Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin intake and liver cancer risk: a report from two cohort studies in China.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies on the relationship between vitamin intake and liver cancer risk are sparse and inconsistent. METHODS We evaluated vitamin intake from diet and supplements and risk of liver cancer in 132,837 women and men from China who were recruited into the Shanghai Women's Health Study from 1997 to 2000 or the Shanghai Men's Health Study from 2002 to 2006. In-person interviews, using a validated food-frequency questionnaire, were conducted to collect data on dietary habits. Follow-up consisted of in-person surveys and record linkage. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models with adjustment for potential confounders to compare liver cancer risk among participants with high vs low vitamin intake. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS After excluding the first 2 years of follow-up, 267 participants (including 118 women and 149 men) developed liver cancer during an average of 10.9 (Shanghai Women's Health Study) or 5.5 (Shanghai Men's Health Study) years of follow-up. Dietary vitamin E intake was inversely associated with liver cancer risk (P(trend) = . 01), as was vitamin E supplement use (hazard ratio = 0.52, 95% confidence interval = 0.30 to 0.90). This association was consistent among participants with and without self-reported liver disease or a family history of liver cancer. Vitamin C and multivitamin use was associated with increased risk among participants with self-reported liver disease or family history of liver cancer, whereas intake of vitamin C and other vitamins from dietary sources was unrelated to liver cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin E intake, either from diet or supplements, may reduce the risk of liver cancer.
Kinematic model inversions of hot star recurrent DAC data - tests against dynamical CIR models

The Discrete Absorption Components (DACs) commonly observed in the ultraviolet lines of hot stars have previously been modelled by dynamical simulations of Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) in their line-driven stellar winds. Here we apply the kinematic DAC inversion method of Brown et al. to the hydrodynamical CIR models and test the reliability of the results obtained. We conclude that the inversion method is able to recover valuable information on the velocity structure of the mean wind and to trace movement of velocity plateaux in the hydrodynamical data, though the recovered density profile of the stream is correct only very near to the stellar surface.
Roles of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors in Carcinogenesis

The fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) play essential roles both during development and in the adult. Upon ligand binding, FGFRs induce intracellular signaling networks that tightly regulate key biological processes, such as cell proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation. Deregulation of FGFR signaling can thus alter tissue homeostasis and has been associated with several developmental syndromes as well as with many types of cancer. In human cancer, FGFRs have been found to be deregulated by multiple mechanisms, including aberrant expression, mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, and amplifications. In this review, we will give an overview of the main FGFR alterations described in human cancer to date and discuss their contribution to cancer progression. Mol Cancer Res; 8(11); 1439–52. ©2010 AACR.
Student Perspectives in Advanced Placement for First-Year and Traditionally Underrepresented Students: Successes, Challenges, and Shifts in Their Academic Identity

This study examined the perceptions of first-year Advanced Placement (AP) students; specifically traditionally underrepresented AP students from a high school that attempted to align its AP enrollment to the demographics of its school. This research contributed to the body of knowledge around first-year and traditionally underrepresented students participating in AP courses by identifying their perceived supports and challenges in their AP courses through a preand post-survey (n = 81) as well as selected student interviews (n = 5). The importance of this study is the student perspectives about the supports, the challenges, and their perceived changes that occurred in their academic identity while enrolled in the AP class. The first phase of this research analyzed the marks students earned in their AP classes, scores from their AP exams, and survey data to identify student perceptions of supports and challenges in their AP classes. At the end of the first phase, changes in their perceived academic identity were analyzed from responses on preand postsurveys. The second phase of the research design included interviews of purposefully selected students to gain a deeper understanding of the findings from the first phase of the study. The factor that most helped first-year students succeed was that their AP teacher believed they could be successful in the class. The quantitative survey data and student interviews revealed that students were challenged by the difficulty of content in AP classes, the amount of work, and managing their time. First-year AP iv students exhibited statistically significant decreases (p < .05) from the preto post-AP survey in their perceptions of their academic self and academic strategies. The results and implications from this study are discussed and may provide insight for suburban high schools that are experiencing a shift in student demographics to better meet the academic needs of all students in AP.
Developmental problems in adolescence. A person-centered analysis across time and domains

