Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MAPPING COMPETENCY ACQUISITION IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND ITS INFLUENCES: A META-STUDY

In the 10-year research program "Modelling and Measuring Competencies in Higher Education (KoKoHs)" that ran from 2011 until 2020, more than 100 theoretically sound models and corresponding tests were developed to analyze the level and development of students’ competencies. Using these newly developed assessments, generic and domain-specific competencies of more than 75,000 students at more than 350 German universities in numerous disciplines (e.g., economics, teacher education) were measured in 39 interdisciplinary collaborative KoKoHs projects. Method: In these measurements, a nationally and internationally unique database was created that contains information on the level, acquisition, and development of competencies, as well as corresponding personal and contextual influences, among students at different stages throughout their studies. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the students’ competencies as well as of the central factors influencing the acquisition of competencies in higher education had not been conducted so far. The existing KoKoHs data had only been analyzed in isolation within the individual KoKoHs projects until then. Accordingly, the obtained results related only to the individual project level. To address this research deficit, the meta-study presented in this paper conducted a research synthesis, i.e., a systematic and structured meta-analysis of the KoKoHs database. Results: The meta-study describes the acquisition of competencies in higher education across domains and provides empirical evidence on generalizable versus specific influencing factors and, thus, evidence-based practical knowledge for higher education practice and policy.
A Constitutive Stress Response is an Adaptation to Low Temperature in the Antarctic green alga Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241

The Antarctic green alga Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241 is an obligate psychrophile that thrives in the cold (4-6°C) but is unable to survive at temperatures ≥18°C. Little is known how exposure to heat affects its physiology or whether it mounts a heat stress response in a manner comparable to mesophiles. Here, we dissect the responses of UWO241 to temperature stress by examining its growth, primary metabolome and transcriptome under steady-state low temperature and heat stress conditions. In comparison with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, UWO241 constitutively accumulates metabolites and proteins commonly considered as stress markers, including soluble sugars, antioxidants, polyamines, and heat shock proteins to ensure efficient protein folding at low temperatures. We propose that this permanent stress metabolism is an adaptive advantage to life at extreme conditions. A shift from 4°C to a non-permissive temperature of 24°C alters the UWO241 primary metabolome and transcriptome, but growth of UWO241 at higher permissive temperatures (10°C and 15°C) does not provide enhanced heat protection. UWO241 also fails to induce the accumulation of HSPs when exposed to heat, suggesting that it has lost the ability to fine-tune its heat stress response. Our work adds to the growing body of research on temperature stress in psychrophiles, many of which are threatened by climate change.
Internet Usage, Human Capital and CO2 Emissions: A Global Perspective

Under the background of dealing with global warming, the widespread use of the internet provides a new idea for countries to develop a low-carbon economy at the right time. Based on the panel data of 70 countries from 1995–2018, this paper empirically analyzes the relationship between internet usage, human capital, and CO2 emissions under different levels of economic development by using system GMM and a threshold regression model. The results show that internet usage and human capital are essential drivers of low-carbon economy development, and human capital can inversely regulate the impact of internet usage on CO2 emissions. Internet usage can increase CO2 emissions when human capital is below the threshold value, and it can significantly inhibit CO2 emissions when human capital exceeds the threshold value. In other words, with the accumulation of human capital, the effect of internet usage on CO2 emissions has an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship. Furthermore, the empirical analysis of high-income and middle- and low-income countries indicates the hindrance effect of internet usage on CO2 emissions is more evident in high-income countries. For both the high-income and middle- and low-income countries, the relationship between internet usage and CO2 emissions generally shows an inverted “U-shaped” relationship, first rising and then falling as human capital accumulates.
Influence of Minimalist Footwear on Running Performance and Injury

ABSTRACT Runners and clinicians have long sought to enhance distance running performance and reduce the occurrence of running-related injuries. Footwear selection often comes to the forefront in such pursuits, yet remains a common source of controversy in the literature and practice. In particular, the utilization of minimalist footwear has fluctuated in popularity over the last several decades, with some proponents suggesting that it can promote improvements in running economy and reduce injury rates. However, a closer look at the literature shows anything but straightforward and consistent recommendations. The purpose of this article is to outline the effects of minimalist footwear on running performance and injury, with a focus on its associated impact on running mechanics. The authors also aim to identify who may be the ideal client to transition to minimalist running and how to minimize the risk of injury during the transition.
Photoassisted Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Riceberry Rice Extract and Their Antibacterial Application

