Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Executive functions and academic learning

The present study examined the executive functions and spelling performance of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) over a school year. Through a fine-grained spelling error analysis, we investigated whether the measured executive functions would distinguish children’s spelling profiles. The study comprised three groups: the DLD-S group (aged 7–9 years), including children with DLD matched on the total number of spelling errors produced on a dictation task with a typically developing group (n = 8); the DLD-AM group (aged 7– 9 years), including children with DLD matched on chronological age and phonological awareness skills with the DLD-S group (n = 8); and the typically developing group (n = 16; aged 7–8 years). The results indicated that both DLD groups tended to produce more phonographic errors (i.e., spelling errors that change the phonology of the word) even if the DLD-S group produced a similar number of errors in comparison with the typically developing group. In particular, the DLD-AM group made more phoneme omissions than the other groups. The DLD-AM group also had the smallest spelling improvement over the school year and the weakest updating ability. In contrast, all groups had similar inhibition and cognitive flexibility abilities. This may indicate that some children with DLD present limitations in updating, which may lead to a slower spelling acquisition and a greater number of phonographic errors. Language impairments affect and delay spelling acquisition, and the presence of an updating deficit may exacerbate this delay. 1 Université du Québec à Montréal, Faculty of Education Sciences, Department of Language Didactics, Montreal, Canada 2 Université du Québec à Montréal, Faculty of Education Sciences, Department of Specialized Education and Training * Author email address: godin.marie-pier@uqam.ca To cite this article: Godin, M. -P., Gagné, A. , & Chapleau, N. (2018). Phonographic spelling errors in developmental language disorder: Insights from executive functions. Neuroeducation, 5(2), 46-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24046/neuroed.20180502. 46 Received on November 1, 2017. Received in revised form on April 28, 2018. Accepted on May 10, 2018. Available online on September 19, 2018. Neuroeducation, 5(2), 46-61 ISSN: 1929-1833 All rights reserved © 2018 Association for Research in Neuroeducation M. -P. Godin et al. Phonographic spelling errors in developmental language disorder: Insights from executive functions NEUROEDUCATION 2018 | Volume 5 | Issue 2 47
PassMap: a map based graphical-password authentication system

Text passwords have been used in authentication systems for many decades. Users must recall the textual strings selected during registration to pass authentication. However, there are some serious problems with text passwords---recollection and security. Hence, various graphical-password authentication systems have been proposed to solve the problems of text passwords. Previous studies indicate that humans are better at recognizing and recalling images than texts. In 2005, Wiedenbeck et al. proposed PassPoints in which a password consists of a sequence of click-points (5 to 8) that a user chooses on an image. In the paper, we proposed an alternative system in which users can memorize fewer points while providing more security than PassPoints. Based on the idea of using an extremely large image as the password space, we propose a novel world map based graphical-password authentication system called PassMap in which a password consists of a sequence of 2 click-points that a user selects on an large world map. We also conducted a user study for evaluation. The result shows that the passwords of PassMap are easy to memorize for humans and PassMap is friendly to use in practice. Furthermore, PassMap provides higher entropy than PassPoints and also increases the cost of attacks.
Large-scale chromatin structure of inducible genes: transcription on a condensed, linear template

The structure of interphase chromosomes, and in particular the changes in large-scale chromatin structure accompanying transcriptional activation, remain poorly characterized. Here we use light microscopy and in vivo immunogold labeling to directly visualize the interphase chromosome conformation of 1–2 Mbp chromatin domains formed by multi-copy BAC transgenes containing 130–220 kb of genomic DNA surrounding the DHFR, Hsp70, or MT gene loci. We demonstrate near-endogenous transcription levels in the context of large-scale chromatin fibers compacted nonuniformly well above the 30-nm chromatin fiber. An approximately 1.5–3-fold extension of these large-scale chromatin fibers accompanies transcriptional induction and active genes remain mobile. Heat shock–induced Hsp70 transgenes associate with the exterior of nuclear speckles, with Hsp70 transcripts accumulating within the speckle. Live-cell imaging reveals distinct dynamic events, with Hsp70 transgenes associating with adjacent speckles, nucleating new speckles, or moving to preexisting speckles. Our results call for reexamination of classical models of interphase chromosome organization.
Magnetic Resonance Colonography for Fibrosis Assessment in Rats with Chronic Colitis

