An Assessment of Integrating Authentic Research in Undergraduate Science Curricula

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of integrating original research projects in undergraduate science curricula on student learning outcomes. Integrating original research projects in undergraduate science curricula has been promoted as an effective approach to involving large group of students in authentic scientific inquiry. The study defines course-based undergraduate authentic research experiences or authentic scientific inquiry based on situated learning, and conducted a systematic literature review of the impact of undergraduate research experiences in science related disciplines. Based on an extensive literature review, a unique survey entitled Student Science Learning Gains (SSLG) was developed and validated to assess student self-reported science learning gains from doing authentic research integrated into undergraduate science curricula. Content validity, face validity, and construct validity were achieved via expert judge, interviews, and pilot testing. An exploratory factor analysis (principle axis factoring) with oblique rotation based on 222 responses showed that the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure (KMO = . 904) verified the sampling adequacy for the analysis. The overall Cronbach’s α = .94 indicated a high level of internal consistency for SSLG. The finalized SSLG consists of 29 items categorized into four constructs: self-efficacy and attitude (8 items), concept understanding (4 items), scientific inquiry skills (14 items), and transferring (3 items), which explain 56.98% of the variance in combination. In the next step, SSLG data from 403 students who enrolled in authentic research courses were used to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis to test the six-factor model explored from the previous exploratory factor analysis. Due to high construct inter-correlations, the factorial structure of SSLG model was revised and a second order three-factor solution was tested. The second order CFA model, with three dimensions of Interest, Concept Understanding, and Inquiry Competency, had a good fit, RMSEA = .049, and CFI = .952. Scores on the scale for measuring the convergent validity, discriminant validity and the internal reliability of the higher order three-factor model yielded good estimates. After SSLG instrument was validated, relationships between authentic research experience in undergraduate courses and student scientific literacy skills were examined using path analysis. Student interest, attitudes, tool and technique skills, and communication ability were mediating variables. The latent structural equation model fit was good (RMSEA = .058, CFI = .92). The number of authentic research courses did not predict scientific literacy skills, but significantly predicted student interest (β = .16), attitudes (β =.22), tool and technique skills (β = .24), and communication skills (β = .26). Interest and communication skills had a direct relationship to scientific literacy (path coefficient = .36 and .26). Participation in authentic undergraduate research as part of a science curriculum has a moderate but positive influence on student scientific inquiry competency. The practical significance of the study, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed

Disrupted Balance of Long- and Short-Range Functional Connectivity Density in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Previous studies have shown that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can accelerate the rate of cognitive decline in patients. As an organ with high energy consumption, the brain network balances between lower energy consumption and higher information transmission efficiency. However, T2DM may modify the proportion of short- and long-range connections to adapt to the inadequate energy supply and to respond to various cognitive tasks under the energy pressure caused by homeostasis alterations in brain glucose metabolism. On the basis of the above theories, this study determined the abnormal functional connections of the brain in 32 T2DM patients compared with 32 healthy control (HC) subjects using long- and short-range functional connectivity density (FCD) analyses with resting-state fMRI data. The cognitive function level in these patients was also evaluated by neuropsychological tests. Moreover, the characteristics of abnormal FCD and their relationships with cognitive impairment were investigated in T2DM patients. Compared with the HC group, T2DM patients exhibited decreased long-range FCD in the left calcarine and left lingual gyrus and increased short-range FCD in the right angular gyrus and medial part of the left superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.05, Gaussian random-field theory corrected). In T2DM patients, the FCD z scores of the medial part of the left superior frontal gyrus were negatively correlated with the time cost in part B of the Trail Making Test (ρ = -0.422, p = 0.018). In addition, the FCD z scores of the right angular gyrus were negatively correlated with the long-term delayed recall scores of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (ρ = -0.356, p = 0.049) and the forward scores of the Digital Span Test (ρ = -0.373, p = 0.039). T2DM patients exhibited aberrant long-range and short-range FCD patterns, which may suggest brain network reorganization at the expense of losing the integration of long-range FCD to adapt to the deficiency in energy supply. These changes may be associated with cognitive decline in T2DM patients

A novel epigenetic AML1-ETO/THAP10/miR-383 mini-circuitry contributes to t(8;21) leukaemogenesis

