Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-reactivity of antibodies from non-hospitalized COVID-19 positive individuals against the native and B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged worldwide, with implications on the spread of the pandemic. Characterizing the cross-reactivity of antibodies against these VOCs is necessary to understand the humoral response of non-hospitalized individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, a population that remains understudied. Thirty-two SARS-CoV-2-positive (PCR-confirmed) and non-hospitalized Canadian adults were enrolled 14-21 days post-diagnosis in 2020, before the emergence of the B.1. 351 VOC (also known as Beta). Sera were collected 4 and 16 weeks post-diagnosis. Antibody levels and pseudo-neutralization of the ectodomain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein/human ACE-2 receptor interaction were analyzed with native and B.1. 351 variant spike proteins. Despite a lower response observed for the variant spike protein, we report evidence of a sustained humoral response against native and B.1. 351 variant spike protein among non-hospitalized Canadian adults. Furthermore, this response inhibited the interaction between the spike protein variant of concern and ACE-2 receptor for ≥16 weeks post-diagnosis.
Comparative Evaluation of Apoptosis Induction Using Needles, Bark, and Pollen Extracts and Essential Oils of Pinus eldarica in Lung Cancer Cells

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although effective clinical drugs for treating advanced stages are available, interest in alternative herbal medicines has gained momentum. Herbal extracts are potent antioxidants that reportedly inhibit the growth of various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the effects of essential oils and hexane, methanolic, and aqueous extracts, obtained from various parts (bark, needles, and pollen) of Pinus eldarica against human lung cancer (A549) cells. First, the DPPH radical scavenging activities of P. eldarica extracts and essential oils were examined, which revealed that methanolic extracts presented higher antioxidant activity than the other extracts and essential oils. Next, A549 cells were exposed to various concentrations of the extracts and essential oils for 48 h. P. eldarica extracts/essential oil-treated lung cancer cells demonstrated a significant decrease in cell proliferation, along with an induction of apoptotic cell death, particularly, the pollen hexane extract, bark essential oil, and methanolic needle extract showed superior results, with IC50 values of 31.7, 17.9, and 0.3 μg/mL, respectively. In the cell cycle analysis, treatment of A549 cells with the methanolic needle and pollen hexane extracts led to apoptosis and accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Further, exposure to the bark essential oil and methanolic needle extract decreased the cell population in the G2/M phase. Notably, treatment with the pollen hexane extract, bark essential oil, and methanolic needle extract resulted in caspase-3 activation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, Bcl-2 downregulation, and Bax and p53 regulation in A549 cells. Furthermore, these extracts and essential oils decreased the migration, and colony formation of A549 cells. These findings provide experimental evidence for a new therapeutic effect of P. eldarica against human lung cancer and suggest P. eldarica as a potential chemopreventive natural resource for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Policy Responses on Excess Mortality

As a way of slowing COVID-19 transmission, many countries and U.S. states implemented shelter-in-place (SIP) policies. However, the effects of SIP policies on public health are a priori ambiguous as they might have unintended adverse effects on health. The effect of SIP policies on COVID-19 transmission and physical mobility is mixed. To understand the net effects of SIP policies, we measure the change in excess deaths following the implementation of SIP policies in 43 countries and all U.S. states. We use an event study framework to quantify changes in the number of excess deaths after the implementation of a SIP policy. We find that following the implementation of SIP policies, excess mortality increases. The increase in excess mortality is statistically significant in the immediate weeks following SIP implementation for the international comparison only and occurs despite the fact that there was a decline in the number of excess deaths prior to the implementation of the policy. At the U.S. state-level, excess mortality increases in the immediate weeks following SIP introduction and then trends below zero following 20 weeks of SIP implementation. We failed to find that countries or U.S. states that implemented SIP policies earlier, and in which SIP policies had longer to operate, had lower excess deaths than countries/U.S. states that were slower to implement SIP policies. We also failed to observe differences in excess death trends before and after the implementation of SIP policies based on pre-SIP COVID-19 death rates.
ELECTRONIC BASED PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze the effect of electronic payment systems based on credit cards, debit cards, and electronic money, as well as macroeconomic variables namely the money supply (M1), price level, and velocity of money towards real gross domestic product as a proxy for economic growth. The estimation carried out in this journal uses the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) with period time series data of 2010:1-2018:12. The results of the journal show that doing debit card and electronic money-based transactions has a significant positive effect on economic growth in Indonesia in the long run.Keywords : Electronic payment systems, electronic money, credit cards, debit cards, economic growth, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) Keywords: Electronic payment systems, electronic money, credit cards, debit cards, economic growth, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) JEL : O470 C320
Iterative learning consensus control with initial state learning for fractional order distributed parameter models multi‐agent systems

