Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Class Size and Educational Policy: Who Benefits from Smaller Classes?

ABSTRACT The impact of class size on student achievement remains an open question despite hundreds of empirical studies and the perception among parents, teachers, and policymakers that larger classes are a significant detriment to student development. This study sheds new light on this ambiguity by utilizing nonparametric tests for stochastic dominance to analyze unconditional and conditional test score distributions across students facing different class sizes. Analyzing the conditional distributions of test scores (purged of observables using class-size specific returns), we find that there is little causal effect of marginal reductions in class size on test scores within the range of 20 or more students. However, reductions in class size from above 20 students to below 20 students, as well as marginal reductions in classes with fewer than 20 students, increase test scores for students below the median, but decrease test scores above the median. This nonuniform impact of class size suggests that compensatory school policies, whereby lower-performing students are placed in smaller classes and higher-performing students are placed in larger classes, improves the academic achievement of not just the lower-performing students but also the higher-performing students.
Uspołecznienie procesu planowania przestrzennego na przykładzie miasta Poznania

In the last several years a new approach to city management can be observed in Polish cities, and it takes into account elements of public participation (participatory governance). New, often non-statutory forms of the participation and representation of citizens are also being introduced into the decision-making process relating to spatial planning. The purpose of this article is to show the current state of the socialization of the local planning process in Poland. The article tries to answer the question of how to strike a balance between the specialized knowledge of the planners and the contribution that inhabitants bring to the process. Taking the example of Poznan City, the existing forms of public consultations and their impact on the content of planning documents were evaluated. To achieve this goal, the results of participants’ observations during the public consultations and their surveys were used. A diverse activity of the city inhabitants was observed, depending on the type of local development plans and interests, often of particular residents and their representative social organizations. The need to improve the decision-making process in urban planning was highlighted, taking into account alongside the traditional the new forms and tools of social participation (e.g. public participatory GIS ). Their use will increase the range of consultations and inclusion of so far under-represented groups of residents of the City.
Dimensions of National Culture and the Accounting Environment - the Spanish Case

Gray (1988) has put forward a hypothesis on how a national accounting environment might reflect the cultural dimensions identified by Hofstede (1980, 1983). A number of studies have tested Gray's hypothesis, including one by Pourjalali and Meek (1995) which identified a match between changes in cultural dimensions and the accounting environment in Iran following the revolution. In this paper we replicate this work in the context of Spain following the death of Franco in 1975 and the emergence of a democratic constitution in 1978. Specifically, we: 1) Consider Gray's hypothesis built on Hofstede's cultural dimensions and review some empirical tests of the hypotheses. 2) Building on the work of Hofstede and Gray, we: put forward some hypotheses on how we would expect cultural dimensions to change in Spain with the transition to democracy. 3) Review developments in accounting in Spain following the transition to democracy, in order to identify how well these fit with our hypotheses.
Non-rigid registration of cervical spine MRI volumes

Whiplash is the colloquial term for neck injuries caused by sudden extension of the cervical spine. Patients with chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD) can experience neck pain for many years after the original injury. Researchers have found some evidence to suggest that chronic whiplash is related to the amount of intra-muscular fat in the cervical spine muscles. Hence, an important step towards developing a treatment for chronic WAD is a technique to accurately and efficiently measure the amount of intra-muscular fat in the muscles of the cervical spine. Our proposed technique for making this measurement is to automatically segment the cervical spine muscles using a fused volume created from multi-modal MRI volumes of the cervical spine. Multiple modes are required to enhance the boundaries between the different muscles to assist the following automatic segmentation process. However, before these multiple modes can be fused it is first necessary to accurately register these volumes. Hence, in this paper, we have proposed a new non-rigid multi-modal registration algorithm using the sum of conditional variance (SCV) with partial volume interpolation (PVI) similarity measure and Gauss-Newton (GN) optimization for the accurate registration of multi-modal cervical spine MRI volumes. The performance of the proposed approach is compared with the existing SCV based registration algorithm and the sum of the conditional squared deviation from the mode (SCSDM) method. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach provides superior performance than the best existing approaches.
Improved Recovery of Rabies Virus from Cloned cDNA Using a Vaccinia Virus‐Free Reverse Genetics System

To improve efficiency of recovery of rabies virus from cloned cDNA, we established a BHK cell clone that stably expresses T7 RNA polymerase, which we named BHK/T7–9. We also constructed new helper plasmids for expression of nucleoprotein and RNA polymerase of the RC‐HL strain using the pTM1 plasmid vector, which makes the T7 RNA polymerase‐transcripts from the plasmid cap‐independent for translation. After co‐transfection of these helper plasmids and the previously constructed full‐length genome plasmid of the RC‐HL strain to BHK/T7–9 cells, recombinant rabies virus was efficiently recovered from the cloned cDNA.
Natural history of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood: 12-year follow-up cohort study in a biracial community.

