Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of an Argumentation-Based Course on Teachers’ Disposition towards a Science-Indigenous Knowledge Curriculum

With the increased global awareness of the negative impact of scientific, technological and industrial activities on the environment and copious examples of sustainable practices existing in many an indigenous community, the new South African science curriculum statement has called on science teachers to integrate school science with the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). In response to this call, this study used an Argumentation-Based course (A-B course) to enhance teachers’ understanding of the Nature of Science (NOS) and IKS and their ability to integrate science and IKS in their classrooms. Nine teachers participated in the course over a six-month period. Using questionnaires and interviews, the teachers’ conceptions of, and awareness about the NOS and IKS were assessed before and after the course. Altogether, five of the teachers were interviewed and three of them completed a delayed questionnaire nearly two years after the course. After participating in the course, the teachers were: 1) more willing to accept IKS as a potentially legitimate aspect of a science curriculum; 2) more able to distinguish between science and IKS; and 3) more aware of the appropriate context to use the scientific or IKS worldview than was the case before the course. Although the teachers were enthusiastic about the value of the course as part of their training at the tertiary level, they were less optimistic about its success at the primary or secondary school level.
Bronchial asthma control degree and the temperament structure according to the Eysenck model

Introduction Asthma is a disease of a psychosomatic nature. The control of asthma is still poor in approximately 5% of patients, despite introduction of modern inhalant drugs and psychotherapeutic interventions. Aim To evaluate whether the degree of bronchial asthma control is related to the characteristics of temperament according to Eysenck’s concept. Material and methods The study was conducted on a group of 111 bronchial asthma patients and 44 healthy subjects. In all of them, the Eysenck temperament questionnaire was administered and the level of asthma control was determined. Results Increase in the scale of neuroticism was associated with an 1.83-fold increase in the likelihood of poor asthma control. Increase in the result on the psychoticism scale and lie scale of about one point was associated with a slightly smaller increased risk of poor asthma control (respectively: 1.49-fold and 1.61-fold). Conclusions The structure of temperament of a person with poor control of bronchial asthma can be characterized. Patients with poor asthma control have a higher level of neuroticism, psychoticism and propensity to lie, compared with the healthy population and subjects with good or partial bronchial asthma control.
Later Chronotype Is Associated with Higher Alcohol Consumption and More Adverse Childhood Experiences in Young Healthy Women

This study aimed at examining potential associations of mid sleep timing (chronotype) and social jetlag with intake of alcohol and caffeine, depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI) in a sample of healthy young women. Furthermore, it was explored whether these behavioral sleep–wake parameters are associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In total, 146 women (21.7 ± 1.7 years) took part in a two-week assessment on daily consumption of alcohol and caffeine. They completed questionnaires on ACEs, chronotype, sleep quality and depressive symptoms. Partial correlations and Chi-Square tests were calculated to assess the relationships between the assessed variables. Results show an association on a trend level for chronotype (r = 0.162, p = 0.053) and a significant association for social jetlag (r = 0.169, p = 0.044) with average alcohol intake. Furthermore, participants with above-median ACEs were more likely to be late chronotypes compared to the below-median group (X2(2) = 6.595, p = 0.037). We could replicate the association among late chronotype, social jetlag and higher alcohol consumption in a sample of healthy, young women. Furthermore, our results suggest a relationship between ACEs and chronotype. Although it can be hypothesized that it is rather ACEs that have an impact on chronotype, further research is needed to explore this relationship more and to shed more light on the direction of the association between chronotype and ACEs as well as on underlying mechanisms and possible mediators.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-Specific IgG Antibodies Among Adults Living in Connecticut Between March 1 and June 1, 2020: Post-Infection Prevalence (PIP) Study

