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Studying abroad in general is beneficial academically, socially, and linguistically for students. This qualitative study is using narrative inquiry to uncover personal experiences of three Indonesian undergraduate students as they sail to study abroad through IISMA to the University of Padua, Italy in 2021. The experiences and meaning the students develop are discussed through interviews and personal notes. The data is categorized based on the research questions about what and how the experiences of study abroad influence cross-cultural understanding and English skills development. Before departing, aiming to study abroad and the preparation is the most critical. Meanwhile, during the program, cultural and academic obstacles is inevitable. Upon returning to Indonesia, students developed a stronger sense of self-confidence to pursue another degree and career advancement. This study concludes that individual narratives is an important tool to empower learning process for students studying abroad.

When completing a task for a prolonged period, our ability to sustain attention fluctuates over time. Accordingly, in mice, disengaged behaviour has temporal autocorrelation (i.e., ‘disengagement states'), with lapses clustering in time, rather than occurring randomly. In this disengaged state, mice make more errors and provide responses biased towards one side. What neural and physiological processes trigger the transition into, and out of, disengagement states? Here, we investigated the role of pupil-linked arousal. We used a public dataset of 140 mice performing a perceptual decision-making task, including extracellular recordings alongside behavioural and pupil responses. We applied hidden Markov models to identify engagement states based on response times. Preliminary results show that disengaged trials are associated with larger and more variable baseline pupil, and suggest that pupil size changes precede state transitions. These findings will provide a starting point for exploring the cortical, subcortical and neuromodulatory processes preceding task (dis)engagement.

Mice are increasingly used to study the neural circuitlevel basis of behavior, often with the ultimate goal to extrapolate these insights to humans. To generalize insights about neural functioning between species, it is crucial to first ensure correspondence in behavioral and cognitive strategy. Here, we analyzed decision-making behavior in both humans and mice, and identified the same cognitive strategy of history-dependent evidence accumulation. Specifically, individual differences in choice repetition were explained by a history dependent bias in the rate of evidence accumulation – rather than its starting point. Evidence integration over multiple temporal scales thus reflects a fundamental aspect of decision-making, conserved across mammalian species. These findings set the stage for linking the computations of decision-making to neural dynamics at the single-cell and population levels.

This study aimed to determine the quality of analytical thinking test instruments and the level of students' abilities through Rasch model analysis. This research used descriptive method with quantitative approach. The sample used amounted to 246 students. The instrument used was an analytical thinking test instrument totaling 9 items in the form of descriptions. Data collection was carried out by testing the test instrument. Data analysis was carried out by Rasch model analysis. The results showed that all items were fit. The level of item difficulty varies consisting of 1 very difficult question, 4 difficult questions, 3 easy questions, and 1 very easy question. Cronbach's alpha value of 0.80 is categorized as good, person reliability value of 0.79 is categorized as sufficient, and item reliability value of 0.98 is categorized as excellent. The level of item difficulty consists of 1 very difficult question, 4 difficult questions, 3 easy questions, and 1 very easy question. Person separation value 1.92 (H = 2.89, rounded to 3) and item separation 6.26 (H = 8.68 rounded to 9). Person measure analysis obtained 114 high ability (46%), 27 medium ability (11%), and 105 low ability (43%). Person fit analysis obtained 178 fits (72%), 2 misfits (1%), and 66 outliers (27%).

Abstract Background The eradication of Plasmodium vivax malaria is complicated due to the presence of hypnozoites, the hidden dormant form of the parasite that is present in the liver. Currently available drug regimens are effective at killing hypnozoites but cause side effects and are difficult to administer. Studies testing drugs for liver-stage malaria remain rare and mainly rely on the use of cancerous or immortalized hepatic cells and primary hepatocytes. Methods Organoids were used as platform to model liver-stage vivax malaria. Hepatic endoderm cells, endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal cells were generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells and self-assembled into liver organoids on top of Matrigel layer. Liver characteristic and maturity were examined through genes and proteins expression of liver markers, and liver functional tests before infected with Plasmodium vivax sporozoites. The infection was then verified by the detection of parasitophorous vacuole membrane proteins, Upregulated in Infectious Sporozoite 4 (UIS4), and blood-stage infection following co-culture with human reticulocytes. Results Generated liver organoids showed upregulation of liver specific transcripts including hepatic nuclear factor 4A (HNF4A), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and albumin (ALB) which also confirmed by the protein expression. Furthermore, those organoids resembled mature hepatocytes in terms of albumin secretion, fat and glycogen storage and cytochrome activity. Following invasion of P. vivax sporozoites, PvUIS4 was detected and the hepatic merozoites could develop into ring-stage and early trophozoites in human reticulocytes. Moreover, differential expression patterns of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol synthesis were also detected. Conclusions Stem cell-derived liver organoids resemble mature liver cells in terms of liver functions and are susceptible to infection with P. vivax sporozoites, paving the way for studies on the mechanism of hypnozoite formation and testing of possible hypnozoitocidal drugs.

