Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phonics vs. whole-word instruction in a tone language : spelling errors on consonants, vowels, and tones over age

Phonics vs. whole-word instruction effects on spelling proficiency were investigated for Thai, an alphabetic script that represents tonemes orthographically. Errors made by a cross-sectional convenience sample of 128 children aged 6, 8, 10, and 12 years old and 25 adults were categorized by grapheme category (Consonants, Vowels, Tones) and type (Reversals, Additions, Substitutions, Deletions). Fewer spelling errors were made by phonics-taught children who showed consistently better performance as a function of age. An additional quadratic component for the whole-word group suggested a different developmental trend involving a plateau after 8 years of age. Consonant errors were most frequent (but decreased rapidly over age), followed by vowel then tone errors. Vowels and tones were more dispensable than consonants, regardless of age or instruction method, suggesting that consonants may be of particular importance in Thai spelling. This preliminary observational dataset on spelling in tone languages may have implications for educational policy in Thailand.
Gender Differences and Effect of Air Pollution on Asthma in Children with and without Allergic Predisposition: Northeast Chinese Children Health Study

Background Males and females exhibit different health responses to air pollution, but little is known about how exposure to air pollution affects juvenile respiratory health after analysis stratified by allergic predisposition. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between air pollutants and asthmatic symptoms in Chinese children selected from multiple sites in a heavily industrialized province of China, and investigate whether allergic predisposition modifies this relationship. Methodology/Principal Findings 30139 Chinese children aged 3-to-12 years were selected from 25 districts of seven cities in northeast China in 2009. Information on respiratory health was obtained using a standard questionnaire from the American Thoracic Society. Routine air-pollution monitoring data was used for particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO). A two-stage regression approach was applied in data analyses. The effect estimates were presented as odds ratios (ORs) per interquartile changes for PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO. The results showed that children with allergic predisposition were more susceptible to air pollutants than children without allergic predisposition. Amongst children without an allergic predisposition, air pollution effects on asthma were stronger in males compared to females; Current asthma prevalence was related to PM10 (ORs = 1.36 per 31 µg/m3; 95% CI, 1.08–1.72), SO2 (ORs = 1.38 per 21 µg/m3; 95%CI, 1.12–1.69) only among males. However, among children with allergic predisposition, more positively associations between air pollutants and respiratory symptoms and diseases were detected in females; An increased prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma was significantly associated with SO2 (ORs = 1.48 per 21 µg/m3; 95%CI, 1.21–1.80), NO2 (ORs = 1.26 per 10 µg/m3; 95%CI, 1.01–1.56), and current asthma with O3 (ORs = 1.55 per 23 µg/m3; 95%CI, 1.18–2.04) only among females. Conclusion/Significance Ambient air pollutions were more evident in males without an allergic predisposition and more associations were detected in females with allergic predisposition.
Syntactic priming in bilingual patients with parallel and differential aphasia

Background: Syntactic priming is the phenomenon by which the production or processing of a sentence is facilitated when that sentence is preceded by a sentence with a similar syntactic structure. Previous research has shown that this phenomenon also occurs across languages, i.e., hearing a sentence in one language can facilitate the production of a sentence with the same structure in another language. This suggests that syntactic representations are shared across languages. Aims: The aim of the current study is to investigate this cross-lingual syntactic priming in patients with bilingual aphasia. To address this aim, we asked the following three research questions: (1) do patients with bilingual aphasia show priming effects within and across languages? (2) do these priming effects differ from the priming effects observed in control participants? and (3) does the pattern of priming effects interact with the type of aphasia? Methods & Procedures: We tested two groups of patients: one group had similar impairments in both languages (parallel aphasia); in the other group, the impairments were larger in one of the languages (differential aphasia). We investigated syntactic priming within and across languages by means of a dialogue experiment. Outcomes & results: We found significant cross-lingual priming effects in both patient groups as well as in a control group. In addition, the effect size of both patient groups was similar to that of the control group. Conclusions: These findings support models that incorporate shared syntactic representations across languages, and are in favour of a non-localised account of differential aphasia in bilingual aphasia.
Physical Activity and Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background: Many epidemiologic studies have found an association between physical activity and breast cancer risk, although this has not been a consistent finding. Methods: Studies were identified through a systematic review of literature available on PubMed through February 2006. We included all cohort and case–control studies that assessed total or leisure time activities in relation to occurrence or mortality of breast cancer. The fully adjusted risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals for the highest versus lowest level of activity were documented for each study as well as evidence for a dose–response relationship. Methodologic quality was also assessed. Due to statistical and methodologic heterogeneity among studies, we did not carry out statistical pooling. To draw conclusions, we performed a best-evidence synthesis taking study quality into account. Results: Nineteen cohort studies and 29 case–control studies were evaluated. There was strong evidence for an inverse association between physical activity and postmenopausal breast cancer with risk reductions ranging from 20% to 80%. For premenopausal breast cancer, however, the evidence was much weaker. For pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer combined, physical activity was associated with a modest (15–20%) decreased risk. Evidence for a dose–response relationship was observed in approximately half of the higher-quality studies that reported a decreased risk. A trend analysis indicated a 6% (95% confidence interval = 3% to 8%) decrease in breast cancer risk for each additional hour of physical activity per week assuming that the level of activity would be sustained. Conclusions: There is evidence for an inverse association between physical activity and breast cancer risk. The evidence is stronger for postmenopausal breast cancer than for premenopausal breast cancer.
Prenatal Exposure to PBDEs and Neurodevelopment