We assessed the pattern of acquisition and loss of Helicobacter pylori infection in a cohort of 212 children from a biracial community with a homogeneous socioeconomic class. The children were followed over 12 years (1973-1974 to 1985-1986) from childhood to young adulthood. H. pylori status was assessed by the presence of serum IgG antibodies to H. pylori. At ages 7-9, 19% of children had H. pylori infection (40% of blacks vs. 11% of whites; P = .0001); 12 years later, 33% were seropositive. The higher prevalence among blacks remained (P = .0001). During follow-up, 22% of children became infected; the rate of acquisition was fourfold greater among blacks than among whites (P = .001). Over the 12-year period, infection was lost in 50% of whites compared with 4% of blacks who either remained infected or became reinfected. H. pylori infection in childhood is affected by both acquisition and loss of infection in different ethnic groups. This observation is critical for understanding the epidemiology and transmission of H. pylori infection.
Inhibition of the K+ channel KCa3.1 ameliorates T cell–mediated colitis

The calcium-activated K+ channel KCa3.1 plays an important role in T lymphocyte Ca2+ signaling by helping to maintain a negative membrane potential, which provides an electrochemical gradient to drive Ca2+ influx. To assess the role of KCa3.1 channels in lymphocyte activation in vivo, we studied T cell function in KCa3.1−/− mice. CD4 T helper (i.e., Th0) cells isolated from KCa3.1−/− mice lacked KCa3.1 channel activity, which resulted in decreased T cell receptor–stimulated Ca2+ influx and IL-2 production. Although loss of KCa3.1 did not interfere with CD4 T cell differentiation, both Ca2+ influx and cytokine production were impaired in KCa3.1−/− Th1 and Th2 CD4 T cells, whereas T-regulatory and Th17 function were normal. We found that inhibition of KCa3.1−/− protected mice from developing severe colitis in two mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease, which were induced by (i) the adoptive transfer of mouse naïve CD4 T cells into rag2−/− recipients and (ii) trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Pharmacologic inhibitors of KCa3.1 have already been shown to be safe in humans. Thus, if these preclinical studies continue to show efficacy, it may be possible to rapidly test whether KCa3.1 inhibitors are efficacious in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Policy positions and jobs in the government

Abstract. This article conducts a theoretical and empirical analysis of the allocation of the full set of jobs – both cabinet and junior ministers – in the Prodi Government that formed after the Italian election of 1996. We first discuss theoretical arguments linking forecasts of government policy to the policy positions of both cabinet and junior ministers. We then estimate the policy positions of cabinet and junior ministers appointed to the Prodi cabinet, applying a new technique for computerized content analysis to the collected legislative speeches of each minister during the 1996–1997 parliamentary session. Having considered the face validity of these results, we then use them to explore to observable implications of the various theoretical approaches. We conclude that, in this case, there does appear to be systematic evidence linking both the allocation of government jobs and the evolution of spending patterns between departments to the policy positions of senior politicians.
Testing for Asymmetries in UK Macroeconomic Time Series

This paper examines the asymmetric properties of a broad range of quarterly postwar U.K. macroeconomic time series using recently developed test statistics for contractionary 'deepness' and 'steepness' relative to trend. The authors also examine the robustness of these test statistics to two alternative methods of detrending, namely Hodrick-Prescott filtering and structural time-series modeling. They find strong corroborative evidence of asymmetric steepness relative to trend in durable consumption, total investment, investment in plant and machinery, exports, and unemployment. The authors find weaker evidence of asymmetric deepness in savings, exports, labor hours, consumption, and unemployment. Copyright 1998 by Scottish Economic Society.
Depression in Adults with Diabetes

Major Depressive Disorder is present in 15% to 20% of patients with diabetes. The course of the illness is generally chronic; even after successful treatment depression will reoccur in as many as 80% of diabetic patients. Known to impair overall functioning and quality of life, depression has additional importance in diabetes because of its association with poor compliance with diabetes treatment, poor glycemic control, and an increased risk for micro- and macrovascular disease complications. Despite its relevance to the course of diabetes, depression is recognized and treated in approximately one third of cases. Criteria-based diagnostic systems (eg, DSM-IV) are sensitive and valid methods for detecting depression in diabetes even though unstable diabetes may produce some symptoms of depression. Brief paper-and-pencil tests like the Beck Depression Inventory can be used effectively in outpatient medical settings to screen for depression and help focus the health care team on patients in need of treatment. Data regarding the treatment of depression in diabetes are scant but promising and suggest that treatment is effective and has important positive effects on mood, glycemic control, and overall quality of life.
The Trophoblastic Epithelial Barrier Is Not Infected in Full-Term Placentae of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Seropositive Mothers Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy

ABSTRACT To study the mechanism of the placental barrier function, we examined 10 matched samples of term placentae, cord blood, and maternal blood obtained at delivery from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected mothers with children diagnosed as HIV negative in Sweden. All placentae were histologically normal, and immunochemistry for HIV type 1 p24 and gp120 antigens was negative. Highly purified trophoblasts (93 to 99% purity) were negative for HIV DNA and RNA, indicating that the trophoblasts were uninfected. Although HIV DNA was detected in placenta-derived T lymphocytes and monocytes, microsatellite analysis showed that these cells were a mixture of maternal and fetal cells. Our study indicates that the placental barrier, i.e., the trophoblastic layer, is not HIV infected and, consequently, HIV infection of the fetus is likely to occur through other routes, such as breaks in the placental barrier.
Bose-Einstein Dynamics and Adaptive Contracting in the Motion Picture Industry

Audiences discover what films they like and spread the word. Information feedback produces Bose-Einstein dynamics in the motion picture box office revenue distribution. Information cascades generate box office 'hits' and 'flops. ' The revenue distribution evolves recursively over the 'run' as a mixture of the 'opening' and a stochastic competition among films. The motion picture run is decentralized, adaptive, and self-organizing: semistationary admission prices, local information, and contingency-rich contracts match the film rental price and the supply of theatrical engagements to demand. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.
The construction of local authenticity: an exploration of two service industry cases

The aim of this study is to explore the process of the social construction of local authenticity. More specifically, this study intends to outline the managerial practices that are being used to construct local authenticity. The background to this is the much-discussed phenomenon of the ‘death of geography’, where the Internet is famously implicated. In this study, it is claimed that in parallel to companies' increased use of the Internet, there has been a revalorisation and redefinition of the role of the local. Four key marketing practices that are used to construct local authenticity are identified: adapting employees' interactive manner, adapting employees' local explicit knowledge, using a local branding strategy and applying a local branch design.
Adaptive system of image processing

Mathematical image processing by technical vision systems in real-time can be divided into two stages: pre-treatment (filtering, contrast, etc.) and final (alignment, visualization, navigation solution to the problem, etc.). These problems can be solved by many famous and specially developed methods with varying degrees of effectiveness. We propose a mathematical model and algorithm of automatic choice the most effective method at each stage of the image processing pipeline in relation to the current situation at its input.
Differential effects of imatinib mesylate against uveal melanoma in vitro and in vivo

Uveal melanoma is refractory to chemotherapy. The receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate, has demonstrated antiproliferative effects against uveal melanoma cells in vitro. The effects of imatinib mesylate, alone and combined with the alklyating agent, temozolomide, were examined in vivo as well as in vitro. Proliferation and angiogenic factor production of human uveal melanoma cell lines in response to imatinib mesylate and temozolomide were examined in vitro. Tumor growth, angiogenic factor production, tumor interstitial fluid pressure, and stroma constituents in response to imatinib mesylate and temozolomide were examined in vivo in mice bearing human uveal melanoma xenografts. Imatinib mesylate in vitro antagonized the antiproliferative effects of temozolomide and increased the production of angiogenic factors. In contrast, pretreatment with imatinib mesylate in vivo could improve the antitumor activity of temozolomide. Imatinib mesylate in vivo decreased the production of angiogenic factors in the tumor stroma and tumor interstitial fluid pressure. These effects were transient. Increases in angiogenic factors, interstitial fluid pressure, and tumor infiltrating macrophages were observed with continued imatinib mesylate treatment in vivo. The antitumor effects of imatinib mesylate can vary in vivo when compared with in vitro. Imatinib mesylate can both positively and negatively modify host–tumor interactions in uveal melanoma.
Multi-attribute aware multipath data scheduling strategy for efficient MPTCP-based data delivery

The growing popularity of multihoming techniques has motivated the rise of multipath protocols. Multipath TCP (MPTCP), as an extension of TCP, can use multiple paths to deliver data in parallel without influencing any functionality of TCP. Although applying MPTCP to mobile terminals for data transmission can provide many and attractive benefits, including performance improvement and latency reduction, there is still significant ongoing effort addressing many remaining concerns. One major concern is related to handling buffer blocking. Many researchers have attempted to optimize data scheduling way to mitigate this problem. In this paper, we propose a multiple attribute-aware data scheduling strategy for MPTCP (MPTCP-MA2). The proposed MPTCP-MA2 solution is invoked to undergo three phases: (i) monitor each path's status information constantly, (ii) use an optimized path sorting algorithm to compare and sort all available paths, (iii) adaptively transmit data packets over multiple paths according to the path sorting result. Furthermore, MPTCP-MA2 focuses on mitigating buffer blocking as well as boosting the robustness of the data transfer. The simulation result shed light on how MPTCP-MA2 achieves a little higher throughput than existing solutions.
Resource Sharing for Multi-Tenant NoSQL Data Store in Cloud

