Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Die Auswirkungen zentraler Abschlussprüfungen auf die Schulleistung: quasi-experimentelle Befunde aus der deutschen TIMSS-Stichprobe

Die Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) zeigt, dass die Schulleistungen in Bundeslandern mit zentralen Abschlussprufungen deutlich besser sind als in den anderen Bundeslandern. Schulabschlusse der Sekundarstufe werden in Deutschland in Abhangigkeit vom Bundesland mit oder ohne zentrale Abschlussprufungen vergeben. Diese im internationalen Vergleich seltene institutionelle Variation kann fur die Schatzung des kausalen Effekts zentraler Abschlussprufungen auf die Schulleistung genutzt werden. Wir stellen einen Differenzen-in-Differenzen-Schatzer vor, bei dem wir uns den quasi-experimentellen Charakter der deutschen TIMSS-Stichprobe fur die Sekundarstufe I zunutze machen. Es stellt sich heraus, dass die Leistungsunterschiede zwischen den Landern nur zum Teil auf die zentralen Abschlussprufungen selbst zuruckzufuhren sind. Die Ergebnisse unserer Studie quantifizieren den positiven Effekt zentraler Prufungen auf die Schulleistung auf mindestens ein Drittel des Aquivalents eines Schuljahres.
Freedom of Expression, Accountability and Development in the Arab Region

Mechanisms for ensuring government transparency and accountability have yet to become established in the Arab region, where oil rents and security rents have traditionally enabled governments to provide jobs and services without having to rely heavily, if at all, on raising revenue through personal income tax on citizens. Yet various forms of resource mobilization, which will be needed in future, are likely to require a greater degree of accountability from those responsible for such mobilization. This paper considers whether a move in this direction is under way. It reviews government approaches to freedom of expression in the media and among non- governmental organizations. It notes changes that have taken place in this sphere since the start of the 1990s, not all of them positive, and concludes that many more steps remain to be taken if media organizations and non-governmental organizations are to exert pressure for accountability on behalf of citizens, and especially the disadvantaged.
Optimal Income Maintenance and the “Unemployable”

This paper examines optimal income maintenance policy with asymmetric information about individuals' abilities. A minimum skill level is required for employment. The unemployable are those (low) ability types who find this minimum investment too costly. To guarantee some minimum income level, the government chooses between welfare, workfare, earnings subsidies, and training. Results show that the optimal scheme entails training. Moreover, though complex separating mechanisms are both feasible and encourage investments in skills, the least-cost income maintenance scheme is quite simple: the government offers training at the lowest level consistent worth employment to all who want it. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Heat trace asymptotics and boundedness in the second order Sobolev space of isospectral potentials for the Dirichlet Laplacian

Let $\Omega$ be a $C^\infty$-smooth bounded domain of $\mathbb{R}^n$, $n \geq 1$, and let the matrix ${\bf a} \in C^\infty (\overline{\Omega};\R^{n^2})$ be symmetric and uniformly elliptic. We consider the $L^2(\Omega)$-realization $A$ of the operator $-\mydiv ( {\bf a} \nabla \cdot)$ with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We perturb $A$ by some real valued potential $V \in C_0^\infty (\Omega)$ and note $A_V=A+V$. We compute the asymptotic expansion of $\mbox{tr}\left( e^{-t A_V}-e^{-t A}\right)$ as $t \downarrow 0$ for any matrix ${\bf a}$ whose coefficients are homogeneous of degree $0$. In the particular case where $A$ is the Dirichlet Laplacian in $\Omega$, that is when ${\bf a}$ is the identity of $\R^{n^2}$, we make the four main terms appearing in the asymptotic expansion formula explicit and prove that $L^\infty$-bounded sets of isospectral potentials of $A$ are $H^s$-compact for $s <2$.
Comment: On a Non-appraisal of the 'Jacobs Hypothesis'

This is a critique of Polese's recent paper entitled 'Cities and national economic growth: a reappraisal' which purports to test the 'Jacobs hypothesis'. It is argued that both main variables used, 'national levels of urbanisation' and 'per capita GDP growth', are misspecified. The critique is related to the state-centric nature of social science and policy.
Using Structural Shocks to Identify Models of Investment

This paper uses the response of investment to identified structural shocks to investigate some key issues, including the nature of adjustment costs and investment's responsiveness to user cost. In the estimation, the model parameters are chosen to match as closely as possible the impulse responses from an identified VAR. In the preferred results, both investment- and capital-stock adjustment costs are important; the size of the capital-stock adjustment costs is in line with estimates from firm-level studies; the investment-adjustment costs suggest rapid adjustment of investment to its desired level; and the estimated elasticity of substitution between capital and other inputs is considerably smaller than one. There is, however, an important sensitivity: The VAR's identified aggregate demand shock leads to a large crowding out effect - when output expands, investment falls. When this shock is included among those matched, the elasticity of substitution is near one and only investment adjustment costs are important.
Poverty and Agriculture in the Philippines: Trends in Income Poverty and Distribution

