Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transitioning from primary-grade classrooms to infant/toddler rooms: early childhood preservice teachers’ growth and challenges

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explores how a group of preservice teachers, all of whom had been well prepared to become primary-grade teachers, made a transition into infant/toddler group care settings. The authors used the teachers’ daily journal entries, individual interview, document analysis (course syllabus, weekly planning sheets), and weekly team planning meetings as data sources. Findings revealed that the teachers initially struggled to work with the infants/toddlers and that their long-held notions of children, teaching, and learning were challenged. Yet, their daily work with the children over 15 weeks of practicum helped them deepen and broaden, and become more skillful and insightful of early childhood education, which the teachers found applicable to primary-grade teaching.
Chemical characterisation of Crataegus azarolus L. fruit from 14 genotypes found in Tunisia

Summary Fruits from genotypes of 14 Crataegus were collected at the full-ripe stage at three locations in Tunisia. Fresh fruit juice was analysed for some chemical properties. The juice content [% (v/w)], pH, titratable acidity (g malic acid 100 ml−1), and formol index (ml NaOH 100 ml−1 juice), and the contents of total soluble solids (°Brix), total sugars [(g 100 g−1 fresh fruit weight (FW)], reducing sugars (g 100 g−1 FW), and salts (mg 100 g−1 FW), were established as: 2.0 – 11.9%, 3.2 – 4.2, 0.9 – 1.9, 2.8 – 4.4, 16.3 – 21.5, 5.3 – 17.0, 5.8 – 7.9, and 0.6 – 0.7, respectively. Fresh juice also contained vitamin C (31.4 mg ascorbic acid 100 g−1 FW, and the mineral elements; calcium (285.6 – 399.1 mg 100 g−1 FW), sodium (30.4 – 43.8 mg 100 g−1 FW), and potassium (138.5 – 169.2 mg 100 g−1 FW). The concentration of phenols ranged from 498.5 – 1,477 mg 100 g−1 FW. This study showed great variation between fruit from the 14 genotypes. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis allowed the separation of hybrids of Crataegus species and varieties. Two groups and three sub-groups were identified. Eight genotypes were distinguished as C. azarolus var. aronia, and two others as C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus. The two genotypes of C. oxyacanthus ssp. monogyna were completely different from the other genotypes. Two genotypes were putative hybrids: C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus C. azarolus var. aronia, and C. oxyacanthus ssp. monogyna C. azarolus var. aronia. Fruit from C. oxyacanthus ssp. monogyna exhibited the highest phenol contents, and red-coloured fruit from C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus also showed high phenol content, whereas most C. azarolus var. aronia genotypes, with yellow fruit, had the highest percentage of juice and low phenol contents. Our results demonstrate the opportunity to improve and select genotypes of C. azarolus, especially those having fruit with high vitamin C and phenol contents with high anti-oxidant activities.
The petrosal and inner ear of the Late Jurassic cladotherian mammal Dryolestes leiriensis and implications for ear evolution in therian mammals

Dryolestes leiriensis is a Late Jurassic fossil mammal of the dryolestoid superfamily in the cladotherian clade that includes the extant marsupials and placentals. We used high resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT) scanning and digital reconstruction of the virtual endocast of the inner ear to show that its cochlear canal is coiled through 270°, and has a cribriform plate with the spiral cochlear nerve foramina between the internal acoustic meatus and the cochlear bony labyrinth. The cochlear canal has the primary bony lamina for the basilar membrane with a partially formed (or partially preserved) canal for the cochlear spiral ganglion. These structures, in their fully developed condition, form the modiolus (the bony spiral structure) of the fully coiled cochlea in extant marsupial and placental mammals. The CT data show that the secondary bony lamina is present, although less developed than in another dryolestoid Henkelotherium and in the prototribosphenidan Vincelestes. The presence of the primary bony lamina with spiral ganglion canal suggests a dense and finely distributed cochlear nerve innervation of the hair cells for improved resolution of sound frequencies. The primary, and very probably also the secondary, bony laminae are correlated with a more rigid support for the basilar membrane and a narrower width of this membrane, both of which are key soft-tissue characteristics for more sensitive hearing for higher frequency sound. All these cochlear features originated prior to the full coiling of the therian mammal cochlea beyond one full turn, suggesting that the adaptation to hearing a wider range of sound frequencies, especially higher frequencies with refined resolution, has an ancient evolutionary origin no later than the Late Jurassic in therian evolution. The petrosal of Dryolestes has added several features that are not preserved in the petrosal of Henkelotherium. The petrosal characters of dryolestoid mammals are essentially the same as those of Vincelestes, helping to corroborate the synapomorphies of the cladotherian clade in neural, vascular, and other petrosal characteristics. The petrosal characteristics of Dryolestes and Henkelotherium together represent the ancestral morphotype of the cladotherian clade (Dryolestoidea + Vincelestes + extant Theria) from which the extant therian mammals evolved their ear region characteristics. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166, 433–463.
Caracterização física e sensorial do café produzido nas condições topoclimáticas de Jesuitas, Paraná

