Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers' Conceptions of Teaching and Teaching Behavior: Some Differences between Expert and Novice Teachers.

A pilot study focused on differences between novice and expert teachers, including the structure of teachers' thought processes and knowledge and teaching behavior during lessons. Study data were collected from seven secondary school mathematics teachers (three experts and four novices) through clinical interviews and lesson observation. Interview questions dealt with teachers thoughts towards: (1) general objectives for education; (2) goals for subject matter teaching; (3) interactive thoughts and decisions; and (4) lesson planning and evaluation of learning outcomes. The lesson observation portion of the study focused on: (1) structure of les. ,ons and use of questions; (2) type of questions; (3) scaffolds; and (4) type of scaffolds. Comparison indicated that experts' pedagogical knowledge included higher level conceptions, principles, and generalizations than that of novices. Expertise showed up in teachers' abilities to make correct interpretations about different students and act accordingly in instructional interventions. (CB) ***********************A*********************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** Teachers' Conceptions of Teaching and Teaching Behavior : Some Differences between Expert and Novice Teachers Eero Ropo University of Tampere Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Washington, D.C.
cis-Acting Signals in Encapsidation of Hantaan Virus S-Segment Viral Genomic RNA by Its N Protein

ABSTRACT The nucleocapsid (N) protein encapsidates both viral genomic RNA (vRNA) and the antigenomic RNA (cRNA), but not viral mRNA. Previous work has shown that the N protein has preference for vRNA, and this suggested the possibility of a cis-acting signal that could be used to initiate encapsidation for the S segment. To map thecis-acting determinants, several deletion RNA derivatives and synthetic oligoribonucleotides were constructed from the S segment of the Hantaan virus (HTNV) vRNA. N protein-RNA interactions were examined by UV cross-linking studies, filter-binding assays, and gel electrophoresis mobility shift assays to define the ability of each to bind HTNV N protein. The 5′ end of the S-segment vRNA was observed to be necessary and sufficient for the binding reaction. Modeling of the 5′ end of the vRNA revealed a possible stem-loop structure (SL) with a large single-stranded loop. We suggest that a specific interaction occurs between the N protein and sequences within this region to initiate encapsidation of the vRNAs.
Can microbiologists help to assess catheter involvement in candidaemic patients before removal?

We compared the efficacy of three techniques--minimal time to positivity (MTTP) of blood cultures (BCs), differential time to positivity (DTTP) of BCs obtained from the catheter and peripheral veins and the number of positive BCs--in predicting catheter involvement in patients with well-demonstrated catheter-related candidaemia (C-RC) and non-catheter-related candidaemia (NC-RC). C-RC was defined as isolation of the same Candida species from blood and catheter tip culture (≥15 cfu/plate). A ROC curve was created for each quantitative variable to determine the best cut-off for predicting C-RC.A total of 108 episodes of candidaemia were included (84 adults and 24 children; 67 C-RC and 41 NC-RC). These were caused mainly by C. albicans (49.1%) and C. parapsilosis (30.6%). The MTTP was significantly shorter in adult patients with C-RC than in those with NC-RC (29.8 vs. 36.8 hours; p 0.035), although no cut-off value provided acceptable accuracy. DTTP had high sensitivity but low specificity for predicting CRC. However, C-RC episodes had a significantly greater number of positive BCs than NC-RC episodes. The optimal cut-off for predicting C-RC was at least two positive BCs out of three, with the following validity values: sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 62.5%; positive predictive value, 83.3%; negative predictive value, 100%; accuracy, 87.0%. None of the tests evaluated allow a clear-cut prediction of C-RC and the criteria accepted for bacteraemia should not be automatically extrapolated to candidaemia. We found that a low number of positive BCs with Candida had a high negative predictive value for a catheter origin.
The mechanism of action of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa‐encoded type III cytotoxin, ExoU