Poverty incidence in the Philippines is rising based on the national official data released by the National Statistical Coordination Board. Poverty incidence among population rose from 24.9 percent in 2003 to 26.4 percent in 2006 and then inched up further to 26.5 percent in 2009. This is in reverse of the downward trend and is a major deviation from the path toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The disparities across the regions remain wide both in terms of poverty and inequality measures. In this paper, we show the salient features of the country`s poverty situation in a hope to contribute to the existing knowledge about the poverty condition and to the formulation of better strategies for reducing poverty. It focuses on agriculture because it plays a central role in the poverty condition that continues to persist despite recent episodes of high economic progress the country has achieved.
Original Articles: Inhaled glucocorticosteroids decrease hydrogen peroxide level in expired air condensate in asthmatic patients

H2O2 is elevated in the exhaled air condensate in several in ̄ammatory disorders of the lung, including bronchial asthma, and thus may re ̄ect in ̄ammatory processes in the airways. Exhaled H2O2 may be used to guide the antiin ̄ammatory treatment of patients with asthma. Therefore in this study we analysed the eect of inhaled glucocorticosteroid beclomethasone for 4 weeks on H2O2 level in the exhaled air condensate. Seventeen asthmatics and 10 healthy subjects were included to the study. Eleven patients were given inhaled beclomethasone and six were given placebo (3M Health Care). In all patients pulmonary function tests were performed. H2O2 in the expired air condensate was measured spectro ̄uorimetically (homovanillic acid method). Inhaled beclomethasone signi®cantly decreased H2O2 in the expired air condensate in the active-treatment group, with a fall from baseline on day 1 which remained on day 43 (follow-up) (P50? 05). Exhaled H2O2 in the activetreatment group was signi®cantly lower than that in placebo group (P50? 05). A negative correlation between H2O2 and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) on day 29 was observed. The decrease in exhaled H2O2 in the active-treatment group was accompanied by an improvement in pulmonary function tests results. Inhaled glucocorticoids reduce the level of H2O2 in the expired air condensate of asthmatic patients over a 4-week period and this may re ̄ect their anti-in ̄ammatory activity in lung diseases.
Quality Assurance Instrument Focusing on Patient Counseling

BACKGROUND Patient counseling is a professional service provided by community pharmacists. To assess the quality of these services, specific quality assurance instruments are needed. OBJECTIVE To develop a validated, easy-to-use patient counseling quality assurance instrument for community pharmacists. The development process was part of a national project to enhance patient counseling in community pharmacies (TIPPA 2000–2003). METHODS A modified Delphi method was used with 2 expert panels: Panel 1, consisting of experienced pharmacy practitioners (n = 10), and Panel 2, consisting of academic and professional experts (n = 10). The final consensus was assessed by a Delphi questionnaire round involving both panels, the employers of Panel 1 members (n = 5), and the members of the executive board of the TIPPA project (n = 10), comprising 35 people (response rate 74%; n = 26). RESULTS The first Delphi round yielded a high consensus, with the level of agreement varying between 69% and 100%. All but one item met the predefined criteria for approval. A total of 16 indicators were identified in 3 quality dimensions: patient (4 indicators), process (6), and learning and innovations (6). Strategy and vision of the pharmacy in patient counseling formed the core of the instrument. CONCLUSIONS The modified Delphi method proved to be applicable in the development process of an instrument assessing patient counseling services. The instrument comprehensively takes into account factors related to quality assurance of counseling practices.
Asymmetry and the Problem of Aggregation in the Euro Area

This paper highlights the implications for a single monetary policy when key economic relationships are nonlinear or asymmetric at a disaggregate level. Using data for the EU and OECD countries we show that there are considerable non-linearities and asymmetries in the Phillips and Okun curves. High unemployment has relatively limited effect in pulling inflation down while low unemployment can be much more effective in driving it up. Downturns in the economy are both more rapid and sustained in driving unemployment up than recoveries are in bringing it down. There is considerable variety in these relationships and IS curves across not just countries but also sectors and regions.
Antiviral Lead Compounds from Marine Sponges

