Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moving Beyond the Rhetoric: Charter School Reform and Accountability

ABSTRACT The author examined how local charter school educators respond to the accountability measures being imposed on them. Encouraged by early indications of increased test scores, state and federal policymakers continue to support accountability as an effective means to improve schools. Surprisingly, there has been little research on local educators’ experiences with and responses to such reforms. This lack of research is striking because teachers, principals, and superintendents are directly responsible for the implementation of accountability mandates, including administering tests, teaching to the state standards, and implementing state-approved curriculum packages. In an effort to understand teachers’ and administrators’ experiences with public school accountability, the author explores how educators in 4 charter schools in Michigan understand recent accountability mandates with respect to school reform.
Application of GPT Language Models for Innovation in Activities in University Teaching

The GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) language models are an artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology that enables automatic text generation. There is a growing interest in applying GPT language models to university teaching in various dimensions. From the perspective of innovation in student and teacher activities, they can provide support in understanding and generating content, problem-solving, as well as personalization and test correction, among others. From the dimension of internationalization, the misuse of these models represents a global problem that requires taking a series of common measures in universities from different geographical areas. In several countries, there has been a review of assessment tools to ensure that work is done by students and not by AI. To this end, we have conducted a detailed experiment in a representative subject of Computer Science such as Software Engineering, which has focused on evaluating the use of ChatGPT as an assistant in theory activities, exercises, and laboratory practices, assessing its potential use as a support tool for both students and teachers.
Long‐lasting hippocampal potentiation and contextual memory consolidation

In order to ascertain whether there are hippocampal electrophysiological modifications specifically related to memory, exploratory activity and emotional stress, extracellular electrical activity was recorded in hippocampal slices prepared from the brains of male adult rats. Several groups of animals were employed: (i) rats which had freely explored the experimental apparatus (8 min exposure); (ii) rats which had been subjected, in the same apparatus, to a fear conditioning paradigm training entailing the administration of aversive electrical footshocks (8 min exposure); (iii) rats to which the same number of aversive shocks had been administered in the same apparatus, but temporally compressed so as to make difficult the association between painful stimuli and the apparatus (30 s exposure); (iv) naïve rats never placed in the apparatus. Half of the rats from each treatment group were used for retrieval testing and the other half for hippocampal excitability testing. The conditioned freezing response was exhibited for no less than 4 weeks. Hippocampal excitability was measured by means of input–output curves (IOC) and paired‐pulse facilitation curves (PPF). Retrieval testing or brain slices preparation were performed at increasing delays after the training sessions: immediately afterwards or after 1, 7 or 28 days. Only the rats subjected to the fear conditioning training exhibited freezing when placed again in the apparatus (retrieval testing). It was found that IOCs, with respect to naïve rats, increased in the conditioned animals up to the 7‐day delay. In free exploration animals the IOCs increased only immediately after the training session. In all other rats no modification of the curves was observed. IOC increases do not appear to imply presynaptic transmitter release modifications, because they were not accompanied by PPF modifications. In conclusion, a clear‐cut correlation was found between the increase in excitability of the Schaffer collateral–CA1 dendrite synapses and freezing response consolidation.
LLM-Driven Agents for Influencer Selection in Digital Advertising Campaigns

In the digital world, influencers are pivotal as opinion leaders, shaping the views and choices of their influencees. Modern advertising often follows this trend, where marketers choose appropriate influencers for product endorsements, based on thorough market analysis. Previous studies on influencer selection have typically relied on numerical representations of individual opinions and interactions, a method that simplifies the intricacies of social dynamics. With the development of large language models (LLMs), we now have the opportunity to capture the nuanced exchanges of information within social networks. Hence, in this work, we first introduce an Influencer Dynamics Simulator (IDS), helping promoters identify and select the right influencers to market their products, based on LLM simulation. Concretely, we first propose an influencer-influencee engagement-based pre-selection module to screen potential influencer candidates. Subsequently, a simulation is constructed for these candidates and their influencees. Each user is represented as an LLM-based agent, drawing from their interaction history to deduce their profile and interests. The influencee agents will predict their behavior in response to influencer advertising. Finally, we develop a ranking metric designed to pinpoint influencers who are most likely to drive product purchases based on feedback from their influencees. To evaluate our framework, we collect a real-world advertising network dataset, including social relations, post and comment content, and user behaviors. Our dataset covers six products in diverse categories with their promoter influencers. Experiments show that IDS accurately identifies influencers from hundreds of candidates and provides valuable insights through detailed comments and specific attitudes.
Dispositional Empathy and the Political Gender Gap