This paper considers the consensus control problem of multi‐agent systems (MAS) with distributed parameter models. Based on the framework of network topologies, a second‐order PI‐type iterative learning control (ILC) protocol with initial state learning is proposed by using the nearest neighbor knowledge. A discrete system for proposed ILC is established, and the consensus control problem is then converted to a stability problem for such a discrete system. Furthermore, by using generalized Gronwall inequality, a sufficient condition for the convergence of the consensus errors between any two agents is obtained. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified by two numerical examples.
Effects of supplemental jump and sprint exercise training on sand on athletic performance of male U17 handball players

This controlled study investigated the effects of 7 weeks pre-season supplemental jump and sprint exercise training on sand (JSETS) on athletic ability in male handball players. Males (n = 40; 16.3 ± 0.4 years) were randomly assigned to a jump and sprint training (JSTG; n = 24) or a control (CG; n = 18) group. The JSETS replaced a part of the regular handball training of players. The tests included jumps (squat, counter-movement, and 5 jump tests), sprint times (5 m, 10 m and 20 m), agility (modified T and modified Illinois tests), repeated sprint T-test, and balance (standing stork and Y balance tests). JSTG showed relative to CG significant decreases in sprint times over all distances (5 m (p = 0.002, d = 0.735 (medium); 10 m (p = 0.012, d = 0.577 (medium) and 20 m (p = 0.012, d = 0.573 (medium)), and gains in both measures of agility (p = 0.001, d = 0.859 (large) and p = 0.004, d = 0.670 (medium) for T-Half and Illinois-tests respectively), and in jumping squat (p < 0.001, d = 0.813 (large)) and countermovement jumping (p = 0.004, d = 0.663 (medium)), but not in the 5-jump test. Three of the four repeated sprint scores (best time (BT), meantime (MT) and total time (TT)) improved significantly (p = 0.012, d = 0.577 (medium); p = 0.042, d = 0.463 (small) and p = 0.043, d = 0.458 (small) respectively), but the decrement (DEC) remained unchanged. The Y balance test showed significant gains in 2 of 3 scores for the right leg and 1 of 3 scores for the left leg, and the stork balance (right leg) was enhanced. In conclusion, compared to regular handball training, supplemental jump and sprint exercise training on sand substantially improved sprinting, agility, jumping, repeated sprinting, and balance in male handball players.
Learning how to learn and then doing it all over again: The evolving learning modes of migrant entrepreneurs

Building on an in-depth study of 12 Bulgarian migrant entrepreneurial company cases in London, we illustrate how migrant entrepreneurs (MEs) interact with, and learn from, their exposure to a diaspora network. We demonstrate that learning processes need to be studied within the context where they occur as MEs adapt their modes of learning to contextual changes. We use social learning theory to offer a situated process model of learning, which shows why and how learning evolves over time, the learning modes MEs undergo (i.e. observational, participative, and exploratory learning), as well as the process configuration within which these learning modes are rooted. This article adds to the growing body of work showing the boundary conditions and the mechanisms through which MEs learn from networks when operating in a foreign market.
Much Ado About Facebook? Evidence from 80 Congressional Campaigns in Chile