Climatic variations influence formation and maturation of coffee grains by altering their intrinsic characteristics, which can allow for several types of coffee qualities, including the potential for production of special coffee. This study was carried out to verify the effect of environmental conditions and crop cultivation on chemical composition and their consequences in cup quality of coffees from region of Jesuitas, Parana State. During the same crop season this study was accomplished (2002-2003), cup quality was evaluated among the producers in several coffee-growing municipalities in Parana State. It was observed that 86% of samples were classified simply as "soft" (smooth flavor) or "hard" (bolder flavor), and 14% were classified as rioysh/rio (strong unpleasant taste). The results concluded that the practices adopted by producers, who have collaborated with the study, reflected positively on the final cup quality, when compared to the overall quality results in the State. The climatic conditions and practices of crop management and harvest in the Jesuitas region made for bolder coffee with low acidity, comparable to high quality coffees produced in Brazil and abroad.
Mothers, fathers and the intergenerational transmission of gender-role attitudes

Traditional gender beliefs play an important role in (re-)producing gender inequalities, and trends towards gender egalitarianism have stalled. As such, identifying factors that contribute to individuals upholding traditional versus egalitarian gender-role attitudes is an important scholarly endeavour. While previous studies have identified critical predictors—such as religion, education and parenthood—intergenerational influences have received little empirical attention. Drawing upon gender-socialization theory, we derive hypotheses about how parental attitudes towards gender roles are transmitted to their children, considering differences between mothers’ and fathers’ influences, parental (dis)agreement in attitudes, and moderation by child’s gender. We test these hypotheses using unique, high-quality data from a national sample of Australian 14/15-year-old adolescents (Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, n=1,806). We find substantial intergenerational correlations in gender-role attitudes. Paternal and maternal attitudes exert a similar degree of influence on their children’s attitudes, and have complementary rather than cumulative effects. While fathers’ attitudes influence sons’ and daughters’ attitudes equally, mothers’ attitudes influence daughters’ attitudes more than sons’.
Stimulation of germination of dormant seeds of Townsville stylo by selenomethionine.

Dormancy of scarified seeds of Stylosanthes humilis was broken by seleno-L-methionine (SeM), a phenomenon inhibited by aminoethoxyvinylglycine and restored by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. Additive effects of SeM with other promoting factors were not observed unless the latter also stimulated germination to a relatively great extent. This germination enhancement occurred regardless of any ethylene-like effect displayed by SeM.
A report on the occlusal dental caries experience in deciduous, mixed and permanent dentition of school children in Chennai, Tamil Nadu 2017-18

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease characterized by demineralisation of inorganic portion and destruction of the organic portion of the tooth and is the outcome of a multiple complex process involving factors such as diet, microorganisms, trace elements, saliva, genetic predisposition, and tooth morphology. Dental caries is the most common disease among the spectrum of oral diseases and is still a major public health burden in developing countries, affecting 60-90% of school children. Studies have reported missing school hours, toothache, and several impairments of daily life activities associated with a high decayed component in both primary and permanent dentition. In India, the National Oral Health Survey conducted in 2003 reports that the caries prevalence in 12 ABSTRACT
Cancer ecosystem assessment in West Africa: health systems gaps to prevent and control cancers in three countries: Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal

Introduction Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a rapid epidemiological transition with the increasing incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD). Among these, cancer is one of the main causes of death in adults. This is a public health problem whose burden is unknown due to lack of statistical data. In addition, the already overburdened health systems are experiencing enormous constraints to address the problem with the double challenge of communicable and NCDs. Methods The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the capacity and needs of health systems to prevent and control cancer. A cross-sectional study, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, was conducted between April 2017 and February 2018 in target countries, through in-depth interviews with key actors, direct observations and documents review. The WHO framework for health system strengthening with the 6 pillars was used for the gaps analysis. Results Little priority is given to the fight against cancer because of low political commitment. Programs´ resources are very limited and there is a poor coordination of the actions. Human resources are insufficient, and most of them are concentrated in the capital city. This limits access to care with a late consultation of patients. Diagnosis and treatment services are expensive and generally paid by households. Finally, the unavailability of reliable data at national level hinders the decision-based evidence. Conclusion There is an urgent need to create strong partnerships at national and regional levels to (i) Advocate for a strong political commitment; (ii) Strengthen the coordination of actions and create more synergy among stakeholders; (iii) Improve the quality and quantity of human resources; (iv) Extend universal health coverage to cancer and improve program funding; and (v) Set up cancer registries at national level.
Extracellular Oncosomes Rich in Moonlighting Metalloproteinase (MMP3) Are Transmissive, Pro-Tumorigenic, and Induces Cellular Communication Network Factor 2 (CCN2/CTGF): CRISPR against Cancer

Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) plays multiple roles in pro-tumorigenic proteolysis and in intracellular transcription. These include inducing connective tissue growth factor [CTGF, also known as cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2)] and prompting a new definition of MMP3 as a moonlighting metalloproteinase. Members of the MMP family have been found within tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as oncosomes or exosomes. We here investigated the roles of MMP3-rich oncosomes in tumor progression, molecular transmission, and gene regulation. MMP3 and CCN2/CTGF were significantly co-expressed in tumor samples derived from patients suffering from colorectal adenocarcinoma. We found that oncosomes derived from a rapidly metastatic colon cancer cells (LuM1) were enriched in MMP3 and a C-terminal half fragment of CCN2/CTGF. MMP3-rich oncosomes were highly transmissive into recipient cells and were pro-tumorigenic in an allograft mouse model. Oncosome-derived MMP3 was transmissive into recipient cell nuclei, trans-activated CCN2/CTGF promoter, and induced CCN2/CTGF production at 1 to 6 hours after the addition of oncosomes to culture media. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of MMP3 showed significant anti-tumor effects, including inhibition of migration and invasion of LuM1 cells in vitro, inhibition of tumor growth in vivo, and reduction of CCN2/CTGF and its promoter activity in vitro. These data newly demonstrate that the oncosome-derived moonlighting metalloproteinase promotes metastasis and is pro-tumorigenic at distant sites as well as a transmissive trans-activator for the cellular communication network gene.
Snakes and the Eternal City: variation in community metrics, body size and population density of snakes in contrasted landscapes of suburban Rome (Italy)

Reports of global declines in animal populations are now numerous and also include snakes, a group of animals now widely regarded as bio indicators. A prerequisite for any conservation management plan to protect or restore snake populations requires a data base that provides insight into population composition and changes. However, snakes are well known to be particularly difficult to quantitatively sample due to their secretive and elusive nature, and hence accumulating an adequate database for analysis requires long-term field studies that involve intensive searches. Populations of four snake species, Zamensis longissimus, Natrix helvetica, Vipera aspis and Hierophis viridiflavus living in two suburban areas of Rome with different extents of habitat alteration (deforestation), Vejo, a less altered site, and Tor Bella Monaca, a high altered site, have been monitored, but with interruptions since 1995. The results indicated that H. viridiflavus was the commonest species at both sites. Male bias was found in all four species but especially in Z. longissimus and V. aspis with detection of juveniles greatest in H. viridiflavus and N. helvetica. Snout to vent lengths (SVL) of H. viridiflavus and Z. longissimus, which were present at both sites, were greater at the less degraded habitat of the two study localities. Community metrics indicated that the degraded habitat had lower species richness, evenness, Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, but a higher dominance index. Recapture frequencies of snakes recaptured either once or multiple times were in general greater at Vejo. The highest population densities were found in H. viridiflavus, followed by V. aspis and N. helvetica, which were similar. However, long term trends in densities show declines in V. aspis and N. helvetica between 1995 and 2019. Population densities were in good agreement with density estimates found in previous studies of snakes in more natural habitats.
Clinico-epidemiological observations of industrial bovine fluorosis in India

Clinical examination of cattle population in 4 villages around (<3 km) super phosphate fertilizer units in Udaipur district (India) in the month of July for 2 consecutive years (1998 and 1999) revealed occurrence of fluorosis. Prevalence rate of the disease was 27.1% during 1998, Which increased to 46.8% in 1999. Lameness, bony exostosis and dental lesions with varying frequency clinically manifested the disease. Debility, inability to walk and defective mastication were also seen in severely affected animals. Exostosis of metatarsal and metacarpal bones was the most frequently observed sign in the first year, whereas exostosis of ribs was more common sign in the next year. Affected animals had higher concentration of fluoride in serum (range 0.31-1.07 mg/litre in 1998 and 0.13-2.02 mg/litre) and urine (range 5.10-89.10 mg/litre in 1998 and 7.64-51.10 mg/litre in 1999). The serum activity ofaminotransferases and amylase enzymes and concentrations of creatinine and cholesterol were within normal range in the affected animals, but they had higher level of serum urea (7.84 ±0.65 mmol/litre). High fluoride level in fodder (534.4±74.9 mg/kg) and surface water (0.782±0.249 mg/litre in 1998 and 1.186 ±0.286 mg/litre in 1999) contaminated from fertilizer manufacturing units, was suggested as the possible source of excess fluoride ingestion by animals. The study concluded that morbidity and mortality pattern rather than concentration of fluoride in serum or urine are better indicators of continuous exposure of animals to fluoride.
Impact of Government Expenditure on Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria

This study seeks to explain the impact of government expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria using time series data from 1970 – 2017. Secondary data were sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria and World Bank. The study applied a modified version of endogenous growth model using Autoregressive distributed lag model. The adopted model was fitted with six variables- capital stock, labour force, capital expenditure, recurrent expenditure, inflation and trade openness. The study employed ADF-unit root test, Phillips-Perron test and Pairwise Granger causality test. All the variables used were found to be integrated at first difference except labour and inflation and a stable long run equilibrium relationship exist between the dependent and independent variables. Empirical findings revealed that two variables: capital and recurrent are statistically significant and hence these are the significant variables in explaining the impact of government expenditure on economic growth. The Granger causality test demonstrates a unidirectional causality from government expenditure to economic growth, in validation of Keynesian theory. In line with above, the study recommends among others that: government should intensify effort to ensure resources are properly managed and invested in productive sectors so as to foster economic growth.
Surface optical reflectance combined with x-ray techniques during gas-surface interactions

High energy surface x-ray diffraction (HESXRD), x-ray reflectivity (XRR), mass spectrometry (MS) and surface optical reflectance (SOR) have been combined to simultaneously obtain sub-second information on the surface structure and morphology from a Pd(100) model catalyst during in situ oxidation at elevated temperatures and pressures resulting in Pd bulk oxide formation. The results show a strong correlation between the HESXRD and SOR signal intensities during the experiment, enabling phase determination and a time-resolved thickness estimation of the oxide by HESXRD, complemented by XRR measurements. The experiments show a remarkable sensitivity of the SOR to changes in the surface phase and morphology, in particular to the initial stages of oxidation/reduction. The data imply that SOR can detect the formation of an ultrathin PdO surface oxide layer of only 2–3 Å thickness.
The Role of Stroma Microenvironments in Prostate Cancer Cell Migration and Metastasis

Terminal prostate cancer is the result of metastatic spread of the tumour from the prostate and is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Although in vitro assays have been developed to screen for inhibitors of prostate cancer metastasis and cell migration, they routinely utilise 2- Demensional (2-D) culture of prostate cancer cell lines. Current assays do not simulate complexity of the in vivo human tumour microenvironment which contains a mixture of normal and transformed epithelial cells and stromal cells. Therefore there is a requirement to develop novel 3-D models to recapitulate the in vivo tumour microenvironment to understand tumour stroma function. Utilising a 3-D co-culture spheroid model incorporating primary human tumour stroma with prostate cancer cells we have shown that the stroma has a key role in prostate cancer epithelial cell migration and motility. By utilising 4-D two-photon imaging and gene expression analysis we have analysed the molecular mechanisms of stromal cell mediated prostate cancer cell migration, identifying genes that regulate the migration process. Analysis of human tumour stroma indicates a key role in the immune system in driving tumour stroma to express a lymphoid stromal phenotype that provides the microenvironment for active tumour cell migration. This offers an interesting dichotomy that the formation of lymphoid like stroma in aggressive tumours may paradoxically deliver help to drive the immune response to the tumour whilst simultaneously providing the microenvironment for tumour cell migration and metastasis. The molecular mechanism of prostate cancer cell migration and metastasis and stroma-epithelial cell interactions involves a complex balance between the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 and two counter ligands VLA-4 and SPARC, also known as osteonectin or BM-40. The utilisation of shRNA knockdown, Fc chimeric proteins and blocking antibodies, indicates a key role for stromal-epithelia adhesion and detachment dependent cell migration mediated by VCAM-1, VLA-4 and SPARC.
Defect identification method for poplar veneer based on progressive growing generated adversarial network and MASK R-CNN model

As the main production unit of plywood, the surface defects of veneer seriously affect the quality and grade of plywood. Therefore, a new method for identifying wood defects based on progressive growing generative adversarial network (PGGAN) and the MASK R-CNN model is presented. Poplar veneer was mainly studied in this paper, and its dead knots, live knots, and insect holes were identified and classified. The PGGAN model was used to expand the dataset of wood defect images. A key ideal employed the transfer learning in the base of MASK R-CNN with a classifier layer. Lastly, the trained model was used to identify and classify the veneer defects compared with the back- propagation (BP) neural network, self-organizing map (SOM) neural network, and convolutional neural network (CNN). Experimental results showed that under the same conditions, the algorithm proposed in this paper based on PGGAN and MASK R-CNN and the model obtained through the transfer learning strategy accurately identified the defects of live knots, dead knots, and insect holes. The accuracy of identification was 99.05%, 97.05%, and 99.10%, respectively.