Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers' perceptions of the type of continuing professional development in an Egyptian public school: An exploratory study

APA Citation AbdelKader, H. (2019). Teachers' perceptions of the type of continuing professional development in an Egyptian public school: An exploratory study [Master’s thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/507 MLA Citation AbdelKader, Hanaa. Teachers' perceptions of the type of continuing professional development in an Egyptian public school: An exploratory study. 2019. American University in Cairo, Master's thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/507
JASMONATES INDUCE APOPTOSIS AND CELL CYCLE ARREST IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER LINES

The jasmonates, cis-jasmone (CJ) and methyl jasmonate (MJ), were investigated for their effects against NSCLC cell lines A549 and H520. CJ or MJ inhibited the proliferation of both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner as well as induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Apoptosis was observed following treatment with CJ or MJ as indicated by Hoechst staining and confirmed by dual annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/prodium iodide (PI) and DAPI (4′,6-diamidine-2′-phenylindole dihydrochloride) staining. p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation was observed with increased expression of bax, p21, and caspase-3 activity. These observations indicate that jasmonates may have a therapeutic value in the treatment of lung cancer.
Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia and Brugada-Type ST-Segment Elevation Associated With Acute Ischemia of the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract.

BACKGROUND Brugada-type ECG (Br-ECG) is occasionally observed during acute myocardial ischemia of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). No studies have explored, however, the association of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and development of Br-ECG due to acute ischemia of the RVOT.Methods and Results:The study included 13 consecutive patients with acute ischemia of the RVOT during coronary catheterization. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with Br-ECG (group B) and those without (group N). The proportion of male patients was higher in group B than in group N (100% vs. 25%, P<0.01), and VT/VF developed in only patients with Br-ECG (group B). In group B, VT/VF was observed in patients without pre-existing organic change in the conus/right ventricular (RV) branch of the right coronary artery and no VT/VF was seen in patients with organic coronary stenosis despite Br-ECG. CONCLUSIONS Acute myocardial ischemia of the RVOT caused Br-ECG predominantly in male patients and subsequent development of VT/VF in some patients. VT/VF was seen in patients without any obstructive lesion but arrhythmic events were not observed in RVOT ischemia in the case of pre-existing coronary occlusion or stenosis of the conus or RV branch, suggesting the effects of precondition.
Internal Auditing in India and China: Some Empirical Evidence and Issues for Research

Internal auditing is an important element in the corporate governance framework. Yet, research related to internal auditing, particularly in emerging economies like India and China, is sparse. We use data from responses provided by chief audit executives to provide empirical evidence about the extent of support for internal auditing and the determinants of such support in India and China, and compare the data with those from the United States. We find that such support is negatively related to pressure on internal auditors to suppress or alter their findings. We also provide descriptive evidence about the work and staffing of the internal audit function. We discuss the role of internal auditing in India and identify some possible avenues for future research.
A Single-Layer Compact HF-UHF Dual-Band RFID Tag Antenna

This letter presents a novel dual-band (HF and UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antenna. Two key challenges are faced: the compact dimension and the impaired bandwidth due to the couplings between two band structures. To enable the implementation of whole design on a credit-card-size single-layer support, a spiral coil along the edges of the card is designed to handle the HF (13.56 MHz) near-field coupling, and the UHF antenna is placed inside the coil instead of outside. Meanwhile, a diagonal symmetric design consisting of two meander lines inside the spiral coil is adopted for UHF band. This structure supports multiple resonance modes around 915 MHz to broaden the working bandwidth under the large inductive circumstance from the HF coil. The proposed antenna is easy for adjustment with ways of handling both coarse tuning and fine-tuning. Its overall dimension is of a credit card size on a single-layer thin substrate. The design methodology and antenna measurement results are both presented and discussed in the letter.
Obama’s Judicial Legacy: The Final Chapter