DNA methylation patterns are frequently deregulated in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), but little is known of the mechanisms by which specific gene sets become aberrantly methylated. Here, we found that the promoter DNA methylation signature of t(8;21)(+) AML blasts differs from that of t(8;21)(-) AMLs. This study demonstrated that a novel hypermethylated zinc finger-containing protein, THAP10, is a target gene and can be epigenetically suppressed by AML1-ETO at the transcriptional level in t(8;21) AML. Our findings also show that THAP10 is a bona fide target of miR-383 that can be epigenetically activated by the AML1-ETO recruiting co-activator p300. In this study, we demonstrated that epigenetic suppression of THAP10 is the mechanistic link between AML1-ETO fusion proteins and tyrosine kinase cascades. In addition, we showed that THAP10 is a nuclear protein that inhibits myeloid proliferation and promotes differentiation both in vitro and in vivo Altogether, our results revealed an unexpected and important epigenetic mini-circuit of AML1-ETO/THAP10/miR-383 in t(8;21) AML, in which epigenetic suppression of THAP10 predicts a poor clinical outcome and represents a novel therapeutic target

Vanadium-Based Superconductivity in a Breathing Kagome Compound Ta2V3.1Si0.9

Superconductivity in V-based kagome metals has recently raised great interest as they exhibit the competing ground states associated with the flat bands and topological electronic structures. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity in Ta2V3.1Si0.9 with a superconducting transition temperature Tc of 7.5 K, much higher than those in previously reported kagome metals at ambient pressure. While the V ions form a two-dimensional breathing kagome structure, the length difference between two different V-V bonds is just 0.04, making it very close to the perfect kagome structure. Our results show that Ta2V3.1Si0.9 is a moderate-coupled superconductor with a large upper critical field that is close to the Pauli limit. DFT calculations give a van-Hove-singularity band located at Fermi energy, which may explain the relatively high Tc observed in this material.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Comparison of the Differential Diagnostic Performance of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in Malignant and Benign Thyroid Nodules

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the diagnostic capacity between IVIM and DKI in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules.Material and MethodsThis study is based on magnetic resonance imaging data of the thyroid with histopathology as the reference standard. Spearman analysis was used to assess the relationship of IVIM-derived parameters D, f, D* and the DKI-derived parameters Dapp and Kapp. The parameters of IVIM and DKI were compared between the malignant and benign groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the diagnostic model, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was subsequently performed. The DeLong test was used to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of different prediction models. Spearman analysis was used to assess the relationship of Ki-67 expression and parameters of IVIM and DKI.ResultsAmong the 93 nodules, 46 nodules were malignant, and 47 nodules were benign. The Dapp of DKI-derived parameter was related to the D (P < 0.001, r = 0.863) of IVIM-derived parameter. The Kapp of DKI-derived parameter was related to the D (P < 0.001, r = -0.831) of IVIM-derived parameters. The malignant group had a significantly lower D value (P < 0.001) and f value (P = 0.013) than the benign group. The malignant group had significantly higher Kapp and lower Dapp values (all P < 0.001). The D+f had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.951. The Dapp+Kapp had an AUC of 0.943. The D+f+Dapp+Kapp had an AUC of 0.954. The DeLong test showed no statistical significance among there prediction models. The D (P = 0.007) of IVIM-derived parameters and Dapp (P = 0.045) of DKI-derived parameter were correlated to the Ki-67 expression.ConclusionsIVIM and DKI were alternative for each other in in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules

Expert Consensus on Microtransplant for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Elderly Patients -Report From the International Microtransplant Interest Group

Recent studies have shown that microtransplant (MST) could improve outcome of patients with elderly acute myeloid leukemia (EAML). To further standardize the MST therapy and improve outcomes in EAML patients, based on analysis of the literature on MST, especially MST with EAML from January 1st, 2011 to November 30th, 2022, the International Microtransplant Interest Group provides recommendations and considerations for MST in the treatment of EAML. Four major issues related to MST for treating EAML were addressed: therapeutic principle of MST (1), candidates for MST (2), induction chemotherapy regimens (3), and post-remission therapy based on MST (4). Others included donor screening, infusion of donor cells, laboratory examinations, and complications of treatment

Study on the Hydraulic Fracturing of the Inter-Salt Shale Oil Reservoir with Multi-Interfaces

Hydraulic fracture morphology and propagation mode are difficult to predict in layers of the various lithological strata, which seriously affects exploitation efficiency. This paper studies the fundamental mechanical and microscopic properties of the two main interfaces in inter-salt shale reservoirs. On this basis, cement-salt combination samples with composite interfaces are prepared, and hydraulic fracturing tests are carried out under different fluid velocities, viscosity, and stress conditions. The result shows that the shale bedding and salt-shale interface are the main geological interfaces of the inter-salt shale reservoir. The former is filled with salt, and the average tensile strength is 0.42 MPa, c = 1.473 MPa, and φ = 19.00°. The latter is well cemented, and the interface strength is greater than that of shale bedding, with c = 2.373MPa and φ = 26.15°. There are three basic fracture modes for the samples with compound interfaces. Low-viscosity fracturing fluid and high-viscosity fracturing fluid tend to open the internal bedding interface and produce a single longitudinal crack, respectively, so properly selecting the viscosity and displacement is necessary. Excessive geostress differences will aggravate the strain incompatibility of the interface between different rock properties, which makes the interfaces open easily. The pump pressure curves’ morphological characters are different with different failure modes

