Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validating Acoustic Measures of Speech Rhythm for Second Language Acquisition

This paper reports research investigating the validity of using Pairwise Variability Indexes in research into the second language acquisition of speech rhythm. Findings determined that 1) expert native-speakers rate non-native speaker rhythm based on a common factor, and 2) part of that common factor can be accounted for by the use of vocalic pairwise variability. It was concluded that the PVI measures are indeed a valid measure of second language speech rhythm.
A Specificity and Targeting Subunit of a Human SWI/SNF Family-Related Chromatin-Remodeling Complex

ABSTRACT The SWI/SNF family of chromatin-remodeling complexes facilitates gene activation by assisting transcription machinery to gain access to targets in chromatin. This family includes BAF (also called hSWI/SNF-A) and PBAF (hSWI/SNF-B) from humans and SWI/SNF and Rsc fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the relationship between the human and yeast complexes is unclear because all human subunits published to date are similar to those of both yeast SWI/SNF and Rsc. Also, the two human complexes have many identical subunits, making it difficult to distinguish their structures or functions. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of BAF250, a subunit present in human BAF but not PBAF. BAF250 contains structural motifs conserved in yeast SWI1 but not in any Rsc components, suggesting that BAF is related to SWI/SNF. BAF250 is also a homolog of the Drosophila melanogaster Osa protein, which has been shown to interact with a SWI/SNF-like complex in flies. BAF250 possesses at least two conserved domains that could be important for its function. First, it has an AT-rich DNA interaction-type DNA-binding domain, which can specifically bind a DNA sequence known to be recognized by a SWI/SNF family-related complex at the β-globin locus. Second, BAF250 stimulates glucocorticoid receptor-dependent transcriptional activation, and the stimulation is sharply reduced when the C-terminal region of BAF250 is deleted. This region of BAF250 is capable of interacting directly with the glucocorticoid receptor in vitro. Our data suggest that BAF250 confers specificity to the human BAF complex and may recruit the complex to its targets through either protein-DNA or protein-protein interactions.
Using in-clerkship tests to identify students with insufficient knowledge and assessing the effect of counseling on final examination performance.

PURPOSE To determine whether in-clerkship tests identify students with insufficient knowledge and whether counseling affects final examination pass rates. METHOD The authors reviewed students' mean scores from two internal medicine clerkship tests at the Wright State University School of Medicine from February 1993 to July 1996. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the tests for identifying students with insufficient knowledge, they compared students in the lowest quartile of clerkship test results with those who scored 290 or less on the end-of-clerkship National Board of Medical Examiners' (NBME) subject examination in medicine. The authors also compared the final examination pass rates of counseled and non-counseled students. RESULTS Twenty-five students scored 290 or less on the NBME subject examination. Of those, 17 had low mean clerkship test scores (sensitivity of 68%). The specificity of a low mean clerkship test score was 81%. Counseling did not improve final examination pass rates. CONCLUSION In-clerkship tests can identify students who are at risk of failing an end-of-clerkship examination. Because counseling may be insufficient to raise final examination pass rates, further study into the appropriate clerkship intervention for low-achievement students is needed.
Class, Race, and the Face: Social Context Modulates the Cross-Race Effect in Face Recognition

The current research investigates the hypothesis that the well-established cross-race effect (CRE; better recognition for same-race than for cross-race faces) is due to social-cognitive mechanisms rather than to differential perceptual expertise with same-race and cross-race faces. Across three experiments, the social context in which faces are presented has a direct influence on the CRE. In the first two experiments, middle-class White perceivers show superior recognition for same-race White faces presented in wealthy but not in impoverished contexts. The second experiment indicates this effect is due to the tendency to categorize White faces in impoverished contexts as outgroup members (e.g., “poor Whites”). In the third experiment, this effect is replicated using different ingroup and outgroup categorizations (university affiliation), with ingroup White faces being recognized better than outgroup White faces. In line with a social-cognitive model of the CRE, context had no influence on recognition for cross-race Black faces across the three experiments.
Histopathological analysis of angiogenic factors in renal cell carcinoma

