Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Teacher Approval and Disapproval of Music Performed in a Rehearsal Setting on Music Preferences

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of teacher approvals and disapprovals of music performed in a rehearsal setting on the music preferences of middle school students. Students (N = 440) from eight middle school bands participated in the study and were assigned one of four different rehearsal conditions. Teachers rehearsed either one or two assigned pieces of music, while implementing one of the following treatment conditions: (a) rehearsal of one piece with teacher approval and rehearsal of the other piece without comment; (b) rehearsal of one piece with teacher disapproval and rehearsal of the other without comment; (c) rehearsal of only one of the pieces, with teacher approval; and (d) rehearsal of only one of the pieces, with teacher disapproval. After five rehearsals of the music, students were given a listening survey on which to rate their preferences for the two compositions. Results indicated that the treatment conditions had a significant effect on preferences. Ratings from the approval treatment condition were significantly higher than those from the disapproval treatment condition.
Transient and permanent deficits in motion perception after lesions of cortical areas MT and MST in the macaque monkey.

We examined the nature and the selectivity of the motion deficits produced by lesions of extrastriate areas MT and MST. Lesions were made by injecting ibotenic acid into the representation of the left visual field in two macaque monkeys. The monkeys discriminated two stimuli that differed either in stimulus direction or orientation. Direction and orientation discrimination were assessed by measuring thresholds with gratings and random-dots placed in the intact or lesioned visual fields. At the start of behavioral testing, we found pronounced, motion-specific deficits in thresholds for all types of moving stimuli, including pronounced elevations in contrast thresholds and in signal-to-noise thresholds measured with moving gratings, as well as deficits in direction range thresholds and motion coherence measured with random-dot stimuli. In addition, the accuracy of direction discrimination was reduced at smaller spatial displacements (i.e. step sizes), suggesting an increase in spatial scale of the residual directional mechanism. Subsequent improvements in thresholds were seen with all motion stimuli, as behavioral training progressed, and these improvements occurred only with extensive behavioral testing in the lesioned visual field. These improvements were particularly pronounced for stimuli not masked by noise. On the other hand, deficits in the ability to extract motion from noisy stimuli and in the accuracy of direction discrimination persisted despite extensive behavioral training. These results demonstrate the importance of areas MT and MST for the perception of motion direction, particularly in the presence of noise. In addition, they provide evidence for the importance of behavioral training for functional recovery after cortical lesions. The data also strongly support the idea of functional specialization of areas MT and MST for motion processing.
Validation of a Portuguese Version of the Children’s Hope Scale

The article describes the development of the Portuguese version of the Children’s Hope Scale and the examination of its psychometric properties. A sample of 367 Portuguese students completed the Portuguese-language versions of the Children’s Hope Scale (CHS; Snyder et al., 1997), Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS; Huebner, 1991), Global Self-Worth Sub-scale (Harter, 1985) and Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5; Berwick et al., 1991). The first step included translation, back-translation, inspection for lexical equivalence and content validity and cognitive debriefing. Reliability (internal consistency and stability), factor structure and criterion-related validity were investigated. The validation process of the Portuguese CHS version shows psychometric properties similar to the English language CHS, suggesting that it measures the same construct in the same way. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Neonatal Exposure to the Cyanobacterial Toxin BMAA Induces Changes in Protein Expression and Neurodegeneration in Adult Hippocampus

The cyanobacterial toxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) has been proposed to contribute to neurodegenerative disease. We have previously reported a selective uptake of BMAA in the mouse neonatal hippocampus and that exposure during the neonatal period causes learning and memory impairments in adult rats. The aim of this study was to characterize effects in the brain of 6-month-old rats treated neonatally (postnatal days 9–10) with the glutamatergic BMAA. Protein changes were examined using the novel technique Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) for direct imaging of proteins in brain cryosections, and histological changes were examined using immunohistochemistry and histopathology. The results showed long-term changes including a decreased expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism and intracellular signaling in the adult hippocampus at a dose (150mg/kg) that gave no histopathological lesions in this brain region. Developmental exposure to a higher dose (460mg/kg) also induced changes in the expression of S100β, histones, calcium- and calmodulin-binding proteins, and guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. At this dose, severe lesions in the adult hippocampus including neuronal degeneration, cell loss, calcium deposits, and astrogliosis were evident. The data demonstrate subtle, sometimes dose-dependent, but permanent effects of a lower neonatal dose of BMAA in the adult hippocampus suggesting that BMAA could potentially disturb many processes during the development. The detection of BMAA in seafood stresses the importance of evaluating the magnitude of human exposure to this neurotoxin.
Social Context and Social Workers' Judgment of Mental Disorder

