Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Students' Motivation to Learn, Academic Achievement, and Academic Advising

Numerous models of academic advising address the complex nature of student retention and attrition. Most tend to ignore the subtleties of implementing motivational and self-regulatory changes associated with academic advising. This present study investigates the learning experiences of university students and their use of academic advising. The research incorporates an educational model as its primary investigative lens, namely Hirsch’s (2001) multiple intervention model. The study further examined critical areas of learning and advising, specifically motivation, self-regulation, academic difficulty, and academic achievement. This research was conducted at a New Zealand university and comprised of three studies. In the first study, 14 participants were interviewed about their academic problems, readiness for study and use of learning and study strategies. In the second, a total of 317 participants completed a demographic survey and two questionnaires measuring aspects of motivation and self-regulation. In the third study, 147 participants completed follow-up self-report questionnaires. The mixedparadigm analyses were twofold. Study 1 utilised a meaning-centred approach to classifying and understanding the interview responses. Studies 2 and 3 incorporated multivariate and categorical statistical procedures. Interview narratives from Study 1 suggested that students experiencing academic difficulty tended to voice more problems, to be less ready for study and to be more avoidance oriented than students not experiencing academic difficulty. In Study 2 students indicating low motivation levels for study had more selfperceived problems in the areas of concentration, self-monitoring, use of educational materials and developing time management than students with higher motivation levels. In addition, students with academic difficulty appeared to have more problems with motivation and use of study material than students with no evidence of academic difficulty. Students’ motivation levels tended to vary over time indicating that students may perceive their rationale for study as an unfixed or
Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation on composite resins containing ursolic acid

Objectives To evaluate the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid (UA)-containing composites on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm. Materials and Methods Composite resins with five different concentrations (0.04, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%) of UA (U6753, Sigma Aldrich) were prepared, and their flexural strengths were measured according to ISO 4049. To evaluate the effect of carbohydrate source on biofilm formation, either glucose or sucrose was used as a nutrient source, and to investigate the effect of saliva treatment, the specimen were treated with either unstimulated whole saliva or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). For biofilm assay, composite disks were transferred to S. mutans suspension and incubated for 24 hr. Afterwards, the specimens were rinsed with PBS and sonicated. The colony forming units (CFU) of the disrupted biofilm cultures were enumerated. For growth inhibition test, the composites were placed on a polystyrene well cluster, and S. mutans suspension was inoculated. The optical density at 600 nm (OD600) was recorded by Infinite F200 pro apparatus (TECAN). One-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction were used for the data analyses. Results The flexural strength values did not show significant difference at any concentration (p > 0.01). In biofilm assay, the CFU score decreased as the concentration of UA increased. The influence of saliva pretreatment was conflicting. The sucrose groups exhibited higher CFU score than glucose group (p < 0.05). In bacterial growth inhibition test, all experimental groups containing UA resulted in complete inhibition. Conclusions Within the limitations of the experiments, UA included in the composite showed inhibitory effect on S. mutans biofilm formation and growth.
L2 Speaking Self-ability Perceptions through Multiple Video Speech Drafts

The present study examines the effect of self-evaluation on Spanish oral performance of nine second-language university students in an intermediate conversation course. Participants were asked to submit multiple drafts of digital video recordings of themselves practicing language functions throughout a semester. Participants also reflected on their individual speaking performances using a retrospective self-evaluation after watching each recording. Themes identified in the self-evaluations served as the basis for a teaching training intervention. The results of the self-evaluations and questionnaires demonstrated that learners perceived increased ability in and awareness of their own speaking skills through progressive speech draft submissions and analysis of peers' samples. All participants valued the process-oriented approach and the training intervention employed in the course. The findings support the use of videos, self-evaluations, and training interventions as effective tools in second-language speaking courses to improve speaking abilities.
Different Munc13 Isoforms Function as Priming Factors in Lytic Granule Release from Murine Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

In order to fuse lytic granules (LGs) with the plasma membrane at the immunological synapse, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have to render these LGs fusion‐competent through the priming process. In secretory tissues such as brain and neuroendocrine glands, this process is mediated by members of the Munc13 protein family. In human CTLs, mutations in the Munc13‐4 gene cause a severe loss in killing efficiency, resulting in familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type 3, suggesting a similar role of other Munc13 isoforms in the immune system. Here, we investigate the contribution of different Munc13 isoforms to the priming process of murine CTLs at both the mRNA and protein level. We demonstrate that Munc13‐1 and Munc13‐4 are the only Munc13 isoforms present in mouse CTLs. Both isoforms rescue the drastical secretion defect of CTLs derived from Munc13‐4‐deficient Jinx mice. Mobility studies using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy indicate that Munc13‐4 and Munc13‐1 are responsible for the priming process of LGs. Furthermore, the domains of the Munc13 protein, which is responsible for functional fusion, could be identified. We conclude from these data that both isoforms of the Munc13 family, Munc13‐1 and Munc13‐4, are functionally redundant in murine CTLs.
Use of a correlational method to estimate a listener's weighting function for speech.

