Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teaching Performance Assessment: A Comparative Study of Implementation and Impact amongst California State University Campuses.

Concerns about teacher competency have existed since the beginnings of public education in the nineteenth century (Arends, 2006). While research clearly indicates that teacher quality is a critical factor impacting student achievement in schools, how best to define and measure teacher quality is still widely debated. Amid the increasing calls for teacher accountability have come challenges to teacher preparation programs to demonstrate their effectiveness, resulting in a variety of reforms to create more rigorous preparation, certification, and licensing. (Darling-Hammond, Pacheco, Michelli, LePage, Hammerness, & Youngs, 2005; Goldhaber, 2002; Pecheone & Chung, 2006). In California, a substantial transformation of teacher preparation was launched by the 1998 passage of Senate Bill 2042, which created new
Classifying the strategic capability of farmers: a segmentation framework

This paper examines the capability of farmers to diversify and outlines the barriers and challenges that confront farmers. It suggests that not all farmers have a high level of 'strategic awareness capability'. The paper describes how a segmentation framework can be used to provide coherent understanding of the entrepreneurial farming business. A segmentation framework will be presented. The segmentation framework classifies farmers by their personal characteristics, the characteristics of the farm enterprise, activities and processes undertaken by the farmer and specific needs of the farm enterprise. Criteria from this framework are chosen to identify different types of entrepreneurial farmers. The resulting framework shows different types of entrepreneurial farmers reflecting the strategic orientation of the farm. Different strategic orientations in farming may require different skills. The framework provides the opportunity for individual rural ventures to determine what these skills are.
Thermodynamically Controlled Synthesis of Amide Bonds Catalyzed by Highly Organic Solvent‐Resistant Penicillin Acylase Derivatives

A study of various direct condensations between different amines, having very high pK values, and unmodified acyl donors has been performed. This has been possible by the use of a very stable PGA derivative. First, it has been found that the higher the cosolvent concentration, the higher the pK of the acyl donor and thus the higher the yield. Therefore, these high concentrations of cosolvents seem to be a requisite for certain enzymatic condensations. Using ethanolamine and 2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl‐amine as nucleophiles and phenyl acetic acid as the acyl donor, the increase in the diglyme concentration from 50 to 90% (v/v) permitted improvement of not only the yield (reaching values higher than 99% in both cases) but also the reaction rates (by 360‐ or 3‐fold, respectively). However, even when using PGA preparations stabilized by multipoint covalent attachment, it was not possible to obtain these results by inactivation of the enzyme derivative. Thus, in the protection of the octylamine with phenylacetic acid in 90% diglyme, the enzymatic activity was more than 20‐fold higher using the hydrophilized derivative than the glyoxyl PGA, which allowed us to obtain a yield higher than 99%. Thus, the use of hydrophilized derivatives that are very stable even in the presence of high concentrations of organic solvents opens new opportunities in the use of PGA in organic chemistry.
You prime what you code: The fAIM model of priming of pop-out

Our visual brain makes use of recent experience to interact with the visual world, and efficiently select relevant information. This is exemplified by speeded search when target- and distractor features repeat across trials versus when they switch, a phenomenon referred to as intertrial priming. Here, we present fAIM, a computational model that demonstrates how priming can be explained by a simple feature-weighting mechanism integrated into an established model of bottom-up vision. In fAIM, such modulations in feature gains are widespread and not just restricted to one or a few features. Consequentially, priming effects result from the overall tuning of visual features to the task at hand. Such tuning allows the model to reproduce priming for different types of stimuli, including for typical stimulus dimensions such as ‘color’ and for less obvious dimensions such as ‘spikiness’ of shapes. Moreover, the model explains some puzzling findings from the literature: it shows how priming can be found for target-distractor stimulus relations rather than for their absolute stimulus values per se, without an explicit representation of relations. Similarly, it simulates effects that have been taken to reflect a modulation of priming by an observers’ goals—without any representation of goals in the model. We conclude that priming is best considered as a consequence of a general adaptation of the brain to visual input, and not as a peculiarity of visual search.
A Bayesian Compressive Sensing strategy for direction-of-arrival estimation

An innovative approach for the real-time direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation of multiple signals impinging on a linear array is presented. Starting from a Bayesian Compressive Sensing formulation of the DoA detection problem, the proposed methodology searches for the most likely directions for the impinging signals and provides a “confidence level” for the obtained solution. Towards this end, the data acquired from the array sensors are processed through a numerically-efficient Relevance Vector Machine. A set of representative numerical results, concerned with both single and multiple signals, is provided to preliminarily assess the features and advantages of the proposed technique.
A MMC hysteresis current control method based on current slope

