Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Issues in computer supported inquiry learning in science

Current views on science learning state that this should not involve learning just about the established results of science, including well-established theories such as Newtonian mechanics or the evolution of species as well as important empirical discoveries such as Young’s double slit experiment or the structure of DNA. Instead science learning should also focus on the processes and methods used by scientists to achieve such results. One obvious way to bring students into contact with the scientific way of working is to have them engage in the processes of scientific inquiry themselves, by offering them environments and tasks that allow them to carry out the processes of science: orientation, stating hypotheses, experimentation, creating models and theories, and evaluation (de Jong 2006a). Involving students in the processes of science brings them into the closest possible contact with the nature of scientific understanding, including its strengths, problems and limitations (Dunbar 1999). This is the main claim of inquiry learning: engaging learners in scientific processes helps them build a personal knowledge base that is scientific, in the sense that they can use this knowledge to predict and explain what they observe in the natural world. For about the last 20 years, computers have been used to create environments that engage learners in scientific inquiry activities. The virtue of the computer is that it allows the scaling down of inquiry tasks to a manageable size for learners who are inexperienced with inquiry processes. There are several ways in which computers can help create challenging and manageable environments for inquiry learning: • Replacing the natural world by a computer simulation can help make available on a wide scale the phenomena to be investigated. Moreover, the simulation may be simplified and/or emphasize certain aspects of the domain that can help learners observe critical features of the domain (van Joolingen & de Jong 1991a; de Jong & van Joolingen 1998; de Jong 2006a). • The computer can offer tools that support the inquiry processes, such as tools to analyse or visualize data, tools that help learners state hypotheses and tools that help learners manage the learning process (van Joolingen 1999; Linn et al. 2004a; Quintana et al. 2004; de Jong 2006b). • The computer can support collaboration between learners, allowing them to communicate, share data, results and ideas, and discuss consequences for the knowledge that is under construction (Okada & Simon 1997; van Joolingen et al. 2005). • Computer-based modeling tools allow learners to express their theories in models that can be simulated. In this way learners can use their theories operationally, confronting themselves with the consequences of their ideas (Hestenes 1987; Schecker 1993; Jackson et al. 1996; Fretz et al. 2002; Zhang et al. 2002; Schwarz & White 2005).
Tonic Accommodation, Cognitive Demand, and Ciliary Muscle Innervation

ABSTRACT An infrared optometer was used to investigate the relation between cognitive induced shifts in tonic accommodation (TA) and ciliary muscle innervation. Twenty emmetropic men volunteers took part in a double‐masked protocol which involved high (a reverse counting task) and low levels of mental load and blocking of sympathetic innervation of the ciliary muscle with the nonselective &bgr; receptor antagonist timolol maleate (0.5%). The high level of cognitive demand induced shifts in TA of up to +1 D. There was no clear reason why large differences in intersubject susceptibility to these shifts occurred. The effect of &bgr;‐antagonism on these shifts was insignificant for subjects having initial TA values <1.2 D. However, sympathetic antagonism induced significant increases in cognitive shifts for the remaining subjects. The inference is that cognitive induced shifts in TA are predominantly parasympathetic mediated although a sympathetic attenuation may occur at higher levels of TA.
Effectiveness of theophylline in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy after coronary angiographic procedures.

