Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Acceptance and Understanding of the Evolution Theory by Various Groups of Teachers / Odnos između prihvaćanja i razumijevanja teorije evolucije različitih skupina nastavnika

AbstractIn this paper a comparison is made among various groups of Serbian teachers (kindergarten teachers, primary school teachers, biologists, physicists, chemists) in terms of the following factors: acceptance and the understanding of evolution theory. In order to accomplish the tasks of this paper, the specific questionnaire model with parallel groups of teachers was applied (involving 341 teachers). The aim was to identify and measure differences in those factors among these large groups of teachers. The results show that biology teachers performed better on accepting and understanding the evolution theory in comparison with other groups of teachers. Also, we determined that there is a positive correlation between the acceptance and understanding the evolution theory for all groups of teachers. The findings indicate a necessity to enhance the evolution teaching contents in the Serbian system of education for groups of teachers who participated in this investigation. Modern teaching processes, at all levels of education, should involve adequate didactically prepared evolution teaching contents and courses.Key words: evolution teaching contents; evolution theory; teachers---SažetakU radu je napravljena usporedba različitih skupina nastavnika iz Srbije (odgajatelji, učitelji, nastavnici biologije, fizike i kemije) u pogledu prihvaćanja i razumijevanje teorije evolucije.Primijenjen je model posebnog upitnika s paralelnim skupinama nastavnika (ukupno 341 nastavnik). Cilj je bio utvrditi i izmjeriti razlike. Rezultati pokazuju da nastavnici biologije pokazuju bolje rezultate u prihvaćanju i razumijevanju teorije evolucije u odnosu na druge skupine nastavnika.Utvrdili smo da postoji pozitivna korelacija između prihvaćanja i razumijevanja teorije evolucije za sve skupine nastavnika.Rezultati pokazuju nužnost poboljšanja nastavnog sadržaja evolucije u obrazovnom sustavu Srbije za skupine nastavnika koji su sudjelovali u istraživanju. Moderna nastava na svim razinama obrazovanja treba uključiti odgovarajuće didaktičkie pripremljene nastavne sadržaje i tečajeve o teoriji evolucije. Ključne riječi: evolucijski nastavni sadržaji; nastavnici; teorija evolucije
User Engagement Within an Online Peer Support Community (Depression Connect) and Recovery-Related Changes in Empowerment: Longitudinal User Survey

Background The chronic nature of depression and limited availability of evidence-based treatments emphasize the need for complementary recovery-oriented services, such as peer support interventions (PSIs). Peer support is associated with positive effects on clinical and personal recovery from mental illness, but little is known about the processes of engagement that foster change, and studies targeting individuals with depression specifically are limited. Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether the level of user engagement, assessed on several dimensions, in an online peer support community for individuals with depression promotes empowerment and the use of self-management strategies and reduces symptom severity and disability. Methods In a longitudinal survey conducted from June 2019 to September 2020, we analyzed the data of the users of Depression Connect (DC), an online peer support community hosted by the Dutch Patient Association for Depression and the Pro Persona Mental Health Care institute, on measures of empowerment, self-management, depression, and disability. Of the 301 respondents, 49 (16.3%) respondents completed the survey again after 3 months and 74 (24.6%) respondents, after 6 months. Analysis of 3 parameters (ie, total time spent on the platform, number of page views, and number of posts) derived from their data logs yielded 4 engagement profiles. Linear mixed models were fitted to determine whether the outcomes had significantly changed over time and differed for the various profiles. Results Baseline engagement with the online peer support community was “very low” (177/301, 58.8%) or “low” (87/301, 28.9%) for most of the participants, with few showing “medium” (30/301, 9.9%) or “high” engagement patterns (7/301, 2.3%), while user profiles did not differ in demographic and clinical characteristics. Empowerment, self-management, depressive symptoms, and disability improved over time, but none were associated with the intensity or nature of user engagement. Conclusions With most DC members showing very low to low engagement and only a few being identified as high-engaged users, it is likely that this flexibility in use frequency is what provides value to online PSI users. In other more formal supportive environments for depression, a certain level of engagement is predetermined either by their organizational or by their societal context; at DC, users can adapt the intensity and nature of their engagement to their current needs on their personal road to recovery. This study added to the current knowledge base on user engagement for PSIs because previous studies targeting depression with an online format focused on active users, precluding passive and flexible engagement. Future studies should explore the content and quality of the interactions in online PSIs to identify optimal user engagement as a function of current, self-reported clinical parameters and reasons to engage in the PSI.
Determination of Curcuminoids, Piperine, Boswellic Acids and Andrographolides in Food and Dietary Supplements by HPLC