We examine biases in social workers' assessment of antisocial youths based on the responses of 250 MSW students to clinical case vignettes describing youths engaging in antisocial behavior, all of whom satisfied the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, criteria for conduct disorder. Respondents were to judge whether the described youth had a psychiatric or mental disorder. We manipulated the content of the vignettes to suggest either internal dysfunction (i.e., disorder) or a normal response to a difficult environment (i.e., nondisorder) as the cause of the antisocial behavior. Contrary to the claims of critics, respondents generally appropriately distinguished, based on contextual information, between disordered and nondisordered youth. However, a minority of students did appear to display bias, primarily in the direction of underdiagnosis of disorder.
Digging for Nuggets: How ‘Bad’ Research Can Yield ‘Good’ Evidence

A good systematic review is often likened to the pre‐flight instrument check—ensuring a plane is airworthy before take‐off. By analogy, research synthesis follows a disciplined, formalized, transparent and highly routinized sequence of steps in order that its findings can be considered trustworthy—before being launched on the policy community. The most characteristic aspect of that schedule is the appraise‐then‐analyse sequence. The research quality of the primary studies is checked out and only those deemed to be of high standard may enter the analysis, the remainder being discarded. This paper rejects this logic, arguing that the ‘study’ is not the appropriate unit of analysis for quality appraisal in research synthesis. There are often nuggets of wisdom in methodologically weak studies and systematic review disregards them at its peril. Two evaluations of youth mentoring programmes are appraised at length. A catalogue of doubts is raised about their design and analysis. Their conclusions, which incidentally run counter to each other, are highly questionable. Yet there is a great deal to be learned about the efficacy of mentoring if one digs into the specifics of each study. ‘Bad’ research may yield ‘good’ evidence—but only if the reviewer follows an approach that involves analysis and appraisal.
Sustaining Opportunity in Rural Community Colleges

This assessment considers the sustainability of initiatives begun as a result of participation in the Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI). Case studies were conducted at eight community colleges, and quantitative data was gathered from the U.S. Census, the Department of Labor, and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Elements that helped the colleges sustain initiatives beyond the funding cycle are discussed.
Neighborhood Racial Transition

There is a continuing debate over whether or not Whites move out of neighborhoods simply because Blacks are moving in, and, if so, what effects this has on neighborhood racial transition. Molotch (1972) argues that White flight plays little if any role in the transition process. Others, such as Damerell (1968) and Mayer (1960), indicate that it may play a significant role. Data from the 1976 Detroit Area Study are used to investigate the relationship between neighborhood racial composition and White intention to move. The results of a logit analysis, in which the effects of age, tenure status, family income, and length of residence are controlled for, support the argument that White flight is produced by neighborhood racial integration. The possible effects of White flight on the racial transition process are then discussed.
First insights into indoor and outdoor Culicoides activity related to the risk period for Bluetongue virus transmission in Eastern Slovakia

The epizootic of Bluetongue virus (BTV) throughout Europe in 2006 revealed insufficient knowledge regarding seasonal activities, endo/exophilic and endo/exophagic behaviour of the species of the Culicoides genus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Although several studies have been carried out in Western Europe, bringing new knowledge of the above mentioned topics, there was still a gap to fill in Central Europe. Therefore, this study investigated seasonal variations in the indoor/outdoor Culicoides activity observed in the south-eastern Slovakia from 2012 to 2014, using a light-trapping method. In total, 52,741 Culicoides were collected and identified; majority of them were caught outdoors (82.6%), with the highest activity period being mid-June. The C. obsoletus/C. scoticus and C. punctatus species predominated, altogether representing 88.8 and 94.1% of the total indoor and outdoor collections, respectively. Positive correlation was observed between the temperature and the abundance, whereas no correlation with other studied factors was detected. In autumn, Culicoides activity was observed outdoors at temperatures ranging between -1.5°C and 9.3°C, whereas the indoor activity was detected at temperatures ranging between −3.9°C and 0°C. This demonstrated that the most significant BTV vectors in the studied area are C. obsoletus/C. scoticus. The C. dewulfi and C. chiopterus vectors appeared to be of lower significance. The period with the highest risk of the BTV transmission in Eastern Slovakia appeared to be mid-June. The autumnal Culicoides activity inside the cowsheds may be important for the assessment of virus overwintering. This study is the first to provide the data on indoor/outdoor behaviour of biting midges in Slovakia.
Activation of the Interleukin-5 Promoter by cAMP in Murine EL-4 Cells Requires the GATA-3 and CLE0 Elements (*)

