Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Policy Impact of PISA: An Exploration of the Normative Effects of International Benchmarking in School System Performance

Little research has been done into how the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) affect national educational reform and policy-making. This paper examines the normative impact of PISA by investigating how, and the extent to which , national policy actors use PISA in policies and practices, to evaluate and improve school-system performance. Drawing on the results of a survey of country practices, the study shows that PISA has become accepted as a reliable instrument for benchmarking student performance worldwide, and that PISA results have had an influence on policy reform in the majority of participating countries/economies. A ce jour, rares sont les recherches ciblant l’impact des resultats de l’enquete PISA (Programme international pour le suivi des acquis des eleves) sur les reformes et l’action publique dans les pays. Le present document examine l’impact normatif du PISA en cherchant a determiner comment et dans quelle mesure les acteurs politiques des pays utilisent le PISA dans l’etablissement de politiques et pratiques, afin d’evaluer et d’ameliorer les performances de leur systeme d’education. A partir des resultats d’une enquete sur les pratiques des pays, cet etude montre que le PISA est aujourd’hui communement accepte en tant qu’instrument fiable pour evaluer la performance des eleves dans le monde entier et que les resultats au PISA exercent une influence reelle sur les reformes politiques dans la majorite des pays et economies participants.
The salinity contrast between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during glacial time

In today's ocean the salinity of low-latitude surface waters in the Pacific is on the average 1 per mil lower than in the Atlantic. Oxygen isotope records for planktonic foraminifera suggest that an even larger salinity deficit may have existed for Pacific surface water during glacial time. If so, the transport of water vapor from the Atlantic to the Pacific must have been as strong as or even stronger. To balance the tendency toward salt buildup the Atlantic would have had to export, during glacial time, waters saltier than it received from the other oceans.
Subjective Well-Being: Weather Matters; Climate Doesn't

We investigate the impact of short-term weather and long-term climate on self-reported life satisfaction using panel data. We find robust evidence that day-to-day weather variation impacts life satisfaction by a similar magnitude to acquiring a mild disability. Utilizing two sources of variation in the cognitive complexity of satisfaction questions, we present evidence that weather bias arises because of the cognitive challenge of reporting life satisfaction. Consistent with past studies, we detect a relationship between long-term climate and life satisfaction without individual fixed effects. This relationship is not robust to individual fixed effects, suggesting climate does not directly influence life satisfaction.
Highly conductive iron‐rich (Mg,Fe)O magnesiowüstite and its stability in the Earth's lower mantle

It has been repeatedly suggested that an iron‐rich oxide might accumulate on the Earth's core‐mantle boundary by various processes. Recent studies showed that FeO with a rock salt (B1)‐type structure undergoes pressure‐ and temperature‐induced metallization at the Earth's lower mantle conditions. This implies similar metallization or decomposition of the lower mantle phase, (Mg,Fe)O, under high pressure‐temperature conditions. We performed simultaneous X‐ray diffraction and electrical conductivity measurements on (Mg0.20Fe0.80)O and (Mg0.05Fe0.95)O magnesiowüstites up to 140 GPa and 2100 K, and we examined recovered samples by means of an analytical transmission electron microscope. The experiments revealed very high electrical conductivity of the magnesiowüstite samples and their minimal temperature dependence above 85 GPa and 1300 K, yet the samples remained insulators. We also found decomposition of (Mg0.05Fe0.95)O into almost pure FeO and iron‐rich (Mg,Fe)O due to metallization of the FeO component, while such a reaction was not observed in (Mg0.20Fe0.80)O. The observed high electrical conductivity and decomposition of iron‐rich (Mg,Fe)O magnesiowüstite could enhance the heterogeneities in the electrical and thermal conductivity at the Earth's core‐mantle boundary region.
MOS-ONLY AUTOMATION TECHNIQUE WITH AN EXEMPLARY MOS-ONLY BP/LP AGILE FILTER DESIGN

: In this work, a systematic of the automation in the result of the re-obtained small signal parameters based on SPICE and CADENCE-SPECTRE is presented for MOS-Only circuits. Accuracy of the re-obtained parameters was improved by re-formulating in the basis of SPICE and CADENCE-SPECTRE. Moreover, piece-wise polynomial regressive models are presented for d s g , m g and d s I . Also, performance of the models is compared with conventional expressions. Success of the given MOS-Only design automation based on re-obtained small signal parameters is verified with an exemplary new agile filter.
Three-dimensional analysis and in vivo imaging for sperm release and transport in the murine seminiferous tubule

