Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Makes a School a Happy School? Parents’ Perspectives

Well-being, equity, and inclusion are central aspects of happy schools. In this context, we aim to provide information to identify the characteristics of happy schools and Portuguese children’s level of happiness at school. In total, one thousand three hundred and ninety-nine parents of children from five to twenty years old participated in this study by answering a mostly open-ended questionnaire. They indicated their perceptions of how happy their children were at school, the moments they associated with individual happiness and unhappiness, and the characteristics of schools that they found conducive to promoting happiness. The findings show that parents value the relationships their children establish at school, teachers’ personal and professional skills, learning strategies, and the fact that students can be creative while learning valuable content. From the perspective of parents, unhappy schools are characterized by teachers with negative attitudes and attributes, bullying, an excessive workload, and consequent stress. Differences in terms of gender and age were not significant in this study. We found that levels of happiness at school decrease as students’ ages increase.
Vitamin B6 Levels and Impaired Folate Status but Not Vitamin B12 Associated with Low Birth Weight: Results from the MAASTHI Birth Cohort in South India

Vitamins B12 and B6 and folate are known to have implications for pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to describe B6, B12, and folate status in pregnancy and investigate their associations with low birth weight and preterm delivery in mothers recruited from public hospitals in urban Bengaluru. Pregnant women between 18 and 45 years were included in the MAASTHI prospective cohort study. Each participant’s age, socioeconomic status, and anthropometry were recorded during baseline and followed up after delivery. Blood samples were collected between the 24th and 32nd weeks of gestation and stored at −80° for analysis. B6, B12, folate, homocysteine, and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels were analyzed in the stored samples. We found low plasma vitamin B12, folate, and B6 levels in 48.5%, 42.0%, and 10.4% of the women (n = 230), respectively. Elevated MMA and homocysteine were observed among 73.6% and 6.1% of the women, respectively. We found B6 levels were significantly associated with birth weight (β(SE) −0.002(0.0), p = 0.001) after adjusting for age, parity, adiposity, gestational diabetes, and socioeconomic status of the mother. Those with impaired folate deficiency were twice at risk (AOR 1.95 (1.29, 3.07), p = 0.002) of low birth weight. Vitamin B6 levels and impaired folate status were associated with low birth weight in the MAASTHI birth cohort.
Differential Recognition of Clinically Relevant Sporothrix Species by Human Mononuclear Cells

Sporotrichosis is a human and animal fungal infection distributed worldwide that is caused by the thermodimorphic species of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade, which includes Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, and Sporothrix globosa. The cell wall composition and the immune response against the Sporothrix species have been studied mainly in S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii, whilst little is known about the S. globosa cell wall and the immune response that its components trigger. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to analyze the cell wall composition of S. globosa in three morphologies (germlings, conidia, and yeast-like cells) and the differences in cytokine production when human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) interact with these morphotypes, using S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis as a comparison. We found that S. globosa conidia and yeast-like cells have a higher cell wall chitin content, while all three morphologies have a higher β-1,3-glucan content, which was found most exposed at the cell surface when compared to S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis. In addition, S. globosa has lower levels of mannose- and rhamnose-based glycoconjugates, as well as of N- and O-linked glycans, indicating that this fungal cell wall has species-specific proportions and organization of its components. When interacting with PBMCs, S. brasiliensis and S. globosa showed a similar cytokine stimulation profile, but with a higher stimulation of IL-10 by S. globosa. Additionally, when the inner cell wall components of S. globosa were exposed at the surface or N- and O-glycans were removed, the cytokine production profile of this species in its three morphotypes did not significantly change, contrasting with the S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis species that showed different cytokine profiles depending on the treatment applied to the walls. In addition, it was found that the anti-inflammatory response stimulated by S. globosa was dependent on the activation of dectin-1, mannose receptor, and TLR2, but not TLR4. All of these results indicate that the cell wall composition and structure of the three Sporothrix species in the three morphologies are different, affecting their interaction with human PBMCs and generating species-specific cytokine profiles.
Neuroprotective Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease: The Role of Gut Microbiota and MicroRNAs

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor deficits and marked neuroinflammation in various brain regions. The pathophysiology of PD is complex and mounting evidence has suggested an association with the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) and gut dysbiosis. Using a rotenone-induced PD mouse model, we observed that administration of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) significantly improved motor deficits in PD-like mice, accompanied by an increased level of dopamine, reduced dopaminergic neuron loss, reduced microglial activation, reduced levels of inflammatory factors, and enhanced expression of neurotrophic factor in the brain. Notably, the inflammation-related expression of miR-155-5p was significantly upregulated in the proximal colon, midbrain, and striatum of PD-like mice. PS128 reduced the level of miR-155-5p, whereas it increased the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), a direct target of miR-155-5p and a critical inhibitor of the inflammatory response in the brain. Alteration of the fecal microbiota in PD-like mice was partially restored by PS128 administration. Among them, Bifidobacterium, Ruminiclostridium_6, Bacteroides, and Alistipes were statistically correlated with the improvement of rotenone-induced motor deficits and the expression of miR-155-5p and SOCS1. Our findings suggested that PS128 ameliorates motor deficits and exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating the gut microbiota and miR-155-5p/SOCS1 pathway in rotenone-induced PD-like mice.
Social change, cultural evolution, weaving apprenticeship, and development: informal education across three generations and 42 years in a Maya community

