Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiome interacts with pregnancy hormone metabolites in gestational diabetes mellitus

Introduction Change in the composition of intestinal microbiota is associated with metabolic disorders such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods To understand how the microbiota impacts the development of gestational diabetes mellitus, we profiled the intestinal microbiome of 54 pregnant women, including 27 GDM subjects, by employing 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Additionally, we conducted targeted metabolomics assays to validate the identified pathways with overrepresented metabolites. Results We evaluated the patterns of changing abundances of operational taxonomic units (OTU) between GDM and the healthy counterparts over three timepoints. Based on the significant OTUs, we inferred 132 significantly altered metabolic pathways in GDM. And identified two overrepresented metabolites of pregnancy hormone, butyrate and mevalonate, as potential intermediary metabolites of intestinal microbiota in GDM. Finally, we validated the impacts of the intestinal microbiota on GDM by demonstrating consistent changes of the serum levels of progesterone, estradiol, butyrate, and mevalonate in an independent cohort. Discussion Our findings confirm that alterations in the microbiota play a role in the development of GDM by impacting the metabolism of pregnancy hormones. This provides a novel perspective on the pathogenesis of GDM and introduces potential biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis and prevention of the disease.
Air Pollution Health Literacy among Active Commuters in Hamilton, Ontario

The promotion of active transportation (AT), which has been broadly defined as a physical effort performed by the traveller to produce motion, has been a popular strategy to reduce vehicular emissions, improve air quality, and promote physical activity. However, individuals who engage in AT may incur increased exposure to air pollutants and thus potential health impacts. This research sought to determine how active commuters understand the health risks associated with air pollution during their commutes, and whether they engage in any behaviours to limit exposure. An online survey was adapted from the Environmental Health Literacy framework to assess air pollution health literacy among active commuters in Hamilton, ON, and generated a sample size of 192 AT users. Analyses involved the use of frequency tables and cross-tabulations for the quantitative data, and the Health Belief Model and thematic analysis to interpret the qualitative data. Results revealed that most AT users do not adopt behaviours that would limit air pollution exposure on commutes and exhibited low self-rated knowledge of the health impacts of air pollution exposure. Issues of perceived susceptibility and severity, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy all further impacted the likelihood of adopting health protective behaviours. Conclusively, air pollution is an often-neglected consideration among active commuters, with air pollution knowledge predicting the likelihood of behavioural modification.
Sliding mode fault‐tolerant control of uncertain system: A delta operator approach

This paper is concerned with the sliding mode control of uncertain nonlinear systems against actuator faults and external disturbances based on delta operator approach. The nonlinearity, actuator fault, and external disturbance are considered in this study, and the bounds of Euclidean norms of the nonlinearity and the specific lower and upper bounds of the actuator faults and the disturbances are unknown knowledge. Our attention is mainly focused on designing a sliding mode fault‐tolerant controller to compensate the effects from the nonlinearity, unknown actuator fault, and external disturbance. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, a novel‐adaptive fault‐tolerant sliding mode control law is deigned such that the resulting closed loop delta operator system is finite‐time convergence and the actuator faults can be tolerated, simultaneously. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control design scheme. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulations of model magnetorheological fluids in squeeze flow mode

A particle-level simulation methodology is proposed to study the squeeze flow behavior of model magnetorheological fluids. The simulation algorithm takes into account Brownian motion and local field corrections to magnetic interactions of the particles. Simulation results obtained from using different initial configurations, including one single-particle-width chain per simulation box, random or lattice arrangements of preassembled single-particle-width chains as well as randomly dispersed particle suspensions, are compared with experimental data and predictions of a recently developed microscopic model. The assumption of single-particle-width chain structures in the systems has been shown to generate normal stresses larger than those found in experiments and the micromechanical model. However, much better agreement between the simulation and experimental results have been reached when using random initial configurations in the simulations.
Stochasticity and fluctuations in non-equilibrium transport models

The transportation of mass is an inherently ‘non-equilibrium’ process, relying on a current of mass between two or more locations. Life exists by necessity out of equilibrium and non-equilibrium transport processes are seen at all levels in living organisms, from DNA replication up to animal foraging. As such, biological processes are ideal candidates for modelling using non-equilibrium stochastic processes, but, unlike with equilibrium processes, there is as of yet no general framework for their analysis. In the absence of such a framework we must study specific models to learn more about the behaviours and bulk properties of systems that are out of equilibrium. In this work I present the analysis of three distinct models of non-equilibrium mass transport processes. Each transport process is conceptually distinct but all share close connections with each other through a set of fundamental nonequilibrium models, which are outlined in Chapter 2. In this thesis I endeavour to understand at a more fundamental level the role of stochasticity and fluctuations in non-equilibrium transport processes. In Chapter 3 I present a model of a diffusive search process with stochastic resetting of the searcher’s position, and discuss the effects of an imperfection in the interaction between the searcher and its target. Diffusive search process are particularly relevant to the behaviour of searching proteins on strands of DNA, as well as more diverse applications such as animal foraging and computational search algorithms. The focus of this study was to calculate analytically the effects of the imperfection on the survival probability and the mean time to absorption at the target of the diffusive searcher. I find that the survival probability of the searcher decreases exponentially with time, with a decay constant which increases as the imperfection in the interaction decreases. This study also revealed the importance of the ratio of two length scales to the search process: the
Turbulent convective flows in the solar photospheric plasma

