Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A developmental study of the relation between combined learning and performance goals and students' self-regulated learning.

BACKGROUND Current goal theory models assume that learning goals are adaptive in academic contexts and that performance goals lead to less positive patterns of motivation and self-regulation. These models also implicitly assume that the adaptive nature of these goals is the same at all academic levels. AIMS The objectives of this study were to examine how combined learning and performance goals are related to self-regulation and academic performance, and whether there is a developmental trend in these relations. SAMPLE A total of 1072 junior (N = 408, mean age = 11.9), middle (N = 323, mean age = 13.7), and senior (N = 341, mean age = 15.7) high school students were examined. METHOD They were administered a questionnaire assessing their learning and performance goals and reported their self-regulatory strategies while studying. RESULTS Analyses showed that whatever their performance goals, having high learning goals promoted younger students' self-regulation. They also showed that, contrary to the findings for younger students, performance goals were related to self-regulation and academic performance at higher school levels. Furthermore, high performance goals were found to alleviate the negative effects of low learning goals for older students. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the adaptive nature of goals could change across development. This could be due to contextual factors such as the increasing importance of obtaining good grades to access higher academic levels. Future research should address this issue.
Novel inhibitors of the PI3K family

PI3K is an important node regulating the signaling of several essential biological processes. PI3K catalyzes the phosphorylation in position 3 of the inositol ring of phosphatidyl-inositide producing important lipid second messengers. The products of PI3K activity recruit PDK1 and AKT Ser/Thr kinases to the plasma membrane where they get activated transducing a potent proliferative and anti-apoptotic signal to the cell. PI3K is activated by growth factors, insulin and GPCR activation. Furthermore, PI3K can be activated by direct binding to oncogenic Ras proteins. PI3K is commonly altered in human cancers by point activating mutations or by amplification. Furthermore, other proteins of the route are also altered in human tumors (such as phosphatase and tensin homolog in chromosome 10 or human EGF receptor 2) providing constitutive activation of PI3K. The evidence indicates that the PI3K pathway is a potential target for cancer chemotherapy. Indeed, many companies and academic laboratories have initiated a variety of approaches to inhibit the PI3K pathway at different points. In this work, we review the targeting of PI3K protein for therapeutical intervention.
MultiDimensional ClinOmics for Precision Therapy of Children and Adolescent Young Adults with Relapsed and Refractory Cancer: A Report from the Center for Cancer Research

Purpose: We undertook a multidimensional clinical genomics study of children and adolescent young adults with relapsed and refractory cancers to determine the feasibility of genome-guided precision therapy. Experimental Design: Patients with non-central nervous system solid tumors underwent a combination of whole exome sequencing (WES), whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS), and high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism array analysis of the tumor, with WES of matched germline DNA. Clinically actionable alterations were identified as a reportable germline mutation, a diagnosis change, or a somatic event (including a single nucleotide variant, an indel, an amplification, a deletion, or a fusion gene), which could be targeted with drugs in existing clinical trials or with FDA-approved drugs. Results: Fifty-nine patients in 20 diagnostic categories were enrolled from 2010 to 2014. Ages ranged from 7 months to 25 years old. Seventy-three percent of the patients had prior chemotherapy, and the tumors from these patients with relapsed or refractory cancers had a higher mutational burden than that reported in the literature. Thirty patients (51% of total) had clinically actionable mutations, of which 24 (41%) had a mutation that was currently targetable in a clinical trial setting, 4 patients (7%) had a change in diagnosis, and 7 patients (12%) had a reportable germline mutation. Conclusions: We found a remarkably high number of clinically actionable mutations in 51% of the patients, and 12% with significant germline mutations. We demonstrated the clinical feasibility of next-generation sequencing in a diverse population of relapsed and refractory pediatric solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3810–20. ©2016 AACR.
Efficiency Evaluations of U.S. Public Higher Education and Effects of State Funding and Pell Grants: Panel Data Estimates Using Two Stage Data Envelopment Analysis, 2004–2013 Academic Years

abstract: The Great Recession induced by the financial crisis accelerated the decades of declining state funding support for U.S. public higher education, while simultaneously bringing increased political pressures for demonstrating improvements in the operating efficiencies among all universities and colleges. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it provides estimates of those efficiencies and their changes over ten academic years, 2004 through 2013. Second, it provides estimates of the effects of state funding decreases on operating efficiencies, while also accounting for the large student enrollment recipients due to Pell Grant funds. A two stage data envelopment analysis is employed. First stage efficiencies enter the Tobit model in the second stage with state funding and Pell Grant measures as covariates. Panel data covers research, comprehensive, and associate institutions. Although the efficiency estimates are shown to vary widely across institutions, there is strong evidence that reversing state legislative decisions and increasing state funding would improve higher education efficiency.
A Lattice-Reduction Aided List Demapper for Coded MIMO Receiver

