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Influenza pandemics can spread quickly and cost millions of lives; the 2009 H1N1 pandemic highlighted the shortfall in the current vaccine strategy and the need for an improved global response in terms of shortening the time required to manufacture the vaccine and increasing production capacity. Here we describe the pre-clinical assessment of a novel 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine based on the E. coli-produced HA globular head domain covalently linked to virus-like particles derived from the bacteriophage Qβ. When formulated with alum adjuvant and used to immunize mice, dose finding studies found that a 10 µg dose of this vaccine (3.7 µg globular HA content) induced antibody titers comparable to a 1.5 µg dose (0.7 µg globular HA content) of the licensed 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccine Panvax, and significantly reduced viral titers in the lung following challenge with 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza A/California/07/2009 virus. While Panvax failed to induce marked T cell responses, the novel vaccine stimulated substantial antigen-specific interferon-γ production in splenocytes from immunized mice, alongside enhanced IgG2a antibody production. In ferrets the vaccine elicited neutralizing antibodies, and following challenge with influenza A/California/07/2009 virus reduced morbidity and lowered viral titers in nasal lavages.

The chemical master equation in combination with chemical rate equations is used as a tool to study Markovian models of genetic regulatory networks in prokaryotes. States of the master equation represent the binding and unbinding of protein complexes to DNA, resulting in a gene being expressed or not expressed in a cell, while protein and substrate concentrations are represented by continuum variables which evolve via differential equations.The model is applied to a moderately complex biological system, the switching mechanism of the Bacteriophage λ driven by competition between production of CI and Cro proteins. Nu-AU: is "Bacteriophage" always capitalized, and should it be italicized?merical simulations of the model successfully move between lysogenic and lytic states as the host bacterium is stressed by the application of ultraviolet light.

Note-taking Roundhouse diagrams strategy is a students' conceptual framework for interesting notes. This study aims to improve student retention on body defense system material through note-taking roundhouse diagram strategy. The method used was the one-group pretest-posttest design. The sample in this study was taken by simple random sampling technique. The number of samples in this study was 30 students. The instrument used in the study was a test instrument used multiple choice. This research was conducted during six meetings. Three meetings using roundhouse diagram with pretest and posttest. After four weeks, three more meetings were held to collect the second posttest (retest). The data were analyzed by t-test statistical analysis. Based on the results of the t-test statistical analysis at a significant level α = 0.05, it can be seen that t count > t table for short-term retention and long-term retention. The retention category also showed very satisfying results. Average results of N-gain score for short and long-term retention too very good. It can be included, the note-taking roundhouse diagram strategy on the body's defense system concept can improve student retention.

This study aims at obtaining pre-service biology teachers’ metacognitive skills in invertebrate zoology. A number of pre-service biology teachers that take invertebrate zoology course at a state university in Sumatera, Indonesia, were involved as participants in this study. Data on metacognitive skills were collected using metacognitive skills instrument test that have been developed. The data obtained were processed by calculating the percentage (%) for each indicator of metacognitive skills. Results show that the value of pre-service biology teachers’ metacognitive skills on invertebrate zoology are 4.86. For each indicator of metacognitive skill composition were no logic, no systemic, no analyse/evaluate/create (64.56%); no logic, no systemic, less analyse/evaluate/create (31.60%); no logic, no systemic, have analyse/evaluate/create (2.53%), and no logic, have systemic, have analyse/evaluate/create (1.27%). Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that pre-service biology teachers’ metacognitive skills in invertebrate zoology was very low. In order to repair pre-service biology teachers’ metacognitive skills, it is needed revision on instructional strategies for invertebrate zoology course.

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This study aims to determine the effect of Problem Based Learning  supported by pedagogical agents (PBL-PA) on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) of preservice teachers in Invertebrate Zoology Learning. This study uses a quantitative approach applied to 77 preservice teacher participating in the Invertebrate Zoology lecture in Biology Education, FKIP, Universitas Sriwijaya in Academic Year 2018/2019. The method used is Quasi Experimental with Nonequivalent Control Group Design. Determination of the sample through Simple Random Sampling so that PBL-AP (26 people), PBL (26 people), and traditional classes (25 people). HOTS ability is measured through pretest and posttest with 25 multiple choice questions that have been tested for validity and reliability. Hypothesis testing using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) uses the SPSS 23 program. The results of the study indicate that the PBL-PA Methos has a significant effectiveness on the HOTS ability of preservice teacher. Furthermore, the PBL-PA is better than the PBL and traditional method in improving HOTS ability of preservice teacher. The PBL-PA Mothod can increase learning motivation and make students confident in formulating problems well in the early syntax of PBL.   Keywords:  Pedagogical Agents , Higher Order Thinking Skills, Problem Based Learning, Invertebrate Zoology Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh model Problem Based Learning  yang didukung agen pedagogi (PBL-AP) terhadap Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) mahasiswa calon guru dalam Pembelajaran Zoologi Invertebrta. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif  yang diterapkan terhadap 77 mahasiswa calon guru peserta Perkuliahan Zoologi Invertebrata di Prodi Pendidikan Biologi, FKIP, Unsri pada Tahun Akademik 2018/2019. Metode yang digunakan adalah Quasi Experimental dengan desain Nonequivalent Control Group Design. Penentuan sampel dengan cara Simple Random Sampling sehingga diperoleh kelas PBL didukung agen pedagogi (26 orang), kelas PBL (26 orang), dan kelas tradisional (25 orang). Kemampuan HOTS diukur melalui pre-test dan post-test dengan instrumen 25 soal pilihan ganda yang telah teruji validitas dan reliabilitanya. Uji hipotesis menggunakan Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) menggunakan program SPSS 23. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Model PBL-AP memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap kemampuan HOTS mahasiswa calon guru. Selanjutnya, model PBL-AP lebih baik dari pada model PBL dan tradisional dalam meningkatkan kemampuan HOTS mahasiswa calon guru. Model PBL-AP dapat meningkatkan motivasi  belajar dan membuat peserta didik percaya diri dalam merumuskan permasalahan dengan baik pada tahap awal sintaks PBL. Kata kunci: Agen Pedagogi, Problem Based Learning, Higher Order Thinking Skills, Zoologi Invertebrata

We present a stochastic model of genetic regulation where the expression of genes are controlled by protein levels. In particular, we examine a genetic toggle switch with two competing proteins where one protein switches off the other gene. We model this switching behaviour in the framework of the Stochastic Master Equation (sme), which is a continuous time variant of a Markov model used in chemical systems. Thus far, the sme is mainly solved by stochastic simulation * Centre for Bioinformation Science, Mathematical Sciences Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia mailto:lucia.santoso@anu.edu.au C531due to the perceived high computational demands. We explore approximation techniques which allow the numerical solution of the sme to be tractable.