Applications of the SR4G Transgenic Zebrafish Line for Biomonitoring of Stress-Disrupting Compounds: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Transgenic zebrafish models have been successfully used in biomonitoring and risk assessment studies of environmental pollutants, including xenoestrogens, pesticides, and heavy metals. We employed zebrafish larva (transgenic SR4G line) with a cortisol-inducible green fluorescence protein reporter (eGFP) as a model to detect stress responses upon exposure to compounds with environmental impact, including bisphenol A (BPA), vinclozolin (VIN), and fluoxetine (FLX). Cortisol, fluorescence signal, and mRNA levels of eGFP and 11 targeted genes were measured in a homogenized pool of zebrafish larvae, with six experimental replicates for each endpoint. Eleven targeted genes were selected according to their association with stress-axis and immediate early response class of genes. Hydrocortisone (CORT)and dexamethasone (DEX) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. All measurements were done in two unstressed and stressed condition using standardized net handling as the stressor. A significant positive linear correlation between cortisol levels and eGFP mRNA levels was observed (r> 0.9). Based on eGFP mRNA levels in unstressed and stressed larvae two predictive models were trained (Random Forest and Logistic Regression). Both these models could correctly predict the blunted stress response upon exposure to BPA, VIN, FLX and the negative control, DEX. The negative predictive value (NPV) of these models were 100%. Similar NPV was observed when the predictive models trained based on the mRNA levels of the eleven assessed genes. Measurement of whole-body fluorescence intensity signal was not significant to detect blunted stress response. Our findings support the use of SR4G transgenic larvae as an in vivo biomonitoring model to screen chemicals for their stress-disrupting potentials. This is important because there is increasing evidence that brief exposures to environmental pollutants modify the stress response and critical coping behaviors for several generations.

Determination of a Treatment Response Threshold for the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Endoscopic Reference Score

Background and study aims: While endoscopic features of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are measured using the validated EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS), a threshold for treatment response has not been defined. We aimed to determine a cut-point for endoscopic response as measured by EREFS. Patients and Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial comparing budesonide slurry to swallowed fluticasone multidose inhaler for initial treatment of EoE. In the parent trial, EREFS was determined before and after treatment (score range 0-9), as were histologic findings and dysphagia symptoms. We performed tabular, flexible trend, and dependent mixture analyses of measures of treatment response to select the best clinical EREFS threshold. Results: In the 111 included subjects (mean age 39 years; 67% male; 96% white), an EREFS threshold of ≤2 was 80% sensitive (95% confidence limits 69 - 88%) and 83% specific (95% confidence limits 67 - 94%) for histologic response (peak of <15 eosinophils per high-power field). Flexible trend analysis and dependent mixture modeling similarly suggested a threshold of ≤2 best captured the correlation of EREFS with histologic and symptomatic measures. Dependent mixture modeling found near total membership in the response class at EREFS of 0 or 1 and >75% at EREFS of 2 or 3. Conclusions: An EREFS of ≤2 was the best clinical threshold for endoscopic response to topical steroid treatment and was consistent with clinical and histologic response. Therefore, future studies can report a binary outcome of endoscopic response when EREFS is two or less.

Analysis of Self-Regulated Learning of Students in Mathematics Education Study Program in Number Theory Course

The number theory is the first mathematics content course in the UPH FIP Mathematics Education study program, which does not have a response class. The response class was conducted as a companion to four content subjects with close relations with school mathematics content, namely Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Geometry, and Linear Algebra. Based on the questionnaire that has been distributed, prospective mathematics teachers consider that the response class is beneficial for them in attending lectures and in exploring related mathematical concepts. However, on the other hand, students inevitably have to go back to learning to be determined with the response class. The implication is that students' self-regulated learning will not develop optimally. However, self-regulated learning is an essential aspect that prospective teachers need to have. This research was conducted to see how self-regulated learning of future mathematics teachers in number theory courses. The research instruments used are questionnaires, the scale of self-regulated learning, and interviews. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The results of this study are that most students have a moderate level of learning independence. The aspects or indicators of learning independence that need special attention are setting learning goals/targets. Prospective teacher students need to continue to train and develop their learning independence to become professional teachers who continue to develop along with the times.

Pengembangan Komik Manga Biologi Berbasis Android Untuk Peserta Didik Kelas XI Ditingkat SMA/MA

<p>In learning biology facilities and infrastructure supporting learning and technological developments such as android owned by learners have not been used as a medium of learning. The alternative is to develop android-based digital manga comic learning media to facilitate the understanding of biological materials. This study aims to: 1.) Knowing how to develop android-based digital manga comic learning media on hormonal system material for class XI in MAN 2 Bandar Lampung that facilitate biology learning materials by learners. 2.) To determine the feasibility of developing comic-based digital manga media based on the hormonal system material for students of class XI based on the assessment of material experts, linguists, media experts, biology teachers, and learners. This research represents (R &amp; D) Research and Development which is defined by the Borg and Gall procedure. Stages used are only up to the seventh stage of the ten stages. This research was conducted at MAN 2 BandarLampung on students of class XI MIA 1. Assessment of material experts is very decent percentage 83.75%, the assessment of linguists is very decent berpententase 93.75%, assessment of media experts is very decent percentage 85.8%. While the repson teachers berpersentase 86.25%, and the response class XI students berpersentase 82.4% in MAN 2 Bandarlampung. Based on the assessment of the quality of learning media of digital manga comic on hormonal system material expressed in criteria is very suitable to be used as a medium of learning.</p>

MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS PESERTA DIDIK POKOK BAHASAN PARTISIPASI DALAM USAHA PEMBELAAN NEGARA MATA PELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN KEWARGANEGARAAN MELALUI PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS MASALAH (PBM) DI KELAS IX B SMP NEGERI 2 SALAMBABARIS

