Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting the naming of regular-, irregular- and non-phonetic compounds in Chinese

Abstract This study investigated the contributions of different cognitive measures in predicting the three types of Chinese characters: regular phonetic compounds, irregular phonetic compounds and non-phonetic compounds. A total of 246 Grade 3 children (mean age = 8.63 yrs) were tested using a bunch of tasks including phonological processing, orthographic processing, morphological processing, rapid automatised naming and Chinese character naming. Results showed that advanced phonological processing skills contributed largely to regular phonetic compounds naming while other cognitive measures predict the naming of the other two types of characters. The results imply that the skills underlying the learning of regular phonetic compounds are different from that of irregular phonetic compounds and non-phonetic compounds, which are similar. Data from three poor readers whose performances pattern on naming different types of Chinese characters agreed with the pattern predicted by their performances in different cognitive tasks provide further support to the claim. Theoretical and pedagogical implications were discussed.
The Effect of Metformin Treatment on CRBP-I Level and Cancer Development in the Liver of HBx Transgenic Mice

Retinoids regulate not only various cell functions including proliferation and differentiation but also glucose and lipid metabolism. After we observed a marked up-regulation of cellular retinol-binding protein-I (CRBP-I) in the liver of hepatitis B virus x antigen (HBx)-transgenic (HBx Tg) mice which are prone to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and fatty liver, we aimed to evaluate retinoid pathway, including genes for the retinoid physiology, CRBP-I protein expression, and retinoid levels, in the liver of HBx Tg mice. We also assessed the effect of chronic metformin treatment on HCC development in the mice. Many genes involved in hepatic retinoid physiology, including CRBP-I, were altered and the tissue levels of retinol and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) were elevated in the liver of HBx Tg mice compared to those of wild type (WT) control mice. CRBP-I protein expression in liver, but not in white adipose tissue, of HBx Tg mice was significantly elevated compared to WT control mice while CRBP-I protein expressions in the liver and WAT of high-fat fed obese and db/db mice were comparable to WT control mice. Chronic treatment of HBx Tg mice with metformin did not affect the incidence of HCC, but slightly increased hepatic CRBP-I level. In conclusion, hepatic CRBP-I level was markedly up-regulated in HCC-prone HBx Tg mice and neither hepatic CRBP-I nor the development of HCC was suppressed by metformin treatment.
New types of experimental data shape the use of enzyme kinetics for dynamic network modeling

Since the publication of Leonor Michaelis and Maude Menten's paper on the reaction kinetics of the enzyme invertase in 1913, molecular biology has evolved tremendously. New measurement techniques allow in vivo characterization of the whole genome, proteome or transcriptome of cells, whereas the classical enzyme essay only allows determination of the two Michaelis–Menten parameters V and Km. Nevertheless, Michaelis–Menten kinetics are still commonly used, not only in the in vitro context of enzyme characterization but also as a rate law for enzymatic reactions in larger biochemical reaction networks. In this review, we give an overview of the historical development of kinetic rate laws originating from Michaelis–Menten kinetics over the past 100 years. Furthermore, we briefly summarize the experimental techniques used for the characterization of enzymes, and discuss web resources that systematically store kinetic parameters and related information. Finally, describe the novel opportunities that arise from using these data in dynamic mathematical modeling. In this framework, traditional in vitro approaches may be combined with modern genome‐scale measurements to foster thorough understanding of the underlying complex mechanisms.
Bias in Amputation Research; Impact of Subjects Missed from a Prospective Study

