Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shikonin-loaded antibody-armed nanoparticles for targeted therapy of ovarian cancer

Conventional chemotherapy of ovarian cancer often fails because of initiation of drug resistance and/or side effects and trace of untouched remaining cancerous cells. This highlights an urgent need for advanced targeted therapies for effective remediation of the disease using a cytotoxic agent with immunomodulatory effects, such as shikonin (SHK). Based on preliminary experiments, we found SHK to be profoundly toxic in ovarian epithelial cancer cells (OVCAR-5 and ID8 cells) as well as in normal ovarian IOSE-398 cells, endothelial MS1 cells, and lymphocytes. To limit its cytotoxic impact solely to tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), we aimed to engineer SHK as polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with targeting moiety toward tumor microvasculature. To this end, using single/double emulsion solvent evaporation/diffusion technique with sonication, we formulated biodegradable NPs of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) loaded with SHK. The surface of NPs was further decorated with solubilizing agent polyethylene glycol (PEG) and tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1)/endosialin-targeting antibody (Ab) through carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide chemistry. Having characterized the physicochemical and morphological properties of NPs, we studied their drug-release profiles using various kinetic models. The biological impact of NPs was also evaluated in tumor-associated endothelial MS1 cells, primary lymphocytes, and epithelial ovarian cancer OVCAR-5 cells. Based on particle size analysis and electron microscopy, the engineered NPs showed a smooth spherical shape with size range of 120 to 250 nm and zeta potential value of −30 to −40 mV. Drug entrapment efficiency was ~80%–90%, which was reduced to ~50%–60% upon surface decoration with PEG and Ab. The liberation of SHK from NPs showed a sustained-release profile that was best fitted with Wagner log-probability model. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis showed active interaction of Ab-armed NPs with TEM1-positive MS1 cells, but not with TEM1-negative MS1 cells. While exposure of the PEGylated NPs for 2 hours was not toxic to lymphocytes, long-term exposure of the Ab-armed and PEGylated NPs was significantly toxic to TEM1-positive MS1 cells and OVCAR-5 cells. Based on these findings, we propose SHK-loaded Ab-armed PEGylated PLGA NPs as a novel nanomedicine for targeted therapy of solid tumors.
Reflexive Modernization: Politics, Tradition and Aesthetics in the Modern Social Order

The theme of reflexivity has come to be central to social analysis. In this book three prominent social thinkers discuss the implications of "reflexive modernization" for social and cultural theory today. Ulrich Beck's vision of the "risk society" has already become extraordinarily influential. Beck offers a new elaboration of his basic ideas, connecting reflexive modernization with new issues to do with the state and political organization. Giddens offers an in-depth examination of the connections between "institutional reflexivity" and the de-traditionalizing of the modern world. We are entering, he argues, a phase of the development of a global society. A "global society" is not a world society, but one with universalizing tendencies. Lash develops the theme of reflexive modernization in relation the aesthetics and the interpretation of culture. In this domain, he suggests, we need to look again at the conventional theories of postmodernism; "aesthetic modernization" has distinctive qualities that need to be uncovered and analyzed. In the concluding sections of the book, the three authors offer critical appraisals of each other's viewpoints, providing a synthetic conclusion to the work as a whole.
Analysis of packet loss for real-time traffic in wireless mobile networks with ARQ feedback

In this paper, the provision of quality-of-service (QoS) for real-time traffic over a wireless channel deploying automatic repeat request (ARQ) error control is investigated. By introducing the concepts of ARQ capacity and effective capacity, an analytic model has been derived to evaluate the loss probabilities in both the network layer and the physical layer. In contrast to the previous results, this model quantifies the interaction between the network and physical layers. As shown by the simulation experiments, our analysis can predict the real metrics under a wide range of conditions. This enables the call admission controller in wireless networks to control and optimize traffic QoS using instantaneous channel status information.
Synthetic LXR agonists increase LDL in CETP species Published, JLR Papers in Press, July 16, 2005. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M500116-JLR200

Liver X receptor (LXR) nuclear receptors regulate the expression of genes involved in whole body cholesterol trafficking, including absorption, excretion, catabolism, and cellular efflux, and possess both anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic actions. Accordingly, LXR is considered an appealing drug target for multiple indications. Synthetic LXR agonists demonstrated inhibition of atherosclerosis progression in murine genetic models; however, these and other studies indicated that their major undesired side effect is an increase of plasma and hepatic triglycerides. A significant impediment to extrapolating results with LXR agonists from mouse to humans is the absence in mice of cholesteryl ester transfer protein, a known LXR target gene, and the upregulation in mice but not humans of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase. To better predict the human response to LXR agonism, two synthetic LXR agonists were examined in hamsters and cynomolgus monkeys. In contrast to previously published results in mice, neither LXR agonist increased HDL-cholesterol in hamsters, and similar results were obtained in cynomolgus monkeys. Importantly, in both species, LXR agonists increased LDL-cholesterol, an unfavorable effect not apparent from earlier murine studies. These results reveal additional problems associated with current synthetic LXR agonists and emphasize the importance of profiling compounds in preclinical species with a more human-like LXR response and lipoprotein metabolism.
An exploration of internal factors influencing student learning of programming

