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Task-free functional connectivity in animal models provides an experimental framework to examine connectivity phenomena under controlled conditions and allows for comparisons with data modalities collected under invasive or terminal procedures. Currently, animal acquisitions are performed with varying protocols and analyses that hamper result comparison and integration. Here we introduce StandardRat, a consensus rat functional magnetic resonance imaging acquisition protocol tested across 20 centers. To develop this protocol with optimized acquisition and processing parameters, we initially aggregated 65 functional imaging datasets acquired from rats across 46 centers. We developed a reproducible pipeline for analyzing rat data acquired with diverse protocols and determined experimental and processing parameters associated with the robust detection of functional connectivity across centers. We show that the standardized protocol enhances biologically plausible functional connectivity patterns relative to previous acquisitions. The protocol and processing pipeline described here is openly shared with the neuroimaging community to promote interoperability and cooperation toward tackling the most important challenges in neuroscience. The authors pooled resources to identify best practices and develop a new standardized protocol for estimating functional connectivity in rats with magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Heavy metal(loid)s pollution is a One Health concern [1]. Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are promising candidates for biomonitoring programs, due to their habits, abundance, distribution and resilience [2]. Objective: This work aims to evaluate heavy metal(loid)s pollution, using E. europaeus as a bioindicator. Methods: Necropsies of 46 hedgehogs from three distinct rescue centres (CERVAS, LxCRAS and RIAS) were performed. Provenance and clinical data (when available) were recorded. Sex and age group were estimated. Liver, kidney and external spines (2-10 grams) were collected and stored under -20ºC. Internal organs were completely freeze-dried for two days at -56ºC (LaboGeneCoolSafe®) and stored frozen until further analysis. Spines were washed in an ultrasound machine (Sonorex RK 106®) and dried overnight in an oven (55ºC). Acid digestion was performed in a digestion plate (DigiPrep-MS®) and metal(loid)s concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb) were determined with ICP-MS. Liver and kidney were also collected for histopathology routine examination. Results: High levels of Cu were found in the kidney (24.74±21.05 mg kg-1 dry weight [dw]) and liver (35.66 ± 19.65 mg kg-1dw), with some animals passing 100 mg kg-1 dw, which is a high value for insectivores [3]. Significant correlations have been found between spines and liver and between spines and kidney, for Co (p, Scientific Letters, Vol. 1 No. Sup 1 (2023)

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the global workloads and general well-being of employees, especially in the university system. The object of this study is to evaluate the mental health and effect of increase in workload on the general well-being of the administrative staff of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on the resumption of academic activities after the lockdown due to COVID-19. A total of 73 randomly selected administrative staff were involved in the study. Three sets of instruments, the demographic questionnaire, National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index, and General Health Questionnaire, were used to obtain information on the demographic characteristics, workload, and level of mental disorder among the respondents due to COVID-19. The generalized linear regression model, 1-way analysis of variance, independent samples t test, and contingency coefficient were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that high workload is significantly associated with high risk of mental and general health disorders among the respondents. The married, divorced, widowed, older, and females staff with2 children are the most vulnerable to mental disorder, physical workload, frustration, and general health challenges. The younger staff, those with at most 2 children, and those who are still single experience lower mental and general health disorder and are more resilient. Significant and comprehensive health and administrative support should be provided for the overall well-being of the staff.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak was a public health emergency of international concern which eventually evolved into a pandemic. Nigeria was locked down in March, 2020 as the country battled to contain the spread of the disease. By August 2020, phase-by-phase easing of the lockdown was commenced and university students will soon return for academic activities. This study undertakes some epidemiological analysis of the Nigerian COVID-19 data to help the government and university administrators make informed decisions on the safety of personnel and students. The COVID-19 data on confirmed cases, deaths, and recovered were obtained from the website of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from April 2, 2020 to August 24, 2020. The infection rate, prevalence, ratio, cause-specific death rate, and case recovery rate were used to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of the pandemic in Nigeria. Exponential smoothing was adopted in modeling the time series data and forecasting the pandemic in Nigeria up to January 31, 2021. The results indicated that the pandemic had infection rate of at most 3 infections per 1 million per day from April to August 2020. The death rate was 5 persons per 1 million during the period of study while recovery rate was 747 persons per 1000 infections. Analysis of forecast data showed steady but gradual decrease in the daily infection rate and death rate and substantial increase in the recovery rate, 975 recoveries per 1000 infections. In general, the epidemiological attributes of the pandemic from the original data and the forecast data indicated optimism in the decrease in the rate of infection and death in the future. Moreover, the infection rate, prevalence and death rate in January 2021 coincided with the predictions based on the analysis. Therefore, the Nigerian government is encouraged to allow universities in the country to reopen while university administrators set up the necessary protocols for strict adherence to safety measures.

