Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Differential Item Functioning Analysis of The New Mexico English Language Proficiency Assessment

English language proficiency assessments are currently in use by the 50 states (Wolf, Farnsworth, & Herman, 2008). Unfortunately, validations studies seldom address the effects of home languages on the use and interpretation of these assessments. If this step is overlooked, the assessment may include items that unfairly position one group of home language scores over another group. An omission of home languages was the case for the New Mexico English Language Proficiency Assessment (NMELPA) (Harcourt Assessment, Inc., 2006, 2007). For this reason, the NMELPA was investigated for group differences between those with first language origins in Spanish and Navajo, the largest groups in New Mexico. The investigation focused on the Reading and Listening subscales of the NMELPA. A Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis determined if items on the NMELPA exhibited different scores between the Navajo and Spanish groups. DIF occurs when two groups matched on ability have different probabilities of correctly answering an item (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999; Camilli & Sheppard, 1994; Osterlind & Everson, 2009). For this study, a method based on Logistic Regression (LR) was used to examine the items for DIF. The DIF analysis determined if the two groups performed differently on any particular
Step-tracking movements of the wrist. III. Influence of changes in load on patterns of muscle activity

Human subjects performed step-tracking movements of the wrist in the radial direction. Movement amplitude, external load, and accuracy instructions were varied. We used surface electrodes to record muscle activity from an agonist, extensor carpi radialis longus, and an antagonist, extensor carpi ulnaris. When subjects performed movements “as fast as possible” that were opposed by different external loads, we observed two distinct patterns of modulation of the agonist burst. In one pattern, termed pulse-height modulation, the force of the agonist muscle was graded by varying the peak amplitude of a short-duration agonist burst. This pattern occurred when subjects performed movements of different amplitudes with a lightweight manipulandum. In the other pattern, termed pulse-width modulation, the force of the agonist muscle was graded by varying the duration of an agonist burst of nearly maximal amplitude. When the agonist burst was prolonged, the onset of antagonist activity was delayed. This pattern occurred when subjects performed movements of different amplitudes that were opposed by elastic or viscoelastic loads applied to a heavy manipulandum. The strongest subject exhibited more pulse-height modulation and less pulse- width modulation of the agonist burst than other subjects. Conversely, the weakest subject displayed more pulse-width modulation of the agonist burst than other subjects. These observations indicate that the force requirements of a task, relative to the force generating capacity of a subject's agonist muscle(s), have a significant influence on the pattern of agonist modulation. In a second experiment using three nonhuman primates, we observed that agonist bursts in wrist flexor and extensor muscles exhibited strikingly different patterns of modulation. For wrist flexion, agonist bursts in wrist flexors were brief and displayed pulse-height modulation when movement amplitude was varied. For wrist extension, agonist bursts in wrist extensors were prolonged and displayed largely pulse-width modulation when movement amplitude was varied. We suggest that the distinct patterns of modulation observed in the wrist muscles of monkeys were due to differences in the strength of wrist flexors and extensors, rather than to alterations in movement strategy. In a third experiment, we instructed human subjects to be “accurate” when they made step-tracking movements. When subjects performed movements with a lightweight manipulandum, most displayed short-duration agonist bursts that were pulse-height modulated. When subjects performed “accurate” movements that were opposed by elastic loads, they displayed pulse-width modulation of a small-amplitude agonist burst. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Low-frequency stimulation of rat fast-twitch muscle enhances the expression of hexokinase II and both the translocation and expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4).

This study followed changes in the capacities of uptake and phosphorylation of glucose in response to contractile activity in low-frequency stimulated (10Hz, 24 h/d) rat fast-twitch muscle. We investigated the intracellular distribution of GLUT-4, the major glucose transporter isoform in muscle, changes in the amounts of its specific mRNA and total cellular protein, as well as changes in its relative synthesis rate. These analyses were complemented by measurements of total hexokinase activity and hexokinase II (HKII) expression at the levels of mRNA content and protein synthesis. Changes in protein synthesis were determined by in vivo labeling with [35S]methionine. Translocation of GLUT-4 into the sarcolemma was an immediate response to contractile activity, whereas changes in its total amount were observed only with ongoing stimulation (5 d and longer). A twofold increase in GLUT-4 content after 5 d and longer stimulation periods was preceded by elevations of its mRNA and by enhanced [35S]methionine incorporation. Conversely, increases in HKII expression with a rise in total hexokinase activity occurred soon after the onset of stimulation (30-fold elevations of HKII mRNA after 12 h and 20-fold increases in [35S]methionine incorporation after 24 h). With ongoing stimulation, HKII mRNA and synthesis returned to lower levels (fivefold elevations). Nevertheless, hexokinase activity continued to rise, stabilizing at fivefold-elevated levels after 3 d. These observation suggested that posttranscriptional mechanisms contributed to the upregulation of HKII, e.g. stabilization by elevated intracellular glucose and mitochondrial binding of the enzyme. This suggestion was supported by experiments with cessation after 24 h where hexokinase activity continued to increase, although the mRNA content and, especially, the [35S]methionine incorporation decayed steeply. The increase in HKII prior to GLUT-4 suggests that phosphorylation may be rate limiting in glucose utilization of glycolytic fibers under conditions of sustained contractile activity. Taken together, the changes in distribution and content of GLUT-4, as well as in HKII represent early metabolic adaptations. In addition, they are related to the overall process of stimulation-induced fiber type transformation.
β-carotene Regulates the Murine Liver Microenvironment of a Metastatic Neuroblastoma

