Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
School-Level Correlates of Academic Achievement: Student Assessment Scores in SASS Public Schools.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data related to education in the United States and other nations. It fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report full and complete statistics on the condition of education in the United States; conduct and publish reports and specialized analyses of the meaning and significance of such statistics; assist state and local education agencies in improving their statistical systems; and review and report on education activities in foreign countries. We strive to make our products available in a variety of formats and in language that is appropriate to a variety of audiences. You, as our customer, are the best judge of our success in communicating information effectively. If you have any comments or suggestions about this or any other NCES product or report, we would like to hear from you. Please direct your comments to: iii Foreword The Research and Development series of reports has been initiated for the following goals: 1. To share studies and research that are developmental in nature. The results of such studies may be revised as the work continues and additional data become available. 2. To share results of studies that are, to some extent, on the cutting edge of methodological developments. Emerging analytical approaches and new computer software development often permit new, and sometimes controversial, analysis to be done. By participating in " frontier research, " we hope to contribute to the resolution of issues and improved analysis. 3. To participate in discussions of emerging issues of interest to educational researchers, statisticians, and the Federal statistical community in general. Such reports may document workshops and symposiums sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) that address methodological and analytical issues or may share and discuss issues regarding NCES practice, procedures, and standards. The common theme in all three goals is that these reports present results or discussions that do not reach definitive conclusions at this point in time, either because the data are tentative, the methodology is new and developing, or the topic is one on which there are divergent views. Therefore, the techniques and inferences made from the data are tentative and are subject to revision. To facilitate the process of closure on the issues, we invite comment, criticism, and alternatives to what we have done. Such responses should be directed to: for …
Unidirectional Distributed Video Coding for Low Cost Video Encoding

Distributed video coding (DVC) is an emerging video coding approach in the new era, particularly attractive due to its flexibility to introduce very simple encoder structures. This feature could be very effectively utilized in the design of low cost video cameras. However, the DVC architecture commonly discussed in research literature has a fundamental drawback of involving a feedback channel between the encoder and the decoder, which restrains itself from being used in video storage based applications. In this paper, we discuss a solution to the above problem in DVC, with a novel unidirectional architecture. In the proposed design, the feedback channel is suppressed and the encoded (compressed) bit stream can be transferred onto storage media for offline processing. The proposed decoder uses the spatial and temporal properties of the video sequence to refine the side information for iterative decoding, with the repeated use of same parity bit stream. The simulation results depict a significantly improved performance over other conventional video coding techniques proposed for use in low to middle end video equipments, while involving a very low encoder complexity.
Multilingual Dependency Learning: A Huge Feature Engineering Method to Semantic Dependency Parsing

This paper describes our system about multilingual semantic dependency parsing (SR-Lonly) for our participation in the shared task of CoNLL-2009. We illustrate that semantic dependency parsing can be transformed into a word-pair classification problem and implemented as a single-stage machine learning system. For each input corpus, a large scale feature engineering is conducted to select the best fit feature template set incorporated with a proper argument pruning strategy. The system achieved the top average score in the closed challenge: 80.47% semantic labeled F1 for the average score.
Lazy database replication with ordering guarantees

Lazy replication is a popular technique for improving the performance and availability of database systems. Although there are concurrency control techniques, which guarantee serializability in lazy replication systems, these techniques result in undesirable transaction orderings. Since transactions may see stale data, they may be serialized in an order different from the one in which they were submitted. Strong serializability avoids such problems, but it is very costly to implement. We propose a generalized form of strong serializability that is suitable for use with lazy replication. In addition to having many of the advantages of strong serializability, it can be implemented more efficiently. We show how generalized strong serializability can be implemented in a lazy replication system, and we present the results of a simulation study that quantifies the strengths and limitations of the approach.
Recovering Sparse Signals With a Certain Family of Nonconvex Penalties and DC Programming

