Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data-driven Public Health and Social Intervention Modeling to Promote Effective Policy Responses to Curtailing the COVID-19 Pandemic

We might have to live with COVID-19 until 2025 according to a recent report published in Science! But if we act smartly, the adverse consequence of living with the virus could be minimized. Currently, many states in the United States are seeing spiking cases on a daily basis due to their inadequate policy responses to COVID-19. This paper promotes more research on improving SEIR modeling as it will play a critical role in facilitating the decision-making on promoting and implementing appropriate public health and social interventions. Hopefully, policymakers will listen to science and enact and implement adequate policy responses in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in each of the states across the United States so that we can win this “war” and be well prepared for the promising future.
Invasive Beatmungstherapie im Sterbeprozess beenden – Schritt für Schritt

Abstract Invasive mechanical ventilation can be terminated by immediate (palliative) extubation or by gradual reduction of ventilation with the ventilation access left open (terminal weaning). Both procedures are ethically equivalent and can be performed in everyday life, so that individual patient factors and the experience of the treatment team are decisive. However, the primary goal is to ensure that the patient and relatives do not suffer. This article presents step by step which aspects are relevant: communication, adjust or stop monitoring, selection and implementation of the appropriate procedure, preparatory measures, recognition and treatment of distressing symptoms by means of drug or non-drug therapy options and last but not least accurate documentation.
Event-triggered finite-time consensus for stochastic multi-agent systems

This paper studies a consensus problem for a kind of stochastic multi-agent systems (SMAS). First, a reduced-order observer is designed to estimate unknown states in SMASs. Second, an event-triggered adaptive output feedback control method is presented. It can reduce the controller updates and communication burden. Moreover, the radial basis function neural networks are applied to approximate the unknown functions in systems. Finally, it is demonstrated that the proposed control scheme can achieve finite-time practical consensus for SMASs. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
A global systematic, review-meta analysis and ecological risk assessment of ciprofloxacin in river water

ABSTRACT The presence of antibiotics and their metabolites such as ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water resources attracted notable attention as a new international health concern. A systematic and review-meta analysis was performed to evaluate the concentration of CIP in the rivers along with the related ecological risk assessment. PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases were screened to retrieve the related articles among 1 January 1983 to 10 July 2018. Fifty-five articles (58 studies of data reports) comprising 1,886 samples from 20 countries were included. Furthermore, the meta-analysis was performed by the aid of a random effects model (REM) to estimate pooled concentration with 95% confidence intervals (CI). According to findings, the concentration of CIP in the river downstream of untreated wastewater was higher than other rivers located downstream of treated wastewater. Also, the meta-analysis of data based on year of study subgroup demonstrated that over time, the concentration of CIP in the rivers was increased. The ecological risk assessment showed that people settled in some regions of South Africa was at a potential (HQ: 1–10 value) adverse ecological risk of CIP in the river. Therefore immediate control plans besides appropriate removal techniques should be approached for complete eradication of antibiotics like CIP.
ACADEMIAS AO AR LIVRE: PERCEPÇÕES DOS USUÁRIOS E RELAÇÃO COM O SERVIÇO DE SAÚDE

As academias ao ar livre (AAL) surgem como espaço de promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida dos seus usuários. Esse artigo buscou caracterizar o processo de implementação, utilização e referenciamento da população às AAL, pela Atenção Básica em Saúde. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, de campo, com delineamento transversal e abordagem quantitativa. O estudo abrangeu as 04 regiões de Teresina-PI, 22 academias e 308 sujeitos e foi utilizado um formulário com questões discursivas e objetivas com os usuários. Em síntese, ressalta-se a importância de se ampliar o incentivo dos homens em participar de espaços onde aconteçam práticas corporais, bem como melhorar a estrutura desses locais, estimulando também o envolvimento participativo da população nos processos decisórios que permeiam as políticas públicas nesse contexto, almejando, uma maior utilização das AAL pela comunidade e pelos serviços de saúde, propiciando assim o empoderamento e a promoção de saúde.
Stabilization of the Highly Hydrophobic Membrane Protein, Cytochrome bd Oxidase, on Metallic Surfaces for Direct Electrochemical Studies

