Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regaining Language Loss: An Immersion Experience for French Language Teachers.

achievement. Language loss occurs when an educator has been absent from the language classroom for a number of years, has been teaching another language or subject, has been teaching the target language continuously at the beginning level without an opportunity to interact at higher levels of foreign language communication, and/or has not travelled to a country where the target language is spoken. Through self-evaluative processes, these teachers enter their teaching assignment with a lower evaluation of competence, thus affecting their self-efficacy (or self-evaluation of competence) and enthusiam for the job. Two frequent scenarios portray the plight of some foreign language educators. A business teacher whose minor field is French has just been "bumped" from her business teaching assignment of eight years. Because of the system of seniority in her district, she will be assigned to teach French at the high school level. She has not used French since she left the university. Another scenario depicts a middle school teacher of twelve years who has been transferred to the high school and assigned to teach all four levels of French. She has not taken language courses or traveled abroad since obtaining her initial degree because of family responsibilities. She does not feel adequately prepared to teach the upper levels of French, but does not want to miss this opportunity to move to a higher level. Inadequate preparation in the functional use of language may also be a factor in the lack of linguistic confidence on the part of some foreign language educators. For example, some experienced teachers have never studied abroad nor had classes where the focus was the functional use of language. Consequently, conducting class routines in French is a challenge
Does posterior cortical atrophy on MRI discriminate between Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and normal aging?

ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies suggest that posterior cortical atrophy may be a useful marker for early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with less temporal lobe atrophy than AD, though posterior cortical atrophy may be greater. Therefore, we assessed whether visual rating scales for assessing posterior atrophy (PA), medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), and ventricular enlargement (VEn) aid in the discrimination between AD, DLB, and normal aging. Methods: T1-weighted MRI scans acquired at 3 Tesla were visually rated for PA (range 0–3), MTA (range 0–4), and VEn (range 0–3) in older subjects with AD (n = 36), DLB (n = 35), and healthy controls (n = 35). The diagnostic utility of MTA, PA, and VEn visual ratings in distinguishing AD and DLB from controls as well as AD from DLB was investigated. Results: Significantly higher MTA ratings were associated with AD and DLB compared to controls (p < 0.001). MTA ratings were greater in AD relative to DLB (U = 384.5, p = 0.004). For PA ratings, scores did not differ between groups (p = 0.20). VEn ratings were significantly higher in AD and DLB compared to controls (p = 0.003), but similar between AD and DLB (U = 384.5, p = 0.4). Conclusions: Unlike findings reported in younger subjects, visual ratings for PA are not a reliable marker at older ages for distinguishing AD from controls, or for distinguishing DLB from AD. However, visual ratings of MTA and VEn may be useful markers in distinguishing both AD and DLB from older subjects without dementia.
Variation in the dielectric properties of freshly excised colorectal cancerous tissues at different tumor stages

The study was designed to identify differences in the dielectric properties of ex vivo colorectal cancerous tissues at different tumor stages. To date, 130 freshly excised colorectal cancerous specimens underwent measurement of both relative permittivity and conductivity on the serosal and mucosal surfaces of the carcinoma nidus, and the mucosa of the surgical resection margin ranging from 50 to 500 MHz at the Larmor frequencies. Tumor node metastasis staging was determined according to pathological reports for each patient. There were statistically significant differences in the relative permittivity of both colorectal cancerous serosa and mucosa among stages ≤I, II, III, and IV and between stages ≤II and ≥III (P < 0.05) at most frequencies under 300 MHz; statistically significant differences in conductivity were also observed for most of the measured frequencies (P < 0.05). The significant differences in dielectric characteristics among tumor stages, especially between early and advanced stages, have value for selecting appropriate surgical strategies. The presented ex vivo data provide important information for magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography in vivo system because the frequencies of 64 MHz (1.5T) and 128 MHz (3T) are usually used in clinical settings. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:522–532, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of flap adhesion strength using the Amadeus microkeratome and the IntraLase iFS femtosecond laser in rabbits.