Background Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame retardant compounds that are persistent and bioaccumulative and therefore have become ubiquitous environment contaminants. Animal studies suggest that prenatal PBDE exposure may result in adverse neurodevelopmental effects. Objective In a longitudinal cohort initiated after 11 September 2001, including 329 mothers who delivered in one of three hospitals in lower Manhattan, New York, we examined prenatal PBDE exposure and neurodevelopment when their children were 12–48 and 72 months of age. Methods We analyzed 210 cord blood specimens for selected PBDE congeners and assessed neurodevelopmental effects in the children at 12–48 and 72 months of age; 118, 117, 114, 104, and 96 children with available cord PBDE measurements were assessed at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 months, respectively. We used multivariate regression analyses to evaluate the associations between concentrations of individual PBDE congeners and neurodevelopmental indices. Results Median cord blood concentrations of PBDE congeners 47, 99, and 100 were 11.2, 3.2, and 1.4 ng/g lipid, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, children with higher concentrations of BDEs 47, 99, or 100 scored lower on tests of mental and physical development at 12–48 and 72 months. Associations were significant for 12-month Psychomotor Development Index (BDE-47), 24-month Mental Development Index (MDI) (BDE-47, 99, and 100), 36-month MDI (BDE-100), 48-month full-scale and verbal IQ (BDE-47, 99, and 100) and performance IQ (BDE-100), and 72-month performance IQ (BDE-100). Conclusions This epidemiologic study demonstrates neurodevelopmental effects in relation to cord blood PBDE concentrations. Confirmation is needed in other longitudinal studies.
HSA-MIR-34A-5P ENHANCES TEMOZOLOMIDE ANTI-TUMORAL EFFECTS ON GLIOBLASTOMA: IN-SILICO AND IN-VITRO STUDY

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a commonly diagnosed brain neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the significance of microRNA (miR) dysregulation in tumor development and progression. This study investigated the effect of hsa-miR-34a-5p and its combination with temozolomide on GBM, the related molecular mechanisms, and the signaling pathway using in-silico and in-vitro approaches. The in-silico tumor bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses were done on TCGA-GTEx, CGGA, GSE13276, GSE90603, and GSE182109 datasets. After selecting the A172 cell line, hsa-miR-34a-5p mimics were transfected, and the cell viability, migration, cell cycle, clonogenicity, and apoptosis of studied groups were studied using MTT, scratch, flow cytometry, colony formation, and Annexin V/PI assays. The mRNA expression of CASP9 , CASP3 , CASP8 , MMP2 , CD44 , CDK6 , CDK4 , CCND1 , RAF1 , MAP2K1 , MET , SRC , and CD274 was studied using qRT-PCR method. hsa-miR-34a-5p downregulated RAF1 expression, as the signaling factor of the MAPK pathway. The combined treatment significantly downregulated the expression of MET , SRC , and MAP2K1 , leading to the inhibition of the MET/MAPK pathway compared to temozolomide. Besides exerting anti-tumoral effects on the cell viability, migration, cell cycle, apoptosis, and clonogenicity of A172 cells, its combination with temozolomide enhanced temozolomide anti-tumoral effect. Compared to temozolomide, the combined treatment significantly decreased CDK4 , CDK6 , CCND1 , and MMP2 expression. hsa-miR-34a-5p targets RAF1 , as the signaling factor of the MAPK pathway, and potentiates the temozolomide anti-tumoral effect on A172 cells.
A Natural Dominant Negative P2X1 Receptor Due to Deletion of a Single Amino Acid Residue*

