Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leadership in Education

This article explores some aspects of current thinking about leadership in education. It argues that ideas about leadership which are predicated upon the assumption that ‘what works’ can be identified, prescribed and replicated are at least an inadequate way of conceiving the concept and often may be inappropriate and unhelpful. It also argues that in the leadership world ‘making sense of things’ is at least as important as ‘seeking what works’. The argument proceeds in four stages. First, the article outlines two approaches to the conceptualization of leadership that it terms the ‘traditional’ and ‘emerging’ approaches. Second, it considers the policy context within which leadership is today located, both in education and more widely within the public sector. Third, it explores some implications that these ideas about leadership and this policy context raise for leadership and leadership development in education. Finally, it draws conclusions, identifying six dimensions of a sense-making agenda for educational leaders.
Effects of iloprost inhalation on exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND The continuous infusion of prostacyclin has been shown to improve exercise capacity and survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Inhalation of iloprost, a stable analog of prostacyclin, might be an alternative therapy for PPH, selectively acting on the pulmonary vascular bed through ventilation-matched alveolar deposition of the drug. We investigated the short-term effects of iloprost inhalation on exercise capacity and gas exchange in patients with PPH. METHODS AND RESULTS In 11 patients with PPH, we performed 2 consecutive cardiopulmonary exercise tests before and after the inhalation of 17 microgram of iloprost. Patients had marked pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure 65 mm Hg), and inhalation resulted in a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (1509 versus 1175 dyne. s(-1). cm(-5), P<0.05). Arterial blood gases remained unchanged (PaO(2) 69.3 versus 66.8 mm Hg; PaCO(2) 29.6 versus 28.8 mm Hg). Iloprost significantly (P<0.05) improved exercise duration (379 versus 438 seconds), peak oxygen uptake (12.8 versus 14.2 mL. kg(-1). min(-1)), VE-versus-V CO(2) slope (58 versus 51.4). CONCLUSIONS The present data show that iloprost inhalation exerts pulmonary vasodilatation and improves symptoms and exercise capacity in patients with PPH. The data also suggest that iloprost inhalation is a suitable treatment for PPH. Whether these effects are maintained during long-term treatment and are paralleled by improvement in prognosis remains to be determined.
School Dropouts

Preventing school dropout and promoting successful graduation is a national concern that poses a significant challenge for schools and educational communities working with youth at risk for school failure. Although students who are at greatest risk for dropping out of school can be identified, they disengage from school and drop out for a variety of reasons for which there is no one common solution. The most effective intervention programs identify and track youth at risk for school failure, maintain a focus on students' progress toward educational standards across the school years, and are designed to address indicators of student engagement and to impact enrollment status—not just the predictors of dropout. To leave no child behind, educators must address issues related to student mobility, alternate routes to school completion, and alternate time lines for school completion, as well as engage in rigorous evaluation of school-completion programs.
Destrezas de los bibliotecarios académicos como líderes en el campo de la información en Puerto Rico.

The research objectives are: to identify the leaders’ opinion about leadership; to identify both the skills necessary to be an effective leader in academic libraries and the way librarians in Puerto Rico develop leadership skills. The researchers used and applied The Jigsaw Model which presents the six components that each and every leader should work: A Leader is a visionary, sets an example, understands what motivates each team member, builds supportive relationships, facilitates empowerment and understands the importance of communication. The research participants were directors of the University of Puerto Rico libraries. This study provides guidelines to develop leadership skills. It also, provided data to develop a guide for future leaders in the Information Science field and in the academic libraries context.
A Model-Based Approach for Identifying Signatures of Ancient Balancing Selection in Genetic Data

While much effort has focused on detecting positive and negative directional selection in the human genome, relatively little work has been devoted to balancing selection. This lack of attention is likely due to the paucity of sophisticated methods for identifying sites under balancing selection. Here we develop two composite likelihood ratio tests for detecting balancing selection. Using simulations, we show that these methods outperform competing methods under a variety of assumptions and demographic models. We apply the new methods to whole-genome human data, and find a number of previously-identified loci with strong evidence of balancing selection, including several HLA genes. Additionally, we find evidence for many novel candidates, the strongest of which is FANK1, an imprinted gene that suppresses apoptosis, is expressed during meiosis in males, and displays marginal signs of segregation distortion. We hypothesize that balancing selection acts on this locus to stabilize the segregation distortion and negative fitness effects of the distorter allele. Thus, our methods are able to reproduce many previously-hypothesized signals of balancing selection, as well as discover novel interesting candidates.
Economic Inequality Is Linked to Biased Self-Perception

