Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mathematics Beliefs and Instructional Strategies in Achievement of Elementary-School Students in Japan: Results from the TIMSS 2003 Assessment

Recent findings concerning mathematics assessment indicate that students in Japan consistently score above international averages. Researchers have examined specific mathematics beliefs and instructional strategies associated with mathematics achievement for students in Japan. This study examined relationships among self-beliefs, classroom instructional strategies, and mathematics achievement for a large national sample of students (N = 4,207) from the TIMSS 2003 international sample of fourth graders in Japan. Several significant relationships between mathematics beliefs and test scores were found; a number of classroom teaching strategies were also significantly associated with test scores. However, multiple regression using the complete set of five mathematics beliefs and five instructional strategies explained only 25.1% of the variance in mathematics achievement test scores.
Lower Extremity Stiffness: Effects on Performance and Injury and Implications for Training

ABSTRACT THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS RESEARCH TO DATE ON LOWER EXTREMITY STIFFNESS RELATIVE TO ITS EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE AND INJURY. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT AN OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF LOWER EXTREMITY STIFFNESS IS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE, AS TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE CAN BE DETRIMENTAL AND POSSIBLY INJURY INDUCING. METHODS OF MEASURING LOWER EXTREMITY STIFFNESS AND FAST STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE PERFORMANCE ARE SUGGESTED. IN TERMS OF TRAINING, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A COMBINATION OF STRENGTH AND PLYOMETRIC TRAINING BE PERFORMED, AS WELL AS CORRECT EXECUTION OF LANDING MECHANICS TO IMPROVE INTERMUSCULAR COORDINATION AND TO AVOID INJURY-PROVOKING DOMINANT AGONIST-TO-ANTAGONIST COACTIVATION RATIOS.
Improved Search Algorithm Based on Probability of Node's Degree on Complex Networks

As a hot research topic recently, complex networks have important practical significance and research value in studying of the search strategy and finding the specified files or data and determining the shortest path between nodes. Since the nodes with the highest degree are very susceptible to network congestion, we present an improved algorithm based on breadth-first search algorithm and high degree seeking algorithm. The current nodes transmit the query message to the neighbor nodes with the higher degree depending on their probability P of the nodes' degree. Our strategy can redistribute traffic load in central nodes to non-central nodes. The simulations are made on classical networks models and real networks. Our results indicate that the proposed search algorithm has better search results.
Presburger-Definable Parameterized Typestates

Typestates are good at capturing dynamic states of a program as compared to normal types that can capture static structural properties of data and program. Although useful, typestates are suitable only for specifying and verifying program properties defined using finite-state abstractions. Many useful dynamic properties of programs are not finite-state definable. To address these issues, we introduce parameterized typestates (p-typestates). p-typestates associate a logical property with each state of regular typestate, thereby allowing specification of properties beyond finite-state abstractions. We present a dependent type system to express and verify p-typestate properties and a typestate-oriented core programming language incorporating these dependent types. Automatic inductive type-checking of p-typestate properties usually requires a programmer to provide loop invariants as annotations. Here we propose a way to calculate loop invariants automatically, using loop acceleration techniques for Presburger definable transition systems. \keywords{Programming Languages, Typestates, Dependent Types, Non-Regular Program Properties, Verification, Loop Invariants}
PX-FERM proteins

Endosomes are the primary organelle where decisions are made as to whether endocytosed proteins will be sorted into degradative trafficking pathways or recycled back to the plasma membrane. This balance between cellular uptake and recycling regulates the plasma membrane composition and is therefore critical for many cellular processes such as nutrient uptake, neuronal transmission and cell migration.1 In addition to its well-known role in membrane trafficking, the endosome is increasingly being recognized as a critical cellular domain for regulated cell signaling. We recently showed that several proteins that regulate endosomal recycling, SNX17, SNX27 and SNX31 are structurally and functionally related.2 These proteins use an unusual FERM domain to bind specific endosomal cargo molecules, and most interestingly, we also found that these proteins use the same FERM domain to associate with the activated Ras small GTPase. Here we speculate on the potential dual role of the PX-FERM proteins in endosomal transport and as scaffolds that may be involved in endosomal Ras signaling processes.
A survey of lower-limb amputees: prostheses, phantom sensations, and psychosocial aspects.

