Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experiences of intrinsic values in education for older adults: insights from a Swedish senior university

This study aims to acquire more knowledge about the meaning of intrinsic values in or­ganised post-work non-formal educational activities for older adults. Observations and focus group interviews were conducted at a senior university in Sweden. John Dewey’s concept of experi­ence and theory of value are used to facilitate a deeper under­standing of the in­trinsic values that were identified. The results of the study demonstrate what intrinsic values in education for older adults can be, as well as how they are experienced. Several intrinsic values were identified: (i) new insights and widened perspectives, (ii) the reflective process, (iii) enrichment, (iv) meaningfulness, (v) enjoyment, (vi) peacefulness, (vii) existential awareness, (viii) relational support and (ix) sense of community. The results further reveal how the values of education are experienced in the interactions and relations between older individuals and the social environment in the ongoing education and that the activities themselves are valued by the participants.
Tenant Trouble: Resisting Precarity in Berlin’s Märkisches Viertel, 1968–1974

At the heart of this article is a detailed reconstruction of the complex history of activism in the Märkisches Viertel in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The satellite estate on the outskirts of West Berlin was the largest housing project in West Germany in the 1960s and, for many residents, a space of increasing marginality and insecurity. During the same period, the neighborhood became a new “front” for student activists, who collaborated with local residents on a series of grassroots community initiatives. The article retraces the new forms of political action that brought students and residents together in the Märkisches Viertel while highlighting the different ways in which residents made sense of their own precarity. In so doing, the article seeks to recenter our understanding of precarity as a geographically grounded process rooted in long-standing patterns of exploitation, displacement, and vulnerability. It also connects a renewed interest in the everyday political geographies of activism, solidarity, and resistance with a historico-geographical commitment to the archive as a theoretically generative space. At stake here, as the article concludes, is a commitment to advancing our understanding of critical pedagogies and the challenges that accompany the development of emancipatory modes of geographical practice.
Genome Analysis and Therapeutic Evaluation of a Novel Lytic Bacteriophage of Salmonella Typhimurium: Suggestive of a New Genus in the Subfamily Vequintavirinae

Salmonella Typhimurium, a foodborne pathogen, is a major concern for food safety. Its MDR serovars of animal origin pose a serious threat to the human population. Phage therapy can be an alternative for the treatment of such MDR Salmonella serovars. In this study, we report on detailed genome analyses of a novel Salmonella phage (Salmonella-Phage-SSBI34) and evaluate its therapeutic potential. The phage was evaluated for latent time, burst size, host range, and bacterial growth reduction in liquid cultures. The phage stability was examined at various pH levels and temperatures. The genome analysis (141.095 Kb) indicated that its nucleotide sequence is novel, as it exhibited only 1–7% DNA coverage. The phage genome features 44% GC content, and 234 putative open reading frames were predicted. The genome was predicted to encode for 28 structural proteins and 40 enzymes related to nucleotide metabolism, DNA modification, and protein synthesis. Further, the genome features 11 tRNA genes for 10 different amino acids, indicating alternate codon usage, and hosts a unique hydrolase for bacterial lysis. This study provides new insights into the subfamily Vequintavirinae, of which SSBI34 may represent a new genus.
Dilemmas of R&D investment risks and sustainability in the clean-tech economy: Evidence from Nasdaq clean edge index components

ABSTRACT Clean energy companies often require more costly investment in technology innovation than traditional energy companies, which poses higher technological risks. Therefore, many inconclusive debates have arisen concerning whether the R&D investment can generate sustained returns for such companies. This paper adopts progressive modeling steps to address the problem by using a modified Cobb-Douglas production function, System Generalized Method of Moments (SYS-GMM) approach, and fixed-effect panel threshold model. The role of R&D investment; the non-linear relationship between revenue, innovation, efficiency, and risk; as well as the corresponding threshold effects in clean and traditional energy companies are analyzed. 840 firm-year observations of clean energy companies from the NASDAQ Clean Edge Index are collected and screened, and compared with 280 firm-year observations of listed traditional energy companies in the U.S. Moreover, four types of clean energy companies, comprising green energy, wind power, water, and smart grid companies, are calculated and summarized separately. The results show that, for clean energy companies, long-term R&D intensity is beneficial to returns, shortening the cash conversion cycle (CCC) value, and reducing the financial leverage can produce a positive effect on return on assets (ROA), while different types of clean energy companies are advised with tailor-made portfolio strategies. For traditional energy companies, controlling the financial leverage while properly increasing CCC can help improve their ROAs. In this context, policy recommendations are provided for stakeholders to optimize their investment strategies in various clean and traditional energy enterprises according to the time-lag effect and threshold effect.
Efficacy and Safety of Remdesivir in COVID-19 Positive Dialysis Patients