Pseudomonas aeruginosa delivers the toxin ExoU to eukaryotic cells via a type III secretion system. Intoxication with ExoU is associated with lung injury, bacterial dissemination and sepsis in animal model and human infections. To search for ExoU targets in a genetically tractable system, we used controlled expression of the toxin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ExoU was cytotoxic for yeast and caused a vacuolar fragmentation phenotype. Inhibitors of human calcium‐independent (iPLA2) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) lipase activity reduce the cytotoxicity of ExoU. The catalytic domains of patatin, iPLA2 and cPLA2 align or are similar to ExoU sequences. Site‐specific mutagenesis of predicted catalytic residues (ExoUS142A or ExoUD344A) eliminated toxicity. ExoU expression in yeast resulted in an accumulation of free palmitic acid, changes in the phospholipid profiles and reduction of radiolabeled neutral lipids. ExoUS142A and ExoUD344A expressed in yeast failed to release palmitic acid. Recombinant ExoU demonstrated lipase activity in vitro, but only in the presence of a yeast extract. From these data we conclude that ExoU is a lipase that requires activation or modification by eukaryotic factors.
Active Three-Way Circulator Using Transistor Feedback Network

This letter presents an active three-way circulator with both theoretical analyzes and experimental verifications. The conventional active circulators have their limitations on power handling and noise figure (NF), however, this proposed structure maintains both performances, which is formed by three 2-port transistor feedback networks (TFNs). This TFN is formed by an FET together with a feedback inductor. Experimental results show that this circulator achieves the isolation more than 35 dB, the insertion of around 2 dB, and the return losses better than 10 dB at each port at 1.8 GHz. The output power is linearly proportional to the power operation and the NF is around 5 dB. This compact structure, therefore, is suitable for use in the transmit/receive front end with a sufficient isolation, power handling, and NF for time division duplex operation.
Applying efficient fault tolerance to enable the preconditioned conjugate gradient solver on approximate computing hardware

A new technique is presented that allows to execute the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) solver on approximate hardware while ensuring correct solver results. This technique expands the scope of approximate computing to scientific and engineering applications. The changing error resilience of PCG during the solving process is exploited by different levels of approximation which trade off numerical precision and hardware utilization. Such approximation levels are determined at runtime by periodically estimating the error resilience. An efficient fault tolerance technique allows reductions in hardware utilization by ensuring the continued exploitation of suitable energy-precision trade-offs. Experimental results show that the hardware utilization is reduced on average by 14.5% and by up to 41.0% compared to executing PCG on precise hardware.
Biomarkers predict radiographic progression in early rheumatoid arthritis and perform well compared with traditional markers.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance of biochemical and traditional markers in predicting radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS One hundred thirty-two patients with early RA were treated with nonbiologic therapies for 2 years and studied longitudinally. Genomic DNA was analyzed for presence of the shared epitope. Levels of matrix metalloproteinases (matrix metalloproteinase 1 [MMP-1], MMP-13, and MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were assessed in serially obtained serum samples. The presence of pyridinoline (Pyr), deoxypyridinoline, glycosylated Pyr (Glc-Gal-Pyr), and C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) was assessed in urine samples. Radiographs obtained at entry and at 2 years were evaluated using the modified Larsen score. RESULTS Baseline and 2-year radiographs were available from 118 patients. Larsen scores worsened during the 2 years in 50 patients, while 68 patients had no radiographic progression. Levels of a variety of biochemical markers, i.e., MMP-3, CTX-II, COMP, TIMP-1, Pyr, and Glc-Gal-Pyr, correlated significantly with radiographic progression at entry and longitudinally as assessed by area under the curve (AUC). By multivariate analysis, a model including MMP-3 and CTX-II was identified as providing the best prediction of radiographic progression at entry (predictive accuracy by receiver operating characteristic [ROC] AUC = 0.76 [95% confidence interval 0.66-0.85]), while a combination of MMP-3, CTX-II, and swollen joint count formed the best longitudinal AUC model (predictive accuracy by ROC AUC = 0.81 [95% confidence interval 0.73-0.89]). Patient-reported measures (Health Assessment Questionnaire, pain scores) were of limited use. In a subset of 50 patients who were treated with methotrexate (MTX) during the followup period, median serum MMP-3 levels decreased after the initiation of MTX therapy (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION These results indicate that biochemical markers are useful predictors of radiographic progression in RA and that serum MMP-3 levels decrease significantly with MTX therapy. Multivariate models that include MMP-3 and CTX-II perform better than existing traditional markers in predicting radiographic outcome in RA.
Replacement of connexin 43 by connexin 32 in a knock‐in mice model attenuates aortic endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor‐mediated relaxation

