Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of language proficiency on the time course and neural basis of L2 semantic access in bilinguals

Aims: The present study aimed to explore the impact of L2 proficiency on the time course and neural basis of L2 semantic access. Methodology: Two groups of participants with either high or low L2 proficiency performed a picture–word semantic matching task (i.e. consistent vs. inconsistent), with their event-related potentials (ERP) responses being recorded. Two stimulus types, L2 words and L1 words, were investigated in two separate blocks. Here the L1 words were tested as a control condition. Data and Analysis: The ERP epochs time-locked to the onset of the word were analyzed within 300–600 ms both at the surface (i.e. mean amplitude and peak latency) and the source (i.e. source localization) level. Findings/Conclusions: In the L2, a reliable N400 effect (i.e. semantic incongruity effect) was found for both high and low L2 proficiency bilinguals. However, the difference waves showed that the N400 peak latency was much shorter and the mean amplitude within 300–600 ms was much larger in bilinguals with higher L2 proficiency. Source localization analysis found left insula cortex (Brodmann area 13, Low > High) to be responsible for this proficiency effect (i.e. a decrease in the activation of left insula at a higher proficiency level). In the L1, a reliable N400 effect was found for both participant groups, and the two groups were matched in the N400 peak latency and amplitude, and its neural source. Originality: This study provides further evidence for the neural substrates underlying the modulation of L2 proficiency in semantic access by using a more sensitive task (i.e. picture–word matching task), and the current results revealed the engagement of left insula for the first time. Significance/Implications: The current findings suggest that L2 proficiency affects the time course and neural basis of L2 semantic access, probably through a modulation of the strength of “L2 word-to-concept” connections.
Multi-center radiation dose survey with data feedback is a useful tool for the dose optimization of CT examinations

Poster: "ECR 2014 / C-0953 / Multi-center radiation dose survey with data feedback is a useful tool for the dose optimization of CT examinations" by: "Y. Fukushima, A. Taketomi-Takahashi, Y. Tsushima; Maebashi, Gunma/JP"
Students’ performance via satisfiability reverse analysis method with Hopfield Neural Network

This finding presents a logic mining technique to model student’s performance in terms of specialized attributes. In this study, k Satisfiability based reverse analysis method (kSATRA) will be proposed to extract the logical relationship among key student’s attribute and will be used to classify or project the outcome of the current and future performance trend. The performance of the studied trends was narrowed down to three critical components: difficulties towards assigned subject, the ability to achieve the threshold marks and the decision to continue their study to higher level education. kSATRA is a method that utilized the beneficial feature of Hopfield Neural Network and k Satisfiability representation. The dataset used in this study includes data from several schools which contain insightful features. The robustness of kSATRA in extracting logical rule in student’s performance will be evaluated based on the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean percentage error (MAPE). The result obtained from the computer simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of kSATRA in representing the performance of the students.This finding presents a logic mining technique to model student’s performance in terms of specialized attributes. In this study, k Satisfiability based reverse analysis method (kSATRA) will be proposed to extract the logical relationship among key student’s attribute and will be used to classify or project the outcome of the current and future performance trend. The performance of the studied trends was narrowed down to three critical components: difficulties towards assigned subject, the ability to achieve the threshold marks and the decision to continue their study to higher level education. kSATRA is a method that utilized the beneficial feature of Hopfield Neural Network and k Satisfiability representation. The dataset used in this study includes data from several schools which contain insightful features. The robustness of kSATRA in extracting logical rule in student’s performance will be evaluated based on the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean percentage error (MAPE).
Religious Behaviour

Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, this chapter shows that religion continues to provide meaning to human life world and is intertwined in daily individual, social, economic, and political activities. The religious beliefs relate to world-views, practices, and identities. Of course, religious practices and meanings do change over a period of time. The diversity and plurality of religious identities present in contemporary India are linked with the presence of two diametrically opposed dimensions of social life, that are, existence of sharing and coexistence as well as devastating violence, hatred, and discrimination. In recent years, the social life in India is characterized by sporadic incidents of communal violence, yet pilgrimages continue to be the social spaces where people of diverse religions and faiths intermingle and maintain peace and harmony.
Shotgun Proteomics of non-depleted and depleted hemolymph of human Schistosomiasis snail vector; Biomphalaria glabrata, revealed vital immune related proteins

