Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A framework for Learning and Reuse in Visual Programming Environments: Supporting Novice Programmer Development of Educational Simulations

Incorporating computers into daily K-12 classroom teaching promises to benefit student learning, and improve teaching practice substantially. Computer enhanced curricula may enable more teachers to create exploratory and inquiry based lessons, but in most cases supporting software have only been realized as practice tools for specific rote learning skills. Drills do little to help students develop higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills. With more computers in the classroom, the assumption was that computers would be integrated into curricula with a high usage of educational software, but research suggests that this assumption has not been borne out (Powell & Okey, 1994; Tyack & Cuban, 1995). Our general argument is that systems whose usability characteristics have been designed to meet teachers’ needs and that can be easily tailored to meet specific teaching objectives are more likely to be incorporated into everyday teaching practices. One type of computer-based activity that enables teachers to engage students in exploratory learning is an educational simulation. Many educational software packages that build simulations have limited usability because they have unmodifiable, limited modifiable or difficult-to-modify functionality. Still others are useful, but are too expensive for many schools to afford. These packages fall short of achieving the ultimate goal of providing useful classroom simulation technology—providing teachers with the option of building simulations from scratch or reusing existing simulations by adapting their functionality. Because teachers have limited time to learn new technology or develop new simulations, this research focused on developing a new framework that would help teachers create easily adaptable and reusable customized educational materials, encouraging them to use these materials to build and extend simulations in collaboration with their students. We began our study by analyzing the currently available tools for visual construction of educational simulations; we used the results of these analyses to develop an alternative environment—SimBuilder. This environment was designed to address the general usability and programming style issues observed in our analysis of other tools. A minimalist self-study tutorial was designed to support rapid start-up and use of the SimBuilder. Through a comparative analysis using a state-of-the-art environment (AgentSheets) that collected a wide range of quantitative and qualitative measures of learning, programming style, usability, motivation, and strategies for code reuse, we determined that SimBuilder offers an improved environment for teachers to construct educational simulations.
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: Physics and Applications

Electrooptic modes with fast response and high contrast ratio are highly desirable in modern photonics and displays. Ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) are especially promising for fulfilling these demands by employing photoalignment technology in FLC cells. Three electrooptic modes including surface stabilized FLC (SSFLC), deformed helix ferroelectric (DHF) mode, and electrically suppressed helix (ESH) mode are reviewed with the corresponding electrooptic effects like bi- and multi-stable switching, continuous modulation of grayscale or phase, and high contrast switching. The general operation principles FLC electrooptic modes are described, and then the characteristics of each modes for potential applications are summarized. With the advantages of controllable anchoring energy, the photoalignment provides FLC samples with uniform alignment and high contrast ratio. The fast FLCs with a high resolution and high contrast can be used in the next generation display including field sequential color FLC microdisplays, as well as switchable 2D/3D televisions.
Incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes in patients receiving concurrent myelosuppressive chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim

Background. The World Health Organization classifies myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as a group of hematologic malignancies where at least one myeloid lineage contains ≥10% cells with myelodysplasia. Therapy-related MDS (t-MDS) may result from treatment with myelosuppressive chemotherapy and/or radiation. Myeloid growth factors, such as pegfilgrastim, have also been investigated as a possible risk factor for development of t-MDS. National guidelines and myeloid growth factor prescribing information recommend administering myeloid growth factors after a minimum of 24 h following myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Some evidence suggests that administering myeloid growth factors and myelosuppressive chemotherapy concurrently may increase the risk of developing t-MDS. Objective. To evaluate the incidence of t-MDS in patients who received pegfilgrastim and chemotherapy on the same day compared to patients receiving pegfilgrastim at least 1 day following completion of their chemotherapy. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients who received myelosuppressive chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim on the same day between January 2003 and December 2007. Any initial diagnosis of t-MDS was clinically confirmed. Results. A total of 227 patients received myelosuppressive chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim on the same day. Median time to follow-up was 3.47 years (IQR 1.15). Two patients had a confirmed diagnosis of t-MDS. The incidence of t-MDS in patients receiving concurrent myelosuppressive chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim in our study population is 0.88%. Conclusion. Administering pegfilgrastim at least 1 day after myelosuppressive chemotherapy may help reduce the risk of t-MDS, but more studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm this finding.
Large-Scale Systems Control Design via LMI Optimization

A control design for a large-scale system using LMI optimization is proposed. The control is designed in a way such that the LQ cost in the case of the decentralized control does not exceed a certain limit. The optimized quantity are the values of the control gain matrices. The methodology is useful even for finding a decomposition of the system, however, some expert knowledge is necessary in this case. The capabilities of the algorithm are illustrated by two examples. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.itc. 44.3. 6464
Free fatty acid receptor agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: drugs in preclinical to phase II clinical development

