Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary school achievement gaps and school decisions to support the academic achievement of disadvantaged students with data: A cross-country comparative study

Reducing the academic disadvantage of all students is a significant educational goal for many countries. Increasingly, education reforms around the world, including those in Australia and the United States have sought to reduce achievement gaps by adopting a strategy of embedding accountability anchored by standardised assessment. Whether to meet federal and state educational requirements, to provide transparency to the general public, or to inform curriculum and instruction at individual schools, policy makers rely on assessment data and data-driven practice to make a difference. Although external forces such as policy expectations are generally the first step in creating social change, the internal beliefs of change agents can impact their course of action. Being agents of change, school educators can choose to adopt data-driven practice for compliance, or also to engage with data for continuous improvement. Applying the efficacy theory and the theory of planned behaviour from the social cognitive tradition, this thesis examined educators’ belief mechanism regarding embracing data-practice, and considered the direct and indirect benefits of data-engagement, as well as the costs that ensued for teaching and learning. Using standardised assessment results from 2008–2013 in Australia and two counties in California, and six case studies across New South Wales, California, and Hawaii, the present mixed methods research found evidence of progress in raising the proficiency of disadvantaged students, but not in narrowing achievement gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students. The case studies suggest a positive relationship between academic proficiency progress and data engagement. This can be explained by the structural design and operational procedures of the data-driven process enhancing educators’ attitudes, intention, perceived efficacy beliefs, and perceived behavioural control relating to the challenging task of raising the educational outcomes of disadvantaged students. As a result, participants could see beyond mere compliance with data-driven practice to its potential for professional improvement.
Advances in molecular biology of hibernation in mammals

Mammalian hibernation is characterized by profound reductions in metabolism, oxygen consumption and heart rate. As a result, the animal enters a state of suspended animation where core body temperatures can plummet as low as −2.9°C. Not only can hibernating mammals survive these physiological extremes, but they also return to a normothermic state of activity without reperfusion injury or other ill effects. This review examines recent findings on the genes, proteins and small molecules that control the induction and maintenance of hibernation in mammals. The molecular events involved with remodeling metabolism, inducing hypothermia and maintaining organ function are discussed and considered with respect to analogous processes in non‐hibernating mammals such as mice and humans. The advent of sequenced genomes from three distantly related hibernators, a bat, hedgehog and ground squirrel, provides additional opportunities for molecular biologists to explore the mechanistic aspects of this biological adaptation in greater detail. BioEssays 29:431–440, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human Capital and Knowledge-Intensive Industries Location: Evidence from Soviet Legacy in Russia

Denis Ivanov is Research Fellow, International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 20 Myasnitskaya str. , Moscow 101000 Russian Federation. E-mail: dsivanov@hse.ru or d.s. ivanov@inbox.ru This article was prepared within the framework of the Basic Research Program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and supported within the framework of a subsidy granted to the HSE by the Government of the Russian Federation for the implementation of the Global Competitiveness Program. Alexei Faddeev, Victoria Golikova and Tatiana Mikhailova kindly provided necessary data for the paper. I am grateful to Kristian Behrens, Tatiana Dolgopyatova, Vladimir Gimpelson, Philip Keefer, Boris Kuznetsov, John V.C. Nye, Alexey Oshchepkov, Koen Schoors, Alex Teytelboym, Ilya Voskoboynikov, Andrei Yakovlev, and Natalia Zubarevich for their helpful comments. The paper was significantly improved by the suggestions of Ann M. Carlos and three anonymous referees. An early version of paper was presented at the research seminars at the HSE, as well as at 54 th European Regional Science Association Congress and 3 rd
The effect of probiotics on Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Conflicting results have been reported on the effect of a variety of probiotic strains on Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication. In this study, we evaluated the outcome of a probiotic strain composed of bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecium on HP eradication. METHODOLOGY We recruited 352 HP infected patients who were randomized into a triple-plus-probiotics group or a triple-only group; the participants received 1 week of PPI-based triple therapy with or without probiotics supplements. For the triple-plus-probiotics group, probiotics was continued for 8 weeks. All patients in the two groups were evaluated for 4 weeks after completion of therapy. RESULTS Using the intention to treat analysis, evaluation of the triple-plus-probiotics group showed a higher eradication rate than the triple-only group (83.5% vs. 73.3%, p=0.027). Diarrhea and overall side effects were more common in the triple-only group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Supplementation with probiotic strains, composed of Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecium, were shown to improve drug compliance, reduce side effects and enhance the intention-to-treat eradication rate of HP.
The anterior hypothalamus in cluster headache

