Moral Sensitivity of Young People with Intellectual Disability – Its Role in The Process of Their Education

According to Heller and Życiński (1980) the primary regulator of human behaviour is the system of values therefore its development should be in the centre of all educational and upbringing measures. Our focus here is on moral sensitivity understood as the ability of an individual to see social situations from the perspective of moral good and moral evil that represent values embodied in moral norms adopted by the world and internalised by humans as the principles of conduct. The main research question was the following: How morally sensitive are persons with ID and how is their sensitivity associated with the degree of intellectual disability and gender? A non-probability sample 267 of Polish residents aged 16-30 years with mild (58.42%) or moderate (41.58%) intellectual disability was assembled. Men and women were almost in equal proportion. The Moral Sensitivity Inventory (MSI; Otrębski, Sudoł, 2020) has been used to measure the moral sensitivity of people with ID. It consists of 10 illustrated stories presenting typical social situations containing moral dilemmas, and an evaluation form. The tested person’s task is to answer the following question “Who, in this story, did something right or wrong, and what was that?” and to indicate as many moral elements in the story and the picture as they can. The results imply that the study participants had different ability to discern moral good and moral evil. They were more sensitive to the manifestations of good and evil bad associated with Understanding one’s behaviour and its impact on others (more than one-fourth of them had high scores) and less perceptive of those relating to Respect for others’ property and Conformance to principles and norms. The results of the study expand the knowledge of the overall moral sensitivity of persons with intellectual disabilities.

An Experiment and Study of M30 Grade of Concrete by Partially Replacing Fine Aggregate with Marble Dust Powder and Phosphogypsum in Rigid Pavement

The Project is to study about M30 grade of concrete by adding waste materials. Marble dust powder and phosphogypsum which is easily available marble which are standard among the most imperative materials, utilized as a part of the development business. Marble dust is a waste material from the construction site is mixed with concrete as a replacement material. Marble dust powder is acquired from sawing and moulding of marble rock. Phosphogypsum is produced as an outgrowth of the production of fertilizer from phosphate rock. There is a high gypsum content and gypsum is a widely used material in constructions. It is weakly radioactive in nature because it is a by-product of phosphate fertilizers. In the M30 grade of concrete fine aggregate is partially replaced by marble dust powder and phosphosgypsum in some proportions. The fine aggregate is replaced by 10%, 20% and 30% in which marble dust powder and phosphogypsum and are added in an equal proportion. Keywords: Marble dust powder, phosphogypsum, grade of concrete, rigid pavement, green concrete.

Influence of sequencing depth on the fidelity and sensitivity of 1%-5% low-frequency mutation detection and recommendation for standardization of sequencing depth

Sequencing depth has always played an important role in the accurate detection of low-frequency mutations. The increase of sequencing depth and the reasonable setting of threshold can maximize the probability of true positive mutation, or sensitivity. Here, we found that when the threshold was set as a fixed number of positive mutated reads, the probability of both true and false-positive mutations increased with depth. However, When the number of positive mutated reads increased in an equal proportion with depth (the threshold was transformed from a fixed number to a fixed percentage of mutated reads), the true positive probability still increased while false positive probability decreased. Through binomial distribution simulation and experimental test, it is found that the "fidelity" of detected-VAFs is the cause of this phenomenon. Firstly, we used the binomial distribution to construct a model that can easily calculate the relationship between sequencing depth and probability of true positive (or false positive), which can standardize the minimum sequencing depth for different low-frequency mutation detection. Then, the effect of sequencing depth on the fidelity of NA12878 with 3% mutation frequency and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA of 1%, 3% and 5%) showed that the increase of sequencing depth reduced the fluctuation range of detected-VAFs around the expected VAFs, that is, the fidelity was improved. Finally, based on our experiment result, the consistency of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) between paired FF and FFPE samples of mice increased with increasing depth, suggesting that increasing depth can improve the precision and sensitivity of low-frequency mutations.

Single cell RNA-seq identifies developing corneal cell fates in the human cornea organoid

The cornea is a protective and refractive barrier in the eye crucial for vision. Understanding the human cornea in health, disease and cell-based treatments can be greatly advanced with cornea organoids developed in culture from induced pluripotent stem cells. While a limited number of studies have investigated the single-cell transcriptomic composition of the human cornea, its organoids have not been examined similarly. Here we elucidated the transcriptomic cell fate map of 4 month-old human cornea organoids and the central cornea from three donors. The organoids harbor cell clusters representing corneal epithelium, stroma and endothelium with sub populations that capture signatures of early developmental states. Unlike the adult cornea where the largest cell population is stromal, the organoids develop almost equal proportion of the three major cell types. These corneal organoids offer a three-dimensional platform to model corneal diseases and integrated responses of the different cell types to treatments.