SUMMARY Research background As use of functional food and herbal combination products is ever increasing, methods for quality control of such preparations are necessary. Moreover, low quality of products can cause either lack of benefit or harm to the consumer. In this work, determination of three curcuminoids, piperine, six boswellic acids and three andrographolides, often used in combination products, was carried out in raw materials and dietary supplements. Experimental approach After extraction optimization using Box-Behnken design, maximum active substance yields were obtained using 81.5% ethanol in hydroethanolic extraction solvent, 30 min sonication time and 60 °C extraction temperature. Afterwards, a high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated, with special attention paid to selectivity, precision and robustness of the method. Lastly, 54 food and dietary supplement samples were analyzed. Results and conclusions Most products were bought locally, from credible vendors and they all complied with relevant regulatory requirements. However, products obtained on the Internet contained little to no active substances (24% of samples contained less than 20% declared content), presumably showing no efficacy, or were either found to be likely adulterated or contained very high amounts of active substances, compromising safety in terms of dose-dependent adverse effects (one sample containing andrographolides) and pharmacokinetic interactions (one sample containing piperine). In conclusion, consumers should refrain from purchasing such products from the Internet and obtain them only from verified suppliers such as local pharmacies or health stores. Novelty and scientific contribution This work demonstrates the first developed method for the analysis of aforementioned combination products, which are on the rise today. The method is simple and robust and can be adapted by most laboratories for routine quality control of the said products. Moreover, the work sheds light on the low quality of several products and signifies the need for increased consumer awareness of dangers of taking such products.
The Importance of Price Beliefs in Consumer Search ∗

A consumer’s decision to engage in search depends on the beliefs the consumer has about an unknown product characteristic such as price. In this paper, we elicit the distribution of price beliefs and explicitly study their role in a consumer’s decision to search. We design an incentive-aligned online study where subjects search over the price of a homogeneous good, and provide prior price beliefs and updated beliefs after each search. Based on data collected from a nationally representative panel, we find substantial heterogeneity in prior price beliefs which is at odds with the rational expectations assumption. We explore the importance of accounting for price beliefs in two ways first, we study the impact of assuming rational expectations on estimates of search costs. For both simultaneous and sequential search models, assuming rational expectations biases the search cost estimates; the direction of bias depends on the subject’s prior beliefs. Importantly, while accounting for expected price beliefs is crucial to consistently estimating search costs, assuming that the standard deviation of the subject’s beliefs coincides with the true price distribution does not substantially bias the distribution of search cost. Second, we explore the importance of price beliefs in inferring how consumers search. Assuming rational expectations, we find that subjects engage in simultaneous search which is consistent with previous research. However, the decision to engage in an additional search depends on the updated price beliefs pointing to sequential search. We discuss the managerial relevance of these results and the implications for researchers.
On the plasma flow inside magnetic tornadoes on the Sun (Special Issue : Recent results from Hinode)

High-resolution observations with the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope (SST) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) reveal rotating magnetic field structures that extend from the solar surface into the chromosphere and the corona. These so-called magnetic tornadoes are primarily detected as rings or spirals of rotating plasma in the Ca II 854.2 nm line core (also known as chromospheric swirls). Detailed numerical simulations show that the observed chromospheric plasma motion is caused by the rotation of magnetic field structures, which again are driven by photospheric vortex flows at their footpoints. Under the right conditions, two vortex flow systems are stacked on top of each other. We refer to the lower vortex, which extends from the low photosphere into the convection zone, as intergranular vortex flow (IVF). Once a magnetic field structure is co-located with an IVF, the rotation is mediated into the upper atmospheric layers and an atmospheric vortex flow (AVF, or magnetic tornado) is generated. In contrast to the recent work by Shelyag et al., we demonstrate that particle trajectories in a simulated magnetic tornado indeed follow spirals and argue that the properties of the trajectories decisively depend on the location in the atmosphere and the strength of the magnetic field.
Knowledge and Perceptions of Chinese Female College Students Towards HIV/AIDS: A Qualitative Analysis

Objective This study aims to explore knowledge and perceptions of Chinese female college students towards HIV/AIDS. Design, Method, Participants and Setting A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. Twenty female participants studying at a college located in Chongqing, Southwest China, were involved in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The face-to-face interview data were recorded and analyzed using the method of qualitative inductive content analysis. Results Five themes were identified from the data of transcribed interviews: HIV transmission routes (sexual transmission; blood transmission; mother-to-child transmission), sources of HIV/AIDS knowledge (education; mass media), AIDS prevention measures (avoiding sexual activity; establishing sense of self-protection; avoiding blood contact), attitudes towards PLWHA (treating all PLWHA equally; showing sympathy for the innocent PLWHA; discriminating against the immoral PLWHA), and suggested solutions to combat AIDS (assistance provided by governments; what health professionals can contribute; mobilization of social power; university intervention). Conclusion More efforts should be made to strengthen the HIV/AIDS education for female college students of non-medical majors in Southwest China. Accurate knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the right attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) should be the foci of HIV/AIDS education for this population. In order to better cater future sex education in colleges to the requirements of female college students, educators and lawmakers may benefit from gaining a deeper grasp of their perspectives on HIV/AIDS.
Racial and Ethnic Identity, Gender, and School Suspension: Heterogeneous Effects Across Hispanic and Caribbean Subgroups

