Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers’ Perceptions towards Promoting Intercultural Communicative Competence in the EFL Classroom

In language teaching, linguistic competence has typically been the main curricular focus. However, in this era of globalization, in which people from all over the world are interconnected, simply equipping learners with linguistic competence may not be sufficient. In addition, the effectiveness and appropriateness of communication play important roles in language learning. As a result, promoting intercultural communicative competence in the language classroom has become of interest to many scholars. This study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of EFL teachers towards promoting intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in EFL classes, and the strategies they use to promote ICC. The participants of the study included seven Thai teachers from an English for Workplace Communication course at KMUTT. The qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews was analyzed using Deardorff’s ICC framework (2006). The findings revealed that most of the teachers perceived ICC as the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from different cultures, and the ability to be aware of cultural diversity. Desired external outcome, skills, knowledge and requisite attitude towards cultural differences are the aspects of ICCthat teachers have typically focused upon. Nonetheless, teachers have different perceptions towards culture, and as such their respective understandings of ICC vary slightly. The preferred strategies that most of the teachers used to promote ICC are anecdotes from the teachers’ direct experience, asking students to read and discuss, and student role-play. Role-play is the most effective way to promote ICC, in the teachers’ opinion.
Regional Trends of Sandstone Porosity Versus Vitrinite Reflectance—A Preliminary Framework

Abstract The porosity of sandstones is commonly observed to decrease during burial. Such decrease is frequently treated as a function of burial depth, but depth is a position coordinate that may not reflect the time-temperature history by which all subsurface processes are influenced. An alternative approach that is adapted in this study is to consider porosity decrease during burial as a function of thermal maturity. Such an approach links porosity evolution in the subsurface and the maturation of kerogen and petroleum, in that the vitrinite-reflectance measurements used to define porosity trends can also be used to characterize petroleum generation and destruction. Trends of porosity versus vitrinite reflectance (Rm) of the form f=ARmB (where B is a negative number), characterizing both typical and highest sandstone porosities, are derived from 131 measurement suites incorporating 4,353 individual porosity measurements. Diverse sandstone facies and geologic settings are represented, and the data span a maturity range of Rm=0.25-1.7%. The porosity-Rm data form trends which are projected to maturities as high as Rm=7% in order to speculate upon the distribution of sandstone porosities in the very deep (mature) portions of sedimentary basins.
Phenology modelling and forecasting in olive (Olea europaea L.) using artificial neural networks.

The phenological behaviour of seven olive cultivars from south and central Italy was studied in the environment of inland Tuscany. The potential use of artificial neural networks (ANN) in olive phenology modelling was investigated. A backpropagation neural network was trained and tested for predicting the date of occurrence of defined olive phenophases in inland Tuscany. The network was fitted using meteorological data by ten-day periods as inputs and phenological event dates as outputs. The model tested was also used to predict the responses of olive phenology to future hypothetical climate change by simulating alterations in temperature and light conditions.
Body size, race, and beauty in sport

This study investigated the attitudes of female university rugby and netball players toward their bodies, specifically their perceptions of size, race, and beauty. The sports were chosen because of their respective masculine and feminine images, historically. The study used a qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of eight players from the women’s rugby and netball teams at a university in the north-east of England. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: inclusivity, discrimination, and the promotion of inclusiveness. Almost all participants reported negative body image, especially outside the sporting environment. However, most participants emphasised a positive outlook on their bodies in society and on the utilisation of their unique bodies to better serve their purposes in the sports they play. The study’s findings emphasise the need to foster inclusivity of body types and races in sporting environments and in the rest of society.
Influence of Central and East ENSO on precipitation and its extreme events in South America during austral autumn and winter

It is known that the El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) episodes have a great influence on South American precipitation and its extreme events during austral autumn (from March until May, MAM) and winter (from June until August, JJA) that occur after the ENSO peak (normally this happens on austral summer). Recent papers have studied the two types of ENSO and their influence on atmosphere–ocean system. This study analysed the influence of Central and East equatorial Pacific ENSO on South American seasonal/monthly mean precipitation and its extreme events during MAM and JJA. The composites of precipitation anomalies, during these two types of ENSO, show that there are different, even opposite patterns over South America. In MAM, there is an increased precipitation in southeastern South America and a decrease in the northeast South America during East El Niño (EEN) and an increased precipitation in central Brazil during Central El Niño (CEN). In JJA, the signs of anomaly precipitation are opposite between CEN (less precipitation) and EEN (more precipitation) over southeastern South America. The extreme precipitation events show patterns consistent with the precipitation anomaly patterns, but, normally, the changes in the frequency of extremes precipitation events affect more extensive areas than the total precipitation. If monthly or seasonal atmospheric anomalies in a certain region during one of the types of ENSO are similar (opposite) to the atmospheric anomalies associated with extreme precipitation events in this region, then there is enhancement (suppression) of the frequency of extreme events in this region during this type of ENSO.
A novel robot-assisted knee arthroplasty system (ROSA) and 1-year outcome: A single center experience