Background Biomphalaria glabrata is an important host in the transmission of human schistosomiasis in the Caribbean and South America. There are serious setbacks in the current control measures, hence need to explore alternatives. Objective To unveil Biomphalaria glabrata hemolymph proteome for possible detailed knowledge of its immunity in host-pathogen relationship. Methods In this study we performed a shotgun proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of the non-depleted and depleted [0.5 and 0.75% Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) depletion] hemolymph of B. glabrata (LE strain). Results Our analysis was able to mine a total of 148 proteins from the hemolymph. The highest number of protein (148) was obtained from the 0.5% TFA-depleted sample, followed by 62 proteins from the 0.75% TFA-depleted sample and only 59 from non-depleted hemolymph. Conclusion Most of these proteins are novel and some of them may perform an important role in the immunity of this snail against invading pathogens.
A change agent for improving quality: The educational leader in Australian early childhood education and care

Recognising the importance of effective leadership in early childhood education and care (ECEC), the Australian Government mandated an educational leader role be created within ECEC services as part of the National Quality Reform Agenda. This study seeks to understand the educational leader role and its potential for improving quality in ECEC through the lived experiences of those most influenced by this reform: educational leaders and early childhood professionals (directors, teachers, and educators who are not the educational leader) employed in approved prior-to-school ECEC services. These services include long day care, kindergarten, preschool, and family day care. The study employed a mixed methods phenomenological approach with an explanatory, sequential, qualitative dominant design. Data were collected in two phases. Phase One involved an online national survey involving ECEC professionals from all states and territories, with analysis of this first phase (n = 279) providing a broad understanding of the educational leader role from the perspective of both educational leaders (n = 207) and early childhood professionals (n = 70). Phase Two of the study provided a deeper insight into the role, with data gathered through semi-structured interviews (n = 22), again from the perspective of both educational leaders and early childhood professionals. The findings indicate that while the majority of participants perceive the educational leader role to be beneficial, many are concerned about how the role is being implemented and perceive the role to be working only sometimes and in some ways. A lack of attention to contextual factors influencing leadership has limited the potential of leadership provided by the educational leader. In response to these findings an ECEC Leadership for Improving Quality Framework was developed. This framework is also informed by key literature from three interrelated fields: quality in ECEC, leadership, and educational change. It is presented in the conclusion of this thesis in order to inform the discourse around leadership in ECEC, to support the processes used to improve quality, and to inform further policy and reform.
Thoracic or Thoracoabdominal Aortic Surgery: A Prospective Study

MD+ Departments of *Anesthesiology and tvascular Surgery, University Paris VI, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France Acute postoperative renal failure is a common compli- cation of thoracic aorta, thoracoabdominal aorta, or aor- tic arch surgery. To identify variables associated with acute postoperative renal failure, we prospectively studied 475 consecutive patients undergoing thoraco- abdominal aortic surgery over a 12-yr period, including those requiring emergent surgery. One hundred twenty-one (25%) patients developed acute postopera- tive renal failure, and 39 (8%) required hemodialysis. Using multivariate analysis, acute postoperative renal failure was significantly associated with the following variables: age >50 yr (odds ratio [OR] 2.90 [95% confi- dence interval 1.52-5.53]), preoperative serum creati- nine >120 pmol/L (OR 2.76 [1.70-4.48]), duration of left kidney ischemia >30 min (OR 2.01 [1.27-3.17]), packed red cells administration >5 units (OR 2.04 [1.24-3.37]), and Cell-Saver administration >5 units (OR 2.31 11.34-1.961). Reimplantation of visceral, renal arteries and the Adamkievicz artery; duration of vis- ceral, spinal, and right kidney ischemia; requirement for fresh frozen plasma; administration of aprotinin; ex- tracorporeal circulation; and procedures with circula- tory arrest and profound hypothermia were not predic- tive of postoperative renal failure. In addition, age >50 yr (OR 5.59 [1.31-23.91]), requirement for packed red blood cells >5 unit (OR 3.91 [1.58-9.67]), and pre- operative serum creatinine concentration >120 I*mol/L (OR 2.26 [1.13-4.531) were independent factors for acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. In conclu- sion, acute renal failure is often observed after thoracic aortic surgery. Numerous predictive factors must be considered when evaluating the etiology of this compli- cation.
The Global Distribution of Cirrus Clouds Reflectance Based on MODIS Level-3 Data