The cytochrome bd oxidase catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to water in bacteria and it is thus an interesting target for electrocatalytic studies and biosensor applications. The bd oxidase is completely embedded in the phospholipid membrane. In this study, the variation of the surface charge of thiol-modified gold nanoparticles, the length of the thiols and the other crucial parameters including optimal phospholipid content and type, have been performed, giving insight into the role of these factors for the optimal interaction and direct electron transfer of an integral membrane protein. Importantly, all three tested factors, the lipid type, the electrode surface charge and the thiol length mutually influenced the stability of films of the cytochrome bd oxidase. The best electrocatalytic responses were obtained on the neutral gold surface when the negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was used and on the charged gold surface when the zwitterionic phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was used. The advantages of the covalent binding of the membrane protein to the electrode surface over the non-covalent binding are also discussed.
Exploring Social Media User Emotions And Emoticons Use Among Malaysia Universities

Expressing emotions through Twitter has been the norm to social media users especially university students. Emoticons has been used in their Tweet to represents their emotions to current issue. Emolyzer has been used to extract the Tweet of five active Malaysia universities community Twitter account which are USM, UTM, UKM, UiTM and UUM. With a variety of emoticons, people find it interesting as there are so many emoticons to symbolize different emotions. Different social media may differ in emoticons used, so the observation of frequently used emoticons in Twitter is a must. These emoticons are then categorized into happy, sad, annoying, angry and surprise. As a result, each different sentiment between these five universities can be compared. The study shows that USM has the highest percentage of happy while UiTM has the highest percentage of sad. This finding can be used to guide universities social media administrator to strategize in content strategy in social media.
Nursing Universal Retention and Success (NURS) Model: A Holistic, Discipline-Focused Framework

Understanding the multidimensional process of college student retention and success and faculty’s pivotal role in making a positive difference can be daunting without an easily adaptable organizing framework. Although classic models of college student attrition provided an essential, valuable foundation and a guiding framework for early nursing student retention research and strategy design, several areas for enhancement were identified. This article presents the empirically supported Nursing Universal Retention and Success (NURS) model as an easily adaptable framework for developing strategies that embrace a “diversity of diversity” world view; address the intersectionality of multiple identities and roles; actively involve faculty and students; consider post-graduation outcomes, and incorporate a discipline – focused proactive, culturally congruent, holistic approach. Applied in a variety of undergraduate and graduate settings, over sixty nursing and college-wide professional development programs, and over seventy published studies in the US and abroad, the NURS model encompasses features warranting consideration across disciplines.
The Influence of Brushing Movement on Geometrical Shaping Outcomes: A Micro-CT Study

Brushing motion has been proposed for endodontic single-file reciprocating systems to eliminate coronal interferences, but it may hesitate in a less conservative root canal shaping. The aim of the study was to compare the maintenance of the original root canal anatomy using the WaveOne Gold (WOG) technique with or without a brushing motion. Sixty extracted human mandibular first molars were selected. Manual canal scouting and mechanical glide path were performed. Samples were randomized into two groups (n = 30): WOG Primary was used to shape the mesio-lingual canals without (NB group) or with (B group) an intentional brushing motion. Specimens were scanned with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) before and after instrumentation in order to match the volumes. Increases in canal volume and surface area were measured. Centroid shift and thickness of removed dentine from the inner curvature were assessed at the furcation, 1.5 mm and 3 mm apically from the furcation, and in relation to the point of maximum curvature. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Student–Newmann–Keuls tests (p < 0.05). No brushing technique resulted in being significantly associated with a better maintenance of the canal anatomy, especially in the coronal third (p < 0.05). When using the WOG system, a no-brushing technique resulted in less invasive shaping, reducing the risk of stripping.
Effect of continuous and intermittent drying on water mobility of fresh walnuts (Juglans regia L.): A LF-NMR study