This paper explores internal factors influencing student learning of programming. This is based on literature relating to student learning and learning of programming. Two dimensions: motivation and capability are used as a framework to explore the data gathered from a study of first year undergraduate IT programming students at an Australian University. The authors propose that the exploration conducted in this study is useful in assisting academics with developing tasks to facilitate student motivation and skills to learn programming.
The EasySOC Project: A Rich Catalog of Best Practices for Developing Web Service Applications

The Service-Oriented Computing (SOC) paradigm has gained a lot of attention in the software industry since represents a novel way of architecting distributed applications. SOC is mostly materialized via Web Services, which allows developers to structure applications as building blocks exposing a clear, public interface to their capabilities. Although conceptually and technologically mature, SOC still lacks adequate development support from a methodological point of view. We present the Easy SOC project, a catalog of guidelines to build service-oriented applications and services. This catalog synthesizes best SOC development practices that arise as a result of several years of research in fundamental SOC-related topics, namely WSDL-based technical specification, Web Service discovery and Web Service outsourcing. In addition, we describe a plug-in for the Eclipse IDE that has been implemented to simplify the utilization of the guidelines. We believe that both the practical nature of the guidelines, the empirical evidence that supports them, and the availability of IDE support that enforces them will help software practitioners to rapidly exploit our ideas for building real SOC applications.
A framework of PBL strategy integrated in LMS and a ubiquitous learning environment

This study describes the design of problem-based learning strategy (PBL) integrated into LMS with mobile tools in a ubiquitous learning environment, which is called uPBL system. This paper discusses the analysis and design of PBL instructional steps for building a LMS system to create a new learning environment. A trial case was designed and implemented with elementary school teachers to obtain feedback and suggestions on the design of uPBL system structure. In the trail PBL outdoor activities coped with PDA devices, students were interested in mobile learning devices and the developed system. Also, students felt comfortable to solve the real live problems and communicate with team members without the obstacles of time and space. It is expected that students will be enhanced their learning performance with a well-designed learning environment via held technology devices. Experimental studies of students learning performance are ongoing in the next research step.
Neural correlates of efficacy of voice therapy in Parkinson's disease identified by performance–correlation analysis

LSVT® LOUD (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) is efficacious in the treatment of speech disorders in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), particularly hypophonia. Functional imaging in patients with IPD has shown abnormalities in several speech regions and changes in these areas immediately following treatment. This study serves to extend the analysis by correlating changes of regional neural activity with the main behavioral change following treatment, namely, increased vocal intensity. Ten IPD participants with hypophonia were studied before and after LSVT LOUD. Cerebral blood flow during rest and reading conditions were measured by H215O‐positron emission tomography. Z‐score images were generated by contrasting reading with rest conditions for pre‐ and post‐LSVT LOUD sessions. Neuronal activity during reading in the pre‐ versus post‐LSVT LOUD contrast was correlated with corresponding change in vocal intensity to generate correlation images. Behaviorally, vocal intensity for speech tasks increased significantly after LSVT LOUD. The contrast and correlation analyses indicate a treatment‐dependent shift to the right hemisphere with modification in the speech motor regions as well as in prefrontal and temporal areas. We interpret the modification of activity in these regions to be a top–down effect of LSVT LOUD. The absence of an effect of LSVT LOUD on the basal ganglion supports this argument. Our findings indicate that the therapeutic effect of LSVT LOUD in IPD hypophonia results from a shift in cortical activity to the right hemisphere. These findings demonstrate that the short‐term changes in the speech motor and multimodal integration areas can occur in a top–down manner. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving TCP Performance over Wireless Networks using Loss Predictors

The use of Loss Predictors (LP) in TCP congestion control has been recently proposed to improve performance over heterogeneous networks including wired and wireless links. These algorithms provide TCP with an estimate of the cause of packet losses. In this paper we propose a modification to the Vegas predictor, studying its accuracy under several realistic scenarios. We show that this predictor achieves high accuracy throughout all the network scenarios. We propose to use the modified Vegas predictor in the TCP congestion control scheme to react to packet losses avoiding the overly conservative rate reductions of TCP Reno in the presence of random losses. We study the performance of this new TCP version (TCP NewReno-LP), showing how it achieves higher performance over wireless networks while guaranteeing a good fairness level with existing TCP versions over wired links. We also provide an upper bound on the performance of TCP using Loss Predictors by implementing an ideal scheme having perfect knowledge of the cause of packet losses, showing how our TCP NewReno-LP approaches that bound.
High School Response to Intervention and College Academic Self-Efficacy: Influence of Intervention Experiences

