Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Sorting across K–12 Schools in the United States

This article documents evidence of nonrandom gender sorting across K–12 schools in the United States. The sorting exists among coed schools and at all grade levels, and it is highest in the secondary school grades. We observe some gender sorting across school sectors and types: for instance, males are slightly underrepresented in private schools and charter schools and are substantially overrepresented in irregular public schools, a large share of which educates students with special needs and juvenile justice involvement. Gender sorting within sectors and types is also quite prevalent and appears to be highest within the private schools (where single-sex schools are more common) and irregular public schools. We find that gender sorting is higher in counties that have higher shares of enrollment in private and nonregular public schools. This sorting occurs even though parents have similar stated preferences for school attributes for their sons and daughters.
Immigrants outperform Canadian-born groups in French immersion: examining factors that influence their achievement

This paper examines the French achievement results of three groups of students: Canadian-born English/French bilingual, Canadian-born multilingual and immigrant multilingual Grade 6 French immersion students, by investigating how the variables of integrative and instrumental motivations, attitudes to the learning situation, French language anxiety, motivation to learn French and oral, receptive and written willingness to communicate affect their achievement in French. Different from research with immigrant communities learning a minority language outside of Canada, this research corroborates other Canadian research where the immigrant group outperforms the Canadian-born groups in French achievement. Subsequent ANOVAs and post-hoc tests on questionnaire data showed the multilingual immigrant group to have higher integrative and instrumental motivations and were more willing to speak in French. Of these variables, integrative motivation, willingness to communicate (reading and writing) and attitude to the learning situation predicted the test results. Memberships in the Canadian-born groups were associated with negative results.
The Role of Information Systems in the UK National Health Service: Action at a Distance and the Fetish of Calculation

This paper examines some fundamental issues pertaining to the use of, as well as to the distinctive characteristics of, information technology in relation to the development of information systems within the UK National Health Service (NHS). The paper refers to the current Resource Management Initiative in the NHS, which involves the fabrication of information systems to connect medical activity to resource usage, and thus to costs. Examining the features of some of the rival inscriptions undergoing development to make this connection visible, the paper highlights the properties of information technology in enhancing their mobilization. It also addresses the immutability and combinability of these inscriptions, and discusses some of the implications, in terms of medical practice and knowledge, which may follow from their use.
Data-driven local optima network characterization of QAPLIB instances

Inherent networks of potential energy surfaces proposed in physical chemistry inspired a compact network characterization of combinatorial fitness landscapes. In these so-called Local Optima Networks (LON), the nodes correspond to the local optima and the edges quantify a measure of adjacency - transition probability between them. Methods so far used an exhaustive search for extracting LON, limiting their applicability to small problem instances only. To increase scalability, in this paper a new data-driven methodology is proposed that approximates the LON from actual runs of search methods. The method enables the extraction and study of LON corresponding to the various types of instances from the Quadratic Assignment Problem Library (QAPLIB), whose search spaces are characterized in terms of local minima connectivity. Our analysis provides a novel view of the unified testbed of QAP combinatorial landscapes used in the literature, revealing qualitative inherent properties that can be used to classify instances and estimate search difficulty.
Long-term predictors of narrative skill in children with early bilateral cochlear implants

Narratives require the integration of many different linguistic skills and can be used as an ecologically valid measure of child language development. This study investigated the narrative skills of 18 six- to seven-year-old prelingually deaf children who received simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants (CI) between 5 and 18 months of age. No significant differences were found on any of the narrative measures between this group and a matched group of normal-hearing children. Measures taken of the children at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months post-implantation, and measures from their parents were examined as possible predictors of narrative skills 72 months post-implantation. Child auditory skills, expressive language and receptive language were significant predictors of later narrative skills. A greater use of auditory-verbal language relative to visually supported language by parents and educators was associated with increased language complexity in child narratives. These results strongly suggest that early bilateral CI is associated with improved language outcomes for children with severe congenital hearing loss.
Heroic or hubristic? A componential approach to the relationship between perceived transformational leadership and leader–member exchanges

Using an interpersonal approach to self-perceptions, we broke down leaders’ self-perceptions of their transformational leadership behaviour into three components: a target effect (i.e., how leaders are perceived by followers), a perceiver effect (i.e., how leaders perceive followers), and a self-enhancement effect (i.e., idiosyncratic positivity bias in how leaders perceive themselves), and then examined the relationships between these components and the quality of exchanges between leaders and followers (LMX). In a survey study among 60 leaders with 286 followers, we found the target effect in leaders’ self-perceptions of their transformational leadership to be positively related to the quality of LMX, whereas the perceiver effect and self-enhancement effects were negatively associated with LMX. Follower extraversion intensified the positive role of the target effect and the negative role of the self-enhancement effect in the leader–follower exchanges.
Infectious Disease Comorbidities Adversely Affecting Substance Users With HIV: Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis

The linkage between drug use, particularly injection drug use, and HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C (HCV), and tuberculosis (TB) has been recognized since the beginning of the HIV pandemic. These comorbid conditions affect drug users worldwide and act synergistically, with resultant adverse biologic, epidemiologic, and clinical consequences. Prevention, care, and treatment of TB and HCV can be successful, and both diseases can be cured. Special clinical challenges among drug users, however, can result in increased morbidity, mortality, and decreased therapeutic success. Among these are limited disease screening, inadequate and insensitive diagnostics, difficult treatment regimens with varying toxicities, and complicated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions. These may result in delayed diagnosis, deferred treatment initiation, and low completion rates, with the potential for generation and transmission of drug resistant organisms. Strategies to address these challenges include outreach programs to engage substance abusers in nonmedical settings, such as prisons and the streets, active screening programs for HIV, HCV, and TB, increased and broadened clinician expertise, knowledge and avoidance of drug interactions, attention to infection control, use of isoniazid preventive therapy, and creative strategies to insure medication adherence. All of these require structural changes directed at comprehensive prevention and treatment programs and increased collaboration and integration of needed services for substance abusers.
Investigation of the Role of Mitochondrial DNA in Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility

Several lines of evidence suggest that mitochondrial genetic factors may influence susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. To explore this hypothesis further, we re-sequenced the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) from 159 patients with multiple sclerosis and completed a haplogroup analysis including a further 835 patients and 1,506 controls. A trend towards over-representation of super-haplogroup U was the only evidence for association with mtDNA that we identified in these samples. In a parallel analysis of nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes, we also found a trend towards association with the complex I gene, NDUFS2. These results add to the evidence suggesting that variation in mtDNA and nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes may contribute to disease susceptibility in multiple sclerosis.
The Resilience of Changes Promoting Inclusiveness in an Urban Elementary School

Teachers at the school described in this article created an inclusive environment for all students. This 3-year case study focused on a school that implemented changes in the service delivery model for categorical programs and maintained this innovation in the midst of an administrative change, budget cuts, a teacher strike, and class size reduction. All teachers at the school were observed over the 3 years, and 14 teachers, 2 per grade level (K-6), participated in interviews. Results indicated that the inclusive education was sustained when the teachers shared the vision, resources were available, training was provided, and a culture of inclusion was created within the school.
Oxidized-LDL and paraoxonase-1 as biomarkers of coronary artery disease in patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

UNLABELLED Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and OBJECTIVES Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) are both oxidative stress disorders. SDB intermittent hypoxia induces oxidative stress, and reduces NO(·) availability, causing endothelial dysfunction. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation is involved in atherosclerosis, and is reported in SDB. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) are lipid peroxidation markers. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) presents antiatherosclerotic properties related to paraxonase-1 (PON-1) activity. PON-1 hydrolyseyses lipid peroxides as ox-LDL. This study compares the relationship of HDL and PON-1, the lipid peroxidation markers ox-LDL and MDA, and 8-OHdG DNA damage marker in the association of SDB and CAD. DESIGN AND METHODS 29 controls and 27 cases with CAD (defined as > 30% coronary narrowing) patients were included. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and several lipid and oxidative stress parameters were measured in these patients. RESULTS AHI is increased in CAD patients, and PON-1 activity and HDL levels are decreased. Regression analyseyses showed that lower PON-1 activity and higher ox-LDL levels are important CAD predictors, compared to HDL or MDA levels and present an age-dependent increase. Nitrites and nitrates, indirect NO(·) markers, are positive vs correlated with PON-1 and are negatively correlated to ox-LDL. SDB is not correlated to PON-1 activity decrease or ox-LDL increase. AHI is inversely correlated to HDL levels. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that PON-1 and ox-LDL are important predictors of CAD, however they may not be directly related to SDB.
Does Public Service Motivation Mediate the Relationship between Goal Clarity and both Organizational Commitment and Extra-Role Behaviours?