Previous studies demonstrated that intercellular communication through endothelial, smooth muscle or myoendothelial connexin channels contributes to the control of vascular tone. At least four connexin types are present in the arterial wall. The aim of the present work was to assess the role played by connexin 43 (Cx43)‐formed gap junctions on vessel function. Aortic reactivity to noradrenaline, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, and endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)‐mediated relaxations, were analysed in a Cx43KI32 mouse model in which the coding region of Cx43 was replaced by that of connexin 32 (Cx32). Aortic rings were placed in organ baths containing a Krebs solution oxygenated at 37°C (pH 7.4). Confocal images of aortic rings confirmed connexin substitution in mutant mice. In control conditions, replacement of Cx43 by Cx32 in homozygous mutant mice did not modify endothelium‐independent contractile responses to noradrenaline, or relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside (endothelium independent) or acetylcholine (endothelium dependent). However, residual endothelium‐dependent relaxations in response to acetylcholine after nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibition (EDHF type) were significantly reduced in homozygous Cx43KI32 mice (maximal effect values: 4.86 ± 0.37% of noradrenaline precontraction versus 7.06 ± 0.31% in wild‐type, n= 8, P < 0.05). This attenuation was mimicked by treatment of rings from wild‐type animals with the connexin‐mimetic peptide 37,43Gap27 (5 × 10−6m). In conclusion, replacement of Cx43 by Cx32 attenuates EDHF‐mediated relaxations in mice aortic rings, suggesting that they are, at least in part, dependent on Cx43‐formed gap junctions. In contrast, aortic responses to tested endothelium‐independent agonists were not modified in knock‐in animals.
Inhibition of Aquaporin-4 Improves the Outcome of Ischaemic Stroke and Modulates Brain Paravascular Drainage Pathways

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the most abundant water channel in the brain, and its inhibition before inducing focal ischemia, using the AQP4 inhibitor TGN-020, has been showed to reduce oedema in imaging studies. Here, we aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the histopathological effects of a single dose of TGN-020 administered after the occlusion of the medial cerebral artery (MCAO). On a rat model of non-reperfusion ischemia, we have assessed vascular densities, albumin extravasation, gliosis, and apoptosis at 3 and 7 days after MCAO. TGN-020 significantly reduced oedema, glial scar, albumin effusion, and apoptosis, at both 3 and 7 days after MCAO. The area of GFAP-positive gliotic rim decreased, and 3D fractal analysis of astrocytic processes revealed a less complex architecture, possibly indicating water accumulating in the cytoplasm. Evaluation of the blood vessels revealed thicker basement membranes colocalizing with exudated albumin in the treated animals, suggesting that inhibition of AQP4 blocks fluid flow towards the parenchyma in the paravascular drainage pathways of the interstitial fluid. These findings suggest that a single dose of an AQP4 inhibitor can reduce brain oedema, even if administered after the onset of ischemia, and AQP4 agonists/antagonists might be effective modulators of the paravascular drainage flow.
The topology of scaling limits of positive genus random quadrangulations

We discuss scaling limits of large bipartite quadrangulations of positive genus. For a given g, we consider, for every n≥1, a random quadrangulation qn uniformly distributed over the set of all rooted bipartite quadrangulations of genus g with n faces. We view it as a metric space by endowing its set of vertices with the graph metric. As n tends to infinity, this metric space, with distances rescaled by the factor n−1/4, converges in distribution, at least along some subsequence, toward a limiting random metric space. This convergence holds in the sense of the Gromov–Hausdorff topology on compact metric spaces. We show that, regardless of the choice of the subsequence, the limiting space is almost surely homeomorphic to the genus g-torus.
Worker's compensation and return-to-work following orthopaedic injury to extremities.