Background: This study aimed at investigating the effect of rational emotive occupational health coaching on quality of work-life among primary school administrators. Method: This is a double blinded and randomized control design study. A total of 158 administrators were sampled, half of them were exposed to rational emotive occupational health treatment package that lasted for 12 sessions. Two self-report measures were utilized in assessing the participants using quality of work life scale. Data collected were analyzed using MANOVA statistical tool. Result: The results showed that rational emotive occupational health coaching is effective in improving perception of quality of work-life among public administrators. A follow-up result showed that rational emotive occupational health coaching had a significant effect on primary school administrators’ quality of work life. Conclusion: This study concluded rational emotive occupation health coaching is useful therapeutic strategy in improving quality of work of primary school administrators, hence, future researchers and clinical practitioners should adopt cognitive-behavioral techniques and principles in helping employers as well as employees. Based on the primary findings and limitations of this study, future studies, occupational psychotherapists should qualitatively explore the clinical relevance of rational emotive occupational health practice across cultures using different populations

The coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak was a public health emergency of international concern which eventually evolved into a pandemic. Nigeria was locked down in March, 2020 as the country battled to contain the spread of the disease. By August 2020, phase-by-phase easing of the lockdown was commenced and university students will soon return for academic activities. This study undertakes some epidemiological analysis of the Nigerian COVID-19 data to help the government and university administrators make informed decisions on the safety of personnel and students.The COVID-19 data on confirmed cases, deaths, and recovered were obtained from the website of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from April 2, 2020 to August 24, 2020. The infection rate, prevalence, ratio, cause-specific death rate, and case recovery rate were used to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of the pandemic in Nigeria. Exponential smoothing was adopted in modeling the time series data and forecasting the pandemic in Nigeria up to January 31, 2021.The results indicated that the pandemic had infection rate of at most 3 infections per 1 million per day from April to August 2020. The death rate was 5 persons per 1 million during the period of study while recovery rate was 747 persons per 1000 infections. Analysis of forecast data showed steady but gradual decrease in the daily infection rate and death rate and substantial increase in the recovery rate, 975 recoveries per 1000 infections.In general, the epidemiological attributes of the pandemic from the original data and the forecast data indicated optimism in the decrease in the rate of infection and death in the future. Moreover, the infection rate, prevalence and death rate in January 2021 coincided with the predictions based on the analysis. Therefore, the Nigerian government is encouraged to allow universities in the country to reopen while university administrators set up the necessary protocols for strict adherence to safety measures.

Background: Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) has been studied and implemented through physical activity in different backgrounds for over three decades. However, there is no systematized review in the literature concerning the after-school context. Aim: Conducting a systematic review of literature on after-school interventions based on the TPSR model. Methods: This study was driven by the following research questions: Which were the conclusions regarding the implementation of TPSR in after-school settings? Which research methodologies have been used to assess TPSR in after-school time settings? Which results related to TPSR were reported in after-school time settings? Cochrane protocol guidelines were followed. Papers were selected by two independent researchers, with Cohen's Kappa value of 81%. Results and discussion: Twenty-seven papers were selected, thirteen of which were reported with high scores. Most interventions were conducted in the USA on community-based after-school programs, lasting more than nine sessions, and led by school staff who prepared physical activities for youngsters from disadvantaged communities. Most of the reported studies resorted to qualitative methodologies. Some gaps were detected, such as lack of systematization of methods, lack of validity and reliability. Personal and social benefits were found. Other results were grouped into leadership, staff-youngsters relationship, values, transference, and impact on staff lives. We recommend future studies in the after-school context extend to extend to other countries, with more detailed descriptions of the specific used methods. RESUMEN Contexto: Hace más de tres décadas, el Teaching Personal and Social Responsability (TPSR) ha sido estudiado e implementado, a través de la actividad física, en distintos contextos. No obstante, no ha ninguna revisión sistematizada en literatura en un contexto extracurricular. Objetivo: Llevar a una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre intervenciones extracurriculares basadas en el modelo TPSR. Métodos: Las preguntas de búsqueda que llevaron a este estudio fueron: ¿Cuáles las conclusiones relacionadas a la implementación del TPSR en contexto extracurricular? ¿Qué metodologías de investigación han sido utilizadas para examinar el TPSR en contexto extracurricular? ¿Qué resultados relacionados con el TPSR fueron presentados en contexto extracurricular? Han sido seguidas las orientaciones del protocolo de Cochrane. La selección de los artículos ha sido hecha por dos investigadores independientes, con valor de Kappa de Cohen de 81%. Resultados y discusión: Han sido seleccionados veintisiete artículos, trece de los cuales han sido relatados con elevada puntuación. La mayoría de las intervenciones han sido hechas en los EEUU, en programas extracurriculares para la comunidad, con una duración superior a nueve sesiones, encabezadas por staff de la escuela prepararon actividades físicas para jóvenes de comunidades desfavorecidas. Los estudios relatados apelaron, en su mayoría, a metodologías cualitativas. Algunos errores han sido detectados como la falta de sistematización de los métodos, la falta de validez y fiabilidad. Han sido encontrados beneficios personales y sociales. Otros resultados han sido agrupados en liderazgo, relaciones entre staff y jóvenes, valores, transferencia e impacto en la vida de las personas. Se recomienda que estudios futuros en el contexto extracurricular se extendan a otros países, con descripciones más detalladas de los métodos utilizados y exactos. RESUMO Contexto: Há mais de três décadas, o Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) tem sido estudado e implementado, através da atividade física, em diferentes contextos. No entanto, não há nenhuma revisão sistematizada na literatura em contexto extracurricular. Propósito: Conduzir uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre intervenções extracurriculares baseadas no modelo TPSR. Métodos: As perguntas de pesquisa que conduziram este estudo foram: quais as conclusões relacionadas à implementação do TPSR em contextos extracurriculares? Que metodologias de investigação têm sido utilizadas para examinar o TPSR em contextos extracurriculares? Que resultados relacionados com o TPSR foram reportados em contextos extracurriculares? Foram seguidas as orientações do protocolo de Cochrane. A seleção dos artigos foi feita por dois pesquisadores independentes, com valor de Kappa de Cohen de 81%. Resultados e discussão: Foram selecionados vinte e sete artigos, treze dos quais foram relatados com elevada pontuação. A maioria das intervenções foi realizada nos EUA, em programas extracurriculares para a comunidade, com uma duração superior a nove sessões, lideradas por staff da escola que preparou atividades físicas para jovens de comunidades desfavorecidas. Os estudos relatados recorreram, na sua maioria, a metodologias qualitativas. Algumas lacunas foram detetadas como a falta de sistematização dos métodos, a falta de validade e confiabilidade. Foram encontrados benefícios pessoais e sociais. Outros resultados foram agrupados em liderança, relacionamento entre staff e jovens, valores, transferência e impacto na vida pessoal. Recomenda-se que estudos futuros no contexto extracurricular se estendam para outros países, com descrições mais detalhadas dos métodos usados e precisos.

