Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing Student-Centered Learning Model to Improve High Order Mathematical Thinking Ability

The purpose of this research was to develop student-centered learning model aiming to improve high order mathematical thinking ability of junior high school students of based on curriculum 2013 in North Sumatera, Indonesia. The special purpose of this research was to analyze and to formulate the purpose of mathematics lesson in high order mathematical thinking ability and also to develop and to try-out the learning model developed. The subject of the research was 7th graders from state and private Junior High School in Medan and Deli Serdang, which were taken proportional randomly. It was elected SMP N 36, SMPN 2 Tembung, and private SMP Bandung Bandar Khalifah. This developmental Research that orientated on developing product was done in three steps. From the first step, it was revealed that either lesson preparation (students’ book, teachers’ guided, and lesson material) or the instrument was judged valid and need only a little revision. Analysis on data revealed that the students’ high order thinking ability especially in mathematical problem solving, mathematical understanding, and mathematical communication enhanced significantly. By analysis, the reliability of instruments on mathematical understanding, mathematical problem solving, and mathematical communication ability was categorized good.
Do Not Resuscitate orders and ethical decisions in a neonatal intensive care unit in a Muslim community

Aims: To evaluate the need for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders in a tertiary referral centre for neonatal intensive care, the criteria used in making these decisions, and the applicability of the Muslim ethical stance among parents in an Islamic community. Methods: A prospective evaluation of all DNR decisions in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Hospital in Oman, over a one year period between November 1999 and October 2000. This included decision criteria, and parental responses and expectations. Results: Of 659 admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit during this period, DNR orders were written in 39 (6%) instances. Most related to congenital malformations (24/39, 62%). In those in whom ventilation was commenced (19/39, 49%) withdrawal was not culturally acceptable and expressly permitted in only 11%. For those in whom ventilation was not commenced (20/39, 51%), 70% agreed not to put their child on the ventilator if they did require it. Presence of extended family support (grandparents) and clergy was extremely useful. Conclusions: Asking parents alone to be explicitly involved or take full responsibility for decisions involving life and death is not culturally or socially acceptable in this community. Presence of extended family, and indirectly sounding out and taking into account their wishes, is more appropriate after assessing the resources and support services available.
Desensitization of N-Formylpeptide Receptor-mediated Activation Is Dependent upon Receptor Phosphorylation*

The human N-formylpeptide receptor (FPR) represents one of the most thoroughly studied leukocyte chemoattractant receptors. Despite this, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the activation and desensitization of this receptor. To assess the role of phosphorylation in receptor function, U937 promonocytic cells were stably transfected to express the recombinant human FPR. Three mutant forms of the FPR lacking specific serine and threonine residues in the receptor C terminus were studied with respect to activation and desensitization. Replacement of all 11 serine and threonine residues within the C terminus by alanine and glycine residues (ΔST) resulted in a receptor capable of ligand binding and G protein activation similar to the wild-type receptor. However, whereas the wild-type FPR was phosphorylated on both serine and threonine residues upon exposure to agonist and displayed a significantly reduced ability to stimulate G protein-mediated GTP hydrolysis upon subsequent exposure to agonist, ΔST demonstrated a complete lack of phosphorylation and displayed little alteration in its ability to stimulate G protein-mediated GTP hydrolysis upon a subsequent exposure to agonist. In addition to desensitization of G protein-mediated GTP hydrolysis, calcium mobilization was assayed to test whether desensitization occurred at a site distal to G protein activation. However, as observed with G protein activation, ΔST underwent no desensitization of the calcium mobilization response upon a second exposure to agonist. To define more precisely the role of specific serine and threonine residues, two additional mutants were analyzed. Replacement either of Ser328, Thr329, Thr331, and Ser332 (mutant A) or of Thr334, Thr336, Ser338, and Thr339 (mutant B) resulted in functional receptors that exhibited ∼50% the level of phosphorylation following stimulation. Whereas mutant A, like ΔST, could not be significantly desensitized by exposure to agonist, mutant B exhibited partial desensitization. These results indicate that phosphorylation of the FPR is a necessary and sufficient step in cellular desensitization, that multiple phosphorylation sites are involved, and that redundant desensitization does not occur downstream of G protein activation in the signaling cascade.
Crystal packing analysis of murine VDAC1 crystals in a lipidic environment reveals novel insights on oligomerization and orientation