This article looks at the appointment and confirmation politics of President Obama’s nominees during the 114th Congress in which unprecedented obstruction and delay of Obama's nominees including the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland occurred. This is placed within the overall context of Obama’s impact on the judiciary. The demographic portrait of the Obama judiciary is sketched with special attention to the historic record of diverse nontraditional appointees. We conclude with a look at what lies ahead with the Trump administration and judicial appointments/confirmation.
Temperature, Myocardial Infarction, and Mortality: Effect Modification by Individual- and Area-level Characteristics

Background: Although several studies have examined associations between temperature and cardiovascular-disease-related mortality, fewer have investigated the association between temperature and the development of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Moreover, little is known about who is most susceptible to the effects of temperature. Methods: We analyzed data from the Worcester Heart Attack Study, a community-wide investigation of acute MI in residents of the Worcester (MA) metropolitan area. We used a case-crossover approach to examine the association of apparent temperature with acute MI occurrence and with all-cause in-hospital and postdischarge mortality. We examined effect modification by sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, clinical complications, and physical environment. Results: A decrease in an interquartile range in apparent temperature was associated with an increased risk of acute MI on the same day (hazard ratio = 1.15 [95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.31]). Extreme cold during the 2 days prior was associated with an increased risk of acute MI (1.36 [1.07–1.74]). Extreme heat during the 2 days prior was also associated with an increased risk of mortality (1.44 [1.06–1.96]). Persons living in areas with greater poverty were more susceptible to heat. Conclusions: Exposure to cold increased the risk of acute MI, and exposure to heat increased the risk of dying after an acute MI. Local area vulnerability should be accounted for as cities prepare to adapt to weather fluctuations as a result of climate change.
Diverse examples from managing invasive vertebrate species on inhabited islands of the United States

ABSTRACT A wide array of sizes, ecosystems, cultures, and invasive wildlife are represented among inhabited islands. Here, six cases from the United States of America (US) are selected to illustrate the high diversity of invasive animal management issues and objectives. We outline the background, define the problems and management objectives. We identify the management approaches and discuss the results and influences as they specifically relate to inhabited islands. The examples are: (1) Gambian giant pouched rats on Grassy Key, Florida; (2) coqui frogs on Kaua’i, Hawai’i; (3) feral swine on Cayo Costa Island, Florida; (4) rodents and monitor lizards on Cocos Island, Guam; (5) black spiny-tailed iguanas (ctenosaurs) on Gasparilla Island, Florida; and (6) mongooses on Puerto Rico. The outcomes of the programs are discussed, particularly in relation to the impact of human habitation on success.
Plasma interleukin-10:Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha ratio is associated with TNF promoter variants and predicts malarial complications.

In individuals with severe malarial anemia, plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha tend to exceed those of interleukin (IL)-10. In this study, IL-10:TNF plasma level ratios <1 were found to be a risk factor for both cerebral malaria and severe anemia (P=.009), whereas higher IL-10:TNF ratios were observed more frequently in hyperparasitemic individuals. When considering allelic variants of the TNF promoter in children with severe malaria, carriers of the wild type more frequently had an IL-10:TNF ratio >1 (P=.008). In contrast, individuals with a mutation at position -238 of the TNF promoter (TNF(-238A) and TNF(-376A/-238A)) consistently had lower IL-10 than TNF plasma levels (IL-10:TNF ratio <1; P=.003). Our results show that, in children with severe malaria, TNF promoter variants influence the balance of IL-10:TNF in the plasma, which, in turn, affects the outcome in terms of clinical complications.
Substrate induced structural and dynamics changes in human phosphomevalonate kinase and implications for mechanism

Phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) catalyzes an essential step in the mevalonate pathway, which is the only pathway for synthesis of isoprenoids and steroids in humans. PMK catalyzes transfer of the γ‐phosphate of ATP to mevalonate 5‐phosphate (M5P) to form mevalonate 5‐diphosphate. Bringing these phosphate groups in proximity to react is especially challenging, given the high negative charge density on the four phosphate groups in the active site. As such, conformational and dynamics changes needed to form the Michaelis complex are of mechanistic interest. Herein, we report the characterization of substrate induced changes (Mg‐ADP, M5P, and the ternary complex) in PMK using NMR‐based dynamics and chemical shift perturbation measurements. Mg‐ADP and M5P Kd's were 6–60 μM in all complexes, consistent with there being little binding synergy. Binding of M5P causes the PMK structure to compress (τc = 13.5 nsec), whereas subsequent binding of Mg‐ADP opens the structure up (τc = 15.6 nsec). The overall complex seems to stay very rigid on the psec‐nsec timescale with an average NMR order parameter of S2 ∼0.88. Data are consistent with addition of M5P causing movement around a hinge region to permit domain closure, which would bring the M5P domain close to ATP to permit catalysis. Dynamics data identify potential hinge residues as H55 and R93, based on their low order parameters and their location in extended regions that connect the M5P and ATP domains in the PMK homology model. Likewise, D163 may be a hinge residue for the lid region that is homologous to the adenylate kinase lid, covering the “Walker‐A” catalytic loop. Binding of ATP or ADP appears to cause similar conformational changes; however, these observations do not indicate an obvious role for γ‐phosphate binding interactions. Indeed, the role of γ‐phosphate interactions may be more subtle than suggested by ATP/ADP comparisons, because the conservative O to NH substitution in the β‐γ bridge of ATP causes a dramatic decrease in affinity and induces few chemical shift perturbations. In terms of positioning of catalytic residues, binding of M5P induces a rigidification of Gly21 (adjacent to the catalytically important Lys22), although exchange broadening in the ternary complex suggests some motion on a slower timescale does still occur. Finally, the first nine residues of the N‐terminus are highly disordered, suggesting that they may be part of a cleavable signal or regulatory peptide sequence. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and the surrounding liver and correlation with MRI findings.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to assess the correlation between the quantitative and qualitative imaging findings on unenhanced and gadolinium-enhanced MR images and the intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in hepatocellular carcinomas and in the surrounding nontumorous liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS The intensities of VEGF expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and in the surrounding liver by Western blot analysis were converted to VEGF expression indexes (VEGF(IND)) in 22 surgical specimens ranging in size from 14 to 126 mm (mean, 47.6 +/- 29.5 mm) that were resected in 22 patients (17 men and five women; age range, 41-85 years [mean, 64 years]) between April 2000 and October 2002. MR images were retrospectively evaluated to determine contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), signal intensity SD ratios, and phase-shift indexes. Signal intensity characteristics of hepatocellular carcinomas were reviewed independently by two experienced radiologists who were unaware of the pathologic diagnosis or the results of immunoblotting. CNRs, SD ratios, and phase-shift indexes were correlated with VEGF(IND) using a simple regression test, and signal intensity characteristics were correlated with VEGF(IND) using the Spearman's rank correlation test. RESULTS On opposed-phase T1-weighted spoiled gradient-recalled echo (GRE) images, CNRs correlated inversely with the VEGF(IND) of hepatocellular carcinomas (r = -0.46, p = 0.038). CNRs on T2-weighted fast spin-echo images correlated directly with the VEGF(IND) of hepatocellular carcinomas (r = 0.49, p = 0.025), and on gadolinium-enhanced hepatic arterial phase GRE images marginally and inversely correlated with VEGF(IND) (r = -0.39, p = 0.081). On T2-weighted fast spin-echo images, SD ratios correlated directly with the VEGF(IND) of hepatocellular carcinomas (r = 0.44, p = 0.044). No correlation was found between phase-shift indexes and VEGF expression. The qualitatively assessed signal intensity heterogeneities of hepatocellular carcinomas correlated directly with the VEGF(IND) of hepatocellular carcinomas on opposed-phase T1-weighted GRE, T2-weighted fast spin-echo, hepatic arterial phase GRE, and equilibrium phase GRE images. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the signal intensity and heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinomas on MR images correlate with the degree of VEGF expression in hepatocellular carcinomas.
Converter and controller for micro-power energy harvesting

