Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in locally advanced cervical cancer: potential biomarkers for predicting preoperative radiochemotherapy sensitivity and prognosis

Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is an early-stage cervical cancer characterized by a local tumor diameter of ≥4 cm. Patients with LACC have a relatively poor prognosis. Although preoperative radiochemotherapy (PRCT) might offer a valuable opportunity for subsequent radical surgery, surgeons should also consider the nonresponsive rate, the adverse effects of PRCT, and the surgical complications before designing a treatment plan. Therefore, biomarkers for predicting PRCT sensitivity and prognosis in patients with LACC are of high importance. We investigated the prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in patients with LACC. A total of 43 patients with LACC who underwent PRCT (one course each of intravenous chemotherapy and after-loading intracavitary brachytherapy followed by a radical hysterectomy) during the period 2009–2014 were included in this study. VEGF and HIF-1α expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in LACC lesions before and after PRCT. In addition, we analyzed the association of these proteins with the clinical response and pathological findings of pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM) after the subsequent surgery. The total clinical response rate was 81.39% after PRCT, including five complete responses and 30 partial responses. VEGF and HIF-1α expression before PRCT was significantly higher than after PRCT (VEGF: 85.71% vs 66.67%; HIF-1α: 83.33% vs 59.52%, P<0.05). In addition, the same trend was found in patients with PLNM compared to those without PLNM (VEGF: 100% vs 77.78%; HIF-1α: 100% vs 74.07%, P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.896 and 0.835 when using pre-PRCT VEGF and HIF-1α expression levels, respectively, to diagnose PLNM in patients with LACC. Serial detection of VEGF and HIF-1α demonstrated a sensitivity of 66.67% and specificity of 88.89%. These findings suggest that VEGF and HIF-1α expressions are potential biomarkers for PRCT and have great clinical significance for the prediction of PRCT response and prognosis in patients with LACC.
Phonological and lexical development in normal and late-talking toddlers

Abstract Toddlers in the lowest tenth percentile for lexical production, based on parental report (late talkers), were compared with age- and language-matched controls on measures of phonetic complexity, lexical development, and grammatical complexity. Late talkers were placed in the pre-meaningful speech group if they produced fewer than 10 different words or in the meaningful speech group if they produced more than 10 different words in a spontaneous language sample. Late talkers who had entered the meaningful speech stage scored higher than those who had not on most of the measures of phonology, lexical, and grammatical complexity in intelligible speech, but not on measures of phonological development in babble. These results are compatible with other studies that found an overlap between phonology, lexicon, and grammar, as well as with those that suggested the importance of true consonant production for lexical development.
Effect of temperature, light and salinity on seed germination and radicle growth of the geographically widespread halophyte shrub Halocnemum strobilaceum.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The small leafy succulent shrub Halocnemum strobilaceum occurs in saline habitats from northern Africa and Mediterranean Europe to western Asia, and it is a dominant species in salt deserts such as those of north-west China. The effects of temperature, light/darkness and NaCl salinity were tested on seed germination, and the effects of salinity were tested on seed germination recovery, radicle growth and radicle elongation recovery, using seeds from north-west China; the results were compared with those previously reported on this species from 'salt steppes' in the Mediterranean region of Spain. METHODS Seed germination was tested over a range of temperatures in light and in darkness and over a range of salinities at 25 degrees C in the light. Seeds that did not germinate in the NaCl solutions were tested for germination in deionized water. Seeds from which radicles had barely emerged in deionized water were transferred to NaCl solutions for 10 d and then back to deionized water for 10 d to test for radicle growth and recovery. KEY RESULTS Seeds germinated to higher percentages in light than in darkness and at high than at low temperatures. Germination percentages decreased with an increase in salinity from 0.1 to 0.75 M NaCl. Seeds that did not germinate in NaCl solutions did so after transfer to deionized water. Radicle elongation was increased by low salinity, and then it decreased with an increase in salinity, being completely inhibited by > or = 2.0 M NaCl. Elongation of radicles from salt solutions < 3.0 M resumed after seedlings were transferred to deionized water. CONCLUSIONS The seed and early seedling growth stages of the life cycle of H. strobilaceum are very salt tolerant, and their physiological responses differ somewhat between the Mediterranean 'salt steppe' of Spain and the inland cold salt desert of north-west China.
PENGARUH KECERDASAN EMOSIONAL TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA SMK KANSAI PEKANBARU