Importance: A seroprevalence study can estimate the percentage of people with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population. Most existing reports have used a convenience sample, which may bias their estimates. Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 based on a random sample of adults living in Connecticut between March 1 and June 1, 2020. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: We sought a representative sample of Connecticut residents who completed a survey between June 4 and June 23, 2020 and underwent serology testing for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies between June 10 and July 6, 2020. Participants: 505 respondents, aged [≥]18 years, residing in non-congregate settings who completed both the survey and the serology test. Main outcomes and measures: We estimated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies among the overall population and across pre-specified subgroups. We also assessed the prevalence of symptomatic illness, risk factors for virus exposure, and self-reported adherence to risk mitigation behaviors among this population. Results: Of the 505 respondents (mean age 50 [{+/-}17] years; 54% women; 76% non-Hispanic White individuals) included, 32% reported having at least 1 symptom suggestive of COVID-19 since March 1, 2020. Overall, 18 respondents had SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, resulting in the state-level weighted seroprevalence of 3.1 (90% CI 1.4-4.8). Individuals who were asymptomatic had significantly lower seroprevalence (0.6% [90% CI 0.0-1.5]) compared with the overall state estimate, while those who reported having had [≥]1 and [≥]2 symptoms had a seroprevalence of 8.0% (90% CI 3.1-12.9) and 13.0% (90% CI 3.5-22.5), respectively. All 9 of the respondents who reported previously having a positive coronavirus test were positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies. Nearly two-third of respondents reported having avoided public places (74%) and small gatherings of family or friends (75%), and 97% reported wearing a mask outside their home, at least part of the time. Conclusions and relevance: These estimates indicate that most people in Connecticut do not have detectable levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. There is a need for continued adherence to risk mitigation behaviors among Connecticut residents, to prevent resurgence of COVID-19 in this region.
Biased estimates of fur seal pup mass: origins and implications

The mass of fur seal pups weighed in different years can be used to estimate growth rates or compared with one another to make inferences about the relative condition of a population. However, unless appropriate precautions are taken, many factors can bias estimates of pup mass and lead to incorrect conclusions. Using data collected from tagged and untagged northern fur seal pups (Callorhinus ursinus) at the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, I assess how milk consumption, the timing of sampling, and the effects of growth and sample size influence the size of pups captured for weighing. Evidence is presented suggesting that pup mass may increase in a sigmoid fashion, with the most rapid rate of growth occurring when about two months old. This phenomenon can confound efforts to compare the masses of pups weighed on different days in different years, particularly if pups are weighed over the period of rapid growth. Variability in pup mass increases with time because growth rates of individuals vary and because the amount of milk pups consume increases with body size. Thus sample sizes must be increased as the pups grow older in order to detect statistically significant differences in mean body mass. There is also evidence that pups of different ages and sizes are not randomly distributed on the breeding beaches and are not randomly selected for weighing. It appears that the first pups captured for weighing are smaller and younger than subsequent captures, possibly because smaller pups are easier to handle and are segregated to the peripheral rookery regions where sampling begins. These hidden biases, related to sampling error and fur seal biology, must be considered and controlled for when weighing fur seal pups.
Insights into the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: Lessons learned from a high-risk country

Background South Asian countries including Bangladesh have been struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic despite imposing months of lockdown and other public health measures (as of June 30, 2020). In-depth epidemiological information from these countries is lacking. From the perspective of Bangladesh, this study aims to understand the epidemiological features and gaps in public health preparedness. Method This study used publicly available data (8 March-30 June 2020) from the respective health departments of Bangladesh and Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre. Descriptive statistics was used to report the incidence, case fatality rates (CFR), and trend analysis. Spatial distribution maps were created using ArcGIS Desktop. Infection dynamics were analyzed via SIR models. Findings In 66 days of nationwide lockdown and other public health efforts, a total of 47,153 cases and 650 deaths were reported. However, the incidence was increased by around 50% within a week after relaxing the lockdown. Males were disproportionately affected in terms of infections (71%) and deaths (77%) than females. The CFR for males was higher than females (1.38% vs 1.01%). Over 50% of infected cases were reported among young adults (20-40-year age group). Geospatial analysis between 7 June 2020 and 20 June 2020 showed that the incidences increased 4 to 10-fold in 12 administrative districts while it decreased in the epicenter. As compared to the EU and USA, trends of the cumulative incidence were slower in South Asia with lower mortality. Conclusion Our findings on gaps in public health preparedness and epidemiological characteristics would contribute to facilitating better public health decisions for managing current and future pandemics like COVID-19 in the settings of developing countries.
Inflammasome activation in COVID-19 patients

Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by a strong inflammatory process that may ultimately lead to organ failure and patient death. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a molecular platform that promotes inflammation via cleavage and activation of key inflammatory molecules including active caspase-1 (Casp1p20), IL-1{beta} and IL-18. Although the participation of the inflammasome in COVID-19 has been highly speculated, the inflammasome activation and participation in the outcome of the disease is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and it is active in COVID-19, influencing the clinical outcome of the disease. Studying moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, we found active NLRP3 inflammasome in PBMCs and tissues of post-mortem patients upon autopsy. Inflammasome-derived products such as Casp1p20 and IL-18 in the sera correlated with the markers of COVID-19 severity, including IL-6 and LDH. Moreover, higher levels of IL-18 and Casp1p20 are associated with disease severity and poor clinical outcome. Our results suggest that the inflammasome is key in the pathophysiology of the disease, indicating this platform as a marker of disease severity and a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19.
An investigation of sheep toxoplasmosis in Basrah Province / Iraq

The objective of this study was to investigate Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among sheep in different regions of Basrah province (including Al-Mdayna, Shatt Al-Arab, ALBasrah, Al-Zubayr , and Abu Al-Khasib). The study was started in Oct. 2008 and was finished in May 2009, using latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG, 309 adult sheep were randomly selected from 15 herds among different ages and both sexes and used in this study, including 62 pregnant ewes, 185 non-pregnant ewes, 14 aborted ewes and 48 rams. Results showed, that 60.84% were seropositive by LAT, whereas 51.11% were sero-positive by ELISA IgG test, among animals used in this study, results detected that 79.03% pregnant ewes (highest value), 56.75% nonpregnant ewes,71.40% aborted ewes and 50% rams (lowest value) were sero-positive by LAT, whereas 56.52% pregnant ewes, 51.11% non-pregnant ewes, 83.33% aborted ewes (highest value), and 31.25% rams (lowest value) were sero-positive by indirect ELISA IgG. Moreover, among regions of Basrah province, the details of percentage of T.gondii antibodies were 54.54% in AL-Basrah , 71.43% in Abu Al-Khasib (highest value), 57.35% in AlMdayna, 47.83% in Shatt Al-Arab (lowest value), and 67.16% in Al-Zubayr by LAT, whereas 63.64% in AL-Basrah (highest value), 22.73% in Abu Al-Khasib (lowest value), 57.89% in Al-Mdayna, 50% in Shatt Al-Arab and 61.90% in Al-Zubayr by indirect ELISA test. Although the difference observed in the percentage of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among different regions of Basrah, there was no significant difference P>0.05 detected LAT, whereas in the indirect ELISA IgG test there was significant difference P<0.05. Ewes showed high percentages 62.83%, 55.40% of toxoplasmosis than rams 50% , 31.25% by LAT and ELISA test respectively. The highest titre was 1/4 28.57% were detected in pregnant ewes and lowest titres were 1/2, 1/8,and 1/256 0.0% were detected in aborted ewes and in rams respectively. Key wards: Toxoplasmosis , Sheep, latex agglutination test, Indirect ELISA Test
Effects of Endurance Exercise Training on Adipose Tissue Inflammatory Gene Expression in Elderly Rats with Diet-Induced Obesity