BACKGROUND Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third most common cause of hospital acquired acute renal failure and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The use of theophylline for prevention of CIN has yielded conflicting results. This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of theophylline in prevention of CIN when added to IV hydration and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). METHODS Patients with stable serum creatinine and at least moderate risk for CIN according to Mehran's risk score were included in this parallel group, 1:1, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. All patients received IV hydration (1 mL/kg per hour for 24 hours) and NAC (600 mg bid for 2 days). Patients were randomized to placebo (group P) or theophylline (200 mg in 100 mL 0.9% saline, as IV infusion 30 minutes before contrast medium (CM) administration; group T). Patients underwent standard coronary angiography ± angioplasty. Serum creatinine (SCr) was assessed just before and 72 hours after contrast administration and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. RESULTS This study included 60 patients with mean SCr 1.44 ± 0.7 mg/dL and eGFR 60.2 ± 29.2 mL/min. Mean SCr among group T was 1.54 ± 0.7 mg/dL with eGFR 58.6 ± 28.6 mL/min, while group P showed mean SCr of 1.34 ± 0.7 mg/dL and eGFR of 61.8 ± 30.1 mL/min. Among group P, 6 (20%) patients developed CIN while none of the patients in group T developed CIN. In comparison to placebo, theophylline significantly decreased SCr (P = 0.0001) and increased eGFR (P = 0.001) at 72 hours. Multivariate regression analysis showed that receiving placebo instead of theophylline, anemia, congestive heart failure, chronic renal impairment, and high-contrast load are all independent predictors for deteriorating renal function after CM administration. CONCLUSION Theophylline seems to be an effective prophylaxis against CIN for moderate- and high-risk patients undergoing coronary angiography or angioplasty. It offers additive protection when added to IV hydration and NAC.
Significance of bright plaques in the retinal arterioles.

Bright, orange-colored plaques were found at bifurcations of the retinal arterioles in 27 of 235 patients with occlusive disease within the carotid arterial system and in 4 of 93 patients with occlusive disease of the vertebral-basilar arterial system. Some of these plaques later disappeared from the retina, some remained stationary, and still others were observed to move distally. In 6 of 35 patients with recent carotid endarterectomy, new plaques appeared during or shortly after the operation. An occasional plaque caused occlusion of the arteriole. These plaques apparently consist of embolic material from atheromatous lesions in the aorta or carotid arteries. The finding of such plaques on routine ophthalmoscopy constitutes an important sign of atherosclerosis even in an otherwise asymptomatic person.
Effect of Exposure to Inhalation of Selected Petroleum Products on Liver function of Male Albino Rats : A Comparative Study

This study examined the comparative effect of exposure to inhalation of Kerosene, Diesel, Petrol and a mixture of kerosene, diesel and petrol on liver function of male albino rats. The serum liver enzymes ALT, AST and ALP increased in all the test animals exposed to inhalation of the petroleum products when compared to the control. ALT increased significantly (p≤0.05) in group 4 (from 36.60 ± 2.41 to 41.80 ± 1.64 IU/L), but increased non-significantly in groups 2, 3 and 5 compared with the control (group 1). AST increased significantly (p≤0.05) in all the groups compared to the control with highest increase in the group exposed to diesel (from 17.40 ± 2.51 to 24.40 ± 3.71 IU/L). ALP also increased significantly (p≤0.05) in all the test animals compared to the control with highest increase in group 3 (from 27.92 ± 0.16 to 44.93 ± 0.87 IU/L). Total bilirubin increased significantly (p≤0.05) in all groups exposed to the petroleum products with the highest increase in group 4 (from 0.20 ± 0.03 to 0.51 ± 0.05 mg/dl) when compared with the control. Haematological analysis show a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in WBC levels in groups 2, 3 and 5, and a non-significant reduction in group 4 compared with the control. RBC increased significantly (p≤0.05) only in group 3 (from 6.39 ± 0.88 to 7.76 ± 0.37 x10/L) and increased non-significantly in groups 2, 4 and 5. Hb increased non-significantly (p≤0.05) in group 2 and 3, and decreased non-significantly in group 4 and 5 compared with the control (group 1). PCV increased non-significantly (p≤0.05) in groups 2 and 3 (from 41.31 ± 5.94 to 41.98 ± 5.47 % and 41.31 ± 5.94 to 45.57 ± 5.11 % respectively), but reduced non-significantly in groups 4 and 5 compared to the control. Histological analysis of Liver section from rat in group one (normal control) show essentially normal histoarchitecture of the liver tissue, but exposure of the animals to inhalation of the petroleum products show distorted arrangement or alterations of the normal histoarchitecture of the liver sections compared with the control. The results of this study show that exposure of the albino rats to inhalation of petroleum products can cause slight alteration in haematological parameters, but can cause significant alteration in levels of liver function parameters and distortion in normal histoarchitecture of the liver tissue and therefore, can cause hepatic damage.
The Impact of Product Market Competition on Firms ’ Payout Policy

