Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LEARNING TO TEACH IN THE ERA OF UNCERTAINTIES: CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNT BY STUDENT TEACHERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN UGANDA

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not only being felt by different social classes of people, but also across levels of education systems. There was a paradigm shift from the traditional teaching approaches to a more flexible one, including remote teaching. This crisis uncovered the many challenges in the education system such as access and lack of supportive environments for both teachers and learners. The teacher trainees were greatly affected as they could hardly complete their teacher training programme in time. The purpose of this study was to investigate student teachers’ perception of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, to explore challenges faced by student teachers; document lessons learnt and coping strategies improvised while teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. A concurrent mixed method design was adopted. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 46-year three student teachers of Muni University. Data were collected using student teachers’ reflective journals and reflective meetings. Challenges experienced by student teachers were related to placement, supervisor-supervisee relationship, inadequate support from school authorities, inadequate skills in classroom room management and time management. Student teachers adopted coping strategies like teamwork, collaborative and adaptive skills, classroom and discipline management. Four categories of lessons learnt were adaptiveness, collaboration, creativity and uniqueness of learners. They learnt how to incorporate modern approaches including those embedded in Bloom’s taxonomy. The study recommended that teacher training institutions should ensure adequate and wholistic preparation of student teachers prior to school practice; school practice supervisors should treat school practice supervision as a non-judgemental exercise meant to enhance student teachers’ professional growth, and school authorities should provide required materials and mentorship to student teachers. Article visualizations:
Paradoxical Behavior of Oncogenes Undermines the Somatic Mutation Theory

The currently accepted theory on the influence of DNA mutations on carcinogenesis (the Somatic Mutation Theory, SMT) is facing an increasing number of controversial results that undermine the explanatory power of mutated genes considered as “causative” factors. Intriguing results have demonstrated that several critical genes may act differently, as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, while phenotypic reversion of cancerous cells/tissues can be achieved by modifying the microenvironment, the mutations they are carrying notwithstanding. Furthermore, a high burden of mutations has been identified in many non-cancerous tissues without any apparent pathological consequence. All things considered, a relevant body of unexplained inconsistencies calls for an in depth rewiring of our theoretical models. Ignoring these paradoxes is no longer sustainable. By avoiding these conundrums, the scientific community will deprive itself of the opportunity to achieve real progress in this important biomedical field. To remedy this situation, we need to embrace new theoretical perspectives, taking the cell–microenvironment interplay as the privileged pathogenetic level of observation, and by assuming new explanatory models based on truly different premises. New theoretical frameworks dawned in the last two decades principally focus on the complex interaction between cells and their microenvironment, which is thought to be the critical level from which carcinogenesis arises. Indeed, both molecular and biophysical components of the stroma can dramatically drive cell fate commitment and cell outcome in opposite directions, even in the presence of the same stimulus. Therefore, such a novel approach can help in solving apparently inextricable paradoxes that are increasingly observed in cancer biology.
Biodegradable Poly(D-L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-Infiltrated Bioactive Glass (CAR12N) Scaffolds Maintain Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenesis for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Regeneration of articular cartilage remains challenging. The aim of this study was to increase the stability of pure bioactive glass (BG) scaffolds by means of solvent phase polymer infiltration and to maintain cell adherence on the glass struts. Therefore, BG scaffolds either pure or enhanced with three different amounts of poly(D-L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were characterized in detail. Scaffolds were seeded with primary porcine articular chondrocytes (pACs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in a dynamic long-term culture (35 days). Light microscopy evaluations showed that PLGA was detectable in every region of the scaffold. Porosity was greater than 70%. The biomechanical stability was increased by polymer infiltration. PLGA infiltration did not result in a decrease in viability of both cell types, but increased DNA and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) contents of hMSCs-colonized scaffolds. Successful chondrogenesis of hMSC-colonized scaffolds was demonstrated by immunocytochemical staining of collagen type II, cartilage proteoglycans and the transcription factor SOX9. PLGA-infiltrated scaffolds showed a higher relative expression of cartilage related genes not only of pAC-, but also of hMSC-colonized scaffolds in comparison to the pure BG. Based on the novel data, our recommendation is BG scaffolds with single infiltrated PLGA for cartilage tissue engineering.
Offline analysis of the chemical composition and hygroscopicity of submicrometer aerosol at an Asian outflow receptor site and comparison with online measurements

