidential fathers and report higher levels of interaction for stepfathers than for biological fathers. Mothers consistently report that both residential biological fathers and residential stepfathers are more involved than nonresidential biological fathers. The findings suggest the importance of continuing to gather data that looks at both residential and nonresidential fathers as well as biological fathers and stepfathers.
Arabidopsis SHORT INTEGUMENTS 2 Is a Mitochondrial DAR GTPase

The Arabidopsis short integuments 2-1 (sin2-1) mutant produces ovules with short integuments due to early cessation of cell division in these structures. SIN2 was isolated and encodes a putative GTPase sharing features found in the novel DAR GTPase family. DAR proteins share a signature DAR motif and a unique arrangement of the four conserved GTPase G motifs. We found that DAR GTPases are present in all examined prokaryotes and eukaryotes and that they have diversified into four paralogous lineages in higher eukaryotes. Eukaryotic members of the SIN2 clade of DAR GTPases have been found to localize to mitochondria and are related to eubacterial proteins that facilitate essential steps in biogenesis of the large ribosomal subunit. We propose a similar role for SIN2 in mitochondria. A sin2 insertional allele has ovule effects similar to sin2-1, but more pronounced pleiotropic effects on vegetative and floral development. The diverse developmental effects of the mitochondrial SIN2 GTPase support a mitochondrial role in the regulation of multiple developmental pathways.
Women and the Criminalization of Poverty: Perspectives from Sierra Leone

The year 2012 marked ten years since the end of Sierra Leone’s brutal eleven-year civil war, which had and continues to have a significant impact on girls and women. Sierra Leone reflects the global trend, with women representing a minority of the prison population. With so many competing needs, Sierra Leone often places penal reform low on the priority list of postwar reconstruction efforts. Women in conflict with the law are often seen as perpetrators and thus as less deserving of the limited assistance efforts available than “victims,” such as women who have suffered gender-based violence. The nature of imprisonment, lack of empowerment, and social stigma make female prisoners and former prisoners nearly invisible, resulting in neglect of their experiences and voices. Building on six years of work with girls and women in conflict with the law, this article seeks to examine the factors behind the growing rates of incarceration of women in Sierra Leone. It explores how marginalization, low socioeconomic status, gender disparities in many areas of social and political life, and weak state institutions result in the law having a particular negative effect on women. The difficult experiences of women in detention and the continuing challenges of reintegration can cause further victimization and have detrimental effects on children. International and domestic gender reform efforts need to incorporate and support this neglected population as part of wider gender justice efforts.
Buprenorphine Substitution Ameliorates Spontaneous Withdrawal in Fentanyl-Dependent Rat Pups

Iatrogenic physical dependence has been documented in human infants infused i.v. with fentanyl or morphine to maintain continuous analgesia and sedation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical ventilation. Many infants are slowly weaned from the opioid. However, this approach requires extended hospital stays. Little is known about the potential benefits of substitution therapy to prevent abstinence. Therefore, the hypothesis was tested that s.c. and p.o. buprenorphine substitution would ameliorate spontaneous withdrawal in fentanyl-dependent rat pups. Analgesia in the tail-flick test was used to indicate behaviorally active doses of buprenorphine in opioid-naïve postnatal day 17 rats. Other postnatal day 14 rat pups were surgically implanted with osmotic minipumps that infused saline (1 μL/h) or fentanyl (60 μg/kg/h) for 72 h. Vehicle or buprenorphine was administered s.c. or p.o. before the initiation of spontaneous withdrawal brought about the removal of the osmotic minipumps. The major withdrawal signs of wet-dog shakes, jumping, wall climbing, forepaw tremor, and mastication were counted during a 3-h period of withdrawal. The major scored sign, scream on touch, was assessed every 15 min for 3 h. Injection of naloxone after the 3-h observation did not reveal any residual dependence. Subcutaneous buprenorphine administration significantly ameliorated all signs of withdrawal. Surprisingly, p.o. buprenorphine was nearly as efficacious as the s.c. route of administration. These results indicate that buprenorphine substitution therapy may be effective in fentanyl-dependent human infants.
Mining and comparing engagement dynamics across multiple social media platforms

