Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online Learning Within an Open-Door Program

Many Washington State schools struggled with keeping students engaged in traditional comprehensive high schools. Programs that gave students a second chance by providing alternatives to traditional high schools were thus created. This study explored how ten students of color from an online alternative 1418 Open Door program perceived their experience within the program. The findings included three major themes that developed from the analysis of the qualitative data, which included (a) student goals, with a subtheme of family support; (b) barriers to students, with subthemes of institutional socialization, transitioning as an online student, and school-based racism; and (c) benefits of a flexible online program. Recommendations included three changes needed within the program. The first action step is to include staff, district leadership, and stakeholders to actively engage the voices of students in the planning, discussions around curriculum, and class offerings. The second action step is to promote student success by actively engaging families and students with direction and practice on how to be a successful online student. Lastly, the third action step is to actively engage students in hands-on learning activities leading to graduation credit.
The potential of broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies to function as microbicides

Microbicides are products designed for vaginal or rectal use to prevent transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The first generation non-antiretroviral (non-ARV) microbicide candidates were intended to be a low-cost, female-controlled method of HIV prophylaxis because young women in the poorest regions of the world are disproportionately affected by HIV. However, these early microbicide candidates were not HIV specific and some disrupted the vaginal epithelium, increased immune activation in the female genital tract, or disturbed vaginal flora, while others simply did not work. Due to the poor clinical success of these first-generation candidates, there was a shift in focus to developing antiretroviral (ARV) compounds like tenofovir and dapivirine as microbicides. However, ARV-based microbicides may not prevent transmission of drug-resistant HIV. Moreover, not all persons may want to use an ARV-based product due to the potential of drug side-effects and the risk of developing drug-resistance if the product is used inappropriately. While there has been progress in developing a product for oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), there are still no commercially available topical microbicide products. Topical microbicides are desirable because they deliver active agents directly to the vaginal or rectal mucosa where HIV transmission occurs while avoiding systemic drug exposure. Hence non-ARV based microbicides are of great public health significance as a user-controlled tool for reducing the sexual transmission of HIV toward achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of ending AIDS and ensuring good health and well-being for all. Consequently, several years after the failure of the first generation of non-ARV vaginal gel microbicides, the lessons learned from these early trials have given rise to more rigorous preclinical evaluation protocols and novel formulation and delivery technologies for microbicides. This has resulted in renewed interest and new approaches to developing non-ARV microbicides. The new generation of non-ARV microbicide candidates being developed includes active biologics like broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. This dissertation presents a pre-clinical evaluation of the potential of unformulated monoclonal HIV neutralizing antibodies to function as topical HIV microbicides in vitro and using human ex vivo models of rectal and vaginal mucosal transmission.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program

This paper documents the program development and evaluation of a fall prevention series conducted at a local continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Previous literature has illustrated the prevalence of falls in older adults, as well as the significant impacts of fall prevention programs in community-based settings for the well elderly. The methodology that guided this program was based on the Lifestyle Redesign: Well Elderly Study (Mandel et.al, 1999). Coordinators of the CCRC assisted in conducting a needs assessment as well as in selecting well-elderly participants in the independent living community who they felt would be well suited for the program. Once admitted to the program, participants were encouraged to attend a three-week lecture series regarding fall preventions delivered by this author. The sessions were tailored to the specific retirement community and utilized a variety of teaching approaches in order to address their needs. The topics in the sessions included fall prevalence and risk factors, exercise and physical activity, and home modifications as they relate to fall prevention. Information was collected relevant to fall prevention knowledge and current fall prevention practices in the first and last sessions in the form of a pre-test and a post-test. These two tests were independent of one another, however highlighted that individuals in the program gained knowledge relevant to fall prevention and implemented various changes into their daily habits and routines in order to prevent falls. However, as a result of inconsistent attendance and independently developed test measures, no widespread conclusions could be generalized to all of the participants in the program. It is recommended that participants at this CCRC would benefit from long-term fall prevention programming with a more comprehensive approach, as well as a team effort from other staff to ensure that individuals consistently attend sessions. IMPLEMENTATION OF A FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM 3
Prediction-Tracking-Segmentation

We introduce a prediction driven method for visual tracking and segmentation in videos. Instead of solely relying on matching with appearance cues for tracking, we build a predictive model which guides finding more accurate tracking regions efficiently. With the proposed prediction mechanism, we improve the model robustness against distractions and occlusions during tracking. We demonstrate significant improvements over state-of-the-art methods not only on visual tracking tasks (VOT 2016 and VOT 2018) but also on video segmentation datasets (DAVIS 2016 and DAVIS 2017).
Neoplastic Stromal Cells of Intracranial Hemangioblastomas Disclose Pericyte-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells-like Phenotype