People’s self-perception biases often lead them to see themselves as better than the average person (a phenomenon known as self-enhancement). This bias varies across cultures, and variations are typically explained using cultural variables, such as individualism versus collectivism. We propose that socioeconomic differences among societies—specifically, relative levels of economic inequality—play an important but unrecognized role in how people evaluate themselves. Evidence for self-enhancement was found in 15 diverse nations, but the magnitude of the bias varied. Greater self-enhancement was found in societies with more income inequality, and income inequality predicted cross-cultural differences in self-enhancement better than did individualism/collectivism. These results indicate that macrosocial differences in the distribution of economic goods are linked to microsocial processes of perceiving the self.
Group O Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection That Escaped Detection in Two Immmunoassays

ABSTRACT We report a case of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 group O infection not detected by two highly sensitive immunoassays. The sera were strongly reactive to the V3 peptide of group O but not to the gp41 immunodominant epitope. Gp41 was sequenced, confirming that this virus belonged to group O.
Mean shift algorithm for robust rigid registration between Gaussian Mixture Models

We present a Mean shift (MS) algorithm for solving the rigid point set transformation estimation [1]. Our registration algorithm minimises exactly the Euclidean distance between Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs). We show experimentally that our algorithm is more robust than previous implementations [1], thanks to both using an annealing framework (to avoid local extrema) and using variable bandwidths in our density estimates. Our approach is applied to 3D real data sets captured with a Lidar scanner and Kinect sensor.
Examining the effectiveness of affective education

Fourth-grade students in each of three classrooms were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a Hawthorne control group. The treatment consisted of participation in the Toward Affective Development program for 15 minutes a day, five days a week, over an 11-week period. A classroom teacher on temporary leave from the district conducted both the treatment and the series of art projects making up the Hawthorne control activities. Following treatment, self-report measures of social adjustment and self-concept were administered to between 42 and 50 students, depending on the number of absences from school on any given posttesting day. No treatment effects were noted, regardless of sex or class membership. Present findings were discussed in relation to five recent affective educational program evaluation studies. Four variables (degree of facilitator training, Hawthorne control, self-report dependent measures, and subject age) were identified as potentially strong moderators of program impact on social adjustment and self-concept. Finally, conditions that may maximize student gain in future research were suggested.
Urinary Eosinophil Protein X in Childhood Asthma: Relation with Changes in Disease Control and Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation

The aim of this study was to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal correlations between uEPX and other markers of asthma control and eosinophilic airway inflammation. Methods. We measured uEPX at baseline, after 1 year and after 2 years in 205 atopic asthmatic children using inhaled fluticasone. At the same time points, we assessed symptom scores (2 weeks diary card), lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)), airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and percentage eosinophils in induced sputum (% eos). Results. We found negative correlations between uEPX and FEV1 at baseline (r = −0.18, P = 0.01), after 1 year (r = −0.25, P < 0.01) and after 2 years (r = −0.21, P = 0.02). Within-patient changes of uEPX showed a negative association with FEV1 changes (at 1 year: r = −0.24, P = 0.01; at 2 years: r = −0.21, P = 0.03). Within-patient changes from baseline of uEPX correlated with changes in % eos. No relations were found between uEPX and symptoms. Conclusion. In this population of children with atopic asthma, uEPX correlated with FEV1 and % eos, and within-subjects changes in uEPX correlated with changes in FEV1 and % eos. As the associations were weak and the scatter of uEPX wide, it seems unlikely that uEPX will be useful as a biomarker for monitoring asthma control in the individual child.
SMARCA4 (BRG1) Loss of Expression Is a Useful Marker for the Diagnosis of Ovarian Small Cell Carcinoma of the Hypercalcemic Type (Ovarian Rhabdoid Tumor): A Comprehensive Analysis of 116 Rare Gynecologic Tumors, 9 Soft Tissue Tumors, and 9 Melanomas

