Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teacher beliefs, teacher characteristics, and school contextual factors: what are the relationships?

BACKGROUND There is a plethora of research around student beliefs and their contribution to student outcomes. However, there is less research in relation to teacher beliefs. Teacher factors are important to consider since beliefs mould thoughts and resultant instructional behaviours that, in turn, can contribute to student outcomes. AIMS The purpose of this research was to explore relationships between the teacher characteristics of gender and teaching experience, school contextual variables (socio-economic level of school and class level), and three teacher socio-psychological variables: class level teacher expectations, teacher efficacy, and teacher goal orientation. SAMPLE The participants were 68 male and female teachers with varying experience, from schools in a variety of socio-economic areas and from rural and urban locations within New Zealand. METHOD Teachers completed a questionnaire containing items related to teacher efficacy and goal orientation in reading. They also completed a teacher expectation survey. Reading achievement data were collected on students. Interrelationships were explored between teacher socio-psychological beliefs and the teacher and school factors included in the study. RESULTS Mastery-oriented beliefs predicted teacher efficacy for student engagement and classroom management. The socio-economic level of the school and teacher gender predicted teacher efficacy for engagement, classroom management, instructional strategies, and a mastery goal orientation. Being male predicted a performance goal orientation. CONCLUSIONS Teacher beliefs, teacher characteristics, and school contextual variables can result in differences in teacher instructional practices and differing classroom climates. Further investigation of these variables is important since differences in teachers contribute to differences in student outcomes.
Energy drink use, problem drinking and drinking motives in a diverse sample of Alaskan college students

Background Recent research has identified the use of caffeinated energy drinks as a common, potentially risky behaviour among college students that is linked to alcohol misuse and consequences. Research also suggests that energy drink consumption is related to other risky behaviours such as tobacco use, marijuana use and risky sexual activity. Objective This research sought to examine the associations between frequency of energy drink consumption and problematic alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, symptoms of alcohol dependence and drinking motives in an ethnically diverse sample of college students in Alaska. We also sought to examine whether ethnic group moderated these associations in the present sample of White, Alaska Native/American Indian and other ethnic minority college students. Design A paper-and-pencil self-report questionnaire was completed by a sample of 298 college students. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the effects of energy drink use, ethnic group and energy drink by ethnic group interactions on alcohol outcomes after controlling for variance attributed to gender, age and frequency of binge drinking. Results Greater energy drink consumption was significantly associated with greater hazardous drinking, alcohol consequences, alcohol dependence symptoms, drinking for enhancement motives and drinking to cope. There were no main effects of ethnic group, and there were no significant energy drink by ethnic group interactions. Conclusion These findings replicate those of other studies examining the associations between energy drink use and alcohol problems, but contrary to previous research we did not find ethnic minority status to be protective. It is possible that energy drink consumption may serve as a marker for other health risk behaviours among students of various ethnic groups.
Swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) viral infection: thoracic findings on CT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to illustrate and describe various CT manifestations of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) viral infection. CONCLUSION The imaging findings seen in patients with H1N1 infection include consolidations, ground-glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, small nodules, and findings suggestive of small airways disease, among others. Definitive diagnosis is based on correlation of the CT findings with the clinical symptoms and laboratory test results.
Stroke Epidemiology and Risk Factor Management

ABSTRACT Purpose of Review: Death from stroke has decreased over the past decade, with stroke now the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. In addition, the incidence of new and recurrent stroke is declining, likely because of the increased use of specific prevention medications, such as statins and antihypertensives. Despite these positive trends in incidence and mortality, many strokes remain preventable. The major modifiable risk factors are hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco smoking, and hyperlipidemia, as well as lifestyle factors, such as obesity, poor diet/nutrition, and physical inactivity. This article reviews the current recommendations for the management of each of these modifiable risk factors. Recent Findings: It has been documented that some blood pressure medications may increase variability of blood pressure and ultimately increase the risk for stroke. Stroke prevention typically includes antiplatelet therapy (unless an indication for anticoagulation exists), so the most recent evidence supporting use of these drugs is reviewed. In addition, emerging risk factors, such as obstructive sleep apnea, electronic cigarettes, and elevated lipoprotein (a), are discussed. Summary: Overall, secondary stroke prevention includes a multifactorial approach. This article incorporates evidence from guidelines and published studies and uses an illustrative case study throughout the article to provide examples of secondary prevention management of stroke risk factors.
Functional dissection of the human Bc12 protein: sequence requirements for inhibition of apoptosis

