Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Profiling of Hippocampus Identifies Network Alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by rapid brain cell degeneration affecting different areas of the brain. Hippocampus is one of the earliest involved brain regions in the disease. Modern technologies based on high-throughput data have identified transcriptional profiling of several neurological diseases, including AD, for a better comprehension of genetic mechanisms of the disease. In this study, we investigated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from six Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets of hippocampus of AD patients. The identified DEGs were submitted to Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and ClueGo to explore genes with a higher degree centrality and to comprehend their biological role. Subsequently, MCODE was used to identify subnetworks of interconnected DEGs. Our study found 40 down-regulated genes and 36 up-regulated genes as consensus DEGs. Analysis of the co-expression network revealed ACOT7, ATP8A2, CDC42, GAD1, GOT1, INA, NCALD, and WWTR1 to be genes with a higher degree centrality. ClueGO revealed the pathways that were mainly enriched, such as clathrin coat assembly, synaptic vesicle endocytosis, and DNA damage response signal transduction by p53 class mediator. In addition, we found a subnetwork of 12 interconnected genes (AMPH, CA10, CALY, NEFL, SNAP25, SNAP91, SNCB, STMN2, SV2B, SYN2, SYT1, and SYT13). Only CA10 and CALY are targets of known drugs while the others could be potential novel drug targets.
Cognitive, Functional, and Emotional Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greek Patients with Neurocognitive Disorders.

BACKGROUND Prolonged periods of social deprivation, such as COVID-19-related lockdowns, are associated with deleterious effects on cognitive functions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to gauge the effect of prolonged social isolation on the cognitive function of older adults with neurocognitive disorders. METHODS We recruited 125 older adults with minor or major neurocognitive disorders divided into two groups. The control group was tested at the first period of the study (October 2018-May 2019), whereas the experimental group was evaluated at the second chronological period of the study (October 2020-May 2021) during the second wave of COVID-19. Neuropsychological tests were performed at baseline and six months after baseline. RESULTS In the control group, significant changes in the scores from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; p = 0.049) and the Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms of Dementia (FRSSD; p = 0.005) were found between baseline and follow-up assessments, whereas no changes were identified in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; p = 0.229) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS; p = 0.619) scores. In the experimental group, the scores from all neuropsychological tests (MoCA, MMSE, GDS, and FRSSD; p < 0.001 for all) were significantly different at follow-up when compared with those at baseline measurements. Moreover, significant deterioration of specific functions assessed in MMSE and FRSSD was detected, especially in the experimental group. CONCLUSION This study highlights cognitive functions directly affected by social deprivation of individuals with neurocognitive disorders. The findings can be used in the rehabilitation from confinement and its negative consequences.
Synthesis of titanium dioxide nanotube derived from ilmenite mineral through post-hydrothermal treatment and its photocatalytic performance

Ilmenite (FeTiO3) is a suitable mineral to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2) for photocatalyst applications. Therefore, this research was conducted to synthesize TiO2 material from titanium oxysulfate (TiOSO4) extracted from Indonesia local ilmenite mineral (FeTiO3) and to modify this material into TiO2 nanotubes through a hydrothermal process at 150 °C for 24 hours followed by a post-hydrothermal treatment with temperature variations of 80,100, 120, and 150 °C for 12 hours. The purpose was to investigate the effect of the post-hydrothermal variations on the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the TiO2 nanotubes produced. It was discovered from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations that the TiO2 nanotube was successfully derived from the ilmenite precursor. Moreover, the X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the nanotube crystal structure showed that post-hydrothermal treatment enhanced the crystallinity of the anatase TiO2 phase even though the sodium titanate phase was observed to exist in the structure. The increase in the post-hydrothermal temperature from 80 to 150 °C was also discovered to have led to: 1) a reduction in the unit cell volume from 136.37 to 132.31 Å3 and a decrease in the lattice constant c from 9.519 to 9.426 Å; 2) an increase in density from 7.783 to 8.081 gr/cm3 as well as in the crystallite size from 19.185 to 25.745 nm; 3) a decrease in the bandgap energy (Eg), from 3.33 to 3.02 eV. These characteristics further indicate the ability of the photocatalytic performance of the nanotubes to enhance the degradation efficiency from 87.69 to 97.11 %. This means the TiO2 nanotubes extracted from local FeTiO3 can provide the expected crystal structure and photocatalytic performance
Higher Education and Cultural Liberalism: Regression Discontinuity Evidence from Romania