(1) Background: Immune compromised hemodialysis patients are more likely to develop COVID-19 infections, which increase the risk of mortality. The benefits of Remdesivir, despite less literature support on its effectiveness in dialysis patients due to renal toxicity, can outweigh the risks if prescribed early. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Remdesivir on the 30-day in-hospital clinical outcome of hemodialysis population with COVID-19 infection and safety endpoints of adverse events. (2) Study design: A prospective quasi-experimental study design was used in the study. (3) Methods: The sample population consisted of 83 dialysis patients with COVID-19 who were administered Remdesivir at a dose of 100 mg before hemodialysis, as per hospital protocol. After the treatment with Remdesivir, we assessed the outcomes across two endpoints, namely primary (surviving vs. dying) as well as clinical and biochemical changes (ferritin, liver function test, C-reactive protein, oxygen requirements, and lactate dehydrogenase levels) and secondary (adverse effects, such as diarrhea, rise in ALT). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the survival probabilities were compared between patients who received Remdesivir within 48 h of diagnosis and those who received it after 48 h. Cox regression analysis was employed to determine the predictors of outcome. (4) Results: Of the 83 patients, 91.5% survived and 8.4% died. Remdesivir administration did not reduce the death rate overall. Hospital stays were shorter (p = 0.03) and a nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 was negative earlier (p = 0.001) in survivors who had received Remdesivir within 48 h of diagnosis compared to those who had received Remdesivir after 48 h. The only variables linked to the 30-day mortality were serum CRP (p = 0.028) and TLC (p = 0.013). No major adverse consequences were observed with Remdesivir. (5) Conclusions: Remdesivir has the potential to shorten the recovery time for dialysis patients if taken within 48 h of onset of symptoms, without any adverse effects.
Energy-Growth Nexus in Indonesia: Fresh Evidence from Asymmetric Causality Test

The purpose of this study is to examine the causality between energy consumption and economic growth with an asymmetric causality approach in Indonesia. Data used from 1971-2014. Asymmetric causality using the Hatemi-J method (2012). Bootstrap simulation is also implemented because the data is not normally distributed and there is volatility to get a more reliable critical value than using asymptotic values. The first finding is that classical causality with Toda-Yamamoto finds no relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in Indonesia. The second finding shows that asymmetric causality shows no relationship between energy consumption and economic growth on a positive cumulative basis. However, the third finding obtained a bidirectional in negative cumulative. It is known that the impact of a decrease in energy consumption is greater on a decrease in economic growth than vice versa. Based on these findings, energy consumption in Indonesia has reached an optimal point so that additional energy consumption does not have an impact on economic growth. However, efforts to stabilize energy and economic growth are urgently needed.
THE EFFECTS OF INTEREST RATE ON REAL EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY SPILLOVER IN MALAYSIA AND THAILAND: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

The research examined this asymmetric effect between the interrelationship of the interbank rate on the external competitiveness purchasing power represented by the real effective exchange rate for Malaysia and Thailand using monthly data covering the period of 1994 until 2020. The empirical findings confirms an asymmetric effect between interbank rate and real effective exchange rate based on the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag estimates. The research also finds a unidirectional asymmetric causal relationship running from real effective exchange rate on interbank rate Thailand, which indicate the monetary policy has a direct relationship on interbank rate volatility. While in Malaysia, there is no causality running between both variables since the country has proposed several soft monetary policies and more concentrating on the short-term borrowing by improving the tight money supply circulation based on the domestic inflation, global economic, and financial market volatility. Therefore, the research recommends a specific need of monetary stabilizer policy to stabilize both countries’ currencies and put more effort to liberalize the foreign exchange rate system in a globalized economy.
Lessons from the 2020 Covid Recession for Understanding Regional Resilience

The 2020 Covid-19 recession differs from past recessions due to the immediate economic collapse, making it a unique setting in which to assess local economic resilience. Using county-level data, we identify initial effects of the pandemic and accompanying stay-at-home orders on consumer spending, unemployment insurance claims, small businesses, and low-income employment and earnings. We discuss heterogeneity related to pre-pandemic county characteristics and find differences compared to past recessions. Counties with larger leisure services employment shares fared worse, while counties with less-educated, younger workforces fared better. We find an ambiguous role of small businesses in contrast with favorable impacts during prior downturns. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Role of Podoplanin in Skin Diseases