Objectives: This study explores the effects of racial/ethnic identity on youths’ likelihood of receiving a suspension from school as well as whether these disparities further vary by gender. In light of recent demographic shifts within the U.S., alternative theoretical rationales emphasizing such issues as “exotic threat,” “stereotype lift,” and “reflected race” present conflicting expectations regarding whether and how the disadvantages in school discipline experienced generally by minority students might extend to youth in certain Hispanic and Caribbean subgroups. Methods: We analyze data from the 2018 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, which provides a large statewide representative sample of youth enrolled in Florida public middle and high schools (N = 54,611). Results: Youth who are Black/non-Hispanic, Haitian, West Indian/Caribbean, and Dominican are most likely to receive a suspension from school, and these effects are particularly pronounced among female students. Mixed evidence of Hispanic-White differences in suspension is found, except for a heightened risk among Puerto Rican youth. Conclusions: Some of the findings imply the importance of skin tone and appearance over subgroup-specific perceptions of cultural or criminal threat. However, the disadvantages experienced by Puerto Rican students may represent an institutional response to their unique status as recent migrants to Florida.
Heat Shock Protein 27 Affects Myeloid Cell Activation and Interaction with Prostate Cancer Cells

Heat shock proteins are cytoprotective molecules induced by environmental stresses. The small heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is highly expressed under oxidative stress conditions, mediating anti-oxidative effects and blocking apoptosis. Since medical gas plasma treatment subjects cancer cells to a multitude of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing apoptosis and immunomodulation, probable effects of Hsp27 should be investigated. To this end, we quantified the extracellular Hsp27 in two prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3) after gas plasma-induced oxidative stress, showing a significantly enhanced release. To investigate immunomodulatory effects, two myeloid cell lines (THP-1 and HL-60) were also exposed to Hsp27. Only negligible effects on viability, intracellular oxidative milieu, and secretion profiles of the myeloid cells were found when cultured alone. Interestingly, prostate cancer-myeloid cell co-cultures showed altered secretion profiles with a significant decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. Furthermore, the myeloid surface marker profiles were changed, indicating an enhanced differentiation in co-culture upon Hsp27 treatment. Finally, we investigated morphological changes, proliferation, and interaction with prostate cancer cells, and found significant alterations in the myeloid cells, supporting the tendency to differentiate. Collectively, our results suggest an ambiguous effect of Hsp27 on myeloid cells in the presence of prostate cancer cells which needs to be further investigated.
Biochemical and Neuropathological Findings in a Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease Patient with the Rare Val180Ile-129Val Haplotype in the Prion Protein Gene

Genetic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (gCJD) associated with the V180I mutation in the prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP) in phase with residue 129M is the most frequent cause of gCJD in East Asia, whereas it is quite uncommon in Caucasians. We report on a gCJD patient with the rare V180I-129V haplotype, showing an unusually long duration of the disease and a characteristic pathological PrP (PrPSc) glycotype. Family members carrying the mutation were fully asymptomatic, as commonly observed with this mutation. Neuropathological examination showed a lesion pattern corresponding to that commonly reported in Japanese V180I cases with vacuolization and gliosis of the cerebral cortexes, olfactory areas, hippocampus and amygdala. PrP was deposited with a punctate, synaptic-like pattern in the cerebral cortex, amygdala and olfactory tract. Western blot analyses of proteinase-K-resistant PrP showed the characteristic two-banding pattern of V180I gCJD, composed of mono- and un-glycosylated isoforms. In line with reports on other V180I cases in the literature, Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) analyses did not demonstrate the presence of seeding activity in the cerebrospinal fluid and olfactory mucosa, suggesting that this haplotype also may result in a reduced seeding efficiency of the pathological PrP. Further studies are required to understand the origin, penetrance, disease phenotype and transmissibility of 180I-129V haplotype in Caucasians.
Essential self-adjointness of powers of generators of hyperbolic equations

