Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working memory, inhibition and naming speed in children with learning disabilities

In this general introduction, the theoretical context of this doctoral research is discussed. We start the chapter with a focus on learning disabilities in general and on reading and mathematical disabilities in particular. Since the comorbidity between reading and mathematical disabilities is higher than could be expected by chance, comorbidity and approaches to study comorbidity are described as well. In addition, in search of an explanation for this high comorbidity, some of the cognitive deficits of reading disabilities and mathematical disabilities, i.e., working memory, inhibition and naming speed, are discussed as possible shared cognitive risk factors of both disabilities. Finally, we formulate the objectives of this research, and provide an overview of the chapters that are included in this doctoral dissertation. 1 CHAPTER
Adverse Associations Between CX3CR1 Polymorphisms and Risk of Cardiovascular or Cerebrovascular Disease

Objective—We investigated the role of monocyte-recruiting chemokines in cerebrovascular diseases among the subjects of the GENIC case-control study of brain infarction (BI). Methods and Results—Of the genotypes tested, only homozygosity for the rare CX3CR1 alleles was more frequent in cases than in controls: the I249 and M280 alleles were associated with an increased risk of BI (OR, 1.66 and OR, 2.62 with P<0.05, respectively). This effect was independent of other established risk factors and uncorrelated with disease severity. The study confirmed previous reports of a dominant protective association between CX3CR1-I249 allele and the risk of cardiovascular history. The risk of BI associated with homozygosity for the rare CX3CR1 alleles was enhanced in patients with no previous cardiovascular events. Ex vivo studies showed that the number of monocytes adhering to immobilized CX3CL1, the CX3CR1 ligand, increased proportionally to the number of CX3CR1 mutated alleles carried by the individual. Conclusions—The rare CX3CR1 alleles were associated with an increased risk of BI and with reduced frequency of cardiovascular history. We propose that the extra adhesion of monocytes observed in individuals carrying rare alleles of CX3CR1 may favor mechanisms leading to stroke.
Fighting an enemy within: cytoplasmic inhibitors of bacterial cysteine proteases

The genes encoding secreted, broad‐spectrum activity cysteine proteases of Staphylococcus spp. (staphopains) and Streptococcus pyogenes (streptopain, SpeB) are genetically linked to genes encoding cytoplasmic inhibitors. While staphopain inhibitors have lipocalin‐like folds, streptopain is inhibited by a protein bearing the scaffold of the enzyme profragment. Bioinformatic analysis of other prokaryotic genomes has revealed that two more species may utilize this same genetic arrangement to control streptopain‐like proteases with lipocalin‐like inhibitors, while three other species may employ a C‐terminally located domain that resembles the profragment. This apparently represents a novel system that bacteria use to control the intracellular activity of their proteases.
Major histocompatibility complex class II compartments in human B lymphoblastoid cells are distinct from early endosomes

In human B lymphoblastoid cell lines, the majority of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II heterodimers are located on the cell surface and in endocytic compartments, while invariant chain (Ii)-associated class II molecules represent biosynthetic intermediates which are present mostly in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. To investigate the origin of the MHC class II-positive compartments and their relation to early endosomes, the intracellular distribution of MHC class II molecules and Ii in relation to endocytic tracers was studied in human lymphoblastoid B cells by immunoelectronmicroscopy on ultrathin cryosections. Cross-linking of surface immunoglobulins, followed by a brief period of internalization of the immune complexes, did not alter the intracellular distribution of MHC class II molecules. While early endosomes were abundantly labeled for the cross-linked immunoglobulins, < 1% of total MHC class II molecules were detectable in early endosomes. MHC class II- and Ii- positive structures associated with the trans-Golgi network can be reached by endocytosed bovine serum albumin (BSA)-gold conjugates after 30 min of internalization. Prolonged exposure to BSA-gold allowed visualization of later endocytic compartments, in which a progressive loss of Ii was observed: first the lumenal portion, and then the cytoplasmic portion of Ii escaped detection, culminating in the formation of MHC class II-positive compartments (MIIC) devoid of Ii. The loss of Ii also correlated with a transition from a multivesicular to a multilaminar, electron-dense MIIC. The intracellular compartments in which class II molecules reside (MIIC) are therefore a heterogeneous set of structures, part of the later aspects of the endocytic pathway.
A sociomotivational analysis of gender effects on persistence in science and technology: A 5-year longitudinal study.