In the situation that the modular multilevel converter (MMC) needs to maintain a good current control performance within a wide scope of operations such as the intermittent new energy grid connection and electric locomotive, etc, this paper starts from the output current slope generated after the output voltage and system voltage of MMC converter are jointly acted on the equivalent coupling reactance to analyze the mathematic relation among the current error, output voltage and other correlatives and propose the MMC current hysteresis control method based on output current slope. This method is characterized by simple algorithm, definite physical significance, high output accuracy, small output current ripple, fast dynamic response and strong robustness, etc. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of this method is verified by the physical controller — RTDC close-loop real-time simulation experiment.
Off-farm income and farm capital accumulation: a farm-level analysis

An intertemporal model in which farm capital accumulation and work choices by a single‐agent farm household are interdependent is developed and tested using a farm‐level data set. Estimation is done using a recursive two‐step simultaneous censored equations model. The results of this study are of relevance for an understanding of structural change within the agricultural sector as they point toward the emergence of a dual farming structure and rigidity in off‐farm work adjustments. Our findings suggest that off farm income reliance is associated with a farm asset disinvestment strategy, that there is rigidity in off farm income reliance, and that factors explaining farm capital growth indirectly affect the off farm reliance.
Biological extraction of realgar by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and its in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a Gram-negative, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium involved in metal bioleaching. It is used for the extraction of coarse medical realgar, which is converted into an aqueous solution. To prove its feasibility as an anticancer drug candidate, extracted realgar (ER/Af) was evaluated for its antitumor activities both in vitro and in vivo. In cytotoxicity tests, ER/Af displayed significant inhibition on cell proliferation of HepG2, SMMC7721, and H22 cells in a time and dose dependent manner. Remarkable tumor growth inhibition and survival time prolongation effects, along with no obvious toxicity, were observed in antitumor experiments against H22 cell-bearing mice. Apoptosis induction was also confirmed as one of the mechanisms involved in the efficacy of ER/Af both in vitro and in vivo. The most important observation is that ER/Af showed high selective affinity to tumor tissues with about eight-fold higher arsenic accumulations at the tumor site of mice than those of the arsenic trioxide (ATO)-treated group at the same dose (57.8 ± 3.34 μg/g dry tissue vs. 7.6 ± 0.88 μg/g dry tissue). In conclusion, A. ferrooxidans could be successfully used for the extraction of realgar and ER/Af was proved to be a promising anticancer drug candidate, which is valuable for further study and clinical trials.
Low-Affinity Anti-Smith Antigen B Cells Are Regulated by Anergy as Opposed to Developmental Arrest or Differentiation to B-11

Understanding the regulation of B lymphocytes specific for self-Ags targeted in human and murine systemic lupus erythematosus, such as the ribonucleoprotein Smith Ag (Sm), is crucial to understanding the etiology of this autoimmune disease. To address the role of B cell receptor affinity in the regulation of anti-Sm B cells, we generated low-affinity anti-Sm transgenic mice by combining the anti-Sm 2-12H transgene with a Vκ8 transgene. In contrast to 2-12H transgenic mice, in which anti-Sm B cells are predominantly splenic transitional, and peritoneal B-1, low-affinity anti-Sm B cells are long-lived B-2 cells and are found in the spleen, lymph nodes, and peritoneum. However, they are unresponsive to LPS in vitro, indicating that they are anergic, although they do not down-regulate IgM and are not excluded from follicles even in the presence of nonautoreactive B cells. Thus, low-affinity anti-Sm B cells appear to have a partial form of anergy. Interestingly, these cells have elevated levels of MHC class II and CD95, but not CD40, CD80, or CD86, suggesting that they are poised to undergo deletion rather than activation upon T cell encounter. These data identify anergy as a mechanism involved in anti-Sm B cell regulation.
Third-party Wharton?s jelly mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of steroid-resistant acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease: a report of 10 cases

Dariusz BORUCZKOWSKI, Dominika GŁADYSZ, Slawomir RUMIŃSKI, Iwona CZAPLICKA-SZMAUS, Magdalena MURZYN, Artur OLKOWICZ, Krzysztof KAŁWAK, Monika MIELCAREK, Katarzyna DRABKO, Jan STYCZYŃSKI, Miroslaw MARKIEWICZ, Katarzyna PAWELEC*, Maciej BORUCZKOWSKI, Tomasz OŁDAK Polish Stem Cell Bank, Warsaw, Poland Warsaw Medical University, Poland Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, UMK, Bydgoszcz, Poland Medical University of Silesia, School of Medicine in Katowice, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Katowice, Poland Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Toward a Theory of Social Venture Franchising