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been attractive in biomedical applications due to its nontoxic and eco-friendly approach. This study presents the facile, rapid, and cost-effective synthesis of AgNPs by photoassisted chemical reduction using Riceberry (RB) rice extract as a reducing agent. The effects of reaction parameters including photoirradiation, irradiation time, the volume ratio of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to RB extract, and pH condition on the AgNP formation were also investigated. The characterization of AgNPs was determined by UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. For antibacterial application, the synthesized AgNPs were studied by disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results indicated that light irradiation was an important factor to accelerate the formation of AgNPs. The synthesis parameters including volume of RB extract and pH condition significantly affected the particle size and crystallinity of AgNPs. The volume ratio of AgNO3 to RB extract 1 : 12.5 at pH 2.5 under photoirradiation was the successful condition to form nanometer-sized crystalline particles (average particle size of 59.48 ± 0.37 nm ) within 30 min with a rate constant of 0.210 min–1. The FT-IR measurement also suggested that the phytochemical constituents in RB extract were served as reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of AgNPs. Additionally, the obtained AgNPs from various conditions demonstrated the antibacterial activity against both strains. Therefore, this study proposes an effective integration technique to synthesize AgNPs within a short time for antibacterial application.
The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Olive (Olea europea L.) Leaves on BALB/c Mice

Olives has been mentioned in holly books, Quran and Bible, as medicinal and good nutritional food. People using it as a herbal medicine for centuries. However, we concern about its toxicity to some organs tissues. In this study, we observed histopathological changes on stomach, liver and kidney tissues of BALB/c mice after administrated with ethanolic extract of olive leaves (OLE). Male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups. Each group subsequently orally administrated with phosphate buffer saline (group-I), or OLE (100 mg/kg (group-II); 200 mg/kg (group-III)) for ten consecutive days before necropsy. Mice were sacrificed next day and stomach, liver and kidney tissue were observed for histopathological changes using hematoxyline-eosin. Observation using Corel Photo PX7. Stomach mucosal epithelial damage were 1.9%, 3.2% and 1.7%, hepatocyte damages were 40%, 38.1%, 63,1%, Glomerular atrophy were 11.5%, 9.9% and 11,5%, kidney tissue bleeding area were 3.7%, 3.1%, 4.1% in group-I, -II and –III respectively. Ethanolic extract of local olive leaves have mucoprotective activity on stomach tissues, but at 200 mg/kg have a toxic effect on mice liver and kidney tissues. Keywords-Acute toxicity; olive leaves
Physiological exophoria did not increase the incidence of myopia in rural school children in Taiwan

Abstract This study evaluated the incidence rate and risk factors for developing myopia in elementary school students in Chiayi, Taiwan. This prospective cohort study comprised 1816 students without myopia (grades 1 to 5 in Chiayi County). The students underwent a noncycloplegic ocular alignment examinations using an autorefractometer and completed a questionnaires at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up. A univariate logistic regression was used to assess the effects of the categorical variables on new cases of myopia. A multinomial logistic regression was then conducted. A chi-squared test was used to compare new cases of myopia in terms of ocular alignment. A Cox hazard ratio model was then used to validate factors associated with changes in ocular alignment. A P value of <. 05 was considered significant. In 370 participants with new cases of myopia out of 1816 participants, a spherical error of −1.51 ± 0.6 diopters was noted at follow-up. The baseline ocular alignment was not a significant risk factor for developing myopia (exophoria vs orthophoria: OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.97–1.62; other vs. orthophoria: OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.73–1.82). However, new cases of myopia (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14–1.61), and baseline ocular alignment (exophoria vs orthophoria: HR 3.76, 95% CI 3.20–4.42; other vs orthophoria: HR 3.02, 95% CI 2.05–4.45) were associated with exophoria at follow-up. This study provided epidemiological data on the incidence of myopia in elementary school students in Chiayi, Taiwan. It also demonstrated that physiological exophoria does not predispose patients to developing myopia.
Cooperative Learning for a More Sustainable Education: Gender Equity in the Learning of Maths

Education and gender equity are of high priority in the list of objectives when looking to achieve sustainable development; however, various studies have analysed that these objectives are far from being reached. The goal of this paper was to investigate the influence that cooperative learning has on academic performance and on the gender gap in the subject of Maths. A total of 14,122 students between the ages of 10 and 19 took part in the study. The hypothesis posed was that gender differences observed in Maths would significantly be reduced in those classrooms in which cooperative learning had a higher degree of implementation. In the results, the analysis of the regression of means and gradients showed that gender predicts Maths results in a positive manner (estimated beta = 0.12, p < 0.01) and interacts with cooperative learning by taking a negative value (−0.26) and with an associated critical value less than 0.05. In other words, the relation between cooperative learning and Math grades is significantly higher in males than in females. However, females achieve better marks, which generates a certain relation of equity. These results prove that cooperative learning can reduce gender differences in the learning of Maths.
Interpreting estimates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine efficacy and effectiveness to inform simulation studies of vaccine impact: a systematic review