Background: Total knee arthroplasty is a successful procedure in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Searches in surgical technique have focused surgeons in particular on implant alignment. For this purpose, the use of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty has become increasingly common in the last 10 years. Methods: A total of 46 patients (66 knees) who were operated for knee osteoarthritis with Robotic Surgical Assistant (ROSA, Zimmer-Biomet, Warshaw, Indiana, USA) between 2021 and 2023 were included in the study. Preoperative planning and intraoperative incision time, total surgical time, range of motion and follow-up time recorded. Oxford knee scores and knee society scores (KSS) of the patients were compared before and after surgery. At the last follow-up Forgotten Joint Score and the sagittal and coronal plane alignments were evaluated. Results: Preoperative mean Oxford score of the right knee of the patients was 18.5 ± 3.2, post-surgery mean Oxford score progressed to 43.5 ± 2.2. While the preoperative left knee Oxford score of the patients was 16.9 ± 2.3, the mean left knee Oxford score improved to 43.4 ± 2.2 postoperatively. The mean KSS score of the patients’ right knee preoperatively was 49.7 ± 3.5, and progressed to 89.2 ± 4.7 postoperatively. While the preoperative mean left knee KSS score of the patients was 46.5 ± 4.3, the mean KSS score improved to 89.8 ± 3.2 postoperatively. The mean Forgotten Joint Score of the left knee at the last follow-up of the patients was 77.4 ± 3.8, while the mean Forgotten Joint Score of the right knee was 75.4 ± 5.9. Conclusion: The results of ROSA-supported knee arthroplasty found to be functionally successful.
The theory and practice of prevention, forecast and warning on cyanobacteria bloom in Lake Taihu

The present article described the importance of prevention, forecast and warning of cyanobacteria bloom. The recent progresses of formation and forecast of cyanobacteria bloom were reviewed. Based on the theory of "four phases of cyanobacteria bloom development" and the temporal and spatial distribution of cyanobacteria overwintering, recruitment and bloom formation in Lake Taihu, the processes of cyanobacteria blooms and the dominant ecological factors during their development phases were studied. Field observations and laboratory simulating studies were performed to investigate horizontal distribution and life characteristics during the overwintering period. The threshold temperature for the recruitment of cyanobacteria was about 9℃ in the field research. It was found that there was a positive relationship between effective accumulated temperatures and recruitment biomass of cyanobacteria. By the methods of frequency of dividing cells, the calculation of the growth rates in situ showed that the growth rates of Microcystis were from 0.2 to 0.4. The dynamics of vertical distribution of cyanobacteria in the transport process between different lake areas were investigated under different meteorological conditions, and the results supported the viewpoint that bloom formation is a shift in the vertical positioning of the cyanobacteria biomass which previously distributed through the water column, since the coefficients of variation of the vertical cyanobacteria distribution at different depths were negatively related to wind speeds. On the basis of the establishment of key factors and their thresholds of bloom formation, the bloom forecast model and flow chart of cyanobacteria bloom forecast and warning were established. The bloom forecasts in 2007, 2008 and analysis of bloom trends of 2008 were implemented. The retrospective assessment of the forecast showed that it is possible to forecast the probability, location and extent of cyanobacteria bloom. The future research directions were also suggested.
Raman/EDFA Hybrid System to Enhance the Optical Signal in the Optical Network

In this paper, a hybrid optical signal amplification system that includes Raman scattering and Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) was simulated to take advantage of the amplification properties of the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber network that connects the first and third campuses of the University of Mosul. The two types of optical signal amplifiers were studied individually and together, and the effect was observed in each case on the optical signal parameters such as the Q-factor, noise figure, signal-to-noise ratio, and gain. Optisystem ver.7. 0 software was used to simulate the proposed system. The results showed that the Raman scattering and EDFA hybrid systems functioned effectively. The output signal power level is higher than the input signal power level that increased from (16 microwatts) to (83 mill watts). For each frequency, the gain is positive and the noise figure is relatively high. Although, this indicates that some noise introduced into the system. The output signal to noise ratio (OSNR) is high (55 dB). Moreover, the system is still able to maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio. The obtained results showed that the Raman scattering and EDFA hybrid system is a worthwhile technique for amplifying optical signals for the optical network connecting the first and third campuses of the University of Mosul.
Scoping the Mediating Role of Corporate Governance on the Relationship Between Sustainability and Financial Performance of Firms