Influence of proppant physical properties on sand accumulation in hydraulic fractures

The proppant accumulation form in fractures is related to the formation conductivity after fracture closure, also closely related to the production rate of oil/gas wells. In order to investigate the influence of proppant physical properties on sand accumulation in fractures, a particle–fluid coupling flow model is established based on the Euler two-fluid model. Geometric parameters of a fracture in tight oil wells are approximately scaled in equal proportion as the physical model, which is solved by the finite volume method. And the model accuracy is verified by comparing with the physical experimental simulation in the literature. Results show that the higher proppant concentration corresponds to the faster particle sedimentation rate, and the greater sand embankment accumulation as well. However, the fluid viscosity will increase, inhibiting proppant migration to the deep part of the fracture. Reducing proppant density and particle size will enhance the fluidization ability of particles, which is conducive to the migration to the deep fracture at the initial stage of pumping. But, it is not beneficial to have a desirable accumulation state in the middle and later pumping stage, so it is difficult to obtain a higher comprehensive equilibrium height.

‘Time to Be an Academic Influencer’

This paper explores how Peer-to-Peer learning can level-up students' understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) with Autodesk Auto- CAD programme for Interior Design Year 1 students. As students come from different knowledge backgrounds, they approach the module with different understanding levels, with the weaker students unable to follow the live demonstration tutorials. A peer tutoring assignment using a student-led peer-to-peer learning pedagogy, was introduced to advance students' understanding and internalise content better by reinforcing their learning. Each group has an equal proportion of students with different levels of knowledge and capabilities, and each group member conducted self-research on a topic segment, shared their knowledge and findings within their group, and thereafter curated a 15-minute lecture and facilitation workshop for peers. Tutors provided consultation and mediation, encouraging students’ participation. The assignment’s results showed that the peer-to-peer learning approach efficaciously empowered students and motivated learning, enabling them to be self-directed learners.

High association of COVID-19 severity with poor gut health score in Lebanese patients

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of lives globally. However, the disease has presented more extreme challenges for developing countries that are experiencing economic crises. Studies on COVID-19 symptoms and gut health are scarce and have not fully analyzed possible associations between gut health and disease pathophysiology. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate a potential association between gut health and COVID-19 severity in the Lebanese community, which has been experiencing a severe economic crisis. Methods This cross-sectional study investigated SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive Lebanese patients. Participants were interviewed and gut health, COVID-19 symptoms, and different metrics were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression models. Results Analysis of the data showed that 25% of participants were asymptomatic, while an equal proportion experienced severe symptoms, including dyspnea (22.7%), oxygen need (7.5%), and hospitalization (3.1%). The mean age of the participants was 38.3 ±0.8 years, and the majority were males (63.9%), married (68.2%), and currently employed (66.7%). A negative correlation was found between gut health score and COVID-19 symptoms (Kendall’s tau-b = -0.153, P = 0.004); indicating that low gut health was associated with more severe COVID-19 cases. Additionally, participants who reported unhealthy food intake were more likely to experience severe symptoms (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.118, P = 0.049). When all items were taken into consideration, multiple ordinal logistic regression models showed a significant association between COVID-19 symptoms and each of the following variables: working status, flu-like illness episodes, and gut health score. COVID-19 severe symptoms were more common among patients having poor gut health scores (OR:1.31, 95%CI:1.07–1.61; P = 0.008), experiencing more than one episode of flu-like illness per year (OR:2.85, 95%CI:1.58–5.15; P = 0.001), and owning a job (OR:2.00, 95%CI:1.1–3.65; P = 0.023). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study that showed the impact of gut health and exposure to respiratory viruses on COVID-19 severity in Lebanon. These findings can facilitate combating the pandemic in Lebanon.