Aim: The present study was carried out to clarify whether a histopathological analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2) can help predict the outcome of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We examined the expression of VEGF, TGF‐β1 and MMP‐2 in a large series of RCC with a long follow‐up, based on histopathological factors and survival.
Prognostic Value of Portal Pressure at the Time of Kasai Operation in Patients With Biliary Atresia

Aim: To examine the prognostic value of portal pressure at the time of Kasai operation in patients with biliary atresia (BA). Patients and Methods: All 127 patients with BA, born between 1991 and 1996, who underwent a Kasai operation in Bicêtre Hospital were studied. Intraoperatively, the umbilical vein was catheterised and a portal pressure index (PPI), defined by the height of the physiologic saline column above the liver surface level, was measured. Overall patient survival, survival with native liver (SNL) and, in patients living with their native liver, survival without significant portal hypertension (SwsPHT) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Measurement of PPI was successful in 113/127 patients (89%) without complication. Median PPI was 15 cm (range, 5–35). Portal pressure index was positively correlated with age at surgery and histological severity of liver fibrosis. Ten-year overall patient survival was 78.2%; 10-year SNL was 35.7%. In patients living with their native liver, 5- and 10-year SwsPHT were 65.3% and 43.6%, respectively. Portal pressure index >15 cm, complete extrahepatic BA and polysplenia were independently associated with a worse SNL. Portal pressure index >15 cm and the absence of postoperative normalisation of bilirubin were independently associated with a worse SwsPHT. Conclusion: Biliary atresia patients with elevated portal pressure at the time of Kasai operation have lower chances of success of this procedure and a higher risk of developing portal hypertension, even if bilirubin levels normalise after the operation. Measurement of PPI was simple and safe and better predicted the postoperative outcome than did the histological scores of liver fibrosis.
Pre‐operative information and patient‐controlled analgesia: much ado about nothing

We examined whether pre‐operative information benefited patients receiving patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) after major surgery. We investigated whether patients felt better informed about PCA and also whether pre‐operative information altered the use of PCA, the adequacy of pain relief, worries about addiction and safety, and knowledge of side‐effects. We investigated the effectiveness of information provided in two ways, namely by a patient‐determined leaflet or an interview by a trained nurse from the pain team, compared with routine pre‐operative information. We studied 225 patients, 75 in each group. Patients in the leaflet group were better informed about PCA, became familiar with using PCA more quickly and were less confused about PCA than the control group. However, there were no effects on pain relief, worries about addiction and safety, and knowledge of side effects. The pre‐operative interview resulted in no benefits. Our findings indicate that the detailed provision of pre‐operative information failed to improve patients' experiences of PCA.
Immunogenic Subtypes of Breast Cancer Delineated by Gene Classifiers of Immune Responsiveness

Assessment of expression profiles and clinical data from many breast tumors enabled classifications having prognostic value. Tumors comprising molecularly distinct subtypes differed in potential for metastasis-protective immune responsiveness, perhaps reflecting a differential activation of immunomodulatory pathways The abundance and functional orientation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer is associated with distant metastasis-free survival, yet how this association is influenced by tumor phenotypic heterogeneity is poorly understood. Here, a bioinformatics approach defined tumor biologic attributes that influence this association and delineated tumor subtypes that may differ in their ability to sustain durable antitumor immune responses. A large database of breast tumor expression profiles and associated clinical data was compiled, from which the ability of phenotypic markers to significantly influence the prognostic performance of a classification model that incorporates immune cell–specific gene signatures was ascertained. Markers of cell proliferation and intrinsic molecular subtype reproducibly distinguished two breast cancer subtypes that we refer to as immune benefit-enabled (IBE) and immune benefit-disabled (IBD). The IBE tumors, comprised mostly of highly proliferative tumors of the basal-like, HER2-enriched, and luminal B subtypes, could be stratified by the immune classifier into significantly different prognostic groups, while IBD tumors could not, indicating the potential for productive engagement of metastasis-protective immunity in IBE tumors, but not in IBD tumors. The prognostic stratification in IBE was independent of conventional variables. Gene network analysis predicted the activation of TNFα/IFNγ signaling pathways in IBE tumors and the activation of the transforming growth factor-β pathway in IBD tumors. This prediction supports a model in which breast tumors can be distinguished on the basis of their potential for metastasis-protective immune responsiveness. Whether IBE and IBD represent clinically relevant contexts for evaluating sensitivity to immunotherapeutic agents warrants further investigation. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(7); 600–10. ©2016 AACR.
Cortisol concentrations in the umbilical artery and vein of breech‐presenting infants at term in relation to the method of delivery