Abstract Analyzing three sets of video data collected in one Maya community, we examined apprenticeship and learning of backstrap loom weaving over three generations spanning the years 1970 to 2012. Like many cultural groups, the Maya of Chiapas are experiencing rapid sociodemographic shifts. Three generations of girls (N = 134) were observed at their looms: in the 1970 subsistence economy; in the transition to a commercial economy in the 1990s; and in 2012, when the commercial economy required formal education. Multilevel models showed that intergenerational sociodemographic change - increased time in school, greater involvement in the money economy, and decreased family size - changed weaving apprenticeship, which, in turn, was related to changes in characteristics of learners. In 2012, weaving learners received more explanations, praise, and body instruction from their teachers. Learners, in turn, asked more questions. However, these changes came at a cost - the gradual loss of weaving as an everyday subsistence practice and art form. Tracing intergenerational change over three generations, this study makes a unique contribution to an understanding of cultural evolution.
What to look for in setting sports training tasks for young players? Analysis of the numerical configuration of players and court size constraints on futsal small-sided games performance difficulty level and player participation

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyse the effects of the numerical configuration of players and court size constraints on futsal small-sided game (SSG) performance difficulty level and player participation. For that, the degree of effectiveness of 6155 offensive actions performed by 59 young players (9–12 years) was investigated in six SSG conditions (2v1a, 2v1b, 2v2, 3v3, 4v2, and 2v4). For the analysis, the raw data were transformed into three indexes: Difficulty Index Without the Ball (DI WOB), Difficulty Index With the Ball (DI WB), and Participation Index (PI). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the effectiveness of actions performed without the ball and with the ball indicated that the SSGs presented different levels of performance difficulty and player participation. More effective actions were performed in attack superiority configurations and full-court sizes, especially if these constraints were combined, indicating they induced an easier level of play. Court size constraint affected player participation in an inversely proportional fashion (larger spaces of practice induced less player participation). The study results are useful to adjust futsal SSGs for players with different skills. In addition, the adopted action evaluation approach has the potential to become the SSG a performance scanner for the players’ current level.
A Global Review of the Impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Radiology Practice, Finances, and Operations

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic ushered in rapid changes in healthcare, including radiology, globally. This review discusses the impact of the pandemic on various radiology departments globally. We analyze the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the imaging volumes, finances, and clinical operations of radiology departments in 2020. Studies from health systems and outpatient imaging centers were analyzed, and the activity throughout 2020 was compared to the pre-pandemic activity, including activity during similar timeframes in 2019. Imaging volumes across modalities, including MRI and CT scans, were compared, as were the Relative Value Units (RVUs) for imaging finances. Furthermore, we compared clinical operations, including staffing and sanitation procedures. We found that imaging volumes in private practices and academic centers decreased globally. The decreases in volume could be attributed to delayed patient screenings, as well as the implementation of protocols, such as the deep cleaning of equipment between patients. Revenues from imaging also decreased globally, with many institutions noting a substantial decline in RVUs and revenue compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. Our analysis thus found significant changes in the volumes, finances, and operations of radiology departments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Dynamic Panel Threshold Models

Threshold estimation methods are developed for dynamic panels with individual xed specic eects covering short time periods. Maximum likelihood estimation of the threshold and the slope parameters is proposed using rst dierence transformations. Threshold estimate is shown to be consistent and it converges to a double-sided standard Brownian motion distribution, when the number of individuals grows to innity for a xed time period; and the slope estimates are consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. The method is applied to a sample of 72 countries and 8 periods of 5-year averages to determine the eect of ination rate
The views about Big Data among professionals of police forces: A scoping review of empirical studies