Marine sponges are currently one of the richest sources of pharmacologically active compounds found in the marine environment. These bioactive molecules are often secondary metabolites, whose main function is to enable and/or modulate cellular communication and defense. They are usually produced by functional enzyme clusters in sponges and/or their associated symbiotic microorganisms. Natural product lead compounds from sponges have often been found to be promising pharmaceutical agents. Several of them have successfully been approved as antiviral agents for clinical use or have been advanced to the late stages of clinical trials. Most of these drugs are used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). The most important antiviral lead of marine origin reported thus far is nucleoside Ara-A (vidarabine) isolated from sponge Tethya crypta. It inhibits viral DNA polymerase and DNA synthesis of herpes, vaccinica and varicella zoster viruses. However due to the discovery of new types of viruses and emergence of drug resistant strains, it is necessary to develop new antiviral lead compounds continuously. Several sponge derived antiviral lead compounds which are hopedto be developed as future drugs are discussed in this review. Supply problems are usually the major bottleneck to the development of these compounds as drugs during clinical trials. However advances in the field of metagenomics and high throughput microbial cultivation has raised the possibility that these techniques could lead to the cost-effective large scale production of such compounds. Perspectives on biotechnological methods with respect to marine drug development are also discussed.
Role of plasmapheresis in acute disseminated (postinfectious) encephalomyelitis

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating central nervous system disease that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although the recognition of ADEM may be facilitated by newer imaging techniques, the optimal treatment of this disease remains uncertain. We describe 4 patients with severe ADEM who responded to treatment that included intensive plasmapheresis. Two of the patients were in coma at the time that plasmapheresis was instituted, and all 4 patients made an excellent recovery. Immunologic studies revealed increased serum IgA levels, increased circulating immune complex levels as measured by the Raji cell assay, and decreased numbers of T and B cells prior to treatment of ADEM. These abnormalities improved following plasma exchange. Plasmapheresis appears to be effective in reversing the neuropathologic process in ADEM. The role of this treatment modality in ADEM requires further evaluation in controlled clinical trials. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Readability and Content of Patient Education Material Related to Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Background:Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are increasingly offered to patients for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Candidates for ICD receive ICD-related patient education material when they make decisions to consent or decline a primary prevention ICD. Printed patient education material directed at ICD candidates has not been the focus of direct appraisal. Objective:We evaluated the readability and content of ICD-related print education materials made available to patients who were enrolled in a study involving patient decision making for ICD from 3 ICD sites in southern Ontario, Canada. Methods:All ICD print materials referred to during interviews and/or that were available in ICD site waiting rooms were collected for analysis. Readability testing was conducted using the “simple measurement of gobbledygook” and Fry methods. The material was evaluated according to selected plain-language criteria, thematic content analysis, and rhetoric analysis. Results:Twenty-one print materials were identified and analyzed. Documents were authored by device manufacturers, tertiary care hospitals, and cardiac support organizations. Although many documents adhered to plain-language recommendations, text-reading levels were higher than recommended. Twelve major content themes were identified. Content focused heavily on the positive aspects of living with the device to the exclusion of other possible information that could be relevant to the decisions that patients made. Conclusions:Print-based patient education materials for ICD candidates are geared to a highly literate population. The focus on positive information to the exclusion of potentially negative aspects of the ICD, or alternatives to accepting 1, could influence and/or confuse patients about the purpose and implications of this medical device. Development of print materials is indicated that includes information about possible problems and that would be relevant for the multicultural and debilitated population who may require ICDs. The findings are highly relevant for nurses who care for primary prevention ICD candidates.
Studying Board Context, Process and Dynamics: Some Challenges for the Future

This paper contributes to the timely debate on research into boards and their effectiveness by focusing on context, process and time, which are crucial to understanding board dynamics. It also explores key principles of board process research, and advocates the need to strengthen its theoretical and methodological foundations in order to challenge the analytically particular assumptions of agency theory. The paper concludes that there is still much more to be researched in this area and encourages work that explores variation in board process and director effectiveness in different organizational contexts, as well as seeking to go beyond the board to address their impact and effectiveness in the broader organizational and external context.
The Baby Boom, Amenity Retirement Migration, and Retirement Communities: Will the Golden Age of Retirement Continue?

This article explores social trends that can influence the future development of retirement communities. The leading edge of the baby boom is within a decade of the traditional retirement age. Will this generation experience the same “Golden Age of Retirement” their parents experienced? Will the baby boom make that abrupt withdrawal from the labor force in their early 60s that typified the previous generation of retirees? Changes in Social Security and pension plans along career patterns may produce a phased retirement slightly later in life. Again, changes in pension plans and the age structure of the society may depreciate the post-World War II cohort economic status as they come to retirement. Finally, will the baby boom cohort have similar residential preference as their parents did in retirement? These factors can affect the course of the future development of retirement migration and the traditional retirement community.
Knowledge is power / power corrupts: should we empower people at work?