Some studies suggest that university attendance exerts a liberalizing effect on attitudes toward cultural issues such as sexuality and sexual identity, prostitution, drug addiction, abortion, capital punishment, divorce, parenting, gender, race, religion, science, and technology. Other studies find only a weak effect or no effect. Divergent findings may stem from research designs that rest largely on observational data when assignment to treatment is nonrandom and there are many threats to inference. In this study, we enlist a unique research setting in Romania that allows for a fuzzy regression discontinuity design separating those qualified to matriculate to university from those unqualified to do so. We find that university attendance contributes to a more liberal outlook as measured by our composite index, corroborating the main (preregistered) hypothesis. Evidence for subsidiary hypotheses is mixed.
Origin of Periodic Modulations in the Transient Reflectivity Signal at Cryogenic Temperatures

Periodic modulations that appear in the low-temperature transient reflectivity signal of a GaAsP/AlGaAs single quantum well is studied. Similar anomalous oscillations are also observed in layered manganite [K. Kouyama et.al. J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 76:123702(1-3), 2007]. We show that such periodic modulations are caused by changes in the linear reflectivity of the sample during transient reflectivity measurements. Studied carried out on reflectivity of different materials under identical conditions shows that these modulations on the true transient reflectivity signal are caused by condensation of residual gases on the surface of quantum well. Methods to obtain reliable transient reflectivity data are also described.
Economic Sentiment and the Covid-19 Crisis: Evidence from European Countries

ABSTRACT This paper examines empirically the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on economic sentiment in Europe. We focus on the EU-27 countries plus the UK during the period September 2019 to November 2020, before the initiation of Covid-19 vaccination, using data from Eurostat’s Business and Consumers Surveys. Panel data estimates indicate that the pandemic has generated strongly declining sentiments among economic agents in Europe through the slowdown of the economy due to the imposed restrictions on movement and other controls. The risk of infection-induced mortality has played a separate role in generating pessimism directly from human psychology. The emergency social protection measures launched by governments have, on average, been effective in reducing market pessimism. However, we provide evidence suggesting that policymakers should focus more on targeted support to poor households and other disadvantaged groups of the population. Overall, our results suggest that certain structural features of economies, including poverty exposure, a large informal sector, and a high percentage of vulnerable employment as well as limited financial and informational openness, are factors that may intensify the severity of the adverse economic consequences of a pandemic.
Allosteric Regulation of IGF2BP1 as a Novel Strategy for the Activation of Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) regulators are promising cancer immunotherapeutic targets. IGF2BP1, as a crucial N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader protein, recognizes m6A target transcripts, ultimately leading to cancer development. However, currently, the biological function of IGF2BP1 in regulating the TIME is not well-understood. In this study, we report that IGF2BP1 knockdown induces cancer cell apoptosis, thereby significantly not only activating immune cell infiltration including CD4+, CD8+ T cells, CD56+ NK cells, and F4/80+ macrophage but also decreasing PD-L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Then, chemical genetics identifies a small-molecule cucurbitacin B (CuB), which directly targets IGF2BP1 at a unique site (Cys253) in the KH1–2 domains. This leads to a pharmacological allosteric effect to block IGF2BP1 recognition of m6A mRNA targets such as c-MYC, which is highly associated with cell apoptosis and immune response. In vivo, CuB exhibits an obvious anti-HCC effect through inducing apoptosis and subsequently recruits immune cells to tumor microenvironment as well as blocking PD-L1 expression. Collectively, IGF2BP1 may serve as a novel pharmacological allosteric target for anticancer therapeutics via mediating TIME.
The Comparison of Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Model with STAD on Mathematics Subjects in Junior High School

The ability to think analytically is one of the competencies that must be possessed by students. Analytical thinking is a thinking ability that involves the process of breaking down material into small pieces and determining the relationships and overall structure. Teachers are required to develop a learning model that is more innovative and fun in the learning process in order to stimulate students' analytical thinking by using the JIGSAW and STAD learning models to further hone their process skills. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of students’ analytical thinking and process skills using the JIGSAW and STAD learning models. This study uses quantitative methods with associative and comparative types, where the data is taken using questionnaire respondents. The subjects of this study were 180 students. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that from the T test results, the difference in analytical thinking using the STAD model and using the Jigsaw model and the process skills variable using the STAD model and Jigsaw model in mathematics subjects. From the results of the correlation test, it is known that there is a relationship between analytical thinking and student process skills using the Jigsaw learning model. So that this research has an impact on the comparison of analytical thinking with student process skills using the JIGSAW and STAD learning models.
Dual contraceptive use and associated factors among women aged 15-49 years on antiretroviral therapy in Kayonza District, Rwanda: a cross-sectional study

