Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal hierarchical linear models for estimating school e?ects and their stability

This paper presents a general longitudinal model for estimating school effects and their stability. Previous research on the stability of school performance over successive years has produced inconsistent findings. We argue that the findings have been inconsistent for at least two reasons: researchers have estimated different types of school effects, and they have not distinguished between instability due to true changes in school performance and instability due to measurement and sampling error. We describe two different types of school effects, each relevant to a different policy audience, and we present a longitudinal model that is capable of separating true changes in school effects from sampling and measurement error. The model also provides a means for estimating the effects of school policies and practices while controlling statistically for the effects of factors exogenous to the schooling system. This paper provides an example of the approach based on data describing two cohorts of students from one Education Authority in Scotland. It concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the model and implications for those collecting indicators of school performance for planning and evaluation purposes.
The Effect of Metal Layer and Analyte Channel Placement on the Photonic Crystal Fiber based Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor

Bu çalışmada, fotonik kristal fiber tabanlı (FKF) yüzey plazmon biyosensörde, metal katman ve analit kanal yerleşiminin sensör duyarlılığına etkisi incelenmiştir. Duyarlılık analizi, kusursuz uyum katmanı (KUK) ile Tam vektörel Sonlu Elemanlar Yöntemi (TVSÖY) kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Spektral sorgulama yöntemi ile, çekirdek bölgesini çevreleyen, kılıf bölgesinde 12 hava deliğiden oluşan FKF, ve onu çevreleyen analit kanal yapısını incelemek için kullanılmıştır. Kırılma indisi aralığı 1.35-1.376 olan çeşitli biyolojik bileşenler (Cyproplasm, Basal Cell ve myocardium) örnek analit olarak kullanıldı. Sayısal sonuçlarımız, metal katmanın yerleşiminin önerilen algılayıcıda duyarlılık sonuçlarının direk etkilediği görülmüştür. In this study, the effect of metal layer and analyte channel placement on sensor sensitivity in photonic crystal fiber-based (PCF) surface plasmon biosensor was investigated. Sensitivity analysis was performed using the Full Vector Finite Element Method (FVFEM) with a perfect matching layer (PML). The spectral interrogation method is employed to examine the proposed PCF structure with 12 air holes in the cladding region surrounded by analyte channel. Various biologic components (Cyproplasm, Basal Cell and myocardium) with a refractive index range of 1.35-1.376 were used as sample analytes. Our numerical results show that the placement of the metal layer directly affects the sensitivity results in the proposed sensor.
Application of Statistical Methods to Accurately Assess the Effect of Gamma Aluminum Oxide Nanopowder on the Hardness of Composite Materials with Polyester–Glass Recyclate

Polymer composites are materials that are used in many industries. Their wide application has a direct impact on the amount of post-production and post-consumer waste. The global problem with recycling, especially of fiber-reinforced polymeric materials, has prompted research into methods of their use. Previous research on composite materials with polyester–glass recyclate showed a decrease in mechanical properties. The construction material should have the highest mechanical properties. Based on the literature, it was found that the use of nanoadditives may have a positive effect on the parameters of the materials. The use of gamma aluminum nanopowder, in a small amount can significantly increase the mechanical properties of composites with polyester–glass recyclate, and thus can affect the application of these materials to structural elements. The article is devoted to the research on the hardness of composite materials with polyester–glass recyclate and gamma aluminum nanopowder. The main goal is to investigate the possibility of using a nanoadditive as a material, increasing the mechanical properties of composites with polyester–glass recyclate, so as to create a recycled material with the highest possible strength parameters. Hardness tests were performed using the Barcol method. For each composite material, 30 measurements were made in order to subject the results to a statistical analysis. Using parametric statistical tests it was shown that the obtained hardness values at the assumed level of statistical significance pv = 0.05 for comparisons for the samples of the reference material (B0) do not differ by chance, while for the comparisons in the configurations of the reference material (B0) with the modified materials, (R10, A2, R10A2) they do not differ by accident. Studies have shown that the addition of 2% gamma aluminum nanopowder slightly lowers the hardness of a pure polyester–glass composite, but the same additive allows the hardness of composite materials to be increased with the addition of glass recyclate. This is of particular importance for the development of the optimal composition of polyester–glass composites with the addition of recyclate, which will have good strength properties and at the same time enable the reuse of composite waste.
Transcriptome Analysis in a Scleractinian Coral, Acropora tenuis, during the Spawning Season With Reference to the Gonadal Condition