ABSTRACT Introduction: The alarming prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) stimulated the exploitation of new antidiabetic drugs with extended durability and enhanced safety. In this regard, the free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1) and FFA4 have emerged as attractive targets in the last decade. FFA1 has prominent advantages in promoting insulin and incretin secretion while FFA4 shows great potential in incretin secretion, insulin sensitization and anti-inflammatory effects. Area covered: Herein, the authors focus specifically on FFA1 and FFA4 agonists in clinical trials and preclinical development. LY2922470, P11187 and SHR0534 are currently active in clinical trials while the CNX-011-67, SAR1, DS-1558 and BMS-986118 are in preclinical phase. The information for this review is retrieved from Integrity, Scifinder, Espacenet and clinicaltrials.gov databases. Expert opinion: Current proof-of-concept in clinical trials suggests that FFA1 agonists have a significant improvement for T2DM without the risk of hypoglycemia. However, there are still several challenging problems including the mechanism of the receptor and the efficacy and safety of the ligands.
The influence of liver damage in man on the distribution and disposal rates of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Simultaneous studies of thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) kinetics were carried out in a group of patients suffering from severe cirrhosis with ascites and a group of normal persons. In comparison with the normal group, the cirrhotic patients were found to have reduced T4 volumes of distribution and T4 production rates; conversely, the percent and absolute quantities of free T4 were elevated. The free serum T3 values were elevated in the cirrhotic group, and the T3 volumes of distribution and T3 production rates were likewise elevated. The mean TBG capacity in the cirrhotic patients was significantly increased, and there was a marked reduction in TBPA capacity. A single simple explanation cannot be found to account for these diverse findings. Probably alterations of a number of parameters are involved, including reduction in TBPA capacity, reduction in hepatic thyroid hormone binding sites, and relative competition of tissue binding sites for T4 and T3. The findings suggest that the liver is norma.
Overexpression, purification, and characterization of yeast cyclophilins A and B

Two isoforms of yeast cyclophilins, yCyPA and yCyPB, have been subcloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity. The full‐length (163‐amino acid) yeast CyPA was easily expressed and purified; however, only a genetically truncated, 186‐residue form of yCyPB lacking a putative 20‐amino acid signal sequence could be purified. Each yeast cyclophilin isoform is a peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase, inhibitable by the immunosuppressive drug CsA (IC50's of 40 ± 8 nM and 101 ± 14 nM at 18 nM concentrations of yCyPA and yCyPB, respectively). Polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant yCyPA detected native yCyPA in yeast cell extracts by both immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. However, polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant yCyPB detected no native yCyPB in yeast cell extracts by Western blot analysis; small amounts of yCyPB were found in the culture broth, suggesting secretion extracellularly of this isoform. Northern analysis indicated that both yCyPA mRNA and yCyPB mRNA (at a much lower level) were detectable in cell‐free extracts. Characterization of the yeast cyclophilin proteins demonstrated that their catalytic properties and sensitivity to CsA parallel those of the human cyclophilins.
In vivo inactivation of glycerol dehydrogenase in Klebsiella aerogenes: properties of active and inactivated proteins

Glycerol:oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) 2-oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.6), an inducible enzyme for anaerobic glycerol catabolism in Klebsiella aerogenes, was purified and found to have a molecular weight of 79,000 by gel electrophoresis. The protein seemed to be enzymatically active either as a dimer of a 40,000-dalton peptide at pH 8.6 or as a tetramer of 160,000 molecular weight at pH 7.0. The enzyme activity was present at high levels in cells growing anaerobically on glycerol, but disappeared with a half-life of about 45 min if molecular oxygen was introduced to the culture. In contrast, no such phenomenon occurred with dihydroxyacetone kinase activity, the second enzyme in the pathway. Immunochemical analysis showed that the inactivation of the oxidoreductase did not involve degradation of the protein. Furthermore, subunits of the active and inactive forms of the enzyme were indistinguishable in size on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and had similar isoelectric points (pH 4.7). Inactivation did, however, alter the gel filtration properties of the enzyme protein and, more importantly, reduced its affinity for the dye Cibacron F3GA and the coenzyme NAD+.
Cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin for the prevention of postsurgical venous thromboembolism in Canada