Background: The multiple efficacious vaccines authorised for emergency use worldwide represent the first preventative intervention against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that does not rely on social distancing measures. The speed at which data are emerging and the heterogeneities in study design, target populations, and implementation make it challenging to interpret and assess the likely impact of vaccine campaigns on local epidemics. We reviewed available vaccine efficacy and effectiveness studies to generate working estimates that can be used to parameterise simulation studies of vaccine impact. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, the World Health Organization’s Institutional Repository for Information Sharing, medRxiv, and vaccine manufacturer websites for studies that evaluated the emerging data on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness. Studies providing an estimate of the efficacy or effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine using disaggregated data against SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic disease, severe disease, death, or transmission were included. We extracted information on study population, variants of concern (VOC), vaccine platform, dose schedule, study endpoints, and measures of impact. We applied an evidence synthesis approach to capture a range of plausible and consistent parameters for vaccine efficacy and effectiveness that can be used to inform and explore a variety of vaccination strategies as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. Results: Of the 602 articles and reports identified, 53 were included in the analysis. The availability of vaccine efficacy and effectiveness estimates varied by vaccine and were limited for VOCs. Estimates for non-primary endpoints such as effectiveness against infection and onward transmission were sparse. Synthesised estimates were relatively consistent for the same vaccine platform for wild-type, but was more variable for VOCs. Conclusions: Assessment of efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines is complex. Simulation studies must acknowledge and capture the uncertainty in vaccine effectiveness to robustly explore and inform vaccination policies and policy around the lifting of non-pharmaceutical interventions.
How carbonate dissolution facilitates sediment-hosted Zn-Pb mineralization

Most of the world’s Zn and Pb is extracted from sediment-hosted Zn-Pb deposits. The Zn-Pb deposits hosted in carbonate rocks are hypothesized to form by mixing of acidic metal-bearing brines with reduced sulfur-bearing fluids while dissolving sedimentary carbonate. To test the role of carbonate in this process, we conducted hydrothermal experiments simulating ore formation by reacting Zn ± Pb ± Ba–bearing brines with H2S and SO42– produced by native sulfur, with and without carbonate minerals (calcite or dolomite crystals), at 200 °C and water-saturated pressure. Sphalerite, galena, and barite (or anhydrite) crystals formed only when carbonate was present in the experiment, accompanied by carbonate dissolution. The textures of sphalerite clusters are similar to those observed in ancient and modern hydrothermal deposits. Thermodynamic modeling at 150 °C and 250 °C demonstrates that mixing of metal-rich brines and H2S causes most of the Zn in solution to precipitate as sphalerite only when carbonate dissolution occurs to buffer the pH, consistent with the experimental observations. The need for a pH buffer increases with increasing temperature, and different pH buffers may play a role for different deposit types. We propose that carbonate-buffered fluid mixing is a critical process for forming post-sedimentary Zn ± Pb ± Ba deposits in sedimentary carbonate rocks.
Belgian Journalists in Lockdown: Survey on Employment and Working Conditions and Representations of Their Role

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an important paradox: it has reminded us of the importance of the news media and the central place it occupies in the public space in times of crisis. At the same time, it has showed the major difficulties the industry faces in Belgium and elsewhere in the world. The lockdown disrupted the employment and practices of many journalists in ways that may reveal the contemporary tensions between professional identity and working conditions more clearly than in average news cycles. In order to understand what the Belgian French-speaking journalists went through during the first lockdown, we conducted a survey about the implications of the crisis for their employment status and work practices. This survey also covered their perceptions concerning their social role, their journalistic skills and the quality of their work covering the COVID-19 crisis. The responses show a sharp contrast between challenging working conditions (isolation, lack of expertise and job losses in worst cases) and the satisfaction that comes from the social contribution of their reporting. In order to interpret the results, we consider the theory of valuation as a framework to understand the attachment of journalists to their work and how they practise it.
Nutrient Solution Deprivation as a Tool to Improve Hydroponics Sustainability: Yield, Physiological, and Qualitative Response of Lettuce