ABSTRACT The aim of this research is to know influence of emotional intelligence toward student’s mathematic score in SMK Kansai Pekanbaru. The Population of this research is all students who number 191 students in SMK Kansai Pekanbaru at the academic years 2016/2017. The instrument used in the research is emotional intelligence questionaire. The data were descriptive and quantitative analyzed using linear and regression test. The result of this research showed that were influenced emotional intelligence toward student’s mathematic score. The linearity score is 0.042 which lower than significant score is 0.05. It has linear connection between emotional intelligence and mathematic score. And the regression score is 0.044 which lower than significant score is 0.05 until there were influenced emotional intelligence toward student’s mathematic score. The Determination coefficient score is 0.021, the mean of that emotional intelligence factor influenced toward student’s mathematic score until 2.1%, and more of that influenced by other factors. The result of regression analize got constant score is 53.77 and regression coefficient for emotional intelligence variable is 0.25. Therefore, the simple regression equation is Y = 53,77 + 0,25X. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Mathematic Score
Non-Genomic Effects of Xenoestrogen Mixtures

Xenoestrogens (XEs) are chemicals derived from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources that can interfere with endogenous estrogens by either mimicking or blocking their responses via non-genomic and/or genomic signaling mechanisms. Disruption of estrogens’ actions through the less-studied non-genomic pathway can alter such functional end points as cell proliferation, peptide hormone release, catecholamine transport, and apoptosis, among others. Studies of potentially adverse effects due to mixtures and to low doses of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have recently become more feasible, though few so far have included actions via the non-genomic pathway. Physiologic estrogens and XEs evoke non-monotonic dose responses, with different compounds having different patterns of actions dependent on concentration and time, making mixture assessments all the more challenging. In order to understand the spectrum of toxicities and their mechanisms, future work should focus on carefully studying individual and mixture components across a range of concentrations and cellular pathways in a variety of tissue types.
Laboratory evaluation of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

BACKGROUND Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are potentially lethal yet usually surgically curable causes of endocrine hypertension; therefore, once clinical suspicion is aroused it is imperative that clinicians choose the most appropriate laboratory tests to identify the tumors. CONTENT Compelling evidence now indicates that initial screening for PPGLs should include measurements of plasma free metanephrines or urine fractionated metanephrines. LC-MS/MS offers numerous advantages over other analytical methods and is the method of choice when measurements include methoxytyramine, the O-methylated metabolite of dopamine. The plasma test offers advantages over the urine test, although it is rarely implemented correctly, rendering the urine test preferable for mainstream use. To ensure optimum diagnostic sensitivity for the plasma test, reference intervals must be established for blood samples collected after 30 min of supine rest and after an overnight fast when measurements include methoxytyramine. Similarly collected blood samples during screening, together with use of age-adjusted reference intervals, further minimize false-positive results. Extents and patterns of increases in plasma normetanephrine, metanephrine, and methoxytyramine can additionally help predict size and adrenal vs extraadrenal locations of tumors, as well as presence of metastases and underlying germline mutations of tumor susceptibility genes. SUMMARY Carried out correctly at specialist endocrine centers, collection of blood for measurements of plasma normetanephrine, metanephrine, and methoxytyramine not only provides high accuracy for diagnosis of PPGLs, but can also guide clinical decision-making about follow-up imaging strategies, genetic testing, and therapeutic options. At other centers, measurements of urine fractionated metanephrines will identify most PPGLs.
Current-driven wire planning for electromigration avoidance in analog circuits

Electromigration due to insufficient wire width can cause the premature failure of a circuit. The ongoing reduction of circuit feature sizes has aggravated the problem over the last couple of years, especially with analog circuits. It is therefore an important reliability issue to consider current densities already in the physical design stage. We present a new methodology capable of routing analog multi-terminal signal nets with current-dependent wire widths. It is based on current-driven wire planning which effectively determines all branch currents prior to detailed routing. We also discuss successful applications of our methodology in commercial analog circuit design.
The Th1/Th2 nature of concurrent immune responses to unrelated antigens can be independent.

We tested the independence hypothesis, namely that the Th1/Th2 nature of concurrent immune responses, generated in the same secondary lymphoid organ to non-cross-reacting Ags, can be independently determined. Some infectious agents and some adjuvants contain modulatory molecules that affect the Th1/Th2 nature of immune responses in a non-Ag-specific manner. We therefore excluded infectious agents as Ags and the use of adjuvants to generate immune responses. We first show that the dose of xenogeneic RBC administered i.v. determines the Th1/Th2 nature of the splenic immune response. Low doses generate a virtually exclusive Th1 response, whereas a higher dose induces either a mixed Th1/Th2 or a predominantly Th2 response, and stimulates the production of specific Abs. We immunized individual mice simultaneously with a low dose of one kind of xenogeneic RBC and with a higher dose of another non-cross-reacting xenogeneic RBC and assessed the Th1/Th2 nature of the immune responses generated in the spleen to each kind of RBC. The Th1/Th2 nature of the response to each RBC in doubly immunized mice was indistinguishable from that of the corresponding immune response in singly immunized mice. We discuss the significance of our findings for understanding immune class regulation, and the possible reasons why such independence is not always seen.
When Credit Dries Up: Job Losses in the Great Recession

