Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conspiracy Theories, Trust in Science, and Knowledge during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Cyprus

Conspiracy theories flourish during periods of crisis. One way to counteract the believability of conspiracy theories is trust in science and knowledge about the “perceived threat”, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A total of 363 adults from Cyprus were recruited via convenience and snowball sampling methods. The data were collected via an internet-based questionnaire that examined participants’ belief in 17 conspiracy theory statements, trust in science and scientists, knowledge about the symptoms and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, phobic anxiety, hostility, somatization, and personality traits based on the Big Five. The results suggest (a) the overall belief in conspiracy theories in Cyprus is low, even though a notable percentage holds a neutral stance towards these theories; (b) trust in science and knowledge about the symptoms and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is negatively related to conspiracy theories, indicating the importance of trusting science and having knowledge as a means to counteract conspiracy theories; (c) young adults, those residing in rural areas, and those with a low education level are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories; (d) there are no significant associations between conspiracy theories and the psychological dimensions of phobic anxiety, hostility, and somatization; (e) there is difficulty in identifying specific traits related to conspiracy ideation. Public health officials could benefit from the findings when communicating information during periods of crisis.
HEAR US: a qualitative study of racial discrimination in Boston’s Chinatown and empowering change from within the community

Objective To qualitatively explore the impact of anti-Asian racism in a Chinese community in the greater Boston area. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews (n = 27) were conducted between June and September 2021. Eligible participants were ethnic Chinese immigrants living in the Boston area, who were recruited through a community-based organization and by word-of-mouth. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin and Cantonese and translated into English. Data were coded and analyzed using a directed approach to content analysis. Results The majority of participants reported personal experiences of anti-Asian racism, ranging from microaggressions to violent attacks. Although lockdown and isolation during COVID-19 affected all communities, the Chinese community suffered unique and prolonged trauma stemming from the fear of violent attacks against Asians. The older person/people, in particular, were severely isolated due to fear of exposure to anti-Asian hate crimes. Participants reported a variety of emotional, mental, and physical health effects associated with feelings of fear, anxiety, isolation, and powerlessness. Many preferred to engage in self-protective behavior changes rather than relying on external resources. Conclusion Participants advocated for more education, community, and governmental support, and increased allyship between communities of color. These findings provide cultural context on the trauma this population faces and can inform further actions to address the wide range of reported health effects.
Dehydration in the tropical tropopause layer: A case study for model evaluation using aircraft observations

The dynamical and microphysical processes that influence water vapor concentrations in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) are investigated in simulations of ice clouds along backward trajectories of air parcels sampled during three flights of the Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment over the central to eastern tropical Pacific in boreal fall 2011. ERA‐Interim reanalysis temperatures interpolated onto the flight tracks have a negligible (−0.09 K) cold bias compared to aircraft measurements of tropical cold point temperature thus permitting case study simulations of TTL dehydration. When the effects of subgrid‐scale waves, cloud microphysical processes, and convection are considered, the simulated water vapor mixing ratios on the final day of 40 day backward trajectories exhibit a mean profile that is within 20–30% of the mean of the aircraft measurements collected during vertical profiling maneuvers between the 350 and 410 K potential temperature levels. Averaged over the three flights, temperature variability driven by subgrid‐scale waves dehydrated the 360–390 K layer by approximately −0.5 ppmv, whereas including homogeneous freezing of aqueous aerosols and subsequent sublimation and rehydration of ice crystals increased water vapor below the 380 K level by about +1 ppmv. The predominant impact of convection was to moisten the TTL, resulting in an average enhancement below the 370 K level by +1 to 5 ppmv. Accurate (to within 0.5–1 ppmv) predictions of TTL water vapor using trajectory models require proper representations of waves, in situ ice cloud formation, and convective influence, which together determine the saturation history of air parcels.
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) postharvest control and plant dispersal

