Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No Difference Could Be Detected in Clinical Outcomes of 5-Strand and Quadruple Hamstring Autografts of Similar Diameter in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: There are few studies examining the clinical outcomes of 5-strand autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). Purpose: We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of ACL-R using 5-strand (5HS) and 4-strand (4HS) hamstring autografts of similar graft diameter to study the potential effects of autograft strand number on clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients who underwent ACL-R from 2013 to 2018 at a single academic institution and received a 4HS or 5HS autograft were included. Exclusion criteria were less than 2-year follow-up and any additional ligamentous reconstruction. Revision ACL-R and cyclops lesions were assessed at a minimum 2 years of postoperative follow-up. Objective measures of ability to return to sport were assessed at 6 months. Results: The mean graft diameters for 4HS (n = 51) and 5HS (n = 23) autografts were 8.3 ± 0.7 mm and 8.4 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. The mean follow-up for the 4HS and 5HS cohorts was 3.0 ± 1.5 years and 3.3 ± 1.3 years, respectively. The 4HS and 5HS cohorts had revision ACL-R rates of 15.7% (8/51) and 8.7% (2/23), respectively. Cyclops lesions occurred in 5.9% of 4HS patients and 13.0% of 5HS patients. We found no statistically significant differences between groups on objective measures of ability to return to sport. Conclusion: This retrospective cohort study detected no difference in revision ACL-R rates, frequency of cyclops lesions, or objective measures of ability to return to sport in patients who received 4HS or 5HS autografts of similar diameter for ACL-R. Further comparative study with larger sample sizes is warranted.
Glomerulopathy in patients with dermatomyositis in early active disease: clinical, pathological and capillaroscopic manifestations, and response to treatment

Introduction Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of systemic connective tissue diseases that present with muscular and extra-muscular manifestations. There are few reports on kidney involvement, especially in dermatomyositis (DM) patients. We evaluated the clinical, laboratory, capillaroscopy, and kidney pathology of patients with DM, who presented with proteinuria during the first year, and followed them for response to treatment. Material and methods We evaluated 205 patients with proximal muscle weakness or high muscle enzymes, who referred to the nailfold capillaroscopy clinic from April 2010 to October 2021. Seventy-four patients fulfilled the New 2017 EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria for adult and juvenile IM with probability of ≥ 90% for DM with duration of ≤ 12 months and proteinuria > 350 mg/24 hours. All manifestations of patients with glomerulopathy and their kidney biopsies were reviewed, and they were followed for their treatment response. Results From 74 patients with DM, 52 female and 22 male, median age 37 (19–65) years, and disease duration of median 4.5 (1–12) months, 2 (2.7%) patients (25- and 28-year-old male) had proteinuria. Their kidney biopsy showed mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). There was no case of acute or chronic kidney damage or rhabdomyolysis. Both had high disease activity, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), abnormal capillaroscopy, and high anti-Ro positivity with good early response of their kidney function, muscle weakness, and laboratory tests after immunosuppressive treatment for 3–6 months. One patient had capillaroscopy follow-up, and all abnormalities were resolved in 8 fingers. One patient, due to poor follow-up, after 8 months had recurrence of his disease. Conclusions We found mesangioproliferative GN as a rare extra-muscular manifestation in patients with DM in the active and early phase of the disease. Full immunosuppressive treatment showed early complete recovery in these patients.
An Updated Investigation of Post-Transformation Intensity, Structural, and Duration Extremes for Extratropically Transitioning North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones

The transformation stage of extratropical transition characterizes the process by which a tropical cyclone transforms into an extratropical cyclone at higher latitudes in a cooler, more baroclinic environment. A 2006 study connects extremes in transformation-stage duration, post-transformation intensity change, and post-transformation thermal structure for North Atlantic basin tropical cyclones to synoptic-scale environmental variability. However, the 2006 study’s findings are derived from coarse atmospheric analyses that include fictitious tropical-cyclone vortices applied to small samples with substantial variability between cases. This study updates the 2006 study’s findings using larger sample sizes, improvements in atmospheric reanalysis resolution and fidelity, and advances in scientific understanding over the last two decades. Transformation-stage duration is primarily a function of the duration that a transforming cyclone remains in an environment supportive of tropical development after entering a region supportive of baroclinic development. Post-transformation intensity-change composites are distinguished primarily by whether proper phasing is achieved between the transforming cyclone and upstream trough following the transformation stage. Finally, post-transformation thermal structure is distinguished primarily by whether the transforming cyclone moves into a strongly confluent synoptic-scale environment following the transformation stage. This study also presents the first composite analyses of North Atlantic tropical cyclones that maintain a lower-tropospheric warm-core structure post-transformation, termed instant warm-seclusion cyclones, which have previously only been diagnosed in case studies of individual North Atlantic tropical cyclones and for a limited climatology of western North Pacific tropical cyclones. These cyclones, comprising approximately one-third of all cases, are characterized by the transforming TC becoming negatively tilted with respect to the upstream trough and undergoing cyclonic Rossby wave breaking.
De-Implementation of Detrimental Feeding Practices in Childcare: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Community Partner Selected Strategies