This paper investigates the interaction between product market competition and managers’ decision to distribute cash to shareholders. Using a large sample of manufacturing firms, we find that firms in more competitive industries pay more dividends than firms in less competitive markets. Further, consistent with agency theory, we find that the effect of product market competition on corporate payouts became significantly stronger after an exogenous event that intensifies the agency conflict between managers and shareholders (the business combination laws adopted by several states in the U.S. during the 1980s and 1990s). Overall, our findings are consistent with the notion that the disciplinary forces of competition induce managers to pay out excess cash and with the idea that dividends are the “outcome” of external factors.
The Efficiency of the Chinese Stock Markets: Some Unfinished Business on the Road to Economic Transformation

In his William S. Vickrey address to the International Atlantic Economic association in 2005, Franklin Allen examined the question of how China has managed to grow rapidly in the absence of many of the factors usually considered essential to economic expansion in Western economies. China had no tradition of the rule of law, corruption was rampant, and the financial institutions that could facilitate growth were inadequate and/or dysfunctional. In particular, the stock and bond markets in China were undeveloped and the banking system did not serve as an institution that could effectively channel individual savings into those companies with the highest potential investment opportunities.
No-Fault Insurance and Automobile Accidents

Removing accident liability through a no-fault system may only have minor effects on driver care, yet existing studies assessing whether no-fault auto insurance requirements increase accidents use fatal accidents as the primary outcome. In this paper we estimate the effect of no-fault on overall accident rates using detailed data from police accident reports in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Utah. We focus on accidents involving out-of-state drivers and account for differences in driving prevalence using accidents beyond the control of the driver. Controlling for a wide variety of accident, driver, and vehicle characteristics, we find little evidence that drivers under no-fault cause more accidents. Results on accident severity are mixed. JEL Classification: K13, G28 ______________________________________________________________________________ We wish to thank David Loughran, Stephen Carroll, and seminar participants at RAND helpful comments. We also appreciate the assistance of Yusuf Mohamedshah, who provided help in obtaining the HSIS data. The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of the RAND Corporation. Heaton can be reached at pheaton@rand.org and Helland at eric.helland@claremontmckenna.edu.
Delegation and Cartel Stability

The effect of delegation on cartel stability is addressed in a duopoly for a homogeneous product, under Cournot competition. The main findings are that if only one firm is managerial, the critical discount factor is increased by the presence of a weight attached to sales, so that cartel stability is decreased, while if both are managerial the opposite holds. As a consequence, the inclusion of sales in both firms’ objective function represents an incentive towards collusion.
Multi-categorical deep learning neural network to classify retinal images: A pilot study employing small database

Deep learning emerges as a powerful tool for analyzing medical images. Retinal disease detection by using computer-aided diagnosis from fundus image has emerged as a new method. We applied deep learning convolutional neural network by using MatConvNet for an automated detection of multiple retinal diseases with fundus photographs involved in STructured Analysis of the REtina (STARE) database. Dataset was built by expanding data on 10 categories, including normal retina and nine retinal diseases. The optimal outcomes were acquired by using a random forest transfer learning based on VGG-19 architecture. The classification results depended greatly on the number of categories. As the number of categories increased, the performance of deep learning models was diminished. When all 10 categories were included, we obtained results with an accuracy of 30.5%, relative classifier information (RCI) of 0.052, and Cohen’s kappa of 0.224. Considering three integrated normal, background diabetic retinopathy, and dry age-related macular degeneration, the multi-categorical classifier showed accuracy of 72.8%, 0.283 RCI, and 0.577 kappa. In addition, several ensemble classifiers enhanced the multi-categorical classification performance. The transfer learning incorporated with ensemble classifier of clustering and voting approach presented the best performance with accuracy of 36.7%, 0.053 RCI, and 0.225 kappa in the 10 retinal diseases classification problem. First, due to the small size of datasets, the deep learning techniques in this study were ineffective to be applied in clinics where numerous patients suffering from various types of retinal disorders visit for diagnosis and treatment. Second, we found that the transfer learning incorporated with ensemble classifiers can improve the classification performance in order to detect multi-categorical retinal diseases. Further studies should confirm the effectiveness of algorithms with large datasets obtained from hospitals.
Long-term performance of UK IPOs