Hydroponics growing systems often contain excessive nutrients (especially nitrates), which could lead to a quality loss in ready-to-eat leafy vegetables and posing a health risk to consumers, if managed inadequately. A floating raft system was adopted to assay the production and quality performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv ‘Maravilla De Verano Canasta’) deprived of the nutrient solution by replacement with only water, three and six days before harvest. Yield and quality parameters, mineral composition, pigments, organic acids, amino acids profile, soluble proteins, and carbohydrate content were determined. Nutrient solution deprivation six days before harvest resulted in a significant reduction in leaf nitrate (−53.3%) concomitant with 13.8% of yield loss, while plants deprived of nutrient solution three days before harvest increased total phenols content (32.5%) and total ascorbic acid (102.1%), antioxidant activity (82.7%), anthocyanins (7.9%), sucrose (38.9%), starch (19.5%), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA; 28.2%), with a yield reduction of 4.7%, compared to the control. Our results suggest that nutrient solution deprivation three days before harvest is a successful strategy to reduce nitrate content and increase the nutritional quality of lettuce grown in floating raft systems with negligible impact on yield. These promising results warrant further investigation of the potential effect of nutrient solution deprivation on the quality attributes of other leafy vegetables cultivated in floating raft systems and in a “cascade” growing system.
Optimization of feeding rate and pressure of Orthodox Roller in Black Tea production

The objective of this study was to optimize the performance of orthodox roller (225 kg) in black tea manufacturing by varying the pressure and feeding rate at Wewassa Tea Factory, Passara. Three levels of pressure (P1 - 10 min-no pressure, 10 min-touch bar, P2 - 10 min-no pressure, 5 min-1/4 pressure,5min-no pressure and P3 - 10 min - no pressure, 3 min-1/4 pressure, 2 min - 1/2 pressure) and three levels of feeding rate to the roller (200, 205 and 210 kg) were used as treatment combinations. Currently, the factory using P1 pressure and 200 kg feeding rate for tea manufacturing. Particle size analysis, brightness, TF/TR and organoleptic properties were measured for the triplicate samples and compared with the sample prepared with the factory standard. The results revealed, there is a significant effect of pressure and feeding rate on particle size analysis, but there is no significant effect on color, ratio between theaflavins (TF), thearubigins (TR) and sensory analysis (p<0.05) The treatment combination of feeding rate 210 kg and Pressure P2 has given high amount of particle size belongs to No 3 mesh size while conserving other chemical and organoleptic parameters, thus it can be concluded that this treatment combination is the best.
Solution-Focused Therapy through the Lens of Discourse Analysis

Abstract This paper introduces discourse analysis in psychotherapy research as it is performed namely within the context of solution-focused brief therapy. It has the character of an overview study with a closer emphasis on several examples from the solution-focused context in relation to Discourse Analysis in individual, couple, or family therapy. In this text, the authors introduce examples of contemporary research that deal with the role of formulations in psychotherapy and counseling; the therapist pursuing a therapeutic agenda; and the process of change, as well as the broader psychotherapeutic discourse.
U.K.-German Commodity Trade and Exchange-Rate Volatility: An Asymmetric Analysis

ABSTRACT We assess the response of trade flows between Britain and Germany to exchange rate volatility. When we estimated a linear model, we found short-run effects of volatility in 36 British exporting industries that lasted into the long run only in 23 industries. The comparable number for German exporting industries were 42 and 17, respectively. However, when we estimated a nonlinear model, we found short-run asymmetric effects of volatility in 54 British exporting industries that lasted into the long run in 38 industries. The comparable number for German exporting industries were 64 and 42, respectively. Almost all affected industries were small.
Influence of consumer cosmopolitanism on purchase intention of foreign vs local brands: a developing country perspective

PurposeThis study investigates the role of consumer cosmopolitanism on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions (PIs) towards foreign and local brands.Design/methodology/approachThe responses were collected on a structured questionnaire through a consumer survey. The data were then analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM). FindingsThe results depict the positive influence of consumer cosmopolitanism on consumer attitudes towards foreign brands, which positively influences PIs towards foreign brands and negatively influences the PIs of local brands. Further, the mediating role of perceived quality was observed in explaining the consumer preference towards foreign and domestic brands.Practical implicationsFinally, the study concludes by providing implications for marketing scholars and managers of global and local brands.Originality/valueThe paper examines the underlying mechanisms related to consumer cosmopolitanism and its role in influencing the foreign and local brand purchase.