Abstract Russian thistle is one of the most important broadleaf weeds in the semiarid U.S. Pacific Northwest. It consumes soil water after wheat harvest, compromising the yield of the following crop. The objectives of this work were to determine the impact of post–wheat harvest herbicide application timing on Russian thistle control and of stubble height on Russian thistle postharvest control and plant dispersal. For the first objective, experiments were conducted at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center, Adams, OR (CBARC), and the Lind Dryland Research Station, Lind, WA (LDRS), in 2020 and 2021. Herbicides evaluated included paraquat, glyphosate, and either bromoxynil + pyrasulfotole (CBARC) or bromoxynil + metribuzin (LDRS). The different post–wheat harvest application timings were 24 h and 1, 2, and 3 wk after harvest. For the second objective, two stubble heights (short and tall) were compared for their impact on control at CBARC and in a production field near Ione, OR. Paraquat provided the greatest control in all scenarios, with no differences in application timings or stubble height. Impacts of application timings were not clear for glyphosate or bromoxynil mixtures. For glyphosate treatments, control in short stubble was 11% greater than in tall stubble in both years. Control was also greater in short stubble for the bromoxynil + pyrasulfotole application in 2020. However, Russian thistle plant dispersal was greater in short stubble at both locations. At CBARC, plant dispersal in short stubble was 58%, compared to 18% in tall stubble. Near Ione, plant dispersal in flattened stubble was 88%, compared to 43% in nonflattened short stubble. Leaving tall stubble at harvest should be considered to reduce Russian thistle plant dispersal if the infestation is going to be left untreated after harvest; otherwise, short stubble might result in better Russian thistle control when using systemic herbicides, such as glyphosate. Nomenclature: Bromoxynil; glyphosate; metribuzin; paraquat; pyrasulfotole; Russian thistle; Salsola tragus L. ; wheat; Triticum aestivum L.
Skyrmion dynamics and the Skyrmion-Excited Spin Wave Fractal Network

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures which have been of interest for both their fundamental qualities as well as applications in data storage and logic technologies. Recently, there has been an emphasis on dynamic modes in the skyrmions. These investigations have revealed a rich collection of fundamental physics, including a variety of discrete excitation modes far beyond simple gyration and breathing mechanisms. In this work, we perform small angle neutron scattering (SANS) while performing in-situ ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), using the reciprocal space diffraction pattern as a direct probe of the skyrmion dynamic modes. The observations revealed the fairly benign conclusion that the skyrmion lattice remained largely unchanged during its dynamic modes, however, additional scattering was observed at ultra-small angles. This scattering was well fit by a mass-fractal model, which is generally representative of a network constructed from monodisperse elements, such as a polymer matrix. Using micromagnetic modeling to support our investigation, this network was revealed to be the consequence of spin waves and spin wave interference, forming a spin wave fractal network.
The use of geo-referenced soil test data in the Herbert District.

SURFACE soil samples have been collected for many years to develop on-farm nutrient management guidelines but their precise locations were largely unknown because geo-referencing technology was previously unavailable. Consequently, spatial analysis of the data was not possible. Over the past four years, the Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) has provided a service to growers to co-ordinate soil sample collection, sample analysis, and reporting of soil test information; a geo-referenced position is recorded for every sample. This information is collated in a spatial database and forms a layer in the geographic information systems (GIS) managed jointly by HPCSL and the Herbert Resource Information Centre (HRIC). Interpretation of the data has provided spatial patterns of soil properties across the district. This paper presents examples of the spatial distribution of different nutrients and soil chemical characteristics such as soil pH, extractable phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium and extractable aluminium. It shows how georeferenced soil test data can be used to develop nutrient management strategies within the region and to address specific issues associated with nutrient deficiencies and excesses.
Food practices and nutritional status of university students who use the University Restaurant

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the food practices and nutritional status of students who use the University Restaurant at a public university. Methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 958 university students. Data related to regular eating practices (≥5 times/week), routine food consumption and nutritional status were collected. The association between University Restaurant attendance and dietary practices and body mass index was reviewed by bivariate logistic regression model and multiple regression. Results Students who attended the University Restaurant three or more times a week were more likely to regularly consume beans (OR: 1.35, p=0.041) and fresh salad (OR: 1.77, p<0.001) and less likely to have afternoon snack (OR: 0.68; p=0.008). In addition, an association between soda consumption and overweight was observed. Conclusion Thus, the importance of strategies that seek to promote incentives for healthy eating and lifestyle practices in the university population become evident.
Design Development and Power Extension of Phase Shift Full Bridge Converter with Zero Voltage Switching