The purpose of this study was to determine if it is feasible to use the correlational method (Lutfi, 1995; Richards and Zhu, 1994) to estimate how listeners use or weight the information contained within various frequency bands of speech. Three naturally spoken vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV) syllables (/aba/, /aga/, and /ada/) were presented monaurally to listeners. Each of the VCV waveforms were filtered into three separate frequency bands (i.e., low, mid, and high). Each band was then independently and randomly degraded at various signal-to-noise (S/N) levels (-7, -5, -3, -1, or +1). On each trial, listeners were asked to identify the VCV that was presented to them. For each trial, the S/N level of each frequency band, the stimulus that was presented, and the listener's responses were all recorded and stored in a file. From this trial-by-trial data, a point biserial correlation was computed between the listener's response (correct or incorrect identification) and the degradation within each frequency band. The stronger the correlation, the greater influence that given frequency band had on the listener's performance on the task. From these relations it was shown that it is possible to obtain a listener's weighting function for speech. Results showed that although most listeners weighted the mid-frequency band the greatest, several of the listeners used different weighting strategies to perform the task. Several methodological issues are discussed in regard to improving the future application of the correlational method to speech.
Screening for large rearrangements of the RB1 gene in Iranian patients with retinoblastoma using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification

Purpose To screen deletions/duplications of the RB1 gene in a large cohort of Iranian patients using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique. Methods A total of 121 patients with retinoblastoma, involving 55 unilateral and 66 bilateral or familial retinoblastomas, were included in this study. Among these patients, 121 blood and 43 tissue samples were available. DNA was extracted from the blood and tissue samples and analyzed with an RB1-specific MLPA probe set. The mutation findings were validated with SYBR Green Real-Time PCR. Results Twenty-two mutations were found in 21 patients; of these, ten mutations were detected in patients with isolated unilateral retinoblastoma. Conclusions Our results suggested that MLPA is a fast, reliable, and powerful method for detecting deletions/duplications in patients with retinoblastoma.
Exploring the changing effects of individual differences on social status of influence

Social status and hierarchies of social status are ubiquitous. Because of this, they have been addressed in a great number of philosophical, theoretical, and empirical discussions across a variety of fields of studies. A primary focus of attention has been on the role of human agency, most notably trait theory (i.e., personality theory). Despite a number of studies in this topic, there have been two notable limitations in extant studies. First, previous studies have largely been based on a singular perspective in explaining social status, most representatively ability (e.g., intelligence) and personality traits (e.g., Big-Five personality traits). Second, extant studies have implicitly assumed that the relationships are static, and the predominant use of cross-sectional research designs hinders explanation of dynamic relationships between personality and social status. In order to address these limitations, this study explores the role of multiple domains of individual differences in explaining social sta.
Adolescent endometriosis-related pelvic pain treated with acupuncture: two case reports.

BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain in adolescents accounts for 10% of outpatient gynecology visits, and 70% of adolescent patients whose pelvic pain is unresponsive to initial therapy have endometriosis. To date, there has been no published research investigating the use of acupuncture for adolescents with chronic pelvic pain and/or endometriosis. METHODS This paper presents two case reports describing the impact of a course of acupuncture on adolescent girls with endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain of more than 1 year. RESULTS Both patients, undergoing between 9 and 15 treatments over a 7- to 12-week period, experienced modest improvement in pain as measured by oral self-reports of pain on a scale from 1 to 10, as well as self or family-reported improvement in headaches, nausea and fatigue. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS These case reports provide preliminary evidence that acupuncture may be an acceptable and safe adjunct treatment therapy for some adolescents with endometriosis-related pelvic pain refractory to standard antiendometriosis therapies. These observations suggest that a prospective, randomized controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for this population may be warranted.
N-Methyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)nitramine and N-methyl-N-(3-nitrophenyl)nitramine.