This longitudinal study investigated patterns of developmental problems across depression, aggression, and academic achievement during adolescence, using two measurement points two years apart (N=1,665; age T1: M = 13.14; female = 49.6 percent). Latent Profile Analyses and Latent Transition Analyses yielded four main findings: A three-type solution provided the best fit to the data: an asymptomatic type (i.e., low problem scores in all three domains), a depressed type (i.e., high scores in depression), an aggressive type (i.e., high scores in aggression). Profile types were invariant over the two data waves but differed between girls and boys, revealing gender-specific patterns of comorbidity. Stabilities over time were high for the asymptomatic type and for types that represented problems in one domain, but moderate for comorbid types. Differences in demographic variables (i.e., age, socio-economic status) and individual characteristics (i.e., self-esteem, dysfunctional cognitions, cognitive capabilities) predicted profile type memberships and longitudinal transitions between types.
SPEAKERS' AWARENESS OF SOME NON-SEGMENTAL ASPECTS OF FOREIGN ACCENT

O. INTRODUCTION. It is well known that adult foreign language learners may pronounce speech sounds in a foreign language according to the sometimes Inappropriate phonetic norms of their native lanljuaqe (Barry, 1974). lIowever, it appears that not all of these measureable phonetic differences between native and accented speech will necessarily lead listeners to perceive the substitution of one sound for another (Flege, 1980). There are several such non-segmental phonetic differences between Spanish-accented English and native English which provide us with an opportunity to test a hypothesis concerning how listeners actually do perceive foreign accent. It has been sU'lgested that listeners may experience foreign accent as a "whole" or "gestalt" without being aware of the many specific phonetic deviations from native language norms which are responsible (Jonas son and McAllister, 1972). If this is true, then listeners hearing their native language produced with a foreign accent may notice only segmental substitutions, fllterln,! out purely phonetic deviations while interpreting the phonetically inaccurate sounds produced by forei! 1ners In terms of phoneme classes of their native language (Trubetzkoy, 1969: 51ff.; Strange and Jenkins, 1978).
MicroRNA-223 Increases the Sensitivity of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis by Targeting HAX-1

Drug resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Recent studies have demonstrated that this drug resistance is associated with a group of cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are believed to determine the sensitivity of tumor cells to cancer treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play significant roles in normal and cancer cells. MiR-223 reportedly acts as a tumor suppressor in a range of cancers. However, the role of miR-223 in TNBC, especially in triple-negative breast cancer stem cells (TNBCSCs), remains unknown. Here, we found that miR-223 expression was down-regulated in CD44+CD24-/low TNBCSCs compared with non-CSCs. Furthermore, we found that miR-223 overexpression resensitized TNBCSCs to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. The HAX-1 gene, which is located in the mitochondria and functions as an anti-apoptotic protein, was found to be directly regulated by miR-223 in MDA-MB-231 cells. We demonstrated that miR-223 overexpression promoted TRAIL-induced apoptosis through the mitochondria/ROS pathway. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-223 increases the sensitivity of TNBCSCs to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by targeting HAX-1. Our findings have improved our understanding of the role of miR-223 in TNBC and may contribute to TNBC treatment.
PEDOT:PSS Interfaces Support the Development of Neuronal Synaptic Networks with Reduced Neuroglia Response In vitro

The design of electrodes based on conductive polymers in brain-machine interface technology offers the opportunity to exploit variably manufactured materials to reduce gliosis, indeed the most common brain response to chronically implanted neural electrodes. In fact, the use of conductive polymers, finely tailored in their physical-chemical properties, might result in electrodes with improved adaptability to the brain tissue and increased charge-transfer efficiency. Here we interfaced poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) doped with different amounts of ethylene glycol (EG) with rat hippocampal primary cultures grown for 3 weeks on these synthetic substrates. We used immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined to single cell electrophysiology to assess the biocompatibility of PEDOT:PSS in terms of neuronal growth and synapse formation. We investigated neuronal morphology, density and electrical activity. We reported the novel observation that opposite to neurons, glial cell density was progressively reduced, hinting at the ability of this material to down regulate glial reaction. Thus, PEDOT:PSS is an attractive candidate for the design of new implantable electrodes, controlling the extent of glial reactivity without affecting neuronal viability and function.
A tendon-driven continuum robot with extensible sections