Background: The anticarcinogenic effects of β-carotene (BC) have been well-characterized. However, the effect of BC on the microenvironment of a tumor remains to be investigated, especially since normal tissue proximal to a tumor has been shown to play a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis. For young children, neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid cancer diagnosed. Therefore, in the present study, effect of BC on the murine liver microenvironment of a metastatic NB was evaluated. Methods: Using a mouse model, three experimental groups were established: control mice, mice receiving an injection of SK-N-BE(2)C cells (TC), and mice receiving an injection of SK-N-BE(2)C cells plus 2 mg/kg BC twice a week (BC). Eight weeks after the injection of tumor, liver tissues were collected from all three groups, with the TC and BC tissues collected proximal to the metastatic NBs. Results: Compared to control tissues, BC tissues exhibited lower levels of proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Assays for these processes included the detection of lower levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, MMP2, and MMP9. In addition, higher levels of Bcl-2 were detected. Fewer cells undergoing an epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were also observed in the BC group. Furthermore, BC tissues were associated with reduced expression of cancer stem cell marker, delta-like 1 homologue (DLK1), lower levels of VEGF mRNA and fewer CD31-positive cells. Finally, The antioxidant capability of the tumor microenvironment for the BC group was enhanced with higher expression levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase, and manganese superoxide (MnSOD) detected. Conclusion: These data suggest that BC affects the microenvironment of a tumor, and this enhances the anti-cancer effects of BC.
Spatio-temporal activation of Smad1 and Smad5 in vivo: monitoring transcriptional activity of Smad proteins

Signaling by bone morphogenetic proteins is essential for a wide variety of developmental processes. Receptor-regulated Smad proteins, Smads 1 and 5, are intracellular mediators of bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Together with Smad4, these proteins translocate to the nucleus and modulate transcription by binding to specific sequences on the promoters of target genes. We sought to map transcriptional Smad1/5 activity in development by generating embryonic stem cell lines carrying a Smad1/5-specific response element derived from the Id1 promoter coupled to β-galactosidase or luciferase as reporters. Three independent lines (BRE-lac1, BRE-lac2 and BRE-luc) have shown the existence of an autocrine bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway in mouse embryonic stem cells. Reporter activity was detected in chimeric embryos, suggesting sensitivity to physiological concentrations of bone morphogenetic protein. Reporter activity in embryos from transgenic mouse lines was detected in tissues where an essential role for active bone morphogenetic protein signaling via Smads 1 or 5 had been previously established. We have thus generated, for the first time, an in vivo readout for studying the role of Smad1/5-mediated transcriptional activity in development.
Associations of intrauterine growth restriction among term infants and maternal pregnancy intendedness, initial happiness about being pregnant, and sense of control.

OBJECTIVE Term infants (> or =37 weeks' gestation) who weigh <2500 g have intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and have a higher risk of mortality and morbidity. Little is known about how psychosocial factors affect the risk of IUGR. We examined the association between IUGR and maternal pregnancy intendedness, initial happiness about becoming pregnant, and maternal sense of control. METHODS We analyzed data from a survey of California mothers aged > or =15 years with term live births in 1999 and 2000 (N = 5961). Mothers were asked about pregnancy intendedness before pregnancy, initial happiness about becoming pregnant, and maternal sense of control, assessed by a standardized scale. We examined the association of having an infant with IUGR and these factors in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Mothers with low sense of control (3.0%) and average sense of control (2.7%) were more likely to have an infant with IUGR than mothers with high sense of control (1.8%; odds ratio: 1.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-2.9; and odds ratio: 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.5). After multivariate analysis, we found no significant association between sense of control and IUGR. We also found no significant association between IUGR and pregnancy intendedness and happiness about becoming pregnant. CONCLUSIONS We found no statistically significant association between IUGR and maternal pregnancy intendedness, initial happiness about becoming pregnant, and maternal sense of control. Although research should continue to explore associations between psychosocial factors and IUGR, prenatal care programs should focus on known risk factors for IUGR.
The effect of the GABA‐agonist, progabide, on stretch and flexor reflexes and on voluntary power in spastic patients