The structures of the two title isomeric compounds (systematic names: N-methyl-N,2-dinitroaniline and N-methyl-N,3-dinitroaniline, both C7H7N3O4) are slightly different because they exhibit different steric hindrances and hydrogen-bonding environments. The aromatic rings are planar. The -N(Me)NO2 and -NO2 groups are not coplanar with the rings. Comparison of the geometric parameters of the ortho, meta and para isomers together with those of N-methyl-N-phenylnitramine suggests that the position of the nitro group has a strong influence on the aromatic ring distortion. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak C-H.O hydrogen bonds to the nitramine group.
Increased plasma interleukin-6 in donors is associated with lower recipient hospital-free survival after cadaveric organ transplantation*

Objectives:Brain death induces a massive inflammatory response. However, the influence of this inflammatory response on organ procurement, transplantation, and recipient outcome is unknown. We describe the inflammatory response characteristics in brain-dead organ donors and examine associations with organ transplantation and recipient survival. We test the hypothesis that increased inflammatory response is associated with fewer organs transplanted and decreased recipient survival. Design:Prospective, observational, cohort study. Setting:Two large intensive care units of tertiary care university hospitals in the United States. Patients:We recruited 30 consecutive brain-dead organ donors and 78 recipients between April 11, 2004, and November 23, 2004; recipients were followed through May 2005. Following declaration of brain death, we collected data on donor demographics, mechanism of brain death, number of organs procured and transplanted, and recipient characteristics. Plasma cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, interleukin-10) were measured in donors at baseline following study enrollment, every hour for the first 4 hrs, and immediately before organ procurement for transplantation. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:We examined the relationships among clinical characteristics, demographics, and cytokine response in donors and their influence on organ procurement and transplantation using multivariable regression and recipient’s 6-month hospital-free survival using a Cox proportional hazards regression. One hundred-eighteen organs were procured from 30 donors, and 91 (77%) were transplanted (mean of three organs transplanted per donor). All cytokines were increased following brain death. Older age in donors was significantly associated with lower number of organs transplanted (p < .001). Higher plasma interleukin-6 concentrations in donors before organ procurement was significantly associated with lower 6-month hospital-free survival in recipients (hazard ratio 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–2.69, p < .007). Conclusions:Among brain-dead organ donors, older age donors contribute fewer organs for transplantation, and increased donor interleukin-6 level before organ procurement is associated with lower recipient six-month hospital-free survival.
LFA‐1 (CD11a) as a Therapeutic Target

Leukocyte function associated antigen‐1 (LFA‐1) was one of the earliest of cell‐surface molecules identified by monoclonal antibodies generated against leukocyte immunogens. This integrin heterodimer is perhaps best known as a classic adhesion molecule facilitating the interaction between T cells and antigen‐presenting cells. However, varied studies indicate that LFA‐1 has multi‐faceted roles in the immune response including adhesion, activation and trafficking of leukocyte populations. While there has been long‐standing interest in LFA‐1 as a therapeutic target for regulating immunity, anti‐LFA‐1 therapy is still not a first‐line indication for any clinical condition. Antagonism of LFA‐1 with monoclonal antibodies, either alone or in combination with other agents, can result in regulatory tolerance in vivo. Furthermore, new generation humanized anti‐LFA‐1 monoclonal antibodies (Efalizumab) show at least modest promise for continued application in clinical trials. Thus, anti‐LFA‐1 forms a potential, but still largely unexploited, immunotherapy which may find its greatest application as an agent which augments other therapies.
Vitamin D Deficiency Increases the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The results investigating the relationship between vitamin D levels and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are inconsistent. Thus, we focused on evaluating the association of vitamin D deficiency with GDM by conducting a meta-analysis of observed studies. A systematic literature search was conducted via PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane library to identify eligible studies before August 2015. The meta-analysis of 20 studies including 9209 participants showed that women with vitamin D deficiency experienced a significantly increased risk for developing GDM (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.33, 1.75) with a little heterogeneity (I2 = 16.20%, p = 0.252). A noteworthy decrease of 4.93 nmol/L (95% CI, −6.73, −3.14) in serum 25(OH)D was demonstrated in the participants with GDM, and moderate heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 61.40%, p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis with study design showed that there were obvious heterogeneities in nested case–control studies (I2 > 52.5%, p < 0.07). Sensitivity analysis showed that exclusion of any single study did not materially alter the overall combined effect. In summary, the evidence from this meta-analysis indicates a consistent association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of GDM. However, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to elicit the clear effect of vitamin D supplementation on prevention of GDM.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Viral Antigen Processing in the Secretory Pathway Defined by the trans-Golgi Network Protease Furin