This pilot evaluated strategies to decrease detrimental feeding practices in early care and education, which are hypothesized to compete with evidence-based feeding and obesity prevention practices. This study made two key comparisons: (1) a between-site comparison of sites receiving (a) no implementation or de-implementation strategies (i.e., Basic Support; B), (b) implementation strategies only (i.e., Enhanced Support; E), and (c) implementation and de-implementation strategies (i.e., De-implementation + Enhanced Support; D + E) and (2) a within-site pre-post comparison among sites with D + E. At nutrition lessons, the D + E group had more Positive Comments (Hedege’s g = 0.60) and higher Role Model fidelity (Hedege’s g = 1.34) compared to the E group. At meals, assistant teachers in the D + E group had higher Positive Comments than in the B group (g = 0.72). For within-group comparisons, the D + E group decreased Negative Comments (t(19) = 2.842, p = 0.01), increased Positive Comments (t(20) = 2.314, p = 0.031), and improved use of the program mascot at nutrition lessons (t(21) = 3.899, p = 0.001). At meals, lead teachers’ Negative Comments decreased (t(22) = 2.73, p = 0.01). Qualitative data identified strengths and opportunities for iteration. Despite a COVID interruption, mid-point comparisons and qualitative feedback suggest promise of the de-implementation strategy package.
Strategies in Mastering Science Process Skills in Science Experiments: A Systematic Literature Review

Science is a knowledge discipline that is experimentally oriented. The science experiment is one of the core activities in science learning. It is a process that prioritises methods of investigation and problem-solving where the scientific method is employed. In science experiments, mastery of scientific process skills is required. Hence, it is crucial as this will expose students to scientific methods and knowledge. This study aims to identify what are the appropriate strategies that may be employed to augment learners’ science process skills. This article conducts a systematic literature review and twenty-two articles have been chosen to be analysed. The current study combined many research designs, where the review fulfilled the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) publishing standard. Web of Science and Scopus, two well-known databases, were used to discover articles for this study. This review includes a topic based on the thematic analysis which is strategies in mastering science process skills. The results show seven sub-themes based on the topic that are 1) Hands-on and minds-on implementation 2) Inquiry-based approach 3) Discovery learning 4) Strategic manipulative skills 5) Argumentation Skills 6) Using Information and Communication Technologies and 7) Implementing Engineering-oriented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Integration Activities. The research’s findings may motivate science educators to use the appropriate strategies while undergoing science experiments to improve SPS which are important competencies that can influence student’s performance in science learning.
Reassessing hierarchical correspondences between brain and deep networks through direct interface

Functional correspondences between deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) and the mammalian visual system support a hierarchical account in which successive stages of processing contain ever higher-level information. However, these correspondences between brain and model activity involve shared, not task-relevant, variance. We propose a stricter account of correspondence: If a DCNN layer corresponds to a brain region, then replacing model activity with brain activity should successfully drive the DCNN’s object recognition decision. Using this approach on three datasets, we found that all regions along the ventral visual stream best corresponded with later model layers, indicating that all stages of processing contained higher-level information about object category. Time course analyses suggest that long-range recurrent connections transmit object class information from late to early visual areas.
Improved CEM for Speech Harmonic Enhancement in Single Channel Noise Suppression

The periodic nature of voiced speech is often exploited to restore speech harmonics and to increase inter-harmonic noise suppression. In particular, a recent paper proposed to do this by manipulating the speech harmonic frequencies in the cepstral domain. The manipulations were carried out on the cepstrum of the excitation signal, obtained by the source-filter decomposition of speech. This method was termed Cepstral Excitation Manipulation (CEM). In this contribution we further analyse this method, point out its inherent weakness and propose means to overcome it. First of all, it will be shown by both illustrative examples and theoretical analysis that the existing method underestimates the excitation, especially at low signal to noise ratio (SNR) conditions. This inherent weakness leads to speech harmonic weakening and vocoding due to the insufficient noise suppression in the inter-harmonic regions. Then, we propose two modifications to improve the robustness and performance of CEM in low SNR cases. The first modification is to use an instantaneous amplifying factor adapted to the signal, instead of a pre-defined constant, for the excitation cepstrum. The second modification is to smooth the excitation cepstrum to preserve additional fine structure, instead of discarding it. These modifications result in better preservation of speech harmonics, more refined fine structure and higher inter-harmonic noise suppression. Experimental evaluations using a range of standard instrumental metrics conclusively demonstrate that our proposed modifications clearly outperform the existing method, especially in extremely noisy conditions.
Determination of mercury values in urine and air of chloralkali workers by copper nanoparticles functionalized in carboxylic carbon nanotubes and the effects of mercury exposure on oxidative stress