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) plays a central role in the growth and differentiation of eosinophils and contributes to several disease states including asthma. Accumulating evidence suggests a role for cAMP as an immunomodulator; agents that increase intracellular cAMP levels have been shown to inhibit production of cytokines predominantly produced by T helper (Th) 1 cells such as IL-2 and interferon (IFN-). In contrast, the production of IL-5, predominantly produced by Th2 cells, is actually enhanced by these agents. In this report, we have performed transient transfection experiments with IL-5 promoter-reporter gene constructs, DNase I footprinting assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays to investigate the key regulatory regions necessary for activation of the IL-5 promoter by dibutyryl cAMP and phorbol esters in the mouse thymoma line EL-4. Taken together, our data demonstrate the critical importance of two sequences within the IL-5 5′-flanking region for activation by these agents in EL-4 cells: one, a highly conserved 15-base pair element present in genes expressed by Th2 cells, called the conserved lymphokine element 0 (CLE0; located between −53 and −39 in the IL-5 promoter), and the other, two overlapping binding sites for the transcription factor GATA-3 (but not GATA-4) between −70 and −59. Taken together, our data suggest that activation via the unique sequence combination GATA/CLE0 results in selective expression of the IL-5 gene in response to elevated levels of intracellular cAMP.
A META‐ANALYSIS OF THE VALIDITY OF METHODS FOR RATING TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN PERSONNEL SELECTION

This paper reviews the validity evidence for systematic methods used to evaluate training and experience (T&E) ratings in personnel selection. Meta-analytic summaries of the data indicate that validity varies with the type of T&E evaluation procedure used. The Illinois job element and behavioral consistency methods each demonstrated useful levels of validity (.20 and .45, respectively) with small corrected standard deviations, thus supporting validity generalization. Both the point and task methods yielded low mean validities (.11 and .15, respectively) with larger variability. The authors hypothesized that both the point and task methods were affected by a job experience moderator. Partial support for this hypothesis was found. Moderator analyses suggested that the point method was most valid when the applicant pool had low mean levels of job experience and was least valid with an experienced applicant pool. Additional research is desirable on all T&E methods to decrease the potential impact of second-order sampling error in the meta-analytic results. Further research is also needed to explicate the constructs measured by T&E evaluations. This paper sutnmarizes and evaluates the validity evidence for methods of evaluating the training and experience (T&E) of applicants. T&E methods attempt to predict future job performance through systematic, judgment-based evaluations of information provided by applicants on resumes, applications, or other documents. This paper discusses the rationale for using T&E methods in applicant appraisal, reviews specific approaches to T&E evaluation, and presents a meta-analysis of T&E criterion-related validity coefficients. Meta-analytic results are presented for T&E methods as a whole and separately for specific T&E approaches. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of the organizations with which they are affiliated. Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Michael A. McDaniel, Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center, 99 Pacific Street, Building 455 Suite E, Monterey, CA 93940.
Does where you stand depend on how you behave? Networking behavior as an alternative explanation for gender differences in network structure