All eukaryotic cells require efficient trafficking of metabolites between the mitochondria and the rest of the cell. This exchange is carried out by the dominant protein in the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), the Voltage Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC), which serves as the primary pathway for the exchange of ions and metabolites between the cytoplasm and the intermembrane space of the mitochondria. Additionally, VDAC provides a scaffold for the binding of modulator proteins to the mitochondria and has been implicated in mitochondriadependent cell death. We recently determined the structure of the murine VDAC1 (mVDAC1) at 2. 3Å resolution crystallized in a native-like bilayer environment. The high-resolution structure provided concise structural details about the voltage-sensing N-terminal domain and catalyzed new hypotheses regarding the gating mechanisms for metabolites and ions that transit the OMM. In this study, the crystal packing of mVDAC1 is analyzed revealing a strong antiparallel dimer that further assemble as hexamers mimicking the native oligomeric packing observed in EM and AFM images of the OMM. Oligomerization has been shown to be important for VDAC regulation and function, and mVDAC1 crystal packing in a lipidic medium reveals insights on how oligomerization is accomplished using protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. Furthermore, orientation of VDAC in the OMM remains uncertain due to inconsistencies in antibody labeling studies. The physiological implications of a novel antiparallel arrangement are addressed that may clarify these conflicting biochemical data.
The magnitude of increased levothyroxine requirements in hypothyroid pregnant women depends upon the etiology of the hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND In the United States, many women with hypothyroidism are on thyroid hormone replacement during pregnancy. The optimal management strategy for thyroid hormone dosing in hypothyroid women during pregnancy is controversial. We hypothesized that dosage requirements during pregnancy might differ depending upon the nature of the underlying hypothyroidism. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 45 pregnancies from 38 women whose hypothyroidism was managed during pregnancy. Thyroid function tests were obtained when pregnancy was confirmed, then every 4-8 weeks. The thyrotropin (TSH) goal was 0.4-4.1 microU/mL (SI unit conversion: multiply TSH by 1.0 for mIU/L). RESULTS On average, the entire group required a cumulative increase from baseline in levothyroxine (LT(4)) dosage of 13% in the first trimester, 26% in the second trimester, and 26% in the third trimester (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Average baseline LT(4) dose for patients with primary hypothyroidism was 92.5 +/- 32.0 microg daily. These patients required small cumulative dose increases of 11%, 16%, and 16% from baseline in each trimester, respectively (p values = 0.125, 0.016, 0.016). Average baseline LT(4) dose for patients with hypothyroidism resulting from treated Graves' disease or goiter was 140.4 +/- 62.4 microg daily. These patients required the largest cumulative increases in LT(4) dosage (first trimester, 27%; second trimester, 51%; third trimester, 45%; p = 0.063, 0.063, 0.063, respectively). Average baseline LT(4) dose for patients with thyroid cancer was 153.2 +/- 30.3 microg. The cumulative LT(4) dose increases for patients with thyroid cancer were 9%, 21%, and 26% in each trimester, respectively (p = 0.03, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The etiology of hypothyroidism plays a pivotal role in determining the timing and magnitude of thyroid hormone adjustments during pregnancy. Patients require vigilant monitoring of thyroid function upon confirmation of conception and anticipatory adjustments to LT(4) dosing based on the etiology of their hypothyroidism.
Cholesteryl Ester Is Transported from Caveolae to Internal Membranes as Part of a Caveolin-Annexin II Lipid-Protein Complex*