A pulsed-resonant ac-dc converter and an integrated-circuit (IC) controller have been designed, fabricated, and tested for harvesting energy from low-voltage (1.2 V), low-power (1-100 muW) energy transducers with output frequency in the 10 Hz-1 kHz range. Simulations using foundry models suggest that the silicon loss could be as low as 0.6 muW, and the efficiency could reach 70%. With the IC experimentally packaged, the measured efficiency is between 50% and 70%, depending on the size and the loss in the resonant inductor
Wireless motion control of paramagnetic microparticles using a magnetic-based robotic system with an open-configuration

In this work, motion control of paramagnetic microparticles is achieved using a magnetic system with an open-configuration. This control is done using a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic coil under microscopic guidance. The permanent magnet and the electromagnetic coils are fixed to the end-effector of a robotic arm with 4 degrees-of-freedom to control the motion of the microparticles in three-dimensional (3D) space. A closed-loop control of the robotic arm is done at the joint-space to orient the magnetic field gradients of the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic coil towards a reference point in 3D space. Point-to-point motion control is achieved at an average speed of 117 εm/s using the permanent magnet and the robotic arm, whereas the electromagnetic coil and the robotic arm achieve average speed of 46 εm/s. In addition, the permanent magnet and the robotic arm achieves maximum position error of 600 εm, in the steady-state, as opposed to 100 εm for the electromagnetic coil and the robotic arm. We also demonstrate experimentally that our control system moves the microparticles towards a reference position in the presence of a constrain on the motion of the end-effector. The precise motion control of paramagnetic microparticles using a magnetic system with open-configuration provides broad possibilities in targeted therapy and biomedical applications that cannot be achieved using magnetic systems with closed-configurations.
Urban Living Labs and the Role of Users in Co-creation

Urban living labs (ULLs) offer opportunities to foster sustainability in cities. They are sites to design, test and learn from innovation in real time. A key element in the operation and success of ULLs is user involvement. Users are often viewed as co-creators who shape ULL outcomes by contributing with their knowledge and experi ence. The transformative potential of ULLs for sustainability is often interconnected with user participation. Despite its importance, user involvement in ULLs remains a practical challenge that is also understudied. In this article, we examine how ULLs engage in a participatory methodology that facilitates co-creation with users, and discuss the link between user involvement and the transformative potential of ULLs. While co-creation is a cornerstone of the ULL concept, we also show that a combination of different user participation levels in different stages of the ULL life cycle has a potential to enhance the outcomes and transformative potential of ULLs. User involvement plays a positive role in realising the transformative potential of ULLs for sustainability, but governance structure, leadership and power distribution are also important factors for ULLs to become transformative. (Less)
FRACTIONATION OF SOLUBLE MICROBIAL PRODUCTS (SMP) AND SOLUBLE EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCES (EPS) FROM WASTEWATER SLUDGE