Learning Civics in the Junior High School 2 Salam Babaris generally still delivered by lecture and question and answer, the teacher-centered learning is that students tend to be passive. This problem is one of the factors that lead to a lack of critical thinking ability of students to the problems that are facing today, where students always want to be successful in the achievement but do not want the business or in other words to learn, so much replay value of the unfinished or under KKM (KKM: 70). The research objective was to determine the application of problem-based learning model to increase students' critical thinking subjects Citizenship Education (Civics) classes IX B in SMP Negeri 2 Salam Babaris in 2012.The research method used in the study of this class action is a method of qualitative analysis, which essentially emphasizes the depiction of business any matters related to improving students' critical thinking skills in depth. In qualitative analysis, the researcher emphasizes the deepening of the subject matter especially on critical thinking skills of students in Civics subject, so that can be identified and analyzed the problems that arise and then held reflection to look for alternative solutions. The research process began in September 2012 until October 2012, the number of samples of 29 people from class IX B.The results showed that: (1) students' critical thinking skills class IX B SMP Negeri 2 Greeting Babaris for using problem-based learning model increases, (2) response class IX Bstudents of SMP Negeri 2 Salam Babaris regards to the use of problem-based learning model showed that students pleased to learn Civics. Keywords: Critical Thinking Skills, Problem-Based Learning Model (PBM), Civics.AbstrakBelajar kewarganegaraan di SMP 2 Salam Babaris umumnya masih disampaikan oleh kuliah dan pertanyaan dan jawaban, berpusat pada guru belajar adalah bahwa peserta didik cenderung pasif. Masalah ini adalah salah satu faktor yang menyebabkan kurangnya kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik untuk masalah-masalah yang dihadapi saat ini, dimana peserta didik selalu ingin menjadi sukses dalam pencapaian tetapi tidak ingin bisnis atau dengan kata lain untuk belajar , begitu banyak replay nilai belum selesai atau di bawah KKM (KKM: 70). Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk menentukan penerapan model pembelajaran berbasis masalah untuk peningkatan peserta didik berpikir kritis subyek pendidikan kewarganegaraan (Pancasila) kelas B IX di SMP Negeri 2 Salam Babaris pada tahun 2012. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah metode analisis secara kualitatif, yang pada dasarnya menekankan penggambaran bisnis hal-hal terkait dengan meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik secara mendalam. Dalam analisis secara kualitatif, peneliti menekankan pendalaman materi subjek terutama pada keterampilan berpikir kritis peserta didik dalam subjek kewarganegaraan, agar dapat diidentifikasi dan menganalisa masalah-masalah yang timbul dan kemudian diselenggarakan refleksi untuk mencari solusi alternatif. Proses penelitian dimulai pada bulan September 2012 hingga Oktober 2012, jumlah sampel dari 29 orang dari kelas IX B. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) mahapeserta didik keterampilan berpikir kritis kelas IX B SMP Negeri 2 salam Babaris untuk menggunakan berbasis masalah belajar model meningkat, (2) respon kelas IX Bstudents dari SMP Negeri 2 Salam Babaris salam untuk penggunaan pembelajaran berbasis masalah model ini menunjukkan bahwa peserta didik senang belajar kewarganegaraan. Kata kunci: Keterampilan berpikir kritis, berbasis masalah belajar Model (PBM), Pancasila.

On the Relation Between Variability and Creativity: A Summary of Early Work and Advancements from Applied Research

Creativity, or the generation of previously unobserved behavior, is a topic of interest to scientists and the general public alike. Researchers outside behavior analysis have focused on creativity as a trait of individuals. Behavior analysts, however, have focused on the variables that give rise to novel responses. Initial conceptual work examined specific environmental variables that may promote creativity. Subsequent conceptual work examined the role of the response class and the selective nature of reinforcement. As this conceptual work progressed, researchers began evaluating variables that affect response variability, a potentially critical component of variability. Most basic researchers, and some applied researchers, have focused on response sequences. Although this work has proven fruitful in understanding response variability as an operant dimension, these limited response classes have prevented a more robust understanding of variability and novelty. Following the development of the lag schedule, applied researchers began using lag schedules to increase complex behavior behavior such as responses to questions, social skills, and martial arts skills. This applied work has provided intriguing evidence that variability, and environmental influence of variability, is a key contributor to novel responding, thus bringing creativity well into our scientific understanding of behavior.

Peningkatan Aktivitas dan Hasil Belajar Pendidikan Seni Rupa Melalui Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Kontekstual Pada Siswa SMP

This study aims to (1) improve student learning activities, (2) improve the learning outcomes of students 'visual practices, and (3) describe students' responses to the contextual learning model in Fine Arts education lessons. The research subjects were students of class VIIA2 SMP Negeri 3 Sawan totaling 27 people. The CAR research was conducted in two cycles. The results showed that there was an increase in students' learning activities in learning art education. In the first cycle and second cycle, the average student learning activities were 2.98 (active enough category) and 3.28 (active type). The learning activities of students experienced quality improvement from the first cycle, the average student learning activity was 2.99 (quite active), and cycle II was the average student learning activity of 3.27 (active). Student learning activities from cycle I to cycle II increased by 0.28%. From the results of learning the practice of fine arts in the first cycle obtained the average class, classical absorption and mastery teaching classically in a row: 70.56, 70.56% and 77.78%. Student responses to the contextual learning model are obtained from the average response class of 45.75. Based on the results of this study, the application of contextual learning models can be used as an alternative to increasing student learning activities and outcomes.