Abstract Research has not considered how goal clarity can affect work attitudes through public service motivation (PSM). As a result, a model was developed to examine the relationship between goal clarity, PSM, and two employee work attitudes and behaviours (i.e., organizational commitment and extra-role behaviours). Several important findings emerged from the model. First, goal clarity was positively associated with PSM. Second, goal clarity was positively associated with both organizational commitment and extra-role behaviours. Finally, PSM was found to partially mediate the relationship between goal clarity and both organizational commitment and extra-role behaviours. The implications these findings have for theory and practice are discussed.
Mapping rural savanna woodlands in malawi: a comparison of maximum likelihood and fuzzy classifiers.

Changes in land cover system represent a key variable in managing and understanding the environment, as well as driving many environmental assessment mechanisms such as hydrological models for large river basins water budgeting. Remote sensing can provide information on the spatial pattern of land cover features, but analysis and classification of such imagery primarily suffers from the problem of class mixing within pixels. To reflect the actual land cover conditions rigorously and well defined, statistical algorithms have to 'bridge the gap' between legend requirements and the input satellite imagery. While studies have been done using maximum likelihood and fuzzy classifiers in forestry, urban planning and savannah woodlands, appropriate methods to map land cover distributions in savanna woodlands associated with rural settlements are yet scarce. The distribution of savanna woodlands, rural residential areas (especially grass-thatched housing) and cultivated/grazing areas within the Shire River catchment in Malawi, represent classes which have similar spectral signatures (especially during the dry season). They occur in similar environments and are often in adjacent or mixed stands. Two classification methods i.e. purely using a maximum likelihood classification and when improving this classification using a contextual fuzzy convolution filter were assessed to map land cover dynamics of the Shire River catchment using Landsat 7 ETM+. With respect to classification methodologies and the ability to correctly identify land cover features, accuracies (before and after applying the filter) were compared and tested for the catchment's hydrological modelling. Spatial characteristics of the catchment, digital elevation data, precipitation and the Landsat mapped land cover data were derived and exported into a geographic information system (GIS) to provide thematic data layers from which to delineate hydrologic response units (HRUs). Eight detailed land cover classes were mapped for the Shire River catchment. The hierarchical legend structure determined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) was used to label land cover variables. The purely maximum likelihood statistical classifier accurately mapped individual classes in more detail which could not be discriminated using fuzzy convolution filter. The spatial scale for land cover parameterization can play a significant role in how specific land surface hydrological processes are simulated.
Gender and asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome

Abstract Objective: To assess relationships between obstructive lung diseases, respiratory symptoms, and comorbidities by gender. Methods: Data from 12 594 adult respondents to the 2012 South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey were used. Five categories of chronic obstructive airway disease (OAD) were defined: former asthma only, current asthma only, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) only, asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), and none. Associations of these categories with respiratory symptoms (frequent productive cough, shortness of breath, and impaired physical activities due to breathing problems), overall health, and comorbidities were assessed using multivariable logistic regression for men and women. Results: Overall, 16.2% of men and 18.7% of women reported a physician diagnosis of COPD and/or asthma. Former asthma only was higher among men than women (4.9% vs. 3.2%, t-test p = 0.008). Current asthma only was more prevalent among women than men (7.2% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001), as was ACOS (4.0% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001). Having COPD only did not differ between women (4.3%) and men (4.4%). Adults with ACOS were most likely to report the 3 respiratory symptoms. COPD only and ACOS were associated with higher likelihoods of poor health and most comorbidities for men and women. Current asthma only was also associated with these outcomes among women, but not among men. Conclusions: In this large population-based sample, women were more likely than men to report ACOS and current asthma, but not COPD alone. Gender differences were evident between the OAD groups in sociodemographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and comorbidities, as well as overall health.
Maternal and neonatal outcoms of placenta previa at a Tertiary Maternity Hospital Ahvaz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Background: Placenta Praevia (PP) is one a significant cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to to determine the frequency maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with placenta previa. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised all patients who had a cesarean section for PP at a tertiary referral hospital in Ahvaz, Islamic Republic of Iran, from May 2003 to December 2013. Maternal and neonatal data were obtained from the hospital database System at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. diagnoses were confirmed during cesarean section. Results: In total, 87 patients with PP were evaluated. 29 patients had complete placenta previas, 33 partial, and 25 low lying placenta previa. 53 cases had previous cesarean sections. 33(37.9%) mothers had to admitted to the intensive care unit and 46(52.9%) mothers need to emergency cesarean. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.92 days. In total, 36.8% (n=32) of women underwent an obstetric hysterectomy. frequencies of bladder injuries were 6 (6.9%). postpartum hemorrhage in 37(42.5%) and 34(39.1%) patients were required blood transfusion . The mean packed red blood cell transfusion requirement was 4.4 units. There was no maternal death in this study. During the study period there were 81live births, 6 neonatal deaths, no still birth. Mean gestational age was 34.7 and Mean birth weight of the neonates was 2.5 kgs. There were 25 neonates with an APGAR score of less than 7. three (3.4%) babies were diagnosed as having RDS. 12 cases (13.8%) were diagnosed as small for gestational age and 2(2.2%) cases were IUGR. Conclusion: In our experience partial placenta previa was the most common type of PP. APGAR score
Demographic factors in assessing perceived risk in online shopping

