Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Processing of grammatical gender in French as a first and second language: Evidence from ERPs

The present study examined the processing of grammatical gender in second language (L2) French as a function of language background (Experiment 1) and as a function of overt phonetic properties of agreement (Experiment 2) by examining Event Related Potential (ERP) responses to gender discord in L2 French. In Experiment 1 we explored the role of the presence/absence of abstract grammatical gender in the L1 (gendered German, ungendered English): we compared German and English learners of French when processing post-nominal plural (no gender cues on determiner) attributive adjectives that either agreed in gender with the noun or presented a gender violation. We found grammaticalized responses (P600) by native and L1 English learners, but no response by German L1, a result we attribute to the possible influence of plurality, which is gender neutralized in German DP concord. In Experiment 2, we examined the role of overt phonetic cues to noun-adjective gender agreement in French, for both native speakers and Spanish L2 learners of French, finding that both natives and L2 learners showed a more robust P600 in the presence of phonetic cues. These data, in conjunction with those of other ERP studies can best be accounted for by a model that allows for native language influence, that is not, however constrained by age of acquisition, and that must also allow for clear cues in the input to influence acquisition and/or processing.
Neural network based attack on a masked implementation of AES

Masked implementations of cryptographic algorithms are often used in commercial embedded cryptographic devices to increase their resistance to side channel attacks. In this work we show how neural networks can be used to both identify the mask value, and to subsequently identify the secret key value with a single attack trace with high probability. We propose the use of a pre-processing step using principal component analysis (PCA) to significantly increase the success of the attack. We have developed a classifier that can correctly identify the mask for each trace, hence removing the security provided by that mask and reducing the attack to being equivalent to an attack against an unprotected implementation. The attack is performed on the freely available differential power analysis (DPA) contest data set to allow our work to be easily reproducible. We show that neural networks allow for a robust and efficient classification in the context of side-channel attacks.
Energy optimization for upstream data transfer in 802.15.4 beacon-enabled star formulation

Energy saving is one of the major concerns for low rate personal area networks. This paper models energy consumption for beacon-enabled time-slotted media accessing control cooperated with sleeping scheduling in a star network formulation for IEEE 802.15. 4 standard. We investigate two different upstream (data transfer from devices to a network coordinator) strategies: a) tracking strategy: the devices wake up and check status (track the beacon) in each time slot; b) non-tracking strategy: nodes only wake-up upon data arriving and stay awake till data transmitted to the coordinator. We consider the tradeoff between energy cost and average data transmission delay for both strategies. Both scenarios are formulated as optimization problems and the optimal solutions are discussed. Our results show that different data arrival rate and system parameters (such as contention access period interval, upstream speed etc.) result in different strategies in terms of energy optimization with maximum delay constraints. Hence, according to different applications and system settings, different strategies might be chosen by each node to achieve energy optimization for both self-interested view and system view. We give the relation among the tunable parameters by formulas and plots to illustrate which strategy is better under corresponding parameters. There are two main points emphasized in our results with delay constraints: on one hand, when the system setting is fixed by coordinator, nodes in the network can intelligently change their strategies according to corresponding application data arrival rate; on the other hand, when the nodes' applications are known by the coordinator, the coordinator can tune the system parameters to achieve optimal system energy consumption.
Attentional resources in social anxiety and the effects of perceptual load

According to the attentional control theory, anxious people should process task-irrelevant distractors more than non-anxious people. This could be due to them having more attentional resources to allocate to the processing of task-irrelevant distractors. The current study was designed to assess the processing of task-irrelevant stimuli in low- and high-socially-anxious people. We conducted four experiments using perceptual load tasks. In the high-perceptual-load condition, interference effects from task-irrelevant distractors were not observed in low-socially-anxious people. This finding is consistent with the view of exhausting attentional resources to process task-relevant stimuli. However, interference effects were observed in high-socially-anxious people in the case of high perceptual load (Experiment 1). These effects were observed when presenting the distractor at a fixation (Experiment 2) or attracting attention involuntarily to the target location by spatial cueing (Experiment 3). However, when distractors were masked to decrease their visibility, distractor processing was not observed (Experiment 4). These results suggested that people with high social anxiety may have more attentional resources than people with low social anxiety, and this might partially derive from enhanced stimulus-driven attention.
Protein Kinase CK-1 Inhibitors As New Potential Drugs for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease where motor neurons in cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord die progressively, resulting in muscle wasting, paralysis, and death. Currently, effective therapies for ALS are lacking; however, identification of pathological TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) as the hallmark lesion in sporadic ALS suggests new therapeutic targets for pharmacological intervention. Pathological TDP-43 phosphorylation appears to drive the onset and progression of ALS and may result from upregulation of the protein kinase CK-1 in affected neurons, resulting in postranslational TDP-43 modification. Consequently, brain penetrant specific CK-1 inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating ALS and other TDP-43 proteinopathies. Using a chemical genetic approach, we report the discovery and further optimization of a number of potent CK-1δ inhibitors. Moreover, these small heterocyclic molecules are able to prevent TDP-43 phosphorylation in cell cultures, to increase Drosophila lifespan by reduction of TDP-43 neurotoxicity, and are predicted to cross the blood–brain barrier. Thus, N-(benzothiazolyl)-2-phenyl-acetamides are valuable drug candidates for further studies and may be a new therapeutic approach for ALS and others pathologies in which TDP-43 is involved.
Unraveling the Determinants of Protrusion Formation