A hemangioblastoma (HB) is a highly vascularized neoplasm and generally occurs in a restricted area of the central nervous system (CNS). Considerable evidence demonstrates that HBs occur as a consequence of a somatic or germ-line mutation of the VHL gene. Since the VHL gene mutation is exclusively detected in stromal cells (SCs), these intervening cells have been regarded as the true neoplastic components of HBs. Loss of VHL function results in constitutive overexpression of hypoxiainducible factor-1a and vascular endothelial growth factor in neoplastic SCs, which consequently leads to the proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs). Even though many attempts have been made to elucidate the issue of the ontogeny of neoplastic SCs, their identity is still uncertain. Recent studies demonstrated that the neoplastic SCs of HBs expressed markers of embryonic mesenchymal cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Furthermore, isolated neoplastic SCs of HBs give rise to multiple hematopoietic and mesodermal lineage cells in vitro. Thus, it has been suggested that the ontogeny of SCs may be embryonically arrested mesenchymal cells. Pericytes are defined by distinctive features such as perivascular localization and expression of a set of pericyte markers. Their function is not limited to regulating vascular stabilization and hemostasis but is extended to involve angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. Recent convincing evidence suggests that certain populations of pericytes are multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which give rise to a variety of mesodermal Neoplastic Stromal Cells of Intracranial Hemangioblastomas Disclose Pericyte-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells-like Phenotype
Ultrasonic Features of Interatrial Septum : Its Motion Analysis and Detection of Its Defect

Purpose: The features of the interatrial septum and its motion were studied by ultrasonocardiotomography and echocardiography. Based on the results of the above study, the detection of the ostium secundum defect of the interatrial septum was examined in the transverse and sagittal section of the ultrasonocardiotomogram. The possibility of detecting the defect by the conventional echocardiogram was also studied. Method and Materials: Ultrasonograph Model SSD-10 manufactured by Japan Radiation & Medical Electronics with a unit for synchronization with the electrocardiogram was used to record ultrasonocardiotomograms (Fig. 1). To obtain an echocardiogram in a certain direction on the tomogram, Model SSD-5 from the same manufacturer was used, connected to Model SSD-10. The frequency of ultrasound used was 2.25 MHz and the rate of the pulse repetition was 937.5 Hz. The transducers used made of barium titanate were round, 30 mm and 50 mm in diameter and concave with a radius of curvature of 20 cm. The azimuth =and distance resolving power of the both transducers was 3 mm at the distance of 20 cm. The patients were examined in the supine position. The transducer was operated in a vinyl bag on the chest wall filled with bubbleless water. The distance of the transducer from the chest wall was set at over 10 cm so that the ultrasound beam was focused nearly at the midportion of the heart and the tomogram of the heart was not disturbed by the second reflection from the chest wall. Sector scanning was mainly used and compound scanning only in cases of remarkably enlarged heart. The angle of the sector scanning was 50 in degrees and the time in one sector scanning was 0.4 sec. In order to obtain a satisfactory tomogram of the heart at a desired phase in a cardiac cycle, the synchronizing unit introduced by Kikuchi and Tanaka was adopted. The R wave of the electrocardiogram was used as a trigger and by a delaying circuit the cathode ray tube was brightened in a scheduled phase of each cardiac cycle. Setting the unblanking time of the cathode ray tube from 25 msec to 50 msec, a tomogram was completed during about twenty successive heart beats (Fig. 2). Features of the echo of the interatrial septum were examined in 7 cases of primary myocardial disease, 7 cases of ventricular septal defect, 1 case of A-V block, 6 healthy subjects and 21 cases of atrial septal defect.
Periodization Based on Small-Sided Soccer Games: Theoretical Considerations

ABSTRACT SMALL-SIDED GAMES ARE USUALLY USED IN SOCCER TRAINING TO DEVELOP ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, TECHNICAL, AND TACTICAL PERFORMANCE. NEVERTHELESS, FEW STUDIES HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ANALYZE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OR PROVIDE METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAINING PERIODIZATION USING SUCH GAMES. THUS, THE AIM OF THIS PAPER IS TO REVIEW THE GENERAL EFFECTS OF SMALL-SIDED GAMES IN TERMS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES. AS A RESULT, A SMALL REVIEW WAS DEVELOPED TO CONSIDER SOME METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS TO IMPLEMENT IN SOCCER TRAINING. FINALLY, AN EXAMPLE WAS PROPOSED OF A WEEK SPENT CARRYING OUT SOCCER MICROCYCLES AND ORIENTATIONS IN ORDER TO ADOPT SMALL-SIDED GAMES FOR EACH SESSION.
Conducting Focus Groups: Purpose and Practicalities