ABSTRACT How do political candidates combine social media campaign tools with on-the-ground political campaigns to pursue segmented electoral strategies? We argue that online campaigns can reproduce and reinforce segmented electoral appeals. Furthermore, our study suggests that electoral segmentation remains a broader phenomenon that includes social media as but one of many instruments by which to appeal to voters. To test our argument, we analyze the case of the 2017 legislative elections in Chile. We combine an analysis of Facebook and online electoral campaign data from 80 congressional campaigns that competed in three districts with ethnographic sources (i.e., campaigns observed on the ground and in-depth interviews with candidates). The results of this novel study suggest that intensive online campaigning mirrors offline segmentation.
Knowledge, Perception and Cervical Cancer Screening Practices among Female Nurses Working in Healthcare Facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Cervical cancer, the 2nd most common form of cancer worldwide, is largely preventable. It occurs more in sexually active and menopausal women of which nurses as the largest group of healthcare giver have an important role to play in early detection, prevention, screening and management. Therefore, nurses’ knowledge, perception and cervical cancer screening practices in Lagos State are sought. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design, using a multi-stage sample technique to select 420 nurses and a semi-structured questionnaire (Cronbach Alpha coefficient range: 0.82- 0.84) research tool was used. The response rate was 96.9%. IBM SPSS version 23 was used in data analysis. The confidence level was 0.05 Results: Findings revealed a mean age of 37.7 ±9.5years, 2/3 of total respondents (66.8%) had BNSc, nearly half, 227(55.8%) had good knowledge of cervical cancer screening and less than half 197(48.4%) had a high perception of cervical cancer screening. The majority 312(76.7%) of the respondents had low cervical cancer screening practices. Respondents’ knowledge of cervical cancer and perception of cervical cancer screening relationship was significant (r =-0.19, p=0.000). Also, respondents age (X2= 11.49, p=0.02); marital status (X2=10.17; p=0.03); and respondents’ ethnicity (X2=10.11; p=0.02), were significant to their cervical cancer screening practices. Contrarily, respondent’s religion (X2=3.35; p=0.09), and level of education (X2=0.88; p=0.64) were not significantly related to cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: Study revealed that respondents had moderately high knowledge, moderate perception of cervical cancer screening but low screening practices. Therefore, nurses should be further resourced in promotional activities and programs through in-service training in providing informative awareness education about cervical cancer screening.
Adsorption kinetics, equilibrium and radiation effect studies of radioactive cesium by polymer‐based adsorbent

Electroactive polypyrrole has been synthesized by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole using ferric chloride hexahydrate as oxidant in the presence of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), and used to remove radioactive cesium from aqueous solution. The SDBS‐doped polypyrrole (PPy/SDBS) adsorbent was characterized by Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared techniques. A rapid and efficient adsorption of 137Cs radionuclide with a maximum sorption capacity of 26.2 mg/g has been achieved at 313 K. The kinetic data show the best fitting by the pseudo first‐order model while the Langmuir model properly reproduced the isotherm data. The thermodynamics parameters revealed an endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. The adsorption efficiency shows only an insignificant variation with the gamma‐ray doses of 100 and 200 kGy. Considering the toxicity and nonbiodegradable nature of radioactive cesium, SDBS‐doped polypyrrole could be a good adsorbent for the recovery of 137Cs from radioactive effluents. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL. , 24:347–357, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
“I thought in order to get to God I had to win their approval”: a qualitative analysis of the experiences of Muslim victims abused by religious authority figures

ABSTRACT The abuse of individuals by religious authority figures has generated considerable political, civic and media attention. To date, much of this focus has been on Catholic and Anglican priests, although instances in the Buddhist community have also emerged. This paper presents an analysis of the experiences of individuals (n = 6) who were victims of abuse by Imams (Muslim leaders) and/or Muslim faith teachers. Participants were interviewed and their accounts analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This paper presents two superordinate themes that emerged from the rich data set: (i) Toxicity of silence and (ii) Barriers to the acknowledgement of abuse. Findings and implications of the research are discussed in relation to facilitating the reporting of abuse perpetrated by religious authority figures in the Muslim community. The authors argue that the difficulties for victims in reporting abuse have exacerbated the impact of the abuse, affecting their wellbeing and their relationships with their families and their faith.
Changes in emotional problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems in moderate to late preterm children and adolescents born between 1958 and 2002 in the United Kingdom.

Background Preterm birth is a risk factor for the development of emotional and behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence. Given the substantial improvements in neonatal care across decades, it has been expected that the difference in emotional problems, hyperactivity, and conduct problems between moderate to late preterm (MLPT) and full term (FT) children and adolescents have declined in recent years. Methods Data from four UK population-based studies were used: The National Child Development Study (NCDS; 1958), the British Cohort Study (BCS70; 1970), the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, 1991-1992) and the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS; 2000-2002). Emotional problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems were assessed with mother-reports in early childhood (5-7 years), late childhood (10-11 years) and adolescence (14-16 years). Furthermore, emotional problems were self-reported in adolescence in BCS70, ALSPAC and MCS. Results In the most recent cohort, the MLPT group had higher mother-reported emotional problems than those born FT in late childhood and adolescence, whereas there were no differences in self-reported emotional problems in adolescence. Regarding mother-reported hyperactivity symptoms, the MLPT group had higher scores than the FT group in the two most recent cohorts in late childhood and in the most recent cohort in adolescence. Regarding mother-reported conduct problems, MLPT children had significantly higher scores than the FT children in the oldest and in the most recent cohort in late childhood. On the other hand, in adolescence, MLPT children had significantly lower scores in conduct problems in comparison to FT children in the cohort born in 1991-1992. Conclusions Mother-reported emotional problems and hyperactivity symptoms of those born MLPT have increased from the birth years 1958 to 2000-2002 during late childhood and adolescence, whereas self-reported emotional problems were similar in MLPT and FT groups during adolescence from 1970 to 2000-2002. Findings are less consistent regarding conduct problems. The current findings highlight the importance of raising the awareness of teachers about the association between MLPT birth and behavioural and emotional problems in late childhood and adolescence to prevent the long-term negative outcomes associated with the sequalae of MLPT birth.
Interlayer Potential for Homogeneous Graphene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride Systems: Reparametrization for Many-Body Dispersion Effects