A 52-year-old female patient with breast cancer presented with a history of fatigue and malaise 1 year prior. She was diagnosed with isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency (IAD) on endocrinological examination. Her pituitary gland showed normal morphology. Paraneoplastic IAD associated with breast cancer was suspected; however, immunofluorescence staining revealed no ectopic ACTH or proopiomelanocortin expression in the tumor tissue. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic acquired IAD concurrent with breast cancer, ruling out paraneoplastic syndrome. Although malignancy should be considered a potential cause of IAD, not all patients with concurrent IAD and malignancy necessarily develop paraneoplastic syndrome.

Abstract Proteinuria selectivity index (PSI) is a potential tool for histological classification and prediction of treatment response in nephrotic syndrome, but evidence is insufficient. Clinical relevance of fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) in nephrotic syndrome remains largely unexplored. This multicenter retrospective study included patients with nephrotic syndrome who underwent kidney biopsy between January 2012 and June 2022. Optimal cutoffs for predicting complete remission based on PSI and FENa were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Patients were divided into two groups using these cutoffs and followed until complete remission. Of the 611 patients included, 177 had minimal change disease (MCD), 52 had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and 149 had membranous nephropathy (MN). Median (interquartile range) PSI were 0.14 (0.09–0.19) for MCD, 0.33 (0.23–0.40) for FSGS, and 0.20 (0.14–0.30) for MN. FENa were 0.24 (0.09–0.68), 1.03 (0.50–2.14), and 0.78 (0.41–1.28). Patients with low PSI and FENa had a higher incidence of complete remission. Cox regression analyses demonstrated that both parameters were associated with achieving complete remission (HR 2.73 [95% CI 1.97–3.81] and HR 1.93 [95% CI 1.46–2.55], respectively). PSI and FENa may be useful for histological classification and predicting remission in nephrotic syndrome.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the association between intraoperative hypothermia and outcomes in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 2048 adult laparoscopic surgery patients treated between 2020 and 2021 was conducted at Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand. Intraoperative hypothermia, defined as a core temperature below 36°C, was recorded as either one or more than one episode. Patient demographics, clinical information and postoperative outcomes were extracted from the hospital information system. The outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative cardiac arrhythmias, postoperative oxygen requirement, length of post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) stay, and length of hospital stay. Univariate and multivariate logistic/linear regression models were fit to assess the association between hypothermia and outcomes, presented as odds ratio (OR) or beta-coefficient (β) with 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe incidence of intraoperative hypothermia was 34.9%, with 688 experiencing one episode and 27 experiencing multiple episodes. On multivariate analysis, patients with one and more than one episode of hypothermia had an increased risk of intraoperative cardiac arrhythmia compared to normothermic patients (OR [95%CI]: 1.67[1.24,2.25] and 3.65[1.53,8.74], respectively, PConclusionsIntraoperative hypothermia in laparoscopic surgery is associated with a higher likelihood of intraoperative cardiac arrhythmias, prolonged PACU stay and higher postoperative oxygen requirement. Further research and prospective studies are warranted to validate these results and develop strategies to manage intraoperative hypothermia effectively.

The groundwater table (GWT) is widely recognized as a key factor influencing CO2 emissions in tropical peatlands. However, previous studies investigating this relationship have reported diverse results. This variability likely stems from the dynamic nature of field-based groundwater conditions. To address this, our study investigated the relationship between controlled GWT and CO2 emissions in a laboratory experiment using PVC columns filled with peat soil. GWT depths were adjusted to 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, and 60 cm within a large container filled with peat pore water. CO2 emissions were measured using an Infra Red Gas Analyzer - Environmental Gas Monitoring-4 instrument, with a closed-chamber system. Our findings revealed significant differences in CO2 emissions between treatments, except for the transition from 20 cm to 30 cm GWT. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation (R² = 0.25). Notably, CO2 emission factor values based on average yearly emission rates displayed a substantial increase with decreasing GWT, exhibiting a strong exponential relationship (R² = 0.99).

