Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Credentials Versus Performance: Review of the Teacher Performance Pay Research

In this article we examine the economic case for merit or performance-based pay for K–12 teachers. We review several areas of germane research. The direct evaluation literature on these incentive plans is slender; highly diverse in terms of methodology, targeted populations, and programs evaluated; and primarily focused on short-run motivational effects. It is nonetheless fairly consistent in finding positive program effects. The general personnel literature highlights potentially significant selection effects of employee compensation systems. This is particularly relevant for teaching, because a growing body of production function research points to large, persistent, but idiosyncratic differences in teacher productivity. Thus, along with motivation effects, there is potential for substantial positive long run selection effects from teacher performance pay systems. The evaluation literature is not sufficiently robust to prescribe how systems should be designed (e.g., optimal size of bonuses, mix of individual vs. group incentives). However, it is sufficiently positive to support much more extensive field trials, pilot programs, and policy experiments, combined with careful follow-up evaluation.
Towards Automated Change Propagation ; the value of traceability

This position paper presents a framework for helping us think about moving towards automatic change propagation for software engineering artefacts. Beginning with the notion of traceability, we offer a categorisation that includes two dimensions of change propagation that of notification, and that of implementing the actions arising from notification. Using this categorisation, we then introduce the abstract idea of value derived from change propagation and use artefact granularity as a further parameter to help us explore issues therein. Finally, as well as balancing our discussions of value with considerations of cost, we briefly describe an ongoing EU funded project called OPHELIA that intends to adopt this framework as a vehicle for moving towards synchronisation in a distributed, heterogeneous development environment.
The sensitivity of the biotypes of Brucella abortus to three antibiotics used in selective media, and the description of a new biotype

An investigation into the antibiotic sensitivity of B. abortus biotypes to polymyxin B sulphate, amphotericin B, and bacitracin has shown that the dye-sensitive strains are also antibiotic-sensitive; and preliminary experiments suggest that these two properties are not genetically related. The results suggest that biotype 2 can be subdivided on the basis of antibiotic sensitivity pattern, and that this could be of epidemiological significance. Investigation into the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the dye-sensitive variant B. abortus, biotype 4, leads us to believe that this strain should be reclassified as a separate biotype and provisionally called biotype 10.
Recommandation mobile, sensible au contexte de contenus évolutifs: Contextuel-E-Greedy

We introduce in this paper an algorithm named Contextuel-E-Greedy that tackles the dynamicity of the user's content. It is based on dynamic exploration/exploitation tradeoff and can adaptively balance the two aspects by deciding which situation is most relevant for exploration or exploitation. The experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms surveyed algorithms.
A Bimodal Modulation of the cAMP Pathway Is Involved in the Control of Myogenic Differentiation in L6 Cells*

We have previously shown that myogenesis induction by Arg8-vasopressin (AVP) in L6 rat myoblasts involves a sustained stimulation of type 4 cAMP-phosphodiesterase. In this model, we observed that a transient cAMP generation occurs in the minutes following AVP addition. Evidence suggests that cAMP generation is due to the prostaglandins produced in response to AVP binding to V1a receptors and subsequent activation of phospholipase A2. The early cAMP increase was effective in activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and increasing phosphorylation of CREB transcription factor. Inhibition of PKA by compound H89 prior to AVP addition led to a significant reduction of expression of the differentiation marker creatine kinase, whereas H89 added 1-5 h after AVP had no significant effect. Furthermore, PKA inhibition 24 h after the beginning of AVP treatment potentiated differentiation. This shows that both an early activation and a later down-regulation of the cAMP pathway are required for AVP induction of myogenesis. Because phosphodiesterase PDE4D3 overexpressed in L6 cells lost its ability to potentiate AVP-induced differentiation when mutated and rendered insensitive to PKA phosphorylation and activation, we hypothesize that the early cAMP increase is required to trigger the down-regulation of cAMP pathway through stimulation of phosphodiesterase.
Cost of stroke in the United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION this study aims to quantify the annual cost of illness of stroke to the UK economy. METHODS we estimate the cost of stroke from a societal perspective. Direct care costs include diagnosis, inpatient care and outpatient care. Income loss and social benefit payments to stroke patients are accounted for in the indirect cost calculations. Data from South London Stroke Register and a number of other national sources are used. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to account for the variability in the data used. RESULTS the treatment of and productivity loss arising from stroke results in total societal costs of pound 8.9 billion a year, with treatment costs accounting for approximately 5% of total UK NHS costs. Direct care accounts for approximately 50% of the total, informal care costs 27% and the indirect costs 24%. Sensitivity analysis did not alter the estimate of total costs significantly for most of the variables except using of differing prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS stroke incurs considerable societal costs. Our calculations show a high sensitivity to the underlying prevalence rates used. The findings highlight a need for further economic evaluations to ensure that there is an efficient use of resources devoted to the treatment of this disease.
Depression and verbal aggressiveness in different marital couple types

