Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overt subjects in early Basque and other null subject languages

This study focuses on person marking in early Basque and other null subject languages. From very early on, person marking on the verb and quite regular, adult-like, null subject rates are attested across early acquisition studies on genetically related and unrelated pro-drop languages. We survey several studies on bilingual children simultaneously acquiring two languages with the opposite value for the pro-drop parameter. The conclusion drawn is that children display a monolingual-like pattern in the production of person marking, overt subjects, and personal pronouns in the null subject language, whereas, in the non-null subject language, bilinguals evidence delayed target person marking and overt subject production. These data are compatible with the view that children correctly set the default parametric value at early stages and separate the languages being acquired. However, it is argued that accounts based on the lexical learning of features in the functional category T(ense) may better account for the crosslinguistic data. Moreover, the accuracy observed in overt person inflection production leads to the proposal that (the spelling out of) the [person] or [D] feature in T(ense) is the first subject feature available to the language acquirer, previous to other candidates such as number or case.
On-demand power management for ad hoc networks

Battery power is an important resource in ad hoc networks. It has been observed that in ad hoc networks, energy consumption does not reflect the communication activities in the network. Many existing energy conservation protocols based on electing a routing backbone for global connectivity are oblivious to traffic characteristics. In this paper, we propose an extensible on-demand power management framework for ad hoc networks that adapts to traffic load. Nodes maintain soft-state timers that determine power management transitions. By monitoring routing control messages and data transmission, these timers are set and refreshed on-demand. Nodes that are not involved in data delivery may go to sleep as supported by the MAC protocol. This soft state is aggregated across multiple flows and its maintenance requires no additional out-of-band messages. We implement a prototype of our framework in the ns-2 simulator that uses the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. Simulation studies using our scheme with the dynamic source routing protocol show a reduction in energy consumption near 50% when compared to a network without power management under both long-lived CBR traffic and on-off traffic loads, with comparable throughput and latency. Preliminary results also show that it outperforms existing routing backbone election approaches.
Evaluating Reliability and Predictive Validity of the Persian Translation of Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT)

Objective: Early screening of autism increases the chance of receiving timely intervention. Using the Parent Report Questionnaires is effective in screening autism. The Q-CHAT is a new instrument that has shown several advantages than other screening tools. Because there is no adequate tool for the early screening of autistic traits in Iranian children, we aimed to investigate the adequacy of the Persian translation of Q-CHAT. Method: At first, we prepared the Persian translation of the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT). After that, an appropriate sample was selected and the check list was administered. Our sample included 100 children in two groups (typically developing and autistic children) who had been selected conveniently. Pearson’s r was used to determine test-retest reliability, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to explore the internal consistency of Q-CHAT. We used the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) to investigate whether Q-CHAT can adequately discriminate between typically developing and ASD children or not. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS 19. Result: The typically developing group consisted of 50 children with the mean age of 27.14 months, and the ASD group included50 children with the mean age of 29.62 months. The mean of the total score for the typically developing group was 22.4 (SD=6.26) on Q-CHAT and it was 50.94 (SD=12.35) for the ASD group, which was significantly different (p=0.00). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the checklist was 0.886, and test-retest reliability was calculated as 0.997 (p<0.01). The estimated area under the curve (AUC) was 0.971. It seems that the total score equal to 30 can be a good cut point to identify toddlers who are at risk of autism (sensitivity= 0.96 and specificity= 0.90). Conclusion: The Persian translation of Q-CHAT has good reliability and predictive validity and can be used as a screening tool to detect 18 to 24 months old children who are at risk of autism.
A Response to Hyde's (2007) Follow-Up to Tromovitch and Rind (2007)

Abstract Hyde (2003) critiqued our meta-analyses of child sexual abuse (CSA) correlates done on national and college samples (Rind & Tromovitch, 1997; Rind, Tromovitch, & Bauserman, 1998). Earlier in this issue, we argued point by point that her criticisms were not valid or did not affect our basic conclusions (Tromovitch & Rind, 2007). Next in this issue, Hyde (2007) continues to dispute some aspects of our studies, such as drawing conclusions from college samples. Hyde offered what she called “superior” studies and offered a diathesis-stress hypothesis for how CSA produces harm. In this rebuttal, we once again show that the college samples were quite informative in terms of assessing CSA-adjustment correlations, which are small on average, as they are in national, high school, and junior high school samples. We show once again that our treatment of the college and national data was proper and accurate. We also show that her “superior” studies have their own drawbacks and in any case do not alter our findings. Finally, we demonstrate weaknesses in her proposed hypothesis for CSA effects. Our rebuttal highlights the need for scientists to be more conservative in choice of terms for behaviors that are labeled “CSA,” because current practices produce poor predictive and face validity, are misleading, and contribute to the type of dispute present in the discussion between Hyde and us.
Basic numeracy in children with specific language impairment: heterogeneity and connections to language.

