Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enablers of and Barriers to Successful Curriculum in Higher Education: A Literature Review

Literature shows that many curriculum reforms in higher education institutions fail because curriculum change sponsors fail to identify and plan effectively and proactively to deal with barriers to curriculum change as well as to harness enablers. One such critical reason why curriculum change sponsors such as academic middle managers fail to adequately plan to effectively deal with challenges to curriculum change as well as to maximize on the opportunities provided by enablers to successful curriculum change has been shown in literature as lack of knowledge. The above claim is further supported in other researches which show that for the majority of curriculum users, their understanding of curriculum and curriculum change is still at neophyte stage. This study therefore, supported by literature, wishes to lay claim to the fact that there are as many enablers as there are challenges to successful curriculum change in higher education which academic middle managers (AMMs) can take note of when planning as well as implementing curriculum change. In laying the foundation for this claim, this study examines the various enablers and challenges to successful curriculum change in higher education.
The potential adverse effects of habitual use of Catha edulis (khat)

The habit of Catha edulis Forsk (khat) chewing has prevailed for centuries among populations in the horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Fresh leaves of Catha edulis are customarily chewed to attain a state of stimulation. The fact that cathinone has a closer structural similarity with amphetamine, and both share common pharmacodynamic features, led to the conclusion that cathinone is the most important active ingredient of Catha edulis, which causes the major pharmacological effects. Problems associated with repeated consumption of Catha edulis leaves are becoming evident. Literature surveys and clinical diagnostic studies revealed an association with prevalence of psychiatric morbidity. Repeated intermittent oral administration of Catha edulis to laboratory animals lead to development and expression of locomotor sensitisation. Catha edulis also leads to several peripheral effects that include increases in blood pressure and has been associated with the increased incidence of acute coronary vasospasm and myocardial infarction. Catha edulis also accounts for a number of gastrointestinal tract problems, oesophagitis, gastritis and delay intestinal absorption, as well as the development of oral keratotic white lesions at the site of chewing. Administration of Catha edulis extracts showed a deranged systemic capacity to handle oxidative radicals and induces cytotoxic effects in cells of liver and kidney, as well as induction of cell death in various human leukaemia cell lines and in peripheral human blood leukocytes.
Effective Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Perceptions of Rural Middle School Principals

Instructional leaders must be proficient in their knowledge of effective instructional strategies in order foster an environment that uses what has been identified as “best-practice” for students with disabilities. This role is critical in rural school systems where principals take on more responsibility and the ability to employ highly qualified educators is often more difficult. The purpose of this multiple case study was to provide a detailed description of principals' understanding of effective instruction for students with disabilities in a rural mid-Atlantic school system. Results from three cases indicated that principals have a limited understanding of what effective instruction for students with disabilities encompasses and how to ensure its application.
Assessment of the Impact of Pro-Poor Growth on Poverty in Developing Countries

The paper aims at determining the impact of pro-poor growth on poverty in developing countries. The abundant literature regarding the issue of beneficial effects of the raise of national wealth on poor classes provided conflicted findings. In the addition of the theoretical review regarding the surveys attempting to find out the role of growth on poverty, the present paper relies on providing a new framework of analysis to find out the real impact of economic growth on the living conditions of the poor. The empirical analysis stands for the conduct of an empirical research made up of an econometric model applied on a panel of some developing countries. The empirical research revealed that growth could have a harmful impact on poverty in developing countries. The last finding remains limited because the coefficient is not statistically significant. The illustration of the outcome focuses on the lack of data about ineffective income redistribution, or regarding the contribution of some specific economic field as agriculture.
S‐Adenosylmethionine in cell growth, apoptosis and liver cancer

S‐Adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the principal biological methyl donor, is synthesized from methionine and ATP in a reaction catalyzed by methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT). In mammals, two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A), encode for two homologous MAT catalytic subunits, while a third gene MAT2β, encodes for the β‐subunit that regulates MAT2A‐encoded isoenzyme. Normal liver expresses MAT1A, whereas extrahepatic tissues express MAT2A. MAT2A and MAT2β are induced in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which facilitate cancer cell growth. Patients with cirrhosis of various etiologies, including alcohol, have decreased hepatic MAT activity and SAMe biosynthesis. Consequences of hepatic SAMe deficiency as illustrated by the Mat1a knock‐out mouse model include increased susceptibility to steatosis and oxidative liver injury, spontaneous development of steatohepatitis and HCC. Predisposition to HCC can be partly explained by the effect of SAMe on growth. Thus, SAMe inhibits the mitogenic effect of growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor and, following partial hepatectomy, a fall in SAMe level is required for the liver to regenerate. During liver regeneration, the fall in hepatic SAMe is transient. If the fall were to persist, it would favor a proliferative phenotype and, ultimately, development of HCC. Not only does SAMe control liver growth, it also regulates apoptosis. Interestingly, SAMe is anti‐apoptotic in normal hepatocytes but pro‐apoptotic in liver cancer cells. In liver cancer cells but not in normal human hepatocytes, SAMe can selectively induce Bcl‐xS, an alternatively spliced isoform of Bcl‐xL that promotes apoptosis. This should make SAMe an attractive agent for both chemoprevention and treatment of HCC.
The hidden potential of organisational planning: matching Alexander's theory of patterns to practice