Corporate sustainability is becoming pervasive, resulting in the intertwining of governance mechanisms at the organizational level, which is ultimately responsible for sustainability and the financial performance of firms. The objective of this study is to systematically document the extent to which various corporate governance mechanisms mediate the relationship between sustainability and the financial performance of firms. Following a scoping review approach, this paper analyzes a final sample of 91 studies for the period 2016–2022. Drawing from the cluster analysis technique, this paper identifies three focus areas: 1) board-level governance, 2) operational-level governance, and 3) assurance-level governance. The results suggest that these governance mechanisms have become increasingly significant for firm performance. In addition to consolidating the existing knowledge and frameworks in which governance and sustainability research intersect, the findings yield policy implications for firms seeking to integrate sustainability into their operations. This study contributes to the literature by being the first of its kind to systematically document the mediating role of governance on the relationship between sustainability and the financial performance of firms. It concludes that though existing literature provides a good overview of emerging governance strategies in relation to firm performance, there is a need for more deductive evidence in the literature.
Clinical study of a steel cable fixation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury

Background: In order to overcome the shortcomings of common surgical fixation methods for Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis (DTS) injuries, which include the inability to exercise early, significant surgical trauma, and the risk of loosening and breakage of implants, we have designed and implemented a new technique using steel cable fixation to treat DTS injuries. Methods: Twenty-six patients treated with steel cable fixation for DTS injury between March 2013 and March 2019 in the Second Hospital of Tangshan City trauma department were followed up to monitor the efficacy of treatment. There were 16 males and 10 females between the ages of 19 and 64, with a mean age of 41.81 ± 9.54 years. All patients were examined by X-ray and CT for 3 days before and after surgery. The patients were then reexamined by X-ray 6 and 9 weeks postoperatively, and by CT 1 year later. The treatment results were evaluated by comparing the distal tibiofibular anterior, middle, and posterior gap changes and the Baird-Jackson score. Results: The 26 patients attained good postoperative repositioning, with a fracture healing time of 2.5 to 3 months. and the Baird-Jackson score was 96 ± 2.78. After surgery, the DTS gaps observed in the CT scans taken 3 days and 1 year postoperatively in all patients were significantly reduced compared to the preoperative measurements, with statistical significance (P < .05). However, when comparing the CT scans taken 1 year postoperatively to those at 3 days postoperatively, there was no significant change in the anterior gap. The middle and posterior gaps of DTS showed a slight increase with statistical significance (P < .05), but all measurements remained within the normal range Conclusion: Steel cable fixation for DTS injury has the advantages of reliable fixation, early functional exercise, and reduction in the number of operations, and no adverse effects or complications were found.
Optimal Tracking Performance of Networked Control Systems Under Communication Channel Noise

In networked control systems (NCSs), the network-induced delay, packet dropouts, noise and other constraints in the communication network will affect the optimal tracking performance (OTP) and even the system’s stability, which is also a problem that the NCSs approach must solve in practical applications. In this study, we primarily examine the OTP of NCSs that consider packet dropouts and nonzero mean additive white noise (AWN) constraints in communication networks. Based on the single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) controller and the two-degree-of-freedom (TDOF) controller, respectively, using the coprime factorization and Youla parameterization approach, the explicit expressions of the OTP limitation of the NCSs under the constraints of nonzero mean noise and packet dropouts are obtained. The results reveal that the intrinsic features of the plant and the communication parameters of the network channel will affect the OTP of the NCSs. Finally, the correctness of the theoretical results is verified by the simulation of a multi-input and multioutput plant and an inverted pendulum system.
Psychological impact of COVID-19 and determinants among Spanish university students