Abstract In this study, water mobility and oil qualities (color indexes, peroxide value, acid value, fatty acids) between continuous and intermittent hot air drying of fresh walnut were investigated based on LF-NMR technique and chemical assay. The results showed that intermittent drying of fresh walnut was comparable or superior to continuous drying, in view of drying rate, moisture ratio, energy saving, oil quality (L*, a*, b*, peroxide value, acid value, and fatty acids). LF-NMR relaxometry could be used for observing the moisture mobility and distribution of fresh walnut during tempering process. The R2 values of moisture prediction model were 0.9808 and 0.9702 for calibration and validation, respectively, exhibiting fine linear relationship between the T21 signals and moisture level. Meanwhile, principal component analysis showed that five geographical origins of dried walnut could be discriminated based on LF-NMR relaxometry. Thus, intermittent drying with tempering process was recommended in practice for fresh walnut drying, and LF-NMR technique could be used for moisture prediction and origin discrimination of dried walnuts.
Exposure to Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Hypertension among Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display Workers

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the concentration of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to investigate the association between indoor VOCs exposure and the prevalence of hypertension among thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) workers. A total of 20 canisters were used to collect VOCs samples in the array, cell and module areas over 12 hours and VOCs concentrations were analyzed by the gas chromatography with mass spectrum. Individual information of health examination and lifestyles by self-administrated questionnaire were provided by 155 volunteers. The multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the associations between VOCs exposure, blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension. The four dominant VOCs were ethanol (1870.8 ± 1754.0 ppb), acetone (689.9 ± 587.4 ppb), isopropyl alcohol (177.1 ± 202.3 ppb) and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (98.2 ± 100.8 ppb), which were identified with the highest level in the module area for ethanol and acetone and in the array area for the others. Subjects exposed to a total level of ethanol, cyclohexanone and toluene ≥ 2500 ppb had an increased systolic blood pressure of 5.95 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.20–11.71; p = 0.043) compared with those exposed to <2500 ppb. Exposure to mixed VOCs in the indoor environment might be associated with elevated blood pressure among TFT-LCD workers.
The Dynamic Assessment of Reading Comprehension: An Exploration of EFL Teacher’s Perception and Practice

This study investigates EFL teachers’ perceptions regarding Dynamic Assessment (hereafter DA) prior and subsequent to taking part in workshops and panel discussions. Twenty-five EFL teachers participated in a semi-structured interview, 10 of whom were selected through purposive sampling to take part in a five-session workshop, which was held to familiarize them with the principles of DA. Following workshop training sessions, a panel discussion was run for 2 sessions and teachers shared their ideas and discussed their problems in applying DA in their classes regarding reading skill. Their classes were video-taped for further analysis and they were also asked to keep reflective journals regarding their practice. After these treatment sessions, a second semi- structured interview regarding EFL teachers’ perceptions about DA was run. According to the results of the discussion sessions and interviews, using them as the base of work, an observation checklist was created to assess the EFL teachers' classroom practices and see whether they correspond to their attitudes or not. The results of this study showed that EFL teachers found workshop training sessions both informative and practical. They mentioned panel discussion groups as a good platform to discuss their practice- related problems with their colleagues and writing reflective journals as an awareness raising act which help them improve their DA practices. Implications for teachers and teacher training courses are discussed.
Effect Found in the Combination of Kitasamycin with Other Antibiotics Used against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Background: Combinations of antibiotics are used to increase the therapeutic options via the simultaneous activities of two compounds. The goals of combination therapy are to resolve the bacterial infection while reducing the treatment cost. The use of kitasamycin is used frequently and in addition to other antibiotics, the desired combinations were not found. Methods: Fields strains: we use serotypes 1, 3, 5 y 7. Microbial culturing: The serotypes 1, 3, 5 y 7 was identified. Antibiotics and Reagents: The antibiotics used were kitasamycin; enrofloxacin and oxolinic acid. The following combinations were tested: a) kitasamycin with enrofloxacin; b) kitasamycin with norfloxacin; and c) kitasamycin with oxolinic acid. Preparation of bacterial suspensions: The cultures were adjusted to a concentration of 5 colony-forming units per ml (CFU/ml) using the same sterile culture medium as the diluent. Determination of the fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs): To test each combination and their interactions and to calculate the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of each antibiotic. Calculation of the index of the fractional minimum inhibitory concentration (FMIC): The FMIC index was calculated by applying the following formula: FIC index = FIC of antibiotic A/FIC of antibiotic B. Results: What was found showed that: A combination of kitasamycin and norfloxacin has been shown to have an indifferent effect. A combination of kitasamycin and enrofloxacin had antagonistic effects against all of the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes studied. Finally, a combination of kitasamycin and oxolinic acid had antagonist effects against serotypes 1, 3 and 5 and a synergistic effect against serotype 7. Conclusion: The “in vitro” combination Kitasamycin-Norfloxacin showed an indifferent effect, and combination Kitasamycin and Enrofloxacin demonstrated an antagonistic interaction between these two antibiotics. A combination of Kitasamycin and Oxolinic Acid had synergistic effect against serotype 7.
Correlation between insemination dose and bovine sperm traits on the in vitro embryo production outcomes