Abstract The gender gap in contemporary American politics refers to differences in politicalattitudes and behavior between men and women that may be traced back to the 1980 presidential election and the Reagan presidency. For nearly two decades, men have displayed consistently more conservative and pro-Republican preferences than women. Although the gender gap has been well-documented and recognized by practitioners and scholars alike, explanations of why women have been less supportive of the conservative agenda in the Reagan and post-Reagan years have not been explained satisfactorily. In this exploratory study, we suggest that the gender-based political divisions observed in American politics have their origins in exogenous dispositions that men and women bring with them to the political environment. Specifically, women are more predisposed than men to display empathy toward distressed others in society. Differences in dispositions toward empathy are stimulated in the political arena when the agendas of candidates emphasize issues that motivate empathic predispositions. Under such circumstances, women are more inclined than men to express support for liberal policy preferences, and, thus, empathy is a concept that may help us to better understand the nature of the political gender gap.
The Motivations of Baby Boomers to Participate in Adventure Tourism and the Implications for Adventure Tour Providers

Abstract One of the emerging growth areas of tourism is so‐called ‘adventure’ tourism. Adventure tourism has recently attracted the interest of older people, including a new generation of baby boomers. This trend has been attributed to the fact that many baby boomers are generally healthier, more financially well off, better educated and have a greater desire for novelty, escape and authentic experiences than previous cohorts of older people. Many baby boomer and senior adult groups are opting for more physically challenging and adrenalin‐driven activities, preferring soft adventure activities rather than passive activities such as sightseeing tours and shopping. This study investigates why older tourists want to participate in adventure tourism and makes recommendations for tour providers about how to improve services for older people. A total of 14 people who were aged 50 years and older were interviewed using a qualitative research methodology. The results found that the most significant motive for adventure travel was the need to escape from their everyday routine by interjecting it with elements of adventure. Furthermore, the experience of seeing different landscapes, wildlife and native plants as well as going to places where few people had previously ventured was also an important motive. With this in mind, adventure tour providers need to keep their prices competitive and to place greater emphasis on safety and to use experienced guides. Shorter daytrips with less intensity should also be provided for older travellers.
Photobleaching Kinetics and Time-Integrated Emission of Fluorescent Probes in Cellular Membranes

Since the pioneering work of Hirschfeld, it is known that time-integrated emission (TiEm) of a fluorophore is independent of fluorescence quantum yield and illumination intensity. Practical implementation of this important result for determining exact probe distribution in living cells is often hampered by the presence of autofluorescence. Using kinetic modelling of photobleaching combined with pixel-wise bleach rate fitting of decay models with an updated plugin to the ImageJ program, it is shown that the TiEm of a fluorophore in living cells can be determined exactly from the product of bleaching amplitude and time constant. This applies to mono-exponential bleaching from the first excited singlet and/or triplet state and to multi-exponential combinations of such processes. The TiEm can be used to correct for illumination shading and background autofluorescence without the need for fluorescent test layers or separate imaging of non-stained cells. We apply the method to simulated images and to images of cells, whose membranes were labelled with fluorescent sterols and sphingolipids. Our bleaching model can be extended to include a probability density function (PDF) of intrinsic bleach rate constants with a memory kernel. This approach results in a time-dependent bleach rate coefficient and is exemplified for fluorescent sterols in restricted intracellular environments, like lipid droplets. We show that for small deviations from the classical exponential bleaching, the TiEm of decay functions with rate coefficients remains largely independent of fluorescence lifetime and illumination, and thereby represents a faithful measure of probe distribution.
Gas sensing using thermally actuated dual plate resonators and self-sustained oscillators

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the characteristics of dual plate thermal-piezoresistive MEMS resonators and self-sustained oscillators in different gases. It has been demonstrated that the natural frequency of such devices changes in different gases. Interestingly, for the same silicon structure, frequency shifts in opposite directions were observed when operated in a resonator versus a self-sustained oscillator configuration. Both thermal conductivity and density of the surrounding gas have been identified as factors affecting the operating frequency of such devices. It has been demonstrated that in resonator configuration (linear operation), the resonator frequency shift is mostly a function of gas thermal conductivity. In the oscillator configuration (nonlinear operation) however, the effect of gas density on the nonlinear stiffness of the oscillator is the dominant factor. Relatively large measured frequency shift, as high as -1340ppm in a 1:5 mixture of helium-nitrogen compared to the natural frequency in pure nitrogen, shows the potential of such devices as highly sensitive gas sensors.
Development of a Portable Taste Sensor with a Lipid/Polymer Membrane