The origin of the 22-year solar magnetic cycle lies below the photosphere where multiscale plasma motions, due to turbulent convection, produce magnetic fields. The most powerful intensity and velocity signals are associated with convection cells, called granules, with a scale of typically 1 Mm and a lifetime of a few minutes. Small-scale magnetic elements (SMEs), ubiquitous on the solar photosphere, are passively transported by associated plasma flows. This advection makes their traces very suitable for defining the convective regime of the photosphere. Therefore the solar photosphere offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate convective motions, associated with compressible, stratified, magnetic, rotating and large Rayleigh number stellar plasmas. The magnetograms used here come from a Hinode/SOT uninterrupted 25-hour sequence of spectropolarimetric images. The mean-square displacement of SMEs has been modelled with a power law with spectral index ${\it\gamma}$ . We found ${\it\gamma}=1.34\pm 0.02$ for times up to ${\sim}2000~\text{s}$ and ${\it\gamma}=1.20\pm 0.05$ for times up to ${\sim}10\,000~\text{s}$ . An alternative way to investigate the advective–diffusive motion of SMEs is to look at the evolution of the two-dimensional probability distribution function (PDF) for the displacements. Although at very short time scales the PDFs are affected by pixel resolution, for times shorter than ${\sim}2000~\text{s}$ the PDFs seem to broaden symmetrically with time. In contrast, at longer times a multi-peaked feature of the PDFs emerges, which suggests the non-trivial nature of the diffusion–advection process of magnetic elements. A Voronoi distribution analysis shows that the observed small-scale distribution of SMEs involves the complex details of highly nonlinear small-scale interactions of turbulent convective flows detected in solar photospheric plasma.
The Treatment of Severe Periodontitis Using a Local Antiseptic Desiccant and Subgingival Mechanical Instrumentation: A Pilot Study

This randomized, split-mouth, controlled clinical study assessed the additional clinical benefits of a local desiccant antimicrobial agent (HY) combined with subgingival mechanical instrumentation (SRP) vs. SRP alone in treating severe periodontitis. Patients with stages III and IV periodontitis received full-mouth periodontal examinations at baseline and after a three-month follow-up. Two randomly selected hemiarches in each periodontitis patient were treated with SRP plus HY and were included in the test group, while the other two hemiarches received only SRP and were included in the control group. In thirty patients, the analyses of the evolution of the periodontal parameters over time showed statistically significant mean differences for the probing depths and clinical attachment level values resulting from all the examined sites, as well as from the interproximal sites (p < 0.001) in both the test and control groups. The intergroup comparisons of the same four parameters showed no significant differences (p = 0.322, p = 0.36, p = 0.516, and p = 0.509, respectively). Based on these study results, no additional benefits were obtained after HY subgingival applications.
Student Feedback on Use of Breakout Rooms

The widespread use of video platforms has enriched and expanded options for synchronous learning for students attending class remotely including use of breakout rooms as a venue for peer-to-peer discussion. Although groupwork has long been used in face-to-face classes and there exists abundant research on its benefits, research on the use of breakout rooms as a venue for groupwork including students not physically in the classroom is scant. An end-of-term survey was administered to students in two classes taught using a HyFlex system where the instructor was physically present in the classroom with some students while other students participated remotely. Primary characteristics students liked about breakout rooms are that they facilitate student-to-student interaction, especially important during the pandemic, allow peer-to-peer learning and assistance, and keep student attention and interest. Primary characteristics noted as those disliked include lack of participation, that they can be awkward, and when they are poorly designed. Students found breakout rooms most productive when instructors provided clear guidance, students were held accountable for the conversation held in the breakout room, and all students participated.
Impact of AGN and nebular emission on the estimation of stellar properties of galaxies