This current research aims to improve students' listening comprehension skills using animation videos. The classroom action research was conducted at Senior High School 2 in Teriak, Bengkayang, with 34 first-grade students participating. These students faced challenges in comprehending word meanings, implicit messages, and explicit messages in audio. Over two research cycles, findings indicated that animation videos significantly enhanced students' understanding of simple past tense verbs. The videos provided repeated exposure to vocabulary and, through the combination of moving pictures and audio, helped students better grasp both implicit and explicit messages of the stories. Consequently, the researchers concluded that students' listening comprehension skills can be effectively improved through the use of animation videos.

Metyrapone is commonly used in the initial management of Cushing’s syndrome to reduce hypercortisolemia, but its optimal dosage and timing can vary significantly between patients. Currently, there are limited guidelines on adjustment methods for its administration to individual needs. This study aimed to evaluate responsiveness of each patient to metyrapone and identify the patient characteristics associated with the indices of cortisol responsiveness following a low-dose metyrapone. This single-center retrospective observational study included 15 treatment-naïve patients, 7 of whom had Cushing’s disease and 8 had adrenal Cushing’s syndrome. Serum cortisol levels were measured hourly from the time of administration of 250 mg of metyrapone up to four hours afterward. Parameters analyzed included the nadir of serum cortisol levels (Fnadir), the difference between basal and nadir serum cortisol levels (ΔF), the time to nadir, and the characteristics of the patients. As a result, cortisol suppression curves showed significant variability among patients, particularly in the time to nadir. While the median time to nadir was 2 hours, 20% of patients required 4 hours or more, and these responses were not associated with patient characteristics. Fnadir was positively correlated with early-morning serum cortisol levels, serum cortisol levels after low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST), and urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels, whereas ΔF was positively correlated with late-night serum cortisol levels, serum cortisol levels after LDDST, and UFC levels. In conclusion, the duration of response to metyrapone appeared unpredictable in patients with Cushing’s syndrome and did not correlate with patient characteristics at baseline. Tracking the effect of metyrapone following a single low-dose administration may explain this variability and provide insights for optimizing individual dosing regimens. Further studies are required to validate these findings and guide more personalized treatment adjustments.

This study examines the effectiveness of PhET simulations in improving physics learning outcomes for Class XII IPS 4 students at SMA Negeri 1 Beduai. Physics is often perceived as a challenging subject due to its abstract concepts, which are difficult to visualize and understand using traditional teaching methods. Interactive digital tools like PhET simulations offer a promising approach to help students grasp complex concepts more easily. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study compares an experimental group, which used PhET simulations, with a control group that followed traditional teaching methods. The study analyzed pre-test and post-test scores to assess the impact of the simulations on student learning. The results show a significant improvement in the experimental group's performance, with post-test scores noticeably higher than pre-test scores. Statistical analysis, including paired sample t-tests, confirmed that PhET simulations significantly enhanced students' problem-solving skills and understanding of physics concepts (t = -17.329, p < 0.05). These findings highlight the effectiveness of PhET simulations, combined with an inquiry-based learning approach, in fostering a deeper understanding of abstract physics concepts and promoting critical thinking. Overall, this study supports the use of PhET simulations as a practical and accessible tool for improving physics education, even in schools with limited technological resources.

Purpose: Alluvial soil poses challenges for eggplant cultivation due to deficiencies in nutrients (N, P, K) and high Al/Fe content. This study aims to address these challenges by utilizing biochar from tank waste and chicken manure. Methods: Biochar materials, specifically from tanks and chicken manure, were pyrolyzed at 400°C for 4 hours. The resulting biochar was weighed to achieve the desired proportion and sieved through a 60-mesh sieve. It underwent analysis for pH, organic C, total-N, total-P, total-K, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The tank's biochar was enriched with chicken manure biochar and NPK compound fertilizer at 75% of the recommended dose. The research involved two main components: 1) Planting purple eggplant seeds in polybags with varying treatments based on dosage, and 2) Chemical characterization of biochar, assessing soil N, P, K availability, and eggplant production up to the second harvest. Results: The combination of tanks biochar and chicken manure significantly increased soil N, P, and K availability: N by 73.68%, P by 35.36%, and K by 92.78% compared to the control. Harvest 1 yielded 90% of production, while Harvest 2 reached 16.50% compared to the control. Conclusion: Palm oil waste in the form of tanks biochar, enriched with chicken manure biochar and NPK compound fertilizer at 75% of the recommendation, has the potential to enhance alluvial soil fertility and promote growth and yield in purple eggplant plants. Research Highlights: • Increased Nutrient Availability: The use of a combination of biochar and chicken manure increased the availability of nutrients N, P, and K in Alluvial soil • Harvest Production: The results showed a significant increase in the yield of purple eggplant. • Soil Quality: Application of biochar and chicken manure increased soil pH and organic content. • Potential Use: This combination has great potential for use as an effective organic fertilizer in agriculture. Palm oil waste in the form of biochar tanks has special properties such as a porous structure with a sturdy shape. If enriched with biochar chicken manure and NPK fertilizer at a dose of 75% of the recommendation, it has the potential as an ameliorant to increase alluvial soil fertility as well as the growth and yield of purple eggplant plants.