There is a growing tendency toward the introduction of Big Data in police departments to improve the prevention and investigation of crime. However, there is little systematic knowledge about the perspectives of professionals in police forces regarding this technology. This article fills this gap by presenting a scoping review that systematizes empirical studies of the views of professionals in police forces about Big Data in the field of policing and criminal investigation. Fourteen articles were analyzed following a descriptive–analytical method. Optimistic and oppositional views about Big Data among professionals in police forces were then described. Optimistic views focused on the potential of Big Data to improve the objectivity and efficiency of policing and better manage police resources by providing new capabilities and strategies by which to perform crime predictions, risk assessments, criminal investigations, crime analysis, risk management, cooperation and data exchange. Oppositional views related to the police's awareness of Big Data's biases, the lack of a regulatory landscape, misuse of data, privacy threats, data security, misplaced trust in technology, the absence of major changes in work practices, and practical barriers. Analysis of the co-presence of optimistic and oppositional views adds a comprehensive and interpretative argument that might contribute to critical reflections on the technological feasibility, societal usability, and desirability of Big Data technologies in police departments.
Electrochemical Behavior of Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported Germanium Oxide, Germanium Nitride, and Germanium Phosphide as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes Obtained from Highly Soluble Germanium Oxide

Germanium and germanium-based compounds are widely used in microelectronics, optics, solar cells, and sensors. Recently, germanium and its oxides, nitrides, and phosphides have been studied as active electrode materials in lithium- and sodium-ion battery anodes. Herein, the newly introduced highly soluble germanium oxide (HSGO) was used as a versatile precursor for germanium-based functional materials. In the first stage, a germanium-dioxide-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite was obtained by complete precipitation of GeO2 nanoparticles on the GO from an aqueous solution of HSGO and subsequent thermal treatment in argon at low temperature. The composition of the composite, GeO2-rGO (20 to 80 wt.% of crystalline phase), was able to be accurately determined by the HSGO to GO ratio in the initial solution since complete deposition and precipitation were achieved. The chemical activity of germanium dioxide nanoparticles deposited on reduced graphene oxide was shown by conversion to rGO-supported germanium nitride and phosphide phases. The GeP-rGO and Ge3N4-rGO composites with different morphologies were prepared in this study for the first time. As a test case, composite materials with different loadings of GeO2, GeP, and Ge3N4 were evaluated as lithium-ion battery anodes. Reversible conversion–alloying was demonstrated in all cases, and for the low-germanium loading range (20 wt.%), almost theoretical charge capacity based on the germanium content was attained at 100 mA g−1 (i.e., 2595 vs. 2465 mAh g−1 for Ge3N4 and 1790 vs. 1850 mAh g−1 for GeP). The germanium oxide was less efficiently exploited due to its lower conversion reversibility.
The Study of the Association of Polymorphisms in LSP1, GPNMB, PDPN, TAGLN, TSPO, and TUBB6 Genes with the Risk and Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in the Russian Population

To date, there has been great progress in understanding the genetic basis of ischemic stroke (IS); however, several aspects of the condition remain underexplored, including the influence of genetic factors on post-stroke outcomes and the identification of causative loci. We proposed that an analysis of the results obtained from animal models of brain ischemia could be helpful. To this end, we developed a bioinformatic approach for exploring single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human orthologs of rat genes expressed differentially after induced brain ischemia. Using this approach, we identified and analyzed 11 SNPs from 6 genes in 553 Russian individuals (331 patients with IS and 222 controls). We assessed the association of SNPs with the risk of IS and IS outcomes. We found that the SNPs rs858239 (GPNMB), rs907611 (LSP1), and rs494356 (TAGLN) were associated with different parameters of IS functional outcomes. In addition, the SNP rs1261025 (PDPN) was associated significantly with IS itself (p = 0.0188, recessive model). All these associations were demonstrated for the first time. Analysis of the literature suggests that they should be characterized as being inflammation related. This supports the pivotal role of inflammation in both the incidence of stroke and post-stroke outcomes. We believe the findings reported here will help with stroke prognosis in the future.
Impacts of Global Warming on Economy

Global warming is the rise in temperature of the Earth's surface and its atmosphere, resulting from human activities. It is caused by the greenhouse effect, which can be described as an increase in heat trapping gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in Earth's atmosphere. Global warming has been named a major factor for raising global sea levels through its effects on oceanic thermal expansion, melting glaciers and polar ice caps, changes in ocean patterns due to global warming. All of these changes will have an impact on economy and this paper will investigate each factor’s impact. Global warming has had and will have many impacts on the economy. If global warming is to be stopped future generations should not have to pay for the pollution and other effects that occur as a result of global warming caused by human activity. Economies will be changing in response to far less energy being produced by fossil fuels, and therefore a decrease in economic output. People will also think about more renewable energy production systems in their homes, such as a solar panel. This paper will focus on the negative impacts that arrive because of global warming caused by human activity.
Evaluating Analog Self-Interference Cancellation for In-Band Full-Duplex Wireless Communication