ABSTRACT— The action of the GABA‐receptor agonist, progabide, was investigated in a double‐blind study with cross‐over to placebo. The stretch and flexor reflexes and voluntary power were measured in 16 patients with spasticity. 2‐week treatment periods were used; the median daily oral dosage of progabide was 24.3 mg/kg. The Achilles tendon (T) reflex was significantly suppressed whereas the Hoffmann (H) reflex remained unchanged: the T/H ratio was thus reduced. Hmax/M (direct motor)max ratio and the vibration‐induced suppression of the T‐ and H‐reflexes were unchanged. These findings indicate an effect of progabide on the spindles or on the controlling fusimotor system (probably acting on spinal interneurons), whereas influence on presynaptic inhibition and alpha‐motoneuron excitability is unlikely. The flexor reflex threshold was increased during progabide treatment and latency at threshold decreased towards normal latency. This indicates some influence of progabide on flexor reflex activity attributed to reinforcement of action of GABAergic interneurons at the spinal level. Isokinetic measurement of voluntary power of knee extension revealed particularly good progress for the fastest movements during progabide treatment, whereas isometric measurement of sustained handgrip remained unchanged, probably reflecting a reduction of spasticity without reduction of voluntary power in non‐spastic muscles.
On Sample-Based Testers

The standard definition of property testing endows the tester with the ability to make arbitrary queries to "elements" of the tested object. In contrast, sample-based testers only obtain independently distributed elements (a.k.a. labeled samples) of the tested object. While sample-based testers were defined by Goldreich, Goldwasser, and Ron JACM 1998), with few exceptions, most research in property testing is focused on query-based testers. In this work, we advance the study of sample-based property testers by providing several general positive results as well as by revealing relations between variants of this testing model. In particular: We show that certain types of query-based testers yield sample-based testers of sublinear sample complexity. For example, this holds for a natural class of proximity oblivious testers. We study the relation between distribution-free sample-based testers and one-sided error sample-based testers w.r. t. the uniform distribution. While most of this work ignores the time complexity of testing, one part of it does focus on this aspect. The main result in this part is a sublinear-time sample-based tester in the dense graphs model for k-Colorability, for any k > 2.
MRN-100, an Iron-based Compound, Possesses Anti-HIV Activity In Vitro*

We examined the in vitro anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity of MRN-100, an iron-based compound derived from bivalent and tervalent ferrates. MRN-100 action against HIV-1 (SF strain) was tested in primary cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) by analyzing p24 antigen production and percent survival of MNC infected with HIV. MRN-100 at a concentration of 10% (v/v) inhibited HIV-1 replication in 11 out of 14 samples (79%). The percentage of suppression of p24 antigen was −12.3 to 100% at 10 days post-treatment. MRN-100 also exhibited a significant protective effect in the survival of HIV-1-infected MNC. MNC survival post-treatment was dose dependent, 70.4% ± 8.4, 83.6% ± 10.7 and 90% ± 11.4, at concentrations 2.5, 5 and 10% (v/v), respectively, as compared with 53% ± 4 for HIV-1-infected MNC without treatment. The effect was detected as early as 4 days and continued up to 11 days. Treatment with MRN-100 caused no significant change in proliferative response of MNC alone or cocultured with different mitogens: PHA and Con-A (activators of T cell function) and PWM (activator of CD4+ T cell-dependent B cells). We concluded that MRN-100 possesses anti-HIV activity in vitro and without an increase in lymphocyte proliferation, MRN-100 may be a useful agent for treating patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE MONETARY TRANSMISSION MECHANISM AND WHY WE DON'T KNOW IT

We study identification in a class of linear rational expectations models. For any given exactly identified model, we provide an algorithm that generates a class of equivalent models that have the same reduced form. We use our algorithm to show that a model proposed by Jess Benhabib and Roger Farmer is observationally equivalent to the standard new-Keynesian model when observed over a single policy regime. However, the two models have different implications for the design of an optimal policy rule.
Self-inactivating lentiviral vectors with U3 and U5 modifications.