PSXIV-11 Silage source, physically effective neutral detergent fiber, and undigested neutral detergent fiber concentrations affect eating behavior, ruminal pH and reticular motility of finishing heifers

This study evaluated the effects of silage source, physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF), and undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) concentrations on eating behavior, ruminal pH, and reticular contractions for finishing beef heifers. Six Hereford′Simmental heifers (579±51.2 kg) were used in a replicated 6×6 Latin square (21-d periods) balanced for carry-over effects with 2×2 + 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Barley grain-based diets included barley (BarS) or wheat silage (WhS) at 10% of dietary DM. Silages were harvested at two chop lengths to yield low (LpeNDF) vs. high peNDF (HpeNDF) silage. For both BarS and WhS, chopped wheat straw was included (5% of DM) by replacing an equal proportion of LpeNDF silages to evaluate low vs. high uNDF (7.3 vs. 8.2% dietary DM) concentrations. Heifers fed HpeNDF WhS had greater DMI (silage′peNDF; P < 0.01) than those fed HpeNDF BarS, but DMI did not differ for LpeNDF treatments. Ruminating and eating time increased for heifers fed HpeNDF WhS relative to LpeNDF WhS, but were not different for BarS (silage′peNDF; P ≤ 0.02). Increasing uNDF increased eating and ruminating times for heifers fed WhS, but not BarS (silage′uNDF; P ≤ 0.03). Mean ruminal pH averaged 5.97 and was not affected by silage, peNDF, uNDF, or the interactions (P ≥ 0.12). Feeding BarS increased the duration (384 vs. 256 min/d; P = 0.02) and area (84.5 vs. 43.8 pH×min/d; P = 0.02) that pH was < 5.5 relative to WhS. Increasing peNDF numerically reduced the frequency of reticular contractions when fed BarS but numerically increased them when fed WhS (silage′peNDF; P < 0.01). Reticular contractions were not affected by dietary uNDF concentration (P ≥ 0.13). These data highlight that at a constant inclusion rate, silage source and chop length interact to affect DMI, eating behavior, ruminal pH, and reticular motility indicating the need to account for silage type, peNDF, and uNDF in diet formulation for finishing cattle.

Crossing design shapes patterns of genetic variation in synthetic recombinant populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract“Synthetic recombinant” populations have emerged as a useful tool for dissecting the genetics of complex traits. They can be used to derive inbred lines for fine QTL mapping, or the populations themselves can be sampled for experimental evolution. In the latter application, investigators generally value maximizing genetic variation in constructed populations. This is because in evolution experiments initiated from such populations, adaptation is primarily fueled by standing genetic variation. Despite this reality, little has been done to systematically evaluate how different methods of constructing synthetic populations shape initial patterns of variation. Here we seek to address this issue by comparing outcomes in synthetic recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations created using one of two strategies: pairwise crossing of isogenic strains or simple mixing of strains in equal proportion. We also explore the impact of the varying the number of parental strains. We find that more genetic variation is initially present and maintained when population construction includes a round of pairwise crossing. As perhaps expected, we also observe that increasing the number of parental strains typically increases genetic diversity. In summary, we suggest that when constructing populations for use in evolution experiments, simply mixing founder strains in equal proportion may limit the adaptive potential.

Quality Standards for Caturjata Carna Evaluated with Official and Substitute Ingredients

Background: In Ayurveda, single or multiple herbs mixed in a particular proportion are used for the treatment of different diseases. Caturjata Curna (CC) is a popular Ayurvedic medicine with therapeutic application in tastelessness, diseases due to vitiated Kapha, poisoning and discoloration. The present study is an attempt to standardize a polyherbal medicine CC. Methods: CC was prepared by mixing an equal proportion of ingredients including Tvak (Cinnamomum verum) - stem bark, Ela (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) - seed, Tvakpatra (Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm.) - leaf and Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea L.) - stamen in equal parts as per guidelines in Ayurvedic Formulary of India. Macro-microscopy, physico-chemical parameters, HPTLC fingerprinting, and spectroscopic parameters were determined according to standardised methodology available in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Results: Caturjata curna is brown coloured with a characteristic odour and aromatic taste. Powder microscopy showed the presence of diagnostic characters like horse shoe-shaped stone cells, perisperm cells with volatile oil droplets, paracytic stomata and endothecium layers of anthers indicating each ingredient of the formulation. HPTLC showed 13, 13 and 16 bands each under short UV, long UV and white light post derivatisation respectively in ethanolic extract of the formulation. Physico-chemical standards like loss on drying at 105º (10.39 %), total ash (4.1 %), acid-insoluble ash (0.90 %), ethanol- soluble extractive (10 %), water-soluble extractive (8.77 %) and pH of 10% aqueous solution (4.58) were recorded. The presence of cinnamaldehyde and 1-eicosene was confirmed by GC-MS and NMR studies. Conclusion: a monograph on quality standards for CC has been proposed which would serve as a document to control the quality of this polyherbal formulation.