Podoplanin is a sialomucin-like type I transmembrane receptor glycoprotein that is expressed specifically in lymphatic vessels, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles in normal skin. However, under pathological conditions podoplanin expression is upregulated in various cells, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, tumor cells, and inflammatory cells, and plays pivotal roles in different diseases. In psoriasis, podoplanin expression is induced in basal keratinocytes via the JAK-STAT pathway and contributes toward epidermal hyperproliferation. Podoplanin expression on keratinocytes can also promote IL-17 secretion from lymphocytes, promoting chronic inflammation. During wound healing, the podoplanin/CLEC-2 interaction between keratinocytes and platelets regulates re-epithelialization at the wound edge. In skin cancers, podoplanin expresses on tumor cells and promotes their migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby accelerating invasion and metastasis. Podoplanin is also expressed in normal peritumoral cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts in melanoma and keratinocytes in extramammary Paget’s disease, which promote tumor progression and predict aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the mechanisms via which podoplanin mediates these pathological skin conditions.
Immediate postoperative complications of sellar suprasellar lesions operated via pterional approach

Objective: In neurosurgical facilities, lesions that occur in the sella turcica and suprasellar area are frequently encountered. Different complications have been documented in the past studies following surgical management of sellar suprasellar lesions. This study's rationale was to get data from our local population on complications related to the transcranial approach for sellar suprasellar lesions. The study aimed to determine the immediate (within one week) postoperative complications of sellar suprasellar lesions operated via a pterional approach Material and Methods: This descriptive case series study was conducted from June 2019 to June 2020 at the neurosurgical facility lady reading hospital Peshawar. A total of 117 patients, meeting inclusion criteria irrespective of gender, diagnosed with the sellar suprasellar lesion between 18 to 60 years of age operated through a pterional approach. Post-op patients were followed for seven days to access main outcome measures such as CSF leak and diabetes insipidus. Results: CSF leak found in 7.7% (n = 9) of patients while diabetes insipidus was detected in 14.5% (n = 17) patients. Gender and age-based stratification showed no statistically significant difference for both postoperative complications. Conclusion: Diabetes insipidus was a more frequent postoperative complication in patients undergoing the pterional approach for sellar suprasellar lesions followed by CSF leak. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between different age groups and gender for all these complications.
Real-time decision making in motorsports : analytics for improving professional car race strategy

We discuss features contained in a machine learning software developed at MIT for professional car racing, to improve the predictions of track position changes within a race. We study pit crew performance and driver performance within selected races, and find that good combined performance for both correlates to better finish positions. Secondly, we classify tracks based on tire wear and the ratio of 2 versus 4 tire change decisions for pit stops. We find that a driver’s performance in early stages of the race is similar to performance in later stages, suggesting that final race outcomes may be inferred from earlier stages of the race. Thirdly, we look at how tire change decisions vary from track to track depending on tire wear, caution periods, and stages of the race to understand how teams adapt their tire change strategies as each race progresses. We propose heuristics based on these observations that may be used to improve the software. Next, we test whether the construction of the machine learning dataset using similar and different track characteristics has a discernable impact on the predictive capability of the software. Our tests indicate that it may be preferable to aggregate different races together because there is no distinct difference in the results when compared to only selecting similar races. Finally, we cover ideas about how new features could be implemented in the software, and touch on other factors affecting pit stop strategy in the quest for better predictive capability in the software. Thesis Supervisor: Cynthia Rudin Title: Associate Professor of Statistics, CSAIL and Sloan School of Management
Working Boards in Tertiary Education: Lessons from Three Case Studies

There are a number of studies that classify governing boards into different types. Some classifications are based on management form. Some are based on the form in which authority is exercised. Some are based on the form of institution that the board serves. Most of these classifications include “working boards,” but few offer a clear definition of them. Even those that do attempt to define this type of board acknowledge that little is known about how they actually function. In contrast, the prevalence of working boards appears to be growing. This study examines three small public not-for-profit institutions with “working boards” to determine how that type of board functions, where it succeeds and where it fails, and how it is different from other types of boards. In addition to presenting an up-to-date and more realistic definition of the working board, the study critically analyses the working board as an instrument of governance and observes that working boards have several inherent contradictions and are prone to conflicts of interest.
Association of Academic Performance With Obesity and Unhealthy Lifestyle Among Female University Students