Mercury exposure can produce toxic organic compounds in the body. Also, mercury can potentially cause oxidative damage and cellular disorders. In this study, the determination of mercury values in urine and air of chloralkali workers based on copper nanoparticles functionalized in carboxylic carbon nanotubes (CuNPs@CNT-COOH) were obtained by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometer (CV-AAS). The urine samples were determined by magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) at pH 8.0. By measuring the mercury level in the air and the urine sample of workers, the level of oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (Cat)), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) as the proinflammatory cytokines were measured in the subject group. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the mercury level of the urine samples in the case and control groups (p<0.001). Similarly, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly different between the two research groups (p<0.001). Catalase concentration was not significantly different in the two groups (p=0.059). The LOD and linear range for mercury determination in urine were achieved at 0.012 µg L−1 and 0.05-7.0 µg L−1, respectively. Workers’ exposure to mercury can significantly increase oxidative stress and inflammatory cell signaling molecules such as cytokines.
COVID-19 Pandemic, policy-intensified Economic Crisis and Declining State Control in Nigeria

ABSTRACT COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the functionality of formal and informal economies globally, with developing countries suffering the social, political and economic effects of the pandemic. Economic downturns in the global south, including Nigeria, have given rise to declining state control in the face of human insecurity. This study, hinging on the neoliberal political economy thesis, examines the economic crisis and declining state control the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown engendered in managing the security situation in Nigeria. The study, utilizing the dominant qualitative methods, comprising interviews, focus group discussions, and documented evidence, highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown disproportionately affected the people, mainly poor people, households and communities in different parts of the country. The failure of the government to engage in an effective social protection policy generated discontent and led to criminal activities undermining security in Nigeria. The study concludes that the insecurity and economic crisis the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown engendered have weakened the state’s authority in Nigeria. The study suggests that engaging effective social protection policy presents an opportunity for mitigating security challenges to bring about socioeconomic stability in Nigeria.
Analysis of determinant factors of life expectation age in East Nusa Tenggara Province

East Nusa Tenggara Province is one of the poorest provinces in Indonesia and various prevention programs are being intensified. The conditions of poverty experienced also have an impact on life expectancy. Recognizing this condition, the main objective to be achieved in this study is to determine the effect of the variable Education, Health services and GRDP on the Life Expectancy of the people in the Province of NTT. The analytical tool used is Panel Data Regression Analysis using secondary data published by the Central Statistics Agency during 2014-2018. Time series data was taken for an observation period of 5 years starting from 2014-2018 for the independent variables which include education, health facilities, and gross regional domestic product on the dependent variable life expectancy. So that from a total of 22 regencies/cities in the province of NTT multiplied by 5 years of observation, the number of units of analysis is 110 arithmetical series. The results showed that the variables of Education, Health services and GRDP either partially or simultaneously have a significant effect on life expectancy in East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Community mask wearing as a COVID-19 preventive measure, its barriers, and motivators among rural households of Uganda: A mixed methods approach

Adherence to mask wearing has the potential to reduce coronavirus disease 2019 acquisition risk. However, there is limited information about community mask wearing and its predictors among rural populations. This study aimed to assess the level of adherence to community mask wearing as a COVID-19 prevention measure, its barriers, and motivators among the Ugandan rural population of Wakiso District. This cross-sectional study utilised both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The quantitative component employed a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire among 400 participants, to assess the level of adherence and associated predictors towards mask wearing. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard error estimates was used to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratios associated with mask wearing. Quantitative data analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 Statistical software. The qualitative component was used to further explore the barriers and motivators of community mask wearing whereseven focus group discussions among 56 community health workers were conducted. Data was analysed using a thematic approach with the help of Nvivo Version 12 software. The quantitative results showed that 70.8% (283/400) of the participants were adherent to mask wearing. Furthermore, reusable (cloth masks) were the most common form of face masks worn by the participants; 71.9% (282/400). Adequate knowledge about mask wearing as a COVID-19 prevention measure was positively associated with mask wearing (adjusted prevalence ratio (95% CI); 3.2 (1.19–8.56)). The qualitative results revealed; sensitization from health workers, provision of free masks, and fear of fines and arrests as motivators to mask wearing. Barriers to mask wearing included: inability to buy masks due to financial constraints, one-time provision of free masks, ill-fitting and worn-out masks, discomfort, and bribery. The practice of community mask wearing was sub-optimal among the study rural communities. Initiatives to scale up the practice need to be feasible for rural communities.
A biographical experience concerning the role of ICT in Mathematics education