Conditions which imply the essential self-adjointness of formally symmetric partial differential operators have been discussed extensively (cf. [8] and its bibliography). Much of this past work has relied on the theory of elliptic equations. In the present paper some basic principles of the theory of hyperbolic equations are applied to this problem. The main idea is to exploit the finite propagation speed of phenomena which are governed by a hyperbolic equation. Thus, let ti = Lu be a first order symmetric hyperbolic system (see Section 1). Let 9 be the space of smooth data of compact support. Then under suitable hypotheses data in 9 can be propagated for all time, and the solution u(t) at any fixed time belongs to 9. A simple abstract argument shows that (1)l12L is essentially self-adjoint on 9, and moreover, as a bonus, so are all of its powers. This result, which will be stated precisely in Section 2, unifies and extends many previously known facts. In particular it implies the result of Gaffney [6] and Roelcke [13] that the Laplace-Beltrami operator on a complete Riemannian manifold is essentially selfadjoint, as well as Cordes’ extension [2] to all powers of the Laplacian. Similar results hold for the Dirac operator and the complex Laplacian
Development of a modified bond test for hot applied crack sealants by using hot-cold cycles

ABSTRACT Based on current specifications, a modified bond test considering the effect of cyclic temperature is proposed to test and quantitatively evaluate the bonding performance of hot applied sealants. Innovatively, the modified bond test simulates the effect of cyclic temperature by designing a hot-cold cycle procedure. Based on hot-cold cycle procedure, new indexes, maximum tensile stress (σn ) and tensile separation stiffness (Kn ), are proposed for further analysis. Based on the modified bond test, a corresponding new evaluation method is established. The maximum tensile stress should meet the minimum bond strength requirement. The tensile separation stiffness increase (ΔK) is adopted as a quantitative evaluation index for the bonding performance of sealants. Finally, the current specification bond test and the modified bond test are performed on three sealants and the differences between these two tests are compared, the rationality and practicality of the modified test and new evaluation method are verified.
Steering Away from Current Amoxicillin Dose Reductions in Hospitalized Patients with Impaired Kidney Function to Avoid Subtherapeutic Drug Exposure

Current dose reductions recommended for amoxicillin in patients with impaired kidney function could lead to suboptimal treatments. In a prospective, observational study in hospitalized adults with varying kidney function treated with an IV or oral dose of amoxicillin, amoxicillin concentrations were measured in 1–2 samples on the second day of treatment. Pharmacometric modelling and simulations were performed to evaluate the probability of target attainment (PTA) for 40% of the time above MIC following standard (1000 mg q6h), reduced or increased IV dosing strategies. A total of 210 amoxicillin samples was collected from 155 patients with kidney function based on a CKD-EPI of between 12 and 165 mL/min/1.73 m2. Amoxicillin clearance could be well predicted with body weight and CKD-EPI. Recommended dose adjustments resulted in a clinically relevant reduction in the PTA for the nonspecies-related PK/PD breakpoint MIC of 8 mg/L (92%, 62% and 38% with a CKD-EPI of 10, 20 and 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, versus 100% for the standard dose). For MICs ≤ 2 mg/L, PTA > 90% was reached in these patients following both reduced and standard dose regimens. Our study showed that for amoxicillin, recommended dose reductions with impaired kidney function could lead to subtherapeutic amoxicillin concentrations in hospitalized patients, especially when targeting less susceptible pathogens.
Coccidiostats and Poultry: A Comprehensive Review and Current Legislation

Coccidiosis remains one of the major problems of the poultry industry. Caused by Eimeria species, Coccidiosis is a contagious parasitic disease affecting poultry with great economic significance. Currently, in order to prevent health problems caused by this disease, broiler farmers make extensive use of coccidiostats in poultry feed, maintaining animal health and, in some cases, enhancing feed conversion. The presence of unauthorized substances, residues of veterinary products and chemical contaminants in the food industry is of concern, since they may pose a risk to public health. As the use of coccidiostats has been increasing without any requirements for veterinary prescription, research and surveillance of coccidiostat residues in poultry meat is becoming imperative. This review presents an up-to-date comprehensive discussion of the state of the art regarding coccidiosis, the most used anticoccidials in poultry production, their mode of action, their prophylactic use, occurrence and the European Union (EU) applicable legislation.
Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Strategies Under Quantized Communication

This paper is concerned with distributed Nash equilibrium seeking strategies under quantized communication. In the proposed seeking strategy, a projection operator is synthesized with a gradient search method to achieve the optimization of players' objective functions while restricting their actions within required non-empty, convex and compact domains. In addition, a leader-following consensus protocol, in which quantized information flows are utilized, is employed for information sharing among players. More specifically, logarithmic quantizers and uniform quantizers are investigated under both undirected and connected communication graphs and strongly connected digraphs, respectively. Through Lyapunov stability analysis, it is shown that players' actions can be steered to a neighborhood of the Nash equilibrium with logarithmic and uniform quantizers, and the quantified convergence error depends on the parameter of the quantizer for both undirected and directed cases. A numerical example is given to verify the theoretical results.