Classical antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules involves cytosolic processing of endogenously synthesized antigens by proteasomes and translocation of processed peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by transporters associated with antigen presentation (TAP). Alternative pathways for processing of endogenous antigens, generally involving the ER, have been suggested but not fully proved. We analyzed the potential for class I presentation of proteolytic maturation of secretory antigens in the exocytic pathway. We found that hepatitis B (HB) virus secretory core protein HBe can efficiently deliver COOH-terminally located antigenic peptides for endogenous class I loading in the absence of TAP. Antigen presentation to specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes correlates with protein maturation at the COOH terminus, since modification of maturation and transport of HBe through the secretory pathway alters antigen presentation. Both maturation and a necessary processing step occur in the Golgi or post-Golgi compartment. Antigen presentation is independent of proteasome activity, but inhibitors of the trans-Golgi network resident protease furin inhibit both HBe maturation and antigen presentation. These results define a new antigen processing pathway located in the secretory route, with a central role for proteolytic maturation mediated by the subtilisin protease family member furin as an efficient source for antigen presentation.
Neurobiological Findings before and during Successful Lithium Therapy of a Patient with 48-Hour Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder

48-hour rapid cycling is a very rare form of bipolar disorder, characterized by regular periodic changes of mood from one day to the other. We report on a patient who suffered from a 48-hour rapid cycling without a history of bipolar disorder before the abrupt onset of his rapid mood cycles. We present polysomnographic and neuroendocrine findings and the clinical course based on daily self-ratings of mood. Treatment with lithium carbonate effectively reduced the amplitude of the mood cycles. With plasma levels between 0.8 and 1.0 mmol, almost complete remission occurred. An overview on previous reports on the therapeutic effect of mood stabilizers in this rare form of bipolar disorder is presented.
OpenGL-assisted Visibility Queries of Large Polygonal Models

We present an OpenGL-assisted visibility culling algorithm to improve the rendering performance of large polygonal models. Using a combination of OpenGL-assisted frustum culling, hierarchical model-space partitioning, and OpenGL based occlusion culling, we achieve a significant better performance on general polygonal models than previous approaches. In contrast to these approaches, we only exploit common OpenGL features and therefore, our algorithm is also well suited for low-end OpenGL hardware. Furthermore, we propose a small addition to the OpenGL rendering pipeline, to enhance the framebuffer’s ability for faster visibility queries.
‘Refugee’ is only a word: a discursive analysis of refugees’ and asylum seekers’ experiences in Scotland

processes that appeared in the data (e.g., discussions of identity categories or labels, comparisons between nations, talk about the psychology of refugees). At this stage the coding process was relatively inclusive and allowed for sections to be coded under multiple themes. Following previous examples in discourse analysis, the analysis was done by focusing in more detail on specific extracts from the data in terms of the way in which particular social actions appeared to be performed, identities were constructed and / or issues were managed. For example, this involved looking at how participants discussed issues of racism, constructed notions of integration, allocated blame for social problems, managed issues around the presence of refugees, and justified or criticised particular policies and practices. My own analysis is informed from discussions of extracts from my data with colleagues at meetings of the Postgraduate Psychology and Discourse Group (PoPDoG) and Scottish Ethnomethodology, Discourse, Interaction & Talk (SEDIT) Research Group, as well as work done with my supervisors to prepare manuscripts for publication based on my data. The analysis was informed by a range of analytic concepts that have been developed by other discourse analysts; some of these key concepts are described in more detail below. It is important to note that the analysis will not consist of ‘spotting’ these concepts and devices, which would be insufficient to constitute analysis (Antaki, Billig, Edwards & Potter, 2003), but rather these analytic concepts are used to help explore the specific functions of the discourse.
Rofecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, does not inhibit human gastric mucosal prostaglandin production.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Rofecoxib, an inhibitor of the inducible cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme, appears not to cause acute gastroduodenal injury or chronic ulceration. To attribute this to COX-2 selectivity with sparing of gastric mucosal prostaglandin synthesis requires direct proof. METHODS Twenty-four healthy, nonsmoking Helicobacter pylori-negative volunteers were randomized to 1 of 2 separate concurrent blinded crossover studies. Sixteen volunteers received rofecoxib, 50 mg once daily, for 5 days in one treatment period and placebo in the other. Eight volunteers similarly received naproxen, 500 mg twice daily, and placebo. On day 5 of each period, antral mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis was measured by radioimmunoassay after vortexing for 3 minutes. Whole blood COX-1 activity was measured as serum thromboxane (TXB)2- and COX-2 activity as lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PGE2. RESULTS Naproxen decreased gastric mucosal PGE2 synthesis by 65% (90% confidence interval [CI], 53%-74%; P = 0.001 vs. placebo) in contrast to an 18% increase after rofecoxib (90% CI, -11% to 57%; P = 0.313 vs. placebo). Naproxen also significantly inhibited both serum TXB2 by 94% and LPS-induced PGE2 production by 77% (both P < or = 0.002 vs. placebo), but rofecoxib only inhibited COX-2-dependent LPS-induced PGE(2) (by 79%; P < 0.001 vs. placebo). CONCLUSIONS Rofecoxib (50 mg) lacked naproxen's ability to reduce the availability of gastroprotective prostaglandins.