We previously demonstrated that in Chinese hamster ovary cells scavenger receptor, class B, type I-dependent selective cholesteryl ester uptake occurs in caveolae. In the present study we hypothesized that cholesteryl ester is transported from caveolae through the cytosol to an internal membrane by a caveolin chaperone complex similar to the one we originally described for the transport of newly synthesized cholesterol. To test this hypothesis we incubated Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing scavenger receptor, class B, type I with [3H]cholesteryl ester-labeled high density lipoprotein, subfractionated the cells and looked for a cytosolic pool of [3H]cholesteryl ester. The radiolabeled sterol initially appeared in the caveolae fraction, then in the cytosol, and finally in the internal membrane fraction. Caveolin IgG precipitated all of the [3H]cholesteryl ester associated with the cytosol. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that in the presence of high density lipoprotein, but not low density lipoprotein or lipoprotein-deficient serum, caveolin IgG precipitated four proteins: annexin II, cyclophilin 40, caveolin, and cyclophilin A. Caveolin acylation-deficient mutants were used to demonstrate that acylation of cysteine 133 but not cysteine 143 or 156 is required for annexin II association with caveolin and the rapid transport of cholesteryl esters out of caveolae. We conclude that a caveolin-annexin II lipid-protein complex facilitates the rapid internalization of cholesteryl esters from caveolae.
Drought forecasting using new machine learning methods

In order to have effective agricultural production the impacts of drought must be mitigated. An important aspect of mitigating the impacts of drought is an effective method of forecasting future drought events. In this study, three methods of forecasting short-term drought for short lead times are explored in the Awash River Basin of Ethiopia. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was the drought index chosen to represent drought in the basin. The following machine learning techniques were explored in this study: artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector regression (SVR), and coupled wavelet-ANNs, which pre-process input data using wavelet analysis (WA). The forecast results of all three methods were compared using two performance measures (RMSE and R 2 ). The forecast results of this study indicate that the coupled wavelet neural network (WA-ANN) models were the most accurate models for forecasting SPI 3 (3-month SPI) and SPI 6 (6-month SPI) values over lead times of 1 and 3 months in the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia.
[Bone marrow granulomas].

PURPOSE To evaluate bone marrow granulomatous lesions in order to establish their etiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS 2,250 bone marrow biopsies were studied during the period of March 1983-March 1991. Granulomas and/or granulomatous lesions were found in 24 of them (1.06%). A correlation between histological characteristics, special stains: PAS, Ziehl Neelsen and Grocott and cultures were done. Immunohistochemistry was done to evaluate B or T cell-lineage in 4 patients. RESULTS The 24 patients were biopsied because of the clinical diagnosis of haematological and non-haematological neoplasias, infections, AIDS, sarcoidosis and fever of unknown origin. Bone marrow cellularity ranged from 20% to 75% (M: 49.8%). Myeloid cells were increased in 54% of the cases. The number of granulomas ranged from 1 to 19 (M: 3.9). The epithelioid cells were the predominant component in 66% of the cases. Of the 7 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 4 had lymphomatous involvement with granulomatous pattern. These cases showed predominance of lymphoid cells and vessels in addition to epithelioid cells. CONCLUSION We consider that in order to establish a relationship between infection and granuloma, the identification of a microorganism through a culture is a more reliable test. We couldn't find any morphological characteristic which allowed an etiologic diagnosis of bone marrow granulomas. In case of lesions with a great lymphocytic and vascular proliferation plus the presence of epithelioid cells and fibrosis, NHL with bone marrow involvement with a granulomatous pattern should be strongly considered.
Bicycle Use in Germany: Explaining Differences between Municipalities with Social Network Effects

This paper aims to account for important factors influencing bicycle use and focuses in particular on differences between 20 selected German municipalities with considerable variation in their bicycle mode share. Using data from the nation-wide survey Mobility in Germany 2002, a mode choice model for bicycling is developed. In an extension to previous research, social network or spillover effects as a measure of the city’s bicycling culture are also taken into account. These effects are modelled using an instrumental variable approach. It is shown that social network effects increase the probability of cycling for shopping and recreational trip purposes, but not for school, work or errands. Furthermore, it is found that cycling infrastructure matters only for shopping and errand trips. Finally, commuting trips by bicycle seem to be largely independent of any policy variables.
Vitamin D Deficiency: The Missing Etiological Factor in the Development of Juvenile Osteochondrosis Dissecans?

Background: Vitamin D deficiency can result in rickets and hypocalcemia during infant and childhood growth. There is an increasing interest in the role of vitamin D with regards to childhood bone health. Osteochondrosis dissecans (OD) is a common disease affecting different joints. To date, the exact etiology of OD still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible association of vitamin D deficiency and juvenile OD. Methods: A retrospective chart review of the years 2010 to 2015 of all orthopaedic patients with an initial diagnosis of juvenile OD admitted to undergo operative treatment of the OD was performed. Patient demographics, medical history, information on sports activity (if available) and serum vitamin D (25-OH-D) level on admission date were obtained. For statistical comparison, we measured baseline prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in age-matched orthopaedic patients presenting at the department of pediatric orthopaedics. Results: A total of 80 patients were included in this study. Overall, 97.5% (n=78) of tested patients in the OD group had serum vitamin D levels below the recommended threshold of 30 ng/mL (mean value of 10.1 ng/mL (±6.7 ng/mL)). Over 60% (n=49) were vitamin D deficient, 29 patients (37%) showed serum levels below 10 ng/mL corresponding to a severe vitamin D deficiency. Of note, only 2 patients (2.5%) reached serum vitamin D levels above the recommended threshold of 30 ng/mL. No statistical difference was found in respect to sports activity level before onset of the symptoms (P=0.09). Statistical analysis found a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with OD and patients without an OD (P=0.026). Conclusions: We found an unexpected high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in juveniles diagnosed with OD presenting with significant lower mean 25-OH-D level compared with a control group. These results suggest that vitamin D deficiency is potentially associated with the development of OD. Thus, vitamin D deficiency might be an important cofactor in the multifactorial development of juvenile OD. For this reason, supplementation of vitamin D might not only be a potential additional therapy but also be a possible preventative factor in patients with juvenile OD. However, future prospective studies are needed to confirm this preliminary data. Level of Evidence: Level III—this is a case-control study.
Carcinoma in a calcified pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland

Introduction CALCIFICATION in the salivary glands occurs frequently, as a stone in a duct or in chronic sialadenitis. More seldom dystrophic calcificatio is found in benign and malignant neoplasms. The combination of calcification and malignancy in pleomorphic adenomas (P.A.) has been reported only rarely in the literature during the last ten years (Brown, 1970; Hinder and Proctor, 1973). So we found it of interest to report a case of carcinoma^ in a calcified P.A. oPfne submandibular gland, and to describe the difficulties in arriving at the correct diagnosis.
HLODs, Trait Models, and Ascertainment: Implications of Admixture for Parameter Estimation and Linkage Detection

Maximizing the homogeneity lod is known to be an appropriate procedure for estimating parameters of the trait model in an approximately ‘ascertainment assumption free’ (AAF) manner. We have investigated whether this same property also holds for the heterogeneity lod (HLOD). We show that, when the genetic models at linked and unlinked loci differ, HLODs are not AAF, and maximizing the HLOD yields parameter estimates that are for all practical purposes meaningless; indeed, the admixture parameter α does not even measure the proportion of linked families within the sample, as is commonly supposed. In spite of this, our results confirm a large body of evidence supporting the use of HLODs as robust tools for linkage detection, and suggest further that maximizing the HLOD over both α and parameters of the trait model can improve accuracy in estimation of the recombination fraction Θ. These findings have important implications for the optimal handling of nuisance parameters in linkage analysis, particularly when evaluating the evidence for or against linkage based on multiple independent heterogeneous sets of data.
Nutrition Support of Blood or Marrow Transplant Recipients: How Much Do We Really Know? NUTRITION ISSUES IN GASTROENTEROLOGY, SERIES #26