In light of the strong association between depression and marital functioning, a study was conducted to examine the impact of various communication variables on depression in a marital context. 176 couples were surveyed and asked to report on their views toward marriage and marital interaction, tendencies toward verbal aggressiveness, and their current level of depression. The results indicated that certain relational ideologies were significantly associated with depression and verbal aggressiveness. In addition, verbal aggressiveness was associated with depression for both husbands and wives. A relationship between depression and the spouse's verbal aggressiveness was evident only for husbands. The more verbally aggressive women were, the more their husbands reported symptoms of depression. In contrast, husbands’ verbal aggressiveness showed no correlation with their wives’ level of depression.
Spectral and Spatial Complexity-Based Hyperspectral Unmixing

Hyperspectral unmixing, which decomposes pixel spectra into a collection of constituent spectra, is a preprocessing step for hyperspectral applications like target detection and classification. It can be considered as a blind source separation (BSS) problem. Independent component analysis, which is a widely used method for performing BSS, models a mixed pixel as a linear mixture of its constituent spectra weighted by the correspondent abundance fractions (sources). The sources are assumed to be independent and stationary. However, in many instances, this assumption is not valid. In this paper, a complexity-based BSS algorithm is introduced, which studies the complexity of sources instead of the independence. We extend the 1-D temporal complexity, which is called complexity pursuit that was proposed by Stone, to the 2-D spatial complexity, which is named spatial complexity BSS (SCBSS), to describe the spatial autocorrelation of each abundance fraction. Further, the temporal complexity of spectrum is combined into SCBSS to account for the spectral smoothness, which is termed spectral and spatial complexity BSS. More importantly, a strict theoretic interpretation is given, showing that the complexity-based BSS is very suitable for hyperspectral unmixing. Experimental results on synthetic and real hyperspectral data demonstrate the advantages of the proposed two algorithms with respect to other methods.
Hypothesis on the molecular basis of the antifungal activity of N-substituted imidazoles and triazoles.

known as denmert) caused total loss of its fungicidal activity towards Sphaerotheca fuliginea and Monilinia fmctigena. These workers suggested that the co-ordination of the heterocyclic meta-nitrogen atom of buthiobate to a cationic receptor site may be important for its fungicidal activity. The cationic receptor site mentioned would appear to be the Fez+ of the cytochrome P-450 catalysing step 1 of the sterol 14-demethylation sequence.
The reliability of two different cybex isokinetic systems.