Focus groups are increasingly used by health professionals for obtaining research data and for gathering opinions about the perceived qualities of a service. The advantages of this method are that it is easily understood, reflects cultural differences and has a high face validity by providing convincing findings. Focus groups are especially useful for exploring the attitudes and experiences associated with a particular topic. Although occupational therapists may be using focus groups, only a very few studies have been reported. This paper provides background information on focus groups which will assist in weighing this method against a number of other group techniques. Personal experience and a wide range of published material contribute to guidelines for preparing for and conducting focus groups. Practical suggestions and approaches are offered to help occupational therapists to increase the credibility and dependability of their results.
English & Contract Bridge: A Content-Based Language Class

Contract bridge is known around the world for being one of the most interesting and challenging card games. Although it has typically been considered to be a game, something done for fun in one’s free time, bridge has value beyond that of any ordinary game. It requires numerous high-level thinking skills including calculation, logic, memory, concentration, communication, inference, and ethics. In this paper, I will argue that bridge is beneficial not only in these areas, but also in the realm of language learning, as part of a content-based language classroom. After explaining the background and rules of bridge, I will show the justification for teaching bridge in an English classroom, and how a teacher might go about creating a syllabus and lesson plan. Finally, results of a student questionnaire will be discussed. Introduction Is there any justification for teaching EFL/ESL students how to play a card game in a language class? Although at face value the idea seems rather preposterous, I will argue that learning how to play contract bridge is actually the perfect topic for a language class, and its teaching is fully supported by the tenets of content-based instruction. What is contract bridge? Before explaining why contract bridge is appropriate for teaching in language classrooms, it will be useful to review the background and rules of the game itself. Contract bridge, otherwise known simply as “bridge”, is one of the most popular card games in the world, with The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (2011, p. 141) estimating the number of bridge players worldwide to be around 100 million. It is a partnership game played with four players who sit around a square table, with partners sitting opposite one another. The entire deck of 52 cards is dealt out, with each player receiving 13 cards. Bridge is a “trick-taking” game, in which each person plays a card, one by one, and the highest card of the four wins that trick. One of these four players is the “dummy”, whose cards all players can see, and whose partner (the “declarer”) gets to decide which of the dummy’s cards to play. An additional element of complexity in bridge comes from the “auction” (also called the “bidding”), which occurs before any of the cards are played. During the auction, players must not only predict how many tricks they think they can win, but also decide which suit to make “trump” –
Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Pomegranate Leaf Extract against Bacterial Isolates of Otitis Externa and Diarrhea of Dogs

Bacterial pathogens were isolated from cases of otitis externa and diarrhoea in dogs at Durg and Raipur districts of Chhattisgarh. All isolates were further subjected for antibiogram profile using commonly used antibiotics. Total 105 bacterial isolates were obtained which included Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli as predominant pathogens followed by Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus and Salmonella. In cases of otitis externa, ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic (67.27%) followed by Gentamicin (61.81%), Cephalaxin (40%), Chloramphenicol (32.72%), Amoxycillin (21.81%), Ampicillin (20%), Doxycycline (16.36%), Penicillin (12.72%) and Erythromycin (3.63%). However, Chloromphenical (72%) was reported as the most effective drug against bacterial isolates of diarrhoea followed by Ciprofloxacin (70%), Gentamicin (52%), Cephalaxin (40%), Doxycyline (30%), Ampicillin (14%), Amoxycillin (6%) and Erythromycin (2%). Cold extract of pomegranate leaves was then assessed for antibacterial activity against all isolates by disc diffusion and tube dilution methods. The zones of inhibition of pomegranate leaves extract (PLE) against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, Klebsiella, E. coli and Salmonella were 18.8 ± 0.050, 5±0.70, 7.8±0.73, 16.2±0.86, 15.6±0.92 and 15.2±0.86 mm respectively. The zone of inhibition with Staphylococcus was significantly higher (P<0.05) than other bacteria. The minimum bactericidal concentration against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, E. coli and Salmonella were 33.33±8.34, 66.66±16.68, 66.66±16.68 and 33.33±8.34 mg/ml respectively. Staphylococcus aureus showed maximum sensitivity to pomegranate leaf extract amongst all the organisms studied, followed by Klebsiella, E. coli and Salmonella. Although, Proteus and Pseudomonas were refractory to PLE, but moderate sensitivity was noticed even against few multidrug resistant isolates.
Effets de plantes réputées antidiabétiques sur un modèle cellulaire hépatique de résistance à l’insuline induite par le palmitate