We use a unique dataset to estimate the impact of a large credit supply shock on employment in Spain. We exploit marked differences in banks’ health at the onset of the Great Recession. Several weak banks were rescued by the State and they reduced credit more than other banks. We compare employment changes from 2006 to 2010 at firms heavily indebted to weak banks before the crisis and the rest. Our estimates imply that these firms suffered an additional employment drop between 3 and 13.5 percentage points due to weak-bank attachment, representing between 8% and 36% of aggregate job losses.
Performance of multi-radio wireless mesh networks: An experimental approach

We present a performance study of a wireless mesh network based on off-the-shelf 802.11 technology. Unlike earlier work, we explore the practical constraints of the use of a “vanilla”, unmodified 802.11 MAC layer. We also consider the use of multiple radios, in the 5GHz band, to reduce interference. We establish the origin of degradation and limits in performance of practical deployments and study means to circumvent them. We focus our analysis on simple means, deployed in the network without attempting to modify the Internet Protocol stack on clients and focusing on ubiquitous layer 3 mechanisms, which limit bandwidth and only influence sharing. Using as a yardstick equity between TCP flows, which more than ever represent the dominant support for application traffic in the Internet, we show which improvements can be achieved over unmanaged usage and at what cost, and discuss implications for their use.
FINANCIAL ATTITUDES DAN KOMUNIKASI KELUARGA TENTANG PENGELUARAN UANG SAKU : DITINJAU DARI PERBEDAAN GENDER

Previous researches showed that the range of financial attitudes of male and female are different. In addition, communication patterns between men and women also different, men have a tendency to be less open than women. On the one hand, there is research says that financial issues can trigger conflict affects families and personal lives and academic success. This study attempts to examine the problems using student of Faculty of Economics and Business Satya Wacana Christian University (n = 302). The results showed that there are differences in various financial attitudes between women and men, women and men have the same level of openness in family communication about spending their pocket money and financial attitudes owned by women and men can affect family communication about spending their pocket money. Keyword: Financial Attitudes, Family Communication, Gender
Two Gastroenteritis Outbreaks Caused by GII Noroviruses: Host Susceptibility and HBGA Phenotypes

Noroviruses (NoVs) cause epidemic acute gastroenteritis, in which histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) may play an important role in the host susceptibility. To further explore this issue, two outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis caused by a GII.4 and a GII.3 NoV, respectively, in China in 2009 were studied. Stool and saliva samples from symptomatic patients and water samples from the outbreak facilities were collected. RT-PCR showed that 23 out of 33 (GII.4 outbreak) and 12 out of 13 (GII.3outbreak) stool samples were NoV positive. For the GII.4 outbreak the NoV sequences of stool and water samples were from an identical GII.4 strain, while the same GII.3 NoV sequences were found in five stool samples from the GII.3 outbreak. The HBGA phenotypes (A, B, Lea, Leb, Lex, and Ley) of all saliva samples were determined, which revealed both secretors and nonsecretors in the symptomatic groups of the two outbreaks. In the GII.3 outbreak, type O individuals appeared less susceptible, while the type A may be more at risk of infection. However, No preference of HBGAs was observed in the GII.4 outbreak. The observation that nonsecretors were infected in both outbreaks differed from the previous results that nonsecretors are resistant to these two GII NoVs.
Effect of background music on the mathematics test anxiety of college algebra students

This study investigated the effect of background music, played prior to an exam, on the mathematics test anxiety and academic achievement of college algebra students. Two research questions were posed. The first question inquired if the use of background music played while students study 10 minutes prior to an exam, as opposed to the students studying in silence 10 minutes prior to an exam, reduced the level of mathematics test anxiety. The second question inquired if there would be a significant difference in the achievement scores of the students exposed to background music while studying to background music. The participants were 160 college algebra students at West Virginia University. All participants completed a revised version of the MARS and the first college algebra exam for the semester in the course. Data analyses indicated that studying to background music reduced the math anxiety of the participants. Achievement scores were not affected by the background music for either high anxiety students or low anxiety students.
One-Step Implicit Hybrid Block Method for TheDirect Solution of General Second Order OrdinaryDifferential Equations

A one-step implicit hybrid block solution method for initial value problems of general second order ordinary differential equations has been studied in this paper. The onestep method is augmented by the inclusion of off step points to enable the multistep procedure. This guaranteed zero stability as well as consistency of the resulting method. The convergence and weak stability properties of the new method have been established. Results from the new method compared with those obtained from existing methods show that the new method gives better accuracy.
Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Economic Decision Making

