Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century

Americans have long recognized that investments in public education contribute to the common good, enhancing national prosperity and supporting stable families, neighborhoods, and communities. Education is even more critical today, in the face of economic, environmental, and social challenges. Today's children can meet future challenges if their schooling and informal learning activities prepare them for adult roles as citizens, employees, managers, parents, volunteers, and entrepreneurs. To achieve their full potential as adults, young people need to develop a range of skills and knowledge that facilitate mastery and application of English, mathematics, and other school subjects. At the same time, business and political leaders are increasingly asking schools to develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management - often referred to as "21st century skills. " Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century describes this important set of key skills that increase deeper learning, college and career readiness, student-centered learning, and higher order thinking. These labels include both cognitive and non-cognitive skills- such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, effective communication, motivation, persistence, and learning to learn. 21st century skills also include creativity, innovation, and ethics that are important to later success and may be developed in formal or informal learning environments. This report also describes how these skills relate to each other and to more traditional academic skills and content in the key disciplines of reading, mathematics, and science. Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century summarizes the findings of the research that investigates the importance of such skills to success in education, work, and other areas of adult responsibility and that demonstrates the importance of developing these skills in K-16 education. In this report, features related to learning these skills are identified, which include teacher professional development, curriculum, assessment, after-school and out-of-school programs, and informal learning centers such as exhibits and museums.
Production of high-antioxidant yoghurt using phycocyanin from microalgae Spirulina sp

Yoghurt is a functional food product widely used to improve the digestive system in the body. Yoghurt fermentation usually uses lactic acid bacteria from the Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus casei. Phycocyanin has been used as a natural dye for food, cosmetics, and medicine. Phycocyanin is a complex protein that can be an anticancer, antioxidant, and immunity booster. In this study, the effect of the number of additions of phycocyanin, storage time, and time of addition of phycocyanin to the antioxidant activity, protein, and organoleptic properties of the yoghurt produced. In this study, cow milk was pasteurized and fermented to become a yoghurt. Afterwards, phycocyanine was added to the yoghurt before being stored and analyzed. Spectrophotometric analysis was utilized to determine the antioxidant activity and protein content. An organoleptic test using a Likert scale was conducted to determine the product's suitability to consumer tastes. Increased phycocyanin concentrations were added (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 wt. %), resulting in a decrease in IC50 value of 8855.53, 5843.371, and 4147.548 ppm, which shows an increase in antioxidant activity. At the level of consumer preference in terms of taste, the most preferred is a concentration of 0.5 wt. %, while in terms of colour and aroma, at a concentration of 0.25 wt. %. While the longer the storage time (1, 3, and 5 days), the increase in IC50 value of 2777.111, 5179.547, and 5916.884 ppm, and there was a decrease in protein content in the sample. For the level of consumer preferences in terms of taste and aroma, the most preferred is variable with a storage time of 1 day, and in terms of colour, the most preferred at five days storage. The IC50 value in the variable with the addition of phycocyanin after fermentation is less than the addition after fermentation, which is 5351.865 ± 1606 and 3897.162 ± 1678 ppm. The protein content is higher when adding phycocyanin before fermentation. While yoghurt with the addition phycocyanin before fermentation showed higer consumer preference in terms of taste and aroma. In contrast, the addition of phycocyanin after fermentation is preferred in terms of colour.
On genotype-phenotype relationship of dystrophinopathies among Iranian population

