Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Class-Size Effects Using Within-School Variation in Subject-Specific Classes

Selection response of parents to low school quality, for instance large class sizes, is a major problem when estimating causal class-size effects, also in experimental and quasi-experimental studies. To address this problem a new identification strategy using within-school variation over time in the size of subject-specific classes is proposed. It provides random class-size variation and enables tests for possible selection using test scores in other subjects. Applying this approach to Danish administrative data, highly significant and substantial positive effects of reducing class size are found on examination marks in French. Effects are larger for academically weak students and for boys.
Iron transport and storage proteins.

INTRODUCTION AND PERSPECTIVES 358 THE TRANSFERRINS 359 Definition, Nomenclature. and Evolution 359 Fundamental Properties 360 Physicochemical characteristics •. ••••. • •••••. • •. •. •. •. •. •. ••. 360 Corbohydrate evntent 360 X-roy crystallography . •••. •. •. ••. ••. •. ••. •. • ••••. •. •. •. •. •. •. ••. •. •. •• 362 The Two-Sited Nature of the Transferrins 362 Phenomenology of iron binding . •••••• •. •••. ••. •. •. •. •••••••. •. •. •. ••••••. 362 Iron binding affinities of the sites 362 The binding of iron to transfemn . •. •. •••••. •. •. ••. ••. •. •. •. ••••••. ••. •. •. •. •. ••. 364 The two-domain hypothesis of tronsfemn structure 364 Spectroscopic studies . •. •••• ••••. ••. •. •••• ••. •. •. •. ••••••. ••. •. •. •••• ••. •. •. •. •. •. •• 365 The Anion-Binding Site 366 The anion-binding requirement of tronsfemn ••••• ••••• ••••• 366 Binding site ligands •. •. •. •. ••••. •. •. •••. ••••. •. •. •. ••. •••••. •. •. •. ••••••. •. •. •. •. ••. •. • 368 Binding and Release 0/ Iron by Trans/errin 368 Iron binding ••••••••••. •. •. •. •. ••••••••••• •••. •••. •. •. ••••••••. •. •. •. •. •. ••••••••••••. • 368 Iron release . 369
Responses of Fertile and Sterile Screwworm (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Flies to Bovine Blood Inoculated with Bacteria Originating from Screwworm-Infested Animal Wounds

Abstract A simple bioassay system was developed to study locomotory and ovipositional responses of screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), flies to bovine blood inoculated with eight species of coliform bacteria that were isolated from screwworm-infested animal wounds. When exposed to odors from bacteria-inoculated blood which was incubated for 72 h at 37°C, ≈50% of 7- and 10-d-old gravid females landed on the blood by the end of 15 min test exposure. Only 17% of 7-d-old reproductively sterile females (from irradiated pupae) with previtellogenic ovaries and 2% of 4-d-old vitellogenic females responded to the same treatment. Females generally reacted in greatest numbers to bacteria-inoculated blood incubated for 72 h, followed by 48 h, then 24 and 96 h. Males of all ages tested were unresponsive. Although oviposition occurred in tests with gravid females lasting for 1 h, with both inoculated blood and an uninoculated control, the inoculated sample was significantly better than the control at 48, 72, and 96 h incubation duration. Our results are consistent with the conclusion that the inoculated blood, when incubated for 48–72 h, gives off volatile chemicals which attract gravid females and contains an oviposition stimulant that acts following contact and feeding. The volatiles, once isolated and identified, may be useful for sampling gravid females in the field as well as improving the oviposition system in the mass-production facility of the screwworm eradication program.
On estimating contemporaneous quarterly regional GDP

Subnational regional jurisdictions rarely have at their disposal a reasonable array of timely statistics to monitor their economic condition. In light of this, we develop a procedure that simultaneously estimates a quarterly time series for all regions of a country based upon quarterly national and annual regional data. While other such techniques exist, we suggest a temporal error structure that eliminates possible spurious jumps. Using our approach, regional analysts should now be able to distribute national growth among regions as soon as quarterly national figures are released. In a Spanish application, we detail some practicalities of the process and show that our proposal produces better estimates than the uniregional methods often used. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons. Ltd.
TRADE, THE CHANNEL OF INNOVATION: A NETWORK EXPLANATION ON TECHNOLOGY SPILLOVERS