This paper examines the relationship between power, knowledge and corruption and develops implications for management of organisations. Its position is that power like knowledge cannot be removed from the moral realm, from moral agency and responsibility. Power is also distinguished into positive ‘power to’ and negative ‘power over’. It is argued that positive power is necessary for moral autonomy, the ability of people to be self determining, while negative power disrespects people and is the power that leads to corruption. It is contended that empowerment at work; the ability of people to have positive power is not a new and optional variety of managerial control but a moral obligation.
Genomic and cranial phenotype data support multiple modern human dispersals from Africa and a southern route into Asia

Significance Current consensus indicates that modern humans originated from an ancestral African population between ∼100–200 ka. The ensuing dispersal pattern is controversial, yet has important implications for the demographic history and genetic/phenotypic structure of extant human populations. We test for the first time to our knowledge the spatiotemporal dimensions of competing out-of-Africa dispersal models, analyzing in parallel genomic and craniometric data. Our results support an initial dispersal into Asia by a southern route beginning as early as ∼130 ka and a later dispersal into northern Eurasia by ∼50 ka. Our findings indicate that African Pleistocene population structure may account for observed plesiomorphic genetic/phenotypic patterns in extant Australians and Melanesians. They point to an earlier out-of-Africa dispersal than previously hypothesized. Despite broad consensus on Africa as the main place of origin for anatomically modern humans, their dispersal pattern out of the continent continues to be intensely debated. In extant human populations, the observation of decreasing genetic and phenotypic diversity at increasing distances from sub-Saharan Africa has been interpreted as evidence for a single dispersal, accompanied by a series of founder effects. In such a scenario, modern human genetic and phenotypic variation was primarily generated through successive population bottlenecks and drift during a rapid worldwide expansion out of Africa in the Late Pleistocene. However, recent genetic studies, as well as accumulating archaeological and paleoanthropological evidence, challenge this parsimonious model. They suggest instead a “southern route” dispersal into Asia as early as the late Middle Pleistocene, followed by a separate dispersal into northern Eurasia. Here we test these competing out-of-Africa scenarios by modeling hypothetical geographical migration routes and assessing their correlation with neutral population differentiation, as measured by genetic polymorphisms and cranial shape variables of modern human populations from Africa and Asia. We show that both lines of evidence support a multiple-dispersals model in which Australo-Melanesian populations are relatively isolated descendants of an early dispersal, whereas other Asian populations are descended from, or highly admixed with, members of a subsequent migration event.
Examining Preservice Teacher Inquiry through Video-Based, Formative Assessment e-Portfolios

Abstract A capstone electronic portfolio, usually focused on summative assessment, was altered for preservice social studies teachers to include video-based formative e-portfolio assessment. Using a case-study design with three participants, we found that use of video artifacts facilitated reflection, supported inquiry into classroom success and failure, and influenced self-improvement plans. Additionally, the systematic examination of e-portfolio artifacts provided different points of view into classroom practices and influenced preservice teachers ’ perceptions of success. Yet, participants indicated that practicing teachers did not maintain porfolios, raising questions about the continued use of e-portfolios beyond graduation.
Drivers of Merger Waves: A Revisit

This study reexamines whether the occurrence of merger waves can be explained by the neoclassical hypothesis or the behavioral hypothesis. Using merger data for the period spanning 1990 through 2001, this study directly compares the two theories and finds that, in general, merger waves occur at the time the capital liquidity is high, firms’ stocks are overvalued, and deregulatory events exist. These suggest that the existence of an economic motivation for transactions and the availability of lower transaction cost and/or overvalued stock to generate large volume of transactions may cause industry merger waves to cluster in time
The Clinical Relevance of Rising CA-125 Levels Within the Normal Range in Patients With Uterine Papillary Serous Cancer

The utility of cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels as an adjunct method of monitoring patients with uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) or endometrial serous carcinoma after surgery and adjuvant treatment has been reported. Our goal was to determine the significance of rising CA-125 levels within the normal range in these patients in the posttreatment surveillance setting. All patients with UPSC who underwent surgical staging and had preoperative CA-125 measurement from 1999 to 2008 were included in this analysis. Information was extracted from records to assess the changes in CA-125 values with clinical and/or radiographic detection of recurrence. Of the 56 evaluable patients, 23 (41%) recurred. Of the 23 patients that recurred, 11 had serial CA-125 levels measured in remission. Elevated CA-125 levels at diagnosis were significantly associated with disease recurrence and advanced stage (P = .01, P = .001, respectively). The rise in CA-125 by 10 U/mL in the normal range and ≥15 U/mL were associated with disease recurrence (P < .001, P < .001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, only CA-125 level ≥15 U/mL was significantly associated with worse progression-free survival. In this small cohort of patients with recurrent UPSC after remission, surveillance of CA-125 levels may have a role in disease surveillance and management.