Generally, it is true of people that they will look for patterns and attach meaning to the patterns they find. Alexander et al. (1977) originally conceived the concept of pattern languages within the architecture community and since the early 1990s patterning has been used widely to document software development practices. Most uses of these patterning efforts have focussed on software from a technical aspect; however, authors such as Coplien & Harrison (2004) have moved beyond purely technical aspects and have used the concept of patterns to discuss issues of organization structure. As demand on managers and their time has increased substantially in recent times, streamlining and making traditional management processes more efficient and time effective has become an area of increasing concern. Management has become a hugely complex and demanding task on people. Further, there is a significant cost to the organization to ensure management staff are trained and capable in their role.
A size-reduced exponentially Tapered Slot Antenna with corrugations for directivity improvement

This paper presents the design of a size-reduced Tapered Slot Antenna (TSA) for operation in the ultra wide frequency band (UWB) of 3.1–10.6GHz. In the initial study, the design of a conventional TSA with an exponential taper is accomplished. The obtained radiation patterns show that this antenna suffers from poor directivity in the lower part of UWB. To overcome this shortfall corrugations are added on its sides. Different patterns of corrugations are investigated. By comparing performances of the conventional and corrugated TSA it is demonstrated that by choosing a suitable corrugation pattern the directivity and beam efficiency can be improved while an ultra wide impedance bandwidth can be maintained.
Erosion of Amplatzer septal occluder device after closure of secundum atrial septal defects: Review of registry of complications and recommendations to minimize future risk

The objectives of this study were to identify possible risk factors that may lead to erosion of the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) and recommend ways to minimize future risk. There have been rare occurrences of adverse events with development of pericardial effusion after ASO placement. Identification of high‐risk cases, early recognition, and prompt intervention may minimize the future risks of adverse events. In all patients who developed hemodynamic compromise after ASO placement, echocardiograms (pre‐, intra‐, and postprocedure), atrial septal defect (ASD) size (nonstretched, stretched), size of the device used, cineangiograms, and operative records were reviewed by a panel selected by AGA Medical Corporation. The findings were compared to the premarket approval data obtained from FDA‐approved clinical trials that were conducted in the United States, before the device was approved. A total of 28 cases (14 in United States) of adverse events were reported to AGA Medical. All erosions occurred at the dome of the atria, near the aortic root. Deficient aortic rim was seen in 89% and the defect described as high ASD, suggesting deficient superior rim. The device to unstretched ASD ratio was significantly larger in the adverse event group when compared to the FDA trial group. The incidence of device erosion in the United States was 0.1%. The risk of device erosion with ASO is low and complications can be decreased by identifying high‐risk patients and following them closely. Patients with deficient aortic rim and/or superior rim may be at higher risk for device erosion. Oversized ASO may increase the risk of erosion. The defect should not be overstretched during balloon sizing. Patients with small pericardial effusion at 24 hr should have closer follow‐up.Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;63:496–502. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ubiquitin-Dependent Distribution of the Transcriptional Coactivator p300 in Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies

The protein level of transcriptional coactivator p300, an essential nuclear protein, is critical to a broad array of cellular activities including embryonic development, cell differentiation and proliferation. We have previously established that histone deacetylase inhibitor such as valproic acid induces p300 degradation through the 26S proteasome pathway. Here, we report the roles of cellular trafficking and spatial redistribution in valproic acid-induced p300 turnover. Our study demonstrates that p300 is redistributed to the cytoplasm prior to valproic acid-induced turnover. Inhibition of proteasome-dependent protein degradation, does not prevent nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of p300, rather sequesters the cytoplasmic p300 to a distinct perinuclear region. In addition, the formation of p300 aggregates in the perinuclear region depends on functional microtubule networks and correlates with p300 ubiquitination. Our work establishes, for the first time, that p300 is also a substrate of the cytoplasmic ubiquitin-proteasome system and provides insight on how cellular trafficking and spatial redistribution regulate the availability and activity of transcriptional coactivator p300. For the Erratum, click here. DOI: 10.4161/epi.6. 7.16676 Jihong Chen, Sabina Halappanavar, John Th’ng and Qiao Li Volume 6, Issue 7 Page 952
Cortisol secretion in adolescents with major depressive disorder

