Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Proximal Tubule Shortening on Protein Excretion in a Lowe Syndrome Model.

BACKGROUND Lowe syndrome (LS) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in OCRL, which encodes the enzyme OCRL. Symptoms of LS include proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction typically characterized by low molecular weight proteinuria, renal tubular acidosis (RTA), aminoaciduria, and hypercalciuria. How mutant OCRL causes these symptoms isn't clear. METHODS We examined the effect of deleting OCRL on endocytic traffic and cell division in newly created human PT CRISPR/Cas9 OCRL knockout cells, multiple PT cell lines treated with OCRL-targeting siRNA, and in orcl-mutant zebrafish. RESULTS OCRL-depleted human cells proliferated more slowly and about 10% of them were multinucleated compared with fewer than 2% of matched control cells. Heterologous expression of wild-type, but not phosphatase-deficient, OCRL prevented the accumulation of multinucleated cells after acute knockdown of OCRL but could not rescue the phenotype in stably edited knockout cell lines. Mathematic modeling confirmed that reduced PT length can account for the urinary excretion profile in LS. Both ocrl mutant zebrafish and zebrafish injected with ocrl morpholino showed truncated expression of megalin along the pronephric kidney, consistent with a shortened S1 segment. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a unifying model to explain how loss of OCRL results in tubular proteinuria as well as the other commonly observed renal manifestations of LS. We hypothesize that defective cell division during kidney development and/or repair compromises PT length and impairs kidney function in LS patients.
Online and Clicker Quizzing on Jargon Terms Enhances Definition-Focused but Not Conceptually Focused Biology Exam Performance

Mastery of jargon terms is an important part of student learning in biology and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics domains. In two experiments, we investigated whether prelecture quizzes enhance memory for jargon terms, and whether that enhanced familiarity can facilitate learning of related concepts that are encountered during subsequent lectures and readings. Undergraduate students enrolled in neuroanatomy and physiology courses completed 10-minute low-stakes quizzes with feedback on jargon terms either online (experiment 1) or using in-class clickers (experiment 2). Quizzes occurred before conventional course instruction in which the terms were used. On exams occurring up to 12 weeks later, we observed improved student performance on questions that targeted memory of previously quizzed jargon terms and their definitions relative to questions on terms that were not quizzed. This pattern occurred whether those questions were identical (experiment 1) or different (experiment 2) from those used during quizzing. Benefits of jargon quizzing did not consistently generalize, however, to exam questions that assessed conceptual knowledge but not necessarily jargon knowledge. Overall, this research demonstrates that a brief and easily implemented jargon-quizzing intervention, deliverable via Internet or in-class platforms, can yield substantial improvements in students’ course-relevant scientific lexica, but does not necessarily impact conceptual learning.
Variations in Yolk Mineral Element Contents from Different Chicken Rearing Systems: Eggs Analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

We analyzed the contents of the major elements calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), the trace elements zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) of chicken eggs from free-range and conventional rearing systems using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Ca, Cu, Zn and Se contents of the conventional eggs were significantly higher than those of free-range eggs and the Mn and Pb contents of the conventional eggs were significantly lower. The P and Cd values were no different between the two rearing systems. Our results give an indication of mineral element levels in eggs from hens kept in different husbandry systems.
Study of the scavenging behavior and structural changes accompanying the interaction of aqueous Pb2+ and Sr2+ ions with calcite

The uptake of Pb2+ and Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions by calcite was studied at various initial concentrations and pH conditions using the batch method under ambient conditions. XRPD, SEM/EDS, AAS/AES, and DRIFT techniques were used in characterizing the sorption process. The results indicated that the retention mechanism of Pb2+ and Sr2+ ions ranged from ion incorporation to precipitate overgrowth (cerussite, hydrocerussite for Pb, strontianite for Sr) depending on the concentration and pH conditions. The calcite structure seemed to be entirely vanishing upon formation of cerussite and hydrocerussite while partial dissolution of calcite occurred upon strontianite formation. The formation of precipitates showed rapid kinetics, and equilibrium seemed to be reached within about an hour from the start of mixing. SEM analysis showed that cerussite, hydrocerussite, and strontianite had columnar prismatic-like, tabular hexagonal-like, and needle-like morphologies. Based on a nine-month observation period, dry samples of hydrocerussite seemed to show more morphological stability than cerussite. EDS analysis indicated that Pb2+ sorption is more favored than that of Sr2+, particularly in the phase of precipitate overgrowth. DRIFT analysis indicated a change in the symmetry of the carbonate groups in calcite matrix upon uptake of Pb2+ and Sr2+ cations.
Development of a Landslide Early Warning System in Indonesia