Aiming to Contribute to mission Net-Zero Carbon emission, Electric Vehicle (EV) with efficient converter design and the emerging control strategy is the utmost need for the researcher and technologists. Phase-Shift Full-Bridge (PSFB) converter is one of the efficient converters used for EV battery charging and auxiliary power supply application. Considering the power pertinence in energy storage system and auxiliary power supply, the control of PSFB is the key concern. To enhance the converter’s performance Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) has been incorporated. This will also contribute to the cost effective, and power dense converterdesign compared to the conventional converters used for battery charging and auxiliary power supply. In this study, the comprehensive design of a PSFB converter with a MOSFET (PMTX04SE) switch for auxiliary power supply applications in EVs has been simulated using the ZVS control approach. The details analysis and the simulation results in LTspice has been presented.
Disentangling racing thoughts from mind wandering in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introduction Mental restlessness reported by adult with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been mainly explained by excessive mind wandering. However, the description of a mind constantly on the go is also akin to racing thoughts, predominantly described in bipolar disorder. This paper aimed at disentangling mind wandering from racing thoughts in adult with ADHD. Associations between those mental phenomena and the ADHD symptomatology were also investigated. Methods To this aim, 84 adults with ADHD completed self-reported questionnaires, including the Mind Wandering-Deliberate and Mind Wandering-Spontaneous questionnaires, the Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire and the Daydreaming Frequency Scale. Factorial analysis and multiple linear regressions were performed. Results The factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution. The first factor encompassed the three facets of racing thoughts and was predicted by emotional lability. The second comprised deliberated-MW, spontaneous-MW and daydreaming, but was neither related to the ADHD symptoms, nor functional impairment. Discussion These findings suggest that MW and racing thoughts are two distinguishable mental phenomena. Racing thoughts appear to be a relevant hypothesis to explain the mental restlessness in adult ADHD.
Investigating Structural Defects in Extra Hard Cheese Produced from Low-Temperature Centrifugation of Milk

The present study investigated some physico-chemical and microbiological traits of 20-month ripened hard cheeses produced from low-temperature high-speed centrifuged raw milk that developed a structural defect consisting of eyes or slits in the paste. Cheeses obtained using the same process and that did not develop the defect were used as controls. The colour, texture, moisture, water activity, proton molecular mobility, microstructure, extent of proteolysis, and viable microorganisms have been evaluated in all the cheese samples, and the significant differences between the defective and non-defective cheeses have been critically discussed. At a microstructural level, the defects caused fat coalescence and an unevenly organised protein matrix with small cracks in the proximity of the openings. The different fat organisation was correlated to a different transverse relaxation time of 1H population relaxing at higher times. The textural and colour features were not different from those of the control cheeses and were comparable with those reported in the literature for other long-ripened hard cheeses. On the other hand, the defective cheeses showed a higher moisture level and lower lactobacilli and total mesophilic bacteria concentrations, but the microbial origin of the defect remains an open hypothesis that deserves further investigation.
Feedback as an opportunity to promote lifelong learning in pre-service teachers: a mixed methods study

The aim of this study was to investigate whether, within a practice-based curriculum, feedback on the assessment tasks provided during campus coursework offers opportunities to promote lifelong learning dispositions in pre-service teachers. For this, pre-service teachers (n = 231) completed a validated questionnaire regarding lifelong learning dispositions. Then, feedback from assessment tasks (n = 14) was analyzed to identify claims related to curiosity, motivation, perseverance, and self-regulation of learning. Finally, in-depth interviews were conducted with pre-service teachers (n = 8) to explore their perspectives on feedback and lifelong learning dispositions. Data triangulation was used to confirm and add depth to the findings. Feedback on assessment tasks provided during campus course work promotes lifelong learning dispositions when: (i) tied to authentic tasks, (ii) is provide not only by teacher educators but also by peers, (iii) incorporates both positive and negative comments, along with practical advice. The implication of findings for teacher education is discussed.
Seasonal variations of white blood cells in single hospital population

