Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The teaching profession in the Netherlands : from regulative structures to collaborative cultures

Het Nederlandse onderwijssysteem kan beschouwd worden als ‘the hidden secret in education’ (Alma Harris). Weinig landen zijn in staat om hoge onderwijs kwaliteit te combineren met een grote mate van gelijke kansen. Daarmee kan Nederland naast gidslanden zoals Finland, Canada/Ontario en Singapore een inspiratiebron zijn voor andere landen. Met dit doel voor ogen is in mei 2017 het boek ’The Dutch way in education: Teach, learn and lead the Dutch way’ gepubliceerd. ‘because the Dutch score high on Pisa rankings, they top almost every chart on child well-being and have a high performing system with a good balance between equity and excellence. These are just a few aspects that indicate the Dutch society and its education has a lot of things to discover if you look more closely. ’ In dit boek worden de verworvenheden van het Nederlandse onderwijssysteem beschreven vanuit verschillende invalshoeken (klik hier voor de inhoudsopgave [https://www.thedutch-way.com/downloads/The_Dutch_Way_in_Education_tableofcontents.pdf]). Lector Marco Snoek heeft het hoofdstuk over de leraar in het Nederlandse schoolsysteem beschreven. In the Netherlands, as in every country in the world, the quality of education is an issue of major concern, as education is a key factor in maintaining and developing the economic and social stability of a country. It is a key responsibility of the government to maintain and develop that quality. After all, educational quality is not a static concept, as education needs to adapt itself continuously to changes and new needs in society. This chapter focuses on the way in which educational quality and development are supported in the Netherlands and the role teachers play in these. Three perspectives on that role are presented, one in which teachers are recipients from government measures and follow system structures and regulations, one in which individual teachers are seen as the key actors in defining and realizing educational quality and one in which educational quality is considered the result of close collaboration of teams of teachers. The chapter shows how government and local policies in the Netherlands have moved from the first to the second perspective and are now, slowly, evolving to the third perspective. Het boek is uitgegeven door Uitgeverij Onderwijs maak je Samen. Zie www.thedutch-way.com. Sinds november 2017 is er ook een Nederlandse vertaling beschikbaar: The Dutch Way. Leren, lesgeven en leiderschap in het Nederlandse Onderwijs.
Mrakia psychrophila sp. nov., a new species isolated from Antarctic soil

The yeast strain (Y18) was isolated from a soil sample collected from Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica. The strain is a psychrophilic yeast with optimum and maximum growth temperatures of 10 °C and 18 °C, respectively. Teliospores were formed after 7 d on malt agar, when the germination of teliospores was observed. Both inositol and D-glucuronate were assimilated. Positive results of the DBB (diazonium blue B) color reaction, urease test, and starch formation were observed. The major CoQ is Q8. All results indicated that Y18 belongs to the genes of Mrakia. The 18S rDNA sequence analyses showed that Y18 is closely related to Mrakia frigida. DNA-DNA relatedness study, and some biochemistry characteristics indicated that Y18 represents a new species for which Mrakia psychrophila sp. nov. is proposed.
Institutional change and the development of lagging regions in Europe

ABSTRACT This paper assesses whether both the levels and the degree of change in government quality influence regional economic performance in the European Union and, in particular, in its lagging regions. The results of the econometric analysis, covering 249 NUTS-2 regions for the period 1999–2013, suggest that (1) government quality matters for regional growth; (2) relative improvements in quality of government are a powerful driver of development; (3) one-size-fits-all policies for lagging regions are not the solution; (4) government quality improvements are essential for low-growth regions; and (5) in low-income regions basic endowment shortages are still the main barrier to development. In particular, low-growth regions in Southern Europe stand to benefit the most from improvements in government quality, while in low-income regions of Central and Eastern Europe, investments in the traditional drivers of growth remain the main factors behind successful economic trajectories.
Diagnostic and substance specificity of carbon-dioxide-induced panic.

OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the substance and diagnostic specificity of carbon-dioxide-induced panic since, in addition to the specific biochemical effects of inhaled carbon dioxide (CO2), simple physiologic distress is also frequently implicated as a panicogenic factor during respiratory challenge studies with CO2 in patients with anxiety disorders. METHOD Eighteen patients with panic disorder, 20 with social phobia, and 23 psychiatrically normal subjects inhaled a mixture of 35% CO2 and 65% O2 for 30 seconds through a face mask. They also breathed for 30 seconds through a valve reducing the diameter of the airway. A double-blind, counterbalanced, randomized design was used. RESULTS In spite of important similarities between the two interventions, including the induction of equal amounts of subjective respiratory distress, carbon dioxide inhalation was significantly more potent than increased airway resistance in provoking panic in the anxiety disorder patients. The patients with panic disorder were significantly more sensitive to CO2 than were the patients with social phobia or the normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS Carbon dioxide inhalation appears to have a specific panicogenic effect in panic patients that goes beyond simple breathlessness.
RNA methylation and diseases: experimental results, databases, Web servers and computational models