Introduction globally, 600,000 women died of complications due to pregnancies among more than 2 million women on antiretroviral treatment who get pregnant every year due to low utilization of dual contraception and unsafe sex. The failure rate of preventing of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) in Rwanda was 2% in 2019. In Rwanda, there was no research done and published on this topic. To fill the gap, the study aimed to assess the use of dual contraceptives and associated factors among women aged 15-49 years on antiretroviral (ART) in Kayonza District, Rwanda. Methods a cross-sectional design was conducted in October 2021. The sample was 345 participants selected by cluster simple random sampling from a targeted population of 1426 women. The interviews were conducted, and structured questionnaires were filled out before entering and analyzing data into Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics analysis was used to determine frequencies and percentages, while multivariate seconded the bivariate regression analysis determine the factors associated to dual contraception by odds ratio with 95% CI. Results the mean age of interviewees was 35.59 years and the majority of them were married women (60.9%). The dual contraception rate was 40%. The multivariate analysis of factors associated with dual contraception revealed that single women were most likely (AOR=38.123, 95% CI: 6.575-221.040, p<0.001) to use combinations of condoms and other methods. The odds of utilizing dual contraceptive methods were 7.347 times (AOR=7.347, 95% CI: 0.936-57.671, p=0.049) higher among women whose partners were casual laborers. Women who did not desire to have a baby were most likely (AOR=3.990, 95% CI: 1.796-8.865, p=0.001) to utilize dual contraception. The odds of utilizing dual methods were 5.634 times (AOR=5.634, 95% CI: 2.277-13.939, p<0.001) higher among women whose sexual partners did not desire a baby compared to those whose partners did. The odds of using dual methods were 1.354 times (AOR=1.354, 95% CI: 0.705-2.602) higher among women who disclosed their HIV status to their sexual partners compared to those who did not. The odds of using dual contraception were 5.526 times (AOR=5.526, 95% CI: 2.186-13.968, p<0.001) higher among women who were in HIV program for more than five years compared to those who were in the program for one year or less. Conclusion the rate of dual contraception in this area is still low according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation and strategies to increase it are of paramount importance to be put in place by the Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Center, health facilities and partners in terms of training, health education, availability of dual methods at the level of the health system and men involvement in family planning.
Stability Preservation of Nonlinear Systems With Sampled-Delayed Input

We study the stability preservation problem for nonlinear systems under sampled and delayed input. The main results of this letter are twofold: 1) global asymptotic stability preservation (GASP) is possible if the system is globally Lipschitz continuous (GLC) and globally exponentially stabilizable (GES); 2) For a nonlinear system that is not GLC nor GES, semi-GASP is possible if it is globally asymptotically locally exponentially stabilizable (GALES) by smooth feedback.
3D virtual prototyping of a ski jumpsuit based on a reconstructed body scan model

