Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers' Awareness of the Relationship Between Prior Knowledge and New Learning

In this study, I examined the degree to which experienced teachers were aware of the relationship between prior knowledge and new learning. Interviews with teachers revealed that they were explicitly aware of when students made connections between prior knowledge and new learning, when they applied their prior knowledge to new contexts, and when they developed their prior knowledge as a result of applying that knowledge to new contexts. However, teachers were not explicitly aware of backwardtransfer effects. Results from this study have implications for future research on backward transfer, as well as for teacher professional development.
Novel characteristics of guided modes in chiral negative refraction waveguides

The characteristics of guided modes in chiral negative refraction grounded slab, slab and parallel-plate waveguides are studied theoretically. The dispersion curves, electromagnetic fields distribution, power flow distribution and the power of several low-order guided modes in these chiral negative refraction waveguides are calculated. Some novel features such as the existence of surface wave mode, the power flows opposite to the wave propagation direction in the chiral negative refraction waveguides are found.
Bending moments of zirconia and titanium implant abutments supporting all-ceramic crowns after aging.

OBJECTIVES To test the fracture load and fracture patterns of zirconia abutments restored with all-ceramic crowns after fatigue loading, exhibiting internal and external implant-abutment connections as compared to restored and internally fixed titanium abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS A master abutment was used for the customization of 5 groups of zirconia abutments to a similar shape (test). The groups differed according to their implant-abutment connections: one-piece internal connection (BL; Straumann Bonelevel), two-piece internal connection (RS; Nobel Biocare ReplaceSelect), external connection (B; Branemark MkIII), two-piece internal connection (SP, Straumann StandardPlus) and one-piece internal connection (A; Astra Tech AB OsseoSpeed). Titanium abutments with internal implant-abutment connection (T; Straumann Bonelevel) served as control group. In each group, 12 abutments were fabricated, mounted to the respective implants and restored with glass-ceramic crowns. All samples were embedded in acrylic holders (ISO-Norm 14801). After aging by means of thermocycling in a chewing simulator, static load was applied until failure (ISO-Norm 14801). Fracture load was analyzed by calculating the bending moments. Values of all groups were compared with one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffé post hoc test (P-value<0.05). Failure mode was analyzed descriptively. RESULTS The mean bending moments were 464.9 ± 106.6 N cm (BL), 581.8 ± 172.8 N cm (RS), 556.7 ± 128.4 N cm (B), 605.4 ± 54.7 N cm (SP), 216.4 ± 90.0 N cm (A) and 1042.0 ± 86.8 N cm (T). No difference of mean bending moments was found between groups BL, RS, B and SP. Test group A exhibited significantly lower mean bending moment than the other test groups. Control group T had significantly higher bending moments than all test groups. Failure due to fracture of the abutment and/or crown occurred in the test groups. In groups BL and A, fractures were located in the internal part of the connection, whereas in groups RS and SP, a partial deformation of the implant components occurred and cracks and fractures of the zirconia abutment were detected. CONCLUSION The differently connected zirconia abutments exhibited similar bending moments with the exception of one group. Hence, the type of connection only had a minor effect on the stability of restored zirconia abutments. In general, restored titanium abutments exhibited the highest bending moments.
Classifying Protestant Denominations