This thesis investigates the long-term post-issue performance using a sample of 1,953 UK non-financial IPOs for the period of 1982-2004. Data is obtained from the LSPD. The main measure of performance includes buy-and-hold abnormal returns, cumulative abnormal returns, and calendar time regression intercepts. Our results indicate the mixed evidence on the long-term post-IPO stock performance. Event time analysis produce significant underperformance at five-year horizon while calendar time regression results show that IPOs perform as good as benchmarks. In conclusion, the relative long-term performance depends on the method and benchmark of examining performance. For example, most results based on BHAR measure suggest that the sample underperforms. Additionally, we assess the choice of data set on the conclusion of long-term post-IPO performance. We find that Datastream (DS) produces similar results as London Share Price Database (LSPD) if equal weight scheme is adopted. Additionally, there is insignificant discrepancy for the value weighted returns. Finally, the thesis reveals that two-stage IPOs do not underperform the benchmarks. Furthermore, two-stage IPOs have similar long-term performance compared to that of regular IPOs listed in AIM. Also, the underpricing for two-stage IPOs is less severe than regular IPOs.
Strategic Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations: Thinking and Acting Strategically on Public Concerns

Remedies for making a significant difference challenge strategic management explained use of remedies new approaches to strategic leadership chief executive as general manager of strategy chief executive as master of change creating a compelling vision of the future establishing a strategic management system designing the strategic management system organizing the strategic management system evaluating the strategic management system setting the strategic agenda making strategic assessments preparing the strategic plan implementing strategic thrusts - using bite-size modern program management methods what is bite-size modern program management what program executives and managers actually do managing by objectives designing program/project plans budgeting by program accountability organizing program and responsibility structure using newer forms of team-oriented structures learning from lessons of experience controlling and monitoring performance evaluating programs and projects.
The 23-kDa protein coded by the 3'-terminal gene of citrus tristeza virus is an RNA-binding protein.

The 23-kDa protein (p23), encoded by the 3'-proximal gene of the RNA of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), was overexpressed in Escherichia coli fused to the maltose-binding protein and purified by affinity chromatography. Gel retardation and UV crosslinking assays demonstrated that p23 has the ability to cooperatively bind single-stranded RNA in a non-sequence-specific manner. Formation of the p23-RNA complex was dependent on the conformational state of p23 and on the presence of a basic region, but the complex was stable at high salt concentrations, suggesting that interactions other than those between the negatively charged RNA and the basic region of p23 are involved. Competition assays showed that the affinity of p23 for single-stranded and double-stranded RNA was similar but considerably higher than for single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. By use of a series of artificially generated mutants, the RNA-binding domain of p23 was mapped between positions 50-86, a region containing several basic amino acids and a putative zinc-finger domain. Additional p23-derivatives lacking the conserved residues presumably involved in coordinating the zinc ion showed RNA-binding activity, but with an apparent dissociation constant higher than the wild-type protein. These conserved residues might confer binding specificity or increase binding stability in vivo. Within the Closteroviridae family, p23 is the only protein characterized so far showing RNA-binding activity.
Corporate Governance, Organization and the Firm: Co-operation and Outsourcing in the Global Economy