A computerized morphometric classification technique based on latent factors reveals major protrusion classes: factors 4, 5, and 7. Previous work showed that factor 4 represented filopodia, 5 the distribution of lamellar cytoplasm, and 7 a blunt protrusion. We explore the relationship of focal contact (FC) characteristics and their integrated actin cables to factors values. The results show that FC maturation/cytoskeletal integration affects factor 5, because FC elongation/integration was correlated with its values. On the contrary, 7 values decreased with maturation, so cable or FC size or their integration must be restricted to form these protrusions. Where integration did occur, the cables showed distinctive size and orientation, as indicated by correlation of 7 values with FC shape. Results obtained with myosin inhibitors support the interpretation that a central, isometric, contractile network puts constraints on both factor 5 and 7 protrusions. We conclude that cells establish functional domains by rearranging the cytoskeleton.
Surveillance of Rotavirus Strains in the United States: Identification of Unusual Strains

ABSTRACT Rotavirus strains from 964 fecal specimens collected from children at 11 U.S. hospital laboratories from November 1997 to March 1998 and from samples collected at 12 laboratories from November 1998 to March 1999 were typed for G and P proteins. Serotype G1 was the predominant serotype in 1997–1998 (88%), followed by G2 (6.2%), G9 (3.3%), and G3 (1.5%). This pattern was similar to that seen in 1998–1999: G1 (79%), G2 (15%), G9 (3.0%), G4 (1.6%), and G3 (0.3%). Novel P[9] strains were identified in both seasons, and analysis of a 364-nucleotide fragment from gene segment 4 of one of the strains demonstrated 97.3% nucleotide identity with the prototype P3[9],G3 strain, AU1, isolated in Japan. This is the first report of a human AU1-like strain in the United States. These results reinforce our initial findings that serotype G9 persists in the United States but has not become a predominant strain and that the common serotypes G1 to G4 account for almost 90% of strains in circulation. Other uncommon strains exist in the United States but may have been overlooked before because of their low prevalence and the use of inadequate diagnostic tools.
Spouse caregivers of Alzheimer patients: problem responses to caregiver burden

This paper reports on comparisons of patterns of responses by 199 spouses of Alzheimer disease patients to stresses of functioning as caregivers. Focusing on gender and age of spouses, we examine effects of the total burden of caregiving and perceived patient problems on a set of emotional and social responses of caregivers. We also examine ways in which depressive symptoms and anxiety of spouse caregivers were associated with patterns of their responses to caregiving stresses. Total patient problem burden was most strongly associated positively with caregiver anger-resentment toward the patient, followed by caregiver concerns about personal time restriction and limitation of social life. Among individual areas of patient problems, emotional lability of the patient rather than cognitive impairment appeared strongest by far in affecting caregiver response measures. Negative impact of caregiving on their social life and associations appeared to have particularly marked effects on effects on caregiver depressive symptoms and anxiety scores. Spouse caregivers did not differ by age in clinically significant ways in their patterns of reaction to stresses of caregiving. The study suggests the importance of considering potential spouse caregiver reactions in such areas as anger and aggressive response to patients, the impact of feelings of social deprivation and personal sacrifice, as well as the implications of caregiving stresses for patient care and maintenance of family cohesion and quality of life.
Physical Discipline and Child Behavior Problems: A Study of Ethnic Group Differences