The objectives of this study were the physical and chemical characterization of Portuguese industrial hemp and the assessment of its suitability to produce kraft pulp. A comparison was established with a reference eucalyptus pulp, obtained by the same chemical process. Handmade paper sheets were prepared in the laboratory using hemp pulp, eucalyptus pulp and a blend of both fibres in order to compare final paper properties. The unbleached pulp was produced by batch kraft cooking (NaOH + Na2S) and the evaluation of pulp bleachability was carried out under a D0E0D1E1D2 sequence. The physical properties of laboratory papers prepared with different compositions (100% hemp, 100% eucalyptus, hemp/eucalyptus 50:50) were assessed according to International Standards. Hemp fibres present two fractions, bast and core (33% and 67% of the total stem mass, respectively) with distinct biometric characteristics and cell composition. The hemp plant allowed cooking yield overlapping the wood reference, with lesser uncooked fractions. The pulp exhibited a good bleachability, even better than the reference. Hemp plant allowed a pulp with a higher gain of brightness and lower loss of intrinsic viscosity than eucalyptus. Hemp pulp also showed a better beatability, superiority in tearing resistance and a lower air permeability. The paper sheets obtained with the hemp/ eucalyptus mixture showed interesting properties, which predicts a suitable combination of these two raw materials for papermaking. The authors wish to thank the laboratorial work developed by the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Degree students under the authors’ coordination, namely Afsar Ali, Luís Martins, Maria João Almeida, Rute Almeida and Soraia Henriques. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak was a public health emergency of international concern which eventually evolved into a pandemic. Nigeria was locked down in March, 2020 as the country battled to contain the spread of the disease. By August 2020, phase-by-phase easing of the lockdown was commenced and university students will soon return for academic activities. This study undertakes some epidemiological analysis of the Nigerian COVID-19 data to help the government and university administrators make informed decisions on the safety of personnel and students.The COVID-19 data on confirmed cases, deaths, and recovered were obtained from the website of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from April 2, 2020 to August 24, 2020. The infection rate, prevalence, ratio, cause-specific death rate, and case recovery rate were used to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of the pandemic in Nigeria. Exponential smoothing was adopted in modeling the time series data and forecasting the pandemic in Nigeria up to January 31, 2021.The results indicated that the pandemic had infection rate of at most 3 infections per 1 million per day from April to August 2020. The death rate was 5 persons per 1 million during the period of study while recovery rate was 747 persons per 1000 infections. Analysis of forecast data showed steady but gradual decrease in the daily infection rate and death rate and substantial increase in the recovery rate, 975 recoveries per 1000 infections.In general, the epidemiological attributes of the pandemic from the original data and the forecast data indicated optimism in the decrease in the rate of infection and death in the future. Moreover, the infection rate, prevalence and death rate in January 2021 coincided with the predictions based on the analysis. Therefore, the Nigerian government is encouraged to allow universities in the country to reopen while university administrators set up the necessary protocols for strict adherence to safety measures.