The max-log list demapper has been widely employed in the implementations of a coded multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver, where only a candidate-list of signal vectors is examined in the likelihood-ratio calculation to reduce complexity. Traditionally, the candidate-list is generated in the original-lattice domain which, unfortunately, results in a severe degradation in the performance of demapper if the channel is in ill-condition. In this paper, a new lattice-reduction aided max-log list demapper is proposed in which the candidate-list is generated after a successive cancellation of multi-layer interference in the lattice-reduced domain. Thanks to the newly designed metrics and search algorithms for the generation of the candidate-list, the proposed demapper provides significant gains over the existing methods, especially for the cases with a small list size and/or under a spatially-correlated channel.
Cisplatin, radiation, and adjuvant hysterectomy compared with radiation and adjuvant hysterectomy for bulky stage IB cervical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Bulky stage IB cervical cancers have a poorer prognosis than smaller stage I cervical cancers. For the Gynecologic Oncology Group, we conducted a trial to determine whether weekly infusions of cisplatin during radiotherapy improve progression-free and overall survival among patients with bulky stage IB cervical cancer. METHODS Women with bulky stage IB cervical cancers (tumor, > or =4 cm in diameter) were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy alone or in combination with cisplatin (40 mg per square meter of body-surface area once a week for up to six doses; maximal weekly dose, 70 mg), followed in all patients by adjuvant hysterectomy. Women with evidence of lymphadenopathy on computed tomographic scanning or lymphangiography were ineligible unless histologic analysis showed that there was no lymph-node involvement. The cumulative dose of external pelvic and intracavitary radiation was 75 Gy to point A (cervical parametrium) and 55 Gy to point B (pelvic wall). Cisplatin was given during external radiotherapy, and adjuvant hysterectomy was performed three to six weeks later. RESULTS The relative risks of progression of disease and death among the 183 women assigned to receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy with cisplatin, as compared with the 186 women assigned to receive radiotherapy alone, were 0.51 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.75) and 0.54 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.86), respectively. The rates of both progression-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P=0.008) were significantly higher in the combined-therapy group at four years. In the combined-therapy group there were higher frequencies of transient grade 3 (moderate) and grade 4 (severe) adverse hematologic effects (21 percent, vs. 2 percent in the radiotherapy group) and adverse gastrointestinal effects (14 percent vs. 5 percent). CONCLUSIONS Adding weekly infusions of cisplatin to pelvic radiotherapy followed by hysterectomy significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence and death in women with bulky stage IB cervical cancers.
The mitogenic activity of human T-cell leukemia virus type I is T-cell associated and requires the CD2/LFA-3 activation pathway

The presence of a high number of activated T cells in the bloodstream and spontaneous proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro are striking characteristics of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) infection. The HTLV-I regulatory protein Tax and the envelope protein gp46 have been implicated in mediating the activation process. In this study, HTLV-I-producing cell lines and purified virus from the cell lines were examined for the ability to activate peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and Jurkat cells. Antisera and monoclonal antibodies against several cellular adhesion proteins involved in T-cell activation and against viral proteins were used to identify which molecules may be participating in the activation process. First, neither virus from a T-cell line, MT2, nor virus produced from the human osteosarcoma cell line HOS/PL was able to induce PBLs to proliferate. In contrast, both fixed and irradiated HTLV-I-producing T-cell lines induced proliferation of PBLs; HOS/PL cells did not activate PBLs. Second, HTLV-I-positive T-cell lines were capable of activating interleukin-2 mRNA expression in Jurkat cells. Induction of interleukin-2 expression was inhibited by anti-CD2 and anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 (LFA-3) monoclonal antibodies but not anti-human leukocyte antigen-DR, anti-CD4, anti-LFA-1, or anti-intercellular adhesion molecule 1. Similar results were obtained with PBLs as the responder cells. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies and antisera against various regions of the HTLV-I envelope proteins gp46 and gp21 as well as p40tax did not block activation. These data indicate that HTLV-I viral particles are not intrinsically mitogenic and that infection of target T cells is not necessary for activation. Instead, the mitogenic activity is restricted to virus-producing T cells, requires cell-to-cell contact, and may be mediated through the LFA-3/CD2 activation pathway.
Liposomal formulation for co-delivery of paclitaxel and lapatinib, preparation, characterization and optimization