Ovarian small cell carcinoma of the hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT)/ovarian rhabdoid tumor is a rare and highly malignant tumor that typically occurs in young women. Up until now the diagnosis has been made on the basis of morphology without any specific immunohistochemical (IHC) markers. However, several authors have shown recently that SCCOHTs are characterized by inactivation of the SMARCA4 gene (encoding the BRG1 protein) resulting in a loss of BRG1 protein expression in IHC. We evaluated BRG1 and INI1 expression in 12 SCCOHTs and in a series of 122 tumors that could mimic SCCOHT morphologically: 9 juvenile granulosa cell tumors, 47 adult granulosa cell tumors, 33 high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas, 9 desmoplastic round cell tumors, 13 Ewing sarcomas (5 from the pelvis and 8 from soft tissues), 1 round cell sarcoma associated with CIC-DUX4 translocation from soft tissue (thigh), 1 case of high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma of the ovary, and 9 melanomas. Forty-four adult granulosa cell tumors were interpretable by IHC. All 12 SCCOHTs were devoid of BRG1 expression and expressed INI1. All other interpretable 119 tumors showed BRG1 nuclear positivity, with variable staining proportions, ranging from 10% to 100% of positive cells (mean: 77%, median: 80%), variable intensities (weak: 5%, moderate: 37%, strong: 58%), and distributions: diffuse in 82 cases (70%) and heterogenous in 36 cases (30%). BRG1 positivity was heterogenous in desmoplastic round cell tumors and adult granulosa cell tumors. Overall, BRG1 is a useful diagnostic marker in SCCOHT, showing the absence of expression in SCCOHT. Nevertheless, the possible heterogeneity and the variable intensity of this staining warrant caution in the interpretation of BRG1 staining in biopsy specimens.
Hierarchical wavelet networks for facial feature localization

We present a technique for facial feature localization using a two-level hierarchical wavelet network. The first level wavelet network is used for face matching, and yields an affine transformation used for a rough approximation of feature locations. Second level wavelet networks for each feature are then used to fine-tune the feature locations. Construction of a training database containing hierarchical wavelet networks of many faces allows features to be detected in most faces. Experiments show that facial feature localization benefits significantly from the hierarchical approach. Results compare favorably with existing techniques for feature localization.
Time Domain Electromagnetic Scattering Using Finite Elements and Perfectly Matched Layers

We consider a model for the interrogation of a planar Debye medium by a non-harmonic microwave pulse from an antenna source in free space, and we compute the reflected solution using finite elements in the spatial variables and finite differences in the time variable. Perfectly Matched Layers (PMLs) and an absorbing boundary condition are used to damp waves interacting with artificial boundaries imposed to allow finite computational domains. We present simulation results showing that numerical reflections from interfaces at PML boundaries can be controlled.
La historia del primer principio de la termodinámica y sus implicaciones didácticas

En este trabajo se realiza una breve introduccion historica y epistemologica del nacimiento de la termodinamica como ciencia moderna. Se muestra, asi mismo, como esta historia puede contribuir a mejorar la ensenanza de la termodinamica y a superar algunas dificultades de los estudiantes.Palabras Clave: historia de la ciencia; ensenanza y aprendizaje de la termodinamicaThe history of the first law of thermodynamics and its didactict implicationsIn this work is carried out a brief historical and epistemological introduction of the thermodynamics’ birth as a modern science. It is shown, likewise, how this history can contribute to improve the teaching of thermodynamics and to overcome some students’ difficulties.Keywords: history of science; thermodynamics’ teaching & learning.
Survey of Error and Fault Detection Mechanisms

This report describes diverse error detection mechanisms that can be utilized within a resilient system to protect applications against various types of errors and faults, both hard and soft. These detection mechanisms have different overhead costs in terms of energy, performance, and area, and also differ in their error coverage, complexity, and programmer effort. In order to achieve the highest efficiency in designing and running a resilient computer system, one must understand the trade-offs among the aforementioned metrics for each detection mechanism and choose the most efficient option for a given running environment. To accomplish such a goal, we first enumerate many error detection techniques previously suggested in the literature.
Back to Basics: A consideration of the purposes of the PhD viva

This paper examines the roles and significance of the viva in the doctoral examination process. More specifically, it addresses the following question-what purposes does the viva serve in the PhD assessment process? Discussion focuses upon (1) the roles of the viva as delineated within university policy; and (2) the purposes of the viva from the perspectives of examiners, supervisors and doctoral candidates. The findings suggest that, whether viewed in terms of institutional statements, or in terms of the perspectives of academics or candidates, there is no consensus regarding the roles of the viva in the PhD examination process. Moreover, our research reveals that there are inconsistencies and contradictions concerning the purposes of the viva, both at the levels of policy and practice.
Gaming for better life: A review of Jane McGonigal's Reality Is Broken

Jane McGonigal, a digital game designer who earned her Ph.D. in performance from the University of California, Berkeley, Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, has been recognized as one of the early game designers and researchers that initiated the inquiry of the positive values of digital games in the contemporary society. In light of the rapid growing realm of positive psychology, Reality Is Broken stretched her influential exploration of how digital games contribute to an individual’s sense of well-being, how gaming activities improve the quality of real social lives, and how games function as platforms to provoke people’s civic and political awareness.
The Economics of Witchcraft and the Big Eye Effect