An increasing number of students enrolling in college engaged in Tier 2 response to intervention (RTI) academic supports in high school to supplement their secondary education. However, few researchers examined if prior experiences with RTI influence academic self-efficacy in college, a construct known to promote student retention and graduation by increasing motivation and persistence. A total of 1,639 college students completed an online survey to report their previous learning experiences, academic self-efficacy, and willingness to seek college supports. Structural equation modeling revealed that the number of academic interventions in high school significantly predicted greater willingness to seek academic supports in college and confidence in interacting with school staff and peers about educational requirements and assignments. The findings highlight benefits of prior experiences with RTI on postsecondary transition and college achievement.
Ecology of Thioploca spp.: Nitrate and Sulfur Storage in Relation to Chemical Microgradients and Influence ofThioploca spp. on the Sedimentary Nitrogen Cycle

ABSTRACT Microsensors, including a recently developed NO3− biosensor, were applied to measure O2 and NO3− profiles in marine sediments from the upwelling area off central Chile and to investigate the influence of Thioploca spp. on the sedimentary nitrogen metabolism. The studies were performed in undisturbed sediment cores incubated in a small laboratory flume to simulate the environmental conditions of low O2, high NO3−, and bottom water current. On addition of NO3−and NO2−, Thioploca spp. exhibited positive chemotaxis and stretched out of the sediment into the flume water. In a core densely populated with Thioploca, the penetration depth of NO3− was only 0.5 mm and a sharp maximum of NO3− uptake was observed 0.5 mm above the sediment surface. In sediments with only fewThioploca spp. , NO3− was detectable down to a depth of 2 mm and the maximum consumption rates were observed within the sediment. No chemotaxis toward nitrous oxide (N2O) was observed, which is consistent with the observation that Thioploca does not denitrify but reduces intracellular NO3− to NH4+. Measurements of the intracellular NO3− and S0 pools inThioploca filaments from various depths in the sediment gave insights into possible differences in the migration behavior between the different species. Living filaments containing significant amounts of intracellular NO3− were found to a depth of at least 13 cm, providing final proof for the vertical shuttling of Thioploca spp. and nitrate transport into the sediment.
Correlation between Bone Mineral Density Measured by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Hounsfield Units Measured by Diagnostic CT in Lumbar Spine

Objective Use of quantitative computed tomography (CT) to evaluate bone mineral density was suggested in the 1970s. Despite its reliability and accuracy, technical shortcomings restricted its usage, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) became the gold standard evaluation method. Advances in CT technology have reduced its previous limitations, and CT evaluation of bone quality may now be applicable in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine if the Hounsfield unit (HU) values obtained from CT correlate with patient age and bone mineral density. Methods A total of 128 female patients who underwent lumbar CT for back pain were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 66.4 years. Among them, 70 patients also underwent DXA. The patients were stratified by decade of life, forming five age groups. Lumbar vertebrae L1-4 were analyzed. The HU value of each vertebra was determined by averaging three measurements of the vertebra's trabecular portion, as shown in consecutive axial CT images. The HU values were compared between age groups, and correlations of HU value with bone mineral density and T-scores were determined. Results The HU values consistently decreased with increasing age with significant differences between age groups (p<0.001). There were significant positive correlations (p<0.001) of HU value with bone mineral density and T-score. Conclusion The trabecular area HU value consistently decreases with age. Based on the strong positive correlation between HU value and bone mineral density, CT-based HU values might be useful in detecting bone mineral diseases, such as osteoporosis.
MODELING THE STRUCTURAL RELATIONS AMONG LEARNING STRATEGIES, SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS, AND EFFORT REGULATION

This research examined the relations among students’ learning strategies (elaboration, organization, critical thinking and metacognitive learning strategies), self-efficacy beliefs, and effort regulation. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was used to measure students’ learning strategies, self-efficacy beliefs, and effort regulation. A total of 227 high school students participated in the research. Confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis were performed to examine the relations among the variables of the research. Results revealed that students’ metacognitive learning strategies and self-efficacy beliefs statistically and significantly predicted their effort regulation. In addition, the students’ self-efficacy beliefs directly affected deep cognitive learning strategies and effort regulation but indirectly affected metacognitive learning strategies. Furthermore, 88.6 % of the variance in effort regulation was explained by metacognitive learning strategies and self-efficacy beliefs.
Cytomolecular Analysis of Ribosomal DNA Evolution in a Natural Allotetraploid Brachypodium hybridum and Its Putative Ancestors—Dissecting Complex Repetitive Structure of Intergenic Spacers