Abstract The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the relations between gender, networking behavior and network structure, in order to investigate the relevance of gender for organizational networks. Semi-structured interviews with 39 white, Dutch, women and men account managers were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Our study's results show that the men account managers employ exchange and affect-based trust networking and, to a lesser extent, authoritative networking, whereas the women account managers employ affect-based trust and also use exchange. Authoritative networking appears to foster higher status ties, exchange networking behavior fosters lower status ties and affect-based trust networking fosters equal status ties. Gender differences in network structure may be explained by networking behavior rather than by gender. Our study is limited by the size of our group of respondents (n = 39). A larger sample is needed to test hypotheses concerning the relations between networking behavior, network structure and gender in a more rigorous manner than our study allowed. However, our research material enabled us to test these relations in a sound, be it preliminary way. Our study suggests to focus less on gender as a demographic bivariate category to explain gender differences in network structures and outcomes. In so doing, organizational network research will gain more insight into how gender expectations are negotiated in networking. In organizational practice, this will support organization members to employ the diversity of networking behaviors necessary to generate optimal network structures and outcomes. While most organizational network research focuses on network structures, we introduce the relational process of fostering network relations as central to women's and men's networking behavior. Networking behavior may have greater explanatory power for differences in network structure, than gender as a demographic, bivariate variable.
Black-English Influences in the Writing of Third- and Sixth-Grade Black Students.

AbstractThis article presents an analysis of the errors found in a set of writing samples produced In third- and sixth-grade black children attending an inner city school in a low-income neighborhood. The analysis focuses on those errors that may be influenced by Black English oral usage. Hypercorrections are also noted. A few error types (primarily morphological) seem to be most influenced by Black English speech patterns.
Effects of Example Choice on Interest, Control, and Learning

We investigated example choice as a new method for the teaching of formal theoretical principles. Formal principles are presented with several examples from different topics, and students choose the one that interests them most. Example choice might be related to prior knowledge, interest, or perceived control. In an experimental study, we examined the effects of degree of example choice and degree of prior knowledge on interest, perceived control, and learning outcomes in a presentation on confirmation bias. The main finding was that participants who could choose an example showed more interest in the presentation of the formal principle than participants who either were given an example by the experimenter or only saw the presentation. Control was lowest for the group without example choice and without prior knowledge. Finally, prior knowledge, but not example choice, increased performance on a transfer of knowledge task. Example choice thus offers a new approach for closing the gap between formal principles as presented at school and a student's interests.
Empowering the Powerful: a discussion of the interrelation of government policies and consumerism with social class factors and the impact of this upon parent interventions in their children's schooling

Abstract This paper focuses on parents’ involvement with their child's schooling and the possible influences upon this. At a time when parental involvement is regarded as being highly important to a child's school achievement and given the Government's promotion of the role of parents in education, the conditions should be particularly conducive to involving all parents in this significant role. It will be argued, however, that in spite of increased statutory rights and a changing attitude towards parents by teachers and schools, parents’ social class location continues to have a direct impact upon their ability to intervene in their child's schooling. The paper concludes that increased parental involvement is probably desirable but the nature of this and its operationalisation needs to be carefully thought out.
Evaluating the impact of teaching/learning experiences during an environmental teacher education course

This paper reports on an evaluation of student learning during a post‐graduate environmental teacher education course. Questionnaires and journals were used to document student conceptions of environmental concern and environmental education; assess qualitative and quantitative changes in these conceptions and student environmental attitudes and behaviour; and elicit students' views of the effectiveness of different teaching methodologies in facilitating personal learning and attitude/behaviour changes. The results indicate that the course helped develop greater coherence in student conceptions of environmental concern, effected a shift in student conceptions of the nature of environmental education and facilitated the development of personal environmental attitudes and behaviour. Suggestions regarding improvements in teaching/learning approaches and techniques are made in the light of student responses.
Educational arrangements for children categorized as having special needs in Central and Eastern Europe

ABSTRACT Children with disabilities and many others who are categorized as having special needs are often marginalized within, or even excluded from, their local schools. This paper considers this issue in relation to the situation in countries of Central and Eastern Europe, examining developments that have occurred in recent years and how these compare with overall trends internationally. This analysis suggests some barriers to progress, including attitudes within communities towards certain groups of children, traditional practices in the field of special education and the effects of the depressed economic situation within the region. The paper concludes with a consideration of possible opportunities for improvements in provision.
EASY-PIPE - An "Easy to use" parallel image processing environment based on algorithmic skeletons

The paper presents an approach of using algorithmic skeletons for adding data parallelism to an image processing library. The method is used for parallelizing image processing applications composed of low-level image operators on a distributed memory system. In this way, a user who wants to parallelize an image processing application is not involved in the design and the implementation of parallel algorithms, but his only task is how to select for each low-level operator the appropriate skeleton to obtain the parallel version of the application. Example of the multibaseline stereo vision image processing aplication is given for reference.