Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teacher perception of and experience with state mandated implementation of multi-tiered systems of support/response to intervention

Background/context: Until recently, the use of Multi-tiered Systems of Support/Response to Intervention (MTSS/RtI) in Iowa has been limited to identifying students who need special education services. In December 2011, the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) released a document announcing the timeline for mandatory implementation of MTSS/RtI in all classrooms in all public Pre-K-12 schools. The IDOE document outlined an initial sequence of steps that schools would follow. The sequence began with providing evidence-based instruction in math and reading for kindergarten through sixth grade. Based on the IDOE timeline, this study examines the early implementation process as it applies to elementary schools. Purpose: To explore and understand the perceptions and experiences of teachers in one Iowa public elementary school as they worked through initial implementation of multi-tiered systems of support/response to intervention (MTSS/RtI) using Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) guidelines. Participants/setting: 9 teachers, 1 principal in a small, rural Iowa elementary school. Intervention: Teachers were given a Pre-Fieldwork Survey, were interviewed preand postimplementation over the course of one school year, and were observed in their classrooms. The principal was also interviewed. Research Design: Qualitative case study Data Collection and Analysis: Data was collected that related to teacher perception of, and experience with the initial implementation of MTSS/RtI. Data included Pre-fieldwork Survey responses, interviews with faculty at the start and the end of the school year, and observations of classrooms with an instrument designed in accordance with, and based on guidelines from the Response to Intervention: Blueprints for Implementation published by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE, 2008). The data was analyzed using QSR
Preferential stimulation of human lymphocytes by oligodeoxynucleotides that copy DNA CpG motifs present in virulent genes of group A streptococci

Immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG dinucleotides have been shown to stimulate murine and human lymphocytes. We investigated the presence of stimulatory DNA motifs in specific group A streptococcal (GAS) genes to elucidate the potential role of DNA in the immunopathogenesis of GAS infections. Despite low GC content in GAS DNA, the emm1 gene encoding the streptococcal M1 protein contained a relatively high frequency of TTCG(T / C), TCGTCG and (G / A)TCGT motifs that preferentially stimulated human lymphocytes. Interestingly, these motifs were also found in genes encoding M‐like proteins of group C and G streptococci. ODN copying the emm1 gene sequences harboring these motifs induced the proliferation of human B cells and up‐regulated the expression of CD25 on their surface. T cells were not required for the response to the ODN, indicating a direct effect of these motifs on B lymphocytes. Inter‐individual variations in responsiveness to ODN were observed, suggesting that host factors potentiate these responses. The finding that GAS DNA contains stimulatory motifs that induce activation of human B cells in a T cell‐independent manner suggests that this may be an important mechanism by which the bacteria can target the innate arm of the immune system in the early stages of invasive infections.
Onshore Habitat Use as a Driver of Diet, Contaminant Exposure, and Immune Function of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the southern Beaufort Sea (SB) subpopulation have traditionally fed predominantly upon ice-seals; however, as the proportion of the subpopulation using onshore habitat has recently increased, foraging on land-based resources, including carcasses of subsistence-harvested bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) and colonial nesting seabirds has been observed. Adipose tissue samples were collected from this subpopulation during the springs of 2013-2016 and full hairs from 2013-2014, and analyzed for fatty acid signatures and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, respectively. Independent and combined diet estimates were generated for the proportional consumption of ringed seals (Pusa hispida), bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), and beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), relative to onshore foods, including bowhead whales and seabirds, as represented by black guillemot (Cepphus grylle mandtii) nestlings and eggs. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) provided arithmetic mean (± SE) diet estimates of 16.7 ± 1.2% seabirds and 14.8 ± 1.3% bowhead whales. Estimates for ice-obligate prey indicated that ringed seals remained the 1 Chapter 1 prepared for journal submission with coauthors: Todd C. Atwood, George Divoky, Connie Stewart, and Melissa A. McKinney. Plural pronouns are used to represent the contributions of coauthors in preparation for future publication. 9 predominant prey species of SB polar bears (46.7 ± 1.7%), with lower consumption of bearded seals (19.9 ± 2.0%) and beluga whales (1.9 ± 0.5%). Consumption of bowhead whales and bearded seals was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), while consumption of ringed seals was negatively associated with BMI (rs > 0.23, p < 0.01, and rs = -0.39, p < 0.001, respectively). Adult and sub-adult males appeared to depend less on the traditional ringed seal prey than other sex/age classes. Hair stable isotope analysis varied from the QFASA estimates likely due to overlapping prey stable isotope ratios, isotopic routing, and possibly turnover rates of hair relative to adipose. Diet estimates of SB polar bears were explained by inter-annual variability for seabirds (F11,456 = 4.23, p < 0.001) and bearded seals (F11,456 = 4.16, p < 0.001). Even with the more conservative estimates provided by QFASA suggested that both of the onshore prey have represented an appreciable portion of the food resources used by SB polar bears since at least the start of the 21 Century.
Attitude and perception of undergraduate medical students toward the problem-based learning in Chitwan Medical College, Nepal

Background Problem-based learning (PBL) was introduced into Basic Medical Sciences early in the 1980s at Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal, followed by other universities where didactic lecture method was still followed as the main teaching strategy. Despite gaining its popularity worldwide as integrated teaching learning method, PBL is not given importance in Nepal. This study aimed to assess the attitude and perceptions of undergraduate medical students regarding learning outcomes of PBL and to know their views about role and qualities of effective tutors for its successful implementation. Methods This descriptive study was based on a self-administered questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire measured students’ perception and attitude toward benefits of PBL and the second part measured students’ perception about role of PBL tutor. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) first year (2014/2015 academic year) students at Chitwan Medical College, TU, were asked to express their opinions about the importance of learning outcomes by rating each statement on a five-point Likert scale and the responses were combined into three categorical variables: “agree” (strongly agree plus agree), “neutral”, and “disagree” (strongly disagree plus disagree). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Results Approximately 85.5% participants agreed that PBL is an interesting method of teaching learning. Most of them (86.7%) accepted that PBL is an interactive and a mutual learning method and improves self-directed learning (83.2%). Although 78% had recommended it better than lecture, many (54.2%) pointed it out as a time-consuming method. The participants were also highly rated (80.5%) to the statement - the tutor’s role in enhancing the constructive active learning and maintaining good intra-personal behavior. Conclusion Student’s attitude toward PBL was positive. They highly appreciated the roles of a tutor as facilitators and motivators for proper activities in PBL session. PBL sessions were considered effective in improving students professional knowledge and refining problem-solving and self-directed learning skills along with enriching teamwork experience.
All roads lead to Rome: Tracking students’ affect as they overcome misconceptions

Helping students to overcome misconceptions is a complex problem in digital learning environments in which students need to monitor their own progress and self-regulate their own learning. This is particularly so in flexible, discovery-based environments that have been criticised for the lack of support and structure provided to students. Emerging evidence suggests that discovery-based environments might be ineffective due to students becoming confused, frustrated or bored. In the study reported here, we examined the affective experience of students as they worked to overcome a common misconception in a discovery-based environment. While the results suggest that students experience a range of emotions, they all successfully overcame their initial misconception. Implications for the investigation of student affect in discovery-based environments and the design of these environments are also discussed.
Activation of M1 macrophages in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in response to heparin-binding protein

Background In the early stage of sepsis, M1 macrophages result in the production of inflammatory mediators and AKI. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) have been shown to play important roles in sepsis-induced AKI. In this study, we investigate the association of HBP with M1 macrophages in sepsis-induced AKI. Methods Male C57BL6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham surgery. Biochemical and histological renal damage was assessed. Macrophage infiltration was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR was used to investigate the expression of heparin-binding protein (HBP), the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase 1 (Arg-1) mRNAs. Western blots were performed to assay the tissue levels of HBP, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results High levels of HBP were obviously detected 24 h after sepsis-induced AKI. Heparin inhibited HBP expression during sepsis-induced AKI. The suppression of HBP expression by heparin injection after the establishment of sepsis-induced AKI resulted in a reduction in renal injury severity accompanied with a significant repression of M1 macrophage activation and expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Conclusions HBP plays an important role in the initial inflammatory reaction associated with sepsis-induced AKI, presumably by activating M1 macrophages and suppressing TNF-α and IL-6 secretion.
Automatic detection of plaques with severe stenosis in coronary vessels of CT angiography

Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of coronary arteries and is the leading cause of death worldwide. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been proved to be very useful for accurate noninvasive diagnosis and quantification of plaques. However, the existing methods to measure the stenosis in the plaques are not accurate enough in mid and distal segments where the vessels become narrower. To alleviate this, we propose a method that consists of three stages namely, automatic extraction of coronary vessels; vessels straightening; lumen extraction and stenosis evaluation. In the first stage, the coronary vessels are segmented using a parametric approach based on circular vessel model at each point on the centerline. It is assumed that centerline information is available in advance. Vessel straightening in the second stage performs multi-planar reformat (MPR) to straighten the curved vessels. MPR view of a vessel helps to visualize and measure the plaques better. On the straightened vessel, lumen and vessel wall are segregated using a nearest neighbor classification. To detect the plaques with severe stenosis in the vessel lumen, we propose a "Diameter Luminal Stenosis" method for analyzing the smaller segments of the vessel. Proposed measurement technique identifies the segments that have plaques and reports the top three severely stenosed segments. Proposed algorithm is applied on 24 coronary vessels belonging to multiple cases acquired from Sensation 64 - slice CT and initial results are promising.
Expectations Do Not Alter Early Sensory Processing during Perceptual Decision-Making

Two factors play important roles in shaping perception: the allocation of selective attention to behaviorally relevant sensory features, and prior expectations about regularities in the environment. Signal detection theory proposes distinct roles of attention and expectation on decision-making such that attention modulates early sensory processing, whereas expectation influences the selection and execution of motor responses. Challenging this classic framework, recent studies suggest that expectations about sensory regularities enhance the encoding and accumulation of sensory evidence during decision-making. However, it is possible, that these findings reflect well documented attentional modulations in visual cortex. Here, we tested this framework in a group of male and female human participants by examining how expectations about stimulus features (orientation and color) and expectations about motor responses impacted electroencephalography (EEG) markers of early sensory processing and the accumulation of sensory evidence during decision-making (the early visual negative potential and the centro-parietal positive potential, respectively). We first demonstrate that these markers are sensitive to changes in the amount of sensory evidence in the display. Then we show, counter to recent findings, that neither marker is modulated by either feature or motor expectations, despite a robust effect of expectations on behavior. Instead, violating expectations about likely sensory features and motor responses impacts posterior alpha and frontal theta oscillations, signals thought to index overall processing time and cognitive conflict. These findings are inconsistent with recent theoretical accounts and suggest instead that expectations primarily influence decisions by modulating post-perceptual stages of information processing. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Expectations about likely features or motor responses play an important role in shaping behavior. Classic theoretical frameworks posit that expectations modulate decision-making by biasing late stages of decision-making including the selection and execution of motor responses. In contrast, recent accounts suggest that expectations also modulate decisions by improving the quality of early sensory processing. However, these effects could instead reflect the influence of selective attention. Here we examine the effect of expectations about sensory features and motor responses on a set of electroencephalography (EEG) markers that index early sensory processing and later post-perceptual processing. Counter to recent empirical results, expectations have little effect on early sensory processing but instead modulate EEG markers of time-on-task and cognitive conflict.
Left ventricular structural and functional changes evaluated by echocardiography and two-dimensional strain in patients with sickle cell disease

Introduction Patients with sickle cell disease have increased left ventricular size, which is not usually accompanied by changes in systolic function indexes. We assessed echocardiographic abnormalities present in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and compared echocardiographic parameters to other sickle cell diseases (OSCD). Material and methods A blind cross-sectional study with 60 patients with SCA and 16 patients with OSCD who underwent transthoracic echocardiography was performed. Results Echocardiographic findings were: left atrial volume index 47.7 ±11.5 ml/m² in SCA group and 31.7 ±8.42 ml/m² in OSCD group (p < 0.001); left ventricular diastolic diameter index 3.47 ±0.37 cm/m² in SCA group and 2.97 ±0.41 cm/m² in OSCD group (p < 0.001); left ventricular systolic diameter index 2.12 ±0.31 cm/m² in SCA group and 1.86 ±0.28 cm/m² in OSCD group (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the left ventricular ejection fraction: 68.2 ±6.69% in SCA group and 67.1 ±6.21% in OSCD group (p = 0.527). The ratio between mitral E wave and mean mitral annulus e’ wave velocities was higher in the SCA group (7.72 ±1.54 vs. 6.70 ±1.65; p = 0.047). Mitral A wave correlated significantly with hemoglobin levels (r = –0.340; p = 0.032). Conclusions There was an increase of left ventricular and left atrial sizes in patients with SCA, compared to patients with OSCD, without changes in systolic or diastolic function in both groups. This could be due to the hyperkinetic state due to the more severe anemia in the SCA subjects.
Neuroadaptations of presynaptic and postsynaptic GABAB receptor function in the paraventricular nucleus in response to chronic unpredictable stress

Chronic stress impairs GABAA (GABA type A) receptor‐mediated inhibition in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). It is not clear whether GABAB receptor function is also altered. We hypothesize that chronic stress alters GABAB receptor function in PVN corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) neurons to control hypothalamus‐pituitary–adrenal axis activity.
Autonomic response to a short and long bout of high-intensity functional training

ABSTRACT The evaluation of Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) recovery following exercise provides insight into the transient stress placed on the cardiovascular system. High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) is a form of intense exercise that is prescribed in various modalities and durations; however, little is known about the influence of HIFT duration on ANS recovery. Ten apparently healthy males (28.1 ± 5.4 yrs) performed two HIFT sessions (<5-minute and 15-minute) in a crossover fashion. ANS activity was measured using plasma Epinephrine (E) and Norepineprine (NE); Heart Rate Variability markers of the log transformed Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (lnRMSSD) and High-Frequency power (lnHF). No trial dependent differences were observed in lnRMSSD (p = 0.822), lnHF (p = 0.886), E (p = 0.078), or NE (p = 0.194). A significant main time effect was observed in both trials with a depression in lnRMSSD and lnHF following the trials (p < 0.05) and recovering by 2-hours post (p = 0.141, p > 0.999) respectively. A trial dependent increase in E and NE occurred immediately post (p < 0.05) and recovered by 1-hour post (p > 0.999, p > 0.999) respectively. The HIFT bouts examined within this study demonstrated similar transient strain of the ANS.
HIV in Canada-Surveillance Report, 2016.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a global public health concern, with 2.1 million people newly infected in 2015. Although many high-income countries have noted decreasing rates of HIV, between 2013 and 2015 Canada's rates had stabilized at 5.8 per 100,000 population. Objective To provide a descriptive overview of reported cases of HIV in Canada up until 2016 by geographic location, sex, age group, exposure category and race/ethnicity, with a focus on the most recent data. Methods The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors HIV through the national HIV/AIDS Surveillance System (HASS), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Canadian Perinatal HIV Surveillance Program (CPHSP). HASS is a passive, case-based system that collates non-nominal data voluntarily submitted by all Canadian provinces and territories. Data were also received from the IRCC and the CPHSP. Data were collated, tables and figures were prepared, then descriptive statistics were applied by PHAC and validated by each province and territory. Results A total of 2,344 new diagnoses of HIV were reported in 2016 in Canada, with a cumulative total of 84,409 cases since 1985. The national diagnosis rate increased from 5.8 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 6.4 per 100,000 population in 2016. Saskatchewan reported the highest provincial diagnosis rate in 2016 (15.1 per 100,000 population). In 2016, 76.6% of reported HIV cases were among males. Adults aged 30-39 years old accounted for 28.7% of all reported cases. There was a similar age distribution of HIV cases between sexes with notable increases in the proportion of the 50 years and over age group over the past five years. The "men who have sex with men" exposure category continued to represent the largest number and proportion of all reported HIV cases in adults (44.1%). White (40.4%), Black (21.9%) and Indigenous (21.2%) race/ethnicity categories represented the largest proportions of cases. Conclusion In 2016, Canada saw a slight increase in the number and rate of reported HIV cases compared with previous years. Although the diagnostic rate was lower than in all years prior to 2012, it is the highest of the past five years. While a number of possibilities exist to explain this increase, further investigation and additional data are needed in order to determine the cause and significance.
Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates with focus in succinic acid production

Succinic acid is a platform chemical that plays an important role as precursor for the synthesis of many valuable bio-based chemicals. Its microbial production from renewable resources has seen great developments, specially exploring the use of yeasts to overcome the limitations of using bacteria. The objective of the present work was to screen for succinate-producing isolates, using a yeast collection with different origins and characteristics. Four strains were chosen, two as promising succinic acid producers, in comparison with two low producers. Genome of these isolates was analysed, and differences were found mainly in genes SDH1, SDH3, MDH1 and the transcription factor HAP4, regarding the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms and the gene copy-number profile. Real-time PCR was used to study gene expression of 10 selected genes involved in the metabolic pathway of succinic acid production. Results show that for the non-producing strain, higher expression of genes SDH1, SDH2, ADH1, ADH3, IDH1 and HAP4 was detected, together with lower expression of ADR1 transcription factor, in comparison with the best producer strain. This is the first study showing the capacity of natural yeast isolates to produce high amounts of succinic acid, together with the understanding of the key factors associated, giving clues for strain improvement.