Landslides are one of the most disastrous natural hazards in Indonesia, in terms of number of fatalities and economic losses. Therefore, Balai Litbang Sabo (BLS) has developed a Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) for Indonesia, based on a Delft–FEWS (Flood Early Warning System) platform. This system utilizes daily precipitation data, a rainfall threshold method, and a Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-based Regional Slope-stability model (TRIGRS) to predict landslide occurrences. For precipitation data, we use a combination of 1-day and 3-day cumulative observed and forecasted precipitation data, obtained from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the Indonesian Meteorological Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). The TRIGRS model is used to simulate the slope stability in regions that are predicted to have a high probability of landslide occurrence. Our results show that the landslides, which occurred in Pacitan (28 November 2017) and Brebes regions (22 February 2018), could be detected by the LEWS from one to three days in advance. The TRIGRS model supports the warning signals issued by the LEWS, with a simulated factor of safety values lower than 1 in these locations. The ability of the Indonesian LEWS to detect landslide occurrences in Pacitan and Brebes indicates that the LEWS shows good potential to detect landslide occurrences a few days in advance. However, this system is still undergoing further developments for better landslide prediction.
Multimodal cerebral arteriovenous malformation treatment: a 12-year experience and comparison of key outcomes to ARUBA.

OBJECTIVE Curative treatment of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains controversial after the only randomized controlled trial, A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA), was halted prematurely because interim analysis revealed superiority of the medical management group. In contrast, meta-analyses of retrospective cohorts suggest that intervention is much safer than was found in ARUBA. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed 318 consecutive adult patients with brain AVMs treated at their institution with embolization, surgery, and/or proton beam radiosurgery. Analysis was performed in 142 ARUBA-eligible patients (baseline modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-1, no history of hemorrhage), and results were compared to primary and secondary outcomes from ARUBA, as well as to natural history cohorts. RESULTS The annualized stroke rate (hemorrhagic or ischemic) in this cohort was 1.8%, 4.9% in the first 12 months and 0.8% after the first 12 months, which was lower than in natural history studies and the ARUBA medical management arm (p = 0.001). The primary ARUBA endpoint of symptomatic stroke was reached in 13 patients (9.2%), which compares favorably to the ARUBA intervention arm (39.6%, p = 0.0001) and is similar to the ARUBA medical management arm (9.2%, p = 1.0). The secondary ARUBA endpoint (mRS score ≥ 2 at 5 years of follow-up) was reached in 14.3% of patients, compared to 40.5% in the ARUBA intervention arm (p = 0.002) and 16.7% in the ARUBA medical management arm (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS This multimodal approach to the selection and treatment of patients with brain AVMs yields good clinical outcomes with key safety endpoints (stroke, death, and mRS score 0-1) better than the ARUBA intervention arm and similar to the ARUBA medical arm at 5 years of follow-up. Results compare favorably to natural history cohorts at longer follow-up times. This suggests that tertiary care centers with integrated programs, expertise in patient selection, and individualized treatment approaches may allow for better clinical outcomes than reported in ARUBA. It supports current registry studies and merits consideration of future randomized controlled trials in patients with brain AVMs.
Biodiversity and its Energetic and Thermal Controls

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, comprises all the variation of life on Earth, from genetic and molecular diversity, through diversity of species and higher taxa, to the diversity of whole ecosystems. Biological diversity is the most prominent feature of life on Earth, yet its distribution on the Earth ’ s surface and across evolutionary lineages is unequal. Patterns in biological diversity have been affected by multiple processes acting at multiple scales, ranging from biotic interactions within local ecological communities to evolutionary radiations of evolutionary lineages within whole continents. All these processes potentially can be affected by energy availability and biological rates, and thus the considerations concerning organismal metabolism seem very appropriate when trying to understand them. However, the question is to what extent these simple considerations are useful for explaining or even predicting contemporary biodiversity patterns, given that their causes Biodiversity and Its Energetic and Thermal Controls
An alternative to signaling: directed search and substitution

This paper analyzes a labor market, where (i) workers can acquire an observable skill at no cost, (ii) firms differ in unobserved productivity, (iii) workers' skill and firms' productivity are substitutes and (iv) firms' search is directed. The main result is that, if the entry cost of firms is small, no worker acquires the skill in the unique equilibrium. For intermediate entry costs, a positive measure of workers obtain the skill, and the number of skilled workers goes to one as entry costs become large. Welfare is highest when the entry cost is high.
The Learning Community and Help-Seeking Behavior.