Abstract Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soluble microbial products (SMP), loosely bound (LBEPS) and tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances (TBEPS) were extracted from wastewater sludge, fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and characterized by ultraviolet absorbance at 230, 254 and 280 nm, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content and excitation‐emission‐matrix (EEM) spectra. The DOM of molecular weight (MW) > 20000 Da accounted for 33% of SMP, including proteins of high aromaticity, and 22% of both LBEPS and TBEPS, which were composed of organic acid‐like substances and proteins, respectively. Polyaluminum chloride (PACl) coagulation effectively removed this DOM fraction. Conversely, the DOM of MW < 1000 Da were mostly non‐aromatic organic acids (and possibly polysaccharides) of low aromaticity for SMP and both EPS, and removal by PAC1 coagulation was minimal. The findings indicated that the chemical characteristics of DOM in SMP and LBEPS were similar but not identical. The TBEPS and LBEPS exhibited significantly different DOM based on DOC distribution or EEM fingerprint.
Risk factors for intrahepatic recurrence after curative surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIM Hepatic resection has been regarded as the only curative treatment for colorectal liver metastases. After a first hepatectomy, 30% to 70% of patients develop intrahepatic recurrence. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed risk factors for intrahepatic recurrence. METHODS From April 1990 to December 2006, 86 patients with colorectal liver metastases underwent curative hepatic resection at Kanagawa Cancer Center. Clinicopathological characteristics of 35 patients in the intrahepatic recurrence group were compared with those of 30 patients in the no recurrence group. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate was 18.7% for patients in the intrahepatic recurrence group. Lymph node metastases of primary colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases were found to be independently associated with intrahepatic recurrence. CONCLUSION We suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy before hepatectomy should be considered as feasible treatment for reducing intrahepatic recurrence in two cases; One case is resectable synchronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer, and the other is resectable metachronous liver metastases with primary regional lymph node metastases from colorectal cancer.
Regional Analysis of Sinonasal Ciliary Beat Frequency

Background Mucociliary clearance, a primary host defense mechanism, depends on mucus production and its clearance by the coordinated beating of cilia lining the airways. Numerous investigations have analyzed ciliary activity in brushings from the inferior turbinate. To date, only one study has investigated whether there exists variation in ciliary beat frequency (CBF) within the sinonasal cavity. We analyzed CBF from the inferior turbinate, uncinate process, and sphenoethmoid recess in nonsinusitis patients to determine regional variability of ciliary activity within the sinonasal cavity. Methods Explants of sinonasal epithelium were analyzed at 37°C. Beating cilia were visualized with differential interference contrast microscopy. Images were captured using a high-speed digital camera with a sampling rate of 250 frames per second. A one-dimensional tracking algorithm analyzed individual pixel grayscale values within each frame of the video. The differences in grayscale were plotted as a time-dependent waveform, and frequency was calculated as the inverse of the peak-to-peak distance. A minimum of three areas of beating cilia were analyzed per regional sample. Statistical analysis was performed with repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results Complete sampling of all three sites was accomplished in 10 patients. No difference in CBF within the sinonasal cavity was identified (p < 0.05). The mean CBF for all sites in all patients was 12.6 ± 2.9 Hz, in agreement with published values. Conclusion This study shows no regional differences in CBF within the sinonasal cavity, supporting previous work and validating analysis of inferior turbinate cilia.
Insects take a bigger bite out of plants in a warmer, higher carbon dioxide world

Carbon dioxide is a potent “greenhouse” gas. The dramatic increase in its concentration in the atmosphere as a result of human activities, beginning with accelerated fossil fuels combustion in the late 18th century, and perhaps even earlier, with modern agricultural expansion 8,000 years ago (1, 2), is driving a striking rise in global temperature (3). For the past 650,000 years, until relatively recently, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 280 ppm or less; however, the current concentration exceeds 380 ppm and, on its present trajectory, will surpass 550 ppm by 2050 (3). The accumulation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is forcing an elevation of global mean temperature; during the lifetime of child born today, the average temperature of the earth will increase by as much as ≈6°C (3). Working in concert, elevated temperature and CO2 are redistributing plant and animal communities on the surface of the earth (4). Because of the direct effect of CO2 and temperature on global food supplies, the influence of these changes on plant physiology and ecology is being actively studied (4–7). How these elements of global change may alter the interactions between plants and the insects that feed on them is relatively unknown. By bringing to light secrets contained in the fossil record, Currano et al. (8), published in this issue of PNAS, found that the amount and diversity of insect damage to plants increased in association with an abrupt rise in atmospheric CO2 and global temperature that occurred >55 million years ago. If the past is indeed a window to the future, their findings suggest that increased insect herbivory will be one more unpleasant surprise arising from anthropogenic climate change.