PURPOSE To compare adhesion strength of flaps created with a mechanical microkeratome and the IntraLase femtosecond laser as well as to analyze the effect of different side-cut configurations. METHODS A flap was created in four groups of New Zealand white rabbits--microkeratome group (Amadeus II microkeratome, Ziemer Group AG [5 eyes; 9-mm suction ring and 140-microm head]), and three IntraLase groups (IntraLase iFS 150 kHz femtosecond laser, AMO Inc [9-mm diameter and 120-microm flap each]): normal energy side-cut (4 eyes; side-cut angle 70 degrees, side-cut energy 0.8 microJ); high energy side-cut (4 eyes; side-cut angle 70 degrees, side-cut energy 1.6 microJ); and inverted side-cut (4 eyes; side-cut angle 140 degrees, side-cut energy 0.8 microJ). Flap adhesion strength was measured 75 days after surgery using a tension meter to dehisce the flaps. RESULTS In the microkeratome group, mean force was 210+/-89 g (range: 151 to 360 g); 492+/-46 g (range: 439 to 540 g) in the normal energy side-cut group; 444+/-13 g (range: 426 to 455 g) in the high energy side-cut group; and 687+/-105 g (range: 552 to 797 g) in the inverted side-cut group. Differences between the microkeratome and all IntraLase groups were highly significant (P=.001), and differences between the inverted side-cut group and the standard 70 degrees side-cut groups were statistically significant (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS Flap adhesion is significantly stronger with the IntraLase femtosecond laser than with the Amadeus mechanical microkeratome, and an inverted side-cut increases flap adhesion significantly compared with a standard side-cut.
Disseminating the Otago Exercise Program in the United States: Perceived and Actual Physical Performance Improvements From Participants

The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) is an evidence-based fall prevention program disseminated internationally. Little is known about the implementation or effectiveness of the OEP in the United States. The purposes were to (a) identify characteristics of older adults enrolled in OEP, and (b) examine perceived and actual functional performance changes after participation in 8 weeks of the program. Baseline and 8-week functional and self-report data were collected on 210 older adults from 2013 to 2015. Linear mixed models and general estimating equations logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic factors were performed to assess changes. At 8 weeks, scores dramatically improved on self-report and physical performance tests: Timed Up-and-Go (p < .001), 30-Second Chair Rise (p < .001), and Four-Stage Balance (p < .001). Findings support that participation in the U.S. OEP as part of a plan of care can result in significant improvements in objective functional mobility, balance measures, and self-reported ability.
Dependence of the electrical and morphological properties on the Ti and Al content in Mo-based ohmic contacts for III–V nitrides

Four types of Mo-based ohmic contacts with a varied Al and Ti content are developed and investigated regarding the ohmic properties, surface morphology and edge acuity. It is found out that the Ti/Mo/Ti/Au metallization combines the lowest contact resistivity of 8.8×10-6 Ω. cm2 and low surface roughness of 3.8 nm. The presence of Al in the contact composition does not improve the electrical properties and the surface morphology. Its effect on these properties depends strongly on the Ti/Al ratio in the contact composition.
TERM STRUCTURE AND THE ESTIMATED MONETARY POLICY RULE IN THE EUROZONE ∗

In this paper we estimate a standard version of the New Keynesian Monetary (NKM) model augmented with term structure in order to analyze two issues. First, we analyze the effect of introducing an explicit term structure channel in the NKM model on the estimated parameter values of the model, with special emphasis on the interest rate smoothing parameter using data for the Eurozone. Second, we study the ability of the model to reproduce some stylized facts such as highly persistent dynamics, the weak comovement between economic activity and inflation, and the positive, strong comovement between interest rates observed in actual Eurozone data. The estimation procedure implemented is a classical structural method based on the indirect inference principle.
Comparison of the distribution patterns of tenascin and alkaline phosphatase in developing teeth, cartilage, and bone of rats and mice

Tenascin is a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix, which has been associated with differentiation of hard tissue forming cells. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is involved in calcification, and it has also been suggested to function in cell differentiation. We have compared the distributions of tenascin and AP in the developing skull and teeth of embryonic and growing rats and mice. Tenascin was localized by immuno‐Peroxidase and AP by enzyme histochemical staining of tissue sections. Both tenascin and AP were largely restricted to bone, cartilage, and teeth. In cartilage, tenascin was expressed in the perichondrium, whereas AP activity was detected only in the hypertrophic cartilage. In growing intramembranous bone, tenascin and AP were expressed in the periosteum and endosteum. AP activity was restricted to the inner layer of the periosteum, whereas tenascin expression extended to the more superficial layers. In bud‐staged teeth tenascin but no AP activity was localized in the condensing mesenchymal cells around the epithelial bud. At the bell stage both tenascin and AP activity were localized in the cuspal mesenchyme, and the intensity of staining decreased towards the cervical region.
Dual-band Circular Patch Antenna for wideband application