Summary. Umbilical cord artery and vein cortisol levels and cord artery pH were measured in 32 breech deliveries. There was no detectable increase in fetal cortisol output in relation to fetal acidosis. It is considered t h a t elevation of fetal cortisol levels is caused by maternal transfer of this hormone transplacentally during stressful delivery rather than by enhanced fetal adrenal activity.
DNA Sequence Modulates Geometrical Isomerism of the trans-8,9-Dihydro-8-(2,6-diamino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimid-5-yl-formamido)-9-hydroxy Aflatoxin B1 Adduct

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus, is oxidized by cytochrome P450 enzymes to aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide, which alkylates DNA at N7-dG. Under basic conditions, this N7-dG adduct rearranges to yield the trans-8,9-dihydro-8-(2,6-diamino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimid-5-yl-formamido)-9-hydroxy aflatoxin B1 (AFB1–FAPY) adduct. The AFB1–FAPY adduct exhibits geometrical isomerism involving the formamide moiety. NMR analyses of duplex oligodeoxynucleotides containing the 5′-XA-3′, 5′-XC-3′, 5′-XT-3′, and 5′-XY-3′ sequences (X = AFB1–FAPY; Y = 7-deaza-dG) demonstrate that the equilibrium between E and Z isomers is controlled by major groove hydrogen bonding interactions. Structural analysis of the adduct in the 5′-XA-3′ sequence indicates the preference of the E isomer of the formamide group, attributed to formation of a hydrogen bond between the formyl oxygen and the N6 exocyclic amino group of the 3′-neighbor adenine. While the 5′-XA-3′ sequence exhibits the E isomer, the 5′-XC-3′ sequence exhibits a 7:3 E:Z ratio at equilibrium at 283 K. The E isomer is favored by a hydrogen bond between the formyl oxygen and the N4-dC exocyclic amino group of the 3′-neighbor cytosine. The 5′-XT-3′ and 5′-XY-3′ sequences cannot form such a hydrogen bond between the formyl oxygen and the 3′-neighbor T or Y, respectively, and in these sequence contexts the Z isomer is favored. Additional equilibria between α and β anomers and the potential to exhibit atropisomers about the C5–N5 bond do not depend upon sequence. In each of the four DNA sequences, the AFB1–FAPY adduct maintains the β deoxyribose configuration. Each of these four sequences feature the atropisomer of the AFB1 moiety that is intercalated above the 5′-face of the damaged guanine. This enforces the Ra axial conformation for the C5–N5 bond.
Improved preservation of ultrastructure in difficult‐to‐fix organisms by high pressure freezing and freeze substitution: I. Drosophila melanogaster and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos

In this study, we have applied the techniques of high pressure freezing and freeze substitution to embryonic cell types which are usually difficult to fix properly for electron microscopy. In both Drosophila and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, we see improved preservation of both membrane systems and cytoskeleton when compared to published results on the same cells using conventional electron microscope (EM) fixation methods. Finally, we have seen that postembedding labelling of sections is possible even after light osmium fixation during freeze substitution. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Openness in communication