Tendon-driven continuum robots offer increased dexterity and manipulability in comparison to conventional rigid link serial manipulators. Being able to conform to complex curves in 3D space, continuum robots are in particular useful for applications in restricted and hardly accessible environments. The workspace of a tendon-driven continuum robot depends on the number of sections, as well as the length of each section and its range of bending radii. Common tendon-driven robot designs have fixed section lengths such that deployment along a tortuous paths requires additional linear translation of the whole robot. In this paper, we propose a novel tendon-driven continuum robot with extensible sections. A telescoping backbone allows control of the section length during operation in addition to bending through tendon actuation. Thus, the arc length of a section can vary and the range of bending radii is enlarged. As a result, the novel robot design inherently allows for deployment along tortuous paths in a follow-the-leader fashion. We suggest the use of spacer disks equipped with permanent magnets with alternating pole orientation. The magnetic repulsion forces enable equidistant spacing of the disks at any lengths of a robot section. We prove the concepts of our novel design with experiments using a first prototype.
Bayesian Dynamic Factor Models and Portfolio Allocation

We discuss the development of dynamic factor models for multivariate financial time series, and the incorporation of stochastic volatility components for latent factor processes. Bayesian inference and computation is developed and explored in a study of the dynamic factor structure of daily spot exchange rates for a selection of international currencies. The models are direct generalizations of univariate stochastic volatility models and represent specific varieties of models recently discussed in the growing multivariate stochastic volatility literature. We discuss model fitting based on retrospective data and sequential analysis for forward filtering and short-term forecasting. Analyses are compared with results from the much simpler method of dynamic variance-matrix discounting that, for over a decade, has been a standard approach in applied financial econometrics. We study these models in analysis, forecasting, and sequential portfolio allocation for a selected set of international exchange-rate-return time series. Our goals are to understand a range of modeling questions arising in using these factor models and to explore empirical performance in portfolio construction relative to discount approaches. We report on our experiences and conclude with comments about the practical utility of structured factor models and on future potential model extensions.
‘I Felt they were Ganging up on me’: Interviewing Siblings at Home

Abstract This contribution explores the methodological implications and some of the inter- and intra-generational power relations involved when carrying out research with children at home. It draws on data from individual and group interviews about children's experiences of sibling relationships and birth order. The study was conducted with 90 children between the ages of 5 and 17, from 30 families of mixed socio-economic backgrounds in central Scotland with three siblings within this age range. The contribution discusses some task-based interview techniques as well as the advantages and disadvantages of interviewing siblings individually and in groups within the home setting.
A Closer Look at Charter Schools Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling. NCES 2006-460.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. is responsible, by law, for carrying out the NAEP project through competitive awards to qualified organizations. By making objective information on student performance available to policymakers at the national, state, and local levels, NAEP is an integral part of our nation's evaluation of the condition and progress of education. Only information related to academic achievement and relevant variables is collected under this program. The privacy of individual students and their families is protected to the fullest extent allowable under the law, and the identities of participating schools are not released. In 1988, Congress established the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) to oversee and set policy for NAEP. The Board is responsible for selecting the subject areas to be assessed; setting appropriate student achievement levels; developing assessment objectives and test specifications ; developing a process for the review of the assessment; designing the assessment methodology; developing guidelines for reporting and disseminating NAEP results; developing standards and procedures for interstate, regional, and national comparisons; determining the appropriateness of all assessment items and ensuring the assessment items are free from bias and are secular, neutral, and nonideologi-cal; taking actions to improve the form, content, use, and reporting of results of the National Assessment; and planning and executing the initial public release of NAEP reports. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data related to education in the United States and other nations. It fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report full and complete statistics on the condition of education in the United States; conduct and publish reports and specialized analyses of the meaning and significance of such statistics; assist state and local education agencies in improving their statistical systems; and review and report on education activities in foreign countries. general public. Unless specifically noted, all information contained herein is in the public domain. We strive to make our products available in a variety of formats and in language that is appropriate to a variety of audiences. You, as our customer, are the best judge of our success in communicating information effectively. If you have any comments or suggestions about this or any other NCES product or report, we would like to hear from you. …
Author ' s personal copy Designing colloidal suspensions for directed materials assembly