Abstract. Filter-based offline analysis of atmospheric aerosol hygroscopicity coupled to composition analysis provides information complementary to that obtained from online analysis. However, its application itself and comparison to online analysis have remained limited to date. In this study, daily submicrometer aerosol particles (PM0.95, 50 % cutoff diameter 0.95 µm) were collected onto quartz fiber filters on Okinawa Island, a receptor of East Asian outflow, in the autumn of 2015. The chemical composition of water-soluble matter (WSM) in PM0.95, PM0.95 itself, and their respective hygroscopicities were characterized through the offline use of an aerosol mass spectrometer and a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer. Thereafter, results were compared with those obtained from online analyses. Sulfate dominated the WSM mass (59 %), followed by water-soluble organic matter (WSOM, 20 %) and ammonium (13 %). WSOM accounted for most (91 %) of the mass of extracted organic matter (EOM) and the atomic O-to-C ratios (O:C) of WSOM and EOM were high (mean ± standard deviation were 0.84 ± 0.08 and 0.78 ± 0.08, respectively), both of which indicate highly aged characteristics of the observed aerosol. The hygroscopic growth curves showed clear hysteresis for most samples. At 85 % relative humidity (RH), the calculated hygroscopicity parameter κ values of the WSM (κWSM), WSOM, EOM, and PM0.95 (κPM0.95) were 0.50 ± 0.03, 0.22 ± 0.12, 0.20 ± 0.11, and 0.47 ± 0.03, respectively. An analysis using the thermodynamic Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM) shows, on average, that inorganic salts and WSOM contributed 88 % and 12 %, respectively, of the κWSM (or κPM0.95). High similarities were found between offline and online analysis for chemical compositions that are related to particle hygroscopicity (the mass fractions and O:C of organics and the degree of neutralization) and also for aerosol hygroscopicity. As possible factors governing the variation in κWSM, the influences of WSOM abundance and the neutralization of inorganic salts were assessed. At high RH (70 %–90 %), the hygroscopicity of WSM and PM0.95 was affected considerably by the presence of organic components; at low RH (20 %–50 %), the degree of neutralization could be important. This study not only characterized aerosol hygroscopicity at the receptor site of East Asian outflow but also shows that offline hygroscopicity analysis is an appropriate method, at least for aerosols of the studied type. The results encourage further applications to other environments and to more in-depth hygroscopicity analysis, in particular for organic fractions.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION OF WOODEN CASKET PRODUCTION ON AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN PART OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

The study assessed the effect of wooden casket production on air quality at old market road in Owerri South Eastern Nigeria. The study was carried out in October, 2019, during morning, afternoon and evening periods of the day respectively. Priority air quality parameters sampled included: SO2, PM10, CO, NO2, TVOC, H2S, HCN and Cl2 alongside climatic variables at graded distances. Outdoor air quality was measured by digital air monitors hourly. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA, SPSS v.20 software, and mean values separated using Duncan at p<0.05 significant level. Results were compared to Environmental standards, Air Quality Index (AQI) and Pollutant Standard Index (PSI). Ambient air qualities were significantly different (p<0.05) at the various distances except for PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, VOC, H2S, HCN and Cl2 which were all above the standards for clean air, describing the area as non-attainment spot. Temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were recorded in the mean values of 31.6oC, 91.6%, and 0.2m/s respectively. The result ranged in order of abundance: afternoon (A)>evening (E)>morning (M) respectively. Air quality rating ranged between poor - D (PM10) to very poor - E (CO, NO2, SO2), implying the poor stage of atmospheric air in the study area. The mean results of the PSI showed that PM10 ranged from 133.96±0.75 - 138.5±1.25µg/m3, CO ranged from 183.25±1.2 - 297.59±6.47ppm while VOC ranged from 124.08±0.27-127.36±0.42ppm that fall within unhealthy and very unhealthy respectively. The results suggest that relocation of the industry and awareness creation on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) by casket workers to avert occupational health hazards at work.
Prone Position Facilitates Creation of Ulnar-Basilic Arteriovenous Fistula