OBJECTIVE To explore the influence of workers' compensation coverage on injury patterns and return-to-work outcome in orthopaedic injuries of the extremities. DESIGN Prospective and follow-up study. SUBJECTS A total of 154 subjects were recruited and 37.7% of the injuries were covered by workers' compensation. METHODS Baseline data were obtained by questionnaire and chart review. The main outcome variable was time of first return to work. Subjects were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months after initial interview. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse associations between potential predictors and return-to-work. RESULTS The workers' compensation group were most likely to be men employed in labour occupations and were most likely to sustain crushing injuries, or injuries from being struck by objects. The 6-month return-to-work rates for the workers' compensation and non-workers' compensation groups were 70.7% and 71.9%. Early return-to-work was associated with more years in higher education, and increased self-efficacy in both groups. Moreover, age older than 45 years and hospitalization less than 14 days were associated with early return-to-work in the non-workers' compensation group. CONCLUSION The injury patterns of workers' compensation and non-workers' compensation groups differed, but the likelihood of return-to-work at 6-month follow-up was similar. More years of education and self-efficacy were positive predictors of return-to-work.
Maternal Lean Body Mass and Birth‐Weight

Summary: Maternal lean body mass at booking was estimated according to a formula employing the body mass index and maternal age in a sample of 511 women who booked in the first trimester of pregnancy. The significance of this parameter in comparison with established predictors of birth‐weight such as maternal weight, height, smoking, parity, gestational age and sex of the infant was examined using bivariate correlations and multiple regression analysis. Maternal lean body mass was found to be the most important determinant of birth‐weight for gestation percentile. Cigarette smoking had a negative effect on birth‐weight which was independent of maternal physique. The effect of maternal size on birth‐weight is largely mediated through constitutional and genetic factors rather than nutrition.
Stereotactic core biopsy reduces the reexcision rate and the cost of mammographically detected cancer.

The management of patients with mammographic abnormalities is rapidly shifting from needle-localized surgical biopsy (NLB) to stereotactic core biopsy (SCB). The precise role of SCB in the management of nonpalpable breast cancer remains to be defined. The purpose of this study was to compare SCB to NLB in the diagnosis of mammographically detected breast cancer in women who underwent breast-conserving surgery. The records of all patients with nonpalpable breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery from 1/1/95 to 6/1/97 were analyzed with respect to method of diagnosis, time interval from detection to diagnosis and breast-conserving surgery, volume of breast tissue excised, margin status and reexcision rate, number of surgical procedures, and total charges and costs per patient. During a 30-month period, 117 patients with nonpalpable breast cancer underwent breast-conserving surgery. The diagnosis was made by NLB in 69 patients and SCB in 48 patients. The time from detection to diagnosis and breast-conserving surgery was 1.7 +/- 0.5 and 8.1 +/- 1.2 days for SCB patients and 6. 8 +/- 1.3 and 16.9 +/- 2.3 days for NLB patients (P < 0.01). The volume of breast tissue removed was 117.9 +/- 5.6 cm3 for SCB patients versus 75.2 +/- 2.9 cm3 for NLB patients (P < 0.01). Three SCB patients (6%) had positive margins, while 38 NLB patients (55%) had positive margins (P < 0.01). Only 1 SCB patient (2%) was reexcised, while 34 NLB patients (50%) were reexcised (P < 0.01). Eighty-nine percent of SCB patients had a single surgical procedure compared to 39% of NLB patients (P < 0.001). Patients who underwent SCB had reduced total charges and total costs per patient compared to NLB patients ($11,700 +/- $554 and $3537 +/- $167 per SCB patient versus $15,654 +/- $706 and $4853 +/- $198 per NLB patient, P < 0. 0001). Stereotactic core biopsy shortens the time from detection at mammography to diagnosis and breast-conserving therapy, permits appropriate discussion of treatment alternatives, reduces the positive margin rate and reexcision rate, and may represent a significant cost savings in the management of nonpalpable breast cancer.
Prospective cohort study of predictors of incident low back pain in nurses