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are inherited X-linked disorders resulting from alterations in the dystrophin gene. Genotype-phenotype matching studies have revealed a link between disease severity, the amount of muscle dystrophin, and the extent of mutation/deletion on the dystrophin gene. This study aimed to assess the relationship between genetic alterations in the dystrophin gene and the clinical status of patients with dystrophinopathies among the Iranian population. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 54 patients with muscle weakness caused by abnormalities in the dystrophin gene at a hospital affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, in 2021. The participants’ demographic information, including age, family history of muscle dystrophies, and family history of other medical diseases as well as the type of muscular dystrophy were recorded. Furthermore, the number and region of deleted exons based on dystrophy types were also evaluated using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). The patients’ gaits were also assessed as using a wheelchair, the presence of waddling gaits, or toe gaits. The patients’ clinical status and the coexistence of pulmonary, bulbar, and mental conditions were also examined and compared between the two groups of dystrophinopathies. Results: In this study, 54 patients with dystrophinopathy with the mean age of 16.63 ± 12.10 years were evaluated, of whom 22 (40.7%) and 30 (55.6%) patients were classified as BMD and DMD, respectively. The most affected regions with deleted exons were exons 45-47 (n = 5) and 45-48 (n = 4) in patients with BMD, while exons 45, 48-52, 51-55, and 53 (2 cases per exon) were the most common affected exons in patients with DMD. Further analyses revealed that deletions in exons 45-47 and 51-55 were significantly associated with older and younger ages at the onset of becoming wheelchair-bound in patients with dystrophy, respectively. The hotspot range in both BMD and DMD was within exons 45-55 (n = 15 for each group); 63% of the patients had alterations on the dystrophin gene within this range [30 patients (68.18%) in the BMD group, 15 patients (53.57%) in the DMD group]. Conclusion: Exon deletion was the most common genetic alteration in patients with dystrophinopathies. No significant difference was observed between DMD and BMD regarding the number of deleted exons. Deletions in exons 45-47 and 51-55 were linked to later and earlier onset of becoming wheelchair-bound, respectively.
Demographic and clinical profiles of female patients diagnosed with breast cancer in Iraq

Objective To highlight the main demographic characteristics and clinical profiles of female patients registered with breast cancer in Iraq; focusing on the impact of age.Methods This retrospective study enrolled 1172 female patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer at the Main Center for Early Detection of Breast Cancer/Medical City Teaching Hospital in Baghdad. Data were extracted from an established information system, developed by the principal author under supervision of WHO, that was based on valid clinical records of Iraqi patients affected by breast cancer. The recorded information regarding clinical examination comprised positive palpable lumps, bloody nipple discharge, skin changes, bilateral breast involvement, tumor size, lymph node status, and the stage of the disease.Results The mean age at the presentation was 51 years; patients under the age of 50 constituted 46.8%. Overall 9.8% were not married, 22.4% were illiterate whereas 19.2% graduated from universities. About 72% of the patients had more than two children, merely 7.5% delivered their first child after the age of 35 years and only 11% were nulliparous. History of lactation and hormonal therapy was recorded in 57.6% and 19.4% respectively. Family history of cancer was positive in 28.8% and breast cancer specifically in 18.7%. Clinically, the most common presenting symptom was breast lumps (95%) followed by skin changes/ulcerations (6.7%) and bloody nipple discharge (4.3%). Bilateral breast involvement was encountered in 4.7%. More than two-thirds of the patients (68.2%) had palpable axillary lymph nodes; classifying 40.5% into advanced stages III and IV. In general stages Iâ€“IV comprised 12%, 47.5%, 31.9%, and 8.6% respectively. Upon stratifying the studied sample with respect to age at diagnosis, it was observed that the frequency of unmarried patients was significantly higher among younger women under the age of 50 years, whereas illiteracy and nulliparity features were statistically lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion A considerable proportion of breast cancer patients in Iraq still present with locally advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. That justifies the necessity to promote public awareness educational campaigns to strengthen our national early detection program. Excluding the marital status, level of education and number of parity, there was no statistical difference regarding the impact of age on the demographic and clinical profiles of breast cancer among premenopausal versus postmenopausal Iraqi patients.
Efficacy of pantoprazole plus perforation repair for peptic ulcer and its effect on the stress response