Overexpression of the cytoplasmic oncoprotein Bc12 blocks programmed cell death (apoptosis) in many cellular systems. To map the sequences in Bc12 that are necessary for its activity, we created a library of deletion-scanning mutants of this 239-amino-acid protein and tested their abilities to block staurosporine-induced fibroblast apoptosis, using a novel transient-transfection assay. Phenotypes of informative mutants were then confirmed by assaying for inhibition of steroid-induced apoptosis in stably transfected T-lymphoid cells. In accordance with earlier results, we found that Bc12 activity was only partially reduced after deletion of the hydrophobic tail that normally anchors it in cytoplasmic membranes. Essential sequences were found in the remainder of the protein and appeared to be organized in at least two discrete functional domains. The larger, more C-terminal region (within residues 90 to 203) encompassed, but extended beyond, two oligopeptide motifs called BH1 and BH2, which are known to mediate dimerization of Bc12 and related proteins. The second, more N-terminal regions (within residues 6 to 31) was not required for protein dimerization in vivo, but its deletion imparted a dominant negative phenotype, yielding mutants that promoted rather than inhibited apoptotic death. Residues 30 to 91 were not absolutely required for function; by deleting most of this region along with the hydrophobic tail, we derived a 155-residue mini-Bc12 that retains significant ability to inhibit apoptosis.
Acid-regulated proteins induced by Streptococcus mutans and other oral bacteria during acid shock.

Our previous research has demonstrated that with the more aciduric oral bacteria, an acid shock to sub-lethal pH values results in the induction of an acid tolerance response that protects the cells at extremely low pH (pH 3.0-4.0) that kills unadapted control cells maintained at pH 7.5 (Oral Microbiol Immunol 1997: 12: 266-273). In this study, we were interested in comparing the protein profiles of acid-shocked and control cells of nine organisms from three acid-ogenic genera that could be categorized as strong, weak and non-acid responders in an attempt to identify proteins that could be classified as acid-regulated proteins and which may be important in the process of survival at very low pH. For this, log-phase cultures were rapidly acidified from pH 7.5 to 5.5 in the presence of [14C]-amino acids for varying periods up to 2 h, the period previously shown to be required for maximum induction of the acid response. The cells were extracted for total protein and subjected to one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide chromatography with comparable control and acid-shocked protein profiles compared by scanning and computer analysis. Of particular interest were the proteins in the acid-shocked cells that showed enhanced labeling (i.e., synthesis) over the control cells, since these were considered acid-regulated proteins of importance in pH homeostasis. Streptococcus mutans LT11 generated the most rapid and complex pattern: a total of 36 acid-regulated proteins showing enhanced synthesis, with 25 appearing within the first 30 min of acid shock. The enhanced synthesis was transient with all proteins, with the exception of two with molecular weights of 50/49 and 33/32 kDa. Within the acid-regulated proteins were proteins having molecular weights comparable to the heat shock proteins and the various subunits of the membrane H+/ATPase. By comparison, the strong responder, Lactobacillus casei 151, showed the enhanced formation of only nine proteins within the first 30 min of the acid shock, with a total of 11 acid-regulated proteins formed during the 2-h adaptation period with enhanced synthesis transient for seven of these proteins. Streptococcus salivarius AT2 and Streptococcus gordonii TH12 had the formation of 6 and 8 proteins enhanced, while the weakly responding organisms, Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10,556 and Streptococcus oralis ATCC 10,557, exhibited 8 and 6 such proteins, respectively. Even non-responding strains unable to survive at very low pH, such as Streptococcus sobrinus CH125/43, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 12,261 and Actinomyces naeslundii 301-13 showed the initial formation of 3-9 acid-regulated proteins, but protein synthesis was not sustained over the entire adaptation period. Clearly, the survival of oral bacteria at very low pH is related, not to the total number of the acid-regulated proteins induced per se but to the formation of key proteins that function to augment normal pH homeostasis.
Household infrastructure in Aboriginal communities and the implications for health improvement