The P2X1 receptor belongs to a family of oligomeric ATP-gated ion channels with intracellular N and C termini and two transmembrane segments separating a large extracellular domain. Here, we describe a naturally occurring dominant negative P2X1 mutant. This mutant lacks one leucine within a stretch of four leucine residues in its second transmembrane domain (TM2) (amino acids 351–354). Confocal microscopy revealed proper plasma membrane localization of the mutant in stably transfected HEK293 cells. Nevertheless, voltage-clamped HEK293 cells expressing mutated P2X1 channels failed to develop an ATP or ADP-induced current. Furthermore, when co-expressed with the wild type receptor in Xenopus oocytes, the mutated protein exhibited a dose-dependent dominant negative effect on the normal ATP or ADP-induced P2X1 channel activity. These data indicate that deletion of a single apolar amino acid residue at the inner border of the P2X1 TM2 generates a nonfunctional channel. The inactive and dominant negative form of the P2X1 receptor may constitute a new tool for the study of the physiological role of this channel in native cells.
Throughput Analysis of Cooperative Communication in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks With Frequency Reuse

In this paper, we investigate the network throughput achieved by both spatial diversity and spatial frequency reuse in a wireless ad hoc network with randomly positioned single-hop source-destination pairs and relays. Compared with conventional direct transmissions, cooperative communication can enhance single-link transmission reliability but reduce network-wide spatial frequency reuse due to relay transmissions. To study the tradeoff between these two competing effects, we construct a geographically constrained region for relay selection based on channel state information. The network throughput, defined as the product of the success probability of each link and the expected number of concurrent transmissions, is derived as a function of the total number of links, relay density, size of relay selection region, and distance between the source and destination. The performance analysis is carried out for both selection combining and maximum ratio combining at the destination. Such analytical results can evaluate the effectiveness of cooperative communication and provide useful insights on the design of large-scale networks. Finally, extensive simulations are conducted to validate the performance analysis.
Tubeimoside-1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis through downregulation of CXCR4 chemokine receptor expression

To examine the effect of TBMS1on breast cancer metastasis, and investigate the potential mechanism by which Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1) inhibits the CXCR4 expression in breast cancer cells. The expression of CXCR4 in breast cancer cell lines was determined by immunoblotting and real-time PCR. The effect of TBMS1 on NF-κB binding activity was evaluated by EMSA assay and ChIP analysis. Cell proliferation and invasion were analyzed by MTT assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The effect of TBMS1 on breast cancer metastasis was further evaluated in a metastasis model of nude mice. TBMS1 suppressed the expression of CXCR4 through inhibition of NF-κB binding activity. TBMS1 inhibited CXCL12-induced invasion in breast cancer cells, while ectopic expression of CXCR4 abolished the inhibitive activity of TBMS1. TBMS1 suppressed breast cancer metastasis in the metastatic model of nude mice. TBMS1 suppressed the CXCR4-mediated metastasis of breast cancer by inhibiting NF-κB binding activity. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(9): 502-507]
Matrilysin (MMP-7) as a significant determinant of malignant potential of early invasive colorectal carcinomas

Matrix metalloproteinases play a crucial role in tumour invasion and mestasis. Matrilysin (MMP-7) has been shown to correlate with nodal or distant metastasis in colorectal carcinomas; however, its implication in early invasive colorectal carcinomas has not been determined. This study was undertaken to clarify the association of matrilysin expression with clinicopathologic parameters in early invasive colorectal carcinomas. 38 early invasive colorectal carcinomas treated by local excision or radical surgery were examined. Tumour budding was evaluated as the number of dedifferentiation units along the entire invasive margin. Matrilysin protein levels were determined using immunohistochemical study. Univariate analysis showed that matrilysin expression alone was significantly associated with distant metastasis (P= 0.0339), and both tumour budding and matrilysin expression were significantly associated with adverse outcome (P= 0.0005, 0.0341). Histological differentiation, vessel invasion, and depth of invasion were not significantly associated with either distant metastasis or adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis confirmed that tumour budding and matrilysin expression were independently associated with adverse outcome, although the significance of matrilysin expression was marginal (P= 0.0488). Tumour budding at the invasive margin and matrilysin expression are more useful in identifying high-risk groups for adverse outcome in patients with early invasive colorectal carcinomas. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign
Reasoning about trust and insurance in a public key infrastructure

In the real world, insurance is used to mitigate financial risk to individuals in many settings. Similarly, it has been suggested that insurance can be used in distributed systems, and in particular, in authentication procedures, to mitigate an individual's risks there. We further explore the use of insurance for public-key certificates and other kinds of statements. We also describe an application using threshold cryptography in which insured keys would also have an auditor involved in any transaction using the key, allowing the insurer better control over its liability. We provide a formal yet simple insurance logic that can be used to deduce the amount of insurance associated with statements based on the insurance associated with related statements. Using the logic, we show how trust relationships and insurance can work together to provide confidence.
A Consensus Model for Group Decision Making With Incomplete Fuzzy Preference Relations

