Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An international comparison of school systems based on social mobility

[eng] We propose an international comparison of school systems in OECD countries in terms of social mobility in schools based on the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) test results in mathematics between 2003 and 2015. For each country, we calculate students' interdecile social mobility in schools on the basis of their ranking in the PISA test in mathematics, compared to their social ranking in their country, and compare this new index of equity to those generally used in OECD studies (slope and intensity of social gradient, percentage of resilient students). A new representation, the“Great Gatsby curve of school”, in reference to the Great Gatsby curve of income, is proposed: the social mobility of a school system is closely linked to the educational inequality between students and schools. Countries such as Belgium or France with high levels of school inequality also stand out for low social mobility in schools. Inversely, countries such as Finland or Canada are characterised by low school inequality and high levels of social mobility in schools. A second important conclusion of the analysis is that the countries in which social mobility in schools is above average are also most often those with school achievement levels above the average.
Should office workers spend fewer hours at their computer? A systematic review of the literature

Worldwide, millions of office workers use a computer. Reports of adverse health effects due to computer use have received considerable media attention. This systematic review summarises the evidence for a relationship between the duration of work time spent using the computer and the incidence of hand–arm and neck–shoulder symptoms and disorders. Several databases were systematically searched up to 6 November 2005. Two reviewers independently selected articles that presented a risk estimate for the duration of computer use, included an outcome measure related to hand–arm or neck–shoulder symptoms or disorders, and had a longitudinal study design. The strength of the evidence was based on methodological quality and consistency of the results. Nine relevant articles were identified, of which six were rated as high quality. Moderate evidence was concluded for a positive association between the duration of mouse use and hand–arm symptoms. For this association, indications for a dose–response relationship were found. Risk estimates were in general stronger for the hand–arm region than for the neck–shoulder region, and stronger for mouse use than for total computer use and keyboard use. A pathophysiological model focusing on the overuse of muscles during computer use supports these differences. Future studies are needed to improve our understanding of safe levels of computer use by measuring the duration of computer use in a more objective way, differentiating between total computer use, mouse use and keyboard use, attaining sufficient exposure contrast, and collecting data on disability caused by symptoms.
Coexpression of p53 protein and MDR functional phenotype in leukemias: The predominant association in chronic myeloid leukemia

One of the best characterized resistance mechanisms of leukemias is multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by P‐glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug‐resistant related protein (MRP). In addition to Pgp and MRP, p53 mutation or inactivation might play a relevant role in therapeutic failure. Some studies have demonstrated that Pgp and MRP may be activated in association with overexpression of mutant or inactivated p53 protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between p53 expression and MDR functional phenotype analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM).
Using the LMDI Decomposition Approach to Analyze the Influencing Factors of Carbon Emissions in Tunisian Transportation Sector

The transportation sector plays a key role in the economic and commercial development of Tunisia. However, it is an energy-intensive sector that is responsible for 25.3% of greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, we use the LMDI decomposition approach of CO2 emissions stemming from the transportation sector with its different modes (highways, railways, civil aviation and waterways). Our objective is to evaluate the contribution of each of the main factors responsible for these emissions, namely the energy efficiency, the structure and the level of development of the transportation sector. The empirical analysis of CO2 emissions data concerning this area for the period 1991–2016 shows that the rapid growth of these emissions is mainly due to the increase in the level of transport development in Tunisia with a particular predominance of road transportation. As for the transportation sector energy efficiency, it was shown that there is an inhibition of CO2 emissions.
Stray capacitance calculation of a MCG having n turns with multi layers filamentary conductor in rectangular cross-section by VRH model

This paper presents a new method called vespiary regular hexagonal (VRH) model in order to calculate parasitic capacitance between conductor wire filaments of one turn of coil (OTC) and between conductor wire filaments and liner and also total capacitance of n turns having multi-layers conductor wires filament of the coil of helix magneto flux cumulative generator (MCG) in the form of rectangular cross-section. Method presented in this paper is based on an analytical method and geometrical structure of multilayer wire filaments. In this paper, wire filaments of the coil are separated into many very small similar elementary cells. In this structure, an equilateral lozenge-shape basic cell (ELBC) with two trapezium-shape regions is considered between two adjacent conductor wire filaments in one turn of the generator coil. This method applies to calculate stray capacitance of n turn of the coil with multi conductor wire filaments (CWFs). Finally, we will see that by progress of explosion and volume extension of liner and decrease of the number of turns of coil of the generator until the second turn, total capacitance of generator increases and when there remains only one turn in the circuit, there occurs a descending decrease in total capacitance of the generator.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HEDONIC AND FILTERED INDEXES IN SELECTED CITIES