A Circular Patch Antenna for wideband application is presented in this paper. The antenna has been designed, simulated and fabricated on an FR4 substrate with dielectric constant (εr) of 4.4 and thickness of 1.6mm. A dual feed approach has been used in the design of the proposed wideband antenna. The dual-band circular patch antenna is smaller than the conventional antenna for wideband application. The final optimized design is 40×50mm2. The measured and simulated return loss results and simulated radiation pattern results of proposed antenna has been presented.
Tools to explore ABCA3 mutations causing interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) comprise disorders of mostly unknown cause. Among the few molecularly defined entities, mutations in the gene encoding the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC), subfamily A, member 3 (ABCA3) lipid transporter represent the main cause of inherited surfactant dysfunction disorders, a subgroup of ILD. Whereas many cases are reported, specific methods to functionally define such mutations are rarely presented.
Cell Death in the Unicellular Chlorophyte Dunaliella tertiolecta. A Hypothesis on the Evolution of Apoptosis in Higher Plants and Metazoans

Apoptosis is essential for normal growth and development of multicellular organisms, including metazoans and higher plants. Although cell death processes have been reported in unicellular organisms, key elements of apoptotic pathways have not been identified. Here, we show that when placed in darkness, the unicellular chlorophyte alga Dunaliella tertiolecta undergoes a form of cell death reminiscent of apoptosis in metazoans. Many morphological criteria of apoptotic cell death were met, including an increase in chromatin margination, degradation of the nucleus, and DNA fragmentation. Biochemical assays of the activities of cell death-associated proteases, caspases, measured using highly specific fluorogenic substrates, increased with time in darkness and paralleled the morphological changes. The caspase-like activities were inhibited by caspase-specific inhibitors. Antibodies raised against mammalian caspases cross-reacted with specific proteins in the alga. The pattern of expression of these immunologically reactive proteins was correlated with the onset of cell death. The occurrence of key components of apoptosis, and particularly a caspase-mediated cell death cascade in a relatively ancient linage of eukaryotic photoautotrophs, argues against current theories that cell death evolved in multicellular organisms. We hypothesize that key elements of cell death pathways were transferred to the nuclear genome of early eukaryotes through ancient viral infections in the Precambrian Ocean before the evolution of multicellular organisms and were subsequently appropriated in both metazoan and higher plant lineages.
Threatened Peripheral Populations in Context: Geographical Variation in Population Frequency and Size and Sexual Reproduction in a Clonal Woody Shrub

Abstract: Geographically peripheral populations of widespread species are often the focus of conservation because they are locally rare within political jurisdictions. Yet the ecology and genetics of these populations are rarely evaluated in a broader geographic context. Most expectations concerning the ecology and evolution of peripheral populations derive from the abundant‐center model, which predicts that peripheral populations should be less frequent, smaller, less dense, and have a lower reproductive rate than central populations. We tested these predictions and in doing so evaluated the conservation value of peripheral populations for the clonal shrub Vaccinium stamineum L. (Ericaceae, deerberry), which is listed as threatened in Canada. Based on 51 populations sampled from the center to the northern range limits over 2 years, population frequency and size declined toward the range limit, but ramet density increased. Sexual reproductive output varied widely among populations and between years, with many populations producing very few seeds, but did not decline toward range margins. In fact seed mass increased steadily toward range limit, and this was associated with faster germination and seedling growth, which may be adaptive in seasonal northern environments. Our results did not support the prediction that clonal reproduction is more prevalent in peripheral populations or that it contributed antagonistically to the wide variation in seed production. Peripheral populations of V. stamineum are as productive as central populations and may be locally adapted to northern environments. This emphasizes the importance of a broad geographical perspective for evaluating the ecology, evolution, and conservation of peripheral populations.
Automated cell transportation for batch-cell manipulation

Batch-cell manipulation is a key technology in biological applications. Robotic manipulation has important significance to improve the operation success rate and reduce the technical threshold, but the problem of inefficiency still exists in batch-cell experiments. In this paper, an automated cell transportation system is designed for batch-cell manipulation. It has some technical aspects such as a cell groove to contain the cells, the micromanipulator and motor stage control methods, and computer vision algorithms. Since the cells are arranged in a line in the groove, the transportation system improves the efficiency of finding the cells in the petri dish. Furthermore, the minimum pressure to drag and release the cell are analyzed theoretically, so that the other cells will not be affected when manipulating one cell. The visual algorithms to detect the cell position and cell holding state are evaluated by porcine oocyte. Experimental results show both algorithm has high success rates: 96% and 100%. Finally, cell rotating experiments are introduced to verify the effectiveness of the transportation system. The average transfer efficiency has been improved by 20% compared to manual operation. The results show that this system can be used in many manipulations.
Circuits and algorithms for pipelined ADCs in scaled CMOS technologies