BACKGROUND Peptic ulcer (PU) is an abnormal phenomenon in which there is rupture of the mucosa of the digestive tract, which not only affects patients' normal life but also causes an economic burden due to its high medical costs. AIM To investigate the efficacy of pantoprazole (PPZ) plus perforation repair in patients with PU and its effect on the stress response. METHODS The study subjects were 108 PU patients admitted between July 2018 and July 2022, including 58 patients receiving PPZ plus perforation repair [research group (RG)] and 50 patients given simple perforation repair [control group (CG)]. The efficacy, somatostatin (SS) concentration, stress reaction [malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxide (LPO)], inflammatory indices [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β], recurrence, and complications (perforation, hemorrhage, and pyloric obstruction) were compared. RESULTS The overall response rate was higher in the RG than in the CG. Patients in the RG had markedly elevated SS after treatment, which was higher than that of the CG, while MDA, LPO, TNF-, CRP, and IL-1β were significantly reduced to lower levels than those in the CG. Lower recurrence and complication rates were identified in the RG group. CONCLUSION Therefore, PPZ plus perforation repair is conducive to enhancing treatment outcomes in PU patients, reducing oxidative stress injury and excessive inflammatory reactions, and contributing to low recurrence and complication rates.
The Relationship of Hedonic Hunger and Night-Eating Symptoms with Difficulties in Emotion Regulation in Young Adults

Purpose. This study aimed to examine the association between hedonic hunger and night-eating syndrome (NES) with difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) among young adults. Design and Methods. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on a voluntary basis at a private foundation university, involving a total of 1010 students enrolled in the 2020-2021 academic year. Data were collected through an online application of an information form, which assessed demographic characteristics, the Power of Food Scale (PFS), the Night-Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-16). The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS26® software. Findings. Women made up 80.4% of the students in the study. The mean age was 21.58 ± 2.98 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.06 ± 3.71 kg/m2. The results indicated that 68.1% of the students reported hedonic hunger and 88.7% had NES. Moreover, DER was found to be more prevalent among women (p=0.031). In addition, the DERS-16 score increased by 6.5% (p=0.040) with each increase in age and by 6.8% (p=0.031) with each increase in BMI. Furthermore, the total PFS score increased by 32.5% (p<0.001), and the total NEQ score increased by 22.4% (p<0.001), corresponding to an increase in the total DERS-16 score. Practice Implications. These findings suggest that an increase in the difficulties experienced in emotion regulation is associated with higher levels of hedonic hunger and night-eating tendencies among young adults.
Investigating the Effect of Tailored Educational Program Based on Protection Motivation Theory on Mammography Adherence in Iranian Women

Background: The early diagnosis of breast cancer through mammography is effective in reducing death. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of an educational program based on the protection motivation theory (PMT) on mammography adherence among women in Yazd, Iran. Methods: In this experimental study, 144 women referring to the clinic were randomly assigned to test and control groups. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire with 56 items and 8 dimensions. The educational program was held in the form of 6 sessions for the test group, which included PMT–based essays, infographics, and videos. The 12-week follow-up period continued as telephone consultation, and then the data were collected and analyzed by SPSS software version 21 with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The results showed that in the pre-training phase, the Mann-Whitney U statistical test did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups of women in terms of the mean mammography intention score (Z=2523.000, P value=0.775). Based on the results of the Wilcoxon test before and after the intervention, the protection motivation of women for mammography for the next month showed a significant difference in the test group. Furthermore, none of the women in the two groups were referred for mammography three months after the implementation of the training. In addition, the McNemar test results did not indicate a significant difference regarding mammography behavior in the two groups before and after the educational intervention. Conclusion: According to the results, the protection motivation of the majority of the women in the test group was in the stages of possible and definitive referral for mammography after the educational intervention, which indicates the effectiveness of the tailored educational program. In this study, all the constructs of the PMT act as interconnected building blocks with logical action and interaction to promote mammography adherence in women in Yazd.
Effects of Sodium Alginate on the Physical Properties and Storage Stability of Freeze-Dried Tofu Coagulated with Crab Shell Extract