Abstract Property price indexes are difficult to determine both from the substantive and technical/organizational points of view. Various methods of constructing such indexes have been developed in order to overcome these difficulties. To this end, the author compares two types of indexes: hedonic indexes and ones termed filtered for the purpose of this particular paper. Hedonic index values come from Polish National Bank (NBP) publications, while the filtered indexes have been computed with the use of the 4253H filter on the basis of the NBP announcements on mean property prices. Thus, the results are comparable as both types of indexes are derived from the same input databases. The analysis covers both the comparison of the obtained results as well as a discussion of substantive and technical problems encountered when building the property price indexes.
Coupled UHF Micromechanical Ring Resonators With Schottky Transducers

In this letter, we present ultra-high frequency coupled ring resonators realized in a suspended AlGaN/GaN heterostructure. The piezoelectric transducers consist of back-to-back nickel (Ni) Schottky diodes deposited on a 20-nm-thick AlGaN layer and a floating 2-D electron gas (2-DEG) sheet at the AlGaN/GaN interface. The dispersion characteristics of symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb waves in ring resonators are characterized. Higher order resonance harmonics are targeted with very high mechanical quality factors (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q\text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) through optimized design of the coupling beam. Such a scheme minimizes the acoustic energy leakage to the substrate, and thus increases anchor <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We report on a high-order breathing resonance mode at 900.7 MHz with very high mechanical <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 8350 measured at room temperature and ambient pressure, achieving a record high <italic>frequency</italic> <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times Q$ </tex-math></inline-formula> value of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$7.5\times 10^{12}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. [2017-0064]
[Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell therapy on diabetic nephropathy in rats].

OBJECTIVE To test the effectiveness of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on diabetic nephropathy in rats. METHODS A single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) was given to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Four weeks after the occurrence of diabetes, the rats with diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into two groups: diabetic nephropathy control group (DN, n = 12) and MSCs transplantation group (MSC, n = 12). Six rats served as normal controls. MSCs were cultured, identified and labeled by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in vitro, which were then transplanted to the rats in the MSC group via introcardiac infusion(2 x 10(6) MSCs/200 microL). The same procedure was repeated one week later. The blood glucose, body weight (BW), kidney weight (KW), urine protein, endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and profile of kidney hypertrophy (KW/BW) were tested and the renal morphology and labeled cells were examined in the kidney, one, two, and eight weeks after the second transplantation. RESULTS Mesenchymal cell phenotype was expressed by the cultured MSCs, which could be multidifferentiated into osteogenic and adipogenic cells. The labeled MSCs were detected in the kidney of nephropathic rats, but no proliferation of the stem cells was found. The rats in the MSC and DN groups had higher blood glucose, urine protein, Ccr and KW/BW and lower BW than the normal controls (P < 0.05). One week after the transplantation, the rats in the MSC group showed lower blood glucose than the rats in the DN group [(26.7 +/- 2.8) vs (29.9 +/- 1.6) mmol/L, P < 0.05], but was still higher than the normal controls (6.0 +/- 0.7 mmol/L). The urine protein appeared similar in the MSC and DN groups two weeks and eight weeks after transplantation. After two weeks of transplantation, the rats in the MSC group showed lower Ccr (8.6 +/- 1.9) and KW/BW (5.5 +/- 0.1) than the rats in the DN group (17.1 +/- 1.6 for Ccr and 6.2 +/- 0.3 for KW/BW respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Cardiac injected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can track to the kidney of rats with diabetic nephropathy, which attenuates diabetic nephropathy temporarily.
A High-Selectivity Tunable Dual-Band Bandpass Filter Using Stub-Loaded Stepped-Impedance Resonators

A novel varactor tunable dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) using stub-loaded stepped-impedance resonators is proposed in this letter. Compared with the traditional tunable filters, the source-load coupling and T-shape stub-loaded lines are employed in this design. The proposed BPF architecture has the advantages of high selectivity and less control voltages. In the overall tuning range, the proposed filter is designed with 5-6 transmission zeros and more than 30 dB rejection between the two passbands. Meanwhile, only one control voltage is needed for each passband. A prototype of this filter is fabricated and measured. The measurement results show great agreement with simulated results, which show that the first passband can be tuned in a frequency range from 0.8 to 1.02 GHz, and the second passband varies from 2.02 to 2.48 GHz.
Evidence for Tumor Necrosis Factor‐induced Pulmonary Microvascular Injury After Intestinal Ischemia—Reperfusion Injury