For research findings to be generalized, a sample must be representative of the actual population of interest. Lower limb amputation is most frequently performed in older patients with vascular disease, a population that is often under-represented in research. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of selection bias by comparing characteristics from a sample included in a prospective study of phantom pain with the actual population who underwent amputation. Only 27% of all potential patients were referred during the first year of the prospective study. The referred patients were 8 years younger (p<0.001) and less likely to have had amputation because of a vascular condition, diabetes or infection (p = 0.003) than those not referred. There was also a significant difference in one year survival between the groups; 67% of referred patients survived compared with just 40% of non-referred patients (p = 0.004). The biased population in the phantom pain study may have resulted in an underestimation of phantom pain in the original study and subsequent protective factors should be considered within the context of the younger population reported. Selection bias is common in amputation research, and research methods to minimize its impact must be given greater attention.
Biofilms and Mucosal Healing in Postsurgical Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often remain symptomatic after technically proficient functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Current hypothesis indicates biofilms may contribute to the persistence of infection. However, few studies showed biofilms in postoperative patients. This study was designed to identify bacterial biofilms on postoperative mucosa, as well as to investigate the healing of sinus mucosa after surgery. Methods After intraoperative mucosa was obtained for assessment of biofilms, 27 patients were followed up for 6 months. Postoperative medications and symptoms were recorded. As indicated by endoscopic evaluation, biopsy specimens of postoperative edema, scar, or adhesion were obtained. Samples were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results Fifteen postoperative samples were taken from the 20 patients with intraoperative biofilms. Under SEM, postoperative biofilms were identified in 4/6 scar samples and 5/9 edema samples. There was no significant difference in biofilm presence between samples of scar and edema. Microcolonies were also identified on postoperative scar under H&E staining. The presence of intraoperative and postoperative biofilms was correlated with the severity of preoperative Lund-MacKay computed tomography score and postoperative Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. Compared with intraoperative samples, postoperative samples from the same nine patients significantly recovered from ciliary damage, metaplasia, and basement membrane thickness. Postoperative cultures were positive in samples with and without postoperative biofilms. Conclusion Biofilms persist after treatment, and may cause the unfavorable outcomes of surgery for CRS. The mucosa with biofilms can recover after surgery. Apparent bacterial plaque can be identified by H&E staining.
Simplified enrichment of plasma membrane proteins for proteomic analyses in Arabidopsis thaliana

The plasma membrane (PM) serves as the point of contact between cells and the outside environment. As such, changes in the PM proteome are an important component of understanding cellular responses to a diverse array of stimuli. However, intricate sample handling to enrich PM proteomes by traditional methods is both technically challenging and time consuming. Here, we describe a simplified method for decreasing the representation of other membrane‐containing organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, plastids and mitochondria from crude microsomal membrane isolations. The decrease in other organellar proteomes results in an increase in both the total number of PM proteins and the number of spectra identified from these proteins representing the PM proteome. Therefore, this strategy represents a simple and rapid method for enriching PM proteins from Arabidopsis cell cultures for proteomic analyses.
Impaired dendritic cell differentiation of CD16‐positive monocytes in tuberculosis: Role of p38 MAPK

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's most pernicious diseases mainly due to immune evasion strategies displayed by its causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Blood monocytes (Mos) represent an important source of DCs during chronic infections; consequently, the alteration of their differentiation constitutes an escape mechanism leading to mycobacterial persistence. We evaluated whether the CD16+/CD16− Mo ratio could be associated with the impaired Mo differentiation into DCs found in TB patients. The phenotype and ability to stimulate Mtb‐specific memory clones DCs from isolated Mo subsets were assessed. We found that CD16− Mos differentiated into CD1a+DC‐SIGNhigh cells achieving an efficient recall response, while CD16+ Mos differentiated into a CD1a−DC‐SIGNlow population characterized by a poor mycobacterial Ag‐presenting capacity. The high and sustained phosphorylated p38 expression observed in CD16+ Mos was involved in the altered DC profile given that its blockage restored DC phenotype and its activation impaired CD16− Mo differentiation. Furthermore, depletion of CD16+ Mos indeed improved the differentiation of Mos from TB patients toward CD1a+DC‐SIGNhigh DCs. Therefore, Mos from TB patients are less prone to differentiate into DCs due to their increased proportion of CD16+ Mos, suggesting that during Mtb infection Mo subsets may have different fates after entering the lungs.
Power cycling test of a 650 V discrete GaN-on-Si power device with a laminated packaging embedding technology

A GaN-on-Si power device is a strong candidate to replace power components based on silicon in high-end market for low-voltage applications, thanks to its electrical characteristics. To maximize opportunities of the GaN device in field applications, a package technology plays an important role in a discrete GaN power device. A few specialized package technologies having very lower stray inductance and higher thermal conductivity have been proposed for discrete GaN-on-Si power devices. Despite their superior performance, there has been little discussion of their reliability. The paper presents a power cycling test of a discrete GaN power device employing a laminated embedded packaging technology subjected to 125 degrees Celsius junction temperature swing. Failure modes are described with collected electrical characteristics and measured temperature data under the test. In conclusion, physical degradation of a solder layer between a tested discrete chip and an aluminum print circuit board is represented by a scanning acoustic microscope and a scanning electron microscope. A drain-to-source leakage current increase after the failure is reported in resemblance with previous studies.
Factors associated with restraint use of children in fatal crashes.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to characterize the restraint use of children in fatal crashes and to determine factors that were related to child restraint use. METHODS Crashes in which a vehicle occupant died were selected from the 1994 Fatal Analysis Reporting System data. Restraint use of children (0-9 years) in these crashes was characterized and examined in relation to vehicle and driver characteristics. RESULTS Restraint use declined with increasing age of children and increasing number of occupants. Restraint use was also lower in older vehicles, in pickups and large vans, between 3 AM and 6 AM, and in rural areas. Driver characteristics associated with lower restraint use of child passengers included unrestrained drivers, younger drivers, and alcohol use at the time of crash. Driver restraint use was the strongest predictor of child restraint use. Differences in restraint use by age of the child, number of occupants, time, urban/rural area, and driver restraint use persisted in a logistic model. CONCLUSION Restraint use in crashes is substantially lower than that in observational studies, suggesting that these studies are not reflective of high-risk conditions for crashes in which children are involved. Child occupant protection counseling must stress restraint use under all conditions of travel. Local, state, and national efforts must be aimed at increasing family occupant protection for the entire family.
Anti-interleukin 4 and 13 for asthma treatment in the era of endotypes

