Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of video based on Cognitive Conflict Strategies in learning Information Technology Application and Communication subject

Cognitive conflict is one of the important factors in conceptual change process of student learning. It is effective to create more meaningful knowledge, exciting learning process, improving performance and correcting student's misconception. Apart from that, video-based learning environments also can help to stimulate students' interest towards learning. Due to the beneficial implications, cognitive conflict can be considered to be implemented in the video to foster student constructing or restoring a correct framework for their own knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a video for learning Information Technology Applications & Communications subject based on the Cognitive Conflict Strategies. The video was developed using the ADDIE Instructional Design model as a guideline. A group of 18 students was assigned to use the video and then were asked whether the video is able to stimulate their interest towards learning. The video was also being test on students' perception on its effectiveness based on cognitive conflict strategy for reducing students' misconception. Data were analyzed and presented in the form of radar graph. Overall, the results of this study indicate a positive outcome. Further research must be carried out so that the video that had been developed based on cognitive conflict strategy can truly help students in mastering the concepts learned in Information Technology Applications & Communications subject.
The converging epidemics of mood-altering-drug use, HIV, HCV, and partner violence: a conundrum for methadone maintenance treatment.

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that partner violence may be associated with HIV risk behavior and drug use among women in methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPs), yet the mechanisms linking these overlapping problems remain unclear. The main purpose of this qualitative study is to explore in detail how drug-related activities and HIV risk behavior occur in the context of a recent episode of partner violence among women in MMTPs. METHOD We conducted and analyzed in-depth interviews with 31 women who reported having experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner during the past year. Guided by existing research, feminist theory and trauma theory, we constructed a set of questions which were designed to explore multiple ways in which drug-related activities or HIV risk behavior may be linked directly or indirectly to the recent event. To examine the extent and significance of the woman sand/or her partner s drug-related activities or sexual HIV risk issues occurring immediately before, during and/or after the most recent event, we adapted a series of techniques for thematic analysis of qualitative data. RESULTS Of the 31 women who reported recent events: 83.8 % (n=26) recalled recent events in which there was some drug-involvement; 40% (n=13) indicated that both she and her partner were involved in drug-related activities during the most recent event of partner abuse; 35% (n=11) reported that the partner was drug-involved; and only two women (6.4%) indicated that they alone had been drug-involved. One-fifth (19.3%, n=6) of the women indicated that they had used drugs immediately after the event because they were upset or in physical pain. One-fifth of the women (n=6) reported that they had coerced, unprotected sex during or after the most recent incident. CONCLUSIONS The multiple ways in which the use of mood-altering drugs are related to partner violence and the occurrence of coerced, unprotected sex underscore the need to design specific interventions for preventing drug relapse, and HIV and HCV infection among abused women in MMTPs. Treatment and policy implications of study findings are discussed.
Reduction of window layer optical losses in CdS/CdTe solar cells using a float-line manufacturable HRT layer

Buffer, or high-resistance transparent (HRT) layers have been shown to increase the efficiency of CdS/CdTe solar cells. CdS/CdTe cells were fabricated on numerous float-line-manufacturable TCO and TCO/HRT-coated substrates. The behavior of the best-performing buffer layer was examined over a range of CdS thickness, and the device performance data show gradual dependence of open-circuit voltage and fill factor on CdS thickness below a critical value. The effect of fractional pinhole area is modeled, and it is proposed that pinholes do not dominate device behavior with thinner CdS, and instead band alignment effects explain the observed phenomena. Modeling indicates that the ohmic behavior of the buffer has a relatively small effect on devices with pinholes; instead, improving the diode quality of areas with thin or no CdS has a dominant effect.
Common cleavage pattern of polysialic acid by bacteriophage endosialidases of different properties and origins

The cleavage specificities of seven bacteriophage endosialidases degrading the alpha 2-8-linked polysialic acid common to bacterial polysaccharides and to the cell adhesion molecule N-CAM were investigated. The bacteriophages studied represented five different phenotypic groups by protein and DNA fragment analysis and two different morphology groups by electron microscopy. Characterization of the fragments arising from the native or chemically modified substrates of different sizes showed that cleavage specificity was influenced by enzyme concentration. At the initial phase of degradation, at concentrations ranging from 20- to 100-fold, the minimum substrate size was an oligomer of eight (in one case, nine) sialic acid units that was preferably cleaved at the same position. Under exhaustive conditions, the oligomers were degraded further, and each enzyme type had its own specificity. The similar initial cleavage of polysialic acid by endosialidases associated with phages of different properties and morphology suggests a conserved mechanism of enzyme-substrate interaction. This mechanism may be conformationally determined and related to the specific properties of polysialic acid in other molecular interactions.
Chromosomal Anomalies in Abnormal Human Pregnancies