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation is a type of posttranscriptional modifications occurring in all kingdoms of life. It is strongly related to important biological process, thus making it linked to a number of human diseases. Owing to the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, plenty of achievement had been obtained in RNA methylation research recently. Meanwhile, various computational models have been developed to analyze and mining increasing RNA methylation data. In this review, we first made a brief introduction about eight types of most popular RNA methylation, the biological functions of RNA methylation, the relationship between RNA methylation and disease and five important RNA methylation-related diseases. The research of RNA methylation is based on sequencing data processing, and effective bioinformatics techniques can benefit better understanding of RNA methylation. We further introduced seven publicly available RNA methylation-related databases, and some important publicly available RNA-methylation-related Web servers and software for RNA methylation site identification, differential analysis and so on. Furthermore, we provided detailed analysis of the state-of-the-art computational models used in these Web servers and software. We also analyzed the limitations of these models and discussed the future directions of developing computational models for RNA methylation research.
From Awe to Ecological Behavior: The Mediating Role of Connectedness to Nature

Awe is a self-transcendent emotion that can diminish one’s focus on the self and serves as an important motivator of commitment to social collectives. However, the influence of awe on ecological behavior is not clear. This study examines the relationships between people’s feeling of awe, their connectedness to nature, and ecological behavior. Three experiments tested the effect of awe on ecological behaviors including mediation tests. Compared with participants in the control condition, participants in the awe condition were more inclined to behave ecologically (Study 1 and 2) and reported a higher feeling of connectedness to nature (Study 2). Moreover, the relationship between awe and ecological behavior was mediated by connectedness to nature (Study 3). These findings indicate that awe helps broaden the self-concept by including nature and increase connectedness to nature, which in turn lead to ecological behavior. They also highlight the significance of connectedness in explaining why awe increases ecological behavior.
Characterization of the expression of variant and standard CD44 in prostate cancer cells: Identification of the possible molecular mechanism of CD44/MMP9 complex formation on the cell surface

CD44 is a glycosylated adhesion molecule and osteopontin is one of its ligand. CD44 undergoes alternative splicing to produce variant isoforms. Our recent studies have shown an increase in the surface expression of CD44 isoforms (sCD44 and v4–v10 variant CD44) in prostate cancer cells over‐expressing osteopontin (PC3/OPN). Formation of CD44/MMP9 complex on the cell surface is indispensable for MMP9 activity. In this study, we have characterized the expression of variant CD44 using RT‐PCR, surface labeling with NHS–biotin, and immunoblotting. Expression of variant CD44 encompassing v4–v10 and sCD44 at mRNA and protein levels are of the same levels in PC3 and PC3/OPN cells. However, an increase in the surface expression of v6, v10, and sCD44 in PC3/OPN cells suggest that OPN may be a ligand for these isoforms. We then proceeded to determine the role of sCD44 in MMP9 activation. Based on our previous studies in osteoclasts, we hypothesized that phosphorylation of CD44 has a role on its surface expression and subsequent activation of MMP9. We have prepared TAT‐fused CD44 peptides comprising unphosphorylated and constitutively phosphorylated serine residues at positions Ser323 and Ser325. Transduction of phosphopeptides at Ser323 and Ser323/325 into PC3 cells reduced the surface levels of CD44, MMP9 activity, and cell migration; but had no effect on the membrane localization of MMP9. However, MMP9 knock‐down PC3 cells showed reduced CD44 at cellular and surface levels. Thus we conclude that surface expression of CD44 and activation of MMP9 on the cell surface are interdependent. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 272–284, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Upper visual field advantage in localizing a target among distractors

Biases exist in many perceptual and cognitive functions. Since visual attention plays an important role in a wide range of perceptual and cognitive processes, any bias in the spatial distribution of attention is likely to be a significant source of perceptual and cognitive asymmetries. An attentional visual field task (AVF) requiring localization of a target among distractors was used to assess possible asymmetries in attentional processing in the vertical meridian. The results showed a bias favoring the upper visual field, suggesting a potentially important role of attention in perceptual and cognitive asymmetries.
The Second Sodium Site in the Dopamine Transporter Controls Cation Permeation and Is Regulated by Chloride*