Periodic evaluation of accumulated data allows not only for the detection of trends, but also for the constant monitoring of quality control of amputee service . Research in prosthetic design is always continuing . Modifications of prostheses to give greater functional ability and improved cosmesis, as well as provisions for recreational prostheses, are often mentioned in the literature . But is the patient satisfied with what has been and is being done for him to achieve maximum function, comfort, and esthetic appeal? The purpose of this survey was to obtain information which would be helpful in evaluating various services delivered to amputees, and to determine whether the patients felt these services were adequate. An attempt was made to determine the number of patients for whom prostheses were prescribed ; the length of time from surgery to prosthetic prescription ; how long prostheses lasted; what modifications were necessary ; and, most importantly, whether the patient was happy with his artificial limb. Additional areas of investigation included the nature of phantom pain experienced and its relationship to prosthetic use ; patient social readjustment and self-image ; and, finally, patient suggestions for prosthetic research.
Ketamine Attenuates Acetylcholine-induced Contraction by Decreasing Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity in Pulmonary Veins

Background:The authors investigated the extent and cellular mechanisms by which the intravenous anesthetic ketamine alters acetylcholine-induced contraction in pulmonary veins (PVs). They tested the hypothesis that ketamine inhibits acetylcholine contraction in PVs. Methods:Canine PV rings with endothelium (E+) and without endothelium (E−) were isolated for measurement of isometric tension. The effects of ketamine (10−5 m∼10−3 m) on acetylcholine contraction were assessed in E+ and E− rings. The effects of inhibiting nitric oxide synthase on ketamine-induced changes in acetylcholine contraction were investigated in E+ rings, whereas the effects of Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release were investigated in E− rings. In fura-2 loaded E− PV strips, the effects of ketamine (10−4 m) on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration–tension relation (i.e., myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity) were assessed in the presence or absence of acetylcholine. The roles of the protein kinase C and rho-kinase signaling pathways in ketamine-induced changes in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity were also investigated. Results:Ketamine caused dose-dependent (P < 0.001) inhibition of acetylcholine contraction in E+ and E− PV rings. The ketamine-induced attenuation of acetylcholine contraction was still observed after inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (P = 0.002), Ca2+ influx (P < 0.001), and Ca2+ release (P = 0.021). Ketamine alone had no effect on myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity (P = 0.892) but attenuated (P = 0.038) the acetylcholine-induced increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. This attenuation was still observed after rho-kinase inhibition (P = 0.039), whereas it was abolished by protein kinase C inhibition (P = 0.798). Conclusions:Ketamine attenuates acetylcholine contraction by inhibiting the acetylcholine-induced increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, which is mediated by the protein kinase C signaling pathway.
Maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy, placental expression of genes regulating glucocorticoid and serotonin function and infant regulatory behaviors