This article examines the relevance of the two main theories used to understand business format franchising—resource scarcity theory and agency theory—for social venture franchising through an in–depth case study of one of the United Kingdom's first and most high–profile social franchises. We posit that both theories can be reframed to take account of the distinctive characteristics of social franchise systems. In developing our arguments, we present four findings that, taken together, move us closer toward a theory of social venture franchising.
Determination of Energy Charge Potential in the C6 Glioma and the HepG-2 Cell Culture

The energy charge potential (ECP) is the ratio among adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), -diphosphate (ADP), and -monophosphate (AMP); it reflects the high-energy-bond content in biological systems. Under normal physiological conditions, the value of ECP is between 0.7 and 1.0. In this study, two different methods were used to extract adenosine nucleotides (ATP, ADP, and AMP) for determination of the ECP in the C6 glioma and the HepG-2 human hepatoma cell lines. In the first method, cells were removed from culture plates by trypsinization before the nucleotides were extracted using perchloric acid. Some of the trypsinized cells were used for a cell count, thereby allowing the calculation of an average nucleotide level per cell. In the second method, perchloric acid was added directly to the culture plate immediately after the medium was removed. This method resulted in an instant termination of any enzymatic process that might degrade the nucleotides and alter their levels in cells. Adenosine nucleotides were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The direct extraction method yielded a total adenosine nucleotide (TAN) level more than twofold higher than that obtained following trypsinization. For the C6 glioma cells, the ratio of ATP to ADP to AMP in the TAN pool was 0.70:0.15:0.15, as compared to 0.36:0.27:0.37 when cells were extracted following trypsinization. Similarly, for the HepG-2 cells, the ratio was 0.62:0.15:0.23 following direct extraction, as compared to 0.15:0.28:0.57 following trypsinization. Using the results from the direct extraction method, the value of the cellular ECP was 0.78 ± 0.06 for the C6 glioma cells and 0.70 ± 0.06 for the HepG-2 cells. Compared to the ECP values obtained using the trypsinization method (0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.29 ± 0.12, respectively), the ECP values derived using the direct extraction method were significantly greater in both cell lines and were suggestive of the energy status of normal, healthy cells.
Parallel Operation of Bidirectional Interfacing Converters in a Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid Under Unbalanced Grid Voltage Conditions

Today, interests on hybrid ac/dc microgrids, which contain the advantages of both ac and dc microgrids, are growing rapidly. In the hybrid ac/dc microgrid, the parallel-operated ac/dc bidirectional interfacing converters (IFCs) are increasingly used for large capacity renewable energy sources or as the interlinking converters between the ac and dc subsystems. When unbalanced grid faults occur, the active power transferred by the parallel-operated IFCs must be kept constant and oscillation-free to stabilize the dc bus voltage. However, under conventional control strategies in unbalanced grid conditions, the active power transfer capability of IFCs is affected due to the converters' current rating limitations. Moreover, unbalanced voltage adverse effects on IFCs (such as output power oscillations, dc-link ripples, and output current enhancement) could be amplified by the number of parallel converters. Therefore, this paper investigates parallel operation of IFCs in hybrid ac/dc microgrids under unbalanced ac grid conditions and proposes a novel control strategy to enhance the active power transfer capability with zero active power oscillation. The proposed control strategy employs a new current sharing method which introduces adjustable current reference coefficients for parallel IFCs. In the proposed control strategy, only one IFC, named as redundant IFC, needs to be designed and installed with higher current rating to ensure the constant and oscillation-free output active power of parallel IFCs. Simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Performance of an extended behavioral model for wideband amplifiers

An extended version of the Volterra model for wideband amplifiers and its efficiency are analysed. A 2-MHz wideband code division multiple access-like waveform is used as probing signal in order to model a 915 MHz, 34 dB-gain amplifier. The experimental envelope output samples of the amplifier driven near the 1-dB compression point are used to extract the Volterra kernels and comparison of the calculated and measured signals has shown a high correspondence. Result shows that the proposed model exhibited a good capability of predicting the output response with a different signal excitation.
Institutional Analyses of Organizations: Legitimate but not Institutionalized