Background University students are a vulnerable population and faced a significant psychological impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of fear of COVID-19 among university students and to evaluate the possible relationship between fear of COVID-19 and socio-demographic, health-related determinants, variables related to the COVID-19 and variables related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between December 2020 and December 2021 on a sample of 950 university students from two universities in southern Spain. Participants completed a form that collected socio-demographic, health-related and COVID-related variables, a validated questionnaire related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear of COVID Scale (FCV-19S). Descriptive, inferential, and multivariable linear regression analyzes were conducted. Results The mean FCV-19S score was 14.86 ± 5.16 points. The factors identified as predictors of FCV-19S were being female (p < 0.001), holding religious beliefs (p = 0.04), living in towns with over 10,000 inhabitants (p < 0.01), living with someone vulnerable to COVID-19 (p = 0.02), watching TV to keep informed about COVID-19 (p < 0.01), believing in a low probability of surviving if infected with COVID-19 (p < 0.001), having a higher level of death anxiety (p < 0.001) and suffering from insomnia (p < 0.001). Conclusion An average fear of COVID-19 score of 14.86 ± 5.16 points has been found among university students in Spain. These findings can aid in identifying specific factors contributing to fear of COVID-19 and in developing coping strategies to alleviate the stress of the pandemic.
Sensitivity of Reference Crop Evapotranspiration to Changes in Meteorological Parameters (Case study: Sanandaj and Sabzevar)

In this study sensitivity of reference crop evapotranspiration (ET o) to the changes in meteorological parameters at two weather stations namely Sanandaj and Sabzevar were analyzed. For this purpose monthly data of meteorologica l parameters were used in the period 1964-2005. The amount of each meteorological parameter including mean air temperature, wind speed, actual vapor pressure and net radiation was changed in the range of ±20% and the corresponding change in ETo was calculated. This was accomplished either for the individual or for the combination of the parameters. Results showed that at both stations the maximum sensitivity of ETo belonged to Tmean, at both annual and monthly time scales. However, the less sensitive parameter in both time scales was actual vapor presuure. At the annual time scale, 20% increase in Tmean increased ETo for about 11.23% and 12.68% at Sanandaj and Sabzevar stations, respectively. However, 20% increase in ea decreased ETo for about 3.29% and 3.59% respectively at the same stations. At monthly time scale, Sanandaj ETo was less sensitive to weather parameters variations than that of Sabzevar station. In general, it could be concluded that at both stations the most influential parameter on ETo was the mean air temperature.
Stormflow generation in two headwater catchments in eastern Amazonia, Brazil

Throughout the tropics, and the Amazon region in particular, only a few experimental studies have identified the main hydrological pathways and response to storm events. This study identifies the hydrological response patterns and quantifies the main runoff generating processes for two headwater catchments in eastern Amazonia, an area of low relief. Over an 18 month study period, 245 and 55 rainfall–runoff events at the respective headwater catchments were analysed. The rainfall‐runoff regression lines for both catchments revealed a remarkably strong linear correlation between event rain total and runoff volume. The area contributing to stormflow was proven to be constant in extent at approximately 0·6% of the catchment and to coincide with the exact extent of the riparian wetland zone. The soils of the surrounding hillslopes were found to be highly permeable oxisols. Indications of secondary permeability due to the deep root system of the secondary vegetation were also found. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survey of waste management practices in cassava processing to gari in selected districts of Ghana

In the processing of cassava into gari, a significant amount of waste is generated. These include peels, fibrous materials, liquor and waste water. A lot of studies have been conducted with the objective to reduce drudgery and improve yields. These studies to introduce improved technology for gari processing often do not have a component for waste management. A survey was conducted in the selected areas to obtain information from gari producers on current waste management practices. The survey showed that the wastes generated were the cassava peels, fibrous material, chaff, wash water and liquor. The management of these wastes has been described with the aid of pictures.
A review of the morphological and mechanical properties of first-year sea ice ridges

A review of full-scale first-year sea ice ridges is presented with a special focus on the morphological and mechanical properties. Ridges from 1971 to present are described. The study area covers the Arctic Ocean, the Canadian and Russian Seas, the Barents Sea, the Baltic Sea and the fjords of Svalbard. The morphological properties (e.g. the sail height and the keel depth) of 204 ridges are listed. The morphology of a ridge is commonly specified by the keel-to-sail ratio, which is influenced by the shape of the ridge itself and the calculation method. Each of these calculation methods leads to much different results and interpretations. The correlation between the sail height and the keel depth was best characterized by a logarithmic relationship. A short statistical analysis revealed that the keel-to-sail ratios had a lognormal distribution. Finally, determining the strength of a first-year ice ridge is more difficult than level ice. It can be described by “localized” tests (confined and unconfined compressive tests, drop ball tests), where separate samples from the ridge are tested, or by “globalized” tests (direct shear tests, punch shear tests), where the resistance of the whole structure is tested. Very little data exist and are available, but a list of authors reporting such tests is given as well.