We have developed a new portable taste sensor with a lipid/polymer membrane and conducted experiments to evaluate the sensor's performance. The fabricated sensor consists of a taste sensor chip (40 mm × 26 mm × 2.2 mm) with working and reference electrodes and a portable sensor device (80 mm × 25 mm × 20 mm). The working electrode consists of a taste-sensing site comprising a poly(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate (pHEMA) hydrogel layer with KCl as the electrolyte layer and a lipid/polymer membrane as the taste sensing element. The reference electrode comprises a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane layer with a small hole and a pHEMA layer with KCl. The whole device is the size of a USB memory stick, making it suitable for portable use. The sensor's response to tannic acid as the standard astringency substance showed good accuracy and reproducibility, and was comparable with the performance of a commercially available taste sensing system. Thus, it is possible for this sensor to be used for in-field evaluations and it can make a significant contribution to the food industry, as well as in various fields of research.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Hemodynamics in Patients With Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure

Background— Doppler echocardiography is currently applied for the assessment of left ventricular and right ventricular hemodynamics in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, there are conflicting reports about its accuracy in patients with unstable decompensated heart failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the technique in patients with unstable heart failure. Methods and Results— Consecutive patients with decompensated heart failure had simultaneous assessment of left ventricular and right ventricular hemodynamics invasively and by Doppler echocardiography. In 79 patients, the noninvasive measurements of stroke volume (r=0.83, P<0.001), pulmonary artery systolic (r=0.83, P<0.001) and diastolic pressure (r=0.51, P=0.009), and mean right atrial pressure (r=0.85, P<0.001) all had significant correlations with invasively acquired measurements. Several Doppler indices had good accuracy in identifying patients with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mm Hg (area under the curve, 0.86 to 0.92). The recent American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography guidelines were highly accurate (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 91%) in identifying patients with increased wedge pressure. In 12 repeat studies, Doppler echocardiography readily detected the changes in mean wedge pressure (r=0.75, P=0.005) as well as changes in pulmonary artery systolic pressure and mean right atrial pressure. Conclusions— Doppler echocardiography provides reliable assessment of right and left ventricular hemodynamics in patients with decompensated heart failure.
Trends and Determinants of Antiretroviral Therapy Patient Monitoring Practices in Kenya and Uganda

Introduction Patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) require routine monitoring to track response to treatment and assess for treatment failure. This study aims to identify gaps in monitoring practices in Kenya and Uganda. Methods We conducted a systematic retrospective chart review of adults who initiated ART between 2007 and 2012. We assessed the availability of baseline measurements (CD4 count, weight, and WHO stage) and ongoing CD4 and weight monitoring according to national guidelines in place at the time. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to analyze facility and patient factors associated with meeting monitoring guidelines. Results From 2007 to 2012, at least 88% of patients per year in Uganda had a recorded weight at initiation, while in Kenya there was a notable increase from 69% to 90%. Patients with a documented baseline CD4 count increased from 69% to about 80% in both countries. In 2012, 83% and 86% of established patients received the recommended quarterly weight monitoring in Kenya and Uganda, respectively, while semiannual CD4 monitoring was less common (49% in Kenya and 38% in Uganda). Initiating at a more advanced WHO stage was associated with a lower odds of baseline CD4 testing. On-site CD4 analysis capacity was associated with increased odds of CD4 testing at baseline and in the future. Discussion Substantial gaps were noted in ongoing CD4 monitoring of patients on ART. Although guidelines have since changed, limited laboratory capacity is likely to remain a significant issue in monitoring patients on ART, with important implications for ensuring quality care.
An Institutional Analysis of Organizational Change

After 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997. This article examines the change of the Hong Kong Police (HKP) and related issues during this transition. Based on an institutional perspective, it is argued that the HKP’s paramilitary traditions greatly constrain changes. Where change has occurred, it has been induced by an extrainstitutional impetus that is strong enough to overcome institutionalized obstacles. The analysis examines the HKP’s paramilitary traditions, how it has been transformed from a systematically corrupt and oppressive colonial force to a professionalized agency at the time that the above transition process began, and how it has responded to its changed environment. The institutional perspective is used to explain the challenges the HKP faces during the transformational process and to discuss the general implications of the HKP experience for understanding organizational change.
Multimodal Fusion with Pre-Trained Model Features in Affective Behaviour Analysis In-the-wild