CMOS technology scaling is creating significant issues for analog circuit design. For example, reduced signal swing and device gain make it increasingly difficult to realize high-speed, high-gain feedback loops traditionally used in switched capacitor circuits. This research involves two complementary methods for addressing scaling issues. First is the development of two blind digital calibration techniques. Decision Boundary Gap Estimation (DBGE) removes static non-linearities and Chopper Offset Estimation (COE) nulls offsets in pipelined ADCs. Second is the development of circuits for a new architecture called zero-crossing based circuits (ZCBC) that is more amenable to scaling trends. To demonstrate these circuits and algorithms, two different ADCs were designed: an 8 bit, 200MS/s in TSMC 180nm technology, and a 12 bit, 50 MS/s in IBM 90nm technology. Together these techniques can be enabling technologies for both pipelined ADCs and general mixed signal design in deep sub-micron technologies. Thesis Supervisor: Hae-Seung Lee Title: Professor Thesis Supervisor: Gregory Wornell Title: Professor
Women's sexual desire and arousal disorders.

INTRODUCTION A committee of five was convened to update the chapter on women's sexual dysfunctions from the perspective of diagnostic issues, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment. AIM To review the literature since 2003 and provide recommendations based on evidence. METHODS Research databases, conference proceedings, and articles in press were read for relevant new data on these topics for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), female orgasmic disorder (FOD), and persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Recommendations by five experts from five countries were formulated with associated grades. RESULTS The definitions of HSDD, FSAD, and FOD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text-Revised are imperfect and have been criticized over the last decade. Proposed new criteria that take into account empirical findings and the diversity across women are recommended. There has been a flurry of new epidemiological studies on women's sexual dysfunction; studies also assessing distress consistently find a much lower prevalence of dysfunction if distress is considered. Assessment of sexual difficulties is best achieved through a biopsychosocial clinical interview of the woman and her partner (if possible); though laboratory investigations, a physical examination, psychophysiological measurement, and self-report questionnaires can often supplement the interview information. There are currently no approved pharmacological treatments for women's sexual dysfunction in North America, though a number of promising agents have been studied. Evidence for the efficacy of psychological treatments is based on limited studies. There is an urgent need for more data on the assessment, etiology, and treatment of PGAD. CONCLUSIONS Specific recommendations for the assessment and treatment of women's desire, arousal, and orgasm disorders are forwarded; however, more research into these domains is needed.
Vascular density in colorectal liver metastases increases after removal of the primary tumor in human cancer patients

In animal models, explosive growth of metastases after removal of the primary tumor has been attributed to abolishment of angiogenesis inhibition. We investigated the influence of (removal of) the primary tumor on vascularization of liver metastases in human colorectal cancer patients. We analyzed vascular density in synchronous liver metastases from patients with the primary tumor in situ, in synchronous metastases from patients with the primary tumor resected and in metachronous metastases. In a limited number of cases, biopsies from metastases from the same patient before and within 3 months after resection were analyzed. In addition, vascular density in metastases was compared to the vascular density in the corresponding primary tumor. Peritumoral and intratumoral vascular density were determined by staining for endothelial antigens CD31 and CD34, respectively. Both peritumoral and intratumoral vascular density were elevated in synchronous metastases from patients with the primary tumor removed compared to synchronous metastases from patients with the primary tumor in situ. Comparable results were observed in patients with metachronous metastases. An increase in vascular density after resection of the colorectal malignancy was also observed in biopsies taken from the same patient before and after tumor resection. Remarkably, vascular density in the liver metastases was always lower than that in the corresponding primary tumor. Our data show for the first time in humans that the presence of a primary tumor is correlated with decreased vascularization of its distant metastases. Resection of the primary tumor results in an increased vascularization of metastatic lesions. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 and the diabetic kidney

Purpose of reviewReabsorption of glucose in the proximal tubule occurs predominantly via the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). There has been intense interest in this transporter as a number of SGLT2 inhibitors have entered clinical development. SGLT2 inhibitors act to lower plasma glucose by promoting glycosuria and this review aims to outline the effect on the diabetic kidney of this hypoglycaemic agent. Recent findingsThis review provides an overview of recent findings in this area: the transcriptional control of SGLT2 expression in human proximal tubular cells implicates a number of cytokines in the alteration of SGLT2 expression; experimental data show that SGLT2 inhibition may correct early detrimental effects of diabetes by reducing proximal tubular sodium and glucose transport, suggesting a possible renoprotective effect independent of the glucose lowering effects of these agents; and the nonglycaemic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors may have an impact on renal outcomes. SummaryThe available clinical evidence shows consistent reduction in glycaemic parameters and some evidence suggests additional effects including weight loss and mild blood pressure reduction. There are some side effects that warrant further investigation and establishing whether SGLT2 inhibition provides a renal benefit relies on future long-term studies with specific renal end-points.