Introduction Spermatozoa released from Sertoli cells must be transported to the epididymis. However, the contribution of the peristaltic motion in the seminiferous tubule to sperm release and transport remains unclear. We, therefore, investigated luminal flow and movements in the seminiferous tubules by three-dimensional analysis and in vivo imaging. Materials and Methods Serial testicular sections were cut in 5-μm-thick and 50-μm-interval and stained by PAS-hematoxylin. After the three-dimensional reconstruction of the seminiferous tubules, the localization of the flowing spermatozoa and stages observed in the sections were recorded in each reconstructed tubule. The luminal movements in the seminiferous tubule were observed by in vivo imaging using a fluorescent-reporter mouse and two-photon excitation microscopy system. Results Flowing spermatozoa were mainly scattered in the lumina at stage VII/VIII, and clustered spermatozoa were also found in some regions. The clustered spermatozoa were observed at zero to two regions in each seminiferous tubule. Flowing spermatozoa were also found in the opposite direction to the rete testis. The flagellum direction of the spermatozoa attached to the seminiferous epithelium was reversed within a few seconds to a few tens of seconds when observed by in vivo imaging. The epithelium at the inner curve of the seminiferous tubule moved more actively and attached fewer spermatozoa compared to that at the outer curve. Discussion This study revealed the presence of repeatedly reversed luminal flow in the seminiferous tubule. Such movements are suggested to help the sperm release from the Sertoli cells and the following aggregation of the released spermatozoa.
Ciliary proteins Bbs8 and Ift20 promote planar cell polarity in the cochlea

Primary cilia have been implicated in the generation of planar cell polarity (PCP). However, variations in the severity of polarity defects in different cilia mutants, coupled with recent demonstrations of non-cilia-related actions of some cilia genes, make it difficult to determine the basis of these polarity defects. To address this issue, we evaluated PCP defects in cochlea from a selection of mice with mutations in cilia-related genes. Results indicated notable PCP defects, including mis-oriented hair cell stereociliary bundles, in Bbs8 and Ift20 single mutants that are more severe than in other cilia gene knockouts. In addition, deletion of either Bbs8 or Ift20 results in disruptions in asymmetric accumulation of the core PCP molecule Vangl2 in cochlear cells, suggesting a role for Bbs8 and/or Ift20, possibly upstream of core PCP asymmetry. Consistent with this, co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate direct interactions of Bbs8 and Ift20 with Vangl2. We observed localization of Bbs and Ift proteins to filamentous actin as well as microtubules. This could implicate these molecules in selective trafficking of membrane proteins upstream of cytoskeletal reorganization, and identifies new roles for cilia-related proteins in cochlear PCP.
The Influence of Demographic Factors and Financial Planning on Financial Management Behavior with Financial Self-efficacy as an Intervening Variable in Pandemic Covid-19

The study aimed to determine the effect of demographic factors and financial planning on financial management behavior with financial self-efficacy as an intervening variable. As many as 95 students in the city of Semarang used the accidental sampling technique. The analysis technique is Partial least squares structural equationmodeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4. The results show that financial planning and financial self-efficacy have a significant effect on financial management behavior, financial planning has an effect on financial self-efficacy, and financial self-efficacy plays a role as mediation in the relationship between financial planning and financial management behavior. Meanwhile, demographic factors (gender, age, and income) do not affect financialmanagement behavior, and financial self-efficacy cannot mediate between demographic factors and financial management behavior.
Measuring to a

Using panel data of retail purchases, we measure the effects of the introduction, and later removal, of a bottled-water tax in the state of Washington. We use a difference-in-differences approach to measure effects of the tax against untreated stores (in comparable control states) and untreated weeks (the pre-period). We further estimate triple-difference speciﬁcations comparing bottled water to juice and milk substitute products. Our results show that, when imposed, the tax causes bottled water sales to drop by nearly 6% in our preferred speciﬁcation. Sales never fully recover, even after the tax removal. In terms of the heterogeneity of this effect, we ﬁnd larger quantity drops in high tax rate areas and in the lowest and highest quintile income areas.
Evaluation of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Eyes with Hyperopic Anisometropic Amblyopia Using Fundus Reflectometry