Over the past 30 years, Canada, and particularly the province of Quebec, have seen the number of available jobs in science and technology (S&T) increase exponentially. From 1971 through 1996, 3 times more jobs were created in S&T than in all other occupational fields combined (Conseil de la science et de la technologic, 1998). During these same years, Quebec postsecondary S&T programs recorded relatively high attrition rates among their students. Nearly 1 in 2 students admitted into college biology and physics technical programs, and 1 in 3 students admitted into college and university science programs, did not obtain a diploma across all S&T sectors combined, even after a 10-year follow up (Ministere de 1'Education, du Loisir et des Sports du Quebec, 2005). The rapid growth of the scientific workforce coupled with the low rates of persistence in postsecondary S&T training programs has evidently created a problem of recruitment for S&T employers. This problem is all the more worrying when we consider the significant gender gap in leading-edge sectors such as technological physics, mathematics, and engineering (where the male:female ratio is approximately 5 to 1) and technical biology (where the malerfemale ratio is approximately 1 to 5). In addition to the lack of specialized workers, the S&T sector must deal with an unequal representation of women and men as well as the social and economic consequences often associated with these inequalities.
Modulation of KCa3.1 Channels by Eicosanoids, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Molecular Determinants

Background Cytochrome P450- and ω-hydrolase products (epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), hydroxyeicosatetraeonic acid (20-HETE)), natural omega-3 fatty acids (ω3), and pentacyclic triterpenes have been proposed to contribute to a wide range of vaso-protective and anti-fibrotic/anti-cancer signaling pathways including the modula-tion of membrane ion channels. Here we studied the modulation of intermediate-conductance Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated K+ channels (KCa3.1) by EETs, 20-HETE, ω3, and pentacyclic triterpenes and the structural requirements of these fatty acids to exert channel blockade. Methodology/Principal Findings We studied modulation of cloned human hKCa3.1 and the mutant hKCa3.1V275A in HEK-293 cells, of rKCa3.1 in aortic endothelial cells, and of mKCa3.1 in 3T3-fibroblasts by inside-out and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, respectively. In inside-out patches, Ca2+-activated hKCa3.1 were inhibited by the ω3, DHA and α-LA, and the ω6, AA, in the lower µmolar range and with similar potencies. 5,6-EET, 8,9-EET, 5,6-DiHETE, and saturated arachidic acid, had no appreciable effects. In contrast, 14,15-EET, its stable derivative, 14,15-EEZE, and 20-HETE produced channel inhibition. 11,12-EET displayed less inhibitory activity. The KCa3.1V275A mutant channel was insensitive to any of the blocking EETs. Non-blocking 5,6-EET antagonized the inhibition caused by AA and augmented cloned hKCa3.1 and rKCa3.1 whole-cell currents. Pentacyclic triterpenes did not modulate KCa3.1 currents. Conclusions/Significance Inhibition of KCa3.1 by EETs (14,15-EET), 20-HETE, and ω3 critically depended on the presence of electron double bonds and hydrophobicity within the 10 carbons preceding the carboxyl-head of the molecules. From the physiological perspective, metabolism of AA to non-blocking 5,6,- and 8,9-EET may cause AA-de-blockade and contribute to cellular signal transduction processes influenced by these fatty acids.
Comparing Perceived Listening Behavior Differences Between Managers and Nonmanagers Living in the United States, India, and Malaysia

Many managers and employees work in multinational organizations, but know little about what constitutes good or bad listening skills from a cross-cultural perspective. Little literature exists concerning the listening behaviors of managers and nonmanagers or the impact of national culture on listening skills. No clear understanding of what constitutes effective and ineffective listening across various cultures and organizational positions is known. Therefore, this study examines the listening skills of both managers and nonmanagers from India, the United States, and Malaysia. A total of 513 managers and nonmanagers from these countries completed a survey measuring self-perceptions of their engagement in four listening behaviors: distracted listening, empathetic listening, judgment rushing, and conclusion jumping. An analysis of variance procedure, with a 2 × 3 factorial design, was used to ascertain whether differences existed when each of the four derived factors was used one at a time as a dependent variable. The two independent variables were managers/nonmanagers and country of residence. The means differed on the main effects of managers/nonmanagers (p < .001) and country of residence (p < .001) and interaction between managers and nonmanagers across the United States, India, and Malaysia (p < .001) on all four factors. Therefore, perceptions of engaging in distracted listening, empathetic listening, judgment rushing, and conclusion jumping are different for managers and nonmanagers living in the United States, India, and Malaysia. This study’s findings will help both managers and nonmanagers from these countries understand the positives and negatives of these four listening practices and the influence of national culture on listening behaviors.
Predictors of Maternal Grief in the Year after a Newborn Death