Objective To evaluate the presence, localization, and specificity of structural hypothalamic and whole brain changes in cluster headache and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH). Methods We compared T1-weighted magnetic resonance images of subjects with cluster headache (episodic n = 24; chronic n = 23; probable n = 14), CPH (n = 9), migraine (with aura n = 14; without aura n = 19), and no headache (n = 48). We applied whole brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using two complementary methods to analyze structural changes in the hypothalamus: region-of-interest analyses in whole brain VBM, and manual segmentation of the hypothalamus to calculate volumes. We used both conservative VBM thresholds, correcting for multiple comparisons, and less conservative thresholds for exploratory purposes. Results Using region-of-interest VBM analyses mirrored to the headache side, we found enlargement (p < 0.05, small volume correction) in the anterior hypothalamic gray matter in subjects with chronic cluster headache compared to controls, and in all participants with episodic or chronic cluster headache taken together compared to migraineurs. After manual segmentation, hypothalamic volume (mean±SD) was larger (p < 0.05) both in subjects with episodic (1.89 ± 0.18 ml) and chronic (1.87 ± 0.21 ml) cluster headache compared to controls (1.72 ± 0.15 ml) and migraineurs (1.68 ± 0.19 ml). Similar but non-significant trends were observed for participants with probable cluster headache (1.82 ± 0.19 ml; p = 0.07) and CPH (1.79 ± 0.20 ml; p = 0.15). Increased hypothalamic volume was primarily explained by bilateral enlargement of the anterior hypothalamus. Exploratory whole brain VBM analyses showed widespread changes in pain-modulating areas in all subjects with headache. Interpretation The anterior hypothalamus is enlarged in episodic and chronic cluster headache and possibly also in probable cluster headache or CPH, but not in migraine.
Assessment of litter prevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in preweaned piglets utilizing an antemortem tracheobronchial mucus collection technique and a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay

The swine industry currently lacks validated antemortem methods of detecting baseline herd prevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The focus of our study was to evaluate alternative antemortem detection techniques and to determine baseline litter prevalence in preweaned pig populations utilizing the selected technique and a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Preliminary data was analyzed on weaned piglets with evidence of respiratory disease (n = 32). Five sample types (antemortem nasal swab, tracheobronchial mucus, postmortem deep airway swab, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung tissue) were collected from each pig. Individual samples were tested for M. hyopneumoniae using qPCR. Compared to nasal swabs, tracheobronchial mucus demonstrated higher test sensitivity (P < 0.0001). Tracheobronchial mucus was collected from apparently healthy preweaned piglets (n = 1,759; sow farms 1–3) and preweaned piglets exhibiting signs of respiratory disease (n = 32; sow farm 4), ranging in age from 12 to 25 days. Samples from sow farms 1–3 were pooled into 2 groups of 5 per litter (n = 360 pools from 180 litters), and qPCR was utilized to analyze each pool. A qPCR-positive result, threshold cycle <37, from either pool designated the litter positive for M. hyopneumoniae. Two out of 180 litters revealed a positive result (1.1%). Individual qPCR assays were run on the samples collected from sow farm 4. Five out of 30 samples revealed a positive result (16.7%). Tracheobronchial mucus collection in combination with qPCR is a sensitive antemortem sampling technique that can be used to estimate the prevalence of M. hyopneumoniae in preweaned pigs, thus providing insight into the infection dynamics across the entire farrow-to-finish process.
Keys to a successful and sustainable telemedicine program

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine organizational characteristics evident in successful telemedicine programs. The study proposed four research questions to identify the key organizational characteristics for successful telemedicine programs. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey using modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and organizational change readiness (ORC) validated assessments. Results: Using the UTAUT instrument and the ORC assessment, themes of successful telemedicine programs emerged. Overarching themes of successful programs included being formally structured, forward thinking, seeking to improve the quality of patient care, and being financially stable. Conclusions: This research provides a data-driven understanding of organizational issues that serve to maximize a telemedicine program's ability to achieve the overall goals and mission of a healthcare organization.
Lack of association of the CD14/C–159T polymorphism with susceptibility and serological activity parameters of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: CD14, the monocyte receptor for lipopolysaccharides (LPS), is an important mediator of inflammatory processes. As the T–159C exchange in the promotor of the CD14 gene was reported to lead to enhanced CD14 expression, this could be a new susceptibility gene for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) serves as a risk factor for disease development or has any influence on serological activity parameters of RA or soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels. Patients and methods: A total of 130 patients with RA, diagnosed according to the revised American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, and 130 healthy subjects, all Caucasians, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotype frequencies were compared by χ2 analysis. Results: Forty (31%) patients vs. 39 (30%) controls were genotyped CC; 71 (55%) vs. 67 (52%) were heterozygous, and 19 (15%) vs. 24 (19%) showed the TT genotype (p = 0.7). Accordingly, the allele frequency was equally distributed (p = 0.8). There was also no significant difference in genotype distribution between subgroups of patients categorized according to serological activity parameters and sCD14 levels. Conclusion: We found no association between the CD14/C–159T polymorphism and increased risk for the development of RA or serological disease activity parameters or sCD14 levels.
Rats Show Adaptive Choice in a Metacognitive Task With High Uncertainty