Contents:1. Introduction: Heterogeneity of Organizational FormsMario MorroniPART I: THEORETICAL ASPECTS2. The Stakeholder Corporate Governance View RevisitedMirella Damiani3. The Governance of the Knowledge-Intensive Firm in an Industry Life-cycle Approach Jackie Kraft and Jacques-Laurent Ravix 4. Types of Complementarity, Combinative Organization Forms and Structural Heterogeneity: Beyond Discrete Structural AlternativesAnna Grandori and Santi Furnari5. Oliver Williamson and the Logic of Hybrid OrganizationsClaude Menard6. Organization of Firms, Knowing Communities and Limits of Networks in a Knowledge-Intensive ContextPatrick Cohendet and Patrick LlerenaPART II: APPLIED ANALYSES7. Short-term Gain, Long-term Pain? Implications of Outsourcing for Organizational Innovation and ProductivityAndreas Reinstaller and Paul Windrum8. The General Profile of the Outsourcing Firm: Evidence for a Local Production System of Emilia RomagnaMassimiliano Mazzanti, Sandro Montresor and Paolo Pini9. Technical Capital and Social Capital in Outsourcing Networks: Complements or Substitutes? Rafael Pardo and Ruth Rama10. Manufacturing Abroad While Making Profits at Home: The VenetoFootwear and Clothing IndustryCarlo Gianelle and Giuseppe Tattara
Selection of Pigment (Melanin) production in Streptomyces and their application in Printing and Dyeing of Wool Fabrics

Four strains among 30 Streptomyces were isolated producing a diffusible different pigment in eight different media. Streptomyces virginiae was the most producer of a diffusible dark brown pigment on both peptone-yeast extract and tyrosine liquid medium. Some factors affecting on the pigment production were studied. The optimum pH was observed at 6 with 10 days of the Streptomyces age and five days of incubation on a rotary shaker (180 rpm) at 30 ◦C. The intensity of the pigment was affected by addition of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus sources. Co, Mg and pb SO4 were increased the intensity of the pigment production. The pigment produced at optimum condition had been used to dye and print the wool fabrics, the color strength values and fastness properties of samples were investigated. At the optimum conditions the dyed and printed wool fabrics posses color strength values 12, 10.5 respectively and very good fastness properties of washing,, perspiration and light fastness. The antimicrobial activity of the extracted pigment has been investigated.
Functional outcome of AO type C distal humeral fractures.

PURPOSE To review the functional outcome of AO type C distal humeral fractures (bicondylar fractures) managed with dual orthogonal plate fixation. METHOD Twenty-three patients were reviewed retrospectively at a mean of 45.1 months. Patient-rated outcomes (Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand [DASH], Patient Rated Ulnar Nerve Evaluation [PRUNE], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Elbow form [ASES-e], and Short Form-36 [SF-36]), clinical, radiographic, and objective evaluations were used to assess outcomes. RESULTS Almost 40% of patients required a third plate for adequate fixation. Patients identified minimal subjective deficits (10%) with a mean satisfaction of 93%. The arc of motion was decreased in the flexion-extension plane (122 degrees relative to 138 degrees, p <.01), whereas strength was lower for both elbow flexion-extension and forearm rotation (p <.05). The overall complication rate was 48%, however, most were minor and resolved without further surgery. No ulnar neuropathies were identified at follow-up after routine ulnar nerve transposition. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes of AO type C distal humeral fractures were good with dual orthogonal plating, ulnar nerve transposition, and early motion. Additional plating may be required with distal fracture patterns or osteopenic bone.
Enhancing reproducibility for computational methods

Data, code, and workflows should be available and cited Over the past two decades, computational methods have radically changed the ability of researchers from all areas of scholarship to process and analyze data and to simulate complex systems. But with these advances come challenges that are contributing to broader concerns over irreproducibility in the scholarly literature, among them the lack of transparency in disclosure of computational methods. Current reporting methods are often uneven, incomplete, and still evolving. We present a novel set of Reproducibility Enhancement Principles (REP) targeting disclosure challenges involving computation. These recommendations, which build upon more general proposals from the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) guidelines (1) and recommendations for field data (2), emerged from workshop discussions among funding agencies, publishers and journal editors, industry participants, and researchers representing a broad range of domains. Although some of these actions may be aspirational, we believe it is important to recognize and move toward ameliorating irreproducibility in computational research.