3D virtual prototyping become a topic of increasing interest of both computer graphics and computer-aided design for apparel production. These technologies are especially important when a garment prototype should be developed for a special purpose, such as ski-jumper suit. Namely, shape and size of a jumpsuit need to be individually adapted to each ski-jumper according to the exact requirements set by FIS (Federeation Internationale de Ski). The FIS requirements change annually or even more often in order to assure ski-jumpers' safety during competitive ski jumps. The conventional body measurement technique and development of ski-jumpers pattern are time consuming. In order to develop an accurate and rapid design, as well as an adaptable and quickly changeable jumpsuit, different modern technologies were used. The obtained virtual prototypes of a skijumper and a jumpsuit enable both - fast re-modelling according to FIS rules and expeditious development and/or simulations of a jumpsuit. All these measures are taken to improve the aerodynamic design of a suit and jumper's result. The body scanning technology represents a great potential for textile industries and above all for producers of garments. It enables fast and reliable capture of 3D body data and extraction of precise measurements needed for design, construction, visualisation and animation of garments on virtual mannequins. However, there are also some problems related to the scanned body models, caused by the scanning technique. In this article we are discussing the techniques for reconstruction of the body models and its results using the example from one of the competitive sports clothing - ski-jumper suit. In our study we have used different computer graphics programmes in order to reconstruct and prepare the 3D body scan model for successfully importing it into OptiTex CAD programme. The aim of this research was to enable effective 3D virtual garment prototyping using the reconstructed body scan model.
Association between voice symptoms and college professors’ home working conditions during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching conditions changed around the world from in-person classes to online classes, which also determined changes on teachers’ working conditions. Method: Exploratory cross-sectional study with the aim of determining the association between two voice symptoms (vocal fatigue and throat pain) with home working conditions during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Professors answered an online survey including 27 questions about four components: sociodemographic factors, characteristics of home working, quarantine characteristics, and health conditions (including voice functioning). Results: 177 college professors from Argentina, Colombia, and Chile participated in this study. First, incidence of vocal fatigue, during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic, represented around 50%. Although throat pain had a smaller incidence, it was also important (35%). Second, days in quarantine, number of classes per week, people living with during quarantine, and history of vocal fatigue before quarantine were important associated factors of vocal fatigue. Third, important associated factors of throat pain were number of classes per week, level of stress, years of experience, and history of throat pain before quarantine. Conclusion: Similar to pre-COVID-19, vocal fatigue and throat pain were frequently reported voice symptoms among college professors. Associated factors of these symptoms included years of experience, number of classes per week, stress, people living with during quarantine due to COVID-19, and history of voice symptoms. Workplace Health Promotion programs should include activities that facilitate a healthy occupational voice use during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, considering the implications of online teaching on teachers’ health and safety.
Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Perceptions of A Good Language Teacher at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), AL-Rustaq, Oman

The study examines how the pre-service English language teachers at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS)-AL-rustaq perceive the notion of a ‘good language teacher’ before and after they undertake microteaching practices. Qualitative research was employed to answer the main research questions of the study, which is what are pre-service teachers’ perceptions of a good language teacher before and after experiencing microteaching? In order to answer the research question, semi-structured interviews for twelve pre-service English language teachers were conducted before and after the microteaching context. By employing the content analysis, the findings revealed that pedagogical knowledge is the best quality that pre-service English language teachers must possess at the UTAS-AL-rustaq. Personal qualities such as being a motivator, being kind, being enthusiastic and having a sense of humor were also perceived as important features of a good teacher from the participants’ point of view. The powerful influence of the microteaching practice made the participants able to incorporate their background knowledge (the studied theories) into practice. This was clear from their interpretation of the concept of good language teacher from only personal qualities to more into teaching with good personal qualities. This, therefore, emphasizes the importance of this practical course in shaping more practical teaching identities over simply theoretical ones amongst the participants. It is hence recommended to increase the practical courses and allocate them towards the end of the pre-service teacher education programme. It is also recommended that the teachers of these courses focus on post-lesson discussions, and make a balance emphasis on the overall good teacher qualities in order for the pre-service English language teachers to see the importance of all qualities in the language classroom.
Identification of Permanent Faults for Single-phase Auto-redosure on Transmission Lines with Shunt Reactors

A novel method which uses the fault phase current characters of shunt reactors to identify permanent faults for single-phase autoreclosure on transmission lines is presented in this paper. Since the loop in which the fault phase current flows under permanent faults is quite different from that under transient faults after the breaker tripping, the ratio of the fault phase current in the shunt reactor to the current in the neutral point reactor can be used to determine whether the fault is permanent or temporary. The proposed method can resolve the problem of incapability of currently used autoreclosure criteria when applied to transmission lines with shunt reactors. EMTP Simulations and fault data on testing system show that this method can identify permanent faults correctly and reliably, and can be directly incorporated into microprocessor-based relays.
Does Counter-Cyclical Monetary Policy Promote Enterprise R&D Investment in a Recession? Empirical Evidence from China

Using the continuous difference-in-difference (DID) model, this paper analyzes the Chinese listed companies’ panel data from 2013 to 2019 by taking the rapid monetary policy easing in mid-2015 as the policy shocks to test the impact of loose monetary policy on enterprise R&D investment. The results show that loose monetary policy significantly weakened the negative impact of high leverage on enterprise R&D investment. After considering the heterogeneity and fixed effects of enterprise and industry characteristics, loose monetary policy still significantly improved highly leveraged enterprises’ R&D investment and showed a greater innovation-driving role in a competitive market environment. Based on this, this paper believes that The People’s Bank of China should continue to guide the decrease of medium- and long-term interest rates and promote benign competition among enterprises to improve the effectiveness of the monetary policy.