This paper introduces three existing models that give different perspectives on openness in communication systems. The first focuses strictly on how content is presented in digital media. The second model distinguishes between a content layer, a logical layer, and a physical layer where all may be open or restricted in various degrees. Finally a model with nine ideal communication patterns is presented in more detail and used to discuss the different power relations between producers and consumers and users of media content. The model provides an analytical framework to describe some characteristics unique to digital networked media
Oxidative Stress and Programmed Cell Death in Diabetic Neuropathy

Recent evidence in both animal models and human sural nerve biopsies indicates an association with oxidative stress, mitochondrial (Mt) membrane depolarization (MMD), and induction of programmed cell death (PCD). In streptozotocin (STZ)‐treated diabetic rats, hyperglycemia induces typical apoptotic changes as well as swelling and disruption of the Mt cristae in diabetic dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRG) and Schwann cells (SC), but these changes are only rarely observed in control neurons. In human sural nerve biopsies, from patients with diabetic sensory neuropathy, there is transmission electromicrograph evidence of swelling and disruption of the Mt and cristae compared to patients without peripheral neuropathy. In human SH‐SY5Y neurons, rat sensory neurons, and SC, in vivo, there is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) after exposure to 20 mM added glucose. In parallel, there is an initial Mt membrane hyperpolarization followed by depolarization (MMD). In turn, MMD is coupled with cleavage of caspases. Various strategies aimed at inhibiting the oxidative burst, or stabilizing the ΔΨM, block induction of PCD. First, growth factors such as NGF can block induction of ROS and/or stabilize the ΔΨM. This, in turn, is associated with inhibition of PCD. Second, reduction of ROS generation in neuronal Mt prevents neuronal PCD. Third, up‐regulation of uncoupling proteins (UCPs), which stabilize the ΔΨM, blocks induction of caspase cleavage. Collectively, these findings indicate that hyperglycemic conditions observed in diabetes mellitus are associated with oxidative stress‐induced neuronal and SC death, and targeted therapies aimed at regulating ROS may prove effective in therapy of diabetic neuropathy.
Application of Management Theories and Philosophies in Nigeria and Their Associated Problems

This paper uses culture as a major driver of the application of management theories in Nigeria, and examines the associated problems with a view to recommending appropriate solutions. It defines culture along divergence, universalism, convergence and situational lines of demarcation; and notes, from the point of view of African contributions to management thought, that, management ideas are universal, but their level of development differs from one civilisation to another. The paper is based on secondary sources of data collected from the structured survey of articles and texts published in the last twenty years, and on, specifically, a typical Nigerian Management Model which is predicated on the African core values. The paper reviews the literature of some examples of management theories and discusses the problems which are associated with the application of management theories in Nigeria. This paper reveals that despite these problems, management scholars and academicians are working on the adaptation or formulation of necessary African and indeed Nigerian management theories. The paper recommends possible solutions to the identified problems which include the need for Nigeria to forge international cooperation with countries of similar backgrounds with the aim of conducting cross – cultural studies in management theories.
Association between expression of activated 72-kilodalton gelatinase and tumor spread in non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases, in particular the 92-kd and 72-kd gelatinases, have been implicated in the progression of breast, colorectal, and gastric carcinomas, but involvement of the gelatinases in progression of non-small-cell lung carcinoma has not been documented. Immunohistochemical studies have measured the overall expression of these enzymes in tumor tissue but have failed to determine the proportion of active enzyme to latent proenzyme. Because the conversion of the latent proenzyme to active enzyme results in removal of a 10-kd amino-terminal domain, the expression of each proteinase can be determined by zymography, which separates substances according to molecular weight. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the expression and activation of 92-kd and 72-kd proenzymes in non-small-cell lung carcinoma. METHODS Gelatin zymography was used to study the expression of 92-kd and 72-kd gelatinases in 22 samples of non-small-cell lung carcinoma and adjacent uninvolved tissue. Medium conditioned by human RPMI-7951 melanoma cells was used as a marker for the 72-kd proenzyme, and medium conditioned by concanavalin A-treated human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells was used as a marker for both the 92-kd proenzyme and the 62-kd activated form of the 72-kd proenzyme. RESULTS Both 92-kd and 72-kd proenzymes were expressed to varying degrees in the samples studied. The 82-kd activated form of the 92-kd proenzyme was detected in eight tumor samples but in none of the matched uninvolved tissues. Expression of the 62-kd activated form of the 72-kd proenzyme ranged from a strong band in the tumor tissue, with little or none detectable in the adjacent uninvolved tissue, to the presence of only trace amounts of enzyme in both tumor and uninvolved tissue. There was, however, a highly significant statistical association between the level of expression of the 62-kd activated enzyme in the tumor tissue and evidence of tumor spread (P = .001). CONCLUSION These results demonstrate elevated expression of the activated forms of both the 92-kd and 72-kd proenzymes in non-small-cell lung carcinoma tissue relative to adjacent uninvolved tissue. IMPLICATION These results indicate that non-small-cell lung carcinoma should be considered as a possible target for metalloproteinase inhibitory therapy.
Maternal age and adverse perinatal outcomes in a birth cohort (BRISA) from a Northeastern Brazilian city.