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) scores in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia and compare those with their fellow and control eyes using one-wavelength fundus reflectometry. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 33 patients diagnosed with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia aged 12–40 years. The control group consisted of 36 hyperopic and 42 emmetropic children, age-matched to the patients. Central macular thickness (CMT), MPOD, axial length (AL), best-corrected visual acuity, and refraction errors were measured between the study group and the control group. Results: Eyes with the diagnosis of hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia had significantly higher mean and maximum (max) MPOD scores compared with their fellow eyes as well as hyperopic and emmetropic eyes (p<0.001 for all). The mean AL in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia was statistically shorter than that in hyperopic and emmetropic controls (p=0.027, p<0.001, respectively). The mean CMT was found to be thicker in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia when compared to their fellow eyes, as well as hyperopic and emmetropic controls, eventhough there was no significant difference was found among the four groups (p=0.052). The mean MPOD levels were significantly correlated with the difference in CMT (r=−0.21, p=0.032), and logMAR visual acuity scores (r=−0.44, p<0.001) in the hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia group. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the MPOD is reduced in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia. This reduction may be due to less visual stimulus-induced deterioration of foveal development and microarchitecture in anisometropic amblyopic eyes.
Pupillographic Analysis of COVID-19 Patients: Early and Late Results After Recovery

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the short- and long-term static and dynamic pupillary responses of patients recovered from coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) using quantitative infrared pupillography. Methods: This study included patients who recovered from COVID-19 (Group 1) and age- and gender-matched controls (Group 2). A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed at 1 month and 6 months after the diagnosis of COVID-19. Photopic, mesopic, and scotopic pupil diameters (PDs) were measured using a quantitative infrared pupillography which was integrated into Scheimpflug/Placido photography-based topography system. PDs at 0, 2nd, 4th, and 6th seconds, and average pupil dilation speeds at 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th seconds were recorded. Results: Eighty-six eyes of 86 patients (Group 1: n=42; Group 2: n=44) were included. While the mean photopic, mesopic, and scotopic PDs were significantly larger in the COVID-19 group than the control group in the 1st month (p=0.035, p=0.017, p=0.018, respectively), no statistically significant difference was found in the 6th month. Besides, average pupil dilation speeds and PDs at the 0, 2nd, 4th, and 6th seconds were not statistically significantly different between the two groups in the 1st month and 6th month. Conclusion: PDs were significantly larger in COVID-19 patients in all light intensities in the 1st month after COVID-19. However, pupillary dilation was transient, and no significant difference was found in the 6th month. We suggest that the transient pupillary dilation may be secondary to the autonomic nervous system dysfunction and/or optic nerve and visual pathways alterations following COVID-19.
El uso de modelos predictivos de distribución para el diseño de muestreos de especies poco conocidas

The use of predictive distribution models for planning surveys of little known species. The usefulness of predictive distribution models to provide a reliable rep- resentation is seriously questioned in the case of species with few well known localities. However, we propose in this paper that these techniques may be valuable for the design of future samplings devoted to collect new observations of little known species and, with limitations, to evaluate the possible extent of decrease in the original distribution area due to land use changes. With three different modelling techniques that use only reliable pres- ence data, this study identified favourable areas with the capacity to support undetected populations of the lesser known species of no-flying mammals in the province of Misiones, Argentina. The probable degree of contraction in potential distribution area due to land use changes is also estimated. Palabras clave. Argentina. Bosque atlantico. Deforestacion. Misiones. Sigmodontidae.
High‐resolution MODIS aerosol retrieval during wildfire events in California for use in exposure assessment

Retrieval of aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) using the Collection 5 (C005) algorithm provides large‐scale (10 × 10 km) estimates that can be used to predict surface layer concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5). However, these large‐scale estimates are not suitable for identifying intraurban variability of surface PM2.5 concentrations during wildfire events when individual plumes impact populated areas. We demonstrate a method for providing high‐resolution (2.5 km) kernel‐smoothed estimates of AOD over California during the 2008 northern California fires. The method uses high‐resolution surface reflectance ratios of the 0.66 and 2.12 µm channels, a locally derived aerosol optical model characteristic of fresh wildfire plumes, and a relaxed cloud filter. Results show that the AOD derived for the 2008 northern California fires outperformed the standard product in matching observed aerosol optical thickness at three coastal Aerosol Robotic Network sites and routinely explained more than 50% of the variance in hourly surface PM2.5 concentrations observed during the wildfires.
Sustainable development of the Nephrops fishery in the Kattegat-Skagerrak region

13 One of the most effective ways to alter catch and length compositions in trawls is to change the 14 selectivity of the gear, either by adjusting the mesh size or the addition of selective devices such as 15 sorting grids and selective netting panels. These changes are often introduced into the fishery in a top 16 down manner whereby fishermen are forced to comply with specific legislation. However, fishermen 17 have also introduced gear modifications that have contributed to improving species selectivity in trawls. 18 One of the simplest and most effective modifications that came from industry was the development and 19 introduction of twin and multi-rig trawls. Here we analyse catch rates of four target species, Norway 20 lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), cod (Gadus morhua), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and haddock 21 (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), to try and understand how the above mentioned change in gear design has 22 altered catch rates within the Danish demersal trawl fishery over the last 16 years (1997-2012). Results 23 showed that catch rates of Nephrops in twin trawls were significantly higher (1.89-2.03) than those in 24 single trawls. For cod, haddock and plaice there was no significant effect of gear type. The results are 25 discussed in relation to the CFP reform and the increasing importance of industry introduced gear 26 modifications. 27
Vection induced by a pair of patches of synchronized visual motion stimuli covering total field of views as small as 10 square-degrees