The ability to accurately assess the strength of a variety of muscles is basic to professionals in a number of fields. The purposes of this study were to determine: 1) the intertest reliability of muscular strength utilizing two different Cybex II(R) isokinetic dynamometry systems and 2) reliability of peak torque values (PTV) obtained from two methods of data reduction [Cybex Data Reduction Computers (CDRC) and Cybex Strip Chart Recorders (SCR)]. Subjects (N = 50) were required to complete four knee extension/flexion cycles at two speeds (60 and 240 degrees /sec) on each of 2 test days which were separated by 1 day of rest. Correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between values obtained from two different Cybex systems and to determine the relationship of values obtained within each system from the CDRC and the SCR. ANOVA procedures were used to determine differences between values obtained using the two systems and between CDRC and SCR values obtained within a system. Correlation coefficients between CDRC and SCR PTVs indicated a strong relationship between values obtained within a system (r = 0.987 and r = 0.985 for Cybex A and B, respectively) and across systems (r = 0.983 and r = 0.982 for CDRC and SCR values, respectively). However, ANOVA results indicated that the Cybex II system (Cybex A) CDRC PTVs were higher (F = 5.64 and F = 23.90, p < 0.05 for extension and flexion, respectively) than those of the Cybex II+ system (Cybex B). No differences were noted between systems (F = 0.14 and F = 2.05, p > 0.05 for extension and flexion, respectively) for SCR PTVs. Clinicians should be aware that CDRC PTVs determined on different Cybex systems may not be comparable. However, SCR PTVs determined on different systems appear to be comparable. It should also be noted by clinicians that CDRCs and SCRs within the same system appear to be comparable. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;12(4):157-162.
Task-Set Switching Deficits in Early-Stage Huntington's Disease: Implications for Basal Ganglia Function

Executive functions are likely mediated by interconnected circuits including frontal lobe and basal ganglia structures. We assessed the executive function of task switching in patients with early-stage Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disease affecting the basal ganglia. In two experiments, the HD patients had greater difficulty when switching than when repeating a task than matched controls, and this was true even when scaling for the overall slowing of the patients. In the first experiment, HD patients had a switching deficit even in a pure condition where they had to switch, predictably, and with substantial preparation time, between stimuli having only one possible response, indicating a switching deficit different from that for patients with Parkinson's disease or frontal lobe trauma, and possibly relating to inadequate activation of stimulus-response links or response set. In the more elaborate second experiment, we could not account for the switching deficit of the patients in terms of inadequate preparation in advance of a switch, deficient suppression of taskset processing from the preswitch trial, or impaired suppression of interference due to the presence of a competing task set. Instead, we found that part of the switching deficit was due to elevated reaction time and errors on switch trials for a repeated response (same button press as on preswitch trial) relative to an alternated response (different button press from preswitch trial). We argue that this elevated repetition effect for the HD patients is due to excessive inhibition of the justperformed response in advance of a switch. Alterations in the response-setting process alone (Experiment 1) and both the response-setting and response inhibition process (Experiment 2) probably arise from striatal pathology in HD, thus accounting for the task-switching deficits and showing how basal ganglia implemented response processes may underpin executive function.
Cognitive Detection Exploiting the Relation among Primary User's States

In cognitive radio where continuous spectrum monitor is required, primary user detections should be performed successively. As the primary user usually keeps absent/present for some time, its states (absence or presence) at successive detections are not independent with each other. In this paper, a novel detection scheme is proposed to exploit the relation among them. At the beginning of each detection, this scheme exploits the relation by deriving instantaneous a priori probabilities from previous detections' results. Then using these probabilities, Bayesian cost of both false alarm and missed detection is minimized. Simulation results are also provided in this paper, showing that the proposed scheme is not only better than classical energy detection scheme, but also superior to the Bayesian energy detection scheme that does not exploit the relation and minimizes Bayesian cost only with average a priori probabilities.
Acute Granulomatous Response Produced in Mice by Trehalose-6,6-Dimycolate

Trehalose-6,6-dimycolate, a toxic lipid derived from tubercle bacilli, injected intravenously into mice in 10% emulsions of Bayol F caused a three- to fourfold increase in the weights of lungs compared with those of mice injected with emulsions of Bayol F alone or emulsions of Wax D. This change is due to a heavy infiltration of the lungs with granulocytes and large numbers of macrophages, with formation in some of the infiltrates of round foci, resembling granulomas.
Lag of Low-Energy Photons in an X-Ray Burst Oscillation: Doppler Delays