Multimodal fusion is a significant method for most multimodal tasks. With the recent surge in the number of large pre-trained models, combining both multimodal fusion methods and pre-trained model features can achieve outstanding performance in many multimodal tasks. In this paper, we present our approach, which leverages both advantages for addressing the task of Expression (Expr) Recognition and Valence-Arousal (VA) Estimation. We evaluate the Aff-Wild2 database using pre-trained models, then extract the final hidden layers of the models as features. Following preprocessing and interpolation or convolution to align the extracted features, different models are employed for modal fusion. Our code is available at GitHub - FulgenceWen/ABAW6th.
A modern eye on ML type inference –

Hindley and Milner’s type system is at the heart of programming languages such as Standard ML, Objective Caml, and Haskell. Its expressive power, as well the existence of a type inference algorithm, have made it quite successful. Traditional presentations of this algorithm, such as Milner’s AlgorithmW, are somewhat obscure. These short lecture notes, written for the APPSEM’05 summer school, begin with a presentation of a more modern, constraint-based specification of the algorithm, and explain how it can be extended to accommodate features such as algebraic data types, recursion, and (lexically scoped) type annotations. Then, two chapters, yet to be written, review two recent proposals for incorporating more advanced features, known as arbitrary-rank predicative polymorphism and generalized algebraic data types. These proposals combine a traditional constraint-based type inference algorithm with a measure of local type inference.
Safety and Efficacy of Picotamide, a Dual Anti-Thromboxane Agent, in Patients with Thrombocytosis and a Previous Thromboembolic Event: A 1-Year Observational Study

Patients with chronic myeloproliferative disease are at increased risk of both thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications. Cerebral thrombosis is a common cause of death in myeloproliferative disease patients. Picotamide is a new anti-platelet drug sharing a dual anti-thromboxane activity: inhibition of thromboxane A2 synthase and thromboxane A2 receptor antagonism. Picotamide inhibits in vitro and ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by different agonists. Interestingly, in vitro studies show that picotamide is able to increase prostacycline biosynthesis. In the clinical setting, picotamide treatment induces only a slight prolongation of bleeding time. The safety and efficacy of picotamide long-term treatment in 15 patients with essential thrombocytosis and a positive history of previous thromboembolic events was evaluated. After 12-month treatment with picotamide no patients suffered from thrombotic events and only one minor and transient bleeding episode was observed. This observational long-term trial shows that picotamide treatment in patients with thrombocytosis at high risk of thrombotic events is safe and well tolerated. Picotamide did not increase the risk of bleeding in these patients, while at the same time, no thrombotic events were observed during the 1-year treatment.
Nocturnal Foraging by Red-Legged Kittiwakes, a Surface Feeding Seabird That Relies on Deep Water Prey During Reproduction

Narrow foraging specialization may increase the vulnerability of marine predators to climate change. The red-legged kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) is endemic to the Bering Sea and has experienced drastic population fluctuations in recent decades, presumably due to climate-driven changes in food resources. Red-legged kittiwakes are presumed to be a nocturnal surface-foraging seabird that feed almost entirely on deep water Myctophidae fishes. However, there is little empirical evidence confirming their nocturnal foraging activity during the breeding season. This study investigated the foraging behavior of red-legged kittiwakes by combining GPS tracking, accelerometry, and dietary analyses at the world’s largest breeding colony of red-legged kittiwakes on St. George I. GPS tracking of 5 individuals revealed that 82.5% of non-flight behavior (including foraging and resting) occurred over the ocean basin (bottom depth >1,000 m). Acceleration data from 4 birds showed three types of behaviors during foraging trips: (1) flight, characterized by regular wing flapping, (2) resting on water, characterized by non-active behavior, and (3) foraging, when wing flapping was irregular. The proportions of both foraging and resting behaviors were higher at night (14.1 ± 7.1% and 20.8 ± 14.3%) compared to those during the day (6.5 ± 3.0% and 1.7 ± 2.7%). The mean duration of foraging (2.4 ± 2.9 min) was shorter than that of flight between prey patches (24.2 ± 53.1 min). Dietary analyses confirmed myctophids as the dominant prey (100% by occurrence and 98.4 ± 2.4% by wet-weight). Although the sample size was limited, these results suggest that breeding red-legged kittiwakes concentrated their foraging on myctophids available at the surface during nighttime in deep water regions. We propose that the diel patterns and ephemeral nature of their foraging activity reflected the availability of myctophids. Such foraging specialization may exacerbate the vulnerability of red-legged kittiwakes to climate change in the Bering Sea.