Plasma cortisol concentrations were determined every 20 min for 24 h, in a nonstressful environment, among 48 rigorously assessed, mostly outpatient, drug‐free adolescent subjects during an episode of major depression (MDD) and among 40 normal adolescent subjects. There were no significant differences in the 24‐h mean, peak, or nadir, or the time of the nocturnal rise, in plasma cortisol in the 2 groups. Analyses of different subgroups of MDD adolescents according to suicidality, severity of depression, separation anxiety, psychotic subtype, endogenicity, duration of episode, and sex also revealed no significant group differences. Only one adolescent (with MDD) was identified clearly as a hypersecretor of cortisol. These results indicate that abnormalities of spontaneous cortisol secretion are an unusual finding among adolescents with major depression when studied in a nonstressful environment.
Streptococcus pneumoniae induces human β-defensin-2 and -3 in human lung epithelium

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important causative agent of pneumonia in humans. Pulmonary epithelial surfaces constitutes not only a mechanical barrier against invading pathogens but also essentially contribute to innate immunity by producing antimicrobial peptides such as human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) and -3 (hBD-3). In this study the authors demonstrated that pneumococci induced hBD-2 and hBD-3 expression in human pulmonary epithelial cells. Further analysis indicated an essential role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) for the expression of both peptides in infected pulmonary epithelial cells. Whereas the hBD-2 release was controlled by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), hBD-3 was triggered via the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)–activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathway. Additionally, the authors showed that exogenous hBD-2 as well as hBD-3 elicited a strong antimicrobial effect on S. pneumoniae. Thus, differential regulation of the expression of hBD-2 and hBD-3 might play an important role in pneumococci pneumonia.
Reliability Assessment of Distribution Systems Considering Telecontrolled Switches and Microgrids

Telecontrol of distribution switching devices is recognized as a major means for reducing interruption duration after a fault occurrence in modern distribution systems, since it allows one to isolate the faulted sections and to restore the healthy ones as quickly as possible. In order to reduce interruption frequency as well, it is necessary to increase the number of series automatic circuit breakers. Further benefits in terms of service continuity improvement can be obtained by allowing islanded operation of relatively small portions of distribution network (microgrids) in the presence of distributed energy resources in order to supply the local load autonomously during upstream faults. This paper aims to describe an innovative systematic method and its related analytical formulation to evaluate distribution system reliability indices accounting for advanced operation practices such as those based on telecontrol and islanding.
Conserved and essential transcription factors for cellulase gene expression in ascomycete fungi

Rational engineering of filamentous fungi for improved cellulase production is hampered by our incomplete knowledge of transcriptional regulatory networks. We therefore used the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa to search for uncharacterized transcription factors associated with cellulose deconstruction. A screen of a N. crassa transcription factor deletion collection identified two uncharacterized zinc binuclear cluster transcription factors (clr-1 and clr-2) that were required for growth and enzymatic activity on cellulose, but were not required for growth or hemicellulase activity on xylan. Transcriptional profiling with next-generation sequencing methods refined our understanding of the N. crassa transcriptional response to cellulose and demonstrated that clr-1 and clr-2 were required for the bulk of that response, including induction of all major cellulase and some major hemicellulase genes. Functional CLR-1 was necessary for expression of clr-2 and efficient cellobiose utilization. Phylogenetic analyses showed that CLR-1 and CLR-2 are conserved in the genomes of most filamentous ascomycete fungi capable of degrading cellulose. In Aspergillus nidulans, a strain carrying a deletion of the clr-2 homolog (clrB) failed to induce cellulase gene expression and lacked cellulolytic activity on Avicel. Further manipulation of this control system in industrial production strains may significantly improve yields of cellulases for cellulosic biofuel production.
Predicting VO2max with an objectively measured physical activity in Japanese women.