Objective. This study examines ethnic group differences in the relation between parents' use of physical discipline and children's externalizing behavior problems in younger children and assesses both same-source and distinct-source data. Design. One hundred and twelve mothers of African American (N = 63) and European American (N = 49) children were interviewed regarding their parenting strategies and their child's behavior. Preschool teacher ratings of child behavior were obtained. Results. Regression analyses revealed significant main effects for gender and discipline on externalizing behavior problems. All 2-way interactions with ethnicity were significant, but only when predicting teacher-rated behavior problems. Post-hoc analyses showed that for African American men, there was a significant negative correlation between mother-reported physical discipline and teacher-rated externalizing behavior problems. Similar correlations for African American women and the European American gender groups were not significant. Conclusions. These findings show ethnic differences in the relation between physical discipline and externalizing behavior problems for young children when distinct-source information is obtained. The study extends the literature by showing this effect is particularly strong for boys.
Inside the Experiences of High-Achieving African American Male Students

More than two-thirds of all African American males who begin college never finish. This and a legion of other discouraging facts about African American males are the usual headlines. But what about those among this population who beat the odds, make the most of college, and achieve in multiple ways inside and outside of the classroom? Who are they, and what can they teach us?
Measurement preprocessing-based estimation approach to target tracking

In this paper, we present a measurement preprocessing-based state estimation algorithm for maneuvering target tracking. The preprocessing scheme on received measurements is employed to reduce the covariance of measurement errors. This can be achieved by using a maximum likelihood method for yielding target's estimated accelerations and velocities which result in preprocessed measurements. Preprocessed measurements are then utilized as inputs to a state estimator for improving the estimation performance. We then integrate the proposed method into the variable dimension filter (VDF) as the measurement-preprocessing based VDF without altering the functional structure of the VDF. Simulation results show that the proposed measurement-preprocessing based VDF can achieve superior performance.
Alkyl Galactofuranosides Strongly Interact with Leishmania donovani Membrane and Provide Antileishmanial Activity

ABSTRACT We investigated the in vitro effects of four alkyl-galactofuranoside derivatives, i.e., octyl-β-d-galactofuranoside (compound 1), 6-amino-β-d-galactofuranoside (compound 2), 6-N-acetamido-β-d-galactofuranoside (compound 3), and 6-azido-β-d-galactofuranoside (compound 4), on Leishmania donovani. Their mechanism of action was explored using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ultrastructural alterations were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compound 1 showed the most promising effects by inhibiting promastigote growth at a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 8.96 ± 2.5 μM. All compounds exhibit low toxicity toward human macrophages. Compound 1 had a higher selectivity index than the molecule used for comparison, i.e., miltefosine (159.7 versus 37.9, respectively). EPR showed that compound 1 significantly reduced membrane fluidity compared to control promastigotes and to compound 3. The furanose ring was shown to support this effect, since the isomer galactopyranose had no effect on parasite membrane fluidity or growth. NMR showed a direct interaction of all compounds (greatest with compound 1, followed by compounds 2, 3, and 4, in descending order) with the promastigote membrane and with octyl-galactopyranose and octanol, providing evidence that the n-octyl chain was primarily involved in anchoring with the parasite membrane, followed by the putative crucial role of the furanose ring in the antileishmanial activity. A morphological analysis of compound 1-treated promastigotes by TEM revealed profound alterations in the parasite membrane and organelles, but this was not the case with compound 3. Quantification of annexin V binding by flow cytometry confirmed that compound 1 induced apoptosis in >90% of promastigotes. The effect of compound 1 was also assessed on intramacrophagic amastigotes and showed a reduction in amastigote growth associated with an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, thus validating its promising effect.
The fine structure of nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions in primary renal tumors of mutant leopard frogs.

Summary This investigation summarizes a study of the incidence and fine structure of primary renal tumors found in mutant leopard frogs ( Rana pipiens burnsi ). Of 204 winter frogs autopsied from Minnesota and South Dakota, renal tumors were found in 13 animals, an incidence of 6.4%. Light microscopic examination showed that all of the renal tumors had Cowdry Type A nuclear inclusions. The fine structure revealed virus and viral-associated structures previously described in inclusion-containing tumors of wild type leopard frogs. Several features were observed which have not been previously described. These were: ( a ) long, tubular elements associated with nuclear inclusions containing immature and mature virus particles; ( b ) immature virus particles within the marginated chromatin; ( c ) images which suggest more than 1 method of viral release from the nucleus; and ( d ) the migration of mature virus particles into the lumens of agranular cisternae or vacuoles, during which process the virus is enclosed in an extracapsular envelope. This envelope is formed by a pinching off of a portion of the agranular membrane.
The Environment and Working Conditions in Juvenile Boot Camps and Traditional Facilities