PURPOSE To verify the existence of associations between different maternal ages and the perinatal outcomes of preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction in the city of São Luís, Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS A cross-sectional study using a sample of 5,063 hospital births was conducted in São Luís, from January to December 2010. The participants comprise the birth cohort for the study "Etiological factors of preterm birth and consequences of perinatal factors for infant health: birth cohorts from two Brazilian cities" (BRISA). Frequencies and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the results. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to assess the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of maternal age associated with the following outcomes: preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. RESULTS The percentage of early teenage pregnancy (12-15 years old) was 2.2%, and of late (16-19 years old) was 16.4%, while pregnancy at an advanced maternal age (>35 years) was 5.9%. Multivariate analyses showed a statistically significant increase in preterm births among females aged 12-15 years old (OR=1.6; p=0.04) compared with those aged 20-35 years. There was also a higher rate in preterm births among females aged 16-19 years old (OR=1.3; p=0.01). Among those with advanced maternal age (>35 years old), the increase in the prevalence of preterm birth had only borderline statistical significance (OR=1.4; p=0.05). There was no statistically significant association between maternal age and increased prevalence of intrauterine growth restriction.
A novel gene ranking method using Wilcoxon rank sum test and genetic algorithm

Over the last few decades, a large amount of research work has been carried on genomic data. The cancer disease make cells in specific tissues in the body undergo uncontrolled division which results in the malignant growth or tumour. Today, DNA microarray technologies allow us to simultaneously monitor the expression pattern of thousands of genes. Microarray gene expression data are characterised by a very high dimensionality genes, and a relatively small number of samples observations. If one wants to identify all those genes from these thousands of gene expressions which are responsible for the disease like cancer, then it is useful to rank the genes. In this paper, we have proposed a novel gene ranking method based on Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test and genetic algorithm. WRST has been used for reducing dimensionality and genetic algorithm for finding out those differentially expressed genes. The final subset of genes has been cross-validated using k fold LOOCV k varied for different dataset method and thereafter used for classification of data using SVM with linear kernel. At first the proposed method has been applied on two relatively new benchmark datasets, like GDS4382 colorectal cancer dataset and GDS4794 small cell lung cancer dataset and the results show that the proposed method can reach up to 100% classification accuracy with very few dominant genes, which indirectly validates the biological and statistical significance of the proposed method. After that it is also applied on five real-life datasets and the results are compared with one of the recent state of the art approach on the basis of % of Accuracy, Sensitivity, and Specificity etc.