Synchronous spawning is a striking feature of coral. Although it is important for reproductive success, corals reallocate energy for reproduction to growth when they are damaged by external stimuli. To assess the transcriptome before and after spawning in the scleractinian coral Acropora tenuis, we tagged three colonies (one bleached and two unbleached) in the field around Sesoko Island (Okinawa, Japan) in November 2016, sampled them monthly from May to July 2017, and performed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis. Histological analysis revealed that the previously bleached colony possessed gametes in June, by which time the other two colonies had already spawned. In RNA-Seq analyses, multi-dimensional scaling based on gene expression similarity among the samples reflected the differences between colonies and between months except for the sample of a non-spawned colony in May, which was similar to the samples in June. The similarity of the non-spawned colony sample in May to the samples in June was also shown in hierarchical clustering based on the expression patterns of the genes that were differentially expressed between months in the spawned colonies. These results suggest that non-spawning was already decided in May, and that the physiological condition in a non-spawned colony in May was advanced to June. RNA-Seq analysis also showed that genes related to gametogenesis and those related to apoptosis were upregulated before and after spawning, respectively.
Peer-to-Peer Local Energy Trading With Voltage Management Under Asynchronous Communication

This paper presents a peer-to-peer (P2P) local energy trading strategy in distribution networks with a novel decentralized voltage management scheme based on voltage sensitivity factors. A social welfare maximizing optimization problem is formulated for P2P energy trading, which is solved by an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm. The proposed approach is especially designed for asynchronous communication between energy producers and consumers, which may be more suitable for short-term market clearings.
Cryopreservation and Cryobanking of Cells from 100 Coral Species

When coral species become extinct, their genetic resources cannot be recovered. Coral cryobanks can be employed to preserve coral samples and thereby maintain the availability of the samples and increase their potential to be restocked. In this study, we developed a procedure to determine coral species-specific requirements for cryobank freezing through determining suitable cryoprotective agents (CPAs), CPA concentrations, equilibration times, holding durations, viability rates, and cell amounts for banked coral cells, and we established the first ever coral cell cryobank. Coral cells, including supporting and gland cells, epidermal nematocysts, Symbiodiniaceae and symbiotic endoderm cells (SEC) were found from the extracted protocol. Approximately half of the corals from the experimental corals consisted of spindle and cluster cells. Gastrodermal nematocysts were the least common. The overall concentration of Symbiodiniaceae in the coral cells was 8.6%. Freezing using DMSO as a CPA was suitable for approximately half of the corals, and for the other half of species, successful cell cryopreservation was achieved using MeOH and EG. EG and DMSO had similar suitabilities for Acanthastrea, Euphyllia, Favites, Lobophyllia, Pavona, Seriatopora, and Turbinaria, as did EG and MeOH for Acropora, Echinopyllia, and Sinularia and MeOH and DMSO for Platygyra after freezing. At least 14 straws from each species of coral were cryobanked in this study, totaling more than 1884 straws (0.5 mL) with an average concentration of 6.4 × 106 per mL. The results of this study may serve as a framework for cryobanks worldwide and contribute to the long-term conservation of coral reefs.
Moving Back to the Parental Home in Times of COVID-19: Consequences for Students’ Life Satisfaction