The article starts with the theoretical and empirical introduction, mentioning the role of ICT in teacher training, and proceeds with the methodological presentation of the general research and its design. The next section presents the results obtained, divided in two subsections - the biographical synopsis and the status and use of ICT in Teresa’s teaching and training practice. The conclusion, as allowed by Teresa’s narrative, closes the text. Objectives: The article belongs to a qualitative biographical-narrative research, which involves obtaining biographical testimonials from teachers/ researchers who train teachers with the help of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), to promote skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, cooperation, and communication, understood as essential for the development of comprehensive education, curricular sustainability, and participatory citizenship. Methodology: The research problem involves the determination of the importance and status associated to the use of ICT in the professional understanding and practice of the participants, according to biographical narratives: What importance and status do the participants associate to the use of ICT, in their understanding and practice of the teaching profession? The teachers’ professional biographies were reconstructed from the collected opinions and perceptions, providing answers to the research question. Results: Here, we report the biographical narrative of a university teacher/ researcher, under the pseudonym “Teresa”, who is dedicated to Mathematics education in teacher training. From her reconstructed biographical experience, we will highlight a close relationship to the theoretical and empirical contributions presented in the introduction, and to results previously obtained through our research.
Investigating the effectiveness of anonymous online peer feedback in translation technology teaching

ABSTRACT Online peer feedback has been regarded as an effective way to promote collaborative learning in the teaching of translation technology. But there is limited research about decreasing the negative influence of social factors such as peer pressure, favouritism, and face-saving in the process. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of anonymous online peer feedback (AOPF) on students’ translation performance, feedback quality, self-efficacy and perceptions in translation technology teaching. A total of 60 Chinese postgraduate students from a translation technology training course participated in this study, and they were then randomly assigned into either the anonymous or identified group. Results indicated that AOPF was a practical approach to improving translation performance. The content analysis showed that the anonymous group provided more cognitive and metacognitive feedback messages in terms of feedback quality. In addition, students in the anonymous group felt more comfortable giving in-depth suggestions for peer work. However, there was no significant difference in affective feedback messages between the two groups. Furthermore, results from the questionnaires revealed that anonymity in online peer feedback could improve the students’ self-efficacy and learning satisfaction. These findings can give insights for trainers to facilitate practical peer assessment activities in translation technology training.
Dynamic Building Environment Dashboard: Spatial Simulation Data Visualization in Sustainable Design

When communicating the results of environmental building performance analysis, It Is Important to display resultant information in order (1) to be holistically understood and (2) to guide architectural design decisions. This article proposes a spatial dashboard of environmental performance data as a means to intuitively relate architectural form and performance and achieve the two goals above. The dashboard visualizes daylighting, natural ventilation, and thermal comfort information spatially localized throughout axonometric representations of buildings. Results can be customized by time of day, adding time as another analytical dimension in addition to space. Environmental data, normally hidden, is visually revealed in relation to architectural form. The dashboard enables intuitive design decisions to be made relative to performance measures across time and space.
A cosmopolitan explanation of the integration paradox: a mixed methods approach

ABSTRACT Recent studies conclude that higher-educated migrants experience less belonging to the residence country than lower-educated migrants, which has been dubbed the integration paradox. World citizenship is a possible explanation yet has been left untheorized and empirically untested. We are the first to theorize and test this mechanism for Turkish migrants in the Netherlands using a mixed-methods approach. Results based on the NIS2NL survey confirm that world citizenship is an explanation of this paradox when acknowledging its interplay with belonging to the origin country. World citizenship is associated with a lower sense of belonging to the Netherlands, albeit only when migrants feel a low sense of belonging to Turkey. These findings are underlined by in-depth interviews with purposively sampled highly-skilled Turkish migrants (N = 32). Moreover, two proposed narrative strategies are vital to understand the negative association between world citizenship and national belonging. World citizenship is thus key in understanding the integration paradox.