Existing interventions to assist mothers following newborn death are implemented once manifestations of distress are present. Preventive measures could be instituted if predictors of grief were defined. The objective of this study was to investigate the value of perceived support, relationship satisfaction, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, and mixed coping in predicting maternal grief in the year after a newborn death. The sample consisted of seventy-five bereaved mothers. Measures used included the Perinatal Grief Scale, Short Version; the Ways of Coping Scale, Revised; the Personal Resources Questionnaire 85, Part II; the Relationship Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Demographic Data Sheet. Perceived support and emotion-focused coping accounted for a significant proportion of variance in total grief (43 percent), demonstrating that these two variables together can predict maternal grief. Programs to help bereaved mothers mobilize perceived support and use different ways of coping could be beneficial following the death of a newborn.
Cognitive reserve protects against cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Cognitive reserve theory helps to explain the neuropsychological expression of neurologic disease (e.g., Alzheimer's disease; Stern, 2006). Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic disease characterized by information processing inefficiency and verbal learning and memory deficits. The current study is the first to investigate whether higher cognitive reserve moderates the relationship between MS and cognitive functioning. A word-reading proxy of premorbid intelligence was used to estimate cognitive reserve for 58 persons with MS and 43 healthy controls. Dependent measures of simple processing efficiency, complex information processing efficiency, and verbal learning and memory were administered. There were significant Group × Cognitive Reserve interactions for complex information processing efficiency and verbal learning and memory, such that persons with MS demonstrated deficits relative to controls at lower, but not higher, levels of reserve. No such interaction was found for simple processing efficiency. The protective influence of higher cognitive reserve against disease-related cognitive deficits is discussed.
Stimulant abuse on the college campus: Titanic tip of an imposing Icelandic iceberg

Abstract Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which usually occurs in childhood or adolescence, is also a common diagnosis among college or university students. These students may find it difficult to achieve success in the university without the help of anti-ADHD medications that allow them to concentrate. The widespread use of anti-ADHD stimulants within this group has led to the problem of students abusing such medications. Research also notes a growing phenomenon characterized by the misuse of medication among students with and without ADHD. This discussion reviews current research on this growing situation and provides recommendations to curtail it.
A Min-Max Medial Axis Transformation

Blum's medial axis transformation (MAT) of the set S of 1's in a binary picture can be defined by an iterative shrinking and reexpanding process which detects ``corners'' on the contours of constant distance from S¿, and thereby yields a ``skeleton'' of S. For unsegmented (gray level) pictures, one can use an analogous definition, in which local MIN and MAX operations play the roles of shrinking and expanding, to compute a ``MMMAT value'' at each point of the picture. The set of points having high values defines a good ``skeleton'' for the set of high-gray level points in the given picture.
Enamel defects of the primary dentition and osteopenia of prematurity.

Enamel formation (amelogenesis) in the human dentition begins in utero. The process has been investigated widely in the primary dentition in animals, and to a much lesser extent in humans. Studies have confirmed that amelogenesis occurs in distinct stages. 1 Each of these stages may be affected by extreme systemic physiological changes with hypoplasia, hypomineralization, or opacities of enamel. Mineralization begins at 15-21 weeks in intrauterine life in the incisor teeth, at 19-22 weeks in the canines, and at 16-22 weeks in the molars. Major disturbances before, or in the early period after birth may be reflected in the enamel of the primary dentition. Skeletal mineralization in utero is maximal in the last trimester. Of the 30 g of calcium typically present in the term infant’s skeleton, 25 g will be laid down in this trimester. Calcium is deposited chiefly as hydroxyapatite. The higher rate of calcium accretion during this period of calcium deposition in the skeleton, and part of the period of enamel calcification of the primary teeth overlap. Following premature birth the infant is unable to match the intrauterine accretion rate of calcium, which predominantly resides in the skeleton. Indeed calcium intakes often only average 75 mg/ kg/day, compared with the in utero accretion rate of 120-150 mg/kg/day. The level of skeletal mineralization can be assessed using photon absorptiometry at a single peripheral skeletal site. 2 This technique has demonstrated that infants of fewer than 32 weeks gestation at birth have gross reductions in bone mineral content (BMC) upon reaching full-term when compared with those born full-term. ~ Reductions in BMC have been found to be approximately 40-50% when related to age. Enamel defects in primary teeth have been described in preterm infants and have been linked to disorders of calcium metabolism, particularly to premature neonatal hypocalcemia, Vitamin D dependency rickets, or hypoparathyroidism.4, 5 A study of 106 children born prematurely found enamel hypoplasia in 37%, chiefly in the maxillary incisors. 6 Seow et al. 7 showed that in very-low-birth-weight (< 1500 g) prematurely born children, the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia was 62.3%, and 27.3% in low birth weight (1500-2500 g) children, compared with 12.8% in controls. No one factor could be related to the primary tooth enamel hypoplasia, but laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation also may contribute to developmental defects of the upper anterior primary teeth. 8-11 Early hypocalcemia is a poor guide to neonatal calcium homeostasis, since it is almost universal in preterm infants and is also temporary in nature. The question arose as to whether enamel defects -namely defects in dietary mineral supply -are related to osteopenia of prematurity, and whether a measure of the degree of osteopenia could be used to predict enamel defects. The purpose of this present study was to examine the relationship between enamel defects in the primary dentition and BMC in premature infants.
Polarity dependence of FN stress induced degradation on NMOSFETs with polysilicon gate and HfSiON gate dielectrics