Although the importance of religion as an attitudinal predictor in general and as a marker of cultural pluralism in particular has been increasing acknowledged in recent years (Smith, 1986), the use of religion in sociological analysis has been stunted by the difficulty of working with denominational variables. The basic reason for the difficulty is the complex nature of America's denominational profile. As the Reverend J. Gordon Melton-America's champion church hunter, once remarked, "We are probably the most religious people-and the most diversely religious people-on earth. " Our tradition of religious pluralism goes deeply into our colonial history. Edwin S. Gaustad noted that even as early as the 17th century one found "Huguenots in Charleston, Anglicans in Tidewater Virginia, Catholics in St. Mary's City, Swedish Lutherans along the Delaware, Quakers and Presbyterians further up the river, Dutch Reform in Manhattan, Puritans in New England, Baptists, and Heaven-knows-what-else in Rhode Island. " Early in the history of the American republic, the French aristocrat Talleyrand is reported to have derisively observed that the United States had 32 religions, but only one sauce. Since then America has continued to both import foreign and spawn indigenous religions, until by the late 1970s Melton came up with a list of 1,187 primary denominations in the United States. This makes religion a difficult variable to collect and probably even more troublesome to use. It leaves the analyst with a myriad of small, obscure, and easily confused groups to sift through. This problem is compounded by lack of government data on religion. Because the Census Bureau feels proscribed by the First Amendment from including religious affiliation questions on either the Census or the Current Population Survey (CPS), authoritative, fine-grain statistics on religion are in short supply. (The census of religious bodies was last conducted in 1936 and the CPS has not asked about religion since 1957. "Religion," 1958 and Mueller and Lane, 1972).
Perceived Needs Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Objectives:(1) Provide population-based estimates of perceived needs following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the prevalence of unmet needs 1 year postinjury; (2) identify relations among needs that define unique clusters of individuals; and (3) identify risk factors for experiencing selected needs. Design:Telephone survey 1 year after injury of a prospective cohort of all people hospitalized with TBI in the state of Colorado during 2000. Measures:Self-reported need for assistance in 13 areas of functioning. Results:A total of 58.8% of persons hospitalized with TBI experienced at least 1 need during the year following injury; 40.2% will experience at least 1 unmet need 1 year after injury. Most frequently experienced needs were “improving your memory, solving problems better” (34.1%), “managing stress, emotional upsets” (27.9%), and “managing your money, paying bills” (23.3%). Cluster analysis revealed 8 distinctive groupings of subjects. If a need existed, those least likely to be met involved cognitive abilities, employment, and alcohol and/or drug use. Conclusions:Results were consistent with findings from previous assessments of need for services based on surveys of convenience samples; however, the prevalence of unmet needs 1 year after injury may be higher than previously suspected. More post-hospital services addressing cognitive and emotional problems appear needed. Risk factors for experiencing needs suggest potential avenues for clinical intervention.
What works to increase the use of research in population health policy and programmes: a review

Policy agencies are implementing strategies to increase the use of research in policy decisions. This paper examines the evidence about the effectiveness of these strategies. We conducted an extensive search focused on population health policy and programmes. We classified 106 papers meeting study criteria into research type (conceptual, descriptive and intervention). We examined the descriptive studies to identify commonly nominated potential intervention strategies. We examined the intervention studies to evaluate the impact of the tested strategies in increasing the use of research in policy decisions. There is little evidence about which strategies increase the use of evidence in population health policy and programmes.
Single vs. Multiple-Item Scales for Measuring Religious Values

Investigators must choose between single and multiple-item scales of religiosity. To aid in that decision, single and multiple measures were compared to determine whether they covered the same areas and formed relationships with variables from another domain. The results suggest that single-item scales (e.g., the Christological confession and the rated importance of religion) are good measures of an intrinsic proreligious position but that multiple-item scales are better measures of traditional Christian Orthodoxy. The discussion points out conditions when the less expensive but less valid measure is to be chosen over the more valid but more expensive scale.
Cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity is abolished in HSL macrophages but unchanged in macrophages lacking KIAA1363[S]

Cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation in macrophages represents a crucial event during foam cell formation, a hallmark of atherogenesis. Here we investigated the role of two previously described CE hydrolases, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and KIAA1363, in macrophage CE hydrolysis. HSL and KIAA1363 exhibited marked differences in their abilities to hydrolyze CE, triacylglycerol (TG), diacylglycerol (DG), and 2-acetyl monoalkylglycerol ether (AcMAGE), a precursor for biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF). HSL efficiently cleaved all four substrates, whereas KIAA1363 hydrolyzed only AcMAGE. This contradicts previous studies suggesting that KIAA1363 is a neutral CE hydrolase. Macrophages of KIAA1363−/− and wild-type mice exhibited identical neutral CE hydrolase activity, which was almost abolished in tissues and macrophages of HSL−/− mice. Conversely, AcMAGE hydrolase activity was diminished in macrophages and some tissues of KIAA1363−/− but unchanged in HSL−/− mice. CE turnover was unaffected in macrophages lacking KIAA1363 and HSL, whereas cAMP-dependent cholesterol efflux was influenced by HSL but not by KIAA1363. Despite decreased CE hydrolase activities, HSL−/− macrophages exhibited CE accumulation similar to wild-type (WT) macrophages. We conclude that additional enzymes must exist that cooperate with HSL to regulate CE levels in macrophages. KIAA1363 affects AcMAGE hydrolase activity but is of minor importance as a direct CE hydrolase in macrophages.
DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy Based on SVM and Reactive Power Exchange for a 5L-MPC Back-to-Back Converter for Medium-Voltage Drives