Residential independence from parents is a key marker for young adults’ transition to adulthood. Losing this independence by returning to the parental home marks a regression of adult development with negative implications for returnees’ subjective wellbeing. This paper investigates how a return to the parental home during the COVID-19 pandemic affects the life satisfaction of university students. We used nationwide survey data from German university students (N = 913) to analyze differences in life satisfaction for those who did or did not return to their parental homes. Our results revealed two main findings. First, university students who moved back to their parental home reported significantly lower life satisfaction than those who remained living independently. Second, the association between moving back and life satisfaction varied by age. A return to the parental home was more detrimental to older students’ life satisfaction, while students aged 24 or younger did not experience a significant decrease when moving back to the parental home. We discuss the implications of our findings in the context of young adults’ subjective wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prediction Medicine: Biomarkers, Risk Calculators and Magnetic Resonance Imaging as Risk Stratification Tools in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

This review discusses the most recent evidence for currently available risk stratification tools in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), and evaluates diagnostic strategies that combine these tools. Novel blood biomarkers, such as the Prostate Health Index (PHI) and 4Kscore, show similar ability to predict csPCa. Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is a urinary biomarker that has inferior prediction of csPCa compared to PHI, but may be combined with other markers like TMPRSS2-ERG to improve its performance. Original risk calculators (RCs) have the advantage of incorporating easy to retrieve clinical variables and being freely accessible as a web tool/mobile application. RCs perform similarly well as most novel biomarkers. New promising risk models including novel (genetic) markers are the SelectMDx and Stockholm-3 model (S3M). Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved as an appealing tool in the diagnostic arsenal with even stratifying abilities, including in the initial biopsy setting. Merging biomarkers, RCs and MRI results in higher performances than their use as standalone tests. In the current era of prostate MRI, the way forward seems to be multivariable risk assessment based on blood and clinical parameters, potentially extended with information from urine samples, as a triaging test for the selection of candidates for MRI and biopsy.
Impaired fat oxidation during exercise in Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency patients and effect of IV-glucose.

CONTEXT Long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) affects oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (FAO) and is associated with risk of metabolic crises and episodic rhabdomyolysis. CASE DESCRIPTION We present two patients with LCHADD. Patient 1 (male, 26 years) was severely affected by muscle weakness and neuropathy. He was diagnosed at age 20 years and was non-adherent to standard dietary management. A magnetic resonance image revealed significant fat replacement of muscle in both calves. Patient 2 (female, 15 years) was diagnosed at age 1 year. She had no muscle weakness and was compliant with the recommended diet. Both patients had reduced fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and palmitate oxidation measured with indirect calorimetry and stable isotope technique during a submaximal cycle ergometer test compared to healthy persons. Patient 2 had some residual capacity to increase FAO and a compensatory higher carbohydrate oxidation, which ensured a near normal exercise capacity. Patient 1 was unable to increase FAO and could only complete 23 minutes of exercise vs. 60 minutes by patient 2 and healthy persons. In both, 10% IV-glucose during exercise increased carbohydrate oxidation slightly, but endurance was not improved, which likely relates to the fixed weakness in patient 1 and because the residual FAO was suppressed by the glucose infusion in both. CONCLUSIONS The two patients illustrate that FAO is impaired and carbohydrate oxidation is elevated during exercise in patients affected by LCHADD compared to healthy persons, but IV-glucose has no beneficial effect on exercise tolerance in LCHADD.
VLT+UVES Spectroscopy of the Ca II Low-Ionization Broad Absorption Line Quasar SDSS J030000.56+004828.0