PURPOSE To investigate the use of the accelerometer-determined physical activity (PA) intensity variables as the objective PA variables for estimating VO2max in Japanese adult women. METHODS The subjects of this study were 148 Japanese women aged 20 to 69 yr. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured with a maximal incremental test on a bicycle ergometer. Daily step counts (SC) and the amount spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) were measured using accelerometer-based activity monitors for 7 consecutive days. Using data of age, SC, MVPA, or VPA, and either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC), the nonexercise VO2max prediction models were derived as BMI models(MVPA), WC models(MVPA), BMI models(VPA), and WC models(VPA), and cross-validated by using two separate cross-validation procedures. RESULTS SC, MVPA, and VPA were significantly related to VO2max (r = 0.43, r = 0.52, and r = 0.58, respectively). The multiple correlation coefficients for the BMI and WC models(MVAP) were 0.83 and 0.85, respectively, and for the BMI and WC models(VPA), they were 0.85 and 0.86, respectively. The SEE was 3.3 and 3.1 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) for the BMI and WC models(MVPA), respectively, and it was 3.1 and 3.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) for the BMI and WC models(VPA), respectively. All regression models demonstrated a high level of cross-validity supported by the minor shrinkage of the coefficient of determination and the increment of SEE in the predicted residual sum of squares procedure, and by small constant errors for the subgroups of age, SC, and VO2max between 25 and 35 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that multiple regression models using data of MVPA or VPA were useful in predicting VO2max for Japanese adult women.
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: screening by uterine artery Doppler at 11–13 weeks

To examine the performance of screening for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy by a combination of the maternal factor‐derived a‐priori risk with the uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) and to determine whether it is best in such screening to use the mean PI of the two arteries, the highest PI or the lowest PI.
Intelligent biomedical clothing for personal health and disease management: state of the art and future vision.

Telemedicine has been introduced to overcome distance in order to get prompt access to medical knowledge and appropriate health care. More recently, work in telemedicine has aimed at developing solutions to support the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, and lung and heart diseases, as well as to provide support for home care services. Telemedicine is also entering the fields of health promotion/prevention disease, life style management, and well-being. The evolution and broadening of telemedicine gives birth to a nomenclature that includes "e-health," "telehealth," and "telecare. " The latest developments in microsystems and nanotechnologies as well as in information processing and communication technologies allow miniaturization and non-invasive smart monitoring of physiological and physical data. Ongoing cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in textile fibers, biomedical sensors, and wireless and mobile telecommunications integrated with telemedicine, aims at developing intelligent biomedical clothing (IBC) that could pave the way to support personalized management of health and diseases at the point of need and at any time. In this study, we aim to describe the current status of multidisciplinary research and development of IBC, based on bibliographic research and reports from seminars, workshops, conferences, and working groups. A further aim is to inform the developers, the decision makers, and users in the health and healthcare sector regarding future solutions to support personalized health care and disease management. Both the textile sector and healthcare sector are looking with great interest at the innovative products and applications that could result from the integration of microsystems, nanotechnologies, biomedical sensors, textiles, and mobile telecommunications. For health monitoring, disease prevention and management, rehabilitation, and sport medicine, IBC may offer, in the mid-term future, a unique, wearable non-obtrusive telemedicine platform for individualized services that is readily accessible and of good quality.
Efonidipine Reduces Proteinuria and Plasma Aldosterone in Patients with Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Efonidipine, a dihydropirydine calcium channel blocker, has been shown to dilate the efferent glomerular arterioles as effectively as the afferent arterioles. The present study compared the chronic effects of efonidipine and amlodipine on proteinuria in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. The study subjects were 21 chronic glomerulonephritis patients presenting with spot proteinuria greater than 30 mg/dL and serum creatinine concentrations of ≤1.3 mg/dL in men or ≤1.1 mg/dL in women. All patients were receiving antihypertensive medication or had a blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg. Efonidipine 20–60 mg twice daily and amlodipine 2.5–7.5 mg once daily were given for 4 months each in a random crossover manner. In both periods, calcium channel blockers were titrated when the BP exceeded 130/85 mmHg. Blood sampling and urinalysis were performed at the end of each treatment period. The average blood pressure was comparable between the efonidipine and the amlodipine periods (133±10/86±5 vs. 132±8/86±5 mmHg). Urinary protein excretion was significantly less in the efonidipine period than in the amlodipine period (1.7±1.5 vs. 2.0±1.6 g/g creatinine, p=0.04). Serum albumin was significantly higher in the efonidipine period than the amlodipine period (4.0±0.5 vs. 3.8±0.5 mEq/L, p=0.03). Glomerular filtration rate was not significantly different between the two periods. Plasma aldosterone was lower in the efonidipine period than in the amlodipine period (52±46 vs. 72±48 pg/mL, p=0.009). It may be concluded that efonidipine results in a greater reduction of plasma aldosterone and proteinuria than amlodipine, and that these effects occur by a mechanism independent of blood pressure reduction. A further large-scale clinical trial will be needed in order to apply the findings of this study to the treatment of patients with renal disease.