Metacognition refers to the use of one’s cognitive processes to coordinate behavior. Many higher cognitive functions such as feeling-of-knowing judgment and theory of mind are thought to be metacognitive processes. Although some primate species also show this ability in the form of behavioral control, a rodent model of metacognition is required for advanced studies of this phenomenon at behavioral, molecular, and neural levels. Here we show that rats could reliably be trained in a metacognitive task. The rats were trained to remember the location of a nose-poke hole and later indicate the location via a behavioral task. Rats had options of either demonstrating their memory or switching to an easier task (escape). Four rats were used in a two-choice metacognitive task, and 3 were used in a six-choice task. In the six-choice task, rats increased the likelihood of receiving a reward by utilizing the option to escape, in exchange for a decrease in the amount of reward received per correct trial. Furthermore, rats escaped more in sample-omitted trials than in standard trials. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that rats have metacognition, and could be utilized as a benchmark for further metacognition studies in rats. However, rats in the two-choice task did not use the escape response adaptively. These results were consistent with those seen in capuchin monkeys. Similarity between rodents and primates in task switching should expand the possibility of comparative studies of metacognition.
Role of IncP-1β Plasmids pWDL7::rfp and pNB8c in Chloroaniline Catabolism as Determined by Genomic and Functional Analyses

ABSTRACT Broad-host-range catabolic plasmids play an important role in bacterial degradation of man-made compounds. To gain insight into the role of these plasmids in chloroaniline degradation, we determined the first complete nucleotide sequences of an IncP-1 chloroaniline degradation plasmid, pWDL7::rfp and its close relative pNB8c, as well as the expression pattern, function, and bioaugmentation potential of the putative 3-chloroaniline (3-CA) oxidation genes. Based on phylogenetic analysis of backbone proteins, both plasmids are members of a distinct clade within the IncP-1β subgroup. The plasmids are almost identical, but whereas pWDL7::rfp carries a duplicate inverted catabolic transposon, Tn6063, containing a putative 3-CA oxidation gene cluster, dcaQTA1A2BR, pNB8c contains only a single copy of the transposon. No genes for an aromatic ring cleavage pathway were detected on either plasmid, suggesting that only the upper 3-CA degradation pathway was present. The dcaA1A2B gene products expressed from a high-copy-number vector were shown to convert 3-CA to 4-chlorocatechol in Escherichia coli. Slight differences in the dca promoter region between the plasmids and lack of induction of transcription of the pNB8c dca genes by 3-CA may explain previous findings that pNB8C does not confer 3-CA transformation. Bioaugmentation of activated sludge with pWDL7::rfp accelerated removal of 3-CA, but only in the presence of an additional carbon source. Successful bioaugmentation requires complementation of the upper pathway genes with chlorocatechol cleavage genes in indigenous bacteria. The genome sequences of these plasmids thus help explain the molecular basis of their catabolic activities.
VALIDATING CHINA'S OUTPUT DATA USING SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS

Can officially reported output figures be externally validated? This paper presents a dynamic panel framework for assessing statistics using verifiable signals of economic activity. In this context, satellite readings of nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of combustion, are forwarded. The problem of validating China's reported gross domestic product at the sub-national level during two recent downturns is considered. During the Great Recession period, reported figures are validated for some regions, but not others, including specifically those known to be inaccurate.
Independent risk factors and natural history of renal dysfunction in liver transplant recipients