Background: The relationship between ion binding and conductance states of the dopamine transporter is poorly understood. Results: The Li+ leak is mediated by the second sodium site (Na2) and is gated by Cl−. Conclusion: Na2 controls transporter cation permeability and inner gate opening probability in a Cl−-dependent manner. Significance: The data improve our mechanistic understanding of ion-coupling in neurotransmitter:sodium symporters. The dopamine transporter (DAT) belongs to the family of neurotransmitter:sodium symporters and controls dopamine (DA) homeostasis by mediating Na+- and Cl−-dependent reuptake of DA. Here we used two-electrode voltage clamp measurements in Xenopus oocytes together with targeted mutagenesis to investigate the mechanistic relationship between DAT ion binding sites and transporter conductances. In Li+, DAT displayed a cocaine-sensitive cation leak current ∼10-fold larger than the substrate-induced current in Na+. Mutation of Na+ coordinating residues in the first (Na1) and second (Na2) binding sites suggested that the Li+ leak depends on Li+ interaction with Na2 rather than Na1. DA caused a marked inhibition of the Li+ leak, consistent with the ability of the substrate to interact with the Li+-occupied state of the transporter. The leak current in Li+ was also potently inhibited by low millimolar concentrations of Na+, which according to our mutational data conceivably depended on high affinity binding to Na1. The Li+ leak was further regulated by Cl− that most likely increases Li+ permeation by allosterically lowering Na2 affinity. Interestingly, mutational lowering of Na2 affinity by substituting Asp-420 with asparagine dramatically increased cation permeability in Na+ to a level higher than seen in Li+. In addition to reveal a functional link between the bound Cl− and the cation bound in the Na2 site, the data support a key role of Na2 in determining cation permeability of the transporter and thereby possibly in regulating the opening probability of the inner gate.
Determinants of Household Position within Chilean Wealth Household’s Distribution

This paper analyzes the distribution of net wealth, its relationship with income and the factors that influence the household position within the wealth distribution in Chile. The research draws on microdata from the Survey of Household Finances 2014. We de.ne net wealth as the difference between assets and debts without considering pension wealth. The results show that wealth is unequally distributed among Chilean households. In fact, 73% of wealth is owned by the richest quintile. In addition, we show that to finance partial or totally the main residence with a subsidy has a significant effect on the probability of a household being above the lowest wealth quintile and that inheritances significantly increase the probability of belonging to a higher quintile of wealth. In terms of income we show that, even though it has a significant effect in the wealth position of a household, the relationship between income and wealth is weak.
Indigenous peoples and immigrants: the multicultural challenge of criminal law

This thesis is the conclusion of doctoral research that pursued to examine whether indigenous peoples’ demands for access to their cultural practices can be accommodated within criminal law. In a globalised context in which states become increasingly multicultural this question raises fear of social fragmentation and the anxiety for achieving unity. Certainly, Rwanda and Kosovo evidence that claims to access culturally diverse practices may lead to war or even genocide. The context of the thesis is a more benign form of response to these claims: accommodation. While accommodation in general has received great attention from scholars (Kymlicka 1989, Gutmann et al 1994, Tully 1995), within criminal law the only focus has been cultural defences (Renteln 2004, Kymlicka et al 2014). However, little research has been conducted to understand the broader implications of this phenomenon for both the accommodated and the accommodating. The research aims to shed light on these broader implications of accommodation by exploring it within criminal law. Certainly, the simplicity and individualised nature of cultural defence conceals what is at stake for both the accommodated and the accommodating. Specifically, it conceals how criminal law cannot be responsive to the claims of minorities because it seeks to maintain the practices of the constitutional order of which criminal law is part. The result is that the claims of indigenous peoples cannot be accommodated. In order to uncover these implications, the research employs social holism (Pettit 1998) to develop a broader understanding of criminal law as a socio-cultural practice, which enables an adequate description and assessment of the diversity of claims to recognition that minorities make to the state of which they are part. In broadening the view the claims of minorities become linked to their position within the constitutional order (Tully 1995), and then the question arises as to whether minorities have been unjustly excluded or included (Lindahl 2013) in that order, which may lead to recognise a new plurality of responses that the state and its criminal law should provide to them. By broadening the understanding of criminal law it is enabled an adequate framework for the assessment of the phenomenon of accommodation. Certainly, this is necessary for claims to access diverse cultural and social practices to be met with justice, for the state’s responses need to be sensitive to the diversity of claims put forward by minorities, without overlooking that the state as well need to access its particular social and cultural practices.
Miniaturized right hand circularly polarized antenna for GPS applications