We study high-resolution spectra of the "overlapping-trough" low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL) quasar SDSS J030000.56+004828.0. The Ca II, Mg II, and Mg I column densities in this object are the largest reported to date for any BAL outflow. The broad Ca II absorption is mildly blended, but the blending can be disentangled to measure the Ca II column density, which is large enough that the outflow must include a strong hydrogen ionization front. The outflow begins at a blueshift of ~1650 km s-1 from the systemic redshift. The lowest velocity BAL region produces strong Ca II absorption but does not produce significant excited Fe II absorption, while the higher velocity excited Fe II absorption region produces very little Ca II absorption. We have found that only a disk wind outflow can explain this segregation. Whether the outflow is smooth or clumpy, we conclude that the Ca II BAL region has a density high enough to populate excited levels of Fe II but a temperature low enough to prevent them from being significantly populated. This requirement means the Ca II BAL region has T ≲ 1100 K, and perhaps even T ≲ 550 K. This quasar also has an associated absorption line system (AAL) that exhibits partial covering and therefore is likely located near the central engine. Its association with the BAL outflow is unclear. Blending of the AAL with the BAL trough shows that the spatial region covered by the BAL outflow can vary over velocity differences of ~1700 km s-1.
Coordinated neutron and X‐ray computed tomography of meteorites: Detection and distribution of hydrogen‐bearing materials

The presence and distribution of hydrogen‐bearing materials in meteorites are important constraints on processes in the early solar system, and the delivery of volatile constituents to growing planets. Here, we show that coordinated neutron and X‐ray computed tomography, NXCT, can reveal the presence and distributions of hydrogen‐bearing materials in meteorites, and thus help constrain the presence and actions of water in the early solar system. NXCT is nearly nondestructive of meteorite samples. Neutron fluence in NXCT is approximately seven orders of magnitude less than in typical instrumental neutron activation analysis, and so produces little residual radioactivity and currently undetectable changes in isotope ratios. Heating during NXCT is minimal, but NXCT will overprint the record of cosmic ray exposure held in natural thermoluminescence. Two meteorites were examined. EET 87503 is a howardite, a regolith breccia inferred to be from the asteroid 4 Vesta, and contains fragments of eucrite basalt, diogenite pyroxenite, and H‐rich carbonaceous chondrites. With NXCT, the chondrite fragments within the meteorite piece can be clearly located and characterized, in preparation for possible extraction and detailed analyses. Graves Nunataks (GRA) 06100 is a CR2 chondrite meteorite that contains abundant iron metal and H‐bearing silicates from aqueous alteration. In NXCT, H‐bearing altered material is clearly distinguished from metal, and its distribution in three dimensions is revealed as a constraint on the processes of alteration.
Awareness and factors influencing farmers’ decision in establishing private forest plantation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State

Private investments in forestry in Nigeria have not been as attractive as private investments in cash and food crops such as cocoa, rubber, rice, and maize. It is thought that these agricultural crops yield financial returns earlier than forestry crops. This study therefore, assessed factors influencing private forest plantations establishment among farmers in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 120 farmers from six wards in the study area. Data were collected from the respondents using interview guide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency Tables and Charts. Results showed that 44.2% of the respondents were aware of private forest plantation establishments while 55.8% were not aware. The major sources of awareness were through community leaders (25.8%), radio (20.8%), and friends (15%). Major factors influencing farmers’ decision to establish private forest plantation are seasonal bush burning (93.3%), long gestation period (85.8%), inadequate extension services (90.8%), Government policies (87.5%), climatic conditions (80.0%), transportation (79.2%), land availability (79.2%), planting stocks (76.7%). It was recommended that farmers’ decision to establish private forest could be influenced by making land available to interested farmers, granting credit facilities and free planting stock.
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in the Development and Progression of Gastric Cancer