Multi-tenancy hosting of users in cloud NoSQL data stores is favored by cloud providers because it enables resource sharing at low operating cost. Multi-tenancy takes several forms depending on whether the back-end file system is a local file system (LFS) or a parallel file system (PFS), and on whether tenants are independent or share data across tenants. In this thesis I focus on and propose solutions to two cases: independent data-local file system, and shared data-parallel file system. In the independent data-local file system case, resource contention occurs under certain conditions in Cassandra and HBase, two state-of-the-art NoSQL stores, causing performance degradation for one tenant by another. We investigate the interference and propose two approaches. The first provides a scheduling scheme that can approximate resource consumption, adapt to workload dynamics and work in a distributed fashion. The second introduces a workload-aware resource reservation approach to prevent interference. The approach relies on a performance model obtained offline and plans the reservation according to different workload resource demands. Results show the approaches together can prevent interference and adapt to dynamic workloads under multi-tenancy. In the shared data-parallel file system case, it has been shown that running a distributed NoSQL store over PFS for shared data across tenants is not cost effective. Overheads are introduced due to the unawareness of the NoSQL store of PFS. This dissertation targets the key-value store (KVS), a specific form of NoSQL stores, and proposes a lightweight KVS over a parallel file system to improve efficiency. The solution is built on an embedded KVS for high performance but uses novel data structures to support concurrent writes. Results show the proposed system outperforms Cassandra and Voldemort in several different workloads.
Insurers' Competitive Strategy and Enrollment in Newly Offered Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

While early growth in preferred provider organizations (PPOs) coincided with growth of managed care generally, recent expansion has come primarily at the expense of other managed care plans. Little is known about the micro behavior underlying these trends. In 2005, University of Michigan employees were offered PPOs for the first time by vendors who also offered other plans. PPOs helped the offering vendors maintain or increase their total enrollment share. PPOs were most attractive to workers who previously had chosen less managed plans. Because PPOs drew few enrollees from health maintenance organizations (HMOs), there was little evidence of a backlash against managed care in the context of the University of Michigan employee group.
The Changing Structure of Intercorporate Relations Among Britain's Largest Retail Firms, 1975-1997

Empirical studies of the structure of intercorporate relations among large firms in Britain and elsewhere have revealed extensive networks of interconections through interlocking directorships. Although the significance of such linkages has been much discussed, they are widely held to constitute important communication channels which may play a significant role in firms' strategic decision-making. However, these issues have not been examined previously in the case of Britain's retail sector. This paper explores the links, via shared directors, between Britain's twenty largest retail companies over the last two decades. The retailers' connections with other major financial and industrial concerns are also explored. The results indicate that intercorporate relations in the retail sector have been radically transformed as these firms have become progressively integrated into Britain's wider business network.
Counterregulation of Chromatin Deacetylation and Histone Deacetylase Occupancy at the Integrated Promoter of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) by the HIV-1 Repressor YY1 and HIV-1 Activator Tat

ABSTRACT Repression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcription may contribute to the establishment or maintenance of proviral quiescence in infected CD4+ cells. The host factors YY1 and LSF cooperatively recruit histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) and inhibit transcription. We demonstrate here regulation of occupancy of HDAC1 at a positioned nucleosome (nuc 1) near the transcription start site of integrated LTR. We find that expression of YY1 increases occupancy by HDAC1, decreases acetylation at nuc 1, and downregulates LTR expression. HDAC1 recruitment and histone hypoacetylation were also seen when Tat activation was inhibited by the overexpression of YY1. A YY1 mutant without an HDAC1 interaction domain and incompetent to inhibit LTR activation fails to recruit HDAC1 to LTR or decrease nuc 1 acetylation. Further, expression of a dominant-negative mutant of LSF (dnLSF), which inhibits LSF occupancy and LTR repression, results in acetylation and decreased HDAC1 occupancy at nuc 1. Conversely, exposure of cells to the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A or activation of LTR expression by HIV-1 Tat results in the displacement of HDAC1 from nuc 1, in association with increased acetylation of histone H4. Recruitment of HDAC1 to the LTR nuc 1 can counteract Tat activation and repress LTR expression. Significantly, when repression is overcome, LTR activation is associated with decreased HDAC1 occupancy. Since the persistence of integrated HIV-1 genomes despite potent suppression of viral replication is a major obstacle for current antiretroviral therapy, strategies to selectively disrupt the quiescence of chromosomal provirus may play a role in the future treatment of AIDS.