This research focuses on synthesizing concepts and needs for the development of teachers' competencies and studying the performance in accordance with the development model of competencies for teachers of the Early Childhood Development Center with application of empowerment evaluation. The research was divided into 3 stages. In the first stage, the needs for the developments of teachers' competencies were investigated. The informants were 274 teachers and 10 educators and directors of Division of Education Religious and Culture. The research instruments were questionnaire and interview form. In the second stage, the development model which was verified by 5 experts. In the third stage, the evaluation of performance in accordance with the development model of 30 teachers and 5 supporters and researchers was conducted. The research instruments were test, observation form, questionnaire, and interview form. The quantitative research used statistics to analyze for mean, standard deviation, t-test, and Modified Priority Need Index while the qualitative research used content analysis approach. The research findings revealed that teachers' needs for functional competency development showing its priority need index from 0.336 to 0.416. In addition, the educators and the directors of Division of Education Religious and Culture showed their needs to develop teachers' functional competencies. Moreover, the development model of competencies for teachers consisted of 6 components: Basic concepts and principles, objectives, expected outcomes, training activity content, training activity process, and evaluation. The teachers' mean scores of post-training were higher than pre-training at statistical significance level of 0.01.

This study aimed to describe major learning styles and learning strategies used by a research subject from four years of a college student of English Education Study Program. It was a qualitative study and conducted through a case study design. The subject was a successful four years college student. The data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and documents. Two questionnaires were administered, Perceptual Learning Style Preferences Questionnaire (PLSPQ) to determine the student learning style preferences, whereas, Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) to determine the student learning strategies. A semi-structured interview was applied to gain the primary data, while, the document was provided to support it. The results revealed that the successful language learner performed two major learning styles proposed by Reid (1984), i.e. visual, in which the subject learns best by reading and taking notes; and the individual, in which the subject learns better individually. Subsequently, the subject uses two major learning strategies proposed by Oxford (1990). The first learning strategy is the cognitive strategy includes practicing along with receiving and sending messages. The second strategy is the compensation strategy includes guessing intelligently in listening and reading and overcoming limitations in speaking and writing.

This research was conducted to develop indicators and test the congruence of structural relationship model and the indicator concurrent validity of creative and productive leadership for basic education school administrators. The first phase was creation of framework and outlining factors as well as indicators by focus group discussion with 9 experts selected by purposive sampling. The second phase was creation and developing indicator. A sample of 630 people was selected by multistage sampling composed of educational administrators, school administrators, and teachers in schools under the Office of the Basic Education and the same sample of 802 people in the third phase. The third phase was congruence examination of structural relationship model of indicators with empirical data. The fourth phase involves checking concurrent validity of indicators with known-group. A sample of 139 people was implemented comprising administrators. Research instrument were focus group discussion and questionnaire. A software package was used in statistical analysis. The results showed that: Indicators of creative and productive leadership for basic education school administrators consisted with 46 indicators of 5 main factors in descending order: Production (PRO) (ß = 0.991), participation (PAR) (ß = 0.981), adaptation (ADA) (ß = 0.933), creation (CRE) (ß = 0.894), and discretion (DIS) (ß = 0.677). The model fit to empirical data: Chi-Square (X[superscript]) = 871.021, df = 859, p-value = 0.3803, CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.004, SRMR = 0.017, and X[superscript]/df = 1.014 and all indicators had concurrent validity showing the level of statistical significance of 0.01.