Background. Glucocorticoids and serotonin may mediate the link between maternal environment, fetal brain development and ‘programming’ of offspring behaviors. The placenta regulates fetal exposure to maternal hormonal signals in animal studies, but few data address this in humans. We measured prospectively maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and mRNAs encoding key gene products determining glucocorticoid and serotonin function in term human placenta and explored associations with infant regulatory behaviors. Method. Bi-weekly self-ratings of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale from 12th to 13th gestational week onwards and term placental mRNAs of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2B11), type 1 (HSD1B11), glucocorticoid (NR3C1), mineralocorticoid receptors (NR3C2) and serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) were obtained from 54 healthy mothers aged 32.2 ± 5.3 years with singleton pregnancies and without pregnancy complications. Infant regulatory behaviors (crying, feeding, spitting, elimination, sleeping and predictability) were mother-rated at 15.6 ± 4.2 days. Results. Higher placental mRNA levels of HSD2B11 [0.41 standard deviation (s.d.) unit increase per s.d. unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13–0.69, p = 0.005], HSD1B11 (0.30, 0.03–0.57, p = 0.03), NR3C1 (0.44, 0.19–0.68, p = 0.001) and SLC6A4 (0.26, 0.00–0.53, p = 0.05) were associated with more regulatory behavioral challenges of the infant. Higher placental NR3C1 mRNA partly mediated the association between maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and infant regulatory behaviors (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Higher placental expression of genes regulating feto-placental glucocorticoid and serotonin exposure is characteristic of infants with more regulatory behavioral challenges. Maternal depression acts, at least partly, via altering glucocorticoid action in the placenta to impact on offspring regulatory behaviors.
MMP-12 and Macrophage Activation in Acute Aortic Dissection

ic factors, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) [2, 5–7] . Among the MMPs, we identified MMP-12, which is exclusively released by macrophages, as a specific marker for Stanford-A AAD [2, 8] . Further confirming our results, the expression of MMP-12 has been reported within aortic specimens [9, 10] both in humans and in mice [11] , and it has been specifically related to the pathogenesis of aneurysms occurring both in ascending and in abdominal aortas [12, 13] . This is different from what occurs with MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are released by several immune cells and have been related to matrix remodeling also in atherosclerotic plaque [14–17] . It is well known that the unbalance between MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) is related to matrix degradation in AAD [7, 18] . In particular, the unbalance between MMP-2 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 has been extensively reported, with We thank Yalcinkaya and Celik [1] for their interesting observations, which allow us to broaden the discussion on the role of macrophages in acute aortic dissection (AAD). We have previously commented that the immune response may influence the outcome of the atherosclerotic disease toward occlusion or wall rupture [2] . T lymphocytes indeed have been mainly involved in athero-occlusion [3, 4] , whereas macrophages seem to be strongly related to wall rupture [2, 5] . On the basis of such premises, the main objective of the study mentioned by Yalcinkaya and Celik [1] was to evaluate the whole contribution of macrophages in the complex process leading to aortic rupture in Stanford-A AAD [5] , and we confirmed that these cells are deeply implicated in the pathways underlying arterial wall remodeling via the release of proinflammatory cytokines, neoangiogenReceived: February 27, 2014 Accepted: February 27, 2014 Published online: June 5, 2014
Tuberous sclerosis. Surgical therapy for seizures.

TUBEROUS sclerosis was first recognized as a pathological entity by Bourneville 1 who described the potato-like appearance of the sclerotic areas in the cerebral convolutions of a mentally defective epileptic patient. The syndrome of mental deficiency, epilepsy, and adenoma sebaceum was clearly defined by Vogt. 2 In general, a poor prognosis has been associated with the patients who have had a fully developed clinical picture, but in the last few decades it has become increasingly apparent that there are formes frustes of this disease, including patients with normal intelligence. 3,4 Patients may be encountered with any of the stigmata of the disease as isolated findings, or they may occur in various combinations. The disease is a heredofamilial one involving different tissue types in widespread areas of the body. Common sites include the brain, lung, kidney, spleen, bone, retina, and soft tissues. The indications for neurosurgical intervention in patients with this
Skin biopsy for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy

Skin biopsy has become an accepted tool for investigating small nerve fibres, which are invisible to conventional neurophysiological tests even though they are affected early on in peripheral neuropathies of varying aetiology. Morphometric analysis of epidermal and dermal nerves has proved to be reliable, reproducible and unaffected by the severity of neuropathy, making skin biopsy useful for diagnosing small fibre neuropathy (SFN) in clinical practice. The possibility of obtaining skin biopsy specimens from different sites of the body, to repeat them within the area of the same sensory nerve, to distinguish between somatic and autonomic nerves and to investigate the expression of nerve‐related proteins has widened the potential applications of this technique to clinical research. Skin biopsy performed using a minimally invasive disposable punch is a safe and painless procedure. Using specific antibodies with bright‐field immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence technique, it is possible to investigate unmyelinated fibres innervating the epidermis of hairy and glabrous skin, large myelinated fibres supplying specialized corpuscles in glabrous skin, and autonomic fibres innervating sweat glands, blood vessels and arrector pilorum muscles. This review discusses the features of skin innervation in hairy and glabrous skin, the functional properties of skin nerve fibres and their changes in peripheral neuropathies.
A Glucomannan and Chitosan Fiber Supplement Decreases Plasma Cholesterol and Increases Cholesterol Excretion in Overweight Normocholesterolemic Humans

Objective: Both chitosan and glucomannan have demonstrated hypocholesterolemic effects. A recent study in rats indicates that the combination of the two is also a potent hypocholesterolemic agent that increases fecal fat excretion. The objective of the present study was to determine the hypocholesterolemic effect of a supplement containing equal amounts of chitosan and glucomannan on blood lipid concentrations and fecal excretion of fat, neutral sterols and bile acids. Methods: Twenty-one overweight normocholesterolemic subjects (11 males and 10 females) were fed 2.4 g/day of a supplement containing equal amounts of chitosan and glucomannan. Prior to taking the supplement (initial period) and after 28 days (final period), blood was drawn for measurement of serum lipids and a three-day fecal sample collected for determination of fat, neutral sterol and bile acid excretion. Subjects maintained their normal dietary and activity patterns during the study. Results: Caloric intake and intake of fat and dietary fiber (excluding the supplement) did not differ between the initial and final periods. Serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the final period compared to the initial period. Serum triacylglycerol concentration did not change between periods. There was a trend towards greater fecal excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids (p = 0.13 and 0.16, respectively) in the final period. However, fecal fat excretion did not differ between periods. Conclusions: Serum cholesterol reduction by a chitosan/glucomannan supplement is likely mediated by increased fecal steroid excretion and is not linked to fat excretion.
Improved galactose fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae through inverse metabolic engineering

Although Saccharomyces cerevisiae is capable of fermenting galactose into ethanol, ethanol yield and productivity from galactose are significantly lower than those from glucose. An inverse metabolic engineering approach was undertaken to improve ethanol yield and productivity from galactose in S. cerevisiae. A genome‐wide perturbation library was introduced into S. cerevisiae, and then fast galactose‐fermenting transformants were screened using three different enrichment methods. The characterization of genetic perturbations in the isolated transformants revealed three target genes whose overexpression elicited enhanced galactose utilization. One confirmatory (SEC53 coding for phosphomannomutase) and two novel targets (SNR84 coding for a small nuclear RNA and a truncated form of TUP1 coding for a general repressor of transcription) were identified as overexpression targets that potentially improve galactose fermentation. Beneficial effects of overexpression of SEC53 may be similar to the mechanisms exerted by overexpression of PGM2 coding for phosphoglucomutase. While the mechanism is largely unknown, overexpression of SNR84, improved both growth and ethanol production from galactose. The most remarkable improvement of galactose fermentation was achieved by overexpression of the truncated TUP1 (tTUP1) gene, resulting in unrivalled galactose fermentation capability, that is 250% higher in both galactose consumption rate and ethanol productivity compared to the control strain. Moreover, the overexpression of tTUP1 significantly shortened lag periods that occurs when substrate is changed from glucose to galactose. Based on these results we proposed a hypothesis that the mutant Tup1 without C‐terminal repression domain might bring in earlier and higher expression of GAL genes through partial alleviation of glucose repression. mRNA levels of GAL genes (GAL1, GAL4, and GAL80) indeed increased upon overexpression of tTUP. The results presented in this study illustrate that alteration of global regulatory networks through overexpression of the identified targets (SNR84 and tTUP1) is as effective as overexpression of a rate limiting metabolic gene (PGM2) in the galactose assimilation pathway for efficient galactose fermentation in S. cerevisiae. In addition, these results will be industrially useful in the biofuels area as galactose is one of the abundant sugars in marine plant biomass such as red seaweed as well as cheese whey and molasses. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:621–631. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of the promoter of the Bacillus subtilis sdh operon

