Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Continuities Across Schooling Transition: A Case of Classroom Practices Among Teachers in Venda, South Africa

The paper examines the institutional practices of classroom teaching and learning in the context of rapid socio-political changes. These changes place new demands on the teachers’ and pupils’ classroom practices. The paper begins by examining the classroom practices of a Grade Six lesson, which although offered during the post-1994 era, is overtly located in the past, apartheid schooling and makes no attempt at incorporating the new ideas about teaching and learning in the new curriculum framework. The paper also examines the modes of classroom practice in Grade One and considers how these reveal the post-1994 instances of the evolving practices of schooling and classroom instruction. However, simultaneous with the evolving practices of schooling and classroom teaching and learning are the past forms of schooling and classroom teaching and learning that continue to be instantiated within the presently evolving practices of schooling. Therefore, while the modes of teaching and learning employed by these teachers, inspired by the new curriculum framework, seem to meet the objectives of OBE, in reality these modes fail to effect deep learning on the part of learners. As a result, the modes of classroom teaching and learning that continue to dominate present schooling in Venda, South Africa, is concrete; emphasising, not deep learning that formal schooling should be inculcating, but the everyday, spontaneous, knowledge and mode of learning. The paper concludes by suggesting a model of classroom practice that is oriented towards inculcating deep learning that transforms pupils’ everyday, familiar knowledge and modes of learning into new understanding and new modes of learning. This proposition is illustrated by the discussion of the teaching and learning of concepts in the Grade One lesson.
Investigating User Acceptance of Cybernetic Cars for a University Campus

This paper investigates the application of an innovative transportation system for a university campus. The system is based on cybernetic cars, which are defined as road vehicles with fully automated driving capabilities. A fleet of such vehicles forms a transportation system with on-demand and door-to-door capability. The fleet is under control of a central management system in order to meet particular demands in particular environment. The investigation follows the methodology of two European-based Projects: CyberCars and CyberMove. The paper outlines the main characteristics of the new system and the methodology used to evaluate user needs analysis. The results of the user needs analysis are compared against those of the European partners involved in the project.
Isolation of extra-cellular vesicles in the context of pancreatic adenocarcinomas: Addition of one stringent filtration step improves recovery of specific microRNAs

microRNAs (miRNA) in extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been investigated as potential biomarkers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, a mixed population of EVs is often obtained using conventional exosome isolation methods for biomarker development. EVs are derived from different cellular processes and present in various sizes, therefore miRNA expression among them is undoubtedly different. We developed a simple protocol utilizing sequential filtration and ultracentrifugation to separate PDAC EVs into three groups, one with an average diameter of more than 220 nm, named operational 3 (OP3); one with average diameters between 100–220 nm, named operational 2 (OP2); and another with average diameters around 100 nm, named operational 1 (OP1)). EVs were isolated from conditioned cell culture media and plasma of human PDAC xenograft mice and early stage PDAC patients, and verified by nanoparticle tracking, western blot, and electronic microscopy. We demonstrate that exosome specific markers are only enriched in the OP1 group. qRT-PCR analysis of miRNA expression in EVs from PDAC cells revealed that expression of miR-196a and miR-1246, two previously identified miRNAs highly enriched in PDAC cell-derived exosomes, is significantly elevated in the OP1 group relative to the other EV groups. This was confirmed using plasma EVs from PDAC xenograft mice and patients with localized PDAC. Our results indicate that OP1 can be utilized for the identification of circulating EV miRNA signatures as potential biomarkers for PDAC.
Benefits of 1-Yr Home Training With Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling in Paraplegia During COVID-19 Crisis

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract The purpose of this observational study was to report the experience of a 1-yr home training with functional electrical stimulation cycling of a person with T4 American Impairment Scale A paraplegia for 9 yrs, homebound due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The 40-yr-old participant had a three-phase training: V1, isometric stimulation; V2, functional electrical stimulation cycling for 3 sessions/wk; and V3, functional electrical stimulation cycling for 2–4 sessions/wk. Data on general and physical tolerance, health impact, and performance were collected. Borg Scale score relating to fatigue was 10.1 before training and 11.8 after training. The average score for satisfaction at the end of sessions was 8.7. Lean leg mass increased more than 29%, although total bone mineral density dropped by 1.6%. The ventilatory thresholds increased from 19.5 to 29% and the maximum ventilatory peak increased by 9.5%. Rosenberg’s Self-esteem Scale score returned to its highest level by the end of training. For the only track event on a competition bike, the pilot covered a distance of 1607.8 m in 17 mins 49 secs. When functional electrical stimulation cycling training is based on a clear and structured protocol, it offers the person with paraplegia the opportunity to practice this activity recreationally and athletically. In times of crisis, this training has proven to be very relevant.
α-galactosylceramide-stimulated invariant natural killer T-cells play a protective role in murine vulvovaginal candidiasis by Candida albicans