METHODS The study subjects were forty 10-week old and 70-week old male Wistar rats. The young and oldaged rats were divided into four groups of ten: control (non-exercise) group (Y-Non; O-Non) and exercise group (Y-Ex; O-Ex). After the exercise training, intergroup differences in body composition, oral glucose tolerance test result, and protein expression levels of IL-6, TNFα, IL-10, and IL-4 in adipose tissue, were compared.
Optimized Execution via Order Book Simulation

In modern financial markets, the importance of trade execution cannot be overestimated. Due to intense competition for profit opportunities, trading costs can represent a significant portion of overall returns and thus must be taken into account both when a specific trade is being executed and when a general investment strategy is being designed. In this paper, we empirically demonstrate that by combining market and limit orders we are able to obtain a superior execution price than by using market orders only. More precisely, our primary contributions are: - The development of an order book reconstruction method for investigating execution strategies. - The introduction of a simple but realistic family of execution strategies, in which the goal is to buy or sell V shares within time T, and the only choice available is the limit order price. - An extensive experimental study of this family of strategies using Instinet order book data across several stocks, which clearly demonstrates significant opportunities for optimization within our family of strategies. - The introduction of name-specific optimal risk-return frontiers, which demonstrate the inherent trade-off between price improvement and the risk of non-execution. - A detailed examination of a number of natural factors that can influence the optimization, including the order volume V, execution window T, time of day, and order book depth. We also discuss how our findings in the simple framework studied here suggest richer execution strategies.
Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Propofol Induction Dose: Could Vagus Nerve and Parasympathetic Stimulation Replace Intravenous Co-Induction Agents?

Objective: Auricular acupuncture, through a combination of several points, can produce sedative and analgesic effects. The aim of this study was to compare the induction dose of propofol required to obtain a loss of response to verbal commands, with and without a preoperative combination of auricular points. Materials and Methods: This study involved American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients, ages 18- 65, of either sex, having elective ambulatory surgery (digestive or gynecologic) under general anesthesia. The subjects were allocated to 2 groups: (1) patients treated by auricular acupuncture (group AA), compared with (2) patients not treated by auricular acupuncture (group NA). Propofol injection was initiated in each group, 10 mg, every 5 seconds, in order for the anesthetist to determine the minimum dose until there was a loss of response to verbal commands (the clinical hypnotic endpoint). At this point, the main outcome-the dose of propofol given-was noted. Results: There were 32 patients in this study (16 in each group). Age, height, weight, and body mass index were similar in the groups (P ≥ 0.05). The required induction propofol dose was 17.7% lower in group AA than in group NA-a statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05). The mean induction dose indexed to weight was 2.18 mg/kg (range: 1.53-3.13 mg/kg) in group NA and 1.79 mg/kg (range: 1.12-2.11 mg/kg) in group AA. There were no complications. Conclusions: Auricular acupuncture is a method for stimulating the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system. Preoperative auricular acupuncture enabled reductions of induction doses of propofol for general anesthesia without any clinically important side-effects.
Observed installation effects of vibro-replacement stone columns in soft clay

The installation of vibro replacement stone columns in any soil causes significant changes to the stress regime around each probe location. In soft clays, the principal effects are caused by a cavity expansion mechanism as the probe is introduced into the soil and the stone column constructed. This paper presents observations of changes in soil volume and pore water pressure during stone column installation. The implications for the most suitable column construction techniques and the soil strength limiting column construction arising from the observations are discussed. The data presented are also of interest to those validating numerical models of stone column installation, and issues relevant to the practical application of numerical modeling are considered.
On Generalized RMP Scheme for Redundant Robot Manipulators Aided With Dynamic Neural Networks and Nonconvex Bound Constraints