Vection (illusion of self-motion) is known to be induced by watching large field-of-view (FOV) moving scenes. In our study, we investigated vection induced by small FOV stimuli. Three experiments were conducted in 45 sessions to analyze vection provoked by moving scenes covering total FOVs as small as 10 square-degrees. Results indicated that 88% of the participants reported vection while watching two small patches of moving dots (1° horizontal by 5° vertical, each) placed on the left and right sides of the observers. This is less than a quarter of the total visual area of two Apple Watches viewed at a distance of 40 cm. Occlusion of the visual field between the two display patches significantly increased the levels of rated vection. Similarly, increasing the speed of the moving dots of the two display patches from about 5 to 25 °/sec increased the levels of rated vection significantly. The location of the two patches in the horizontal visual field did not affect the vection perception significantly. When the two straight stripes of dots were moving in opposite directions, participants perceived circular vection. The observers connected the two stimuli in their minds and perceived them as parts of a single occluded background. The findings of this study are relevant to the design of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) and wearable technology (e.g., smart watches) with small display areas.
A Model of Household Interactions In Activity Patterns

Time is an important aspect of the activity patterns of individuals. An activity pattern can be described by means of a time-space diagram (Hagerstrand, 1970), that describes, for each moment within a given time interval, the location and type of activity of an individual. These time-space patterns are the result of various decisions and events experienced by that individual. In this paper, we will focus on the time dimensions of the space-time activity patterns of individuals. More specifically, we will focus attention on the allocation of time to a number of out-of-home activities. Other aspects, such as the timing and scheduling of activities are outside the scope of this paper.
Phylogeography of the Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) and the Central American Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and the Origins of the Three Latin-American Tapirs by Means of mtCyt-B Sequences

The Perissodactyla order is a very old group of mammals (around 60 Millions years ago, MYA). In the fossil record, there are representative specimens from five main superfamilies (Tapiroidea, Rhinocerotoidea, Chalicotheroidea, Equoidea and Brontotheroidea) including 14 different families (Savage and Long 1986; Holbrook 1999), although the phylogenetic relationships among these superfamilies are not well resolved. The order had its maximum diversity peak during the Eocene, but during the upper Oligocene, 10 of the 14 families became extinct (Radinsky 1969; Froehlich 1999; MacFadden 1992; Metais et al. 2006). Currently, only three superfamilies and three families are present (Tapiridae, Rhinocerotidae and Equidae).
Prevalence and Radiographic Features of Head and Neck Soft Tissue Calcifications on Digital Panoramic Radiographs: A Retrospective Study

Background In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and radiographic features of incidental head and neck soft tissue calcifications (STCs) on panoramic imagesand assess their clinical significance. Methodology Following well-established training and calibration procedures, 9,553 digital panoramic radiographs (DPRs) taken between January 1, 2021, and January 31, 22, were retrospectively evaluated. Only obvious calcifications and clear differential diagnoses were considered. The presence, type, side (i.e., unilateral or bilateral), number (single or multiple), and the presence of different calcifications in the same individual were recorded. STCs were recorded according to age and gender. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test using SPSS version 18.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Overall, 35.8% of the DPRs studied showed the presence of STCs, including ossified stylohyoid complex (OSHC) (10.3%), thyroid cartilage (9.8%), tonsillolith (9.2%), atherosclerotic plaques (5.8%), calcified triticeous cartilage (CTC) (5.1%), sialolith (1.9%), as well as intra-articular (1.3%) and other calcifications (0.1-0.8%), i.e., calcified lymph node, antrolith, rhinolith, phlebolith, and osteoma cutis. STCs were found to be more prevalent in middle-aged patients and in females. A significant relationship was identified between the presence of carotid artery calcification and calcified superior horn of thyroid cartilage (CSHTC), as well as between the presence of CSHTC and CTC. Calcifications were detected either bilaterally (n = 2,003) or unilaterally (n = 2,388); however, OSHC mostly showed bilateral calcifications (8.5%). Conclusions Panoramic radiographs of dental patients reveal the frequent occurrence of STCs in the head and neck region with differing radiographic features. Certain calcifications show gender and age differences. Accurate detection of STCs may guide the identification of potential underlying diseases and help initiate referral to the relevant multidisciplinary teams.