PURPOSE This study examined basic numerical skills in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and how well linguistic factors explain the variance in these children's number skills. METHOD The performance of children with SLI (n=29) was compared with that of typically developing children along a continuum ranging from preschool to 3rd grade (n=20, 47, 40, and 33). This facilitated both linguistic and educational age comparisons. To study number skills within the SLI group more closely, this group was divided into subgroups on the basis of their performance in verbal and nonverbal numerical skills. The performance of the different SLI subgroups on the linguistic and nonverbal reasoning task was analyzed. RESULTS As a single group, the children with SLI lagged behind their educational age controls in both verbal and nonverbal numerical skills. Subgroup analyses revealed that the ability to retrieve arithmetic facts from the memory was connected to naming fluency, whereas the differences in nonverbal numerical skills were not explained by the cognitive skills measured (nonverbal reasoning skill, verbal short-term memory, vocabulary, comprehension, and naming fluency). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that children with SLI form a very heterogeneous group in their numerical skills, and thus specific hypotheses concerning the influence of linguistic deficits on developing numerical skills are required. The cognitive components of serial naming speed present a promising domain for further exploration.
Can prenatal ultrasound detect the effects of in‐utero alcohol exposure? A pilot study

The aim of this pilot study was to explore possible ultrasound parameters for the early detection of alcohol‐mediated fetal somatic and central nervous system (CNS) maldevelopment. Maternal alcohol ingestion during pregnancy may lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which encompass a broad range of structural abnormalities including growth impairment, specific craniofacial features and CNS abnormalities. Early detection of fetuses at risk of FASD would support earlier interventions.
Translation of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA: parameters influencing the selection of the internal initiation site.

The initiation of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA translation is by internal ribosome entry almost exclusively at the 11th AUG codon from the 5′‐end, which is the central of the three AUG codons in the sequence. [sequence: see text]. , and is located some 25 nt downstream from an oligopyrimidine tract conserved amongst related viruses. As the sequences between the oligopyrimidine tract and AUG‐10/11 are poorly conserved and thus possibly serve only as a spacer, the influence of this spacer length on initiation frequency at the three AUG codons was examined in vitro and in vivo. Deletion of 11 residues resulted in initiation almost exclusively at AUG‐12 but at significantly reduced overall efficiency. Insertion of eight residues caused a 15‐fold increase in initiation frequency at AUG‐10 and a decrease at AUG‐11. Longer insertions reduced overall efficiency without changing the initiation site preferences. With the wild‐type spacing, complete substitution of the oligopyrimidine tract by purines caused a 30‐35% decrease in initiation efficiency, and partial substitution only a 10‐15% decrease. Thus the internal initiation mechanism selects the initiation site partly on the basis of its distance from upstream elements, of which the oligopyrimidine tract is not the most critical, but for reasons not yet understood a preference for AUG‐11 is superimposed on this selection.
Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Release and Load Are Enhanced by Subcellular cAMP Elevations in PI3K&ggr;-Deficient Mice

We recently showed that phosphoinositide-3-kinase-&ggr;–deficient (PI3K&ggr;−/−) mice have increased cardiac contractility without changes in heart size compared with control mice (ie, PI3K&ggr;+/+ or PI3K&ggr;+/−). In this study, we show that PI3K&ggr;−/− cardiomyocytes have elevated Ca2+ transient amplitudes with abbreviated decay kinetics compared with control under field-stimulation and voltage-clamp conditions. When Ca2+ transients were eliminated with high Ca2+ buffering, L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa,L), K+ currents, and action potential duration (APD) were not different between the groups, whereas, in the presence of Ca2+ transients, Ca2+-dependent phase of ICa,L inactivation was abbreviated and APD at 90% repolarization was prolonged in PI3K&ggr;−/− mice. Excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) gain, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load, and SR Ca2+ release fluxes measured as Ca2+ spikes, were also increased in PI3K&ggr;−/− cardiomyocytes without detectable changes in Ca2+ spikes kinetics. The cAMP inhibitor Rp-cAMP eliminated enhanced ECC and SR Ca2+ load in PI3K&ggr;−/− without effects in control myocytes. On the other hand, the &bgr;-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol increased ICa,L and Ca2+ transient equally by ≈2-fold in both PI3K&ggr;−/− and PI3K&ggr;+/− cardiomyocytes. Our results establish that PI3K&ggr; reduces cardiac contractility in a highly compartmentalized manner by inhibiting cAMP-mediated SR Ca2+ loading without directly affecting other major modulators of ECC, such as AP and ICa,L.
Innovative theoretical modeling for the pulse point level detection on A/D converters involving pulse position modulation

