Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Georgia's School Districts Grades 3-5 Teachers' and Principals' Perceptions Regarding On-Line Georgia Milestones Testing

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine a Georgia school district’s grades 3 – 5 teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions of online Georgia Milestones testing on (a) curriculum, (b) teaching, (c) accountability, and (d) stress. Data were collected via survey. Sixty teachers and eight administrators completed the survey. Surveys were analyzed by school, administrator, and domain. Open-ended questions at the end of the survey were analyzed individually by question for teacher and administrator themes. Survey analyses found that teachers and administrators, in the curriculum domain, believed that on-line high-stakes testing led teachers to reassess beliefs about subject matter that is important to teach. The survey analyses of the stress and accountability domains revealed that improving on-line high-stakes scores and accountability grades aided in the stress that teachers experience, however, the presence of on-line testing has increased teachers’ awareness of accountability measures. Openended question analyses found both teachers and administrators believe that technology glitches and the student’s limited keyboarding skills had an effect on the students’ overall test scores. INDEX WORDS: Georgia Milestones, High stakes testing, On-line testing A GEORGIA SCHOOL DISTRICT’S GRADES 3-5 TEACHERS’ AND PRINCIPALS' PERCEPTIONS REGARDING ON-LINE GEORGIA MILESTONES TESTING
Dual display: phage selection driven by co-engagement of two targets by two different antibody fragments

Antibody phage display technology has supported the emergence of numerous therapeutic antibodies. The development of bispecific antibodies, a promising new frontier in antibody therapy, could be facilitated by new phage display approaches that enable pairs of antibodies to be co-selected based on co-engagement of their respective targets. We describe such an approach, making use of two complementary leucine zipper domains that heterodimerize with high affinity. Phagemids encoding a first antibody fragment (scFv) fused to phage coat protein via the first leucine zipper are rescued in bacteria expressing a second scFv fused to the second leucine zipper as a soluble periplasmic protein, so that it is acquired by phage during assembly. Using a soluble scFv specific for a human CD3-derived peptide, we show that its acquisition by phage displaying an irrelevant antibody is sufficiently robust to drive selection of rare phage (1 in 10(5)) over three rounds of panning. We then set up a model selection experiment using a cell line expressing the chemokine receptor CCR5 fused to the CD3 peptide together with a panel of phage clones capable displaying either an anti-CCR5 scFv or an irrelevant antibody, with or without the capacity to acquire the soluble anti-CD3 scFv. In this experiment we showed that rare phage (1 in 10(5)) capable of displaying the two different scFvs can be specifically enriched over four rounds of panning. This approach has the potential to be applied to the identification of pairs of ligands capable of co-engaging two different user-defined targets, which would facilitate the discovery of novel bispecific antibodies.
Downside Risk Control and Optimal Investment Turnover Around Financial Crises

This paper investigates tactical investment strategies for investors to survive financial crises. Compared with the buy-and-hold strategy, the buy-and-sell strategy is much more effective in mitigating downside risk before, during, and after a crisis by restricting the left-tail volatility of portfolio returns through CVaR constraints. The paper also studies investors' optimal turnovers around a crisis under the buy-and-hold strategy. Considering investors' heterogeneous behaviours, we find the wealth-weighted average optimal turnover across all investors during a crisis is much higher than that before or after the crisis. This indicates investors who enter the market before a crisis may be better off by leaving their portfolios untouched during the market downturn. In addition, the downside risk control model can detect a market downturn earlier than the mean-variance model therefore it helps to 'spread out' the required asset adjustments over a longer horizon than the crisis period itself.
SUBSCRIBE NOW AND RECEIVE A FREE BOOK!

The Independent Review is now available digitally on mobile devices and tablets via the Apple/Android App Stores and Magzter. Subscriptions and single issues start at $2.99. Learn More. “The Independent Review does not accept pronouncements of government officials nor the conventional wisdom at face value. ” —JOHN R. MACARTHUR, Publisher, Harper’s “The Independent Review is excellent. ” —GARY BECKER, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences
Decision Making Support for Managers In Innovation Management: a PROMETHEE approach

The purpose of this paper is to present a decision making model as a support for selection of innovation management concept using multiple criteria decision-making methods. Defined innovation management concepts are evaluated using set of criteria, which priorities are expertly evaluated using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and then the PROMETHEE method is used for evaluating and selecting variants. Based on the specific nature of innovation management concepts a novel decision making model was conceived. The model was imported to the Visual PROMETHEE software tool. The model was applied on a medium sized manufacturing company. The innovation concepts were evaluated and ranked. For this company the concept of value analysis was selected as the best. This study is limited for decision-making processes in medium and large sized companies. The results of AHP are based on expert but subjective assessment and therefore relevant for this particular company at that particular time. In addition, it is shown that this approach can help managers to solve similar decision-making problems using combination of AHP and software Visual PROMETHEE. The logic and process of the decision making model elaboration as much as the decision model itself can be used as a framework for managers facing decision making problems with similar nature as innovation management concepts i.e.: ERP systems, information systems, technologies, business models.
Structural Design for the NHMFL Series Connected Hybrid Magnet System