In the present study we aimed to test the best insemination dose for in vitro embryo production (IVEP) and to correlate sperm traits in bovine. In vitro matured oocytes were inseminated with three different sperm concentrations of the same bull: G1 (1*106 ), G2 (2*106 ) and G3 (4*106 ) sperm/mL. At 18 h post-insemination (hpi), presumptive zygotes [G1 (n=114), G2 (n=139) and G3 (n=136)] were stained to evaluate the pronuclei numbers, or continued to in vitro culture [G1 (n=102), G2 (n=111) and G3 (n=106)]. Sperm kinetics were analyzed using Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA). Sperm plasma membrane, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity were analyzed using fluorescent probes. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and IVEP data were compared using chisquare (P 0.05) among the groups. In G3, the polyspermy rate was the highest (7.4%; P 0.05) between G1 (0%) and G2 (0%). In G1, the early blastocyst rate was the highest (7.8%; P 0.05) between G2 (1.8%) and G3 (0.9%). The IVF efficiency and total blastocyst rates were positively correlated with curvilinear velocity (VCL) (r≃+1; P<0.05). We concluded that the reduction of insemination dose may negatively affect embryo development and VCL may be used as a parameter to improve the IVEP outcomes.
Revealing the synergy of Sn insertion in hematite for next‐generation solar water splitting nanoceramics

Solar water splitting–driven hydrogen fuel production is very attractive due to positive aspects as higher energy density and a renewable energy source arising from water and sunlight.1 Despite these remarkable overall strengths, sustainable largescale clean hydrogen production is quite far from being available, in particular by the lack of efficient and economically viable electrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. These devices involve two redox electrochemical reactions: hydrogen evolution on the cathode and oxygen evolution on the anode, where one or more photosensitive material can be enforced in the device design.2 It is worth mentioning that oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the rate-determining step of the photoelectrochemical water splitting, because of the four-electron reaction mechanism of water oxidation, which Received: 29 May 2020 | Accepted: 1 July 2020 DOI: 10.1002/ces2.10062
Ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions as affected by nitrification and urease inhibitors