Abstract Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most promising natural anticancer agents with a wide therapeutic range which is limited by its hydrophobic nature, low therapeutic index and more importantly, the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). Lapatinib (LPT) is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a significant potential to inhibit p-glycoproteins which form one of the main groups of proteins responsible for efflux pump mediated MDR. To overcome the PTX related MDR, a novel liposomal formulation was optimized for co-delivery of PTX and LPT by applying the D-optimal response surface methodology. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of the optimized formulation for LPT and PTX was 52 ± 3% and 68 ± 5, respectively. The optimized formulation showed a narrow size distribution with the average of 235 ± 12 nm. The transmission electron microscopy image showed that liposomes were round in shape and discrete. The release profile exhibited 93% and 71% drug release for PTX and LPT after 40 h in the sink condition. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated the conversion of both drugs from crystalline state to molecular state in the optimized lyophilized formulation. The cytotoxicity of the prepared formulation was studied against 4T1 murine mammary cells. The liposomal formulation showed better cytotoxicity in comparison to the binary mixture of free drugs.
Monetary Policy and Manufacturing Capacity Utilization: Further Evidence from Nigeria

This study investigates the nexus between monetary policy and manufacturing capacity utilization in Nigeria for the 1980-2014 period, using an error-correction modelling approach. The results reveal that both current and past values of ­lending rate adversely affect manufacturing performance, but ­manufacturing responds positively to the current period's banking credit, confirming that policy to enhance access to funds can stimulate investment in manufacturing sub-sector in Nigeria. Real exchange rate shows mixed performance; the current exchange rate has a negative but insignificant effect, whereas the impact of the one-period lagged value was positive and significant at 5%. Broad money supply positively and significantly influences manufacturing. The error-correction term is significant and correctly signed. Further, the variance decomposition shows shock in monetary policy phenomena, explainsrelatively significant variations in manufacturing performance. This study recommends that monetary authorities should implement policies in line with the structure of the economy to enhance contribution of manufacturing sector to overall economic growth. Effort should be made to enhance the flow of credit to the economy, while adopting effective exchange rate management in a stable macroeconomic environment to boost industrial production.
Association between tumor necrosis factor-α gene polymorphisms and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Chinese Han population: evidence from two center case-control study and a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene, which plays crucial roles in tumorigenesis, is reported to be an independent marker for cancer. This study aims to examine the association between the TNF-α G308A polymorphism and DLBCL risk based on the two center case-control studies and meta-analysis. METHODS In the current study, we performed a two centers case-control study to investigate the effect of the TNF-α G308A polymorphism on DLBCL risk in Chinese Han population. A meta-analysis including 10 published datasets along with current dataset, including 111 comparisons containing 34,041 cases and 42,730 controls were enrolled, was next performed to further confirm the association after literature search was conducted and relevant studies were identified from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. RESULTS The TNF-α -308A allele was associated with a significantly increased DLBCL risk in the two independent patient case-control studies and additionally for pooled analysis from the two sets (P<0.05 for both). The result of meta-analysis further demonstrated that the A allele of -308A was significantly correlated with DLBCL risk under the allelic model (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.27-1.44) without heterogeneity by fixed-effects model analysis (Q=17.30, P=0.139). Moreover, sensitivity analysis supported the robustness of this meta-analysis. CONCLUSION This study suggested that -308A polymorphism may be associated with the susceptibility of DLBCL in a Chinese population. The further meta-analysis provides additional evidence supporting the above result that the risk allele of the -308A polymorphism may increase DLBCL risk.
Increased amounts of von Willebrand factor are bound to microparticles after infusion of desmopressin

Effects of desmopressin (DDAVP) in platelet disorders and primary haemostasis cannot be attributed solely to the increase in FVIII/VWF (von Willebrand factor), as VWF/FVIII concentrates have no effect in these circumstances. Microparticles (MP) can support haemostasis by expression of phospholipids, tissue factor and VWF on their surface. We hypothesized that significant amounts of VWF are bound to MP after DDAVP administration and that consequently depletion of MP should influence VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo plasma levels. Platelet‐poor plasma was either obtained well from healthy controls or before and after DDAVP administration from patients with von Willebrand's disease (type 1 or possible type 1) or patients with other bleeding disorders as controls. Concentrations of MP and VWF parameters were determined before and after MP depletion by different methods (magnetic bead selection, plasma microfiltration, ultracentrifugation). Platelet MP and VWF‐bearing MP were significantly increased after DDAVP. MP depletion by magnetic bead selection led to a significant reduction in VWF:Ag (−18.0%) and VWF:RCo (−27.7%) plasma levels without changes in VWF multimer composition. As results were similar for DDAVP control subjects, the amount of VWF bound to circulating microparticles was significantly higher after DDAVP administration compared with healthy controls (reduction −11.7%). DDAVP leads to a release of microparticles and increases the amount of VWF bound to microparticles which might explain the clinical efficacy of DDAVP in platelet disorders.
Understanding the Role of the Ti Metal Electrode on the Forming of HfO2-Based RRAMs