Research in online shopping was the focus of many studies as the age of electronic commerce began in the late 1990's. More recently, research in this area has declined, even as shopping on the Internet continues to increase and now dominates some product categories. This research offers a timely update on this literature by investigating online shopping from a perceived risk perspective. The results find that overall perceived risk is low with only some consumer concerns in psychological, time and performance risk. Analysis of perceived risk across six product categories and four demographic factors finds a significant level of perceived risk for lower income individuals when purchasing consumer electronics, but not in any other construct examined in this research. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence to substantiate the common perception that perceived risk in online shopping is declining and does not differ greatly across product category or demographic factor.
Why Is Benevolent Sexism Appealing?

Previous research suggests that benevolent sexism is an ideology that perpetuates gender inequality. But despite its negative consequences, benevolent sexism is a prevalent ideology that some even find attractive. To better understand why women and men alike might be motivated to adopt benevolent sexism, the current study tested system justification theory’s prediction that benevolent sexism might have a positive linkage to life satisfaction through increased diffuse system justification, or the sense that the status quo is fair. A structural equation model revealed that benevolent sexism was positively associated with diffuse system justification within a sample of 274 college women and 111 college men. Additionally, benevolent sexism was indirectly associated with life satisfaction for both women and men through diffuse system justification. In contrast, hostile sexism was not related to diffuse system justification or life satisfaction. The results imply that although benevolent sexism perpetuates inequality at the structural level, it might offer some benefits at the personal level. Thus, our findings reinforce the dangerous nature of benevolent sexism and emphasize the need for interventions to reduce its prevalence.
Conformity in the Rat: A Leader's Selection of Door Color versus a Learned Door-Color Discrimination

An analogue for studying conformity in nonhuman species was developed. Rats trained to follow a leader, which discriminated between black and white doors in a Y-maze, learned to follow and to discriminate between the black and white doors. When the incorrect or unrewarded door color was selected by substitute leaders, followers conformed on 60% of the trials.
Defending genome integrity during DNA replication: a proposed role for RecQ family helicases

The RecQ family of DNA helicases have been shown to be important for the maintenance of genomic integrity in all organisms analysed to date. In human cells, representatives of this family include the proteins defective in the cancer predisposition disorder Bloom's syndrome and the premature ageing condition, Werner's syndrome. Several pieces of evidence suggest that RecQ family helicases form associations with one or more of the cellular topoisomerases, and together these heteromeric complexes manipulate DNA structure to effect efficient DNA replication, genetic recombination, or both. Here, we propose that RecQ helicases are required for ensuring that structural abnormalities arising during replication, such as at sites where replication forks encounter DNA lesions, are corrected with high fidelity. In mutants defective in these proteins, not only is replication abnormal, but cells display aberrant responses to DNA‐damaging agents or inhibitors of DNA synthesis. We suggest that RecQ helicases may be important for the integration of cellular responses to these insults, such as by linking cell cycle checkpoint responses to recombinational repair. BioEssays 21:286–294, 1999. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
AR-GARCH in Presence of Noise: Parameter Estimation and Its Application to Voice Activity Detection

This paper presents a new method for voice activity detection (VAD) based on the autoregressive-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (AR-GARCH) model. The speech signal is modeled as an AR-GARCH process in the time domain, and the likelihood ratio is computed and compared to a threshold. The time-varying variance of the speech signal needed for computing the likelihood function under speech presence hypothesis, is estimated using the AR-GARCH model. The model parameters are estimated using a novel technique based on the recursive maximum likelihood (RML) estimation. The variance of the additive noise, a critical issue in designing a VAD, is estimated using the improved minima controlled recursive averaging (IMCRA) method, which is properly modified to be applicable to noise variance estimation in the time domain. The performances of the VAD and the parameter estimation method are examined under several conditions. Experimental results indicate the robustness of the AR-GARCH based VAD both to noise variations and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions.