Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS): State of the Literature

This paper examines the current state of the literature on Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS), an increasingly popular approach to technologymediated advising reform. We limit our analysis to sixty relevant documents that have been released since 2010. We categorize these items into four different groups based on their aim and rigor: (1) descriptive documents (39 items) that describe processes and challenges of iPASS implementation, (2) output reports (12 items) that examine usage data to better understand iPASS implementation, (3) correlational studies (5 items) that examine non-causal associations between different functionalities of iPASS tools and student outcomes, and (4) rigorous outcomes studies (4 items) that employ experimental or quasi-experimental methods to provide causal or near-causal estimations of iPASSoriented interventions. iPASS is a relatively recent reform approach, and while few studies are available that rigorously evaluate its effects, early findings suggest that individual components of iPASS interventions may have a positive impact on student outcomes, including persistence and credit accrual. This paper also offers suggestions on how colleges can use non-causal research to support and improve iPASS.
PENGARUH FED RATE, INDEKS DOW JONES, NIKKEI 225, HANG SENG TERHADAP INDEKS HARGA SAHAM GABUNGAN

Investment is the early capital from investors who are expected to deliver results in the future. This research aims to investigate the influence of Central Bank Interest Rate for the US, Dow Jones, Nikkei 225 and the Hang Seng To Composite Stock Price Index. The population in this research are The Fed Rate and the entire value of price index recorded the period 2010-2015. Sample selection technique used is saturated sampling method. The number of samples is 72 samples for each of the variables. Data analysis techniques used in this research is multiple linear regression analysis. The analysis of this study indicate The Fed Rate does not effect to Composite Stock Price Index . The Dow Jones has positive effect to Composite Stock Price Index, the Nikkei 225 is not a positive effect to Composite Stock Price Index and the Hang Seng has positive effect to Composite Stock Price Index.
DVR control using adaptive PI controller based on human brain learning

Having electricity with high quality is one of the more important aims in electrical systems. Disturbances in distribution systems can change voltage waveform. There are some methods to prepare high power quality for sensitive loads. In this research, we use “Dynamic Voltage Restorer” to compensate the harmful effects of disturbances on voltage. In this paper a fairly novel adaptive method which is based on deciding on the basis of emotions is introduced. This adaptive method which is inspired by human brain learning nature, has been used as self-tuning PI controller. In order to show and investigate the efficiency of proposed algorithm, the results obtained from performance of the proposed controller, has been compared by those of conventional PI controller.
Use of three-dimensional computed tomography for diagnosis and treatment planning for open-mouth jaw locking in a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 2.5-year-old spayed female Persian cat was evaluated for acute inability to close its mouth. CLINICAL FINDINGS A wry-mouth malocclusion was evident, and the right side of the mandible was longer than the left side. The right mandibular tooth row appeared to be lowered. The lower jaw was persistently maintained in an open position. The presumptive diagnosis was open-mouth jaw locking. Diagnostic imaging with computed tomography and 3-dimensional reconstruction was performed for definitive diagnosis and to achieve a better understanding of the lesions. Imaging revealed locking of the right ramus of the mandible, which was displaced ventrolaterally, causing the coronoid process to impinge on the right zygomatic arch. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A bilateral partial ostectomy of the rostroventral margins of the zygomatic arches with an autogenous fat graft implantation was performed. The cat recovered without complications and by the following morning was bright, alert, and responsive and eating canned cat food comfortably. One year after surgery, the owner reported that the cat had continued to function well, was eating normally, and had not had any observed locking episodes since surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Unlike radiographic imaging, computed tomography may be used to create 3-dimensional reconstructions of structures in cases of suspected open-mouth jaw locking; improve evaluation of the lesions; and improve decision-making and client education for diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.
What factors in rural and remote extended clinical placements may contribute to preparedness for practice from the perspective of students and clinicians?

Background: Community-based rural education opportunities have expanded in Australia, attracting more medical students to placements in rural and remote settings. Aim: To identify the factors in an integrated, community-engaged rural placement that may contribute to preparedness for practice (P4P) from the perspective of students and clinicians. Method: Forty-two semi-structured interviews with medical students, supervisors and clinicians analysed thematically. Results: Opportunities for clinical learning, personal and professional development and cultural awareness were reported by students and clinicians as key factors that contribute to P4P. Potential barriers in rural and remote settings included geographical and academic isolation, perceived educational risk and differing degrees of program engagement. Conclusions: A longitudinal clinical placement in a rural setting may enable development of enhanced competencies leading to P4P. A rural setting can provide a unique experience through hands-on learning, enhanced personal and professional development opportunities and observation of the cultural and contextual impact on health.
A biocomposite of collagen nanofibers and nanohydroxyapatite for bone regeneration

This work aims to design a synthetic construct that mimics the natural bone extracellular matrix through innovative approaches based on simultaneous type I collagen electrospinning and nanophased hydroxyapatite (nanoHA) electrospraying using non-denaturating conditions and non-toxic reagents. The morphological results, assessed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), showed a mesh of collagen nanofibers embedded with crystals of HA with fiber diameters within the nanometer range (30 nm), thus significantly lower than those reported in the literature, over 200 nm. The mechanical properties, assessed by nanoindentation using AFM, exhibited elastic moduli between 0.3 and 2 GPa. Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry confirmed the collagenous integrity as well as the presence of nanoHA in the composite. The network architecture allows cell access to both collagen nanofibers and HA crystals as in the natural bone environment. The inclusion of nanoHA agglomerates by electrospraying in type I collagen nanofibers improved the adhesion and metabolic activity of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. This new nanostructured collagen–nanoHA composite holds great potential for healing bone defects or as a functional membrane for guided bone tissue regeneration and in treating bone diseases.
Combined Dual-Task Gait Training and Aerobic Exercise to Improve Cognition, Mobility, and Vascular Health in Community-Dwelling Older Adults at Risk for Future Cognitive Decline1.

This 6-month experimental case series study investigated the effects of a dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise intervention on cognition, mobility, and cardiovascular health in community-dwelling older adults without dementia. Participants exercised 40 min/day, 3 days/week for 26 weeks on a Biodex GaitTrainer2 treadmill. Participants were assessed at baseline (V0), interim (V1: 12-weeks), intervention endpoint (V2: 26-weeks), and study endpoint (V3: 52-weeks). The study outcomes included: cognition [executive function (EF), processing speed, verbal fluency, and memory]; mobility: usual & dual-task gait (speed, step length, and stride time variability); and vascular health: ambulatory blood pressure, carotid arterial compliance, and intima-media thickness (cIMT). Fifty-six participants [age: 70(6) years; 61% female] were included in this study. Significant improvements following the exercise program (V2) were observed in cognition: EF (p = 0.002), processing speed (p < 0.001), verbal fluency [digit symbol coding (p < 0.001), phonemic verbal fluency (p < 0.001)], and memory [immediate recall (p < 0.001) and delayed recall (p < 0.001)]; mobility: usual & dual-task gait speed (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) and step length (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively); and vascular health: cIMT (p = 0.002). No changes were seen in the remaining outcomes. In conclusion, 26 weeks of dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise improved performance on a number of cognitive outcomes, while increasing usual & dual-task gait speed and step length in a sample of older adults without dementia.
Ammonium assimilation by young plants of Hordeum vulgare in light and darkness: effects on respiratory oxygen consumption by roots.

Barley plants (Hordeum vutgare L.) grown for 10 d in nitrogen-free hydroponic culture, after a rapid initial phase absorbed supplied NH4 (+) at a constant rate of 15.1 ±1.2 μ mol h(-1) g(-1) f. wt in the light, arid at a rate of 13.81 ± 1.6 μ mol h(-1) g(-1) f. wt in darkness. Ammonium-grown plants assimilated NH4 (+) at a rate of 7.5 ± 0.33 μmol h-1 g(-1) f. wt and at a 50% lower rate in darkness. Nitrogen-free grown plants showed low concentrations of free amino acids in both root and shoot tissues. Supplying NH4 (+) caused an immediate increase in the concentration of free amino in the root tissues of both illuminated and darkened plants over a 120 mm period. The increase in concentration of glutamine then exhibited a lag period of 120 min, after which it resumed, but to a very small extent. Glutamine also accumulated in shoot tissue of illuminated plants at increasing rates, attaining a concentration which, 8 h after NH4 (+) supply, was 1.61-fold greater than that attained in the roots. In shoots of darkened plants, by contrast, the concentration of glutamine increased slowly and was always smaller than that in the root tissue. Overall formation of glutamine (in shoots and roots) occurred at decreasing rates during the first 4 h, and then at increasing rates. The increase was more pronounced in illuminated plants than in darkened plants, liven 24 h after NH4 (+) was supplied, glutamine content in root tissue was lower than that in shoot tissue. However, 48 h later, the concentrations of glutamine in root and shoot were similar, attaining values that were almost 47-fold (in root) and 134-fold (in shoot) greater than initial values. Significant levels of asparagine were detected in the root and in the shoot 24 h after adding NH4 (+) . These increased further during the succeeding period. Ammonium supply caused a transitory drop in the concentration of ATP in root tissue, along with noticeable transitory variations in glucose-6-P concentration. A permanent decrease in free glucose concentration was also detected. Addition of NH4 (+) caused 2- and 1.43-fold increases in respiratory oxygen consumption by roots of illuminated and darkened plants, respectively. Both in the light and in the dark, the root tissue accumulated methylammonium up to a concentration of 55-67 μmol h(-1) g(-1) f. wt. Methylammonium was never found in shoot tissue of either illuminated or darkened plants. Methylammonium stimulated respiration of root barley plants by a factor of 1.2. Regulatory aspects of NH4 (+) metabolism are discussed.
Correlation of Disease Severity with Fecal Toxin Levels in Patients with Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea and Distribution of PCR Ribotypes and Toxin Yields In Vitro of Corresponding Isolates

ABSTRACT We investigated in vivo and in vitro yields of toxins A and B from and PCR ribotypes of Clostridium difficile isolates from 164 patients with differing severities of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) (patients were grouped as follows: <3 loose stools per day, n = 45; 3 to 10 per day, n = 97; >10 per day, n = 22). The median fecal toxin levels in each group were 0.5, 6.8, and 149 U/g feces (P < 0.001), respectively. Patients with severe diarrhea also had more-frequent occurrence of blood in stool and vomiting, but there was no association with fecal toxin levels per se. There was no correlation between fecal toxin level and toxin yield in vitro for the corresponding C. difficile isolate or between its PCR ribotype and disease severity. A broad range of toxin yields among isolates belonging to major PCR ribotypes indicated a presence of many subtypes. We hypothesize that bacterial and host factors that affect C. difficile toxin levels in feces are important determinants of symptoms in CDAD patients. An inverse correlation between toxin yield and spore count (r = 0.66) in stationary-phase cultures supported the notion that toxin production and sporulation represent opposite alternative survival strategies for C. difficile cells facing nutrient shortage.
The contribution of bank regulation and fair value accounting to procyclical leverage

Our analysis of how banks’ responses to asset price changes can result in procyclical leverage reveals that, for banks with a binding regulatory leverage constraint, absent differences in regulatory risk weights across assets, procyclical leverage does not occur. For banks without a binding constraint, fair value and bank regulation both can contribute to procyclical leverage. Empirical findings based on a large sample of U.S. commercial banks reveal that bank regulation explains procyclical leverage for banks relatively close to the regulatory leverage constraint and contributes to procyclical leverage for those that are not. We also show that fair value accounting does not contribute to procyclical leverage.
Job satisfaction, psychological morbidity and job stress among New Zealand general practitioners.

AIM To assess levels of psychological distress and job satisfaction among New Zealand general practitioners. METHODS A random sample of general practitioners (GPs) in the central region of the North Island were surveyed using a postal questionnaire. Job satisfaction and psychological distress (twelve-item General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12) were assessed and compared with personal, practice and workload characteristics. Qualitative statements about work conditions sources of stress and ill health were also collected. RESULTS The response rate was 391/480 (81.5%). Job satisfaction scores were generally high. Rural GPs were less satisfied than urban practitioners and solo practitioners less satisfied than those in group practice. Work was perceived as affecting the physical health of 177 GPs (46%) and 220 (57%) often contemplated leaving general practice. 121 GPs (31.4%) scored >3 on the GHQ-12 showing high levels of psychological symptoms and 39 (9.9%) scored greater than eight, indicating significant psychological distress. Major causes of stress and lack of job satisfaction were: excessive paperwork, health reforms and bureaucratic interference, excessive hours and on-call work. CONCLUSIONS Overall, GPs were satisfied with their jobs. Levels of psychological symptoms were of concern, particularly in the 10% showing very high levels of psychological distress, and in rural and solo practitioners.
Folic acid-containing supplement consumption during pregnancy and risk for oral clefts: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND There is equivocal evidence in the published literature that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may protect against the common congenital anomalies cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and cleft palate alone (CP). We undertook this meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that nonsyndromic oral cleft birth prevalences are different for those whose mothers took folic acid-containing supplements and for those whose mothers did not. METHODS Human studies published in English were identified through MEDLINE, bibliography reviews, and contacting experts in the field. Within strata of prospective and case-control studies, CLP, CP, and all clefts, respectively, were analyzed using either a fixed or random effects model, as appropriate. We assessed for publication bias using Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation and Egger's regression-based tests. RESULTS Five prospective studies were analyzed, yielding combined relative risks of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.95) for CLP, 1.19 (95% CI: 0.43, 3.28) for CP, and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.95) for all clefts. Twelve case-control studies were assessed, which resulted in combined relative risks of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.90) for CLP, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.93) for CP, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.85) for all clefts. CONCLUSIONS In aggregate, our results support the hypothesis of a protective effect of folic acid-containing supplement intake during pregnancy on the risk for oral clefts, although this conclusion is tempered by the potential for bias and uncontrolled confounding.
Neural Ganglioside GD2 Identifies a Subpopulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Umbilical Cord

In contrast to hematopoietic stem cells, there is still a lack of definitive cell markers for specific isolation and identification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Thus a homogenous population of MSCs is only obtained after several passages, when multilineage potential or other distinctive features of very early progenitors may be already somewhat compromised. Recently a novel surface marker the neural ganglioside GD2 has been reported to distinguish MSCs from all other cells within marrow. Here, we found that MSCs derived from umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) also expressed this marker at early-passages. More importantly, UC-MSCs were the only cells within umbilical cord expressing this marker. Compared to unsorted cells, GD2+-sorted cells not only possessed much higher clonogenicity and proliferation capacity but also had significantly stronger multi-differentiation potentials. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that GD2+-sorted cells showed increased expression of SSEA-4, Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog, the typical markers expressed in embryonic stem cells, in comparison to unsorted or GD2-negative MSCs. Take together, our data demonstrate that the cells selected by GD2 are a subpopulation of MSCs with feature of primitive precursor cells and provide evidence that GD2 can be a cell surface marker suitable for the isolation and purification of UC-MSCs in early-passage culture.
L1 adhesion molecule on mouse leukocytes: regulation and involvement in endothelial cell binding

LI is a cell surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily which was initially shown to mediate adhesion between neural cells. Recently we have reported that LI is expressed by bone marrow cells and the majority of mature lymphocytes (Kowitz et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1992. 22: 1199‐1205). To analyze the function of LI on leukocytes we studied its regulation following cell activation. In vitro activation of B lymphocytes with lipopolysaccharide or T lymphocytes with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate/Ca2+ ionophore, concanavalin A or anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibody as well as in vivo activation of Vβ8+ T cells with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) revealed a down‐regulation of LI within 48 h. A rapid loss of LI expression was seen when mouse neutrophils were activated with PMA alone. This rapid loss paralleled the shedding of L‐selectin.
Genomic Organization and Physical Mapping of Tandemly Arranged Repetitive DNAs in Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

Acipenseriformes represent a phylogenetically basal clade of ray-finned fish characterized by unusual genomic traits, including paleopolyploid states of extant genomes with high chromosome numbers and slow rates of molecular evolution. Despite a high interest in this fish group, only a limited number of studies have been accomplished on the isolation and characterization of repetitive DNA, karyotype standardization is not yet complete, and sex chromosomes are still to be identified. Here, we applied next-generation sequencing and cluster analysis to characterize major fractions of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) repetitive DNA. Using FISH, we mapped 16 tandemly arranged sequences on sterlet chromosomes and found them to be unevenly distributed in the genome with a tendency to cluster in particular regions. Some of the satellite DNAs might be used as specific markers to identify individual chromosomes and their paralogs, resulting in the unequivocal identification of at least 18 chromosome pairs. Our results provide an insight into the characteristic genomic distribution of the most common sterlet repetitive sequences. Biased accumulation of repetitive DNAs in particular chromosomes makes them especially interesting for further search for cryptic sex chromosomes. Future studies of these sequences in other acipenserid species will provide new perspectives regarding the evolution of repetitive DNA within the genomes of this fish order.
Novel Broadband Artificial Magnetic Conductor With Hexagonal Unit Cell

The characteristics of a novel broadband artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) design based on a unilayer FSS with hexagonal unit cells and without via-holes are presented by means of FEM simulations and measurements in an anechoic chamber. A comparison between this novel design and other well-known designs is carried out in terms of AMC operation bandwidth. The designed structure shows polarization-angle independence, and its angular stability under oblique incidence is also analyzed based on measurements.
Protease-activated Receptor-2 (par2) in Human Periodontitis

No evidence for the role of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in human periodontal disease has been demonstrated so far. Thus, we sought to investigate the expression of PAR2 mRNA in chronic periodontitis, and to examine whether its expression is related to the presence of PAR2 potential activators. Microbiological and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected from individuals with chronic periodontitis and control individuals, and the presence of neutrophil serine proteinase 3 (P3) and Porphyromonas gingivalis was evaluated. PAR2 mRNA expression was higher (p < 0.001) in those with chronic periodontitis compared with control individuals, and it was statistically decreased (p = 0.0006) after periodontal treatment. Furthermore, those with chronic periodontitis presented higher (p < 0.05) levels of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, total proteolytic activity, P. gingivalis prevalence, and P3mRNA expression compared with control individuals. We conclude that PAR2 mRNA expression and its potential activators are elevated in human chronic periodontitis, therefore suggesting that PAR2 may play a role in periodontal inflammation.