Two processes are necessary to solve group decision making problems: A consensus process and a selection process. The consensus reaching process is necessary to obtain a final solution with a certain level of agreement between the experts; and the selection process is necessary to obtain such a final solution. In a previous paper, we present a selection process to deal with group decision making problems with incomplete fuzzy preference relations, which uses consistency measures to estimate the incomplete fuzzy preference relations. In this paper we present a consensus model. The main novelty of this consensus model is that of being guided by both consensus and consistency measures. Also, the consensus reaching process is guided automatically, without moderator, through both consensus and consistency criteria. To do that, a feedback mechanism is developed to generate advice on how experts should change or complete their preferences in order to reach a solution with high consensus and consistency degrees. In each consensus round, experts are given information on how to change their preferences, and to estimate missing values if their corresponding preference relation is incomplete. Additionally, a consensus and consistency based induced ordered weighted averaging operator to aggregate the experts' preferences is introduced, which can be used in consensus models as well as in selection processes. The main improvement of this consensus model is that it supports the management of incomplete information and it allows to achieve consistent solutions with a great level of agreement.
Public Relations Practitioners, Public Interest and Management

Public relations practitioners are sometimes criticized for an alleged failure to act in what their critics call "the public interest,"' with the public interest in thiscontext typically defined as the greatest good for the greatest number.2 Unfortunately for those who argue that public relations persons are becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about the public interest,3 some practitioners give critics ammunition when they claim they ' An eumpk of the kind ofcriticism to which public relations is subjected when it allepdly fails 10 a n in the public interest is found in Jim Mont~omry.Thc Imp Makers: In Public Rchlions. Ethial Conflicts Pore Continuin8 Problems. ," lk WollSIrWf Joumol. AU8. 1. 1978. pp. 1. 14.
Comparison of Predictive Control Methods for High Consumption Industrial Furnace

We describe several predictive control approaches for high consumption industrial furnace control. These furnaces are major consumers in production industries, and reducing their fuel consumption and optimizing the quality of the products is one of the most important engineer tasks. In order to demonstrate the benefits from implementation of the advanced predictive control algorithms, we have compared several major criteria for furnace control. On the basis of the analysis, some important conclusions have been drawn.
Tropical cyclones and climate change

Recent research has strengthened the understanding of the links between climate and tropical cyclones (TCs) on various timescales. Geological records of past climates have shown century‐long variations in TC numbers. While no significant trends have been identified in the Atlantic since the late 19th century, significant observed trends in TC numbers and intensities have occurred in this basin over the past few decades, and trends in other basins are increasingly being identified. However, understanding of the causes of these trends is incomplete, and confidence in these trends continues to be hampered by a lack of consistent observations in some basins. A theoretical basis for maximum TC intensity appears now to be well established, but a climate theory of TC formation remains elusive. Climate models mostly continue to predict future decreases in global TC numbers, projected increases in the intensities of the strongest storms and increased rainfall rates. Sea level rise will likely contribute toward increased storm surge risk. Against the background of global climate change and sea level rise, it is important to carry out quantitative assessments on the potential risk of TC‐induced storm surge and flooding to densely populated cities and river deltas. Several climate models are now able to generate a good distribution of both TC numbers and intensities in the current climate. Inconsistent TC projection results emerge from modeling studies due to different downscaling methodologies and warming scenarios, inconsistencies in projected changes of large‐scale conditions, and differences in model physics and tracking algorithms. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:65–89. doi: 10.1002/wcc.371
The Perceptions of Reception Staff in General Practice About the Factors Influencing Specific Medication Errors

The pilot study presented here is part of a larger project identifying and investigating the factors influencing errors in prescribing and dispensing drugs known to be of high risk: prednisolone, warfarin, lisinopril, morphine, carbamazepine, digoxin and methotrexate. This work has highlighted the central role that general practice (GP) receptionists have in the prescribing process and the importance of their perspectives in understanding how medication errors occur in general practice. Receptionists within Greater Glasgow were purposively sampled from a survey of personal experience of errors involving the drugs of interest. Five one-to-one in-depth interviews and one group interview with receptionists were conducted, exploring the perceptions of receptionists about the factors that influence errors. Four themes emerged from the interviews, related to receptionists' perceptions of factors influencing errors: trust in the GP to check prescriptions; the receptionists' role of communicating with patients; workload; and the hospital-surgery link. This research illustrates the important contribution that receptionists can make to understanding how errors occur in general practice. Receptionists have responsibilities for the continuation of care by communicating with patients, doctors and external care providers and they perceive that problems in communication with these parties can develop into medicine-related errors. These findings may inform educational outcomes for receptionists including involvement in the practice's protected learning time and interpersonal skills development, as well as improved communication skills in other health professionals.