Background: The distal ulnar-basilic arteriovenous fistula (UBAVF) is a rarely used alternative type of vascular access for haemodialysis. The location of the vein on the back aspect of the forearm forces an extremely uncomfortable external rotation of the upper limb during surgery when the patient is in a supine position. Methods: We present a new approach towards creating UBAVF, which involves placing the patient in the prone position, thus eliminating the aforementioned inconvenience. The procedure was performed and described in a 46-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to diabetic nephropathy. In the period from September 2021 to December 2021, we created an additional three UBAVFs with such modifications. Results: All fistulas were patent both immediately after the procedure and 2 weeks after surgery. Conclusions: The prone position may improve the comfort of both the operator and the patient during the procedure. On top of this, it may have a positive impact on the quality of the arteriovenous anastomosis.
A global imbalance in potassium and barium river export: the result of biological uptake?

The role of biological cycling on the chemistry of rivers remains poorly understood. In an attempt to close this knowledge gap, here we examine the difference between the elemental supply to catchments through rock degradation and the corresponding elemental riverine export, for two non-nutrient elements lithium (Li) and sodium (Na) and two nutrients-like elements potassium (K) and barium (Ba), in 20 of the largest world river catchments. Overall, the riverine export of K and Ba are lower than their estimated release by catchment scale rock degradation, while the two fluxes match for Li and Na. Barium isotope constraints lending support to this observation, we take this difference between these two element groups as a suggestion of the influence of biological uptake of rock-derived nutrients on river chemistry. Nevertheless, the magnitude of riverine K depletion cannot be reconciled with a pervasive growth of the biota on continents, nor with an “ occult ” export of organic material that would go unnoticed by common sampling protocols. One plausible explanation for this conundrum could lie in thecomplex partitioning of elementsamongst soil, biota, and dead organic matter. As a consequence, our study emphasises the need for further work aiming at deciphering the cycle of rock-derived nutrients in the Critical Zone. catchmentscalemass budgets,for X = Na, Li(non-nutrients) and fornutrient/nutrient-likeelements( X = K and Ba). This approach aims to quantify the catchment scale (im)balance between the supply of a rock-derived nutrient X through rock degradation ( D X ) and the summed dissolved and solid riverine export ( W X and E X , respectively). The difference in the “ solubility ” translates into a difference in the size of the W X and E X arrows.
Conditional sparse boosting for high-dimensional instrumental variable estimation

We consider the structural equation models with both high-dimensional instrumental variables and observed exogenous covariates. To overcome the challenge of unknown optimal instruments and high-dimensional exogenous confounders, a novel two-stage sparse boosting approach is proposed to select the optimal instruments and important exogenous variables, as well as to estimate the causal parameter of interest. The methodology extends the classical two-stage least squares to high dimension settings by exploiting sparsity and integrating two versions of sparse boosting – the traditional unconditional sparse boosting and the newly developed conditional sparse boosting. The proposed method is illustrated through extensive simulations as well as an empirical example to estimate the effect of judicial eminent domain decisions on property price.
Exploring Students' Experiences and Perceptions of Computer Science: A Survey of Austrian Secondary Schools