We review institutional theory to assess the direction of theory and research on institutional structures and processes. Our primary goal is to suggest an overall frame within which a coherent and interrelated body of theory and research might develop that would address institutional processes underlying stability and change of organizational structure. We select two theoretical threads, phenomenological and neo-functional approaches to organizations, and weave these in with rational choice to develop a coherent explanation of the conditions under which similar structures diffuse across organizations facing very different environments (or have very different structures when facing the same environment). We argue that resource dependence theory already provides a parsimonious explanation of why organizational structure becomes so similar across organizations facing similar environments; institutional theory has little to add to this scenario, except perhaps for a theory of organization-level ingratiation. Social does not imply non-rational, and socially-embedded does not mean unanalyzable. It is costly for each organization to de novo create its own structure, yet it also generally costly for an organization to adopt structure that is ill-suited to its main tasks and which may thus lower its performance. An efficient strategy for an organization, then, is to evaluate structures carefully by observing the effects of these structures in other organizations it deems similar, making an independent decision about whether or not to adopt those structures depending on assessment of the risk that adoption entails. There is a built-in bias toward stability of structure, since assessment is costly itself, leading to the often observed inertia of organizations. But at the same time, given renewal in the competition set, such a strategy may lead to organizational failure.
Methylation status of putative differentially methylated regions of porcine IGF2 and H19

This study was designed to identify the putative differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the porcine imprinted genes insulin‐like growth factor 2 and H19 (IGF2‐H19), and to assess the genomic imprinting status of IGF2‐H19 by identifying the methylation patterns of these regions in germ cells, and in tissues from porcine fetuses, an adult pig, as well as cloned offspring produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Porcine IGF2‐H19 DMRs exhibit a normal monoallelic methylation pattern (i.e., either the paternally‐ or the maternally derived allele is methylated) similar to the pattern observed for the same genes in the human and mice genomes. Examination of the methylation patterns of the IGF2‐H19 DMRs revealed that the zinc finger protein binding sites CTCF1 and 2 did not exhibit differential methylation in both control and cloned offspring. In contrast, the CTCF3 and DMR2 loci of the IGF2 gene showed abnormal methylation in cloned offspring, but a normal differential or moderate methylation pattern in tissues from control offspring and an adult pig. Our data thus suggest that regulation of genomic imprinting at the porcine IGF2‐H19 loci is conserved among species, and that the abnormal methylation pattern in the regulatory elements of imprinted genes may lead to an alteration in the coordinated expression of genes required for successful reprogramming, which, in consequence, may contribute to the low efficiency of porcine genome reprogramming induced by nuclear transfer. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 777–784, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Turkey's globalizing economy

The end of the Cold War has been a catalyst for Turkish economic relations with its neighbors. Turkey moved from the periphery to the center of a region that is transforming politically, socially and economically very fast. It is now surrounded by 13 sovereign nation states, which are more or less open to international trade and factor movements. All these new nation states have become potential partners for all kinds of economic activities. Due to their proximity, they are easily accessible markets for Turkish exports of goods or for imports of energy. Furthermore, they could provide the Turkish economy with cheap labor force - either as migrants to Turkey or as workers for Turkish plants to be established in the neighborhood.
SeX-Box: Exposure to sexist video games predicts benevolent sexism.

We examined the association between playing sexist video games and sexist attitudes. Undergraduate students (61 men and 114 women) indicated the level of perceived sexism present in their most frequently played video games. Students also completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske, 1996), which measures both hostile and benevolent sexism. As predicted, men who played video games perceived to be high in sexism showed higher levels of benevolent sexism, compared with men who did not play such games. This relationship was not evident for women. Importantly, our study provides the first known evidence of a link between long-term exposure to sexist video games and sexist attitudes. Although correlational, these data are consistent with the notion that sexist video games encourage and reinforce sexist attitudes. Our findings have important real-world implications for video game researchers, parents, and game players themselves.
Corporate Carbon Strategies in Responding to Climate Change

With climate change emerging as one of the most important issues affecting the business circle, companies have begun considering the carbon issue in their overall strategic positioning. However, few studies have examined the corporate carbon strategies in developing and advanced developing countries, where climate change regulation is extensive and market uncertainty is relatively high. In addition, there has been growing interest among researchers and practitioners concerning the relationship between the carbon strategy and firm performance. This paper presents a framework for identifying the corporate carbon strategy. The cluster analysis of 241 Korean companies indicates six types of corporate carbon strategy: ‘wait-and-see observer’, ‘cautious reducer’, ‘product enhancer’, ‘all-round enhancer’, ‘emergent explorer’ and ‘all-round explorer’. This study empirically examines whether there are differences between these carbon strategy types in terms of the sector, firm size and firm performance. The results indicate a significant relationship between a firm's carbon strategy and its sector and size but a significant relationship between the carbon strategy and firm performance is not confirmed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.