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of handling patients and indicators of individual susceptibility on risk of low back pain in nurses. Design: Prospective cohort study with follow up by repeated self administered questionnaires every three months over two years. Setting: NHS university hospitals trust. Subjects: 961 female nurses who had been free from low back pain for at least one month at the time of completing a baseline questionnaire. Main outcome measures: Incidence of new low back pain during follow up and of pain leading to absence from work. Results: Of 838 women who provided data suitable for analysis, 322 (38%) developed low back pain during follow up (mean 18.6 months), including 93 (11%) whose pain led to absence from work. The strongest predictor of new low back pain was earlier history of the symptom, and risk was particularly high if previous pain had lasted for over a month in total and had occurred within the 12 months before entry to the study (incidence during follow up 66%). Frequent low mood at baseline was strongly associated with subsequent absence from work for back pain (odds ratio 3.4; 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 8.2). After adjustment for earlier history of back pain and other potential confounders, risk was higher in nurses who reported frequent manual transfer of patients between bed and chair, manual repositioning of patients on the bed, and lifting patients in or out of the bath with a hoist. Conclusions: Of the indicators of individual susceptibility that were examined, only history of back trouble was sufficiently predictive to justify selective exclusion of some applicants for nursing posts. The main route to prevention of back disorders among nurses is likely to lie in improved ergonomics. Key messages A history of back trouble, particularly if recent and prolonged, is highly predictive of new episodes of back pain There are grounds for excluding nurses with recent and prolonged back pain from the most physically demanding jobs Age, height, and weight are not sufficiently discriminatory for risk of back pain to influence selection and appointment of nurses Back pain is more common in nurses who lift and move patients frequently without the use of mechanical aids Controlled trials are needed to assess the benefits of ergonomic intervention aimed at prevention of back pain in nurses
Decreased Regional Cerebral Metabolic Rate for Glucose in Systemic Lupus erythematosus Patients with Psychiatric Symptoms

To determine brain functional abnormality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with psychiatric symptoms, we evaluated 12 active SLE patients with or without psychiatric symptoms by means of [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing. Patients with psychiatric symptoms showed significantly poorer performance in tests which subserved attentional function. The PET study revealed that the psychiatric patients had significantly decreased regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose in the prefrontal, inferior parietal and anterior cingulate regions. Prefrontal, inferior parietal and anterior cingulate dysfunction may be related to attentional deficits that are involved in various psychiatric symptoms in SLE. PET is an invaluable tool to reveal such brain functional abnormality seen in SLE patients with psychiatric symptoms.
Characterization of CidR‐mediated regulation in Bacillus anthracis reveals a previously undetected role of S‐layer proteins as murein hydrolases

Recent studies have shown that the Staphylococcus aureus cidABC and lrgAB operons are involved in the regulation of cell death and lysis. The transcription of cidABC and lrgAB was shown to be induced by acetic acid and was dependent on the cidR gene encoding a new member of the LysR‐type transcription regulator (LTTR) family of proteins. In the study presented here, we examined the phenotypic and regulatory effects of disrupting a cidR homologue in Bacillus anthracis. As in S. aureus, the cidR mutation affected expression of the B. anthracis cid and lrg homologues, murein hydrolase activity and cell viability in stationary phase. Interestingly, the predominant murein hydrolase affected was an 85 kDa protein that was identified as Sap, a primary constituent of the S‐layer in B. anthracis. The ability of Sap, as well as its counterpart EA1, to exhibit murein hydrolase activity was confirmed by cloning their respective genes in Escherichia coli and showing that the overexpressed proteins contained this activity. Northern blot analyses revealed that the cidR mutation caused reduced transcription of the genes encoding Sap and EA1, as well as CsaB involved in the attachment of the S‐layer proteins to the cell wall. The results of these studies not only establish the existence of the cid and lrg murein hydrolase regulatory network in B. anthracis, but also help to define the function and regulation of the S‐layer proteins.