: Companies regularly report difﬁculties in recruiting ICT specialists. The shortage of skilled women in this domain is especially prominent. Research shows that early exposure to STEM may spark children’s interest and inﬂuence their future choice of careers. Children’s understanding and conceptualization of their physical environment strongly inﬂuence their ability to grasp STEM concepts and learning outcomes in related subjects. The goal of our work is to provide a better picture of children’s conceptions before they are confronted with computer science as a subject at school. To investigate students’ preconceptions of computer science, a study of 188 ﬁfth-grade students was conducted before they ﬁrst experienced computer science lessons at school. We asked them about their perceptions and experiences of computer science. Our results show that both students who identify as female and those who identify as male have a narrow view of computer science and associate the ﬁeld mainly with working with computers. Despite the narrow view, many students show an interest in computer science but few want to work in this ﬁeld in the future. Students who identify as male have a signiﬁcantly higher interest in the ﬁeld than those who identify as female.
The problem of paleo-planforms

Reconstructing river planform is crucial to understanding ancient fluvial systems on Earth and other planets. Paleo-planform is typically interpreted from qualitative facies interpretations of fluvial strata, but these can be inconsistent with quantitative approaches. We tested three well-known hydraulic planform predictors in Cretaceous fluvial strata (in Utah, USA) where there is a facies-derived consensus on paleo-planform. However, the results of each predictor are inconsistent with facies interpretations and with each other. We found that one of these predictors is analytically best suited for geologic application but favors single-thread planforms. Given that this predictor was originally tested using just 53 data points from natural rivers, we compiled a new data set of hydraulic geometries in natural rivers (n = 1688), which spanned >550 globally widespread, sand- and gravel-bed rivers from various climate and vegetative regimes. We found that the existing criteria misclassified 65% of multithread rivers in our data set, but modification resulted in a useful predictor. We show that depth/width (H/W) ratio alone is sufficient to discriminate between single-thread (H/W > 0.02) and multithread (H/W < 0.02) rivers, suggesting bank cohesion may be a critical determinant of planform. Further, we show that the slope/Froude (S/Fr) ratio is useful to discriminate process in multithread rivers; i.e., whether generation of new threads is an avulsion-dominated (anastomosing) or bifurcation-dominated (braided) process. Multithread rivers are likely to be anastomosing when S/Fr < 0.003 (shallower slopes) and braided when S/Fr > 0.003 (steeper slopes). Our criteria successfully discriminate planform in modern rivers and our geologic examples, and they offer an effective approach to predict planform in the geologic past on Earth and on other planets.
Within-Firm Variation in the Liability of Foreignness: A Demand-Based Perspective

The literature on the liability of foreignness focuses on explaining why foreign firms operating in a given country underperform relative to their domestic rivals. We provide a complementary perspective that allows for within-firm variation in the liability of foreignness, at the level of a firm's products. Specifically, we explore how consumers’ willingness-to-pay for foreign products is affected by a firm's sourcing strategy for product inputs and by heterogeneity in demand characteristics across the markets where the product is sold. We hypothesize that sourcing inputs from a regional product developer as well as cultural diversity in regional consumer markets will have a stronger positive impact on the regional sales performance of products sold by foreign firms than on those by domestic firms. Our hypotheses are supported in a product-level analysis of 2,144 console video games sold in the 11 subnational regions of the United Kingdom over the period 2005–2008. Our findings suggest that firm-level explanations of the liability of foreignness need to be supplemented by a product-level perspective that considers heterogeneity in both supply- and demand-side factors as important determinants of consumers’ willingness-to-pay for foreign products.
Organochlorine and Organophosphorus Pesticides Residues in Commercial Poultry Feed Samples in Lagos State, Nigeria