Background Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common superficial candidiasis; however, a host’s immunological mechanism against vaginal Candida infection remains unknown. Objectives In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of iNKT cell activation on vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods Using a vulvovaginal candidiasis model with estrogenized mice, we evaluated the fungal burden and number of leukocyte infiltrations in the vaginal lavage of wild-type C57BL/6J mice after Candida albicans inoculation. One day before C. albicans inoculation, α-galactosylceramide (the α-GalCer group) or sterile phosphate-buffered saline (the sham group) was intraperitoneally injected into the mice. We also evaluated the level of antimicrobial peptide S100A8 in the vaginal lavage and analyzed the correlation between S100A8 concentration and the number of vaginal leukocyte infiltrations. Moreover, the number of uterine and vaginal immune cells were evaluated using flow cytometry. Results The number of vaginal leukocyte infiltrations was significantly higher in the α-GalCer group than in the sham group 3 days after C. albicans inoculation. In addition, the fungal burden was significantly lower in the α-GalCer group than the sham group at 7 days after inoculation. In the analysis of S100A8 concentration of vaginal lavage, there were no significant differences between these two groups, although S100A8 concentration and the number of vaginal leukocyte infiltrations were positively correlated in the α-GalCer group. Moreover, the number of vaginal iNKT cells, NK cells and CD8+ T-cells was significantly higher in the α-GalCer group 3 days after inoculation. Conclusions α-GalCer-stimulated iNKT cells likely play a protective role against vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Consumption of coffee and tea and risk of developing stroke, dementia, and poststroke dementia: A cohort study in the UK Biobank

Background Previous studies have revealed the involvement of coffee and tea in the development of stroke and dementia. However, little is known about the association between the combination of coffee and tea and the risk of stroke, dementia, and poststroke dementia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations of coffee and tea separately and in combination with the risk of developing stroke and dementia. Methods and findings This prospective cohort study included 365,682 participants (50 to 74 years old) from the UK Biobank. Participants joined the study from 2006 to 2010 and were followed up until 2020. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the associations between coffee/tea consumption and incident stroke and dementia, adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, qualification, income, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, alcohol status, smoking status, diet pattern, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), history of cancer, history of diabetes, history of cardiovascular arterial disease (CAD), and hypertension. Coffee and tea consumption was assessed at baseline. During a median follow-up of 11.4 years for new onset disease, 5,079 participants developed dementia, and 10,053 participants developed stroke. The associations of coffee and tea with stroke and dementia were nonlinear (P for nonlinear <0.01), and coffee intake of 2 to 3 cups/d or tea intake of 3 to 5 cups/d or their combination intake of 4 to 6 cups/d were linked with the lowest hazard ratio (HR) of incident stroke and dementia. Compared with those who did not drink tea and coffee, drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee and 2 to 3 cups of tea per day was associated with a 32% (HR 0.68, 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.79; P < 0.001) lower risk of stroke and a 28% (HR, 0.72, 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.89; P = 0.002) lower risk of dementia. Moreover, the combination of coffee and tea consumption was associated with lower risk of ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. Additionally, the combination of tea and coffee was associated with a lower risk of poststroke dementia, with the lowest risk of incident poststroke dementia at a daily consumption level of 3 to 6 cups of coffee and tea (HR, 0.52, 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.83; P = 0.007). The main limitations were that coffee and tea intake was self-reported at baseline and may not reflect long-term consumption patterns, unmeasured confounders in observational studies may result in biased effect estimates, and UK Biobank participants are not representative of the whole United Kingdom population. Conclusions We found that drinking coffee and tea separately or in combination were associated with lower risk of stroke and dementia. Intake of coffee alone or in combination with tea was associated with lower risk of poststroke dementia.
Dura cells in the etiopathogenesis of Crouzon syndrome: the effects of FGFR2 mutations in the dura cells on the proliferation of osteoblasts through the hippo/YAP mediated transcriptional regulation pathway.