This paper considers the problem of recovering a sparse signal representation according to a signal dictionary. This problem could be formalized as a penalized least-squares problem in which sparsity is usually induced by a lscr1-norm penalty on the coefficients. Such an approach known as the Lasso or Basis Pursuit Denoising has been shown to perform reasonably well in some situations. However, it was also proved that nonconvex penalties like the pseudo lscrq-norm with q < 1 or smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) penalty are able to recover sparsity in a more efficient way than the Lasso. Several algorithms have been proposed for solving the resulting nonconvex least-squares problem. This paper proposes a generic algorithm to address such a sparsity recovery problem for some class of nonconvex penalties. Our main contribution is that the proposed methodology is based on an iterative algorithm which solves at each iteration a convex weighted Lasso problem. It relies on the family of nonconvex penalties which can be decomposed as a difference of convex functions (DC). This allows us to apply DC programming which is a generic and principled way for solving nonsmooth and nonconvex optimization problem. We also show that several algorithms in the literature dealing with nonconvex penalties are particular instances of our algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed generic framework compared to existing algorithms, including iterative reweighted least-squares methods.
Mechanisms of regulation of the MacMARCKS gene in macrophages by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stably induced the protein kinase C substrate, MacMARCKS, in murine resident peritoneal macrophages; initial induction of MacMARCKS mRNA was detected within 15 min and was protein synthesis‐independent. This response was observed in the macrophage cell line RAW264, and occurred also in response to plasmid DNA, a partial mimetic of other responses to LPS. In murine bone marrow‐derived macrophages, MacMARCKS was expressed constitutively due to induction by macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Nuclear run‐on transcription revealed that, like tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), MacMARCKS was transcribed constitutively in RAW264 cells. The MacMARCKS promoter was sequenced to –1.7 kb and the transcription start site determined. Transient transfections of RAW264 cells revealed that the 113‐bp GC‐rich proximal promoter contained all the elements required for both high basal activity and 15‐ to 20‐fold activation by LPS. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 528–534; 1999.
Estimating a Green's Function from "Field-Field" Correlations in a Random Medium

Traditional imaging methods use coherent signals as data. Here, we discuss recent developments in imaging that aim at exploiting as data incoherent noisy signals that are not associated with well-defined arrival times. Indeed, signal constituents that in a classical setting may be regarded as noise may contain important information about the medium to be imaged. We show how it is possible to use the statistics of such noisy signals, specifically, the second-order statistics, for imaging. We consider two particular situations: first, the estimation of an (“empirical”) Green's function from noisy signals which can subsequently be used in imaging; second, the localization of a cluster of random sources from noisy signals (passive imaging). The analysis presented here is based on assuming a remote sensing scaling and the paraxial approximation, and it uses in part the results set forth in Papanicolaou, Ryzhik, and Solna [SIAM J. Appl. Math., 64 (2004), pp. 1133–1155] that relate to time-reversal, statistical .
Spatial and temporal equalization for broadband wireless indoor networks at millimeter waves

The combined use of adaptive antennas and decision feedback equalization (DFE) is analyzed in a realistic propagation scenario at millimeter waves, taking the direction of arrivals (DOA's) of the received paths into account. The joint antennas and DFE scheme, with one forward filter for each antenna and a single feedback filter (FBF), can be viewed as a spatial and temporal DFE (ST-DFE). The performance of this solution is compared with the cascade of adaptive antenna used for beamforming and DFE. It is found that ST-DFE achieves better performance since it combines the beamforming capability of the antenna array with the equalization properties of the DFE, with great advantages especially when rays arrive from similar angles. The mean square error (MSE) is analytically derived for infinitely long filters in a quasi-static environment with multiple rays having different DOAs, and compared (for the two-path model) with simulation results assuming filters with a small number of taps. Finally, service availability through coverage evaluation is developed and compared with that of a coded-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (C-OFDM) system.
A Near-Infrared Digital Camera in Polycrystalline Germanium Integrated on Silicon

We report on the first silicon-integrated 2-D light-sensitive array equipped with complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor addressing and readout electronics and operating in the near infrared. The chip includes 64 times 8 pixels, 64 analog-to-digital converters, cancellation circuitry for dark current, and facilities for test/calibration. We describe its architecture and fabrication, its electronic and optoelectronic characterization, as well as its operation as a near-infrared camera
Half-Life of Serum Elimination of Perfluorooctanesulfonate,Perfluorohexanesulfonate, and Perfluorooctanoate in Retired Fluorochemical Production Workers