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the cytogenetic observations on abnormal human pregnancies (anembryonic pregnancy, early fetal loss, and hydatidiform moles), and to detect the most frequent or typical chromosomal aberration for anembryonic pregnancy and early fetal loss. Study Design: Abnormal pregnancies were divided into three clinical and morphological groups: (a) anembryonic pregnancy; (b) early fetal loss, and (c) hydatidiform mole. Of the 119 karyotyped tissue samples, 42 (35%) were from anembryonic pregnancies, 64 (54%) from early fetal losses, and 13 (11%) were from hydatidiform moles (6 complete and 7 partial moles). Long-term cultures of chorionic villi and GTG-banding techniques were used for chromosome analysis. Results and Conclusion: The overall frequency of chromosome anomalies among the 119 karyotyped spontaneous abortions was found to be 37.8%. Trisomy (double trisomy included) accounted for 35.6% of all aberrations, followed by polyploidy (33.3%), mosaicism (11.1%), tructural abnormalities (4.4%), and monosomy X (2.2%). Although the difference was not statistically significant, single trisomy was the predominant chromosome abnormality found in anembryonic pregnancies (64.3%) while in cases of early fetal loss, trisomy (double trisomy included) (38.9%) and triploidy (27.8%) were quite frequently present. The frequency of triploidy among all chromosomal abnormalities was 28.9%, and 53.8% of them were found in partial hydatidiform mole. The rest of them were almost exclusively found in early fetal losses. Complete hydatidiform moles (androgenetic in origin) were present in 13.3% of all aberrations, of which 83.3% had a 46,XX, and the rest of them had a 46,XY karyotype.
Characterization of two virulence proteins secreted by rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, EspA and EspB, whose maximal expression is sensitive to host body temperature

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and rabbit EPEC (RDEC-1) cause unique histopathological features on intestinal mucosa, including attaching/effacing (A/E) lesions. Due to the human specificity of EPEC, RDEC-1 has been used as an animal model to study EPEC pathogenesis. At least two of the previously identified EPEC-secreted proteins, EspA and EspB, are required for triggering host epithelial signal transduction pathways, intimate adherence, and A/E lesions. However, the functions of these secreted proteins and their roles in pathogenesis have not been characterized. To investigate the function of EspA and EspB in RDEC-1, the espA and espB genes were cloned and their sequences were compared to that of EPEC O127. The EspA proteins showed high similarity (88.5% identity), while EspB was heterogeneous in internal regions (69.8% identity). However, RDEC-1 EspB was identical to that of enterohemorrhagic E. coli serotype O26. Mutations in RDEC-1 espA and espB revealed that the corresponding RDEC-1 gene products are essential for triggering of host signal transduction pathways and invasion into HeLa cells. Complementation with plasmids containing EPEC espA or/and espB genes into RDEC-1 mutant strains demonstrated that they were functionally interchangeable, although the EPEC proteins mediated higher levels of invasion. Furthermore, maximal expression of RDEC-1 and EPEC-secreted proteins occurred at their respective host body temperatures, which may contribute to the lack of EPEC infectivity in rabbits.
Impact of Adherence to Antihypertensive Agents on Clinical Outcomes and Hospitalization Costs

Background:Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a heavy economic burden on individuals, health services, and society. Low adherence to antihypertensive (AH) agents is acknowledged as a major contributor to the lack of blood pressure control, and may have a significant impact on clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. Objectives:To evaluate the impact of low adherence to AH agents on cardiovascular outcomes and hospitalization costs. Methods:A cohort of 59,647 patients with essential hypertension was reconstructed from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec and Med-Echo databases. Subjects included were between 45 and 85 years of age, without any evidence for symptomatic CVD, newly treated with AH agents between 1999 and 2002 and followed-up for a 3-year period. Adherence to AH agents was categorized as ≥80% or <80%. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for CVD events between the 2 adherence groups was estimated using a polytomous logistic analysis. A 2-part model was applied for hospitalization costs. Results:Patients with low adherence were more likely to have coronary disease (OR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.13), cerebrovascular disease (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03–1.25), and chronic heart failure (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.27–1.58) within the 3-year follow-up period. Among hospitalized patients, low adherence to AH therapy was associated with increased costs by approximately $3574 (95% CI, $2897–$4249) per person within a 3-year period. Conclusions:Low adherence to AH agents is correlated with a higher risk of vascular events, hospitalization, and greater healthcare costs. An increased level of adherence to AH agents should provide a better health status for individuals and a net economic gain.
Motor development from 4 to 8 months corrected age in infants born at or less than 29 weeks’ gestation