A new parametrization of the anisotropic interlayer potential for hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN ILP) is presented. The force-field is benchmarked against density functional theory calculations of several dimer systems within the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof hybrid density functional approximation, corrected for many-body dispersion effects. The latter, more advanced method for treating dispersion, is known to produce binding energies nearly twice as small as those obtained with pairwise correction schemes, used for an earlier ILP parametrization. The new parametrization yields good agreement with the reference calculations to within ∼1 and ∼0.5 meV/atom for binding and sliding energies, respectively. For completeness, we present a complementary parameter set for homogeneous graphitic systems. Together with our previously suggested ILP parametrization for the heterogeneous graphene/h-BN junction, this provides a powerful tool for consistent simulation of the structural, mechanical, tribological, and heat transp.
A Post-Encoding Pre-Production Reinstatement (PEPPR) Model of Dual-List Free Recall

Recent events are easy to recall, but they also interfere with recall of more distant, non-recent events. Many computational models recall non-recent memories by using the context associated with those events as a cue. But some models do little to explain how people initially activate non-recent contexts in the service of accurate recall. We addressed this limitation by evaluating two candidate mechanisms within the Context-Maintenance and Retrieval model. The first is a Backward-Walk mechanism that iteratively applies a generate/recognize process to covertly retrieve progressively less recent items. The second is a Post-Encoding Pre-Production Reinstatement (PEPPR) mechanism that formally implements a metacognitive control process that reinstates non-recent contexts prior to retrieval. Models including these mechanisms make divergent predictions about the dynamics of response production and monitoring when recalling non-recent items. Before producing non-recent items, Backward-Walk cues covert retrievals of several recent items, whereas PEPPR cues few, if any, covert retrievals of that sort. We tested these predictions using archival data from a dual-list externalized free recall paradigm that required subjects to report all items that came to mind while recalling from the non-recent list. Simulations showed that only the model including PEPPR accurately predicted covert recall patterns. That same model fit the behavioral data well. These findings suggest that self-initiated context reinstatement plays an important role in recall of non-recent memories and provides a formal model that uses a parsimonious non-hierarchical context representation of how such reinstatement might occur.
Hydrological and catchment controls on event‐scale dissolved organic carbon dynamics in boreal headwater streams

Hydrological events transport large proportions of annual or seasonal dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loads from catchments to streams. The timing, magnitude and intensity of these events are very sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, particularly across the boreal region where snowpacks are declining and summer droughts are increasing. It is important to understand how landscape characteristics modulate event‐scale DOC dynamics in order to scale up predictions from sites across regions, and to understand how climatic changes will influence DOC dynamics across the boreal forest. The goal of this study was to assess variability in DOC concentrations in boreal headwater streams across catchments with varying physiographic characteristics (e.g., size, proportion of wetland) during a range of hydrological events (e.g., spring snowmelt, summer/fall storm events). From 2016 to 2017, continuous discharge and sub‐daily chemistry grab samples were collected from three adjacent study catchments located at the International Institute for Sustainable Development‐Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Catchment differences were more apparent in summer and fall events and less apparent during early spring melt events. Hysteresis analysis suggested that DOC sources were proximal to the stream for all events at a catchment dominated by a large wetland near the outlet, but distal from the stream at the catchments that lacked significant wetland coverage during the summer and fall. Wetland coverage also influenced responses of DOC export to antecedent moisture; at the wetland‐dominated catchment, there were consistent negative relationships between DOC concentrations and antecedent moisture, while at the catchments without large wetlands, the relationships were positive or not significant. These results emphasize the utility of sub‐daily sampling for inferring catchment DOC transport processes, and the importance of considering catchment‐specific factors when predicting event‐scale DOC behaviour.