The series connected hybrid (SCH) Magnet developed at the NHMFL will provide high field (36 T), high field quality (1 ppm stability and homogeneity) and a moderately large bore (40 mm inside the resistive shim coils) for users interested in medium resolution NMR studies. The SCH comprises a superconducting outsert built with Nb3Sn cable-in-conduit conductor and a resistive insert using Florida-Bitter technology. The insert and outsert magnets are connected electrically in series, which mitigates many of the engineering challenges for such systems, but mechanical design of the structural components linking these remains critical to the performance of the superconducting outsert. We present detailed design and analysis of these components with an assessment of their ability to meet the functional requirements presented by potentially normal, off normal and fault conditions during operation.
Identification of Direct Genomic Targets Downstream of the Nuclear Factor-κB Transcription Factor Mediating Tumor Necrosis Factor Signaling*

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that controls expression of inflammatory genetic networks. Although the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway is crucial for mediating cellular TNF responses, the complete spectrum of NF-κB-dependent genes is unknown. In this study, we used a tetracycline-regulated cell line expressing an NF-κB inhibitor to systematically identify NF-κB-dependent genes. A microarray data set generated from a time course of TNF stimulation in the presence or absence of NF-κB signaling was analyzed. We identified 50 unique genes that were regulated by TNF (Pr(F) <0.001) and demonstrated a change in signal intensity of ± 3-fold relative to control. Of these, 28 were NF-κB-dependent, encoding proteins involved in diverse cellular activities. Quantitative real-time PCR assays of eight characterized NF-κB-dependent genes and five genes not previously known to be NF-κB-dependent (Gro-β and-γ, IκBϵ, interleukin (IL)-7R, and Naf-1) were used to determine whether they were directly or indirectly NF-κB regulated. Expression of constitutively active enhanced green fluorescent·NF-κB/Rel A fusion protein transactivated all but IL-6 and IL-7R in the absence of TNF stimulation. Moreover, TNF strongly induced all 12 genes in the absence of new protein synthesis. High probability NF-κB sites in novel genes were predicted by binding site analysis and confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show the endogenous IκBα/ϵ, Gro-β/γ, and Naf-1 promoters directly bound NF-κB/Rel A in TNF-stimulated cells. Together, these studies systematically identify the direct NF-κB-dependent gene network downstream of TNF signaling, extending our knowledge of biological processes regulated by this pathway.
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 to 6 Protease Inhibitor Escape Variants: In Vitro Selection, Fitness, and Resistance Patterns in the Context of the Infectious Viral Life Cycle

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease inhibitors (PIs) are important components of novel HCV therapy regimens. Studies of PI resistance initially focused on genotype 1. Therefore, knowledge about the determinants of PI resistance for the highly prevalent genotypes 2 to 6 remains limited. Using Huh7.5 cell culture-infectious HCV recombinants with genotype 1 to 6 NS3 protease, we identified protease positions 54, 155, and 156 as hot spots for the selection of resistance substitutions under treatment with the first licensed PIs, telaprevir and boceprevir. Treatment of a genotype 2 isolate with the newer PIs vaniprevir, faldaprevir, simeprevir, grazoprevir, paritaprevir, and deldeprevir identified positions 156 and 168 as hot spots for resistance; the Y56H substitution emerged for three newer PIs. Substitution selection also depended on the specific recombinant. The substitutions identified conferred cross-resistance to several PIs; however, most substitutions selected under telaprevir or boceprevir treatment conferred less resistance to certain newer PIs. In a single-cycle production assay, across genotypes, PI treatment primarily decreased viral replication, which was rescued by PI resistance substitutions. The substitutions identified resulted in differential effects on viral fitness, depending on the original recombinant and the substitution. Across genotypes, fitness impairment induced by resistance substitutions was due primarily to decreased replication. Most combinations of substitutions that were identified increased resistance or fitness. Combinations of resistance substitutions with fitness-compensating substitutions either rescued replication or compensated for decreased replication by increasing assembly. This comprehensive study provides insight into the selection patterns and effects of PI resistance substitutions for HCV genotypes 1 to 6 in the context of the infectious viral life cycle, which is of interest for clinical and virological HCV research.
Effect of Public and Private Preschool Attendance on Kindergarten Literacy