Soil Nitrogen (N) gaseous losses have environmental and economic implications. Ammonia (NH3) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from a volcanic soil were concurrently quantified using intact lysimeters, after application of the equivalent to 100 kg N ha-1 with and without urease (NBPT) and nitrification (DCD) inhibitor: Urea, Urea+NBPT, Urea+DCD, Dairy slurry and Dairy slurry+DCD. A control treatment (-N) was also included. Treatments were distributed on a randomized block design and evaluated during 28 days. Ammonia was analyzed for NH4 by colorimetry, while N2O was estimated by gas chromatography. Total emissions were estimated by addition of daily fluxes, and results were analyzed by ANOVA. Ammonia was the main N loss, with 35 to 43% and 5% to 16% of the total N applied in Urea and Dairy slurry (P<0.01), respectively, with and without inhibitors (P>0.05). The use of DCD reduced N2O emissions by 44 and 8% in the same treatments, respectively (P<0.05). Results suggest that DCD has a potential as a mitigation option in grassland volcanic soils reducing N2O losses. The use of NBPT did not reduce NH3 losses and N2O emissions when applied with urea. Concurrent N gasses losses from soil showed that indirect N2O losses following NH3 volatilization might be more relevant in volcanic soils than direct N2O losses.
Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the expression of apoptotic markers in mouse blastocysts

Abstract Oocyte maturation, embryo development and expression of apoptotic-specific genes were evaluated in blastocysts of mice treated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Female mice received 0, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day titanium dioxide intraperitoneally for five consecutive days. After the last injection, pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and, 48 h later, human chorionic gonadotropin were administered intraperitoneally for induction of ovulation. After 14 h, mice were sacrificed and oocytes were collected. The number of mature oocytes was evaluated and then fertilization was carried out in vitro and the numbers of fertilized and cleaved oocytes and of blastocysts and the expression of Bax, caspase 3, and Bcl-xL genes in blastocysts were evaluated. The number of mature, fertilized and cleaved oocytes and of blastocyst embryos in the experimental groups were not different from control. The expression of Bax and caspase 3 genes was significantly elevated in the experimental groups compared to control, while expression of the Bcl-xL gene was significantly lower in the high dose group. Uptake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles at daily doses of 50 mg/kg and more may affect embryo development by alteration of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression.
O IMPACTO DA CRISE BRASILEIRA POR MEIO DE INDICADORES FINANCEIROS NA ESTIMAÇÃO DA LIQUIDEZ NA TESOURARIA DE ALGUMAS EMPRESAS

Compreender a crise nas empresas em relação a liquidez é de extrema importância para identificar as empresas mais ou menos solventes. O objetivo deste artigo é investigar o impacto da crise fiscal brasileira na tesouraria de algumas empresas nacionais, por meio de indicadores que melhor caracterizam o comportamento da tesouraria líquida, referência à Teoria da Liquidez. A metodologia consiste em uma regressão em Dados em Painel, utilizando a liquidez como variável dependente, os indicadores financeiros como variáveis explicativas e o índice CODACE como variável binária. Os resultados evidenciam uma relação positiva e significativa entre a liquidez e as variáveis dependentes NCG e ST. Das variáveis independentes, apenas 3 indicadores não se mostraram significante em nenhuma das regressões, enquanto a variável dummy CODACE foi significante negativa, ratificando que em períodos de crise as empresas tendem a enfrentar impactos negativos tanto na parte operacional e financeira da tesouraria, diminuição da liquidez.
Creating an optimal environment for inclusive education: co-location and transformation in interdisciplinary collaboration

ABSTRACT Collaboration between teachers and child support workers is seen as a promising way to effectuate inclusive practice in mainstream education. This paper aims to explore how co-location of services promotes transformation of practice, and to expand an analytic framework for interdisciplinary collaboration. By combining these two perspectives, we intend to contribute to both theory and practice. The data consist of semi-structured interviews that explore the experiences of teachers and child support workers who co-work in three schools for secondary education. A template analysis was used to examine collaboration in co-location, and to further develop the framework with which we began our empirical research. The initial template consisted of dimensions of knowledge sharing in relation to dimensions of trust and dimensions of identity. The results showed that proximity can be divided into three different types, being spatial proximity, organisational proximity and personal proximity. These types of proximity, in turn, can be related to knowledge sharing, trust and identity. The contribution of the expanded framework for practice lies in its potential to shed light on how processes in interdisciplinary collaboration can be shaped.