Purpose of reviewTo summarize recent advances in IL-4 and IL-13 blockade in the treatment of asthma. Recent findingsHistorically, anticytokine therapies have historically been unsuccessful in the treatment of asthma because of the heterogeneity of its pathogenesis. Recent advances in our understanding of asthma pathophysiology and our increased ability to phenotype patients have led to the identification of asthmatic subsets (endotypes) that are most likely to respond to anticytokine therapy. Several new biologic therapies targeting IL-13 or both IL-4 and IL-13 signaling are currently in clinical trials and both types of therapies have demonstrated therapeutic benefit. SummaryAnti-IL-4/13 therapies, guided by knowledge of an individual's underlying pathophysiology, are a promising class of therapies for treatment of asthma.
Iron oxide minerals in soils of the Ha'apai group, Kingdom of Tonga

The iron oxide mineralogy of three soils from the Ha'apai Group (c. latitude 19°50? S., longitude 174°30' W.), Kingdom of Tonga, has been investigated. The Group consists mainly of an archipelago of low coral atolls. Soils are formed in the andesitic tephra which overlie the coral. Accessions of marine salts are high and give rise to high soil pH values (>7) and high concentrations of exchangeable cations. The soils are dark reddish brown to reddish brown in colour, with limited colour differentiation with soil depth, and they are not hqdromorphic. The results of study of whole soils and size fractions by chemical extraction, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, Moessbauer spectroscopy, and by measurement of variation of magnetic attraction following heating to various temperatures, lead to the following conclusions: iron oxide minerals comprise 7-12% by weight of the soils; the predominant clay size iron oxide is very poorly crystalline aluminium-substituted lepidocrocite (a-Fe 0.8Al 0.2,OOH); ferrihydrite is probably also present in the clay fraction; lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite together account for 50-60% of the total iron in the soils studied; magnetite, probably partially oxidized towards maghemite, is present, particularly in sand and silt fractions, and accounts for about 10% of the total iron in the soils. The remainder of the total iron occurs in unweathered minerals in the silt and sand fractions and in the structure of halloysite in the clay fraction. The common soil iron oxides, goethite and hematite, have not been detected. Although the occurrence of lepidocrocite is usually linked with hydromorphic soil conditions, this report, along with others, suggest that it is also found under non-hydromorphic conditions.
A Radiation-Tolerant, high performance SPAD for SiPMs implemented in CMOS technology

We investigate the radiation effects on single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) fabricated in CMOS technology. For this investigation, a high-performance SPAD based on a vertical p-i-n construction with buried-N layer is proposed and used for the characterization. It retains good performance in terms of dark counts and photon detection probability upon irradiation doses from 10k Rad(Si) to 50k Rad(Si), with a slight increase of dark count rates and stable dark current, breakdown voltage, and sensitivity. This feature makes our device especially suitable to be integrated in SiPMs for applications in radiation-rich environments, where high radiation tolerance and low noise are essential.
Parathyroid hormone improves contractile performance of adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes at low concentrations in a non-acute way.