Polarity dependent FN stress induced degradation was observed on NMOSFETs having a polysilicon gate and HfSiON gate dielectric. Positive bias stress (substrate injection) showed more degradation on the bulk region of high-k at the near valence band edge region and low-voltage stress induced leakage current behavior was observed around the flatband voltage. Negative bias stress (gate injection) degraded a wider energy range and in a lower energy band region than positive stress. Therefore, the gate injection case caused worse degradation in terms of interface state density and subthreshold swing than the substrate injection case.
GUIDEX: A Game-Theoretic Incentive-Based Mechanism for Intrusion Detection Networks

Traditional intrusion detection systems (IDSs) work in isolation and can be easily compromised by unknown threats. An intrusion detection network (IDN) is a collaborative IDS network intended to overcome this weakness by allowing IDS peers to share detection knowledge and experience, and hence improve the overall accuracy of intrusion assessment. In this work, we design an IDN system, called GUIDEX, using game-theoretic modeling and trust management for peers to collaborate truthfully and actively. We first describe the system architecture and its individual components, and then establish a game-theoretic framework for the resource management component of GUIDEX. We establish the existence and uniqueness of a Nash equilibrium under which peers can communicate in a reciprocal incentive compatible manner. Based on the duality of the problem, we develop an iterative algorithm that converges geometrically to the equilibrium. Our numerical experiments and discrete event simulation demonstrate the convergence to the Nash equilibrium and the security features of GUIDEX against free riders, dishonest insiders and DoS attacks.
The Tüba-D/Z Treebank: Annotating German with a Context-Free Backbone

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the T uBa-D/Z treebank of written German and to compare it to the independently developed TIGER treebank (Brants et al., 2002). Both treebanks, TIGER and T uBa-D/Z, use an annotation framework that is based on phrase structure grammar and that is enhanced by a level of predicate-argument structure. The comparison between the annotation schemes of the two treebanks focuses on the different treatments of free word order and discontinuous constituents in German as well as on differences in phrase-internal annotation.
Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Schoolchildren in Durbete Town, Northwestern Ethiopia

Identifying determinants of soil transmitted helminth infection is vital to design control strategy for the disease. This study assessed the prevalence of STH infections and associated factors among schoolchildren in Durbete town, northwestern Ethiopia. Data about the sociodemographic and socioeconomic status of the children were collected using a questionnaire and stool samples were diagnosed using thick Kato-Katz smear. STH infection was more common among school-age children in Durbete town. Hookworm was the most frequent helminth species detected. The prevalence of STH infection was more in children who did not practice wearing shoes and washing hands before eating and in those who were older in age. Deworming of school-age children in the study area would be important. In addition, provision of health education about helminths and the importance of wearing shoes and washing hands before eating would be important to reduce the burden of STH infection in the study area.
Endothelial Injury in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients with Ultrafiltration Failure

To evaluate endothelial injury in peritoneal dialysis patients with ultrafiltration failure (UFF), we performed a modified peritoneal equilibration test utilizing 3.86% glucose in 41 patients who had been on peritoneal dialysis for longer than 4 years. Twelve patients whose net ultrafiltrate was less than 400 mL during a 4‐hour exchange were assigned to the UFF group and another 29 patients to the control group. The blood levels of vWF, a marker of endothelial injury, albumin, and lipid profile were measured. The number of antihypertensive medications and amount of 3.86% solution used were higher in the UFF group than those used in the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). The patients in the UFF group had a significantly higher vWF level than those in the control group (164.8 ± 23.1% vs. 144.5 ± 22.4%, p < 0.05). These results showed that peritoneal dialysis patients with ultrafiltration failure had more severe endothelial injury than those without.
Orthogonal and non-orthogonal joint blind source separation in the least-squares sense

We present two new algorithms for the orthogonal and non-orthogonal joint blind source separation (JBSS), a flexible framework that extends the well-known blind source separation to the case when multiple datasets are decomposed simultaneously. The algorithms minimize the total sum of squares of the off-diagonal terms by means of very simple gradient ascent iterations.