TO THE EDITOR: The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has sustained many cases of malaria following service in East Timor. To reliably prevent relapse of malaria caused by the Chesson strain of Plasmodium vivax present in this region, larger doses of primaquine are required2 (up to 6 mg/kg total dose,3 compared with > 3.5 mg/kg to prevent relapse of sub-Saharan vivax malaria4). The ADF uses 1500 mg chloroquine (total base) followed by 315 mg primaquine (total base) for the treatment of vivax malaria, which, in Australia, is commonly treated either without primaquine or with inadequate dosages of either chloroquine or primaquine.5 A fit, 65 kg male soldier who deployed to East Timor from October 1999 to May 2000 experienced one episode of vivax malaria during his deployment and a further four episodes on return to Australia (Box). Having had malaria in East Timor, he complied closely with postexposure prophylaxis with primaquine and tolerated his dose (7.5 mg three times daily with meals) well for the required 14 days (315 mg total). He was seronegative for HIV, hepatitis C, and dengue IgG and IgM, and was not glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient. The Table shows that our patient had a parasite that was apparently responsive to chloroquine, although it did not respond as readily in the last episode. In his first episodes of malaria on return from East Timor, he received the recommended dose of primaquine, but developed recurrences in the absence of further exposure to malaria. These relapses presumably indicate an inadequate response to the primaquine. The total dose of primaquine used for postexposure prophylaxis and treatment of the first episodes in Australia was about 4.8 mg/kg. He has subsequently received a treatment of 6 mg/ kg total primaquine (see Table, Episode 5). This follows extended suppression with chloroquine before and doxycycline during a three-month deployment to Malaysia. There has been no further relapse six months after treatment. Chesson-strain vivax malaria is known to be difficult to treat and in which to prevent further relapse. Adequate primaquine to treat vivax malaria from other areas is not adequate for that contracted to the immediate north of Australia. Relapsing vivax malaria from East Timor may require a dose of 6 mg/kg of primaquine to prevent further relapse.
G proteins control diverse pathways of transmembrane signaling 1

Hormones, neurotransmitters, and autacoids interact with specific receptors and thereby trigger a series of molecular events that ultimately produce their biological effects. These receptors, localized in the plasma membrane, carry binding sites for ligands as diverse as peptides (e.g., glucagon, neuropeptides), lipids (e.g., prostaglandins), nucleosides and nucleotides (e.g., adenosine), and amines (e.g., catecholamines, serotonin). These receptors do not interact directly with their respective downstream effector (i.e., an ion channel and/or an enzyme that synthesizes a second messenger); rather, they control one or several target systems via the activation of an intermediary guanine nucleotide‐binding regulatory protein or G protein. G proteins serve as signal transducers, linking extracellularly oriented receptors to membrane‐bound effectors. Traffic in these pathways is regulated by a GTP (on)‐GDP (off) switch, which is regulated by the receptor. The combination of classical biochemistry and recombinant DNA technology has resulted in the discovery of many members of the G protein family. These approaches, complemented in particular by electrophysiological experiments, have also identified several effectors that are regulated by G proteins. We can safely assume that current lists of G proteins and the functions that they control are incomplete. — Freissmuth, M. ; Casey, P. J.; Gilman, A. G. G proteins control diverse pathways of transmembrane signaling. FASEB J. 3: 2125‐2131; 1989.
Sleep apnoea and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in men and women: effects of continuous positive airway pressure

Previous findings on the association of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis are inconsistent, partly due to the confounding effect of obesity and infrequent sampling. Our goal was to examine whether in a relatively nonobese population, OSA is associated with elevated cortisol levels and to assess the effects of a 2-month placebo-controlled continuous positive airway pressure (sham-CPAP) use. 72 subjects (35 middle-aged males and post-menopausal females with OSA, and 37 male and female controls) were studied in the sleep laboratory for four nights. 24-h blood sampling was performed every hour on the fourth day and night in the sleep laboratory at baseline, after sham-CPAP and after CPAP treatment. In both apnoeic men and women, OSA was associated with significantly higher 24-h cortisol levels compared with controls, whereas CPAP lowered cortisol levels significantly, close to those of controls. These results suggest that OSA in nonobese men and slightly obese women is associated with HPA axis activation, similar albeit stronger compared with obese individuals with sleep apnoea. Short-term CPAP use decreased cortisol levels significantly compared with baseline, indicating that CPAP may have a protective effect against comorbidities frequently associated with chronic activation of the HPA axis, e.g. hypertension. OSA in nonobese men/slightly obese women is associated with HPA axis activation and CPAP lowers HPA axis activity http://ow.ly/Stn94
Reusable components for knowledge modelling

In this work I illustrate an approach to the development of a library of problem solving components for knowledge modelling. This approach is based on an epistemological modelling framework, the Task/Method/Domain/Application (TMDA) model, and on a principled methodology, which provide an integrated view of both library construction and application development by reuse. The starting point of the proposed approach is given by a task ontology. This formalizes a conceptual viewpoint over a class of problems, thus providing a task-specific framework, which can be used to drive the construction of a task model through a process of model-based knowledge acquisition. The definitions in the task ontology provide the initial elements of a task-specific library of problem solving components. In order to move from problem specification to problem solving, a generic, i.e. taskindependent, model of problem solving as search is introduced, and instantiated in terms of the concepts in the relevant task ontology, say T. The result is a task-specific, but method-independent, problem solving model. This generic problem solving model provides the foundation from which alternative problem solving methods for a class of tasks can be defined. Specifically, the generic problem solving model provides i) a highly generic method ontology, say M; ii) a set of generic building blocks (generic tasks), which can be used to construct task-specific problem solving methods; and iii) an initial problem solving method, which can be characterized as the most generic problem solving method, which subscribes to M and is applicable to T. More specific problem solving methods can then be (re-)constructed from the generic problem solving model through a process of method/ontology specialization and method-to-task application. The resulting library of reusable components enjoys a clear theoretical basis and provides robust support for reuse. In the thesis I illustrate the approach in the area of parametric design.
Emergence of critical dynamics in large-scale in vitro cortical networks