Understanding what attracts users to engage with social media content (i.e. reply-to, share, favourite) is important in domains such as market analytics, advertising, and community management. To date, many pieces of work have examined engagement dynamics in isolated platforms with little consideration or assessment of how these dynamics might vary between disparate social media systems. Additionally, such explorations have often used different features and notions of engagement, thus rendering the cross-platform comparison of engagement dynamics limited. In this paper we define a common framework of engagement analysis and examine and compare engagement dynamics, using replying as our chosen engagement modality, across five social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Boards.ie, Stack Overflow and the SAP Community Network. We define a variety of common features (social and content) to capture the dynamics that correlate with engagement in multiple social media platforms, and present an evaluation pipeline intended to enable cross-platform comparison.Our comparison results demonstrate the varying factors at play in different platforms, while also exposing several similarities.
The Pleasingness of Melodic Sequences: Contrasting Effects of Repetition and Rule-familiarity

Twenty melodic tone sequences varying in harmonic structure were first presented once each to listeners selected from three different levels of previous musical training. Listeners rated each sequence on a 6-point scale of "pleasingness". Next, 5 sequences from the original set of 20 were each repeated 10 times in a row and rated after each repetition. The 5 sequences were assigned to listeners so that across listeners the 20 original sequences were equally represented. Finally, all 20 sequences were again each presented once for rating. At all levels of musical training, listeners showed a monotonic relationship between "pleasingness" and level of harmonic structure, with highest ratings of "pleasingness" associated with the highest level of structure. During repeated exposures, judged "pleasingness" increased at all levels of harmonic structure except the highest level, where a decrease of "pleasingness" with exposure was obtained. The effects of repetition did not, however, extend to the final ratings of the original set of 20 sequences. The data are discussed with reference to the optimal- complexity model of aesthetic judgement; specific attention is directed toward the cognitive processes determining sequence complexity.
Różnice indywidualne jako determinanty postaw wobec pieniędzy

The field of the research is psychology of money. The main aims were to identify the structure of money attitudes, to identify the specific types of money attitudes, and to indicate its determinants in the scope of individual differences (i.e. temperament, personality and temporal orientation). The statistical analysis consisted on structural equation modelling and cluster analysis. First of all, original polish money attitudes scale was constructed and validated, its structure was tested in the group of n=1792. Then, four types of money attitudes were found. Finally, money attitudes are weakly influences by temperamental features (FCB-TI, n=612), moderately – by personality features (NEO-FFI; n=605). Temporal orientation has the strongest influence on money attitudes (AION-2000; n=722).
Ieee Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence 1 Rapid Biologically-inspired Scene Classification Using Features Shared with Visual Attention

— We describe and validate a simple context-based scene recognition algorithm for mobile robotics applications. The system can differentiate outdoor scenes from various sites on a college campus using a multiscale set of early-visual features, which capture the " gist " of the scene into a low-dimensional signature vector. Distinct from previous approaches, the algorithm presents the advantage of being biologically plausible and of having low computational complexity, sharing its low-level features with a model for visual attention that may operate concurrently on a robot. We compare classification accuracy using scenes filmed at three outdoor sites on campus (13,965 to 34,711 frames per site). Dividing each site into nine segments, we obtain segment classification rates between 84.21% and 88.62%. Combining scenes from all sites (75,073 frames in total) yields 86.45% correct classification, demonstrating generalization and scalability of the approach.
Selective Retention of Information about the Superficial Form of Text: Ellipses With Antecedents in Main and Subordinate Clauses

Elliptical verb phrases must be interpreted indirectly, using a representation of the surface form of nearby (usually preceding) text. We used this fact to demonstrate the different availability of superficial representations of the two clauses in main-subordinate pairs. The acceptability of a later ellipsis was reduced when it took its meaning from a main clause that was followed by a subordinate clause, as compared with other combinations. In addition, positive acceptability judgements were made more quickly (1) when the antecedent clause was subordinate, rather than main, suggesting that the superficial form of a subordinate clause is more important, and (2) when the antecedent was in the immediately preceding clause, rather than two clauses back. These results support the idea that the surface form of subordinate clauses is selectively retained until the corresponding main clause has been read, but the surface form of a main clause is not retained after it has been interpreted.