Numerous X-ray bursts show strong oscillations in their flux at several hundred hertz as revealed by Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer. Analyzing one such oscillation from the X-ray binary Aquila X-1, I find that low-energy photons (3.5-5.7 keV) lag high-energy photons (>5.7 keV) by approximately 1 rad. The oscillations are thought to be produced by hot spots on the spinning neutron star. The lags can then be explained by a Doppler shifting of emission from the hot spots, higher-energy photons being emitted earlier in the spin phase as the spot approaches the observer. A quantitative test of this simple model shows a remarkable agreement with the data. Similar low-energy lags have been measured in kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations and in the accreting millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658. A Doppler delay mechanism may be at work there as well.
Social Coordinates of Domestic Drug Addiction

The present work grows out of a book published two years ago, The Social Coordinates of Drug Addiction,1 based on an analysis of findings obtained in surveys of residents of Samara and Samara Oblast. Our main task at the time was to acquire a relatively reliable sense of the general social coordinates of drug addiction in Russia. A similar study, conducted in 2000 in St. Petersburg, enabled us not only to identify distinctive features of this phenomenon but also to test a number of our earlier conclusions.
Fast inactivation causes rectification of the IKr channel

The mechanism of rectification of HERG, the human cardiac delayed rectifier K+ channel, was studied after heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes. Currents were measured using two-microelectrode and macropatch voltage clamp techniques. The fully activated current- voltage (I-V) relationship for HERG inwardly rectified. Rectification was not altered by exposing the cytoplasmic side of a macropatch to a divalent-free solution, indicating this property was not caused by voltage-dependent block of outward current by Mg2+ or other soluble cytosolic molecules. The instantaneous I-V relationship for HERG was linear after removal of fast inactivation by a brief hyperpolarization. The time constants for the onset of and recovery from inactivation were a bell-shaped function of membrane potential. The time constants of inactivation varied from 1.8 ms at +50 mV to 16 ms at -20 mV; recovery from inactivation varied from 4.7 ms at -120 mV to 15 ms at -50 mV. Truncation of the NH2-terminal region of HERG shifted the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation by +20 to +30 mV. In addition, the rate of deactivation of the truncated channel was much faster than wild-type HERG. The mechanism of HERG rectification is voltage-gated fast inactivation. Inactivation of channels proceeds at a much faster rate than activation, such that no outward current is observed upon depolarization to very high membrane potentials. Fast inactivation of HERG and the resulting rectification are partly responsible for the prolonged plateau phase typical of ventricular action potentials.
Ly9 (SLAMF3) receptor differentially regulates iNKT cell development and activation in mice

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells develop into three subsets (NKT1, NKT2, and NKT17) expressing a distinct transcription factor profile, which regulates cytokine secretion upon activation. iNKT cell development in the thymus is modulated by signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family (SLAMF) receptors. In contrast to other SLAMF members, Ly9 (SLAMF3) is a non‐redundant negative regulator of iNKT cell development. Here, we show that Ly9 influences iNKT cell lineage differentiation. Ly9‐deficient mice on a BALB/c background contained a significantly expanded population of thymic NKT2 cells, while NKT1 cells were nearly absent in BALB/c.Ly9−/− thymus. Conversely, the number of peripheral NKT1 cells in BALB/c.Ly9−/− mice was comparable to that in wild‐type mice, indicating that the homeostasis of the different iNKT cell subsets may have distinct requirements depending on their tissue localization. Importantly, Ly9 absence also promoted NKT2 cell differentiation in the NKT1‐skewed C57BL/6 background. Furthermore, treatment of wild‐type mice with an agonistic monoclonal antibody directed against Ly9 impaired IL‐4 and IFN‐γ production and reduced by half the number of spleen iNKT cells, with a significant decrease in the proportion of NKT2 cells. Thus, anti‐Ly9 targeting could represent a novel therapeutic approach to modulate iNKT cell numbers and activation.
Tumor and Stem Cell Biology p 120 RasGAP-Mediated Activation of cSrc Is Critical for Oncogenic Ras to Induce Tumor Invasion