This research investigated the factors in the learning community that reportedly contributed to the help-seeking behavior of children, specifically the relationship between juvenile crime victimization and help-seeking behavior. Students were interviewed using a questionnaire, which assessed their victimization history, their experience with helpseeking behavior from these events, the environmental characteristics surrounding the event, and the presence or absence of social support. A Chi-Square analyses were conducted on all the variables. The study concluded that the major factors decreasing help-seeking behavior were a lack of confidence in the teachers' willingness to help and a lack of positive peer relationships.
Karyological Characterization of Three Fish Species (Family: Characidae)

INTRODUCTION Characidae is the largest family of the order Chara ciformes with approximately 776 species and 152 genera [Froese & Pauly, 2005]. The study of chromosomes had become an important biodiversity-detection tool and could be also used to measure the biodiversity evolutionary aspects [Bertollo et al., 2000]. In addition, it enables the development of evolutionary, taxonomic, and phyloge netic inferences resulting from the support provided by the conservation of Neotrop ical fish species [Jacobina et al., 2011]. Chromosomes are cytological units comprised of high ly condensed DNA and associated with a series of proteins. When the chro mos mes are ordered according to their size and shape and identified by differential staining, they constitute the karyotype, which is believed to be unique for the g reat majority of species. Karyotypic data have contributed to the studies of bi logy, genetics, and systematic of fish fauna. This is particularly true in respect to diagnosis of sibling species [Nakayama, 1997 ]. Karyological study can be useful for addressing a v ariety of evolutionary and genetic questions about animals and may permit dete ction of changes that modified an ancestral karyotype as it evolved into new lines an d chromosomal analysis is ARTICLE INFO Article History: Received: Dec. 2016 Accepted: Jan. 2017 Available online: May 2017
The conceptualization and measurement of burnout : Are there causal relationships between the dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory? A review and two longitudinal tests

Arising from interest concerning the possibility of causal relationships among the three components of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, several process models have been proposed for the development of burnout. The present paper first reviews the evidence in favour of the three most influential of these (Leiter and Maslach's model (1988); Golembiewski, Boudreau, Munzenrider, & Luo's (1996) phase model; and Lee and Ashforth's model (1993)). These three models, and our own model (which integrates of two of them, and includes feedback effects of depersonalization on emotional exhaustion) are then compared with each other using structural equation modelling, drawing on longitudinal data from two Dutch samples (total N = 1185). The review revealed that none of the seven previous studies on this issue provided any convincing support for any particular causal order proposed so far. In contrast, our own study showed that high levels of exhaustion were associated with high levels of depersonalization over time across both samples. Further, higher levels of depersonalization led to higher levels of emotional exhaustion and lower levels of personal accomplishment. To our knowledge, the present research is the first to provide reliable longitudinal evidence for the conceptualization of burnout as a developmental process, although the effects are not large enough to be of practical use in the recognition of burnout.
Waist Circumference: A Key Determinant of Bone Mass in University Students

This study aimed to assess bone mineral density (BMD) status, and to explore association between lifestyle behaviors, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and BMD status of 217 students (55 males and 162 females) aged between 17 - 23 years studying at Walailak University. The BMD was measured at distal-third radius, and confirmed at mid-shaft tibia by Quantitative ultrasound analysis. BMI and WC were recorded to assess obesity, and lifestyle behaviors were evaluated using a questionnaire. Results showed 10.9 % males and 16 % females had low BMD (Z-score < -1) at both sites, while 29.1 % males and 11.8 % females were classified in the risk group. Proportions of the obese subjects assessed by BMI and WC were found to be greater in males (10.9 and 21.8 %) than females (6.8 and 18.5 %). Lifestyle behaviors of both genders were not much different. Only 45.2 % consumed milk ³ 3 packs/week. Most subjects (87.1 %) consumed high cholesterol diets (³ 3 days/week), while 24 % did exercise ³ 3 times/week. Both factors are of concern for the obese group. Crude analysis showed BMI, WC and milk intake are potential determinants of BMD. Final analysis indicated students with normal WC are found greater in a high BMD group than in a normal BMD group (RRR = 4.38), and the expected risk in the BMD group is lower for female students (RRR = 0.37). We suggest that to prevent osteoporosis in later life, healthy lifestyle practices should be promoted and obesity must be careful monitored during the age of peak bone mass.
Microbiological Profile and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Active Mucosal Chronic Otitis Mediaand Active Squamous Chronic Otitis Media (with Cholesteatoma) in a TertiaryCare Hospital of Hisar, (Haryana) India