Cirrus clouds are crucially important to weather, climate and earth energy balance studies. The distribution of cirrus reflectance with latitude and season is an interesting topic in atmospheric sciences. The monthly mean Level-3 MODIS cirrus reflectance is used to analyze the global distribution of cirrus clouds, which covers a period from 1 March 2000 to 28 February 2018. The latitude, from 90° S to 90° N, is divided into 36 latitude zones with 5° interval. Data in each latitude zone are analyzed. The research results show that the slopes of cirrus reflectance variation in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere are −1.253 × 10−4/year and –1.297 × 10−4/year, respectively. The yearly-average cirrus reflectance reveals strong negative correlation with time in the Northern Hemisphere, i.e., the correlation coefficient is −0.761. Then the statistical analysis of cirrus reflectance is performed in different seasons, the results show that cirrus reflectance varies obviously with seasonal change. Additionally, for the [30°, 90°] latitude regions, cirrus reflectance reaches the minimum in summer and the maximum in winter in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere.
Experimental, Numerical and Application Analysis of Hydrokinetic Turbine Performance with Fixed Rotating Blades

In this study, a hydrokinetic turbine is designed for the high-altitude regions where local electricity network lines are difficult to reach. If there was a stream flow around, electricity production could be possible and necessary because of environmental reasons. The performance of the hydrokinetic turbine was investigated experimentally and numerically. The numerical analyses of the turbine system were performed via MATLAB/Simulink version R2014a. Except power-based performance characteristics, efficiency of the system in terms of installation and necessary investment costs were also investigated. It is calculated that the system to be established on a river with a water flow rate of 30 m3/h will meet the investment cost in approximately 8 years.
MANAGERIAL CAPABILITIES, PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF INFORMAL SECTOR: A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL

This study was conducted to determine the best fit model of business performance among the informal sectors in Region 12, Philippines. A conceptual model comprising of managerial capabilities, psychological empowerment, and the entrepreneurial intention was studied to explore their relationship. The study was done in Region 12, utilizing a quantitative research approach, specifically structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine the best fit model. A total of 400 respondents participated in this study. Findings revealed that managerial capabilities, psychological empowerment, and entrepreneurial intentions significantly impact the business performance of the informal sector. Moreover, results suggested that hypothesized model 5 is the best fit model. It was also found that managerial capabilities and entrepreneurial intention significantly influence business performance. Thus, managerial capabilities and entrepreneurial intention are strong predictors of business performance among the informal sectors.
Abiotic and biotic drivers underly short- and long-term soil respiration responses to experimental warming in a dryland ecosystem

Soil carbon losses to the atmosphere through soil respiration are expected to rise with ongoing temperature increases, but available evidence from mesic biomes suggests that such response disappears after a few years of experimental warming. However, there is lack of empirical basis for these temporal dynamics in soil respiration responses, and of the mechanisms underlying them, in drylands, which collectively form the largest biome on Earth and store 32% of the global soil organic carbon pool. We coupled data from a ten-year warming experiment in a biocrust-dominated dryland ecosystem with laboratory incubations to confront 0-2 years (short-term hereafter) vs. 8-10 years (long-term hereafter) soil respiration responses to warming. Our results showed that increased soil respiration rates with short-term warming observed in areas with high biocrust cover returned to control levels in the long-term. Warming-induced increases in soil temperature were the main driver of the short-term soil respiration responses, whereas long-term soil respiration responses to warming were primarily driven by thermal acclimation and warming-induced reductions in biocrust cover. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating short and long-term soil respiration responses to warming as a mean to reduce the uncertainty in predicting the soil carbon – climate feedback in drylands.
Redox polymers incorporating pendant 6‐oxoverdazyl and nitronyl nitroxide radicals

Polymers comprised of redox-active organic radicals have emerged as promising materials for use in a variety of organic electronics, including fast-charging batteries. Despite these advances, relatively little attention has been focused on the diversification of the families of radicals that are commonly incorporated into polymer frameworks, with most radical polymers being comprised of nitroxide radicals. Here, we report two new examples prepared via ring-opening methathesis polymerization containing 6-oxoverdazyl and nitronyl nitroxide radicals appended to their backbones. The polymerization reaction and optoelectronic properties were explored in detail, revealing high radical content and redox activity that may be advantageous for their use as semiconducting thin films. Initial studies revealed that current-voltage curves obtained from thin films of the title polymers exhibited memory effects making them excellent candidates for use in resistive memory applications.
Babel's Tower: South Africa's Wikipedias

This dissertation is a comparative examination firstly of usage of, and contribution to, the Wikipedias in ten of South Africa’s eleven official languages, and secondly of possible measures to address the situation discovered in the first investigative stage. The historical context is reviewed and it is argued that the number of official languages (and therefore Wikipedias) results from decisions made in colonial and apartheid eras. Public-domain usage and contribution statistics from the Wikimedia Foundation are analysed, revealing poor growth in most cases; possible interventions via both cultural/educational strategies and technological options are reviewed.
Nowoczesna terapia ostrych zespołów wieńcowych oparta na prasugrelu — dostępna dla polskiego pacjenta

Chorzy z ostrymi zespolami wiencowymi poddawani pierwotnej angioplastyce powinni otrzymywac podwojną terapie przeciwplytkową kwasem acetylosalicylowym w skojarzeniu z inhibitorem P2Y 12 . Preferowanymi inhibitorami P2Y 12 są prasugrel i tikagrelor. Leki te umozliwiają osiągniecie szybszego, wiekszego i bardziej stalego stopnia zahamowania receptorow plytkowych P2Y 12 i prowadzą do lepszych wynikow klinicznych niz zastosowanie klopidogrelu. Prasugrel jest przeciwwskazany u pacjentow z wywiadem przebytego udaru/przemijającego ataku niedokrwiennego i ogolnie nierekomendowany u chorych powyzej 75. roku zycia oraz u chorych z malą masa ciala (< 60 kg), jako ze w tych grupach chorych nie wykazano przewagi prasugrelu nad klopidogrelem. Jeśli jednak po przeprowadzonej analizie korzyści i ryzyka zapadnie decyzja o zastosowanie prasugrelu u chorych starszych niz 75 lat bądź lzejszych niz 60 kg, to dawka podtrzymująca powinna byc zmniejszona do 5 mg/dobe. Tikagrelor moze wywolywac przejściowe napady duszności, co niekiedy stanowi przyczyne odstawienia leku. Ani prasugrelu, ani tikagreloru nie powinno sie stosowac u chorych po krwawieniu do ośrodkowego ukladu nerwowego stosujących dousutną antykoagulacje oraz u chorych z umiarkowaną bądź ciezką dysfunkcją wątroby. Jeśli zaden z tych lekow nie jest dostepny dla pacjenta bądź są przeciwwskazane, to klopidogrel powinien byc zastosowany w ich miejsce. Ze wzgledu na ograniczenia ekonomiczne w wielu przypadkach polscy pacjenci byli dotąd pozbawieni mozliwości nowoczesnej strategii leczenia silnymi inhibitorami P2Y 12 , ale pojawil sie na rynku preparat generyczny prasugrelu.
Responses of Dry Bean to 2,4-D Ester Applied Preplant and Preemergence