BACKGROUND FGFR2 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2) mutations are implicated in the etiopathogenesis of syndromic craniosynostosis, and C278F- or C342Y-FGFR2 mutations can lead to Crouzon syndrome. The dura mater exerts crucial effects in the regulation of cranial suture development. However, the underlying mechanisms of these biological processes are rarely studied. This research explored and analyzed the biological function of FGFR2 overexpressed by dura cells on cranial osteoblasts. METHODS Dura cells and cranial osteoblasts from C57BL/6 mice aged 6 days were obtained and cultured respectively. Lentivirus-FGFR2 constructs were engineered with C278F- and C342Y-FGFR2 mutations. The dura cells were infected with the constructs and co-cultured with osteoblasts in a trans-well system. Four experimental groups were established, namely the Oste group, the Oste+Dura-vector group, the Oste+Dura-C278F group, and the Oste+Dura-C342Y group. FACS, CCK8, and EdU assays were used to evaluate the osteoblast proliferation levels. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to measure the expressions of the factors related to proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression levels of the key factors in the Hippo/YAP-PI3K-AKT proliferation pathway were measured and analyzed. Finally, rescue experiments were performed with an RNA interfering assay. RESULTS The proliferation and differentiation levels of the osteoblasts in the Oste+Dura-C278F and Oste+Dura-C342Y groups were significantly up-regulated, but the apoptosis levels in the four groups were not significantly different. The YAP, TEADs1-4, p-PI3K, and p-AKT1 expressions in the mutant FGFR2 groups were higher than the corresponding expressions in the control groups, and the results of the rescue experiments showed a reverse expression tendency, which further confirmed the effects of the FGFR2 mutations in the dura cells on the proliferation of the osteoblasts and the underlying possible mechanisms. CONCLUSION Our studies suggest that the Crouzon mutations (C278F- and C342Y-) of FGFR2 in dura cells can enhance osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and might influence the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis by affecting the Hippo/YAP-PI3K-AKT proliferation signaling pathway.
Tunable resonant leaky mode silicon-on-insulator photonic devices

The objective of this paper is to present MEMS-tunable leaky-mode resonance elements. With focus on the silicon-oninsulator (SOI) materials system, the paper provides computed results elucidating the nature of resonant leaky modes associated with periodic refractive-index lattices such as gratings and photonic crystals. Introductory examples demonstrate the general features of the basic guided-mode resonance effect and the resulting externally measurable diffraction efficiency. Computed Brillouin diagrams illustrate the association of the guided-mode resonance with the second stopband considering grating profile symmetry and its Fourier harmonic content controlled by the chosen fill factors. A tunable double-grating resonant leaky-mode MEMS-type element is then introduced. Significant level of tunability is demonstrated by controlling the effective fill factor and the structural symmetry as well as the effective thickness of the resonant layer. For a particular example SOI structure treated, it is shown that the resonance wavelength can be shifted by ~500 nm with a horizontal movement of ~300 nm within the 1.6-2.2 μm wavelength band. Additionally, the reflectance can be tuned from ~10-4 to 100% with a vertical movement of ~250 nm. These results demonstrate potentially new dimensions in design of tunable optical devices.
Changes in secoiridoids content and chemical characteristics of cultivated and wild Algerian olive oil, in term of fruit maturation

Wild varieties in nature are known to be better adapted to climate change and more resistant to arid conditions common in some regions of the world. Oil samples of two cultivated varieties, Chemlal and Lemli, and one sylvestris variety were collected at four different harvesting periods in the semi-arid region of Bouira, Algeria. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the genetic and maturity factors on the quality indices (acidity, peroxides value, and the parameters K232, K270), fatty acids profile, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity of monovarietal olive oils. The study showed that early harvest dates of the fruits produced oils richer in pigments and phenolic compounds, with high antioxidant activity registered in both wild and cultivated varieties. Moreover, all oil samples showed high values of secoiridoids exceeding 60–90% of total biophenols, with higher values found in oleaster oils, which are correlated with high resistance to oxidation attacks. UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-HRMS analyses showed that the secoiridoids composition is dominated by a profile rich in several isomers of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycons, which in turn represent more than 60% of the total secoiridoids in olive and Oleaster oils. Furthermore, chemometric analysis on the data allowed a better appreciation of the sensitivity of the virgin olive oil composition to the changes in genetic and ripening factors. According to the principal component analysis, phenolic and fatty acid profiles were the most important components contributing to the discrimination between olive oil samples.
Improvement in the condition of patients with primary liver cancer with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization before and after microwave ablation interventional therapy.