Background Magnetic resonance colonography (MRC) has been developed to assess inflammatory bowel diseases. We aimed to assess the feasibility of MRC in rats with TNBS-induced chronic colitis and to confront imaging results with fibrosis and stenosing features of the model. Materials and Methods Chronic colitis was induced in 12 rats by weekly intra-rectal injection of increasing doses of TNBS for 6 weeks, while 8 control rats received the vehicle. At week 7, MRC was performed. Fibrosis scores were assessed and fibrosis mediators measured. Results Chronic colitis was associated with significant body weight loss (p<0.0001) and higher colon weight/length compared to controls (p = 0.0004). Fibrosis mediators and histological scores were significantly higher in rats with TNBS than in controls: α-SMA expression (0.9 versus 0.61, p = 0.0311) and fibrosis score (p = 0.0308). Colon wall thickness was higher in rats with TNBS than in controls: maximal thickness (2.38 versus 0.74 mm, p<0.0001) and minimal thickness (1.33 versus 0.48 mm, p<0.0001). Wall signal intensity on T2w images was higher in rats with TNBS than in controls (9040 versus 6192, p = 0.0101) and correlated with fibrosis score (r = 0.5214; p = 0.04). Luminal narrowing was higher in rats with TNBS (50.08 versus 10.33%, p<0.0001) and correlated with α-SMA expression (r = 0.5618; p = 0.01). Stenosis was observed in 7/9 rats with TNBS and in no controls (p = 0.0053). Conclusions MRC is feasible and easily distinguishes rats with colitis from controls. MRC signs correlated with fibrosis parameters. MRC evaluation may be part of a new anti-fibrosis drug assessment in experimental models of chronic colitis.
Functional selectivity and time-dependence of μ-opioid receptor desensitization at nerve terminals in the mouse ventral tegmental area

The majority of studies examining desensitization of the μ‐opioid receptor (MOR) have examined those located at cell bodies. However, MORs are extensively expressed at nerve terminals throughout the mammalian nervous system. This study is designed to investigate agonist‐induced MOR desensitization at nerve terminals in the mouse ventral tegmental area (VTA).
Addiction-Prone Lewis But Not Fischer Rats Develop Compulsive Running that Coincides with Downregulation of Nerve Growth Factor Inducible-B and Neuron-Derived Orphan Receptor 1

We have examined the effects of chronic voluntary running for 30 d on the levels of nerve growth factor inducilble-B (NGFI-B) and neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR1) mRNAs in Fischer and Lewis rats. The aim was to compare the addiction-prone Lewis rat strain to the Fischer strain in a plausible model for natural reward. The Lewis strain ran markedly more than the Fischer strain, as indicated by the length of running per day when given free access to running wheels. Both strains progressively increased their amount of daily running. By day 14, Lewis rats had reached a maximal level corresponding to 10 km/d, which slowly decreased to ∼8 km/d. Fischer rats ran considerably less, averaging ∼1.5 km/d by day 30. After 30 d of running, levels of mRNA encoding NGFI-B and Nor1 were decreased in cerebral cortex in Lewis but not Fischer rats. The downregulation of NGFI-B mRNA in Lewis rats could not be attenuated by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. Instead, naloxone by itself downregulated NGFI-B in striatum and cerebral cortex in both strains. In contrast, naloxone had no effect on Nor1 mRNA levels, although the running-induced downregulation of Nor1 was, in most cases, attenuated by naloxone. Data from the present study suggest that the same genetic factors contributing to the drug addiction-prone behavior of Lewis rats also control the excessive running behavior and that this coincides with downregulation of transcription factors of the NGFI-B family.
Contextual variables associated with differences in educational performance between European Union countries / Variables contextuales asociadas a las diferencias de rendimiento educativo entre los países de la Unión Europea

Abstract Extensive literature exists which shows the relation between academic performance and other variables of a contextual nature. A secondary analysis of the results corresponding to performance in PISA 2015 has enabled us to classify European Union countries into two different levels. The degree of relation between performance and contextual variables such as socioeconomic level, schooling indicators, resources allocated to education and organizational culture and school governance has also been studied at a national level. Subsequently, after selecting the variables that correlate the most with performance, the effects of the contextual variables on the differences of countries with high and low performance have been measured using a logistic regression model. Results show the role of some of the variables considered, with the economic level of the country standing out in particular, as well as parental involvement in decision-making. By way of conclusion, a series of recommendations are formulated to advance towards improvements in performance and to achieve educational convergence among EU countries.
An Exploratory Study on Students’ Reading Interest Development through Independent Reading-Retelling Activity