Background : Limited number of studies in humans revealed seasonal patterns of variability in white blood cells. Material and methods : The study population included 151 743 consecutive patients of the Department of clinical laboratory of the Hospital St Ivan Rilsky, Sofia between January 2022 and April 2023. After exclusion of the abnormal tests the re-maining cohort consisted of 31 910 patients - 18 020 women and 13 890 men Results . We observed a December peak - a 16.6% increase in leukocytes, with the lowest values recorded in April and June. Neutrophils were highest in December compared to May and June - by 19.5%. The annual fluctuation of lymphocytes was slightly different, with higher values a month earlier - from November to March-April, as the difference of June-December was 21%. Monocytes had smallest numbers in June and showed increase with 22% in October and November. In summary, we found a difference between the lowest and highest values of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils as follows: 16.6 %, 19.5%, 21%, 22% and 28.5% (all within the reference ranges as per protocol). When comparing the values by sex, we found slightly higher (about 10%) monocyte and eosinophil levels in males than in females Conclusions . There is a clear seasonal fluctuation with an almost perfect match of the annual peaks in values of different types of white blood cells in December while most values are lower in the summer, July being on the bottom. Despite some fluctuations with age and sex, both ageing and gender do not seem to affect the seasonal fluctuations in blood cell populations.
Pharmacogenetics of Long-Term Outcomes of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: The Functional Role of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are complex mental disorders, and while treatment with antipsychotics is important, many patients do not respond or develop serious side effects. Genetic variation has been shown to play a considerable role in determining an individual’s response to antipsychotic medication. However, previous pharmacogenetic (PGx) studies have been limited by small sample sizes, lack of consensus regarding relevant genetic variants, and cross-sectional designs. The current study aimed to investigate the association between PGx variants and long-term clinical outcomes in 691 patients of European ancestry with SSD. Using evidence from the literature on candidate genes involved in antipsychotic pharmacodynamics, we created a polygenic risk score (PRS) to investigate its association with clinical outcomes. We also created PRS using core variants of psychotropic drug metabolism enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. Furthermore, the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 functional activity scores were calculated to determine the relationship between metabolism and clinical outcomes. We found no association for PGx PRSs and clinical outcomes; however, an association was found with CYP2D6 activity scores by the traditional method. Higher CYP2D6 metabolism was associated with high positive and high cognitive impairment groups relative to low symptom severity groups. These findings highlight the need to test PGx efficacy with different symptom domains. More evidence is needed before pharmacogenetic variation can contribute to personalized treatment plans.
Human iPSCs as Model Systems for BMP-Related Rare Diseases

Disturbances in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling contribute to onset and development of a number of rare genetic diseases, including Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). After decades of animal research to build a solid foundation in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, the progressive implementation of iPSC-based patient-derived models will improve drug development by addressing drug efficacy, specificity, and toxicity in a complex humanized environment. We will review the current state of literature on iPSC-derived model systems in this field, with special emphasis on the access to patient source material and the complications that may come with it. Given the essential role of BMPs during embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, gain- or loss-of-function mutations in the BMP signalling pathway may compromise iPSC generation, maintenance, and differentiation procedures. This review highlights the need for careful optimization of the protocols used. Finally, we will discuss recent developments towards complex in vitro culture models aiming to resemble specific tissue microenvironments with multi-faceted cellular inputs, such as cell mechanics and ECM together with organoids, organ-on-chip, and microfluidic technologies.
Two-Step Magnetic Ordering in Intercalated Niobium Dichalcogenide MnXNbS2

Transition metal dichalcogenides are studied due to the possibility of creating nanoscale semiconductor devices, as well as fundamental issues of magnetic ordering. We researched the crystal structure and magnetic properties of niobium dichalcogenide Mn0.30NbS2. The results of the X-ray study showed the possible existence of an intermediate 23a0·23a0 structure between the “basic” superstructures. Also, two local maximums were found in the temperature dependence of the dynamic magnetic susceptibility. These features can indirectly confirm the presence of a transition superstructure and reflect the two-step nature of the magnetic ordering.
Consumer Interaction with Sustainability Labelling on Food Products: A Narrative Literature Review

Sustainability labelling on food products can help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and support the urgent transition to sustainable food systems. While there is a relatively robust body of evidence on health and nutrition labelling, less is known about the effectiveness of sustainability labelling in facilitating sustainable food choices. This paper investigates the impact of sustainability labelling on consumer understanding, attitudes, and behaviour to support a more nuanced, detailed, and holistic understanding of the evidence. Using a narrative literature review methodology, the paper assesses studies covering environmental, social, and/or animal welfare aspects of sustainability labelling on food products. We found that consumer understanding of sustainability information is often limited, which could hinder behaviour change. While sustainability labelling can influence consumer attitudes and purchasing behaviours, evidence from real consumer settings tends to show small effect sizes. Consumers are generally willing to pay more for sustainability-labelled products, and organic labelling often leads to the highest reported willingness to pay. The review emphasises the importance of trust, suggesting a preference for labelling backed by governments or public authorities. Sustainability labelling that uses intuitively understandable cues has an increased impact, with visual aids such as traffic light colours showing promise. We conclude that further research is needed in real-world settings, using representative populations and exploring the influence of demographic factors, values, and attitudes.