This paper attempts to propose a more sophisticated model that addresses the structural trade mechanisms for technology spillovers across nations. This paper connects two separate models by applying network estimations representing knowledge diffusion to the Coe and Helpman model of international R&D spillovers. The results of panel analysis from 1971 to 2000 on 24 OECD countries validate that the network estimator of effective size performs much better than Coe and Helpman’s estimation - the bilateral-import-share-weighted for foreign R&D capital. These findings offer policy implications that help how to decide trade partners and organize them for effective absorption or creation of knowledge. Lastly, as the supplementary analysis, the model is applied to 24 non OECD countries. Due to the data limitation, it failed to compare the validity of explanatory estimators, but the result shows that international technology spillovers is the crucial to increase productivity, even more than domestic R&D expenditure in developing countries.
The Relation Among Spinal Geometry on MRI, Paraspinal Electromyographic Abnormalities, and Age in Persons Referred for Electrodiagnostic Testing of Low Back Symptoms

Study Design. A retrospective EMG study with blinded radiologic measurement was conducted. Objective. To determine the relation among spinal measurements on MRI, paraspinal denervation, and age in patients referred for electrodiagnostic and radiologic evaluation of low back pain. Summary of Background Data. Spinal pathology, including disc herniation and spinal stenosis, can cause denervation of the paraspinal muscles. Various mechanisms including direct compression, inflammation, vascular compromise, and mechanical stretch of the posterior primary ramus may play a role in denervation. The relation between the amount of denervation and the size of the spinal canal can assist in understanding the pathophysiology of back pain. Since paraspinal denervation may increase with age in asymptomatic persons, age is an important covariable. Methods. At a university hospital, 44 patients referred to undergo both electrodiagnostic evaluation and MRI for low back pain were studied. The study investigated the relation among the following: 1) axial MRI spinal measurements (canal transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, and area; thecal sac anteroposterior diameter and area; and the radiologist’s overall impression at each level) and denervation measurements in terms of scores on the MiniPM, a quantified needle electromyographic measure of paraspinal denervation; 2) various models of multilevel spinal compression (smallest, smallest two, and average spinal levels for each measurement) and MiniPM scores; and 3) MRI spinal canal measurements and age. Results. Although individual MRI measurements and combinations of measurements did not relate to MiniPM scores, the radiologist’s impression was significantly related. The “smallest two” levels measurement had the strongest relation (r = 0.400;P < 0.007). Age related to the MiniPM scores (P = 0.004) and radiologic impression (P = 0.031). A regression suggested that MiniPM was an independent predictor of age. Conclusions. The radiologist’s overall impression is more accurate than axial image measurements in predicting paraspinal denervation. A combination score of the smallest two levels is the most accurate, perhaps relating to the vascular pathophysiology of stenosis. There is more denervation with increasing age in this symptomatic population.
Heritage tourism: at what price?

Heritage and sustainability share a common theme of inheritance. Heritage tourism is, as an economic activity, predicated on the use of inherited environmental and socio-cultural assets in order to attract visitors. Sustainability requires that those assets are carefully managed to ensure that future generations inherit a resource base that is sufficient to support their needs and wants. The purpose of this paper is to consider how sustainability principles might best be applied in the context of heritage tourism, with particular reference to the management of historic properties and gardens. In doing so, the paper considers the findings of a postal survey in the UK of owners of historic properties, heritage consultants, visitor attraction managers and heritage industry representatives. The survey results suggest that while overcrowding, wear and tear, pilfering, graffiti and traffic problems were all significant and widespread causes for concern, the principal dilemma for heritage attractions is how to s.
Wasta in Jordan: A Distinct Feature of (and Benefit for) Middle Eastern Society

Dispute resolution processes are culturally bound. They should reflect the parties' background and culture. This paper shows that wasta is one way of demonstrating the fundamental difference in perceptions and understandings between the East and West. Wasta means both the well-connected, personal intermediary-intervener and the process of intermediation-intervention. Wasta played a major part in the construction of the Kingdom of Jordan in the 1930s and 1940s, which explains its special status within contemporary Jordan. It is deeply rooted in Jordanian society and it informs transaction formation and dispute resolution in the country. Thus, any discussion about commercial arbitration in Jordan and the Middle East must be informed by wasta and its norms.
Promoting home ownership in a social‐rented city: policies, practices and pitfalls

Amsterdam's housing market is dominated by the social‐rented sector. It comprises 56 per cent of the total housing stock, while home ownership comprises only 19 per cent, lower than anywhere else in the Netherlands, and among the lowest in the world. Central government policy is currently seeking to increase the share of home ownership in the Netherlands from 53 per cent (2001) to 65 per cent in 2010. This paper will summarise recent national and local (Amsterdam) housing policy developments, focusing on the recent practice of selling social housing in Amsterdam. Unlike the Right to Buy scheme in Britain, the Netherlands employs an ‘offer to buy’ strategy. Sales, however, have been disappointing so far. Two factors were found to be crucial in this regard: (1) the sluggish change in ‘policy mentality’ and bureaucracy and (2) the high prices in the home ownership market. By way of conclusion, the paper reflects on the desirability of shifting the tenure structure from tenancy to ownership and on the risks that an (over‐) emphasis on home ownership may bring.
How do adolescents perceive and experience poverty and the stigma associated with poverty