Background The presence of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHS), and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) has been reported in humans and wildlife. Pharmacokinetic differences have been observed in laboratory animals. Objective The purpose of this observational study was to estimate the elimination half-life of PFOS, PFHS, and PFOA from human serum. Methods Twenty-six (24 male, 2 female) retired fluorochemical production workers, with no additional occupational exposure, had periodic blood samples collected over 5 years, with serum stored in plastic vials at −80°C. At the end of the study, we used HPLC-mass spectrometry to analyze the samples, with quantification based on the ion ratios for PFOS and PFHS and the internal standard 18O2-PFOS. For PFOA, quantitation was based on the internal standard 13C2-PFOA. Results The arithmetic mean initial serum concentrations were as follows: PFOS, 799 ng/mL (range, 145–3,490); PFHS, 290 ng/mL (range, 16–1,295); and PFOA, 691 ng/mL (range, 72–5,100). For each of the 26 subjects, the elimination appeared linear on a semi-log plot of concentration versus time; therefore, we used a first-order model for estimation. The arithmetic and geometric mean half-lives of serum elimination, respectively, were 5.4 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.9–6.9] and 4.8 years (95% CI, 4.0–5.8) for PFOS; 8.5 years (95% CI, 6.4–10.6) and 7.3 years (95% CI, 5.8–9.2) for PFHS; and 3.8 years (95% CI, 3.1–4.4) and 3.5 years (95% CI, 3.0–4.1) for PFOA. Conclusions Based on these data, humans appear to have a long half-life of serum elimination of PFOS, PFHS, and PFOA. Differences in species-specific pharmacokinetics may be due, in part, to a saturable renal resorption process.
e-Examiner: Towards a Fully-Automatic Knowledge Assessment Tool applicable in Adaptive E-Learning Systems

: Information about the learners’ level or state of knowledge is a key aspect for effective provision of personalized learning activities. E-learning systems gain such information by users’ self-assessment, predefined questionnaires and indirectly by inferences on observed user behaviors. However, most present solution approaches either cause a huge effort of manpower or a lack of required reliability. To overcome this, we have developed e-Examiner, a tool for automated knowledge assessment. It is designed to generate questions automatically and to assess student’s natural language answers based on the learning content. In this paper, firstly, we introduce the overall concept and architecture. Secondly, we focus on our solution for automated assessment of answers, which is based on the ROUGE toolset for automatic summary evaluation.
COCA: collaborative objects coordination architecture

Coordination policies vary from collaboration to collaboration and are even subject to evolution in different phases of the same collaboration. It is vital for collaborative systems to be flexible enough to accommodate changes to the coordination policies du ring development and the lifetime of the collaboration. Motivated by previous work of separating coordinati on and computation, we propose COCA as a generic framework for developing collaborative systems and modeling the coordination policies. Participants ex plicitly adopt roles, and coordination policies are specifie d in terms of roles in a logic-based specification langu age. Policies are interpreted at runtime at each collabo r ti n site by a COCA virtual machine. It is easy to chang e the coordination policies both during development and a t runtime.
Do Elections Delay Regulatory Action?

This paper investigates whether elections delay regulatory action against failing financial institutions in a country with strong institutions and property rights. Exploiting the cross-sectional and time-series heterogeneity in the exogenous electoral cycles of U.S. insurance regulators and governors, we find causal evidence that regulators delay interventions before elections. The extent of the delay is larger before competitive elections and when the regulatory task is assigned to a politician (elected regulator) rather than a bureaucrat (appointed regulator). Regulatory governance mechanisms that constrain the discretion of regulators reduce the politicization of regulatory supervision. The delays induced by elections substantially increase the ultimate costs of failure.
Race of source effects in the elaboration likelihood model.

In a series of experiments, we investigated the effect of race of source on persuasive communications in the Elaboration Likelihood Model (R.E. Petty & J.T. Cacioppo, 1981, 1986). In Experiment 1, we found no evidence that White participants responded to a Black source as a simple negative cue. Experiment 2 suggested the possibility that exposure to a Black source led to low-involvement message processing. In Experiments 3 and 4, a distraction paradigm was used to test this possibility, and it was found that participants under low involvement were highly motivated to process a message presented by a Black source. In Experiment 5, we found that attitudes toward the source's ethnic group, rather than violations of expectancies, accounted for this processing effect. Taken together, the results of these experiments are consistent with S.L. Gaertner and J.F. Dovidio's (1986) theory of aversive racism, which suggests that Whites, because of a combination of egalitarian values and underlying negative racial attitudes, are very concerned about not appearing unfavorable toward Blacks, leading them to be highly motivated to process messages presented by a source from this group.
Influence of External Compressive Stresses on the Performance of GFRP-to-Concrete Interfaces Subjected to Aggressive Environments: An Experimental Analysis

AbstractDespite the fact that fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are a reliable structural material with reasonable durability performance, the environment to which the strengthened structure is exposed can make the strengthening system vulnerable. In this study, the effectiveness of externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) systems when external compressive stresses are applied to glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP)-to-concrete interfaces in several aggressive environments is analyzed. The compressive stress imposed on the GFRP-to-concrete interface intends to simulate, for instance, the effect produced by a mechanical anchorage system applied to the EBR system. The design and the region to set those mechanical anchorage systems are not yet well understood and are mostly applied without really knowing how they will behave. This work shows an exhaustive experimental program based on several double shear tests subjected to salt fog cycles, dry/wet cycles and two distinct temperature cycles: from −10°.
Optical functional properties of the Boston Keratoprosthesis.