The reduced capability of multilevel converters with more than one intermediate node to balance the dc-link capacitors voltage, as well as the lack of standard modulation methods to improve their balancing performance, makes these converter topologies unattractive for real power applications. This is especially true when the load demands active power. One of these topologies is the five-level multipoint clamped (5L-MPC) converter. The back-to-back (B2B) configuration of two 5L-MPC converters and the use of a space vector modulation (SVM) that exploits the voltage balancing capability of the redundant switching vectors extend the operation conditions range in which a proper voltage balance can be achieved. However, if practical modulation restrictions are considered (limitation of voltage steps, dead times, switching losses, etc.), the voltage balance cannot be achieved for all operation conditions. In this paper, an SVM which takes into account practical restrictions is proposed. In order to guarantee the voltage balance at any operation condition, the grid-side rectifier exchanges reactive power with the grid-side LCL filter. Thus, the voltage balance of the dc-link is guaranteed while a unity grid-side power factor is achieved. The proposed modulation scheme and the voltage balancing strategy are experimentally validated in a 6.6 kV 1.5 MW 5L-MPC B2B converter.
Sensitivity of PCR Targeting the IS2404 Insertion Sequence of Mycobacterium ulcerans in an Assay Using Punch Biopsy Specimens for Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer

ABSTRACT Punch biopsy specimens from Mycobacterium ulcerans disease lesions were used to compare the sensitivities and specificities of direct smear, culture, PCR, and histopathology in making a diagnosis of M. ulcerans disease in a field setting. PCR for the insertion element IS2404 was modified to include uracil-N-glycosylase and deoxyuridine triphosphate instead of deoxythymidine triphosphate to reduce the risk of cross contamination. The “gold standard” for confirmation of clinically diagnosed Buruli ulcer was a definite histological diagnosis, a positive culture for M. ulcerans, or a smear positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), together with a possible histological diagnosis. For 70 clinically diagnosed cases of M. ulcerans disease, the modified PCR was 98% sensitive and gave a rapid result. The sensitivities of microscopy, culture, and histology were 42%, 49%, and 82%, respectively. The use of a 4-mm punch biopsy specimen was preferred to a 6-mm punch biopsy specimen since the wound was less likely to bleed and to need stitching. Given adequate technical expertise and the use of controls, the PCR was viable in a teaching hospital setting in Ghana; and in routine practice, we would recommend the use of Ziehl-Neelsen staining of biopsy specimens to detect AFB, followed by PCR, in AFB-negative cases only, in order to minimize costs. Histology and culture remain important as quality control tests, particularly in studies of treatment efficacy.
Development of a transformation system for the multinuclear yeast Dipodascus (Endomyces) magnusii

We have developed the first system for genetic transformation of the multinuclear yeast Dipodascus magnusii. The system is based on a dominant selectable marker and an autonomously replicating sequence. We have constructed a plasmid vector which contains a marker conferring resistance to zeocin and the segment of non‐transcribed spacer of D. magnusii ribosomal DNA which supports the autonomous replication of plasmid DNA in yeast cells. Plasmid DNA has been transferred into D. magnusii cells by electroporation. The DNA sequence which is described in this article has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession Number Y14587. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of Price Leadership Cartel with Endogenous Pricing