Reading interest, in addition to reading skills, is crucial for students if they want to be successful readers. The condition of low reading interest among students has been a major issue that needs a creative follow-up from scholars, teachers and practitioners. This study aims to explore the development of students’ reading interest in relation to their participation in independent reading-retelling activity as part of independent learning activity in a particular course they took. Seventy-five students from Faculty and Teacher Training Education of Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia, were involved as the participants in this study. The students took part in independent reading-retelling activity which requires them to read novels and short stories and retell it to as well as do sharing session to discuss the stories with their partners. This activity was done out of course schedule and complemented with a journal entry to track the students’ progress. Without the purpose of assessing the students, the activity was intended to give students meaningful reading experience and to grow their reading interest. The encouragement of the lecturer was regularly given to the students to keep up their reading and retelling. A questionnaire was used to collect data on their reading interest and their perception on the influence they feel from the activity. This study showed that the students’ reading interest was at medium level with several positive reading behaviors. From the students’ perception, the activity has given them positive influence on their vocabulary growth, reading comprehension, self-quality development, and reading interest.
The treatment of acute infectious conjunctivitis with fusidic acid: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Acute infectious conjunctivitis is a common disorder in primary care. Despite a lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of topical antibiotics for the treatment of acute infectious conjunctivitis, most patients presenting in primary care with the condition receive topical antibiotics. In The Netherlands, fusidic acid is most frequently prescribed. AIM To assess the effectiveness of fusidic acid gel compared to placebo for acute infectious conjunctivitis. DESIGN Double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Twenty-five Dutch primary care centres. METHOD Adults presenting with a red eye and either (muco)purulent discharge or glued eyelid(s) were allocated to either one drop of fusidic acid gel 1% or placebo, four times daily during one week. The main outcome measure was the difference in recovery rates at 7 days. Secondary outcome measures were difference in bacterial eradication rates, a survival time analysis of the duration of symptoms, and the difference in recovery rates in culture-positive and culture-negative patients. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-one patients were randomised and 163 patients were analysed. Forty-five of the 73 patients in the treatment and 53 of the 90 patients in the placebo group recovered (adjusted risk difference = 5.3% [95% confidence interval {CI} = -11 to 18]). There was no difference between the median duration of symptoms in the two groups. At baseline, the prevalence of a positive bacterial culture was 32% (58/181). The bacterial eradication rate was 76% in the treatment and 41% in the placebo group (risk difference = 35% [95% CI = 9.3 to 60.4]). In culture positive patients, the treatment effect tended to be strong (adjusted risk difference = 23% [95% CI = -6 to 42]). CONCLUSION At 7 days, cure rates in the fusidic acid gel and placebo group were similar, but the confidence interval was too wide to clearly demonstrate their equivalence. These findings do not support the current prescription practices of fusidic acid by GPs.
Ge-Interface Engineering With Ozone Oxidation for Low Interface-State Density

Passivation of Ge has been a critical issue for Ge MOS applications in future technology nodes. In this letter, we introduce ozone oxidation to engineer Ge/insulator interface. Density of interface states (D<sub>it</sub>) across the bandgap and close to the conduction band edge was extracted using conductance technique at low temperatures. D<sub>it</sub> dependence on growth conditions was studied. Minimum D<sub>it</sub> of 3 times 10<sup>11</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup>V<sup>-1</sup> was demonstrated. Physical quality of the interface was investigated through Ge 3d spectra measurements. We found that the interface and D<sub>it</sub> are strongly affected by the distribution of oxidation states and the quality of the suboxide.
Exposure to Prenatal Infection and Risk of Schizophrenia

We provide a brief review of findings supporting a role for prenatal infection in the etiology of schizophrenia. Our group and others have conducted birth cohort studies to address whether in utero exposure to infectious agents, prospectively documented by biomarker assays of archived maternal sera, and by detailed obstetric records, confer an increased risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring. Prenatal exposure to influenza, elevated toxoplasma antibody, rubella, genital–reproductive infections, and other infections have been associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia among offspring. Animal models have supported these epidemiologic findings by revealing that maternal immune activation causes phenotypes analogous to those found in patients with schizophrenia. Given that exposure to microbial agents are preventable or treatable, they suggest that interventions to diminish the incidence of infection during pregnancy have the potential to prevent an appreciable proportion of schizophrenia cases. Given the clear genetic component to schizophrenia, future studies should include investigations of interactions between prenatal infection and susceptibility genes in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Diabetes-Induced Hepatic Pathogenic Damage, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Insulin Resistance Was Exacerbated in Zinc Deficient Mouse Model