Classical models of perceptual decision-making assume that subjects use a single, consistent strategy to form decisions, or that decision-making strategies evolve slowly over time. Here we present new analyses suggesting that this common view is incorrect. We analyzed data from mouse and human decision-making experiments and found that choice behavior relies on an interplay among multiple interleaved strategies. These strategies, characterized by states in a hidden Markov model, persist for tens to hundreds of trials before switching, and often switch multiple times within a session. The identified decision-making strategies were highly consistent across mice and comprised a single 'engaged' state, in which decisions relied heavily on the sensory stimulus, and several biased states in which errors frequently occurred. These results provide a powerful alternate explanation for 'lapses' often observed in rodent behavioral experiments, and suggest that standard measures of performance mask the presence of major changes in strategy across trials.

This classroom action research aimed to investigate the implementation of the "text around the room" technique in enhancing students' reading comprehension skills, as well as identify the factors that influence the improvement of their reading comprehension abilities. The study was conducted over two cycles, with each cycle consisting of two sessions following the plan, action, observation, and reflection framework. The participants in this research were 34 eleventh-grade students in one of the schools in Pontianak. Data were collected through various means, including observation sheets, field notes, questionnaire, multiple-choice reading tests, and achievement scores. The findings of this study indicate that the implementation of the "text around the room" technique resulted in significant improvements in students' reading comprehension. Additionally, the study identified three key factors that influenced students' comprehension in reading: (a) the selection of appropriate reading materials, (b) student motivation, and (c) the teacher's approach to engaging with the students.

Abstract Opiate alkaloids and their synthetic derivatives are still widely used in pain management, drug addiction, and abuse. To avoid serious side effects, compounds with properly designed pharmacological profiles at the opioid receptor subtypes are long needed. Here a series of 17-N-substituted derivatives of normorphine and noroxymorphone analogues with five- and six-membered ring substituents have been synthesized for structure–activity study. Some compounds showed nanomolar affinity to MOR, DOR and KOR in in vitro competition binding experiments with selective agonists [3H]DAMGO, [3H]Ile5,6-deltorphin II and [3H]HS665, respectively. Pharmacological characterization of the compounds in G-protein signaling was determined by [35S]GTPγS binding assays. The normorphine analogues showed higher affinity to KOR compared to MOR and DOR, while most of the noroxymorphone derivatives did not bind to KOR. The presence of 14-OH substituent resulted in a shift in the pharmacological profiles in the agonist > partial agonist > antagonist direction compared to the parent compounds. A molecular docking-based in silico method was also applied to estimate the pharmacological profile of the compounds. Docking energies and the patterns of the interacting receptor atoms, obtained with experimentally determined active and inactive states of MOR, were used to explain the observed pharmacological features of the compounds.

The lack of disease models adequately resembling human tissue has hindered our understanding of amoebic brain infection. Three-dimensional structured organoids provide a microenvironment similar to human tissue. This study demonstrates the use of cerebral organoids to model a rare brain infection caused by the highly lethal amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris. Cerebral organoids were generated from human pluripotent stem cells and infected with clinically isolated B. mandrillaris trophozoites. Histological examination showed amoebic invasion and neuron damage following coculture with the trophozoites. The transcript profile suggested an alteration in neuron growth and a proinflammatory response. The release of intracellular proteins specific to neuronal bodies and astrocytes was detected at higher levels postinfection. The amoebicidal effect of the repurposed drug nitroxoline was examined using the human cerebral organoids. Overall, the use of human cerebral organoids was important for understanding the mechanism of amoeba pathogenicity, identify biomarkers for brain injury, and in the testing of a potential amoebicidal drug in a context similar to the human brain.

Progress in science requires standardized assays whose results can be readily shared, compared, and reproduced across laboratories. Reproducibility, however, has been a concern in neuroscience, particularly for measurements of mouse behavior. Here, we show that a standardized task to probe decision-making in mice produces reproducible results across multiple laboratories. We adopted a task for head-fixed mice that assays perceptual and value-based decision making, and we standardized training protocol and experimental hardware, software, and procedures. We trained 140 mice across seven laboratories in three countries, and we collected 5 million mouse choices into a publicly available database. Learning speed was variable across mice and laboratories, but once training was complete there were no significant differences in behavior across laboratories. Mice in different laboratories adopted similar reliance on visual stimuli, on past successes and failures, and on estimates of stimulus prior probability to guide their choices. These results reveal that a complex mouse behavior can be reproduced across multiple laboratories. They establish a standard for reproducible rodent behavior, and provide an unprecedented dataset and open-access tools to study decision-making in mice. More generally, they indicate a path toward achieving reproducibility in neuroscience through collaborative open-science approaches.