Cree pharmacopeia is rich in medicinal plants and many of them are studied by our laboratory for their antidiabetic potential. Some of the species tested have shown to activate the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme responsible for the translocation of glucose transporters to the cell membrane (hypoglycaemic activity). AMPK is also known to activate other cellular functions, like fat oxidation, in order to restore cell energy loss. The objectives of this study are, first, to measure the metabolic stress induced by eight of the species in muscular and liver cells, an effect believed to be responsible for the AMPK activation. Metabolic stress is evaluated by measuring extracellular medium acidification and cellular ATP depletion. The second objective is to assess the capacity of the extracts to clear intracellular fat (fat oxidation) and, by doing this, restore insulin sensitivity in insulinresistant driven hepatocytes. To become insulin-resistant (a condition strongly linked to obesity), the hepatocytes are treated with a saturated fatty acid, palmitate. The results show that most of the extracts seem to increase the metabolic stress in muscular cells and hepatocytes for a short period of time. Among all extracts, only one has significantly reduced intracellular triglycerides in palmitate treated hepatocytes, an effect not followed by an increase in insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, the species tested in this study seem to exert their hypoglycaemic potential by affecting mitochondrial respiration (metabolic stress). However, the experimentations have not clearly shown the capacity of the species to restore insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant liver cells.
Demographic Factors and Concomitant Antiepileptic Drugs Have No Effect on the Pharmacodynamics of Perampanel (P06.127)

Objective: To assess the effects of demographic factors and concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships across three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trials of perampanel. Background Perampanel, an orally active, non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist, has been evaluated as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures. Design/Methods: Studies enrolled patients (aged ≥12 years) with refractory partial-onset seizures, taking 1-3 concomitant AEDs. Following a 6-week Baseline, patients were randomized to once-daily double-blind treatment (6-week Titration, 13-week Maintenance) with: placebo, perampanel 8 mg or 12 mg (1:1:1; studies 304 and 305); and placebo, perampanel 2 mg, 4 mg or 8 mg (1:1:1:1; study 306). Population PK and PK/PD relationships were estimated by non-linear mixed-effect modeling, using NONMEM with FOCE estimation. Probability of response and occurrence of adverse events (AEs) relative to exposure were each analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The PK and PK/PD populations included 770 and 1109 patients, respectively. Twelve concomitant AEDs were each used by >50 patients in the PK/PD population (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, valproate, levetiracetam, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, clobazam, zonisamide, phenytoin, clonazepam, pregabalin, and phenobarbital). Perampanel PK was linear over the dose range, regardless of concomitant AEDs. Log-transformed seizure frequency decreased linearly with increasing average perampanel exposure at steady state (C avss ). The probabilities of being a responder also increased significantly with increased perampanel C avss . The probability of fatigue, somnolence, gait disturbances, dizziness, weight increase, irritability, and dysarthria each increased with increased perampanel exposure. No demographic factor (age, sex, body mass, race) or concomitant AED affected the exposure/efficacy relationship, the probability of response, or the occurrence of AE. Conclusions: Pooled analyses of three phase III studies (perampanel 2–12 mg) showed that log-transformed seizure frequency decreased linearly with increasing average perampanel exposure. This relationship was unaffected by demographic factors or concomitant AEDs. Supported by: Eisai Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Hussein has received personal compensation for activities with Eisai as an employee. Dr. Ferry has received personal compensation for activities with Eisai Inc., as an employee. Dr. Krauss has received research support from Eisai Laboratories, UCB Pharma, Novartis, Vertex Labs, and Sunovian. Dr. Squillacote has received personal compensation for activities with Eisai as an employee. Dr. Laurenza has received personal compensation for activities with Eisai as an employee.
Looking into the Congress: does quality matter?

In federal democracies the Congress has a central role in the distribution of benefits across provinces and also a significant influence in promoting regional development through taxes, subsidies and regulations. Traditionally, the political economy literature has focused on the quantity of legislators per capita to explain the distribution of benefits but leaves aside the quality component. We present a model where legislators’ quality plays a role in the dispute of limited federal benefits. We demonstrate that although quantity is important, at the margin quality does matter. We also show quality indicators of the political representation for the Argentinean case.
STUDENT FEEDBACK ON THE OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED COMPONENT OF THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION IN PHARMACOLOGY

The study was planned to determine the attitude of undergraduate medical students towards the objective structured practical examination (OSPE) in pharmacology and to investigate any influence of sex, nationality and medium of instruction at school on these attitudes. The second year undergraduate medical students of the Manipal college of medical sciences, Pokhara, Nepal were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the spotters and communication skills component of the practical examination. Students considered OSPE a good method of practical examination. The male students agreed more strongly that the spotters develops the ability to choose an appropriate drug while the female students were more in favour of OSPE over animal experimentation. The Sri Lankan students were less in favour of the introduction of stations testing skills as part of OSPE and also disagreed strongly with the point that communication skills should be conducted in a language other than English. Based on these observations, changes should be made in the teaching as well as evaluation methodologies to maximize learning.