This paper studies farsighted behavior of firms in an oligopolistic market to form a dominant cartel, which has a power to set and control the price in the market. The von Neumann-Morgenstern stable set is adopted as the solution concept. In contrast to the literature, we do not assume a priori the optimal pricing behavior of the cartel; rather, we show that such behavior arises from the result of firms’ consideration on the stability. JEL classification: C71, D43, L13.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Common Herpesvirus Infections of the Central Nervous System by a Multiplex PCR Assay

ABSTRACT A sensitive multiplex PCR assay for single-tube amplification that detects simultaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is reported with particular emphasis on how the method was optimized and carried out and its sensitivity was compared to previously described assays. The assay has been used on a limited number of clinical samples and must be thoroughly evaluated in the clinical context. A total of 86 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients which had the clinical symptoms of encephalitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis were included in this study. The sensitivity of the multiplex PCR was determined to be 0.01 and 0.03 50% tissue culture infective doses/the reciprocal of the highest dilution positive by PCR for HSV-1 and HSV-2 respectively, whereas for VZV, CMV and EBV, 14, 18, and 160 ag of genomic DNA were detected corresponding to 48, 66, and 840 genome copies respectively. Overall, 9 (10.3%) of the CSF samples tested were positive in the multiplex PCR. HSV-1 was detected in three patients (3.5%) with encephalitis, VZV was detected in four patients (4.6%) with meningitis, HSV-2 was detected in one neonate (1.16%), and CMV was also detected in one neonate (1.16%). None of the samples tested was positive for the EBV genome. None of the nine positive CSF samples presented herpesvirus coinfection in the central nervous system. Failure of DNA extraction or failure to remove any inhibitors of DNA amplification from CSF samples was avoided by the inclusion in the present multiplex PCR assay of α-tubulin primers. The present multiplex PCR assay detects simultaneously five different herpesviruses and sample suitability for PCR in a single amplification round of 40 cycles with an excellent sensitivity and can, therefore, provide an early, rapid, reliable noninvasive diagnostic tool allowing the application of antiviral therapy on the basis of a specific viral diagnosis. The results of this preliminary study should prompt a more exhaustive analysis of the clinical value of the present multiplex PCR assay.
Selective inhibition of mammalian lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase by RS-21607 in vitro and in vivo.

The discovery of selective lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase inhibitors may lead to novel hypolipidemic drugs. RS-21607, (2S,4S)-cis-2[1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-4- [[(4-aminophenyl)thio]methyl]-1,3-dioxolane, was characterized as a tight-binding, competitive inhibitor of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase purified from rat liver. The apparent Ki was determined to be 840 pM and found to be similar in hepatic microsomes from human, rat, and hamster. RS-21607, which contains two chiral centers, was a more effective lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase inhibitor than its three stereoisomers. In vitro, RS-21607 had a greater affinity for lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase than the other cytochromes P450 evaluated: CYP7, CYP27, CYP11A1, CYP19, CYP17, CYP11B1, CYP21, CYP3A4, CYP4A, CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and 27-hydroxycholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase. The other stereoisomers were not as selective as RS-21607. Doses of 3-30 mg/kg RS-21607 given orally to hamsters caused a dose-dependent decrease in cholesterol biosynthesis with a corresponding accumulation of 24,25-dihydrolanosterol. RS-21607 inhibited the enzyme and cholesterol biosynthesis in hamster liver by 50% at 18 h following a 30 mg/kg oral dose. This was interpreted to indicate that RS-21607 is able to distribute to the site of action in hamsters and inhibit the target enzyme. In the same dose range, the plasma concentrations of testosterone, corticosterone, and progesterone, the endpoints for the cytochromes P450 involved in steroid biosynthesis, were relatively unaffected. These data show RS-21607 to be an effective and selective inhibitor of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase, both in vivo and in vitro. RS-21607 interacted with the purified enzyme to produce a type II binding spectrum, consistent with an interaction between the imidazole moiety and the heme. The electrostatic contribution of the imidazole binding was investigated using the desimidazole analog of RS-21607. The apparent Ki for the desimidazole compound (65 microM) was similar to the apparent Km for the substrate DHL (79 microM). Together, these data confirm that the ligand attached to the imidazole in RS-21607 is a good non-sterol substitute for DHL, i.e., binding to the enzyme with similar affinity, and that the coordination of the imidazole to the heme provides a major electrostatic contribution for the inhibition of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase by RS-21607. RS-21607 was also observed to increase the accumulation of 3 beta-hydroxy-24,25-dihydrolanost-8-en-32-al, the second intermediate in the multistep oxidation, but not the first intermediate. 24,25-dihydrolanost-8-ene-3 beta,32-diol. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
[Treatment of bacterial vaginosis with high dosage metronidazole and lactic acid].