The Bacillus subtilis sdhCAB operon contains the structural genes for the three subunits of the membrane bound succinate dehydrogenase complex. An sdh-specific transcript of about 3,450 nucleotides was detected in vegetative bacteria. S1 nuclease mapping experiments showed that the sdh operon is transcribed from a sigma-43 promoter; the transcript starts at a guanosine residue 90 base pairs upstream from the first gene of the operon, sdhC. No sdh transcript was found in B. subtilis carrying the sdh-115 mutation, which decreases expression of the sdh operon by more than 99%. The sdh-115 mutation is a G-to-A transition in the -35 region of the sigma-43 promoter. The sdh operon is sensitive to glucose repression. When the sdh promoter region was used to drive transcription of the cat-86 gene this gene also became glucose repressed.
La copie de texte comme outil d’évaluation des représentations de la langue écrite par l’adulte dans son parcours d’apprentissage

Qu’il s’agisse de l’enfant ou de l’adulte, diverses recherches sont parvenues a montrer comment la copie de texte se revele constituer un moyen de comprendre les facons dont l’apprenant construit sa representation de la langue ecrite. En situation d’enseignement, la copie de texte peut offrir un cadre d’observation plus naturel et spontane qu’un dispositif experimental intentionnel. Par exemple, elle pourrait servir a evaluer les effets d’un entrainement a l’autolangage, ce qui ferait d’elle un acte de lecture-ecriture car porteur de recherche de sens pour l’apprenant.
Optimizing patients undergoing surgery: a matter of 'eminence-based medicine'?

DOI:10.1097/ACO.0000000000000347 Anaesthesia has become very well tolerated with a very low anaesthesia-related mortality, despite the fact that the surgical population has become older and sicker over the last decades [1,2]. An ‘exitus in tabula’ has become very rare. Still, patients die after surgery, but not in the operating room rather in the ICU or to a surprisingly large proportion on the normal ward [3]. There is growing evidence that postoperative death derives mainly from complications. This phenomenon has more recently been called ‘failure to rescue (FTR)’, which has been defined as death after complications. FTR mainly occurs in patients with comorbidities who are naturally prone to develop all kinds of complications [4]. This issue of Current Opinion in Anesthesiology aims to shed a little light on various comorbidities and how these patients can be better managed to avoid FTR. It is a selection of the most common comorbidities, but by far not covering all. Unfortunately, there is little evidence-based knowledge how to deal with high-risk patients and in almost all of the reviews we find a sentence like: ‘There is a lack of solid randomized controlled trials. ’. Many of the recommendations given in the reviews are therefore more opinion based or ‘eminence based’ than ‘evidence based’. However, this lack of evidence should not lead to therapeutic nihilism. In fact, it is questionable whether ever controlled randomized studies can be performed to answer the numerous questions like how to optimally manage patients undergoing surgery. Most likely not. Single measures to improve perioperative management of high-risk patients might have only minor effects, and it will be difficult to demonstrate in a clinical trial a benefit with reasonable numbers of randomized patients. Moreover, some trials might not be possible in a randomized fashion because of ethical concerns. Nevertheless, we should always strive to improve patients care and the sum of many small optimization measures might make a difference for the benefit of the patient. Surgery is a trauma to the patient and as any trauma especially major surgery massively alters the immune response of the body [5]. Usually, we think in terms of inflammation and anti-inflammation,