The objectives of this study were to explore adolescents’ perceptions and experiences of poverty and its associated stigma when at school and within their communities. The study attempted to do this by uncovering the effects of poverty on adolescents’ lives; exploring their understanding of the meaning of being poor; exploring how the poverty-related stigma impacted their self-esteem, identity and experiences of the world; and investigated the elements of stigma that maintain the social distance between adolescents from povertystricken households and their peers. The study employed a qualitative research design. It used a focus group approach in conjunction with participatory research techniques such as ranking exercises. The issues that the participants raised revolved around a lack of access to money and how this in turn resulted in a lack of access to many other things, which led to a low quality of life for poor children and youths. The definitions they gave of the concept of poverty made reference to a lack of access to things such as houses, food and money. Other indicators of poverty that were mentioned related to the physical and psychological manifestations of the problem. The causes of poverty identified by the participants could broadly be grouped into two groups, namely financial aspects, and personal and family aspects. The issues the participants raised relating to poverty indicated that many of the problems faced by communities, families and children affected by the AIDS pandemic are linked to poverty. Conclusions from the study demonstrated that poverty is multidimensional in nature and therefore affects children and their families in a multitude of ways. The results also showed that the issues mentioned by the participants were not just products of poverty but problems in their own right.
Selling Spectrum Rights

The design of the FCC spectrum-license auction is a case study in the application of economic theory. Auction theory helped address policy questions such as: Should an open auction or a sealed-bid auction be used? Should the licenses be auctioned sequentially or simultaneously? Should the government allow bids for combinations of licenses, or should it accept only single-license bids? How should the auction be structured to promote the interests of minority-owned and other designated firms? Should the government impose royalties or reserve prices? How much should the bidders be informed about their competition?
Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) extract in rats: Influence of administration and gender

Objective: To analyse the behavioral effects of Melissa officinalis extract in rats following acute or subacute treatment. Materials and Methods: The behavioral effects of an acute or subacute (10-day course) orally administered M. officinalis (MO; 0, 30, 100 or 300 mg/kg) ethanol extract were evaluated in male and female Wistar rats in elevated plus-maze (EPM), forced swimming (FS) and open field (OF) tests. The effects of diazepam (DZP; 1 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (FXT; 10 mg/kg) were also assessed. Results: In the EPM test, the percentage of open arm entries and open arm times of both males and females given the subacute M. officinalis ethanol extract were significantly higher than those of the vehicle-treated animals but were at levels similar to those observed in the DZP group, regardless of the treatment length. In the FS test, immobility duration was significantly lower in both males and females treated with the plant extract when compared to vehicle-treated counterparts. A 10-day treatment with FXT induced the same antidepressant response, regardless of gender, and was more effective than the M. officinalis extract. Male and female rats demonstrated distinct gender profiles, and treatment × gender interactions were observed. Locomotion in the EPM and OF tests was not significantly altered by treatments. Conclusion: The potential psychoactive properties of M. officinalis may provide a unique pharmacological alternative for certain psychiatric disorders; however, the efficacy appears to be dependent on both gender and administration length.
Nominal Interest Rates as Indicators of Inflation Expectations

Forward interest rates have become popular indicators of inflation expectations. The usefulness of this indicator depends on the relative volatility and the correlation of inflation expectations and expected real interest rates. This paper studies US and UK data, using a range of different tools and data sets. The forward rate rule performs reasonably well, in spite of significant movements in the expected real interest rate. The reason is that the 'noise' that movements in the expected real interest rate add to the inflation expectations is balanced by a tendency for expected real interest rates and inflation expectations to move in opposite directions.
Effects of individual and combined administration of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 in tissues and eggs of White Leghorn breeder hens.