Aim Clinically, preterm infants show motor delay and atypical postures compared with their peers born at term. A longitudinal cohort study was designed to describe the motor development of very preterm infants from 4 to 18 months corrected age (CA). The study was also designed to investigate how the atypical postures observed in early infancy in the preterm infants might be related to their later motor development. Here we report the findings in early motor skills from 4 to 8 months CA.
Management and Return to Play of Stress Fractures

Objective:The purpose of this article is to provide the clinician an evidence/experience-based algorithm for the management of stress fractures. Data Sources:Medline search of peer reviewed publications regarding stress fracture etiology, classification, treatment, and natural history. Data Synthesis/Methods:The algorithm was developed from a review of retrospective case series, a few evidence-based papers, and the clinical experience of 4 sports medicine team physicians with a combined experience of over 40 years in the care of athletes at the college and professional level. The literature is almost entirely case series without control groups; therefore, clinical consensus is included as the next best guide to treatment. Results:The emphasis of this article is to provide a clear and simple approach to the management of these fractures by classifying them as either high-risk or low-risk. This separation into 2 groups is based on the biomechanical environment and natural history of the fracture. High-risk stress fractures occur in the superolateral femoral neck, anterior tibial shaft, tarsal navicular, proximal fifth metatarsal, and talar neck. Low-risk stress fractures occur in the lateral malleolus, calcaneus, 2nd through 4th metatarsals, and the femoral shaft. Conclusions:The undertreatment of high-risk stress fractures can lead to catastrophic bone failure and/or prolonged loss of playing time. Overtreatment of low-risk stress fractures can result in unnecessary deconditioning and unneeded loss of playing time. We propose that the use of the simple and clinically relevant algorithm will help guide appropriate management and return to play decision-making as well as encourage future prospective research.
Energy balance and obesity.

This article describes the interplay among energy intake, energy expenditure, and body energy stores and illustrates how an understanding of energy balance can help us develop strategies to reduce obesity. First, reducing obesity requires modifying both energy intake and energy expenditure, not simply focusing on either alone. Food restriction alone will not be effective in reducing obesity if human physiology is biased toward achieving energy balance at a high energy flux (ie, at a high level of energy intake and expenditure). In previous environments, a high energy flux was achieved with a high level of physical activity, but in today's sedentary environment, it is increasingly achieved through weight gain. Matching energy intake to a high level of energy expenditure will likely be more feasible for most people than restricting food intake to meet a low level of energy expenditure. Second, from an energy balance point of view, we are likely to be more successful in preventing excessive weight gain than in treating obesity. The reason is that the energy balance system shows stronger opposition to weight loss than to weight gain. Although large behavior changes are needed to produce and maintain reductions in body weight, small behavior changes may be sufficient to prevent excessive weight gain. The concept of energy balance combined with an understanding of how the body achieves balance may be a useful framework for developing strategies to reduce obesity rates. Obesity is often considered to be a result of either excessive food intake or insufficient physical activity. There is a great debate about which behavior deserves the most responsibility, but this approach has not yet produced effective or innovative solutions. We believe that obesity can best be viewed in terms of energy balance. The first law of thermodynamics states that body weight cannot change if, over a …
Sample size requirements for matched case‐control studies of gene–environment interaction

Consideration of gene–environment (G×E) interaction is becoming increasingly important in the design of new epidemiologic studies. We present a method for computing required sample size or power to detect G×E interaction in the context of three specific designs: the standard matched case‐control; the case‐sibling, and the case‐parent designs. The method is based on computation of the expected value of the likelihood ratio test statistic, assuming that the data will be analysed using conditional logistic regression. Comparisons of required sample sizes indicate that the family‐based designs (case‐sibling and case‐parent) generally require fewer matched sets than the case‐control design to achieve the same power for detecting a G×E interaction. The case‐sibling design is most efficient when studying a dominant gene, while the case‐parent design is preferred for a recessive gene. Methods are also presented for computing sample size when matched sets are obtained from a stratified population, for example, when the population consists of multiple ethnic groups. A software program that implements the method is freely available, and may be downloaded from the website http://hydra.usc. edu/gxe. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial Architecture of Nitrifying Bacteria Biofilm Immobilized on Polyurethane Foam in an Automatic Biodetector for Water Toxicity