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Recent advances in microfluidic and direct-write assembly of colloidal suspensions open new avenues for microscale patterning of functional materials with controlled composition, geometry, and properties. In this article, we describe fundamental aspects of suspension structure, elasticity, and flow behavior for three important systems: (1) dense liquids (and glasses), (2) gels, and (3) biphasic mixtures. We also highlight examples from the current literature of colloidal architectures patterned by these emerging methods. The ability to pattern colloidal suspensions in planar and three-dimensional motifs is critical for myriad technologies, including optical displays, designer pharmaceuticals, micro-electromechanical systems, and printed electronics. The broad diversity of potentially relevant materials, length scales, and architectures underscores the need for flexible patterning approaches. Emerging routes based on microfluidic [1 • ,2 • • ] and direct-write assembly [3 • • ] enable the rapid design and fabrication of colloidal materials without the need for expensive tooling, dies, or lithographic masks, and therefore offer exciting opportunities for materials assembly. Colloidal suspensions used in these directed assembly methods must flow without clogging through confined geometries [4], such as microchannel(s) or nozzle(s) within the fluidic device or printhead. The desired flow behavior can be achieved by carefully controlling three key parameters: the colloid volume fraction, ϕ, interparticle attraction strength, U, and applied stress, σ, as shown in Fig. 1a [5 • • ]. These parameters also strongly influence the structure and elasticity of colloidal suspensions, which enable patterned structures to retain their shape and solidity after forming. In this article, we first describe three types of dense colloidal suspensions that can be designed for the microfluidic and direct-write assembly methods of interest: dense fluids and glasses, gels, and biphasic mixtures. Next, we introduce examples from the current literature of patterned colloidal architec-tures, ranging from novel granular media to flexible, stretchable, and spanning microelectrodes for printed electronics. Finally, opportunities and challenges associated with these emerging methods are highlighted. 2. Designing colloidal suspensions 2.1. Suspension structure The design of colloidal suspensions for microfluidic and direct-write assembly requires a fundamental understanding of the relationship between suspension …
From MAP to DIST: The Evolution of a Large-Scale WLAN Monitoring System

The edge of the Internet is increasingly becoming wireless. Therefore, monitoring the wireless edge is important to understanding the security and performance aspects of the Internet experience. We designed and implemented a large-scale WLAN monitoring system, the Dartmouth Internet security testbed (DIST), at Dartmouth College. It is equipped with distributed arrays of "sniffers" that cover 210 diverse campus locations and more than 5,000 users. In this paper, we describe our approach, designs, and solutions for addressing the technical challenges that have resulted from efficiency, scalability, security, and management perspectives. We also present extensive evaluation results on a production network, and summarize the lessons learned.
Buuer Management and Rate Guarantees for Tcppip over Satellite-atm Networks

In this paper we present tehniques to to improve the performance TCP/IP over satelliteATM networks, and to provide minimum rate guarantees to VCs carrying TCP/IP tra c. Many future systems are proposing to use ATM or ATM like technology to transport TCP/IP based data. These systems must be designed to support best e ort services, as well as enhanced services that provide minimum rate guarantees to TCP/IP tra c. In this paper we study four main issues. First, we discuss tehniques for optimizing TCP performance over satellite networks using the Unspeci ed Bit Rate (UBR) service. We then demonstrate that high priority background tra c can degrade TCP performance over UBR, and we discuss the use of rate guarantees to improve performance. We design a full factorial experiment to assess the bu er requirements for TCP over satellite-ATM networks. Finally, we discuss the use of the Guaranteed Frame Rate (GFR) service category to provide minimum rate guarantees to VCs carrying TCP/IP tra c. We propose the Di erential Fair Bu er Allocation (DFBA) scheme for bu er management that provides GFR guarantees to TCP/IP tra c over satellite latencies. We use full factorial experimental design with various latencies, bu er sizes, and TCP types for our simulations.
Challenges for Teaching Injury Prevention in a Juvenile Detention Center

ABSTRACT This case study explored the injury related experiences and perceptions of youth in detention and the delivery of first aid education in youth detention contexts. It aimed to develop an understanding of how a mainstream injury prevention intervention could be modified for youth detention populations. Teacher and student reactions to the program were examined and injury checklists, focus groups, and staff interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed serious injuries related to criminal behaviors, violence, dangerous driving, and substance use. Recommendations for youth detention interventions include lesson flexibility, discussions, role-plays, visual materials, peer support strategies, student-teacher relationships, and positive reinforcement.