Effect of Public and Private Preschool Attendance on Kindergarten Literacy by Matthew S. Garofolo MA, University of Phoenix, 2009 BS, Ramapo College of New Jersey, 2003 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University November 2018
A NOX2/Egr-1/Fyn pathway delineates new targets for TKI-resistant malignancies

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have improved CML response rates, and some are effective against resistance-promoting point mutations in BCR-ABL1. However, in the absence of point mutations, resistance still occurs. Here, we identify a novel pathway mediating resistance which connects p47phox, the organizer subunit of NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2), with early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and the Src family kinase Fyn. We found up-regulation of p47phox, Egr-1, and Fyn mRNA and protein using paired isogenic CML cell lines and mined data. Isolation of CD34+ cells and tissue microarray staining from blast crisis CML patients confirmed in vivo over-expression of components of this pathway. Knockdown studies revealed that p47phox modulated reactive oxygen species and Egr-1 expression, which, in turn, controlled Fyn expression. Interestingly, Fyn knockdown sensitized TKI-resistant cells to dasatinib, a dual BCR-ABL1/Src inhibitor. Egr-1 knockdown had similar effects, indicating the utility of targeting Fyn expression over activation. Pointedly, p47phox knockdown also restored TKI-sensitivity, indicating that targeting the NOX2 complex can overcome resistance. The NOX2/Egr-1/Fyn pathway was also conserved within TKI-resistant EGFRΔIII-expressing glioblastoma and patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells. Thus, our findings suggest that targeting the NOX2/Egr-1/Fyn pathway may have clinical implications within multiple cancer types; particularly where efficacy of TKI is compromised.
Separation of Background and Foreground Traffic Based on Periodicity Analysis

This paper proposes a novel approach to separating background (BG) and foreground (FG) traffic based on periodicity analysis. As BG traffic is commonly periodically generated by applications, this trait is leveraged to effectively detect BG traffic. Concretely, the Period Candidate Array (PCA) approach is proposed to extract only necessary information from long and sparse traffic flows, hence quickly detects the flows' periodicity with low computational cost. The PCA works directly with ``on-site'' traffic without depending on historical data as in machine learning methods. As a result, the proposed approach can be immediately applied to the real world traffic management systems. In addition, the PCA properly works with latency-included traffic affected by network delays. Experimental results reveal the effectiveness and efficiency of the PCA compared to the conventional methods in terms of computational cost, memory usage, and independence to historical data.
Kinetic analyses of Biolog community profiles to detect changes in inoculum density and species diversity of river bacterial communities.

The kinetics of response curves from Biolog community profiles for heterotrophic bacteria from a river in Nova Scotia, Canada have been analyzed to generate lag, slope, and asymptote parameters. The river water samples were treated with one of three supplements of Escherichia coli (in situ levels, 10(3) CFU/mL, or 10(6) CFU/mL) and one of five concentrations of chlorine (0, 1, 3, 5, or 7 ppm) to satisfy a full factorial design. The chlorine treatments decreased the inoculum density by up to 2 log values and decreased the species evenness. The E. coli supplements increased the inoculum density and decreased the species richness. Examination of the asymptotes did not reveal any significant effects owing to E. coli, but differences owing to the chlorine were detected. Analyses of the slopes showed a similar insignificance of the effects of E. coli and a lack of treatment effect owing to chlorine. The lag analyses also showed no significant E. coli effects, but showed a significant effect owing to chlorine. The discrepancy produced with the slope analysis (i.e., no chlorine effect) may represent an anomaly of the Biolog community approach. The use of lag phase was impaired because of the problem of infinite lags from wells that had no response, but a principle component analysis with a reduced set of substrates did suggest some influence of E. coli on the community profile. An examination of the substrates metabolized by the river water compared with pure E. coli revealed that the Biolog profiles of the river communities were not a simple summation of the component parts. In light of the lack of uniformity between these analyses, where the outcome depended on which parameter was used, caution is advised in interpreting Biolog community profiles on the basis of only one parameter.
Voluntourism: What Motivates College Students to Give Back When They Travel?