Nucleolar dominance is an epigenetic phenomenon associated with nuclear 35S rRNA genes and consists in selective suppression of gene loci inherited from one of the progenitors in the allopolyploid. Our understanding of the exact mechanisms that determine this process is still fragmentary, especially in case of the grass species. This study aimed to shed some light on the molecular basis of this genome-specific inactivation of 35S rDNA loci in an allotetraploid Brachypodium hybridum (2n = 30), which arose from the interspecific hybridization between two diploid ancestors that were very similar to modern B. distachyon (2n = 10) and B. stacei (2n = 20). Using fluorescence in situ hybridization with 25S rDNA and chromosome-specific BAC clones as probes we revealed that the nucleolar dominance is present not only in meristematic root-tip cells but also in differentiated cell fraction of B. hybridum. Additionally, the intergenic spacers (IGSs) from both of the putative ancestors and the allotetraploid were sequenced and analyzed. The presumptive transcription initiation sites, spacer promoters and repeated elements were identified within the IGSs. Two different length variants, 2.3 and 3.5 kb, of IGSs were identified in B. distachyon and B. stacei, respectively, however only the IGS that had originated from B. distachyon-like ancestor was present in the allotetraploid. The amplification pattern of B. hybridum IGSs suggests that some genetic changes occurred in inactive B. stacei-like rDNA loci during the evolution of the allotetraploid. We hypothesize that their preferential silencing is an effect of structural changes in the sequence rather than just the result of the sole inactivation at the epigenetic level.
Influence of language learning anxiety on L2 speaking and writing of Filipino engineering students

Feelings of anxiety, apprehension, and nervousness remain a prevailing phenomenon in learning a second or a foreign language. This explanatory sequential research examined the influence of language learning anxiety on students’ second language (henceforth L2) writing and speaking performance. A total of 162 students in an engineering University in Manila, the Philippines participated in the initial quantitative phase, in which they accomplished a self-developed scale adapted from Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope’s (1986) Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) to fit the context of the present investigation. Speaking and writing scores from an institutional English language test were also used as measures for the outcome variables. The analyses of variance yielded significant results for both anxiety on speaking [F(2,162)=43.35; p=0.00; h p 2 =0.35] and anxiety on writing [F(2,162)=10.73; p=0.00; h p 2 =0.12]. The findings on the influence of language learning anxiety on speaking corroborate previous studies that found high levels of anxiety to have debilitative impact on L2 speaking. Interestingly, however, the influence of anxiety on writing reflects the less frequent facilitative impact of anxiety on language abilities found in a very small number of studies in the literature. Therefore, in the consequent, qualitative phase, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews among nine, purposefully selected respondents and focused on the factors explaining the dissimilar influence of anxiety on L2 speaking and writing. Results exposed the double-edged nature of anxiety within the study’s context. On one hand, social comparison-instigated anxiety debilitated speaking task performance. On the other, grade anxiety facilitated constant correction, which aided the engineering students in writing task performance. Besides implication for research, the pedagogical implications of the results in relation to teaching engineering students as learners of English are provided. Keywords: language learning anxiety; facilitative anxiety; debilitative anxiety; engineering students as learners of English; explanatory sequential
Tingkat Dukungan Orang Tua Terhadap Belajar Siswa

THE LEVEL OF PARENTS SUPPORT TO LEARN CHILDREN. This study aims to describe the level of parents support to learn children. The results of this study serve as the basic design of home visit services as one way to improve the parent support system in learning children. This research is a quantitative research. The subjects of this study were students of grade VIII at SMPN 31 Purworejo which amounted to 31 students. The research data was collected using Parent/Guardian Support Questionnaire to Child Learning and Questionnaire of Child's Opinion on Support of Parent/Guardian developed by the researcher from Ariffin concept (1992) with the number of items of each instrument as much as 40. Reliability value of instrument were calculated using Cronbach Alpa formula of 0,886. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic using mean, mean, average, and standard deviation. Descriptions go through the categorization of normal distribution by category: very high, high, medium, low, and very low. The findings of this study show that 41% of parents/guardians have support for children's learning in very high category, 45,1% of high category, and 12,9% of moderate category. Based on the opinion of the students, there are 45,1% students who believe that the carrying capacity of the parents/guardian to the learning of the child is in very high category, 45,1% of the high category, 6,4% of the medium category, and found 3,2% of the low category. These findings serve as a basis for providing trajectory to parents to improve parental support systems for child learning.