BACKGROUND We compared the clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with microwave ablation (MWA) and TACE alone for the treatment of patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 160 patients with PLC were enrolled and randomized into a study group (n=80) and a control group (n=80). Patients in the study group were treated with TACE combined with MWA, whereas those in the control group were treated with TACE alone. Treatment efficacy, changes in hepatic function indices after the treatment, incidence of adverse reactions, quality of life after treatment, and 3-year survival rates of the two groups were compared. Cox proportional hazards model was used for analyzing the patients' prognostic factors. RESULTS The total effective rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Patients in the study group had lower alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels (P<0.05) and higher albumin levels (P<0.05) than those in the control group. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards model showed that tumor size, extrahepatic metastasis, portal vein tumor thrombosis, severity of liver cirrhosis, and therapeutic methods were independent risk factors for patients with PLC. CONCLUSIONS TACE combined with MWA is more effective than TACE alone in treating PLC, reducing the damage to the patients' cardiac function and prolonging survival.
Cuff-Less Blood Pressure Estimation From Photoplethysmography via Visibility Graph and Transfer Learning

This paper presents a new solution that enables the use of transfer learning for cuff-less blood pressure (BP) monitoring via short duration of photoplethysmogram (PPG). The proposed method estimates BP with low computational budget by 1) creating images from segments of PPG via visibility graph (VG), hence, preserving the temporal information of the PPG waveform, 2) using pre-trained deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract feature vectors from VG images, and 3) solving for the weights and bias between the feature vectors and the reference BPs with ridge regression. Using the University of California Irvine (UCI) database consisting of 348 records, the proposed method achieves a best error performance of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.00\pm 8.46$</tex-math></inline-formula> mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP), and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$-0.04\pm 5.36$</tex-math></inline-formula> mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respectively, in terms of the mean error (ME) and the standard deviation (SD) of error, ranking grade B for SBP and grade A for DBP under the British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol. Our novel data-driven method offers a computationally-efficient end-to-end solution for rapid and user-friendly cuff-less PPG-based BP estimation.
Sex differences in behavioural and anatomical estimates of visual acuity in the green swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri

ABSTRACT Among fishes in the family Poeciliidae, signals such as colour patterns, ornaments and courtship displays play important roles in mate choice and male–male competition. Despite this, visual capabilities in poeciliids are understudied, in particular, visual acuity, the ability to resolve detail. We used three methods to quantify visual acuity in male and female green swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri), a species in which body size and the length of the male's extended caudal fin (‘sword’) serve as assessment signals during mate choice and agonistic encounters. Topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was similar in all individuals and was characterized by areas of high cell densities located centro-temporally and nasally, as well as a weak horizontal streak. Based on the peak density of RGCs in the centro-temporal area, anatomical acuity was estimated to be approximately 3 cycles per degree (cpd) in both sexes. However, a behavioural optomotor assay found significantly lower mean acuity in males (0.8 cpd) than females (3.0 cpd), which was not explained by differences in eye size between males and females. An additional behavioural assay, in which we trained individuals to discriminate striped gratings from grey stimuli of the same mean luminance, also showed lower acuity in males (1–2 cpd) than females (2–3 cpd). Thus, although retinal anatomy predicts identical acuity in males and females, two behavioural assays found higher acuity in females than males, a sexual dimorphism that is rare outside of invertebrates. Overall, our results have implications for understanding how poeciliids perceive visual signals during mate choice and agonistic encounters.
Operator spreading in the memory matrix formalism

The spread and scrambling of quantum information is a topic of considerable current interest. Numerous studies suggest that quantum information evolves according to hydrodynamical equations of motion, even though it is a starkly different quantity to better-known hydrodynamical variables such as charge and energy. In this work we show that the well-known memory matrix formalism for traditional hydrodynamics can be applied, with relatively little modification, to the question of operator growth in many-body quantum systems. On a conceptual level, this shores up the connection between information scrambling and hydrodynamics. At a practical level, it provides a framework for calculating quantities related to operator growth like the butterfly velocity and front diffusion constant, and for understanding how these quantities are constrained by microscopic symmetries. We apply this formalism to calculate operator-hydrodynamical coefficients perturbatively in a family of Floquet models. Our formalism allows us to identify the processes affecting information transport that arise from the spatiotemporal symmetries of the model.
Nudging the N170 forward with prior stimulation—Bridging the gap between N170 and recognition potential

Evoked response potentials are often divided up into numerous components, each with their own body of literature. But is there less variety than we might suppose? In this study, we nudge one component into looking like another. Both the N170 and recognition potential (RP) are N1 components in response to familiar objects. However, the RP is often measured with a forward mask that ends at stimulus onset whereas the N170 is often measured with no masking at all. This study investigates how inter‐stimulus interval (ISI) may delay and distort the N170 into an RP by manipulating the temporal gap (ISI) between forward mask and target. The results revealed reverse relationships between the ISI on the one hand, and the N170 latency, single‐trial N1 jitter (an approximation of N1 width) and reaction time on the other hand. Importantly, we find that scalp topographies have a unique signature at the N1 peak across all conditions, from the longest gap (N170) to the shortest (RP). These findings prove that the mask‐delayed N1 is still the same N170, even under conditions that are normally associated with a different component like the RP. In general, our results suggest greater synthesis in the study of event related potential components.