Background: Chronic Otitis media (COM), previously called as Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear cleft, with permanent abnormality of pars tensa or pars flaccida which presents as recurrent otorrhea. Its termed ‘active mucosalchronic otitis media’ when there is a permanent defect of pars tensa with an inflamed middle ear mucosa, with or without granulations, producing mucopus which keeps discharging for more than 3 months despite medical treatment. Its termed ‘active squamous chronic otitis media’ or ‘chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma’ when there is retraction of the pars flaccida or tensa that has retained squamous epithelial debris and is associated with scanty foul smelling blood or pus discharge along with inflammation of the adjacent mucosa. Rationale and adequate use of antibiotics along with surgery remains the mainstay of the treatment of Chronic Otitis media (COM). Objectives: To study and compare the microbiological profile and antibiogram of chronicmucosal otitis media and chronic squamous otitis media with cholesteatoma. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study of ear swab with pus sample of 351COM patients studied for the type of microorganism, bacterial isolate, the culture and antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Results: Out of all the pus samples of active mucosal COM patients (without cholesteatoma) grown on cultures revealed 252 bacterial (77.77%) and 5 fungal isolates (1.54%) and 67 (20.68%) ear swab samples were found to be sterile. The predominant bacterial isolates found were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39.20%) and Staphylococcus aureus (32.72%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be highly sensitive (above 80%) with 05 antimicrobials like PB, CL, IPM, PIT. MER. Staphylococcus aureus recorded highest sensitivity with as many as 10 antimicrobials giving wide range of options namely PIT, LZ, CFS, CPT, AK, G, DO, VA, TEI, TOB. In patients of active squamous COM (with cholesteatoma), the most common bacterial isolates were gram negative bacteria constituting 93% (p <0.05) whereas only Staphylococcus aureus from Gram positive bacteria was isolated. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common bacterial isolates with pseudomonas having high sensitivity to less antimicrobial then staphylococcus.
Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence

We examined the effects of nest predation on both clutch Size and the physiological cost of egg production using a clutch removal experiment in free-living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), inducing "high nest predation" (HNP) females to produce many replacement clutches compared to "low nest predation" (LNP) females. In a preliminary analysis we investigated the utility of multiple measures to assess "physiological condition", including inter-correlations between physiological traits, sex differences, and the relationship between physiological traits and reproductive perfonnance (laying date). In our main study, experimental nest predation resulted in HNP females laying 11 % fewer eggs per replacement clutch. As a result of frequent renesting, HNP birds produced 57% more clutches (3.0 vs 4.7) and laid 41 % more eggs in total. Physiological condition of HNP females' declined during the experiment associated with the increase in egg production and we suggest these results are consistent with physiological costs of egg production.
Prevalence of malocclusion in Chinese schoolchildren from 1991-2018: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Malocclusion is a common oral health problem in schoolchildren. Literature describing the prevalence of malocclusion varies substantially across China. AIM This study identified the epidemiological characteristics of malocclusion among Chinese schoolchildren from 1991 to 2018. DESIGN Six English and Chinese electronic databases were searched through November 2018. The search was supplemented by hand searching to identify relevant surveys. The overall prevalence of malocclusion was estimated by a random effects meta-analysis model, and variations in different groups were assessed by subgroup meta-analysis. RESULTS Thirty-seven eligible articles describing 117,682 samples were investigated. The pooled national prevalence for malocclusion was 47.92% (95% CI: 58.6-71.9%). For the Angle classification, the overall prevalence rates were 30.07% (95% CI: 25.37-35.48%), 9.91% (95% CI: 7.41-13.79%) and 4.76% (95% CI: 3.85-6.54%) for Class I, Class II and Class III malocclusion, respectively. A deep overbite (16.67%, 95% CI: 11.50-23.08%) was shown to be the most common trait of malocclusion. When stratified by sex, males had a slightly higher prevalence than females (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06). More importantly, an ascending trend and substantial variations across the country were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirmed that malocclusion has become a serious oral health problem in Chinese schoolchildren, highlighting the need for proactive interventions at an early age. Moreover, high-quality epidemiological studies on malocclusion are still required.
Effect of Researched-Based Information on Principals' Actions Regarding Retention

This study examines the relationship between the thoughts and actions of principals regarding retention in some West Virginia and Ohio schools. This research is a follow-up to Grade Retention as Perceived by Principals, by Galford (2008). The number of students retained per year for the schools of principals that participated in Galford‟s 2008 study was examined for three school years before Galford‟s 2008 study and two school years after. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine if any changes occurred. A chi-square was used to analyze data: Year 3 as the expected rate and Year 4 as the observed rate. Results show no significant effect across the five years examined. An effect was observed for Year 4: nine of twenty-two schools that year reduced the number of students retained. EFFECT OF RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION iii