Various lines of evidence suggest that the cores of a large portion of early-type galaxies (ETGs) are virtually evacuated of warm ionised gas. This implies that the Lyman-continuum (LyC) radiation produced by an assumed active galactic nucleus (AGN) can escape from the nuclei of these systems without being locally reprocessed into nebular emission, which would prevent their reliable spectroscopic classification as Seyfert galaxies with standard diagnostic emission-line ratios. The spectral energy distribution (SED) of these ETGs would then lack nebular emission and be essentially composed of an old stellar component and the featureless power-law (PL) continuum from the AGN. A question that arises in this context is whether the AGN component can be detected with current spectral population synthesis in the optical, specifically, whether these techniques effectively place an AGN detection threshold in LyC-leaking galaxies. To quantitatively address this question, we took a combined approach that involves spectral fitting with Starlight of synthetic SEDs composed of stellar emission that characterises a 10 Gyr old ETG and an AGN power-law component that contributes a fraction 0 ≤ xAGN < 1 of the monochromatic luminosity at λ0 = 4020 Å. In addition to a set of fits for PL distributions Fν ∝ ν−α with the canonical α = 1.5, we used a base of multiple PLs with 0.5 ≤ α ≤ 2 for a grid of synthetic SEDs with a signal-to-noise ratio of 5–103. Our analysis indicates an effective AGN detection threshold at xAGN ' 0.26, which suggests that a considerable fraction of ETGs hosting significant accretion-powered nuclear activity may be missing in the AGN demographics.
Youths as recipients and providers of agriculture information – the vertical vegetable gardening case in Busia County, Kenya

The intent of this study was to assess the feasibility of engaging youths in secondary schools in disseminating agricultural information among smallholder farmers using a five-month vertical vegetable gardening technology case in Busia County, Kenya. The research employed mixed research design targeting smallholder farmers and youths in secondary schools. A sample of 132 smallholder farmers and 132 youths in their first, second, and third years of study were selected to participate in the study at the baseline survey, during the intervention, and at the closure survey. The baseline survey was used to identify gaps, followed by participatory training intervention on the mound bed, primary tower, and second wall, to create awareness about vertical vegetable gardening through young farmers' clubs, and a closure survey to assess the change caused by the intervention and the feasibility of the approach. The study used kales, black nightshade, swiss chard, capsicum and carrots as examples of vegetables suitable for vertical gardens. Data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon sign-rank test at p0.05 level of significance, thematic and descriptive analysis. The results showed that there was a significant change in access and use of vertical gardening information by smallholder farmers. At P = 0.000, 22% of the smallholder farmers appreciated the use of vertical vegetable gardening at the closure survey, compared to 1% at the baseline survey. The dissemination of information through secondary school youths allowed for multiple delivery channels, was a good technology result demonstration approach for technology replication, and had sufficient agricultural extension activity learning scope. Significant change in the level of technology acceptance offer practical implications for policy makers to support the role of youths in agricultural extension. Future studies are needed to examine suitable agricultural extension policies and strategies to increase the successful implementation of agricultural extension through secondary schools.
Engagement in initiation, response, and feedback in L2 classroom interactions

Engagement in the L2 classroom is consequential for enhancing the quality of L2 learning experiences; however, the exploration of engagement in the Initiation, Response, and Feedback (IRF) cycles has received scant attention in L2 pedagogy. This study reports on research, examining engagement in Initiation, Response, and Feedback moves in the IRF cycles. Video recordings and questionnaires were used to collect data from ten EFL classes, being directed by eight teachers, with 73 learners. Using a post-interaction questionnaire and conversation analysis of classroom interactions, the analysis of the data revealed 784 triadic cycles out of which 493 moves embodied engagement. The data showed that not only do the Response and Feedback stages afford L2 learners the opportunity to deliberate on Form-focused language-related episodes (F-LREs), Lexis-focused LREs (L-LREs), and Mechanical LREs (M-LREs), but they also promote social and affective engagement. The comments on the questionnaire also revealed a deeper understanding of the participants’ affective engagement. The findings revealed that certain features of the IRF cycles and peers’ contributions encourage engagement during the IRF cycles. The results also demonstrated that scaffolding, mutuality, reciprocity, back-channeling, and commenting on preceding contributions made L2 learners socially engaged. The analysis suggests that the IRF cycles can create ad-hoc chances for engagement in L2 classroom interactions.
Comparing Interval Algebra Mechanically-Steered Multistatic Radar Scheduling to a Conventional Scheduling Approach

When scheduling mechanically-steered multistatic radars, the use of Interval Algebra (IA) provides an efficient means of selecting the targets to measure simultaneously, per scan. At the same time, IA provides a framework for incorporating a richer set of requirements, without requiring modifications to the underlying algorithms. In this paper, IA is compared to the greedy randomised adaptive search procedure (GRASP). The comparison is twofold: first in terms of actual performance and then in terms of computation required. The performance of the algorithm is measured by keeping track of the number of targets that could be measured simultaneously, a higher average number of targets is more desirable. In addition, two novel approaches to using Interval Algebra are presented. We show significant performance improvement by growing an IA network, adding targets on the fly, instead of pre-creating the network. The second novel algorithm also stems from published constraint ordering research, and shows that for simple constraint sets, the IA relationship matrix can be
Towards A Bully-Free Pesantren: The Role of Educational Management With Adaptive Psychology and Mental Health Interventions