Objectives Zinc (Zn) deficiency often occurs in the patients with diabetes. Effects of Zn deficiency on diabetes-induced hepatic injury were investigated. Methods Type 1 diabetes was induced in FVB mice with multiple low-dose streptozotocin. Hyperglycemic and age-matched control mice were treated with and without Zn chelator, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis (2-pyridylemethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), at 5 mg/kg body-weight daily for 4 months. Hepatic injury was examined by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and liver histopathological and biochemical changes. Results Hepatic Zn deficiency (lower than control level, p<0.05) was seen in the mice with either diabetes or TPEN treatment and more evident in the mice with both diabetes and TPEN. Zn deficiency exacerbated hepatic injuries, shown by further increased serum ALT, hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative damage, and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related cell death in Diabetes/TPEN group compared to Diabetes alone. Diabetes/TPEN group also showed a significant decrease in nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and transcription action along with significant increases in Akt negative regulators, decrease in Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation, and increase in nuclear accumulation of Fyn (a Nrf2 negative regulator). In vitro study with HepG2 cells showed that apoptotic effect of TPEN at 0.5–1.0 µM could be completely prevented by simultaneous Zn supplementation at the dose range of 30–50 µM. Conclusions Zn is required for maintaining Akt activation by inhibiting the expression of Akt negative regulators; Akt activation can inhibit Fyn nuclear translocation to export nuclear Nrf2 to cytoplasm for degradation. Zn deficiency significantly enhanced diabetes-induced hepatic injury likely through down-regulation of Nrf2 function.
Revealing Intercultural Communicative Competence in an EFL High School Textbook

Since the goal of teaching English is now shifted from communicative competence to intercultural communicative competence (ICC), English teachers should rethink of and be selective on using teaching sources which are mainly referred to textbooks. Many studies were then conducted to analyze the cultural contents in EFL textbooks in Asia whether they meet global goals in ELT. Analyzing textbook contents is now significantly needed by English teachers because of the trend movement in ELT. They should correspond the teaching materials to the notion of ICC in the in-use textbooks. In Indonesia, government has already recommended the English textbooks used at schools. One of them is Bahasa Inggris for the tenth graders. With respect to cultural teaching, English teachers are reluctant to employ the textbook in the classroom. Therefore, this present paper tries (1) to reveal to what extent the learning tasks in Bahasa Inggris contain intercultural competence and (2) to identify what components of intercultural competence are embedded in the textbook learning tasks. This study employs the model of ICC proposed by Byram. The findings show that very small extent learning tasks encourage students’ intercultural competence. Yet, communicative competence is much promoted. Keywords—Intercultural Communicative Competence, LearningTasks, and Textbook
The teacher state: navigating the fusion of education and militarisation in Eritrea and elsewhere

ABSTRACT This paper uses the case of Eritrea to explore tensions between education and militarisation as forms of everyday state-making and examine how teachers constitute the state in the process of navigating these tensions. In 2003 Eritrea merged educational and military institutions. Teachers responded to the new policies by alternately joining in with students’ tacit resistance to them, and engaging in strict, often violent, measures to reclaim control and exert ‘teacher sovereignty’ over schools. Teachers’ intermingling of resistant humour and foot-dragging with violence and authoritarianism suggests that teachers, as agents of the state in Eritrea and elsewhere, may resist militarisation yet also reproduce authoritarian violence. While this policy, which effectively merged military and educational institutions was unique to Eritrea, the disjuncture between education and militarisation exposed by this case illuminates the complex role that schools and teachers play in state-making and nuances our understanding of education, the state and armed conflict.
Multiuser Switched Diversity Scheduling Schemes

Multiuser switched-diversity scheduling schemes were recently proposed in order to overcome the heavy feedback requirements of conventional opportunistic scheduling schemes by applying a threshold-based, distributed, and ordered scheduling mechanism. The main idea behind these schemes is that slight reduction in the prospected multiuser diversity gains is an acceptable trade-off for great savings in terms of required channel-state-information feedback messages. In this work, we characterize the achievable rate region of multiuser switched diversity systems and compare it with the rate region of full feedback multiuser diversity systems. We propose also a novel proportional fair multiuser switched-based scheduling scheme and we demonstrate that it can be optimized using a practical and distributed method to obtain the feedback thresholds. We finally demonstrate by numerical examples that switched-diversity scheduling schemes operate within 0.3 bits/sec/Hz from the ultimate network capacity of full feedback systems in Rayleigh fading conditions.
Propagation Delay Variations under Process Deviation in Driver Interconnect Load System

Process variation has become a major concern in the design of many nanometer circuits, including interconnect pipelines. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the types and sources of all aspects of process variations in driver –interconnect-load system. The primary sources of manufacturing variation include Deposition, Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP), Etching, Resolution Enhancement Technology (RET). Process variations manifest themselves as the uncertainties of circuit performance, such as delay, noise and power consumption. The impacts of these process variations on circuit delay are discussed in this paper for three different technologies i.e 130nm, 70nm and 45nm. The comparison of results between these three technologies shows that as device size shrinks the process variation becomes a dominant factor and subsequently increases the uncertainty of the delays.