The essential purpose of this paper is to present at first an innovative theoretical modeling for the generation of pulse level detectors that can be applied for the design of A/D converters. The main goal will be to establish some intrinsic properties of the main operator introduced previously by the authors, and its intrinsic characteristics for modeling the PWM-PPM effect, and later eliminating the PWM part of the pulse stream. An idea about how to implement this technological techniques inside a modern FPGA architecture is bestowed, which makes possible for the designer obtain the Pulse Point Modulation signal at the output ports of the electronic structure.
Análisis de los retornos a la educación de los ingenieros colombianos desde la perspectiva del capital humano (2009 - 2012)

The present text identifies the returns to the education of the graduates in engineering in Colombia from the postulates of the theory of the human capital in the periods 2009-2012. For such aim, mincerian equations were used of the income and they corrected the slant of selection for the method proposed by Heckman with data of the GEIH (Great Integrated Survey of Households) for 82 professions. The main conclusion is that graduates in engineering in the studied period, evidence returns to education over the great majority of professions.
STN1 OB Fold Mutation Alters DNA Binding and Affects Selective Aspects of CST Function

Mammalian CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) participates in multiple aspects of telomere replication and genome-wide recovery from replication stress. CST resembles Replication Protein A (RPA) in that it binds ssDNA and STN1 and TEN1 are structurally similar to RPA2 and RPA3. Conservation between CTC1 and RPA1 is less apparent. Currently the mechanism underlying CST action is largely unknown. Here we address CST mechanism by using a DNA-binding mutant, (STN1 OB-fold mutant, STN1-OBM) to examine the relationship between DNA binding and CST function. In vivo, STN1-OBM affects resolution of endogenous replication stress and telomere duplex replication but telomeric C-strand fill-in and new origin firing after exogenous replication stress are unaffected. These selective effects indicate mechanistic differences in CST action during resolution of different replication problems. In vitro binding studies show that STN1 directly engages both short and long ssDNA oligonucleotides, however STN1-OBM preferentially destabilizes binding to short substrates. The finding that STN1-OBM affects binding to only certain substrates starts to explain the in vivo separation of function observed in STN1-OBM expressing cells. CST is expected to engage DNA substrates of varied length and structure as it acts to resolve different replication problems. Since STN1-OBM will alter CST binding to only some of these substrates, the mutant should affect resolution of only a subset of replication problems, as was observed in the STN1-OBM cells. The in vitro studies also provide insight into CST binding mechanism. Like RPA, CST likely contacts DNA via multiple OB folds. However, the importance of STN1 for binding short substrates indicates differences in the architecture of CST and RPA DNA-protein complexes. Based on our results, we propose a dynamic DNA binding model that provides a general mechanism for CST action at diverse forms of replication stress.
Comparative evaluation of microleakage of silorane-based composite and nanohybrid composite with or without polyethylene fiber inserts in class II restorations: an in vitro study.

AIM To evaluate microleakage between nanocomposite and silorane composite in class II restorations with or without a polyethylene fiber insert. METHODOLOGY Standardized class II cavities were prepared on extracted molars and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20 each): group 1, Ceram X mono; group 2, Ceram X mono + Ribbond; group 3, Filtek P90; and Group 4, Filtek P90 + Ribbond. All specimens were subjected to a thermocycling regime, immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 24 hours, sectioned longitudinally, and examined under a stereomicroscope to assess dye penetration on a six-point scale. The score data were subjected to statistical analysis whereby Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was used for multiple group comparisons and the Mann-Whitney test for groupwise comparisons at a significance level of p≤0.05. RESULTS A statistically significant decrease in microleakage was found when Ribbond fiber was used with nanoceramic and silorane composite. A highly significant decrease in microleakage scores was found in silorane composite when compared to nanoceramic composite. CONCLUSION Use of polyethylene fiber and silorane composite reduces microleakage in class II composite restorations with gingival margins below the cemento-enamel junction.
The patterns of progression in primary progressive aphasia—Implications for assessment and management

