Criteria for standardising counselling for HIV testing

In the present work, we outline basic health counselling skills, specifically, those for performing pre-test and post-test counselling for HIV infection. The ultimate goal is to propose that counselling be performed in facilities that carry out screening for anti-HIV antibodies, following standardised (and thus replicable) criteria, with consistent focus on the quality of the relationship between the healthcare professional and the individual undergoing testing and on the individual's specific needs

Comparison of cross sectional area and fat infiltration of the epaxial muscles in dogs with and without spinal cord compression

Peer reviewe

Measurement of in situ monomer sorption in polyu(propylene)

An experimental method has been developed to compare the amount of monomer absorbed in freshly produced poly(propylene) with the amount of monomer absorbed in the same material after degassing. It has been found that propylene sorption in freshly produced poly(propylene) is significantly higher than the sorption in the same but degassed polymer. The difference depends on the degree of drying and is time-dependent. This fact can be an explanation for reduced activity often observed in the transition from liquid- to gas-phase polymerization

RT-qPCR Demonstrates Light-Dependent AtRBCS1A and AtRBCS3B mRNA Expressions in Arabidopsis Thaliana Leaves

Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is widely used in diagnosis and research to determine specific mRNA expressions in cells. As RT-qPCR applications increase, it’s necessary to provide undergraduates hands-on experience of this modern technique. Here, we report a 3-week laboratory exercise using RT-qPCR to demonstrate the light-dependent expressions of AtRBCS1A and AtRBCS3B genes encoding two Arabidopsis thaliana small subunits of the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (Rubisco). In the first week, students purified and quantified total RNA from leaves of A. thaliana pretreated in the dark for 96 hr and untreated controls. In the second week, RNA samples were separated by formaldehyde gel electrophoresis and used for RT-qPCR. Students calculated expressions of the two genes in dark treated leaves as percentages of those of the controls by using the 22DDC T method and the collected CTs. In the third week, class CTs, melting curves, students’ calculations, and factors affecting the reliability of RT-qPCR results were summarized and discussed. Students’ results show that (i) relatively pure and intact RNA samples are obtained; (ii) ACTIN2 is a better reference gene than the 18S rRNA; (iii) the dark treatment reduces both gene expressions to \u3c 1%; (iv) the reduction in the expression of AtRBCS3B is significantly more than that of the AtRBCS1A. Results from preand post-lab tests indicate that besides the theory, this exercise helps students learn the applications and associated techniques of RT-qPCR. Future modifications and new experiments that can be developed based on students’ learning outcomes and assessment are also discussed

Pengaruh Media Sosial Terhadap Wawasan Kebangsaan Pada Generasi Muda

Penggunaan media sosial bagi generasi muda dapat meningkatkan interaksi antar penggunanya tanpa terbatas jarak dan waktu. Kemudahan melakukan interaksi memberikan dampak dengan semakin mudahnya untuk berkomunikasi baik menyampaikan berita/pesan dan memberikan respon berupa kritik maupun saran. Salah satu dampak negatif yang dapat terjadi yaitu menyampaikan pesan berupa ajakan untuk menamamkan ujaran kebencian terkait dengan kehidupan berbangsa dan bernegara. Penelitian dilakukan untuk mengkaji tentang pengaruh media sosial terhadap wawasan kebangsaan pada generasi muda di Kelurahan Gunung Gedangan Kota Mojokerto. Penelitian survey dengan variabel bebas (X) yaitu media sosial dan variabel terikat (Y) yaitu wawasan kebangsaan. Berdasarkan hasil olah data diperoleh signifikansi (Sig) sebesar 0,020 < 0,05 sehingga disimpulkan bahwa media sosial (X) berpengaruh terhadap wawasan kebangsaan (Y)

Early Mathematics learning in reading and writing numerals: Learning through "What are the numbers?" A picture book made up flora and fauna in Borneo.

Learning through picture books is a method which is widely used in preschools to teach mathematics. However, the research findings on the benefits of using picture books in learning mathematics remain inconclusive. This study aimed to i) investigate the effects of a picture book entitled “What are the numbers?” (a picture book made up flora and fauna in Borneo) on early mathematics achievement (reading and writing numerals up to 20) and ii) to get feedback on how appropriate the use of “what are the numbers” from teachers and parents. The book consists elements of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creative thinking. The effects were measured by comparing the change in early mathematical ability of children in reading and writing numerals up to 20 by using the Rasch measurement model. The mean of the pre-test achievement was -1.99 logits and the mean of the post-test achievement was 1.75 logits which shows a difference of 3.74 logits. The effect size of the difference between the post-test and pre-test achievement was 1.4, which is considered large. Teachers and parents gave positive feedback on the use of the picture book. They commented that the picture book is able to attract children’s attention, enhance their thinking skills and nurture creativity among children. In conclusion, the picture book based on the 4C approach enhanced early mathematics achievement of children

PP2A:B56ε is required for eye induction and eye field separation

AbstractEye induction and eye field separation are the earliest events during vertebrate eye development. Both of these processes occur much earlier than the formation of optic vesicles. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway appears to be essential for eye induction, yet it remains unclear how IGF downstream pathways are involved in eye induction. As a consequence of eye induction, a single eye anlage is specified in the anterior neural plate. Subsequently, this single eye anlage is divided into two symmetric eye fields in response to Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) secreted from the prechordal mesoderm. Here, we report that B56ε regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is involved in Xenopus eye induction and subsequent eye field separation. We provide evidence that B56ε is required for the IGF/PI3K/Akt pathway and that interfering with the PI3K/Akt pathway inhibits eye induction. In addition, we show that B56ε regulates the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway during eye field separation. Thus, B56ε is involved in multiple signaling pathways and plays critical roles during early development