AIMS In patients with congestive heart failure, plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are positively associated with cardiac function. PTH, used to mobilize stem cells from the bone marrow after myocardial infarction, causes an increased left ventricular ejection fraction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low but plasma-relevant concentrations of PTH directly influence the contractile properties of cardiomyocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS Isolated adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were exposed to PTH(1-34) or full-length PTH at picomolar concentrations for 24 h. Cell shortening was measured at 2 Hz as a cellular correlate of inotropic responsiveness. Intracellular calcium was measured in Fura-AM-loaded cells. PTH(1-3) (20-200 pM) and full-length PTH (200 pM) increased cell shortening within 24 h. PTH had no effect on cell size, but resting and peak systolic calcium concentrations were elevated. The beneficial effect of PTH was mediated via its cAMP/protein kinase A-activating domain and attenuated by addition of a protein kinase A inhibitor. In contrast, PTH peptides representing a protein kinase C-activating domain but not a cAMP/protein kinase A-activating domain or peptides that represent none of these domains had no effect on cell shortening. The effect of PTH on cell shortening was strong at low concentrations of extracellular calcium but declined at higher calcium concentrations. PTH downregulated the expression of the calcium sensing receptor, a receptor known to antagonize the action of PTH on calcium transport. Furthermore, PTH antagonized the angiotensin II-induced loss of cell function. CONCLUSION Low concentrations of PTH improve cell shortening by increasing calcium load at rest. By this mechanism cardiomyocytes compensate reduced extracellular calcium levels as they occur in patients with heart failure.
Early clinical and radiological predictors of fatal brain swelling in ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Early identification of acute stroke patients at risk of fatal brain swelling is necessary to facilitate implementation of aggressive therapies. Initial clinical, laboratory, and CT characteristics that may be used as selection criteria were analyzed to determine predictors of herniation and neurological death. METHODS Data from the placebo arm of the Lubeluzole-International-9 trial were reviewed to identify patients with fatal brain edema. Early clinical, laboratory, and radiographic parameters were evaluated in a case-control design. Initial CT scans were analyzed for early ischemic abnormalities by 2 blinded investigators. RESULTS Twenty-three patients died from brain swelling, with minimum baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of 20 (n=12; mean, 23.2+/-1.8) with left and 15 (n=11; mean, 17.6+/-2.2) with right hemispheric infarctions (P=0. 0001). A sample of 112 subjects with comparably severe strokes, but who did not die from brain swelling, was selected from the remaining population according to the same NIHSS scores. Among clinical and laboratory characteristics, nausea/vomiting within 24 hours after onset (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% CI, 1.7 to 15.3; P=0.003) and 12-hour systolic blood pressure >/=180 mm Hg (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 12.9; P=0.01) were independently associated with fatal brain swelling. Among radiographic factors, only hypodensity of >50% of the middle cerebral artery territory on initial CT scan was an independent predictor (OR, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.3 to 16.6; P=0.0004). CONCLUSIONS Patients with baseline NIHSS score >/=20 with left or >/=15 with right hemispheric infarctions within 6 hours of symptom onset who also have nausea/vomiting or >50% middle cerebral artery territory hypodensity are at high risk for developing fatal brain swelling.
Sensory integration does not lead to sensory calibration

One generally has the impression that one feels one's hand at the same location as one sees it. However, because our brain deals with possibly conflicting visual and proprioceptive information about hand position by combining it into an optimal estimate of the hand's location, mutual calibration is not necessary to achieve such a coherent percept. Does sensory integration nevertheless entail sensory calibration? We asked subjects to move their hand between visual targets. Blocks of trials without any visual feedback about their hand's position were alternated with blocks with veridical visual feedback. Whenever vision was removed, individual subjects' hands slowly drifted toward the same position to which they had drifted on previous blocks without visual feedback. The time course of the observed drift depended in a predictable manner (assuming optimal sensory combination) on the variable errors in the blocks with and without visual feedback. We conclude that the optimal use of unaligned sensory information, rather than changes within either of the senses or an accumulation of execution errors, is the cause of the frequently observed movement drift. The conclusion that seeing one's hand does not lead to an alignment between vision and proprioception has important consequences for the interpretation of previous work on visuomotor adaptation.
Risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease. It is typically fatal within 2–5 years of symptom onset. The incidence of ALS is largely uniform across most parts of the world, but an increasing ALS incidence during the last decades has been suggested. Although recent genetic studies have substantially improved our understanding of the causes of ALS, especially familial ALS, an important role of non-genetic factors in ALS is recognized and needs further study. In this review, we briefly discuss several major genetic contributors to ALS identified to date, followed by a more focused discussion on the most commonly examined non-genetic risk factors for ALS. We first review factors related to lifestyle choices, including smoking, intake of antioxidants, physical fitness, body mass index, and physical exercise, followed by factors related to occupational and environmental exposures, including electromagnetic fields, metals, pesticides, β-methylamino-L-alanine, and viral infection. Potential links between ALS and other medical conditions, including head trauma, metabolic diseases, cancer, and inflammatory diseases, are also discussed. Finally, we outline several future directions aiming to more efficiently examine the role of non-genetic risk factors in ALS.