Abstract We describe the architecture of nitrifying bacteria biofilms immobilized on a three-dimensional (3D) polyurethane foam that permits efficient water flow through a bioreactor. The 3D spatial organization of immobilized bacterial colonies is characterized on three resolution levels with X-ray tomography, light confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using these techniques we demonstrate biofilm distribution in the foam and the existence of several modes of binding of bacteria to the foam. Computed X-ray tomography permits observation of the distribution of the biofilm in the whole open cellular polyurethane material volume and estimation of biofilm volume. SEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques permit 3D visualization of biofilm structure. Three distinct immobilization patterns could be observed in the open cellular polyurethane material: (1) large irregular aggregates of bacterial biofilm that exist as irregular biofilm fragments, rope-like structures, or biofilm layers on the foam surface; (2) spherical (pom-pom) aggregates of bacteria localized on the external surface of biofilm; and (3) biofilm threads adherent to the surface of polyurethane foam. Finally, we demonstrate that immobilized bacteria exhibit metabolic activity and growth.
Very low doses of warfarin can prevent thrombosis in central venous catheters. A randomized prospective trial.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether very low doses of warfarin are useful in thrombosis prophylaxis in patients with central venous catheters. DESIGN Patients at risk for thrombosis associated with chronic indwelling central venous catheters were prospectively and randomly assigned to receive or not to receive 1 mg of warfarin, beginning 3 days before catheter insertion and continuing for 90 days. Subclavian, innominate, and superior vena cava venograms were done at onset of thrombosis symptoms or after 90 days in the study. RESULTS One hundred twenty-one patients entered the study, and 82 patients completed the study. Of 42 patients completing the study while receiving warfarin, 4 had venogram-proven thrombosis. All 4 had symptoms from thrombosis. Of 40 patients completing the study while not receiving warfarin, 15 had venogram-proven thrombosis, and 10 had symptoms from thrombosis (P less than 0.001). There were no measurable changes in the coagulation values assayed due to this warfarin dose, except in occasional patients who had become anorectic because of their disease or chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Very low doses of warfarin can protect against thrombosis without inducing a hemorrhagic state. This approach may be applicable to other groups of patients.
Feeding of the megamouth shark (Pisces: Lamniformes: Megachasmidae) predicted by its hyoid arch: A biomechanical approach

Studies of the megamouth shark, one of three planktivorous sharks, can provide information about their evolutionary history. Megamouth shark feeding has never been observed in life animals, but two alternative hypotheses on biomechanics suggest either feeding, i.e., ram feeding or suction feeding. In this study, the second moment of area of the ceratohyal cartilages, which is an indicator of the flexural stiffness of the cartilages, is calculated for 21 species of ram‐ and suction‐feeding sharks using computed tomography. The results indicate that suction‐feeding sharks have ceratohyal cartilages with a larger second moment of area than ram‐feeding sharks. The result also indicates that the ram–suction index, which is an indicator of relative contribution of ram and suction behavior, is also correlated with the second moment of area of the ceratohyal. Considering that large bending stresses are expected to be applied to the ceratohyal cartilage during suction, the larger second moment of area of the ceratohyal of suction‐feeding sharks can be interpreted as an adaptation for suction feeding. Based on the small second moment of area of the ceratohyal cartilage of the megamouth shark, the feeding mode of the megamouth shark is considered to be ram feeding, similar to the planktivorous basking shark. From these results, an evolutionary scenario of feeding mechanics of three species of planktivorous sharks can be suggested. In this scenario, the planktivorous whale shark evolved ram feeding from a benthic suction‐feeding ancestor. Ram feeding in the planktivorous megamouth shark and the basking shark evolved from ram feeding swimming‐type ancestors and that both developed their unique filtering system to capture small‐sized prey. J. Morphol. , 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of psychological stress in primary caregivers of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To assess psychological stress in primary caregivers of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) pediatric patients. METHODS Uncontrolled cross-sectional analytical study of 40 caregivers of JIA patients. Caregivers were evaluated using the Caregiver Burden Scale, which analyzes five domains of stress on a scale of 1 to 4: general strain, isolation, disappointment, emotional involvement and strain caused by environmental barriers. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS Caregivers of JIA patients were mainly female (87.5%), married (92.1%) and close relatives (90%). Stress levels were higher in caregivers of polyarticular JIA patients (p = 0.006), single caregivers (p = 0.019) and female caregivers (p = 0.017). Environment-related difficulties were reported as the most stressful category by caregivers. CONCLUSION Caregivers of JIA patients are usually married female relatives. Caring for polyarticular JIA patients is more stressful than caring for oligoarticular JIA patients. Strain caused by environmental barriers accounts for the highest levels of stress among the caregivers included in this study.