Pesticides are among Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) used in agricultural practices to increase production efficiency. They enter the food chain, bioaccumulate and are toxic to human, animals and the environment. The presence of pesticide residues in animal feeds has been rarely monitored and reported in Nigeria. This study evaluated the levels of pesticide residues in different brands and types of poultry feeds that are produced, marketed and used in Lagos, Nigeria. Five types of five commonly used commercial brands (25 samples) of poultry feeds were purchased from animal feed markets in Lagos, Nigeria. Simultaneous detection and quantitation of selected thirteen (13) OCPs and eight (8) OPs residues in the feeds was carried out using Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) respectively. Results revealed that all the feed samples had multiple pesticide residues levels which ranged from 0.10 - 1.83 mg/kg for OCPs and 0.25 - 6.04 mg/kg for OPs. These values were above the Maximum Residual Limit (MRL). The detected pesticide residues order of violation of the MRL was Methoxychlor > Dieldrin >Endrin ketone for OCPs, and Trichlorfon > Malathion > Diazinon for OPs. There was no significant (p>0.05) differences in the pesticide residues levels among the brands and types of the samples. Present study indicates extensive and unwholesome use of pesticides in the agro industry in Nigeria suggesting need to enforce Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Storage Practices (GSP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and constant monitoring of pesticide residues thereby implementing the Good health and Wellbeing (Goal 3) of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal.
Immune Functions Alterations Due to Racing Stress in Thoroughbred Horses

Simple Summary Racehorses are under constant stress when training and during competitions. It is known that high levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress regulation, can impact the immune system. Hence, the importance of assessing the immune cells, blood components and cortisol during different times of athlete horses’ routines, including races. This research verified the impact of training and racing on the immune function of Thoroughbreds’ trough phagocytosis and oxidative neutrophil burst assays, serum cortisol determination, erythrocytes apoptosis, lymphoproliferation, and blood count analyses. Abstract Racehorses are constantly exposed to stress. Aiming to verify the state of blood components and cortisol alterations during their routine and after races, phagocytosis and oxidative neutrophil burst assays, serum cortisol determination, erythrocytes apoptosis evaluation, lymphoproliferation assays, and blood count tests were performed in thirty Thoroughbred racehorses, which were divided in two groups. The samples were taken right after races (moment 0 d), during rest periods (−11 d, +1 d, +3 d), and after training (−8, +2, +5). In both groups, the phagocytosis showed a decrease in percentage and intensity immediately after the race when comparing samples collected during rest or training periods. In the mean values of oxidative burst on samples collected immediately after the race, group I animals demonstrated a decrease (524.2 ± 248.9) when compared with those samples collected in other moments. No significant differences were found between the results of different moments regarding the apoptotic cells and lymphoproliferation assays. The mean values of serum cortisol levels were increased immediately after racing. There was an increase in the percentage of neutrophils found immediately after the race. It was possible to conclude that, although a transient reduction was found in the number of neutrophils, the horses’ adaptive function was not affected.
Algorithms as co‐workers: Human algorithm role interactions in algorithmic work

In algorithmic work, algorithms execute operational and management tasks such as work allocation, task tracking and performance evaluation. Humans and algorithms interact with one another to accomplish work so that the algorithm takes on the role of a co‐worker. Human–algorithm interactions are characterised by problematic issues such as absence of mutually co‐constructed dialogue, lack of transparency regarding how algorithmic outputs are generated, and difficulty of over‐riding algorithmic directive – conditions that create lack of clarity for the human worker. This article examines human–algorithm role interactions in algorithmic work. Drawing on the theoretical framing of organisational roles, we theorise on the algorithm as role sender and the human as the role taker. We explain how the algorithm is a multi‐role sender with entangled roles, while the human as role taker experiences algorithm‐driven role conflict and role ambiguity. Further, while the algorithm records all of the human's task actions, it is ignorant of the human's cognitive reactions – it undergoes what we conceptualise as ‘broken loop learning’. The empirical context of our study is algorithm‐driven taxi driving (in the United States) exemplified by companies such as Uber. We draw from data that include interviews with 15 Uber drivers, a netnographic study of 1700 discussion threads among Uber drivers from two popular online forums, and analysis of Uber's web pages. Implications for IS scholarship, practice and policy are discussed.