PURPOSE To evaluate the optical characteristics of the Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro), identify glare sources, evaluate possible glare control, and examine the benefit of implantation when the fellow eye has normal vision. METHODS Computed and optical-bench-measured point spread function (PSF) and glare sources were compared. A translucent plastic cornea was used to determine the impact of glare caused by scatter in the cornea and its control with a dark-iris tinted contact lens. The effect of glare in implanted eyes was measured with a brightness acuity test (BAT), with and without the dark-iris contact lens. Computed and measured visual fields were compared. Stereopsis was measured in patients with an intact fellow eye. RESULTS Computed and measured modulation transfer functions for the KPro were found to be very close to the diffraction limit. Both the model-eye measurements and patients' BAT glare responses identified that the hazy corneal graft surrounding the KPro is the main source of glare and can be controlled with a dark-iris contact lens. The lid effectively blocks the light that would be scattered in the hazy cornea of patients in whom the type II KPro was implanted. An intact fellow eye remains the dominant eye, with better acuity, and the KPro eye supports only minimal stereo ability and does not expand the binocular visual field. CONCLUSIONS Glare can be reduced significantly with the use of a contact lens with a dark iris. Implanting the KPro in a patient whose fellow eye has normal or near normal vision does not seem to improve visual function.
PERFORMANCE OF FILM COATED COWPEA SEEDS DURING STORAGE

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the performance of cowpea seeds film-coated with polymer, manioc starch and polyvinyl acetate (white glue) in the percentage of 25 to 75%, including an aqueous extract (black pepper) and a fungicide (carboxin+thiran), considering the following: water soaking, germination and accelerated aging during storage. The experiment was divided into two phases. In the first phase, the curves showing the water soaking capacity of coated and treated seeds were studied. In the second phase, the physiological quality of the seeds was examined during storage at ambient conditions. The experiments were arranged into a randomized design. The storage experimental data were subjected to analysis of variance by the F test (p <0.05) and the averages, when required, were compared by the Scott-Knott test (p <0.05). As to the soaking curves, the data were subjected to regression analysis of variance, producing, consequently, the models for each treatment. The water soaking curves for cowpea seeds displayed a triphasic pattern. The application of coating on to the cowpea seeds did not affect the germination process. Higher germination during storage process has been noticed in the treatments: polymer + extract (P + E) and glue + fungicide (C + F).
Emerging role for AS 160 / TBC 1 D 4 and TBC 1 D 1 in the regulation of GLUT 4 traffic

Sakamoto K, Holman GD. Emerging role for AS160/TBC1D4 and TBC1D1 in the regulation of GLUT4 traffic. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 295: E29–E37, 2008. First published May 13, 2008; doi:10.1152/ajpendo.90331. 2008. —Vesicular traffic of the glucose transporter GLUT4 occurs in response to insulin, muscle contraction, and metabolic stimuli that lead to changes in the energy status of the cell. These stimuli are associated with linked kinase cascades that lead to changes in glucose uptake that meet the energy challenges imposed on the highly regulated cell types in insulin-responsive tissues. The need to mechanistically link these kinase-associated stimuli to identifiable intermediates in vesicular traffic has long been known but has been difficult to fulfill. The Rab-GTPase-activating proteins AS160 and TBC1D1 have now emerged as strong candidates to fill this void. Here we review the initial discovery of these proteins as phosphorylated substrates for Akt and the more recent emerging data that indicate that these proteins are substrates for additional kinases that are downstream of contraction and energy status signaling. The mechanism of coupling these phosphorylated proteins to vesicle traffic appears to be dependent on linking to small GTPase of the Rab family. We examine the current state of a hypothesis that suggests that phosphorylation of the Rab-GTPase-activating proteins leads to increased GTP loading of Rab proteins on GLUT4 vesicles and subsequently to increased interaction with Rab effectors that control GLUT4 vesicle translocation.