Summary This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of prophylaxis with rivaroxaban vs. enoxaparin in the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) from the perspective of the Canadian healthcare system. A model was developed that included both acute VTE (represented as a decision tree) and long-term complications (represented as a Markov process with one-year cycles). Transition probabilities were derived from phase III clinical trials comparing rivaroxaban with enoxaparin and published literature. Costs were derived from the Ontario Case Costing Initiative and publicly available sources. Utilities were derived from published literature. The model reported VTE event rates, quality-adjusted life expectancy and direct medical costs over a five-year horizon. Costs are reported in 2007 Canadian Dollars (C$). When rivaroxaban and enoxaparin are compared in patients undergoing THR, rivaroxaban dominates enoxaparin. That is, rivaroxaban is associated with improved health outcomes as measured by increased quality-adjusted life years (QALYs; 0.0006) and fewer symptomatic VTE events (0.0061), and also with lower cost (savings of C$300) per patient. Similarly, rivaroxaban dominates enoxaparin in patients undergoing TKR, achieving a gain of 0.0018 QALYs, a reduction of 0.0192 symptomatic venous thromboembolic events and savings of C$129 per patient. Rivaroxaban is a cost-effective alternative to enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing THR and TKR. Over a five-year horizon, rivaroxaban dominated enoxaparin in the prevention of VTE events in patients undergoing THR and TKR, providing more quality-of-life benefit at a lower cost.
Diplomarbeit in Informatik Propagating Multiple Best Paths in the Border Gateway Protocol

The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) [1, 2] is the most commonly used instrument to exchange reachability information between networking nodes in the Internet. Currently BPG operates by propagating only one best path towards neighbouring routers in order to keep the Internet scalable. However this single path propagation comes at the cost of reducing the number of alternative paths available to the autonomous systems (AS). Research attaches great importance to being able to advance BGP to propagate multiple paths towards neighbouring routers. In this thesis we propose a metric to advance and test BGP via propagating multiple paths towards a prefix in the first instance. To this end, we construct experiments to verify and validate implementations of BGP propagating multiple paths and analyse the potential impacts of multiple path propagation has on the diversity of paths in networking nodes. As there is currently no working implementation of BGP propagating multiple best paths in existence, we summarise requirements and propose a selection of metrics to enable BGP to propagate multiple paths. We develop a set of experiments to verify and validate implementations of multiple path propagation within BGP via testing the protocol against the following factors: topology; number of paths to propagate; different decision processes; and the impact of policies. Last, but not least, we analyse the existing diversity of paths in networking nodes by examining the number of paths; the disjointness of paths; the impact of a possible multiple path propagation; and the influence of commonly used policies on the diversity of paths.
A Novel Insertion Sequence, ISPa26, in oprD of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is Associated with Carbapenem Resistance

Carbapenems are frequently used to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, resistance to the carbapenems is emerging rapidly (9). Mutations or deletions in oprD (3, 2, 8) commonly result in lack of OprD expression, blocking the entry of imipenem into the cell and resulting in resistance to this drug (6). More recently, insertional inactivation of oprD by the insertion sequence (IS) elements ISPa1328 and ISPa1635 was described (7). Previously, we showed that imipenem resistance in P. aeruginosa was due to point mutations and deletions in oprD; IS elements were not detected in the isolates (3). To determine whether IS elements play a role in imipenem resistance in more recent isolates, we screened for their presence in oprD in isolates from two local hospitals.
Phase behavior of a designed cyclopropyl analogue of monoolein: implications for low-temperature membrane protein crystallization.

Lipidic cubic phases (LCPs) are used in areas ranging from membrane biology to biodevices. Because some membrane proteins are notoriously unstable at room temperature, and available LCPs undergo transformation to lamellar phases at low temperatures, development of stable low-temperature LCPs for biophysical studies of membrane proteins is called for. Monodihydrosterculin (MDS) is a designer lipid based on monoolein (MO) with a configurationally restricted cyclopropyl ring replacing the olefin. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses revealed a phase diagram for MDS lacking the high-temperature, highly curved reverse hexagonal phase typical for MO, and extending the cubic phase boundary to lower temperature, thereby establishing the relationship between lipid molecular structure and mesophase behavior. The use of MDS as a new material for LCP-based membrane protein crystallization at low temperature was demonstrated by crystallizing bacteriorhodopsin at 20 °C as well as 4 °C.
MRAM with novel shaped cell using synthetic anti-ferromagnetic free layer

Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) with magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) using synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) free layers of various shapes has been developed. SAF free layers show the predominance in the scalability compared with a conventional single free layer. It is also revealed that a novel shaped MTJ with a SAF free layer has a remarkably large writing margin.
Challenges of reengineering into multi-tenant SaaS applications