Witchcraft is one of the manifestations of envy. It has disruptive effects on team work. A fold catastrophe is shown to exist between the degree of envy and the productivity of the witch's victim. The big eye effect is the discontinuous dip in productivity, driven by an increase in envy. There is a cycle between envy and the productivity of the witch's victim. Witchcraft damages team work until the point at which the productivity of the witch's victim falls. When this happens, the witch's envy decreases and a recuperation to the former levels of productivity occurs. The model can be applied to improve team work management. Copyright 1998 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – A Brief Insight into Pathogenesis and Review of Recent Reports on Therapeutic Targets

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complication of global prevalence occurring due to defective regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. Currently, NAFLD is being viewed as an emerging epidemic by virtue of increase in obesity cases. Accumulation of excess fatty acid in the liver, leads to activation of an array of inflammatory signals, resulting in hepatic steatosis. Inadequately treated steatosis would progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) marked by severe hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. In the light of rising NAFLD cases and lack of a validated therapy, formulation of novel and efficient treatment strategies are in high demand. Several factors including inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and receptors are involved in execution of the inflammatory process in NASH progression. A clarified comprehension related to the mode of action and interplay between these factors is indispensible for an efficient therapeutic approach for NAFLD. This review is focused on the key factors involved in NAFLD progression and their potential as therapeutic targets.
What leads to high antipsychotic dosing in forensic patients with schizophrenia?

Earlier findings suggest that forensic schizophrenia patients are treated with higher doses of antipsychotics. This practice-based specificity is insufficiently studied, and clinicians’ motives regarding this practice remain poorly understood. In this editorial, the authors provide their data on treatment of forensic schizophrenia patients and identify characteristics of psychopathology and previous types of behaviors, including suicidal attempts, as potential reasons for the practice. They also emphasize that “these previous acts” often took place years ago, and suggest that current or recent aggression is unlikely the main reason for dosing, but rather the clinicians’ intention to maintain “must remain unaggressive” condition. Therefore, the authors suggest new ideas that may contribute to a better understanding of the specific prescribing patterns in the forensic population and hope that these ideas would be implemented in further well-designed prospective studies.
Issues and Concerns of Directors of Postsecondary Distance Learning Programs Regarding Online Methods and Technologies

Abstract This study, a naturalistic inquiry conducted between 2002 and 2005, presents an integrated portrayal of issues and concerns of twenty-seven directors of postsecondary distributed/distance learning programs as well as the results of a survey that examined technology utilization and methods in 316 postsecondary schools. The major issues and concerns that emerged from the interviews included worries about planning and integrating future changes in technology, Digital Divide issues, ongoing cost of content creation, and vendor lock-in. Emerging during the analysis of the survey of methods and technology utilization was awareness of what technology or methods were not being used as compared with previous studies showing what technology was being used for distance education.
Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae: results of surveillance in the United States.

In September 1976 the Center for Disease Control (Atlanta, Georgia) initiated surveillance for cases of infection due to penicillinase-productin Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United States. One hundred ninety-one cases of penicillinase-producing gonococcal infection were confirmed through June 30, 1977. Of 177 cases for which histories of sexual exposure were available, 69 were traced to sexual contact in the Far East, and one was traced to sexual contact in West Africa. Of 181 cases for which clinical information was available, 174 were uncomplicated anogenital infections, but local complications, such as salpingitis, epididymitis, and a Bartholin's gland abscess, were reported. Spectinomycin is the only drug now recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service for treatment of gonorrhea that is effective against uncomplicated infections due to penicillinase-producing gonococci. For these organisms, the distribution of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and spectinomycin was higher than and significantly different from the distribution of MICs for isolates of non-penicillinase-producing gonococci collected in this country. Since surveillance began the incidence of confirmed cases of penicillinase-producing gonococcal infection has decreased from 20.8 cases per month in 1976 to 16.8 cases per month in 1977.
Participatory sensing: applications and architecture

Participatory sensing is the process whereby individuals and communities use ever-more-capable mobile phones and cloud services to collect and analyze systematic data for use in discovery. The convergence of technology and analytical innovation with a citizenry that is increasingly comfortable using mobile phones and online social networking sets the stage for this technology to dramatically impact many aspects of our daily lives. Participatory sensing can serve as a powerful "make a case" technology to support advocacy and civic engagement. It can provide a framework in which citizens can bring to light a civic bottleneck, hazard, personal-safety concern, cultural asset, or other data relevant to urban and natural-resources planning and services, all using data that are systematic and can be validated (http://whatsinvasive.com.) The same systems can be used as tools for sustainability. For example, individuals and communities can explore their transportation and consumption habits and corporations can promote more sustainable practices among employees (http://peir.cens.ucla.edu and http://biketastic.com.)