Aim This study aims to examine the relationship between obesity and academic performance and to investigate the relevance between an unhealthy lifestyle and academic performance, which may exist among obese and non-obese female students in the College of Science and College of Medicine of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Method The study is observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional in nature and covers a sample of 328 female students aged 19 to 23 years. They were randomly selected from the College of Science and College of Medicine. Sample collection was conducted from December 12, 2020 to June 15, 2021. Results The result indicates that obesity did not influence academic performance. The association between obesity and academic performance was non-significant (p = 0.335). In the College of Science, grades in physics and math were analyzed, which reflected a weak association with obesity (p = 0.893 and p = 0.872, respectively). Various factors exerted a positive impact on academic performance, such as eating yogurt at least 1-5 times per week (p < 0.05) and spending less than 4 hours on social media or watching TV (p < 0.05). Conclusion Academic performance is influenced by many factors. Eating yogurt more frequently and watching TV and less time for social media are the factors with the largest influence on academic performance. However, obesity does not influence academic performance. In summary, physical activity and a healthy diet exerted no direct effect on academic performance.
Characterization of Calcium Silicate Hydrate Gels with Different Calcium to Silica Ratios and Polymer Modifications

Calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gels, the main binding phases of hydrated cement, are the most widely utilized synthetic materials. To understand the influences of composition and polymers on the reaction kinetics and phase formation, CSH gels with varying Ca/Si ratios and amounts of poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) partial sodium salt (PAAm-co-PAA) were synthesized via a direct method. The CSH gels were characterized through isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy at different ages. By increasing the Ca/Si ratio from 0.8 to 1.0, the formation of CSH was enhanced with a 5.4% lower activation energy, whereas the incorporation of PAAm-co-PAA increased the temperature sensitivity of the reactions with an 83.3% higher activation energy. In the presence of PAAm-co-PAA, the reaction rate was retarded at an early age and the negative impact faded over time. The results of an XRD analysis indicated the formation of tobermorite as the main phase of the CSH gels, while the addition of PAAm-co-PAA resulted in a postponed calcium hydroxide consumption and CSH formation, which was confirmed by the decreased FTIR intensity of the C=O bond, Si–O stretching and Si–O bonds. The increased Raman vibrations of Si–O–Si bending Q2, Ca–O bonds, O–Si–O and asymmetric bending vibrations of SiO4 tetrahedra in the presence of PAAm-co-PAA indicate the intercalation of the polymeric phase and internal deformation of CSH gels.
Can Arbitrary Beliefs be Rational?

Abstract When a belief has been influenced, in part or whole, by factors that, by the believer's own lights, do not bear on the truth of the believed proposition, we can say that the belief has been, in a sense, arbitrarily formed. Can such beliefs ever be rational? It might seem obvious that they can't. After all, belief, supposedly, “aims at the truth. ” But many epistemologists have come to think that certain kinds of arbitrary beliefs can, indeed, be rational. In this paper, I want to do two things. First, I want to show that the claim that arbitrary beliefs can be rational is inconsistent with the conjunction of two other attractive claims: one saying that rationality requires a certain kind of epistemic immodesty, and one saying that rationality forbids certain kinds of self-ascriptions of epistemic luck. Second, I want to evaluate different ways one might respond to this inconsistent triad. I won't defend any response in particular, but I'll draw out some notable costs and benefits of each response, which may help shed light on the question of whether arbitrary beliefs can be rational.
Unplugged computational thinking at K-6 education: evidence from a multiple-case study in Spain

ABSTRACT This paper examines the implementation of unplugged tasks across different school settings developing computational thinking skills and concepts at upper primary school children in Spain without programming and without using electronic devices. The study is based on qualitative case study design. Across the three case studies/schools – Waldorf–Steiner, conventional and innovative – several themes and key tasks were emerged for unplugged computational thinking development. The evidence stems from observation field notes and interview transcripts with 152 participants. We collected 94 lessons in total, and we analyzed the data based on a predefined coding scheme and thematic content analysis. We conclude that the detected unplugged tasks demonstrate a great potential to develop computational thinking skills and concepts, even though the teachers are not fully aware of their development. The study highlights the need for teacher professional development on computational thinking teaching and learning. Also, we stress the need for computational thinking skills, concepts, and tasks integration into curriculum explicitly. Given the paucity of research on unplugged methods and computational thinking development in primary education, this study is promising to uncover some prominent issues for further examination and future research agenda.
Biobleaching of kraft pulp using white-rot fungus IZU-154.

On a realise des essais de blanchiment direct de pâtes kraft de feuilllus a l'aide de quatre champignons de la pourriture blanche. La plus grande augmentation de blancheur a ete obtenue avec le champignon IZU-154. Un blanchiment combine fongique (F) et chimique (CED) a permis d'obtenir une blancheur de 88% pour un rendement de blanchiment de 94%, ce qui est presque equivalent aux resultats obtenus a l'aide d'une sequence de blanchiment conventionnelle CEDED. Le procede FCED pourrait permettre de reduire de facon significative l'utilisation de produits chlores et la charge polluante des effluents.