Multi-tenancy is a relatively new software architecture principle in the realm of the Software as a Service (SaaS) business model. It allows to make full use of the economy of scale, as multiple customers "tenants" share the same application and database instance. All the while, the tenants enjoy a highly configurable application, making it appear that the application is deployed on a dedicated server. The major benefits of multi-tenancy are increased utilization of hardware resources and improved ease of maintenance, resulting in lower overall application costs, making the technology attractive for service providers targeting small and medium enterprises (SME). In our paper, we identify some of the core challenges of implementing multi-tenancy. Furthermore, we present a conceptual reengineering approach to support the migration of single-tenant applications into multi-tenant applications.
A Presynaptic Group III mGluR Recruits Gβγ/SNARE Interactions to Inhibit Synaptic Transmission by Cone Photoreceptors in the Vertebrate Retina

G-protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) interact with presynaptic proteins and regulate neurotransmitter release downstream of Ca2+ influx. To accomplish their roles in sensory signaling, photoreceptor synapses use specialized presynaptic proteins that support neurotransmission at active zone structures known as ribbons. While several G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) influence synaptic transmission at ribbon synapses of cones and other retinal neurons, it is unknown whether Gβγ contributes to these effects. We tested whether activation of one particular GPCR, a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR), can reduce cone synaptic transmission via Gβγ in tiger salamander retinas. In recordings from horizontal cells, we found that an mGluR agonist (L-AP4) reduced cone-driven light responses and mEPSC frequency. In paired recordings of cones and horizontal cells, L-AP4 slightly reduced cone ICa (∼10%) and caused a larger reduction in cone-driven EPSCs (∼30%). Proximity ligation assay revealed direct interactions between SNAP-25 and Gβγ subunits in retinal synaptic layers. Pretreatment with the SNAP-25 cleaving protease BoNT/A inhibited L-AP4 effects on synaptic transmission, as did introduction of a peptide derived from the SNAP-25 C terminus. Introducing Gβγ subunits directly into cones reduced EPSC amplitude. This effect was inhibited by BoNT/A, supporting a role for Gβγ/SNAP-25 interactions. However, the mGluR-dependent reduction in ICa was not mimicked by Gβγ, indicating that this effect was independent of Gβγ. The finding that synaptic transmission at cone ribbon synapses is regulated by Gβγ/SNAP-25 interactions indicates that these mechanisms are shared by conventional and ribbon-type synapses. Gβγ liberated from other photoreceptor GPCRs is also likely to regulate synaptic transmission. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dynamic regulation of synaptic transmission by presynaptic G-protein coupled receptors shapes information flow through neural circuits. At the first synapse in the visual system, presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) regulate cone photoreceptor synaptic transmission, although the mechanisms and functional impact of this are unclear. We show that mGluRs regulate light response encoding across the cone synapse, accomplished in part by triggering G-protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) interactions with SNAP-25, a core component of the synaptic vesicle fusion machinery. In addition to revealing a role in visual processing, this provides the first demonstration that Gβγ/SNAP-25 interactions regulate synaptic function at a ribbon-type synapse, contributing to an emerging picture of the ubiquity of Gβγ/SNARE interactions in regulating synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system.
SOME BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES AFTER TREATMENT IN IRAQIS ACROMEGALIC PATIENTS

Acromegaly is a rare disease produce generalize and serious alteration in the patient with active disease. Many of these patients arealsodiabetic. Many analytes, hormones, markers are change in these disease. The objective of study is to assess the modification in a number of parameters that changed during the acromegaly as a result of excess in GH and IGF 1 levels. The study included 36 p atients and 38 healthy controls, paired by sex and age and BMI. Serum concentration of GH and the other parameters including (insulin, glucose, lipid profile, uric acid ) were determined by biochemical method . Compared to controls, acromegalic patients ha d increased levels of GH, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein(VLDL) (p .0.05).
Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas

Purpose of review Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare tumors, with an incidence of one per 100 000 individuals per year, and they account for 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. PNETs are a heterogeneous group with varying clinical presentation, tumor biology and prognosis. This article reviews the current diagnostic strategy and treatment armamentarium for PNETs. Special attention is paid to recent and ongoing developments in treatment, particularly with regards to multimodality treatment and newer systemic therapies for unresectable disease. Recent findings There has been significant progress in the genetic understanding of hereditary syndromes in regards to PNETs, as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of resectable and nonresectable PNETs. Whereas surgical therapy remains the most advisable therapy for resectable neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas, there have been significant recent advances in systemic therapy for those with unresectable disease. Results from recent clinical trials examining mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors for unresectable disease are promising in expanding treatment options for metastatic PNETs. Summary Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas are a heterogeneous group of tumors with varying clinical presentation, tumor biology and prognosis. Clinicians must be aware of the variety of manifestations of this disease, as well as the role of systemic chemotherapy in treatment of unresectable disease.