INTRODUCTION Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most frequent vaginal infections in women of reproductive age. This condition is a disbalance of vaginal flora that is expressed in a considerable displacement of normal lactobacilli flora by opportunistic and facultative microorganisms. Despite the moderate or missing clinical manifestation this dysbacteriosis is linked with many complications in obstetrics and gynecology. AIM To evaluate the effect of treatment of bacterial vaginosis with the product Arilin rapid containing vaginal Metronidazole in high doses and a following vaginal application of lactic acid in a part of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the period May 2001-August 2001, bacterial vaginosis was established in 45 patients of the Specialized hospital for active treatment in obstetrics and gynecology "Maichin Dom", Sofia and the Military medical academy-Sofia, gynecology ward. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was established in accordance to Amsel's criteria and the results that were obtained from samples colored by Gram. For the treatment of BV were used local Metronidazole (Arilin rapid) and vaginal tablets containing lactic acid. The patients were divided into 3 groups. In the first group (18 women) vaginal suppositoria of 100 mg Metronidazole (Arilin rapid) were used for 2 days, in the second (20 women)--Arilin rapid x 1 glob. /2 days and a following therapy with vaginal tablets containing lactic acid x 1 glob. for 7 days. The third group (7 women) was the control receiving placebo therapy--shampoo Dercome Femme containing lactic acid for external application. RESULTS In the group receiving Arilin rapid we observed a normalization of vaginal flora in 71.43% (5/7), intermediate vaginal flora in 14.3% (1/7) and no change caused by therapy in 14.3% (1/7). In the second group, where lactic acid was included, cure was established in 94.1% (16/17) and in only one (5.9%) case was established intermediate vaginal flora. In the control group in 85.7% (6/7) of the cases was registered a lack of effect. CONCLUSION Treatment with Arilin rapid showed good results in 71% of cases. Adding lactate to therapy improved the therapeutic effect and achieved cure in over 94%. The following application of vaginal lactate is an additional step helping the recolonisation of the vagina with lactobacilli and is a contribution to the struggle with recurrent forms.
RTL-to-layout implementation of an embedded coarse grained architecture for dynamically reconfigurable computing in systems-on-chip

This paper describes the RTL-to-layout implementation of the PACT XPP-III coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture (CGRA). The implementation activity was strictly based on a hierarchical approach in order to exploit performance optimization at all levels, as well as guarantee maximum scalability and provide a portfolio of IP-blocks that could be reused to build different configurations and embodiments of the same CGRA template. The final result can be seamlessly introduced in any SoC design flow as embedded accelerator. It is designed in STMicroelectronics 90nm GP technology, occupies 42.5 mm2, delivers 13 16-bit GOPS (0.8 GOPS/mW, 10 MOPS/mW) and has a measured max frequency of 150 MHZ, requiring a measured 13 mW/MHz dynamic power, 93 mW static. A silicon prototype was also produced embedding XPP-III in a complex system-on-chip including an ARM processor as system controller as well as different ASIC blocks.
Spiral-spin-density-wave states in fcc iron: Linear-muffin-tin-orbitals band-structure approach.

A method for electronic-structure calculations of noncollinear magnetic structures has be n developed based on the linear-muffin-tin-orbitals approach. Calculations of total energies and magnetic moments for various spiral-spin-density-wave states of fcc iron have been carried out. The results obtained show that the ground state of fcc iron is the spiral-spin-density-wave state. With the increase of the number of valence electrons (as in fcc Co) ferromagnetic ordering stabilizes essentially, whereas the decrease of that (as in fcc Mn) results in the antiferromagnetic ordering of spin moments