Renal dysfunction is common after liver transplantation. However, there are only limited data on the predictors and natural history of renal dysfunction after liver transplantation. In this study, we determined independent predictors and the natural history of renal dysfunction in 172 consecutive liver transplant recipients. Survival and time to development of permanent renal dysfunction (renal dysfunction defined as a sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 from baseline for at least 6 months, severe renal failure defined as absolute GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 6 months( were determined using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to test the independent effect of a given set of variables on time to development of such an event. Nine percent of patients required immediate dialysis, 35% developed permanent renal dysfunction, and 7% developed severe renal failure. The rate of decline in renal dysfunction was maximal, 6.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 /mo, at 1 month after liver transplantation. Pre‐existing diabetes mellitus, major surgical infection, and waiting time on the transplant list were independent risk factors for immediate dialysis. Presence of serum creatinine > 1.2 mg/dL at any time before liver transplantation and a baseline GFR <70 mL/min/1.73 m2 were independent predictors of permanent renal dysfunction. Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and primary graft nonfunction predicted the development of severe renal failure. GFR stabilized around 9 months, and presence of decreased GFR > 30mL/min/1.73 m2 from baseline at 9 months predicted development of permanent renal dysfunction. An absolute GFR of <30mL/min/1.73 m2 occurring as early as 3 months after liver transplantation predicted severe renal failure. Severe renal failure was associated with a significantly lower survival by Cox regression analysis. We have identified risk factors and the natural history of permanent renal dysfunction and severe liver failure in liver transplant recipients. These observations may be useful in the development of nonnephrotoxic immunosuppressive regimens for high‐risk liver transplant recipients. (Liver Transpl 2003;9:741‐747.)
Linking transformational leadership, creativity, innovation, and innovation-supportive climate

The significance of creativity and innovation within organisations has been shown on several occasions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity and innovation. Additionally, this study explored the moderating role of employees’ perceptions of a supportive climate for innovation. ,Data were collected from 1,172 employees who were working in various types of industries in Iran, a developing country. ,The results of this study revealed positive and significant relationships between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity and innovation. Also, the findings indicated employees’ perceptions of a supportive climate for innovation moderated the transformational leadership‐employees’ creativity and transformational leadership‐employees’ innovation relationships. ,Organisations should invest in transformational leadership training and in the selection of leaders with this leadership style if their aim is to foster and enhance employees’ creativity and innovation. They also should invest in organisational climate improvement in order to provide a dynamic platform for being creative and innovative in the workplace. ,This study is one of the first to investigate the following relationships in a developing country, Iran: the associations between transformational leadership and employees’ sense of creativity and innovation and the moderating impact of employees’ perceptions of a supportive climate for innovation.
Avoidance of triplet pregnancies by elective transfer of two good quality embryos.

Attempts to increase the probability of a successful pregnancy in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment by increasing the number of embryos transferred automatically also increase the probability of multiple pregnancies and their attendant risks. Even where the number of transferred embryos is limited to a maximum of three as in this and other centres, there is a high incidence of twins and triplets. The question therefore arises whether the number of transferred embryos should be further limited to a maximum of two in cases where the prognosis is otherwise good. The only objection to this idea is a possible lowering of pregnancy rate. The present study set out to investigate this question. No significant lowering of pregnancy rate was found, so that limiting the number of transferred embryos to two where the prognosis is otherwise good has now become standard practice in our centre. A good IVF prognosis was defined by the following criteria: first attempt for IVF, less than 37 years old, and good embryo development. From 183 patients fulfilling these criteria, 80 agreed to the transfer of two embryos (group 1) and 103 opted for a triple transfer (group 2). Patient characteristics and embryology results were similar in the two groups. In group 1, 34 patients (42.5%) became pregnant and in group 2, 50 (48.5%). This difference is not significant. Similarly, twin pregnancy rates in both groups were high; eight twin pregnancies (23.5%) in group 1 and 12 (24%) in group 2. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The impact of Cumberland County College's Student Pathways Leadership Institute on selected participants

Anjelica Leonard THE IMPACT OF CUMBERLAND COTUNTY COLLEGE'S STUDENT PATHWAYS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ON SELECTED PARTICIPANTS 2007/08 Dr. Burton R. Sisco Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall attitudes of Cumberland County College's Student pathways Leadership Institute of 11 selected participants who were all enrolled in the 2007-2008 Student Pathways Leadership Institute at Cumberland County College, Vineland, NJ, in April, 2008. Attitude data were collected through a survey consisting of 23 Likert scale items using a 5-point scale. Data analysis suggests that the selected participants had a positive attitude towards the Student Pathways Leadership Institute. Overall, 10 out of 11 participants reported that they agreed that participating in the Student Pathways Leadership Institute increased their understanding of leadership development. Moreover, participants reported on gaining concrete skills through the institute and learning something about leadership in which they can apply to real-life experiences. Despite the overall positive attitudes of the Student Pathways Leadership Institute and how the program exposed them to people with life experiences different than their own, participants did not report as strongly on how the Student Pathways Leadership Institute helped them define their personal values. Yet, participants still felt as though the Office of Student Life and Athletics was doing enough to engage students in activities outside the classroom. All participants had suggestions on how to improve the institute for future years.