Ras genes are the most common targets for somatic gain-of-function mutations in human cancers. In this study, we found a high incidence of correlation between Ras oncogenic mutations and c-Src activation in human cancer cells. We showed that oncogenic Ras induces c-Src activation mainly on the Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, we identified p120RasGAP as an effector for oncogenic Ras to activate cSrc. The recruitment of p120RasGAP to the Golgi complex by oncogenic Ras facilitated its interaction with c-Src, thereby leading to c-Src activation, and this p120RasGAP-mediated activation of c-Src was important for tumor invasion induced by oncogenic Ras. Collectively, our findings unveil a relationship between oncogenic Ras, p120RasGAP, and c-Src, suggesting a critical role for c-Src in cancers evoked by oncogenicmutations inRas genes. Cancer Res; 72(9); 2405–15. 2012 AACR.
Advances Pertaining to the Pharmacology and Interactions of Irreversible Nonselective Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Recent advances clarifying the pharmacology and interactions of irreversible nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors that have not been considered in depth lately are discussed. These new data elucidate aspects of enzyme inhibition and pharmacokinetic interactions involving amine oxidases, cytochrome P450 enzymes, aminotransferases (transaminases), and decarboxylases (carboxy-lyases) and the effects of tyramine. Phenelzine and tranylcypromine remain widely available, and many publications have data relevant to this review. Their effect on CYP 450 enzymes is less than many newer drugs. Tranylcypromine only inhibits CYP 450 2A6 (selectively and potently). Phenelzine has no reported interactions, but, like isoniazid, weakly and irreversibly inhibits CYP 450 2C19 and 3A4 in vitro. It might possibly be implicated in interactions (as isoniazid is). Phenelzine has some clinically relevant inhibitory effects on amine oxidases, aminotransferases, and decarboxylases, and it lowers pyridoxal phosphate levels. It commonly causes pyridoxal deficiency, weight gain, sedation, and sexual dysfunction, but only rarely causes hepatic damage and failure, or neurotoxicity. The adverse effects and difficulties with monoamine oxidase inhibitors are less than previously believed or estimated, including a lower risk of hypertension, because the tyramine content in foods is now lower. Potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors have a strong protective effect against tyramine-induced hypertension. The newly discovered trace amine-associated receptors probably mediate the pressor response. The therapeutic potential of tranylcypromine and l-dopa in depression and Parkinson disease is worthy of reassessment. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are not used to an extent proportionate with their benefits; medical texts and doctors' knowledge require a major update to reflect the evidence of recent advances.Abbreviations: AO - amine oxidase, BA - Biogenic amine, CYP 450 - cytochrome P450, DA - dopamine, DBP - diastolic blood pressure, EC - Enzyme Commission, FDA - Food and Drug Administration, INH - isoniazid, MAOIs - monoamine oxidase inhibitors, NRI - norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, NE - norepinephrine, PLP - pyridoxal phosphate, SRI - serotonin reuptake inhibitor, ST - serotonin toxicity, SBP - systolic blood pressure, TA - trace amine, TAAR - trace amine-associated receptor, TCAs - tricyclic antidepressants
Secrets Revealed by Southern Vowel Shifting

�� Discussions of the vowel variants of Southern English have been extensive and have continued without interruption for over a hundred years. McMillan and Montgomery (1989) list several hundred works on the phonology of Southern English, a large portion of which cover vocalic variation. Dozens of works have appeared since McMillan and Montgomery’s bibliography was published. No other region of the United States has attracted this level of interest in its vowels, either from scholars or in the popular press. With such sustained attention, one would expect that research on this variety had reached a point of diminishing returns. In fact, however, it has not. Southern English remains a trove of yet undiscovered dialectal configurations, for vowels as well as for other variables. A clearer understanding of these variants can aid in sociolinguistic descriptions, but in some cases it can also provide insights into the processes of sound change, phonological structure, and even speech perception. The several variables examined here demonstrate how Southern vowels can illuminate each of these latter domains.