Volunteer tourism, also known as "voluntourism", has become a trendy way to market to culturally and environmentally conscious travelers who seek authentic experiences instead of traditional mass tourism where travelers have little interaction with the local culture. Voluntourism aspects are being added to existing travel itineraries and entire companies have been created around volunteering to specifically target college students. This thesis seeks to examine the individual motivations of college students who have previously participated in at least one voluntourism trip, including mission trips and alternative spring breaks. The data was obtained via a series of one-on-one, in-depth post-trip interviews with program participants. After conducting interviews, the data was classified through Phillip Pearce’s travel-needs theory to determine motivation. Through exploration of previous tourism literature, as well as psychological frameworks, the two research questions that were explored were: (1) would the majority of students fall under the self-esteem/development needs category of travelers? ; and (2) were the interviewees dissuaded by the possible negative effects of voluntourism? The primary motivational rungs of relationship needs, self-esteem/development, and fulfillment were observed with participants generally falling under the self-esteem category. Voluntourism: What Motivates College Students to Give Back When They Travel? 3
Shedding of growth-suppressive gangliosides from glomerular mesangial cells undergoing apoptosis.

BACKGROUND Apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells is a common feature in several types of glomerular diseases. However, its pathophysiologic significance is not known. We recently identified gangliosides as a major growth-inhibitory substance in the conditioned medium of mesangial cells. In this report, we tested whether biologically distinct forms of cell fate, apoptosis and necrosis, could modulate ganglioside shedding from mesangial cells. METHODS Mesangial cells were exposed to low (10 to 40 mJ/cm2) and high (400 mJ/cm2) doses of ultraviolet light to induce apoptosis and necrosis, respectively. Conditioned media were collected and examined for its growth-inhibitory activity for mesangial cells. Ganglioside shedding was analyzed using metabolic labeling and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). RESULTS Shedding of gangliosides as well as growth-inhibitory activity in the conditioned medium predominantly increased when mesangial cells were undergoing apoptosis in contrast to that of viable or necrotic mesangial cells. The inhibitory substance in the conditioned medium from apoptotic mesangial cells completely fulfilled the characteristic criteria of gangliosides. This substance was less than 3 kD and was sensitive to neuraminidase digestion. Shedding of gangliosides from mesangial cells reduced significantly when apoptosis was inhibited by overexpression of antiapoptotic gene, Bcl-XL. In addition, ganglioside shedding also increased when mesangial cells were exposed to other inducers of apoptosis for mesangial cells (i.e., H2O2 and staurosporin). CONCLUSION These results provide the novel link between masangial cell apoptosis and increased release of gangliosides that potentially suppress mesangial cell proliferation and thus indicate a mechanism for the negative regulation of mesangial cell growth by apoptosis.
Osteocytes and WNT: the Mechanical Control of Bone Formation

Mechanical loading is of pivotal importance in the maintenance of skeletal homeostasis, but the players involved in the transduction of mechanical stimuli to promote bone maintenance have long remained elusive. Osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone, possess mechanosensing appendices stretching through a system of bone canaliculi. Mechanical stimulation plays an important role in osteocyte survival and hence in the preservation of bone mechanical properties, through the maintenance of bone hydratation. Osteocytes can also control the osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal precursors in response to mechanical loading by modulating WNT signaling pathways, essential regulators of cell fate and commitment, through the protein sclerostin. Mutations of Sost, the sclerostin-encoding gene, have dramatic effects on the skeleton, indicating that osteocytes may act as master regulators of bone formation and localized bone remodeling. Moreover, the development of sclerostin inhibitors is opening new possibilities for bone regeneration in orthopedics and the dental field.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis B, C, E, and G Virus Infections and Molecular Analysis of Hepatitis G Virus Isolates in Bolivia

ABSTRACT Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis G virus (HGV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV) was investigated among 574 healthy blood donors in Bolivia. HCV RNA and HGV RNA in the serum were identified by a nested reverse transcription-PCR using primers derived from the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR). We also tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for the antibody to HEV. The results revealed that HGV RNA was present in 84 of 574 (14.6%) tested blood donors, whereas HBsAg was detected in only 2 (0.3%) donors, and no individuals positive for HCV RNA were found. Anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected in 93 (16.2%) individuals and anti-HEV IgM was found in 10 (1.7%) individuals among the same population. Phylogenetic analysis of 44 HGV isolates in the 5′ UTR showed that 27 (61%) isolates were genotype 3 (Asian type) and the remaining 17 (39%) isolates were genotype 2 (United States and European type). Moreover, we obtained a full-length nucleotide sequence of the HGV genome (designated HGV-BL230) recovered from a Bolivian blood donor. The BL230 was composed of 9,227 nucleotides and had a single open reading frame, encoding 2,842 amino acid residues. Interestingly, the BL230 belonged to genotype 2 of HGV at the level of a full-length sequence, although this was classified as genotype 3 by a phylogenetic analysis based on the 5′ UTR sequence. The BL230 differed from previously reported HGV/hepatitis GB virus type C isolates by 12 to 13% of the nucleotide sequence and 4% of the amino acid sequence. Our data indicate a high prevalence of HGV in native Bolivians, and the major genotype of HGV was type 3.