Six field studies were completed in Ontario (during 2016 to 2018) to assess the tolerance of adzuki, kidney, small red and navy bean to 2,4-D ester at 528 or 1056 g·ai·ha-1 applied 14, 7 and 1 day before seeding (PP) and 3 days after seeding (PRE). 2,4-D applied PP or PRE caused as much as 4%, 6%, 7% and 8% injury in adzuki, kidney, small red and navy (white) bean, respectively. There was an increase in bean injury as the preplant interval decreased. At 1 WAE, 2,4-D applied at 1056 g·ai·ha-1 14, 7 and 1 day PP and 3 days after seeding caused up to 6%, 10%, 18% and 5% visible bean injury, respectively. The level of injury decreased over time with minimal bean injury (0 to 3%) at 8 WAE. Bean stand counts were similar to the non-treated control with 2,4-D applied at various timings except at 1 day PP when 2,4-D at the 2X rate decreased bean stand 13%. There was up to 23% and 43% decrease in bean dry weight with 2,4-D applied PP at 528 and 1056 g·ai·ha-1 7 and 1 day PP, respectively. Bean height (6 WAE) was not affected by 2,4-D applied at various timings except at 1 day PP when 2,4-D (1056 g·ai·ha-1) decreased bean height 10%. Additionally, there was no effect of 2,4-D treatments on bean maturity or yield. Based on these results, the safest times to apply 2,4-D are 14 days before seeding or PRE. Injury was higher when 2,4-D was applied 7 and 1 day PP. Injury was lower in adzuki bean compared to kidney, small red or navy bean.
Secondary Market Liquidity and Primary Market Allocations in Corporate Bonds

Using a regulatory version of TRACE data that include almost all primary and secondary market trades in corporate bonds over the period 2010-2017, we provide the first comprehensive study on the primary market for corporate bonds. Secondary market illiquidity can drive gains from primary market allocations to far exceed underpricing. Based on initial allocations identified from regulatory disclosures by insurance firms, we find that gains from initial allocations are greater for investors with trading relationships with the underwriter. Such favoritism toward investors with trading relationships increases with secondary market illiquidity.
The Effect of Initial Therapy Choice in Determining Long Term Survival in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

Successive advances in CLL therapy have led to significant gains in response quality and remission duration but have not yet shown improved survival. An inherent limitation of randomised trials is the long followup required to demonstrate survival benefit in indolent diseases. In order to examine the effect of initial therapy on survival, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients treated on frontline protocols at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Between 10/86 to 01/04, 616 patients received initial therapy with one of three fludarabine-based chemotherapy regimens. Patients in Cohort 1 (F; n=190) received fludarabine±prednisone, Cohort 2 (FC/M; n=140) fludarabine & cyclophosphamide or mitoxantrone, and Cohort 3 (FCR; n=286) FC & rituximab. Therapy indication and response assessment were as per the NCI 1996 Guidelines. Patient characteristics: median age 57 years; male 67%; Rai intermediate/high risk, 60%/36%; performance status 2 or more, 3.5%; abnormal cytogenetics 27%; B2m 4mg/L or greater, 38%. Median followup was 176, 108 and 56 months for F, FC/M and FCR respectively. Excluding the effect of therapy, univariate predictors of survival were (p-value all
Lume-lung 2: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III study of nintedanib plus pemetrexed versus placebo plus pemetrexed in patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of first-line chemotherapy.

8034 Background: Nintedanib (N) is an oral inhibitor of VEGFR, FGFR, and PDGFR. This global phase 3 study investigated the safety and efficacy of N + pemetrexed (PEM) vs placebo (P) + PEM in patients (pts) with advanced, non-squamous NSCLC previously treated with chemotherapy. Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to N 200 mg po bid + PEM 500 mg/m2 iv q21d (n=353, Arm A) or P + PEM (n=360, Arm B). Continuation until PD or unacceptable toxicity with N, P, PEM, or a combination was permitted. 1° endpoint was centrally reviewed PFS. The null hypothesis was tested on the ITT population after 394 events had occurred (two sided α=5%). 2° endpoints included OS, investigator-assessed PFS, response rate (RR), safety, and QoL. Results: Baseline pt characteristics were balanced between Arm A vs B (median age 59 y, female 45–42%, ECOG PS 1 62-61%, adenocarcinoma 95–93%, prior bevacizumab 8%). Based on a planned DMC futility analysis of investigator-assessed PFS, enrolment was halted after randomizing 713/1300 planned pts .