This national study of juvenile correctional facilities compared the correctional environments of 25 juvenile boot camps to those of 22 traditional juvenile facilities. Data on perceived environmental conditions for juveniles and work climate for staff, as well as demographic characteristics, were collected from 1,233 juvenile correctional facility staff. While there was some regional variation, in comparison to staff employed in traditional juvenile correctional facilities, boot camp staff perceived the environmental conditions for juveniles as having significantly more activity, control, justice, structure, caring, and therapeutic programming, and believed that their releases were better prepared for the future. Boot staff also perceived their facilities as having less danger for residents and staff, as well as having less general environmental danger and risks to residents. Furthermore, boot camp staff perceived their work climates as generally more favorable than comparison facility staff. In contrast to the opinions of many boot camp critics, these data suggest that the boot camp environment has more of the environmental components suggested by psychological theorists as being necessary for effective correctional treatment.
Teacher and Student Role Expectations: Cross‐Cultural Differences and Implications

lationships between second language learning or acquisition and various classes of learner variables: affective, cognitive, personality, and socio-cultural. ' However, only a few studies (2; 7; 14; 38; 45; 48; 49; 61) have assessed the role expectations of teachers or students from various countries. As a result of teaching English as a second language (ESL) and training teachers overseas and in the USA, I suspected that role expectations varied across cultures and were related to second-language learning. To address these issues, I conducted a twophase study at a large post-secondary intensive ESL program.2 I chose this site because intensive ESL students have little experience with the host culture and are pressured to begin degree programs. Both factors can shift differences in role expectations to the foreground and heighten their importance. This first phase examined the role expectations held by ESL students from seven countries and ESL teachers from the USA. Its
Whole-brain atrophy rate in Alzheimer disease

Objective: To assess which baseline clinical and MRI measures influence whole-brain atrophy rates, measured from serial MR imaging. Methods: We recruited 65 patients with Alzheimer disease (mean ± SD age 70 ± 8 y, 58% women, Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] 22 ± 5), scanned with an average interval of 1.7 ± 0.6 years. Whole-brain atrophy rates were used as outcome measure. Baseline normalized brain volume, hippocampal volume, and whole-brain atrophy rates were measured using three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging. The influence of age, sex, apolipoprotein E genotype (APOE), baseline MMSE, baseline hippocampal volume, and baseline normalized brain volume on whole-brain atrophy rates was assessed using linear regression. Results: The mean whole-brain atrophy rate was −1.9 ± 0.9% per year. In the multivariate model, younger age (β [SE] = 0.03 [0.01]; p = 0.04), absence of APOE ε4 (β [SE] = 0.61 [0.28]; p = 0.03), and a low MMSE (β [SE] = 0.11 [0.03]; p < 0.001) were associated with a higher whole-brain atrophy rate. Furthermore, a relatively spared hippocampus predicted faster decline for patients with a smaller baseline brain volume (p = 0.09), and with a lower MMSE (p = 0.07). Finally, a smaller brain volume was associated with a higher rate of atrophy in younger patients (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Our results suggest it is possible to characterize a subgroup of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) who are at risk of faster loss of brain volume. Patients with more generalized, rather than focal hippocampal atrophy, who often have an onset before the age of 65, and are APOE ε4 negative, seem to be at risk of faster whole-brain atrophy rates than the more commonly seen patients with AD, who are older, are APOE ε4 positive, and have pronounced hippocampal atrophy.
The future of postgraduate training

Improvements to postgraduate training have included newly designed postgraduate curricula, new forms of delivery of learning, more valid and reliable assessments, and more rigorous evaluation of training programmes. All these changes have been necessary and have now started to settle in. Now therefore is an appropriate time to look to the future of postgraduate training. Predicting the future is difficult in any course of life-however an examination of recent trends is often a good place to start. In this regard the recent trend to start to produce more doctors and healthcare professionals of the type that the population needs is likely to continue for some time to come. Medical education will also need to be more flexible in the future. The more flexible that training programmes are, the more likely that we will have experts that are sufficiently flexible to meet a range of different challenges throughout the rest of their careers. Medical education will also become more seamless in the future (at present there are probably too many major milestones and transitions in medical education). In the future educators will make much more use of technology enhanced learning, e-learning and simulation in postgraduate medical education. There will also be more pressure on postgraduate training programmes to offer value for money and to be able to demonstrate such value for money. Postgraduate medical education of the future will also be a more personalised and adaptive experience. It will be far more based on learners’ individual needs and will be more responsive to those needs. Lastly postgraduate education will be much more closely supervised than it has been in the past. A common theme running through these changes will be patient centredness. This will mean safer training programmes that produce the type of doctors that patients and populations need.