This paper presents a miniaturized right hand circularly polarized antenna design for operation at the GPS frequency [1575 MHz]. This antenna structure utilizes a pair of planar Isolated Magnetic Dipole [IMD] antennas collocated on a square ground plane and fed 90 degrees out of phase to generate right hand circular polarization. The antenna design provides axial ratio of less than 1.5 dB at zenith.
Electroacoustic Verification Measures with Modern Hearing Instrument Technology

Modern-day hearing instruments offer a wide variety of signal processing options, including widedynamic range compression (WDRC), multiple channels, selectable compression speeds, dual/directional microphones, and noise detection. Similarly, modernday hearing instrument test systems offer a wide variety of test signals, varying in their bandwidth, spectral shape, level, and temporal characteristics. The process of verifying the performance of a given hearing instrument for a specific infant or child is therefore complicated by the process of matching appropriate test signal characteristics to the signal processing characteristics of the hearing instrument, in order to obtain an accurate test. In this chapter, we will review some current issues in electroacoustic verification of modern-day hearing instruments and we will outline some evidence-based strategies for verification with modern hearing instrument technology.
Strengthening Leadership Competencies of Thai Secondary School Teachers

The research aimed 1) to investigate components and indicators of the leadership competencies of secondary school teachers, 2) to explore the existing situations and desirable situations of secondary school teachers’ leadership competencies, 3) to study the techniques to strengthen teachers’ leadership competencies, 4) to develop the teacher-leadership competencies strengthening program, and 5) to find out the results of implementing the program to improve the teacher’s leadership competencies. Research and development was employed, divided into five phases as follows: Phase 1 examined the components and indicators of the teacher’s leadership competencies and was verified by 10 experts ; Phase 2 explored the existing situations and desirable situations of the teacher’s leadership competencies by using a questionnaire to collect data from the samples of 1,008 secondary school teachers ; Phase 3 examined the appropriate techniques to enhance the teacher’s leadership competencies from the same samples of phase 2 ; Phase 4 developed a program to strengthen the leadership competencies of secondary school teachers and verified program by 7 experts, Strengthening Leadership Competencies of Thai Secondary School Teachers
Specificity of Protein Interactions Mediated by BRCT Domains of the XRCC1 DNA Repair Protein*

Protein interactions critical to DNA repair and cell cycle control systems are often coordinated by modules that belong to a superfamily of structurally conserved BRCT domains. Because the mechanisms of BRCT interactions and their significance are not well understood, we sought to define the affinity and specificity of those BRCT modules that orchestrate base excision repair and single-strand break repair. Common to these pathways is the essential XRCC1 DNA repair protein, which interacts with at least nine other proteins and DNA. Here, we characterized the interactions of four purified BRCT domains, two from XRCC1 and their two partners from DNA ligase IIIα and poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase 1. A monoclonal antibody was selected that recognizes the ligase IIIα BRCT domain, but not the other BRCT domains, and was used to capture the relevant ligase IIIα BRCT complex. To examine the assembly states of isolated BRCT domains and pairwise domain complexes, we used size-exclusion chromatography coupled with on-line light scattering. This analysis indicated that isolated BRCT domains form homo-oligomers and that the BRCT complex between the C-terminal XRCC1 domain and the ligase IIIα domain is a heterotetramer with 2:2 stoichiometry. Using affinity capture and surface plasmon resonance methods, we determined that specific heteromeric interactions with high nanomolar dissociation constants occur between pairs of cognate BRCT domains. A structural model for a XRCC1·DNA ligase IIIα heterotetramer is proposed as a core base excision repair complex, which constitutes a scaffold for higher order complexes to which other repair proteins and DNA are brought into proximity.
Government bond yields in Germany and Spain—empirical evidence from better days

This paper tries to link the uncovered interest rate parity condition to the discussion about interest rate convergence in currency unions. Techniques of fractional cointegration analysis are used to examine the relationship between German and Spanish government bond yields with maturities of two, five, seven and ten years in the period 05 January 2001 to 29 December 2006. Back then (in the good times of the currency union) financial markets did not have to fear exchange rate risk and sovereign credit risk. Thus, the risk premia to be observed were small and driven by liquidity risk. Economic theory suggests that a cointegration vector of between the interest rates can only exist when markets do not expect exchange rate movements and the risk premium is not interest rate sensitive (or practically speaking the sensitivity is low). Given the data set examined here, it is probably no surprise that the interest rates of the two countries are cointegrated and that the cointegration vector of German and Spanish government bond yields with maturities of two, five and seven years seems to be . We then have also examined the degree of interest rate sensitivity of the yield spread between Spain and Germany. The differential between the yields of the two countries in all maturity brackets do not react to the level of interest rates in the currency union. This fits perfectly to our results with regard to the cointegration vector.