Lentiviral vectors have gained much attention in recent years mainly because they integrate into nondividing host-cell genomes. For clinical applications, a safe and efficient lentiviral vector system is required. Previously, we have established a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-derived three-plasmid lentiviral vector system for viral vector production which includes a packaging vector pHP, a transducing vector pTV, and an envelope-encoding plasmid pHEF-VSVG. Cotransfection of these three plasmids into TE671 human rhabdomyosarcoma cells routinely yields 10(5)-10(6) infectious units per milliliter in 24 h. Here we have extensively modified long terminal repeats (LTRs) of pTV to generate a safer lentiviral vector system. The 5' U3 was replaced with a truncated cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early (IE) enhancer/TATA promoter and the 3' U3 (except for the integration attachment site) was also deleted. These modifications resulted in a vector with 80% wild-type vector efficiency. Further deletion of 3' U5 impaired vector function; however, this problem was solved by replacing the 3' U5 with bovine growth hormone polyadenylation (bGHpA) sequence. The pTV vector containing all these modifications including the 5' promoter substitution, the 3' U3 deletion, and the substitution of 3' U5 with bGHpA exhibited a self-inactivating (SIN) phenotype after transduction, transduced both dividing and nondividing cells at similar efficiencies, and produced vector titers twice as high as that of the wild-type construct. Thus, both safety and efficacy of the HP/TV vector have been improved by these LTR modifications. Further deletion of 5' U5 impaired vector efficiency, suggesting that the 5' U5 has critical roles in vector function.
The biological significance of methylome differences in human papilloma virus associated head and neck cancer

In recent years, studies have suggested that promoter methylation in human papilloma virus (HPV) positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a mechanistic role and has the potential to improve patient survival. The present study aimed to replicate key molecular findings from previous analyses of the methylomes of HPV positive and HPV negative HNSCC in an independent cohort, to assess the reliability of differentially methylated markers in HPV-associated tumors. HPV was measured using real-time quantitative PCR and the biological significance of methylation differences was assessed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Using an identical experimental design of a 450K methylation platform, 7 of the 11 genes were detected to be significantly differentially methylated and all 11 genes were either hypo- or hypermethylated, which was in agreement with the results of a previous study. IPA's enriched networks analysis identified one network with msh homeobox 2 (MSX2) as a central node. Locally dense interactions between genes in networks tend to reflect significant biology; therefore MSX2 was selected as an important gene. Sequestration in the top four canonical pathways was noted for 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1E (serotonin signaling), collapsin response mediator protein 1 (semaphorin signaling) and paired like homeodomain 2 (bone morphogenic protein and transforming growth factor-β signaling). Placement of 9 of the 11 genes in highly ranked pathways and bionetworks identified key biological processes to further emphasize differences between HNSCC HPV positive and negative pathogenesis.
Amoebozoa Possess Lineage-Specific Globin Gene Repertoires Gained by Individual Horizontal Gene Transfers

The Amoebozoa represent a clade of unicellular amoeboid organisms that display a wide variety of lifestyles, including free-living and parasitic species. For example, the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has the ability to aggregate into a multicellular fruiting body upon starvation, while the pathogenic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica is a parasite of humans. Globins are small heme proteins that are present in almost all extant organisms. Although several genomes of amoebozoan species have been sequenced, little is known about the phyletic distribution of globin genes within this phylum. Only two flavohemoglobins (FHbs) of D. discoideum have been reported and characterized previously while the genomes of Entamoeba species are apparently devoid of globin genes. We investigated eleven amoebozoan species for the presence of globin genes by genomic and phylogenetic in silico analyses. Additional FHb genes were identified in the genomes of four social amoebas and the true slime mold Physarum polycephalum. Moreover, a single-domain globin (SDFgb) of Hartmannella vermiformis, as well as two truncated hemoglobins (trHbs) of Acanthamoeba castellanii were identified. Phylogenetic evidence suggests that these globin genes were independently acquired via horizontal gene transfer from some ancestral bacteria. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree of amoebozoan FHbs indicates that they do not share a common ancestry and that a transfer of FHbs from bacteria to amoeba occurred multiple times.
语言学习认知法 = A cognitive approach to language learning

Acknowledgements Preface Introduction 1. Comprehension and production strategies in language learning 2. The role of memory and lexical learning 3. Psycholinguistic processes in language use and language learning 4. Models of language learning 5. A rationale for task-based instruction 6. Implementing task-based instruction 7. Processing perspectives on testing 8. Research into language aptitude 9. Issues in aptitude theory: exceptional learners and modularity 10. Learning style 11. Learners, learning, and pedagogy 12. Conclusions Bibliography Index
The serum levels of resistin in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE Adipocyte-derived resistin is a circulating protein implicated in insulin resistance, but the role of human resistin is uncertain because it is produced largely by macrophages. The aim of this study was to analyze serum resistin concentrations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to determine the role of resistin in human inflammatory diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Resistin concentrations were assessed by ELISA in serum samples from 42 patients with RA. Serum samples from 38 healthy subjects acted as controls. We also evaluated the circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alpha) and disease activity markers in RA patients. RESULTS In RA patients, serum resistin levels were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects. Serum resistin levels in RA patients were correlated with the RA disease activity markers, CRP and ESR. Furthermore, resistin levels in RA patients were significantly correlated with circulating levels of TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION Serum resistin levels were significantly increased in RA patients and correlated with inflammatory markers and TNF-alpha, suggesting that resistin may play a role in the rheumatoid inflammatory process.