Background: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a progressive language disorder with preserved cognitive function for at least 2 years from onset. The main variants currently distinguished are: non-fluent/agrammatic (nfvPPA), semantic (svPPA), and logopenic (lvPPA). Patients with initial language presentation may subsequently develop other symptoms, such as behavioural dysfunction or apraxia. The clinical pattern of PPA depends on the location of atrophy, the underlying pathology, and the stage of the disease. Aims: This review aims at characterising longitudinal changes in clinical presentations of different PPA variants and at presenting implications of these changes for the assessment, diagnosis, and management. Main contribution: The three PPA variants differ not only in terms of language impairment, but also with regard to cognitive and behavioural profile. Apraxia and rigidity frequently occur in the course of nfvPPA. Patients with lvPPA seem to follow the pattern of aphasic Alzheimer’s disease, where language impairment is accompanied by episodic memory deficit. Individuals diagnosed with svPPA often develop behavioural dysfunction similar to that observed in behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia. Conclusions: Implications for patient care are dependent on PPA variant and on the stage of the disease. In svPPA, emphasis should be on the management of semantic and behavioural problems in daily life. Caregivers of nfvPPA patients should be informed about the possible emergence of apraxia and other movement disorders. In contrast, families of individuals with lvPPA should be made aware of and trained to cope with an episodic memory decline and possible progression to other varieties of PPA.
Work, unemployment, and mental health

Here is a challenging study on the effects of work and unemployment on mental health. Examined in this comprehensive study are issues such as why some people are more harmed by unemployment than others; why certain job transitions are more difficult; and what we mean by "mental health" and how we can measure it. The author introduces nine characteristics of any environment and shows how they give rise to the harmful and beneficial consequences of work and unemployment. The book gathers integrates the extensive and widely-dissemenated research into the topic and places it in an original and logical conceptual framework.
Resting Electrocardiogram of Top Athlete: Comparative Study between Football Players and Wrestlers in Senegal

Regular and intensive physical activity induces the "athlete's heart". So we compared the heart function of football players and wrestlers. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 01 April to 31 August 2014, involving young players and high-level wrestlers. A resting electrocardiogram was performed for each subject. The QRS duration was more prolonged in wrestlers compared to football players who had a PR and T wave durations significantly longer. First degree of atrio ventricular block, electrical left ventricular hypertrophy as well as early repolarization were significantly more common in football players than among wrestlers. Football players might frequently develop "athlete's heart "electrocardiographic aspects compared to the wrestlers.
Children's Anticipated Responses to Hypothetical Peers With Undesirable Characteristics: Role of Peers' Desire to Change, Effort to Change, and Outcome

ABSTRACT The authors explored the extent to which 5th- and 6th-grade students’ anticipated responses to hypothetical peers with undesirable characteristics (e.g., being overweight) are influenced by information that each peer (a) desired (or did not desire) to change the characteristic, (b) exerted effort (or did not exert effort) to change the characteristic, and (c) was successful (or unsuccessful) in changing the characteristic. In general, the children anticipated responding more favorably to peers who were successful in overcoming an undesirable characteristic than those who were unsuccessful. However, across both outcome conditions, peers who wanted to change and exerted effort to change were rated more favorably than were peers who reported no effort to change an undesirable characteristic, regardless of whether or not they had expressed a desire to change that characteristic. For peers whose failure to change an undesirable characteristic was associated with no effort to change, those who expressed a desire to change were rated more favorably than those who expressed no desire to change.
Enhancement of physicochemical properties of nanocolloidal carrier loaded with cyclosporine for topical treatment of psoriasis: in vitro diffusion and in vivo hydrating action

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that cannot be cured. It can however be controlled by various forms of treatment, including topical, systemic agents, and phototherapy. Topical treatment is the first-line treatment and favored by most physicians, as this form of therapy has more patient compliance. Introducing a nanoemulsion for transporting cyclosporine as an anti-inflammatory drug to an itchy site of skin disease would enhance the effectiveness of topical treatment for psoriasis. The addition of nutmeg and virgin coconut-oil mixture, with their unique properties, could improve cyclosporine loading and solubility. A high-shear homogenizer was used in formulating a cyclosporine-loaded nanoemulsion. A D-optimal mixture experimental design was used in the optimization of nanoemulsion compositions, in order to understand the relationships behind the effect of independent variables (oil, surfactant, xanthan gum, and water content) on physicochemical response (particle size and polydispersity index) and rheological response (viscosity and k-value). Investigation of these variables suggests two optimized formulations with specific oil (15% and 20%), surfactant (15%), xanthan gum (0.75%), and water content (67.55% and 62.55%), which possessed intended responses and good stability against separation over 3 months’ storage at different temperatures. Optimized nanoemulsions of pH 4.5 were further studied with all types of stability analysis: physical stability, coalescence-rate analysis, Ostwald ripening, and freeze–thaw cycles. In vitro release proved the efficacy of nanosize emulsions in carrying cyclosporine across rat skin and a synthetic membrane that best fit the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. In vivo skin analysis towards healthy volunteers showed a significant improvement in the stratum corneum in skin hydration.