Acute lung injury characterized by increased microvascular permeability Is one feature of multiple-organ system failure and the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury has been linked to this type of acute lung injury. The purpose of these experiments was to examine the pathogenic mediators that link the two processes, with particular emphasis on the roles of endotoxln and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Previously described characteristics of the acute lung Injury in this rat model of Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion include pulmonary neutrophil sequestration, depletion of lung tissue ATP, alveolar endotnelial cell disruption, and increased microvascular permeability. Plasma levels of TNF In the systemic circulation of sham-operated animals and those with intestinal ischemlc injury less than 60 minutes In duration were very low or undetectable. Intestinal ischemia for 120 minutes was associated with TNF elevation to 1.19 ± 0.50 U/mL. Reperfusion for periods of 15 and 30 minutes generated 5− to 10-fold Increases In circulating TNF levels (6.61 ± 3.11 U/mL, p > 0.05 and 10.41 ± 5.41 U/mL, p.= 0.004 compared to sham); however this increase in circulating TNF was transient and largely cleared within 60 minutes after Initiating reperfusion. Portal vein endotoxln levels were found to increase significantly before the appearance of TNF in systemic plasma, suggesting that gut-derived endotoxin may Induce TNF release from hepatic macrophages into the systemic circulation. Antl-TNF antibody attenuated the increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability In this preparation but did not prevent pulmonary, neutrophil sequestration. These observations suggest that endotoxin and TNF have pathogenic roles in this acute lung Injury, but that mechanisms of adherence of neutrophils to endotnelial cells Independent of TNF may be Involved. The accumulation of neutrophils in the lung but the prevention of a vascular permeability increase in the presence of antibody to TNF may imply an in vivo role for TNF in the process of neutrophil activation. These studies provide additional evidence of the Importance of the endogenous inflammatory mediators in the development of systemic injury in response to local tissue Injury.
ViKY Robotic Scope Holder: Initial Clinical Experience and Preliminary Results Using Instrument Tracking

Robotic endoscope holders constitute an alternative to complete telesurgery systems, by offering a “third hand” to the surgeon during a laparoscopic procedure. ViKY robotic scope holder (Endocontrol, Grenoble, France) is a lightweight, sterilizable body-mounted robot with 3 DOF. In this paper, we present the specifics of this robot, the newly developed XL version dedicated to single-port surgery and the initial clinical experience. We have proposed a method to control the robot, based on the detection and tracking of surgical instrument from image analysis and shape priors, to enrich the interaction between the surgeon and the robot. We present here, our work in progress toward its integration into a probabilistic framework, with the aim of improving the method's speed and robustness. We also present the surgeons' viewpoints on the feasibility of its integration into the operating theater.
Surgical management of previously coiled intracranial aneurysms

With the increased use of endovascular therapy in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms the number of incompletely coiled aneurysms presenting for further management either due to lack of universal durability of this method or due to recurrent rupture is increasing. Since 1998, seven patients with previously coiled aneurysms underwent surgical obliteration of refractory or recurrent lesions. All patients were recorded in a prospective registry. Indications for surgery, the surgical techniques used and patient outcome were analysed. Surgery of recurrent or residual aneurysms resulted in a good outcome in four and a moderate outcome in one patient. Despite early clipping after recurrent haemorrhage after coil occlusion one of the two patients died, the other one had a moderate outcome. Our experience indicates that good results are obtainable, although technical challenges are frequently encountered.
Plant flotillins are required for infection by nitrogen-fixing bacteria

To establish compatible rhizobial-legume symbioses, plant roots support bacterial infection via host-derived infection threads (ITs). Here, we report the requirement of plant flotillin-like genes (FLOTs) in Sinorhizobium meliloti infection of its host legume Medicago truncatula. Flotillins in other organisms have roles in viral pathogenesis, endocytosis, and membrane shaping. We identified seven FLOT genes in the M. truncatula genome and show that two, FLOT2 and FLOT4, are strongly up-regulated during early symbiotic events. This up-regulation depends on bacterial Nod Factor and the plant's ability to perceive Nod Factor. Microscopy data suggest that M. truncatula FLOT2 and FLOT4 localize to membrane microdomains. Upon rhizobial inoculation, FLOT4 uniquely becomes localized to the tips of elongating root hairs. Silencing FLOT2 and FLOT4 gene expression reveals a nonredundant requirement for both genes in IT initiation and nodule formation. FLOT4 is uniquely required for IT elongation, and FLOT4 localizes to IT membranes. This work reveals a critical role for plant flotillins in symbiotic bacterial infection.
Poorer survival of nulliparous women with endometrial carcinoma