In this paper we investigate in details the effects of the Ti metal electrode on the forming operation in HfO2 RRAM devices. Starting from electrical data and physico-chemical analysis, we use physics-based RRAM modeling to understand the physics governing the CF formation in RRAM stacks with Ti electrodes. Simulations show that the lower forming voltage typically observed in these devices is due to the Ti-induced formation of a sub-stoichiometric HfOx region in the resistive switching layer. The model allows extracting the characteristics of this sub-stoichiometric region that are crucial for developing future low-voltage RRAM devices.
Inhibition of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis with anti-macrophage migration inhibitory factor antibodies

Purpose. The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the regulation of ocular autoimmune disease was studied in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats following immunization with a retinal antigen (Ag), interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). Methods. LEW rats were immunized with a single injection of IRBP derived peptide, R16(ADGSSWEGVGVVPDV). A neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb, IgM) to MIF was injected intraperitoneally every second day from day 0 to day 6 (group A), or from day 8 to day 14 (group B). Control rats were treated with unrelated mouse IgM or PBS. T cell proliferative responses were measured 12 days after immunization. The occurrence and severity of EAU were observed and compared among experimental and control groups. Results. T cell proliferative responses against R16 were inhibited in rats treated with anti-MIF mAb compared with the control rats. The development of EAU was delayed in the rats of group A in comparison with those of group B and the control group. The mean histological EAU score on day 18 in group A was 1.11 ± 0.11 and significantly lower than those of the group B (1.29 ± 0.19) and the control (1.67 ± 0.19). Conclusions. The present result suggests that MIF plays an important role in induction of EAU.
International Perspectives on Work-Family Policies: Lessons from the World’s Most Competitive Economies

The United States does not guarantee families a wide range of supportive workplace policies such as paid maternity and paternity leave or paid leave to care for sick children. Proposals to provide such benefits are invariably met with the complaint that the costs would reduce employment and undermine the international competitiveness of American businesses. In this article, Alison Earle, Zitha Mokomane, and Jody Heymann explore whether paid leave and other work-family policies that support children’s development exist in countries that are economically competitive and have low unemployment rates. Their data show that the answer is yes. Using indicators of competitiveness gathered by the World Economic Forum, the authors identify fifteen countries, including the United States, that have been among the top twenty countries in competitiveness rankings for at least eight of ten years. To this group they add China and India, both rising competitors in the global economy. They find that every one of these countries, except the United States, guarantees some form of paid leave for new mothers as well as annual leave. And all but Switzerland and the United States guarantee paid leave for new fathers. The authors perform a similar exercise to identify thirteen advanced countries with consistently low unemployment rates, again including the United States. The majority of these countries provide paid leave for new mothers, paid leave for new fathers, paid leave to care for children’s health care needs, breast-feeding breaks, paid vacation leave, and a weekly day of rest. Of these, the United States guarantees only breast-feeding breaks (part of the recently passed health care legislation). The authors’ global examination of the most competitive economies as well as the economies with low unemployment rates makes clear that ensuring that all parents are available to care for their children’s healthy development does not preclude a country from being highly competitive economically.
Reproductive factors and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in women

The relationship between reproductive factors and the risk of primary liver cancer was analyzed using data of a case‐control study conducted in Northern Italy between 1984 and 1991 on 79 women with histologically or serologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma and 344 controls in hospital for a wide spectrum of acute, non‐neoplastic diseases. The multivariate relative risk (RR) for parous vs. nulliparous women was 2.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 to 5.8), and the risk increased with parity from 2.1 for 1, to 2.6 for 2, to 3.2 for 3, to 3.5 for 4 or more births (x 12 trend = 6.49, p = 0.01). The relative risks were above unity, though not significantly, in women reporting spontaneous (RR = 1.3) and induced (RR = 1.6) abortions, and there was a significant trend in risk with total number of abortions. An apparent inverse trend in risk with age and first birth was accounted for by parity. No relationship emerged with age at menarche, at menopause or other menstrual factors. The association between parity and hepatocellular carcinoma was, if anything, more marked at older ages, since the RR was 1.6 (95% CI 0.5 to 4.6) below age 60, and 4.8 (95% CI 1.3 to 18.1) at age 60 or over. This observation has relevant public‐health implications, since in developed countries primary liver cancer is extremely rare among young women, but not at older ages. The association between parity and hepatocellular carcinoma is similar to that described for combined oral contraceptives, again confirming that the impact of contraceptives on the risk of several neoplasms is similar to that of pregnancy. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.