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In this report, we discuss background research on the development of student understanding of quadratic functions and present a provisional learning progression for quadratic functions and quadratic equations. We also describe task shells that are linked to the learning progression. The learning progression and task shells can be used as a starting point to develop tasks that assess student standing with respect to the theory of development. The intention is that this report should find an audience in both researchers and test developers.

Education, innovation, the labour force, and new businesses are considered the key important sectors (factors) for developed and emerging economies. The paper analyses are performed by using the Cobb Douglas production function for analysing the impact and correlation of these factors (variables) on the economic growth of Kosova during the period 2013 - 2021. The variables of public expenditures on education as a percentage of GDP and the labour force have shown a negative impact on growth and they have operated under decreasing returns to scale (based on the Cobb-Douglas function), while the variables of information, computer and telecommunication services (which refer to innovation technology) and new business creation have indicated a positive impact on growth and they have operated under increasing returns to scale (based on the Cobb-Douglas function). In addition, this paper summarized a few useful conclusions: first, public expenditure on education should provide an important contribution on growth; second, enhancing the role of education to improve and develop new knowledge for the labour force in Kosova, and at the same time, to adapt with new labour market demand; third, information, computer and telecommunication is one of the leading export sectors and this sector should provide higher potential and contributions on the economic growth of Kosova; fourth, new businesses creation should provide a significant contribution to increase economic growth. These variables in many countries have made a key value contribution to the economy by driving it toward sustainability, development, and growth.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive T-cell neoplasia associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection and has an extremely poor prognosis. Lenalidomide (LEN; a second-generation immunomodulatory drug [IMiD]) has been employed as an additional therapeutic option for ATL since 2017, but its mechanism of action has not been fully proven, and recent studies reported emerging concerns about the development of second primary malignancies in patients treated with long-term IMiD therapy. Our purpose in this study was to elucidate the IMiD-mediated anti-ATL mechanisms. Thirteen ATL-related cell lines were divided into LEN-sensitive or LEN-resistant groups. CRBN knockdown (KD) led to a loss of LEN efficacy and IKZF2-KD-induced LEN efficacy in resistant cells. DNA microarray analysis demonstrated distinct transcriptional alteration after LEN treatment between LEN-sensitive and LEN-resistant ATL cell lines. Oral treatment of LEN for ATL cell-transplanted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice also indicated clear suppressive effects on tumor growth. Finally, a novel cereblon modulator (CELMoD), iberdomide (IBE), exhibited a broader and deeper spectrum of growth suppression to ATL cells with efficient IKZF2 degradation, which was not observed in other IMiD treatments. Based on these findings, our study strongly supports the novel therapeutic advantages of IBE against aggressive and relapsed ATL.

We recently reported that the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection is increased significantly by variants in the gene encoding CD101, a protein thought to modify inflammatory responses. Using blood samples from individuals with and without these variants, we demonstrate that CD101 variants modify the prevalence of circulating inflammatory cell types and show that CD101 variants are associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine production by circulating T cells. One category of CD101 variants is associated with a reduced capacity of regulatory T cells to suppress T cell cytokine production, resulting in a reduction in the baseline level of immune quiescence. These data are supported by transcriptomics data revealing alterations in the intrinsic regulation of antiviral pathways and HIV resistance genes in individuals with CD101 variants. Our data support the hypothesis that CD101 contributes to homeostatic regulation of bystander inflammation, with CD101 variants altering heterosexual HIV-1 acquisition by facilitating increased prevalence and altered function of T cell subsets.

BackgroundDiagnostic options to combat the increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections recorded throughout the world increasingly include multiplex assays. Here we describe the estimated sensitivity and specificity of a triplex molecular assay that simultaneously detects Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (or gonococci [GC]), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).MethodsParticipants (2547 women and 1159 men) were recruited from 12 clinics in the United States. BD CTGCTV2 for BD MAX System assay (CTGCTV2) results were obtained from vaginal and endocervical swabs, endocervical samples in cytology medium, and female and male urine. Results were compared with infection standards that were sample type and pathogen dependent.ResultsFemale specimen sensitivity estimates ranged from 92.7% to 98.4%, 92.9% to 100%, and 86.6% to 100% for CT, GC and TV, respectively. Male urine sensitivity estimates were 96.7%, 99.2%, and 97.9% for CT, GC, and TV, respectively. Specificity estimates were >98.7% for all sample types.ConclusionsBD CTGCTV2 performed well using a variety of sample types. As a true triplex assay, performed using a benchtop instrument, BD CTGCTV2 may be useful in settings where no testing is currently performed and in settings, such as reference laboratories, where testing turnaround time may be several days. Use of this assay at local laboratories may result in greater access to testing and a shorter time to result, which are important steps for improving our ability to combat sexually transmitted infections.

New tools are needed to support PrEP adherence for individuals at risk for HIV, including those that enable provision of real-time feedback. In a large, completed PrEP trial, adequate urine tenofovir levels measured by a novel immunoassay predicted HIV protection and showed good sensitivity and specificity for detectable plasma tenofovir.

Although Asa Packer enjoyed much success in his life, both in terms of being an entrepreneur as well as a politician, not much is readily known about his politics and his views about government in general. By examining his life and various aspects of his career, this research effort is an attempt to highlight key events in his life to better understand the somewhat mysterious founder of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Purpose: To leverage Google’s search algorithms to summarize the most commonly asked questions regarding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and surgery. Methods: Six terms related to ACL tear and/or surgery were searched on a clean-installed Google Chrome browser. The list of questions and their associated websites on the Google search page were extracted after multiple search iterations performed in January of 2022. Questions and websites were categorized according to Rothwell’s criteria. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark criteria were used to grade website quality and transparency. Descriptive statistics were provided. χ2 and Student t-tests identified for categorical differences and differences in JAMA score, respectively (significance set at P < .05). Results: A total of 273 unique questions associated with 204 websites were identified. The most frequently asked questions involved Indications/Management (20.2%), Specific Activities (15.8%), and Pain (10.3%). The most common websites were Medical Practice (27.9%), Academic (23.5%), and Commercial (19.5%). In Academic websites, questions regarding Specific Activities were seldom included (4.7%) whereas questions regarding Pain were frequently addressed (39.3%, P = .027). Although average JAMA score was relatively high for Academic websites, the average combined score for medical and governmental websites was lower (P < .001) than nonmedical websites. Conclusions: The most searched questions on Google regarding ACL tears or surgery related to indications for surgery, pain, and activities postoperatively. Health information resources stemmed from Medical Practice (27.9%) followed by Academic (23.5%) and Commercial (19.5%) websites. Medical websites had lower JAMA quality scores compared with nonmedical websites. Clinical Relevance: These findings presented may assist physicians in addressing the most frequently searched questions while also guiding their patients to greater-quality resources regarding ACL injuries and surgery.