Several epidemiologic studies have shown an inverse relationship between parity and the incidence of endometrial carcinoma. A prognostic influence of reproductive factors has been reported for carcinomas of the breast and uterine cervix; but no such independent influence has been reported for endometrial carcinoma, to the authors' knowledge. Therefore, the authors investigated the prognostic importance of parity in an unselected group of patients.
A New Method for Applying VAT to Financial Services

While many methods of taxing financial services on VAT have been developed in recent decades, none are considered definitive. This article proposes a new approach to taxing financial services that has desirable properties and could be applied practically: the "mobile-ratio" method. This method uses a periodically updated ratio to allocate the financial margin of the firm to each financial transaction, obtaining near-complete taxation of the value added by financial services. This simple, neutral method can be easily administered. This approach will be of interest to public economists and policy makers seeking to increasing VAT revenue and improving VAT efficiency and neutrality.
Strategies for promoting cultural diversity within student laboratory groups in an engineering degree course at an Australian university

Context: Engineering graduates (Stage 1 Professional Engineers) must be able to demonstrate effective team membership and team leadership. Australasian engineering degrees include this competency as a course learning outcome. Students work in small groups in laboratory sessions, design classes or for oral presentations to gain this competency. Students tend to form groups with little cultural diversity if allowed to self-select. Mandating cultural diversity within groups is resisted by domestic students. A further issue is individual assessment within groups. Purpose: What strategies are effective in promoting cultural diversity within groups of engineering students? Approach: Ethics approval will be sought to conduct semi-structured interviews with a culturally diverse selection of students and teaching staff. Qualitative data will be analysed (with NVIVO) on students' and staff experience with group work. Results: Analysis of the structured interviews is expected to provide an insight into the factors limiting the effectiveness of group-work to deliver the required team-work competencies. Acceptable methods for group formation and individual assessment within groups may emerge. Strategies which assure harmony within culturally diverse groups will be sought. These strategies will be presented to a workshop at AAEE2018. Conclusions: The structured interview results, together with the literature review, will inform further research leading to the identification of effective strategies to promote cultural diversity within groups.
The relation between measures of health status and quality of life in COPD

Because quality of life (QoL) and health status (HS) scales contain different kinds of items and are shown not to be equivalent, there is a recommendation to use both types of scales. We investigated the relationship between either type of scale but focusing on the subscales of HS measures. A sample of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients completed two QoL scales and two HS scales (BPQ and SGRQ), neuroticism, six-minute walk test and FEV1. Factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure (consistent with previous research), and showed that one type of HS subscale is different from QoL but another is equivalent to QoL. If total HS scores are used then it is valuable to include a QoL measure, but if HS subscales are reported, then these cover both latent variables, with the BPQ providing a clearer separation of the latent variables than the SGRQ.
Chemico-biological interaction of Etravirine and its β-Cyclodextrin complex with macromolecular targets

The interaction of etravirine with β-cyclodextrin is analyzed by UV–visible absorption, infrared, fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance, two-dimensional rotational frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, and molecular modeling studies. The 4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethylbenzonitrile moiety is found to take part in the binding. The stoichiometry of the inclusion complex of ET with β-CD is 1:1 with the binding constant of 2.03 × 103 mol−1 dm3. The binding of ET with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein is investigated in the presence and the absence of β-CD. Fluorescence enhancement is observed during the binding of ET with ctDNA in the absence of β-CD, whereas in the presence of β-CD, fluorescence quenching is observed. The binding constants of the binding of ET and ET–β-CD to ctDNA are 7.84 × 104 and 4.38 × 104 mol−1 dm3, respectively. The binding constant of the binding of ET and ET–β-CD to BSA are 3.14 × 104 and 1.6396 × 104 mol−1 dm3, respectively. The apparent binding constants between ET–β-CD complex and ctDNA or BSA protein decreases significantly. The numbers of binding sites of interaction of ET with BSA protein and the binding distance between BSA protein and ET the absence and the presence of β-CD differ. β-CD modulates the binding of ET with the macromolecular targets. Graphical abstract β-Cyclodextrin act as carrier of etravirine for the binding with DNA and Protein targets.