Objectives This study aims to explore gut microbiota dysbiosis in the histological stages of gastric cancer (GC). Methods Feces samples and clinical characteristics were collected from patients with different stages of GC, including 15 superficial gastritis (SG), 13 atrophic gastritis (AG), 8 gastric mucosal atypical hyperplasia (GMAH), and 15 advanced GC cases. The diversity and composition of gut microbiota among the four groups were determined by sequencing the V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Results Reduced gut microbial alpha diversity and altered dissimilarity of the microbial community structure were found among the four groups. In addition, 18 species, 6 species, 6 species, and 16 species of bacteria were enriched in the SG, AG, GMAH, and GC groups, respectively, using the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) analyses. Besides, we found that two new genera, Scardovia and Halomonas, are associated with GC and the metabolic pathways of Genetic information processing and Circulatory System were more abundant in the GC group compared with noncancer groups. Conclusions We identified differences in microbial compositional changes across stages of GC. Six genera and two metabolic pathways were more abundant in the GC group than noncancer groups, suggesting that these findings may contribute to the therapy strategies in GC in the near feature.
University Ranking and Information Disclosure: The Case of Indonesia

This study aims to explore the information disclosure level of universities in Indonesia and its relationship with university ranking. Data were collected from universities’ reportspublished in their website from 2018 to 2020 (53 Observations). Using content analysis and regression tests, this study found a low level of information disclosure in universities in Indonesia. The disclosure of sustainability aspect is the lowliest level (9%) compared to the other information disclosures. The intellectual capital disclosure is not explicitly stated in the universities’ reports. The results of the regression test confirmed that the universities’ ranking have a positive effect on the universities’ disclosure level. The study supports the applicability of the signal theory in the context of higher education institutions.
Dominant factors shaping the gut microbiota of wild birds

ABSTRACT The role of the gut microbiota in regulating host physiology and health is well established, with effects on host development, behaviour, nutrition, immunity, and reproductive strategy. While mammalian and insect microbiomes have attracted considerable research attention, avian microbiome research is deservedly growing, given the key roles that birds play in ecosystem services and functioning. Here we review recent literature (2008–2021) on the gut microbiome of wild birds, focusing on the role of key drivers that shape gut bacterial communities: diet, environment, and the phylogeny of host species. While most studies on avian gut microbiomes are confined to domestic poultry research, studies of wild birds have been increasing, particularly for the orders Passeriformes, Charadriformes, and Anseriformes. Four bacterial phyla dominate the gut microbiota of wild birds: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes with varying abundances and compositions across taxa. Diet was reported to be the most influential factor shaping avian gut microbiomes, followed by phylogeny, habitat, the nest environment and seasonal variation. However, the current scarcity and large variation in reported patterns limits a clear understanding about how the ecology and evolution of birds are affected by the gut microbiome. Increased research effort is needed that links microbial diversity to function and avian health, with an expansion of sampling across host phylogenetic lineages, environmental conditions, dietary niches, and life stages. A shift towards field-based experimental approaches will further contribute towards more conclusive findings, which will serve to advance threatened species management in both captivity and in the wild.
Lightning Impulse and AC Breakdown Characteristics of SF6 and its Alternatives

SF<inf>6</inf> alternatives with significantly lower environmental impact have been extensively researched. This paper investigates two electrode configurations and test pressures to mimic the conditions as found in MV/HV equipment to systematically compare the breakdown performance of $\mathrm{SF}_{6}, \mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{F}_{4}$ and a mixture of 30 % CF<inf>3</inf> I/ 70 % CO<inf>2</inf> under $\mathbf{AC}$ and LI stresses. SF<inf>6</inf> possesses comparatively better breakdown performance than the other alternatives investigated in this study. C<inf>3</inf> H<inf>2</inf> F<inf>4</inf> shows “first breakdown” behavior and only the stable data series is considered for evaluation of 50 % breakdown voltage, U<inf>50</inf>. The lower boiling points of C<inf>3</inf> H<inf>2</inf> F<inf>4</inf> and CF<inf>3</inf> Ilimit its potential application to medium-voltage equipment with a low operating pressure. Due to pyrolysis, there is formation of soot and iodine post-breakdown in C<inf>3</inf> H<inf>2</inf> F<inf>4</inf> and 30 % CF<inf>3</inf> I/ 70 % CO<inf>2</inf> respectively. This will reduce their dielectric performance and could pose health hazard to maintenance personnel.