In this paper, in order to analyze the existing repetitive motion planning (RMP) schemes for kinematic control of redundant robot manipulators, a generalized RMP scheme, which systematizes the existing RMP schemes, is presented. Then, the corresponding dynamic neural networks are derived, which leverage the gradient descent method with the velocity compensation with the feasibility proven theoretically. Given that the position errors of the end-effector should be tiny enough in the applications of redundant robot manipulators when executing a given task, especially for a precision instrument, the performance analyses on the control schemes are urgently desirable. In this paper, the upper bound of the position error on the existing RMP schemes is deduced theoretically and verified by computer simulations, with the relationship between the position error and the manipulability derived. In addition, dynamic neural networks are constructed to solve the generalized RMP schemes, with the joint velocity limits in RMP schemes extended to the nonconvex constraint. Finally, computer simulations based on different redundant robot manipulators and comparisons based on different controllers are conducted to verify the feasibility of the generalized RMP scheme and the proposed dynamic neural networks.
Bonamia exitiosa Hine et al., 2001 is proposed instead of B. exitiosus as the valid name of Bonamia sp. infecting flat oysters Ostrea chilensis in New Zealand

A parasite of the dredge oyster Ostrea chilensis Philippi, previously known as Bonamia sp. , was recently described and named Bonamia exitiosus, based on ultrastruc- tural and molecular evidence. The rules governing the names of organisms require correspondence of gender, and the name must be changed from B. exitiosus to B. exitiosa.
"Changes in Food Selectivity": Evolution towards Self-Induced Vomiting in a Boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction: Food selectivity (FS) is a common problem in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for its negative impact on nutrient adequacy, mealtime behavior problems, spousal stress, and food choices for all family. The majority of research on FS in ASD is focused on early childhood. However, the symptoms may persist into adulthood. Methods: Here, we describe the history of 17 years old boy with ASD, early onset of FS, gastrointestinal dysfunction and recent onset of self-induced vomiting. We report the clinical, instrumental and therapeutic approach in a boy with ASD. We reviewed the literature; the keywords were “food selectivity”, “eating disorders”, “feeding problems” in ASD. Inclusion criteria were studies written in English and in which children were the subjects of the study. Results: The patient showed a peculiar evolution of FS, towards an eating disorder characterized by self-induced vomiting. During the clinical course presented weight loss, cachexia, dehydration and electrolytes alterations. A rehydration was necessary. Pharmacologic treatment with aripiprazole and intensive behavioural intervention helped the resolution of self-induced vomiting, but not the complete resolution of the FS. Conclusion: The case of our patient suggests further scenarios of FS evolution, up to strong complex and difficult to treat food behaviour: the self-induced vomiting.
Grazing of two toxic Planktothrix species by Daphnia pulicaria: potential for bloom control and transfer of microcystins

The role of zooplankton in the control of cyanobacterial blooms and the transfer of cyanotoxins to higher trophic levels are of great importance to the management of water resources. Many studies have focused on the cyanobacterium Microcystis, but few have examined the interactions between zooplankton and filamentous cyanobacteria. In this study, we provide experimental evidence for the potential grazing of two toxic strains of filamentous cyanobacteria, Planktothrix rubescens and P. agardhii, by Daphnia pulicaria, and for transfer of toxins in the planktonic food chain. We determined clearance rates (CRs) by adult and juvenile D. pulicaria of the two Planktothrix strains, Scenedesmus acutus and a mixture of S. acutus cells with P. rubescens culture filtrate. Filament lengths were analyzed, and microcystin (MCY) presence in Daphnia was assessed using the Protein Phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) Inhibition Assay. The two Planktothrix strains were equally grazed by D. pulicaria, but at lower CRs than S. acutus. Potential anti-grazer toxins in P. rubescens filtrate did not inhibit Daphnia grazing. Small P. rubescens (< 100 mu m) filaments were preferentially grazed by adult D. pulicaria, suggesting their limited ability to control a Planktothrix population during a bloom. Large quantities of MCYs were found in unstarved Daphnia previously exposed to Planktothrix, whereas quantities were significantly smaller in individuals starved for 24 h before preservation. This indicated a potential for transfer of toxins in the food chain by Daphnia, especially immediately after ingestion of toxic cyanobacteria.