Off-Label and Off-NCCN Guidelines Uses of Antineoplastic Drugs in China

Background: To evaluate off-label and off-NCCN guidelines uses of antineoplastic drugs in a major Chinese hospital.Methods: Totally 1122 patients were selected from July to December 2011. Then, the off-label and off-NCCN guidelines uses of antineoplastic drugs were analyzed.Results: In 798 of 1122 patients (71.12%), drugs were used for off-label. In 317 of 1122 patients (28.25%), the drugs were prescribed for off-label and off-NCCN guidelines. 2591 medical orders for 1122 patients, 1051/2591 (40.56%) medical orders were off-label; 445/2591(17.17%) medical orders were off-label and off-NCCN guidelines. In 445 off-label and off-NCCN medical orders, 399 (89.66%) were unapproved indications, 38 (8.54%) were unapproved drug concentration and 12 (2.70%) were unapproved route of administration. Percentage of off-label and off-NCCN guidelines drug uses in male was higher than that in female (21.92% vs. 11.39%, P<0.01). Compared with other lines of treatment, percentage of off-label and off-NCCN guidelines drug uses in postoperative adjuvant was the smallest (P<0.01) and percentage in three or multi-line treatments was the highest (P<0.01). The pancreatic cancer possessed the highest percentage (38.74%) of off-label and off-NCCN guidelines drug uses among all types of cancer (P<0.01).Conclusion: Off-label uses of antineoplastic drugs are generally common in China hospitals based on NCCN guidelines. The fact suggests that anti-tumor treatment was relatively standard in China. Off-label and off-NCCN guidelines drug uses were mainly for individual treatment. Doctors should fully consider the adverse drug reaction, contraindication, cautions and increase the drug security monitoring. Uncorrected drug concentration should be avoided for drug ris

Altered Brain Functional Hubs and Connectivity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects a vast population and is closely associated with cognitive impairment. However, the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in T2DM patients have not been unraveled. Research on the basic units (nodes or hubs and edges) of the brain functional network on the basis of neuroimaging may advance our understanding of the network change pattern in T2DM patients. This study investigated the change patterns of brain functional hubs using degree centrality (DC) analysis and the connectivity among these hubs using functional connectivity and Granger causality analysis. Compared to healthy controls, the DC values were higher in the left anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) and lower in the bilateral lateral occipital cortices (LOC) and right precentral gyrus (PreCG) in T2DM patients. The functional connectivity between the left ACG and the right PreCG was stronger in T2DM patients, whereas the functional connectivity among the right PreCG and bilateral LOC was weaker. A negative causal effect from the left ACG to left LOC and a positive effect from the left ACG to right LOC were observed in T2DM patients, while in healthy controls, the opposite occurred. Additionally, the reserve of normal brain function in T2DM patients was negatively associated with the elevated glycemic parameters. This study demonstrates that there are brain functional hubs and connectivity alterations that may reflect the aberrant information communication in the brain of T2DM patients. The findings may advance our understanding of the mechanisms of T2DM-related cognitive impairment

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without in vitro T cell depletion for treatment of hematological malignancies in children

AbstractTo investigate the efficacy and safety of haploidentical (from family member donors) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for children. 42 children under 14 yrs old with hematological malignancies underwent haploidentical HSCT. Outcomes were analyzed. Thirty-three children were classified as high-risk candidates. Of 42 patient/donor pairs, 4 (9.5%) were mismatched in 2 HLA loci, 15 (35.7%) in 3 loci, and 23 (54.8%) in 4 loci. Follow-ups were performed for a median of 1110 (449-1959) days after transplantation. All patients achieved stable engraftments. The cumulative incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) of grade 2-4 was 57.2%, and that of grade 3-4 was 13.8%. The cumulative incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was 56.7% for total and 29.5% for extensive. Twenty-seven patients survived with a 3-yr probability of leukemia-free survival (LFS), 57.3±8%, 18 of them were in the high-risk group. Fifteen patients died, 4 from infection, 7 from relapse of leukemia, 2 from heart failure, one from severe aGVHD, and one from lymphoproliferative disorders. The results encourage extending haploidentical HSCT without T cell depletion treatments to children with an indication for transplantation