BACKGROUND Mycotoxins, the secondary fungal metabolites, are unavoidable contaminants of human and animal food and feeds. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of concurrent feeding of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1) ) to breeder hens, upon their deposition in different tissues and eggs. RESULTS Residues of OTA and AFB(1) in (ng g(-1) ) were significantly higher in liver followed by kidneys and breast muscles by 22.54 ± 1.48, 4.22 ± 0.93 and 0.56 ± 0.06 for OTA (group fed OTA at 5 mg kg(-1) diet) and 1.44 ± 0.21, 0.25 ± 0.01 and 0.03 ± 0.01 for AFB(1) (group fed AFB(1) at 5 mg kg(-1) diet), respectively. Residues of OTA and AFB(1) in eggs appeared at days 3 and 5 of toxin feeding and disappeared at days 5 and 6 of withdrawal of mycotoxins contaminated feed, respectively. The residues of OTA and AFB(1) were significantly lower in the tissues of hens fed these toxins concurrently compared with the groups fed OTA and AFB(1) independently. CONCLUSIONS Residues of OTA and AFB(1) appeared in the tissues and eggs of laying hens kept on OTA- and AFB(1) -contaminated diets. Concurrent feeding of OTA and AFB(1) to hens significantly decreased the concentration of OTA and AFB(1) residues in the tissues and eggs.
Suicide attempt and self‐mutilation among Turkish high school students in relation with abuse, neglect and dissociation

Abstract A questionnaire consisting of items about abuse, neglect, self‐mutilation and suicide attempt and the Turkish Version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale were given to 862 high school students. The rates of suicide attempt and self‐mutilative behaviors were 10.1% and 21.4%, respectively. Abused or neglected groups (34.3%) had 7.6‐fold higher suicide attempts and 2.7‐fold higher self‐mutilation behaviours. The logistic regression model showed that each type of trauma and dissociation contributed to suicide attempts and self‐mutilation, but dissociation was the most powerful. Suicidal and self‐destructive adolescents should precisely be evaluated for abuse, neglect and dissociation in clinical practice.
The Organization of Parts Purchases in the Japanese Automotive Industry

It is often claimed that the distinctive feature of Japanese industrial organization is the presence of horizontal and vertical firm groupings (business groups and keiretsu) and the prevalence of the "subcontractor relationship" between a firm and its suppliers. The following will examine the "subcontractor" typology, but as these three forms of organization tend partially to overlap in the real world, the study should also help to deepen our understanding of corporate groups.
Folate receptor‐β constitutes a marker for human proinflammatory monocytes

Activated macrophages are commonly involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and have been frequently reported to overexpress FR‐β. Although FR‐targeted therapies aimed at eliminating activated macrophages have shown promise for treating inflammatory diseases, little work has been performed to evaluate whether other hematopoietic cells might also express FR‐β. Analysis of peripheral blood cells with a mAb to human FR‐β reveals that only monocytes express FR‐β. Molecular characterization of these circulating monocytes further demonstrates that solely the classic/proinflammatory subset (CD14highCD16−) expresses the FR and that only CD14highCD16− FR‐β+ monocytes also display the ability to bind folate‐linked molecules. Confirmation that this subset of monocytes indeed constitutes the proinflammatory subpopulation was obtained by demonstrating coexpression of FR‐β with other proinflammatory markers, including CCR2 and HLA‐DR. Synovial monocytes from the joints of patients with RA were also shown to express FR‐β. As inhibition of the chemotaxis of proinflammatory monocytes into sites of inflammation has been explored frequently as a means of controlling autoimmune diseases, demonstration that FR‐β is uniquely expressed on this proinflammatory subpopulation offers a new strategy to suppress migration of inflammatory monocytes into sites of inflammation.
Optimized 425MHz passive wireless magnetic field sensor

A passive, magnetic field sensor consisting of a 425 MHz surface acoustic wave device loaded with a giant magnetoimpedance element is developed. The GMI element with a multilayer structure composed of Ni80Fe20/Cu/Ni80Fe20, is fabricated on a 128° Y-X cut LiNbO3 LiNbO3 substrate. The integrated sensor is characterized with a network analyzer through an S-parameter measurement. Upon the application of a magnetic field, a maximum magnitude change and phase shift of 7.8 dB and 27 degree, respectively, are observed. Within the linear region, the magnetic sensitivity is 1.6 dB/Oe and 5 deg/Oe.
Privatization And Prayer

The “Charitable Choice” provisions of 1996 welfare reform legislation inaugurated a policy debate that continues with President George W. Bush’s “faith-based initiative. ” Proponents of greater religious involvement in social service provision argue that faith-based organizations have untapped resources, have encountered unnecessary barriers to participation, and are more effective than are government or secular contractors. Opponents note the absence of evidence of greater efficacy, the historic involvement of religious providers such as Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and the Salvation Army, and the absence of additional funding, and charge that the new rules are merely an effort to erode the constitutional separation of church and state. Public administrators are left with a number of thorny questions: how to identify and recruit the faith-based organizations targeted by these initiatives, how to evaluate and augment their capacity to deliver services, and how to encourage their increased participation while adhering to constitutional principles.