In-band full-duplex (IBFD) technology allows simultaneous transmission and reception in the same frequency band to boost spectral efficiency. However, selfinterference, introduced by transmitter-to-receiver leakage, poses the biggest obstacle to the realization of IBFD. Altogether IBFD radio performance and effective network throughput are directly correlated with the amount of energy suppressed by self-interference cancellation (SIC). In this work a model of an IBFD transceiver, featuring an adaptive, analog-domain, tapped-branch self-interference canceller, was developed to evaluate the inimical effects attributable to the various noise and nonlinear distortions of the simulated transceiver components. Results of the simulation show that noise incursions and nonlinearity in the transmission channel produced a negligible effect on the overall cancellation performance. However, the effectiveness of the cancellation hardware is highly dependent on the level of intrinsic nonlinearity within the canceller’s own components. Consideration of these non-ideal characteristics should be an essential part of analog SIC design to prevent any intrinsic limitations on the cancellation performance.
The Impact of Alpha-lipoic acid on the Monosodium Glutamate Induced Motor Coordination Dysfunction in Rats

Background: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is one of the most commonly used flavors that may lend to motor incoordination. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects with neuro-protective effects. Objectives: Present work aimed to elucidate possible protective potential of ALA on the motor incoordination induced by MSG and the possible underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Seventy male Wister albino rats were randomized into five groups: 1-Control group (10 rats). 2-MSG group (20 rats): MSG 3 wks and MSG 6 wks ten rats each. 3-ALA pretreated group (10 rats). 4-ALA cotreated group (20 rats): ALA cotreated 3 wks and ALA cotreated 6 wks ten rats each. 5-Alpha-Lipoic acid-postgroup. Thereafter, motor coordination assessed using Rotarod and Footprint analysis were assessed in addition to serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNFα), cerebellar brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Oxidative DNA damage were measured. Also, histo-pathological examination of cerebellar tissue was performed and number of purkinjie cells was assessed. Results: ALA resulted in better improvement for MSG-induced motor incoordination, oxidative impairment and microscopic alterations of cerebellar architecture in cotreated group than that of post-treated group, with insignificant change in pretreated group. Conclusion: ALA exhibit protective effect against motor incoordination, oxidative stress and cerebellar damage induced by MSG toxicity best as cotreatment, less when used as post-treatment but this effect useless as pretreatment.
High-reliability 1.3-/spl mu/m InP-based uncooled lasers in nonhermetic packages

We report the first uncooled nonhermetic 1.3-/spl mu/m InP-based communication lasers that have reliability comparable to their hermetically packaged counterparts for possible applications in fiber in the loop and cable TV. The development of reliable nonhermetic semiconductor lasers would not only lead to the elimination of the costs specifically associated with hermetic packaging but also lead the way for possible revolutionary low-cost optoelectronic packaging technologies. We have used Fabry-Perot capped mesa buried-heterostructure (CMBH) uncooled lasers with both bulk and MQW active regions grown on n-type InP substrates by VPE and MOCVD. We find that the proper dielectric facet passivation is the key to obtain high reliability in a nonhermetic environment. The passivation protects the laser from the ambient and maintains the proper facet reflectivity to achieve desired laser characteristics. The SiO facet passivation formed by molecular beam deposition (MBD) has resulted in lasers with lifetimes well in excess of the reliability goal of 3,000 hours of operation at 85/spl deg/C/90% RH/30 mA aging condition. Based on extrapolations derived experimentally, we calculate a 15-year-average device hazard rate of <300 FITs (as against the desired 1,500 FITs) for the combination of thermal-and humidity-induced degradation at an ambient condition of 45/spl deg/C/50% RH. For comparison, the average hazard rate at 45/spl deg/C and 15 years of service is approximately 250 FITs for hermetic lasers of similar construction. A comparison of the thermal-only degradation (hermetic) to the thermal plus humidity-induced degradation (nonhermetic) indicates that the reliability of these nonhermetic lasers is controlled by thermal degradation only and not by moisture-induced degradation. In addition to device passivation for a nonhermetic environment, MBD-SiO maintains the optical, electrical, and mechanical properties needed for high-performance laser systems.
The Impact of Inflation and Unemployment on Income Inequality in Pakistan

Income Inequality is the main obstacle in eradicating poverty. This research calculates the estimated degree of income disparity in Pakistan through various techniques. It finds out the impact of macroeconomic factors like inflation, unemployment and GDP growth rate on the degree of income inequality using logit model on data from 1980 to 2020. Gini Index shows that income inequality is more for urban regions as compared to rural areas of Pakistan. Whereas among the provinces, Punjab is suffering the most from unfair distribution of income. The regression results show the significance of all selected variables toward income inequality in Pakistan. It shows that inflation and unemployment have negative impact on Gini index while GDP growth rate has a positive influence which is quite possible in a developing country like Pakistan lagging behind in industrialization and service provisions. The study helps in making certain policies to reduce income inequality.