By employing the methodology of experimental economics, the thesis examines the influence of emotions on decision making in electronic auction markets. Subjects' emotional processes are measured by psychophysiological indicators, helping to decipher the coherence of information, emotion (regulation) and decision making. Four chapters build the main body of the thesis and all are constructed similarly: introduction, design, method, results, limitations, theoretical and managerial implications.
The multiple quasar Q2237+0305 under a microlensing caustic

We use the high magnification event seen in the 1999 OGLE campaign light curve of image C of the quadruply imaged gravitational lens Q2237+0305 to study the structure of the quasar engine. We have obtained g' - and r' -band photometry at the Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope where we find that the event has a smaller amplitude in the r' -band than in the g' - and OGLE V -bands. By comparing the light curves with microlensing simulations we obtain constraints on the sizes of the quasar regions contributing to the g' - and r' -band flux. Assuming that most of the surface mass density in the central kiloparsec of the lensing galaxy is due to stars and by modeling the source with a Gaussian profile, we obtain for the Gaussian width 1.20$\times$10 15 $\sqrt{{M}/{0.1~M_\odot}}$ cm $\la \sigma_{g'} \la$ 7.96$\times$ 10$^{15} \sqrt{{M}/{0.1~M_\odot}}$ cm, where M is the mean microlensing mass, and a ratio $\sigma_{r'}/\sigma_{g'} = 1.25^{+0.45}_{-0.15}$. With the limits on the velocity of the lensing galaxy from Gil-Merino et al. (2005) as our only prior, we obtain 0.60$\times$10 15 $\sqrt{{M}/{0.1~M_\odot}}$ cm $\la \sigma_{g'} \la$ 1.57$\times$10 15 $\sqrt{{M}/{0.1~M_\odot}}$ cm and a ratio $\sigma_{r'}/\sigma_{g'} = 1.45^{+0.90}_{-0.25}$ (all values at 68 percent confidence). Additionally, from our microlensing simulations we find that, during the chromatic microlensing event observed, the continuum emitting region of the quasar crossed a caustic at ≥ 72 percent confidence.
Roles of Intracellular Cyclic AMP Signal Transduction in the Capacitation and Subsequent Hyperactivation of Mouse and Boar Spermatozoa

It is not until accomplishment of a variety of molecular changes during the transit through the female reproductive tract that mammalian spermatozoa are capable of exhibiting highly activated motility with asymmetric whiplash beating of the flagella (hyperactivation) and undergoing acrosomal exocytosis in the head (acrosome reaction). These molecular changes of the spermatozoa are collectively termed capacitation and promoted by bicarbonate, calcium and cholesterol acceptors. Such capacitation-promoting factors can stimulate intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) signal transduction in the spermatozoa. Meanwhile, hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction are essential to sperm fertilization with oocytes and are apparently triggered by a sufficient increase of intracellular Ca2+ in the sperm flagellum and head, respectively. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the relationship between cAMP signal transduction and calcium signaling cascades in the spermatozoa for the purpose of understanding the molecular basis of capacitation. In this review, I cover updated insights regarding intracellular cAMP signal transduction, the acrosome reaction and flagellar motility in mammalian spermatozoa and then account for possible roles of intracellular cAMP signal transduction in the capacitation and subsequent hyperactivation of mouse and boar spermatozoa.
Dietary N-acetyl-L-cysteine modulates benzo[a]pyrene-induced skin tumors in cancer-prone p53 haploinsufficient Tg.AC (v-Ha-ras) mice.

Epidemiologic studies support the protective role of dietary antioxidants in preventing cancer. However, emerging evidence from clinical trials and laboratory data suggest that in some cases individual antioxidant supplements may actually exacerbate carcinogenesis. Our goal was to explore these paradoxical activities in a rodent model that possesses genotypic characteristics of human cancers. We selected the p53 haploinsufficient Tg.AC (v-Ha-ras) mouse as a model, because it contains an activated, carcinogeninducible ras oncogene and an inactivated p53 tumor suppressor gene, which are frequent genetic alterations in human cancers. These mice develop chemically induced benign and malignant skin tumors rapidly which can easily be quantified. Mice were fed basal diets with or without 3% N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a well-recognized antioxidant, prior to, during and after topical application of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (64 microg/mouse) applied twice per week for 7 weeks. Tumor incidence exceeded 90% for both groups, and NAC did not reduce tumor latency. Mice fed NAC displayed a 43% reduction (P < 0.05) in tumor multiplicity and delayed the appearance of lesions (P < 0.05). Dietary NAC also significantly (P < 0.05) improved group survival by 5 weeks. Total tumor yields were reduced in both dietary groups but malignant spindle cell tumors (SCT) increased by 25% in NAC-fed mice. The v-Ha-ras oncogene and p53 protein products were clearly co-expressed in both benign and malignant lesions from both dietary groups. In summary, dietary supplementation with NAC was chemopreventive, but the marginal increase in SCT suggests a paradoxical effect.