Bullying's complexity is influenced not only by the individual's features and behavioural tendencies but also by the practice of family upbringing, as well as environmental elements such as the frequency and type of bullying. A qualitative paradigm is used in the research. The sampling method employing the purposive sampling technique seeks to identify teenagers who have been bullied. Interviews, observations, and documentation reviews of bullying episodes were used to collect data. Dayah leaders in the area of parenting serve as study informants. The veracity of the data is checked using sources of persons involved in bullying. Data triangulation techniques and peer discussion were used to examining the data. The findings revealed that verbal bullying occurred in Islamic boarding schools. Adaptive psychology is demonstrated through students' communication abilities, which are classified as passive communication, aggressive communication, and forceful communication. Meanwhile, adaptive techniques such as enhancing teacher counselling abilities (informative-communicative), monitoring assessments, and anti-bullying policies are used to provide mental health coaching. Students, on the other hand, are expected to cooperate with the facts of the occurrence under the structure of the solution-focused counselling strategy. Cultural reference, resources, research literature, formalization, and pesantren policy are all institutionally focused on in adaptive psychology. So far, the pesantren are concerned about their reputation; consequently, the societal consequences of this study need pesantren management to be upfront whenever bullying occurs.
ABCG2 Gene and ABCG2 Protein Expression in Colorectal Cancer—In Silico and Wet Analysis

ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette superfamily G member 2) is a cell membrane pump encoded by the ABCG2 gene. ABCG2 can protect cells against compounds initiating and/or intensifying neoplasia and is considered a marker of stem cells responsible for cancer growth, drug resistance and recurrence. Expression of the ABCG2 gene or its protein has been shown to be a negative prognostic factor in various malignancies. However, its prognostic significance in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Using publicly available data, ABCG2 was shown to be underexpressed in colon and rectum adenocarcinomas, with lower expression compared to both the adjacent nonmalignant lung tissues and non-tumour lung tissues of healthy individuals. This downregulation could result from the methylation level of some sites of the ABCG2 gene. This was connected with microsatellite instability, weight and age among patients with colon adenocarcinoma, and with tumour localization, population type and age of patients for rectum adenocarcinoma. No association was found between ABCG2 expression level and survival of colorectal cancer patients. In wet analysis of colorectal cancer samples, neither ABCG2 gene expression, analysed by RT-PCR, nor ABCG2 protein level, assessed by immunohistochemistry, was associated with any clinicopathological factors or overall survival. An ABCG2-centered protein–protein interaction network build by STRING showed proteins were found to be involved in leukotriene, organic anion and xenobiotic transport, endodermal cell fate specification, and histone methylation and ubiquitination. Hence, ABCG2 underexpression could be an indicator of the activity of certain signalling pathways or protein interactors essential for colorectal carcinogenesis.
The relative persistence of income inequality and intra-generational income mobility in Poland during and after the Great Financial Crisis (2008-2015)

Poland has experienced a very sharp rise in income and wealth inequality after the economic transition. We measure the relative persistence of income inequality and intra-generational income mobility in Poland during the period 2008-2015. Our research is based on the panel survey data, our subsample includes 501 households. To measure the persistence of income inequality we calculate Shorrocks’s R coefficient. We find that if inequality is measured by the Gini index the relative persistence of income inequality in Poland is similar to Western Europe. In the case of the Theil index and the Mean Log Deviation (MLD), the relative persistence is higher than in a majority of Western Europe countries and similar to the United Kingdom or the United States. The income distribution in Poland is rather stable. Income mobility is lowest at the bottom and at the top of the income distribution. In the middle (3rd) quintile upward mobility is higher than downward mobility. The short-term income mobility in Poland has not changed during and after the Great Financial Crisis and is still medium in comparison with the rest of Europe.
Multivariate Reflection Symmetry of Copula Functions

We propose a multivariate nonparametric copula test of reflection symmetry. The test is valid in any number of dimensions, extending previous results that cover the bivariate case. Furthermore, the asymptotic theory for the test relies on recent results on the dependent multiplier bootstrap, valid for sub-exponentially strongly mixing data. Consequently to the introduction of those two features, the procedure is suitable for financial time series whose asymmetric dependence, in distressed periods, has already been documented elsewhere. We conduct an extensive simulation study of empirical size and power and provide several examples of applications. In particular, we investigate the use of the statistic as a financial stress indicator by comparing it with the CISS, the leading ECB indicator.