In vitro neuronal networks coupled to Micro-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) represent a valid experimental framework to study neuronal dynamics. This preparation is free of chemical or physical constraints and allows neurons to self-organize during development, creating networks that exhibit complex spatio-temporal patterns of activity. Starting from this experimental evidence, here we address the question whether a particular network architecture can drive the network dynamics towards a sub-, super-, or critical state.
Amélioration des systèmes de traduction par analyse linguistique et thématique : application à la traduction depuis l'arabe. (Improvements for Machine Translation Systems Using Linguistic and Thematic Analysis : an Application to the Translation from Arabic)

La traduction automatique des documents est consideree comme l’une des tâches les plus difficiles en traitement automatique des langues et de la parole. Les particularites linguistiques de certaines langues, comme la langue arabe, rendent la tâche de traduction automatique plus difficile. Notre objectif dans cette these est d'ameliorer les systemes de traduction de l'arabe vers le francais et vers l'anglais. Nous proposons donc une etude detaillee sur ces systemes. Les principales recherches portent a la fois sur la construction de corpus paralleles, le pretraitement de l'arabe et sur l'adaptation des modeles de traduction et de langue.Tout d'abord, un corpus comparable journalistique a ete explore pour en extraire automatiquement un corpus parallele. Ensuite, differentes approches d’adaptation du modele de traduction sont exploitees, soit en utilisant le corpus parallele extrait automatiquement soit en utilisant un corpus parallele construit automatiquement.Nous demontrons que l'adaptation des donnees du systeme de traduction permet d'ameliorer la traduction. Un texte en arabe doit etre pretraite avant de le traduire et ceci a cause du caractere agglutinatif de la langue arabe. Nous presentons notre outil de segmentation de l'arabe, SAPA (Segmentor and Part-of-speech tagger for Arabic), independant de toute ressource externe et permettant de reduire les temps de calcul. Cet outil permet de predire simultanement l’etiquette morpho-syntaxique ainsi que les proclitiques (conjonctions, prepositions, etc.) pour chaque mot, ensuite de separer les proclitiques du lemme (ou mot de base). Nous decrivons egalement dans cette these notre outil de detection des entites nommees, NERAr (Named Entity Recognition for Arabic), et nous examions l'impact de l'integration de la detection des entites nommees dans la tâche de pretraitement et la pre-traduction de ces entites nommees en utilisant des dictionnaires bilingues. Nous presentons par la suite plusieurs methodes pour l'adaptation thematique des modeles de traduction et de langue experimentees sur une application reelle contenant un corpus constitue d’un ensemble de phrases multicategoriques.Ces experiences ouvrent des perspectives importantes de recherche comme par exemple la combinaison de plusieurs systemes lors de la traduction pour l'adaptation thematique. Il serait egalement interessant d'effectuer une adaptation temporelle des modeles de traduction et de langue. Finalement, les systemes de traduction ameliores arabe-francais et arabe-anglais sont integres dans une plateforme d'analyse multimedia et montrent une amelioration des performances par rapport aux systemes de traduction de base.
Renovascular hypertension after renal transplantation - don't look only after the graft artery.

A 44-year-old male patient had received a second renal transplant in August 1989. His immunosuppressive therapy comprised corticosteroids, cyclosporine A and azathioprine. Because hypertension developed after transplantation, he received antihypertensive treatment, initially calcium channel blockers and clonidine and subsequently from 1990 to 1995, additionally betablockers, ACE inhibitors, and minoxidil. Despite the antihypertensive treatment with five classes of drugs, hypertension was not controlled. The serum creatinine levels increased from 1.2 mg/dl (X/1989) to 2.0mg/dl (VII/1993). Renal biopsy was therefore performed and showed minimal mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, arteriosclerosis, and mild interstitial fibrosis. Primary renal disease was clinically a chronic glomerulonephritis, however not proven by kidney biopsy. We were puzzled by a low renal resistance index (RI 0.5) of intrarenal arteries with a pulsus and parvus velocity pattern by duplex ultrasound, a finding which is characteristic for renal artery stenosis (Fig. 1). Two angiographies (11/1993 and 11/1995) revealed only