The number of adults undergoing blood or marrow transplantation has grown dramatically over the past two decades due to broader selection criteria for transplant and more sophisticated therapies. The nutritional management of these patients is difficult for clinicians due to the side-effects of chemotherapy provided and the subsequent decrease in the desire to eat related to many aspects of the transplant process. Most studies have focused on the consequences of administering short-term total parenteral nutrition and there is a paucity of evidence on oral or enteral support in the adult transplant population. This article describes the various types of transplants and the common side-effects encountered, and guides the reader through the strengths and flaws of the current literature as it relates to common practice.
Effect of isoprenaline on Ca2+ channel current in single smooth muscle cells isolated from taenia of the guinea‐pig caecum.

1. The effects of isoprenaline (Iso) on Ca2+ channel current in enzymatically isolated single cells of the guinea‐pig taenia caeci were examined using the standard whole‐cell voltage‐clamp method. 2. Iso potentiated the voltage‐dependent Ca2+ current; the threshold and maximally effective concentration of Iso to increase Ca2+ current were 3‐10 nM and 1‐3 microM, respectively. The average increase in Ca2+ current produced by 3 microM Iso was 42 +/‐ 6% (mean +/‐ S.E.M.) and the response could be obtained repeatedly in the same cell. The concentration‐response relationship could be fitted by a binding model with a Hill coefficient of 1 and a dissociation constant of 42 nM. 3. The effect of Iso on Ca2+ current was voltage dependent. Although potentiation of Ca2+ current by Iso was obvious between ‐30 and +10 mV, it was small or absent around +20 to +30 mV. Iso had little effect on the relationship between inactivation of the Ca2+ current and voltage obtained using a double‐pulse protocol. 4. External application of forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, or internal perfusion of cAMP or dibutyryl cAMP from the recording pipette, did not increase Ca2+ current and potentiation of Ca2+ current by Iso was observed repeatedly and was unchanged. 5. Internal perfusion of GTP gamma S or GDP beta S increased or did not affect the Ca2+ current and potentiation of Ca2+ current by Iso was unchanged and could be recorded repeatedly for about 20 min after rupture of the cell membrane. In addition, treatment of cells with the potent protein kinase C inhibitor, chelerythrine, had no effect on Ca2+ current or on potentiation of Ca2+ current by Iso. 6. These results suggest that the Ca2+ current in guinea‐pig taenia caeci cells is potentiated by isoprenaline via mechanisms which do not involve either a cAMP pathway, a G‐protein pathway or a protein kinase C pathway. The receptor involved appeared to be an atypical adrenoreceptor not blocked by either alpha‐ or beta‐receptor blocking agents.
No Effect of Itraconazole on the Single Oral Dose Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Estazolam

To examine the involvement of cytochrome P450 3A4 in the metabolism of estazolam, the effect of itraconazole, a potent inhibitor of this enzyme, on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam was studied in a double-blind randomized crossover manner. Ten healthy male volunteers received itraconazole 100 mg/day or placebo orally for 7 days, and on the 4th day they received a single oral 4-mg dose of estazolam. Blood samplings and evaluation of psychomotor function by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Visual Analog Scale, and Stanford Sleepiness Scale were conducted up to 72 hours after estazolam dosing. There was no significant difference between the placebo and itraconazole phases for the peak plasma concentration, apparent oral clearance, and elimination half-life. Similarly, none of the psychomotor function parameters was significantly different between the two phases. The current study showed no significant effect of itraconazole on the single oral dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of estazolam, suggesting that cytochrome P450 3A4 is not involved in the metabolism of estazolam to a major extent.