The amount of processed by-products such as crab shells is increasing, but industrial utilization is insufficient. In our previous study, crab shell extract (CSE) acted as a coagulant for tofu manufacturing. This study aimed to reduce freeze-dried (FD) tofu breakdown by improving its physical properties through adding sodium alginate (SA). FD state in tofu helps increase storage and availability, but FD tofu frequently fractures during processing, which is a concern for manufacturers. Tofu samples were prepared with either crab shell extract (CSE) or MgCl2, and SA, and freeze-dried. In the yields of FD tofu samples, there were no significant differences (p < 0.05). The brokenness of FD tofu samples was lower in CSE than in MgCl2 and was significantly reduced by SA in both tofu samples, which was affected by hardness. The water-holding capacity decreased after freeze-drying, and CSE reduced this decrease, regardless of SA addition. The microstructures differed depending on the coagulant and were dense upon SA addition. The FD tofu was packed into a multilayer film and stored at 25 °C or 45 °C for 6 months to investigate storage stability. During the storage, brokenness was unchanged in all tofu samples, indicating that they maintained their original structure. There were no significant differences in the volatile base nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid values according to the coagulant type and SA addition (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SA reduced FD tofu breakdown by improving the network structure, which may help increase FD tofu quality and decrease economic loss.
Urea/Creatinine Ratio’s Correlation with Creatine Kinase Normalization in Pediatric COVID-19 Patients with Myositis: Evaluating Prognostic and Predictive Value

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been chiefly linked with substantial respiratory complications. However, emerging studies have brought attention to the occurrence of severe muscle inflammation (myositis) related to COVID-19, potentially leading to multi-organ failure and increased mortality. Myositis is generally characterized by heightened serum creatine kinase (CK) levels. Acute myositis is characterized by an infiltration of viruses into calf muscle fibers, which may cause a subsequent inflammatory response leading to calf muscle pain. Symptomatic and supportive management, along with explanation and reassurance, is all that is required in managing this condition. While the association between myositis and severe outcomes has been recognized in adults, it remains less understood in the pediatric population. The current retrospective study, conducted at Policlinico San Marco University Hospital in Catania, aimed to analyze clinical and laboratory factors associated with myositis in pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Between January 2022 and January 2023, ten pediatric patients diagnosed with myositis and SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated. The study highlighted clinical manifestations such as fever, calf muscle pain, and abnormal gait. Lab results showed elevated CK levels among other findings. All patients underwent treatment, with the majority recovering without complications. A notable correlation was observed between CK levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the urea/creatinine ratio (UCR). The study also discusses potential pathophysiological mechanisms behind SARS-CoV-2’s impact on skeletal muscles, emphasizing an indirect inflammatory response. Our findings underscore that while myositis in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to follow a benign and self-limiting trajectory, it is crucial to monitor specific markers for early intervention and management. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and improve clinical outcomes.
An Ultrahigh Step-Up Nonisolated Interleaved Converter With Low Input Current Ripple

In this paper, a new topology to achieve ultrahigh step-up voltage conversion ratio and very low input current ripple is introduced for nonisolated high-power applications by using interleaved structure combined with coupled inductors (CIs) and switched capacitors. Using voltage lift capacitors in this topology not only recycles the energy related to leakage inductance of CIs and alleviates the voltage spike across the power switches but also increases the voltage gain of the converter. Moreover, utilizing CI structure provides zero-current switching (ZCS) turn-on condition for power switches and reducing the diodes reverses recovery losses and also improves the voltage gain of the converter. Using the interleaved structure in the low-voltage side noticeably decreases the input current ripple and current stress through magnetic elements. In addition, utilizing the voltage multiplier cell structure in the high-voltage side provides a high-voltage gain. The voltage stress across the power switches is considerably lower than the output voltage. Hence, the low-voltage-rated switches can be employed. Based on the mentioned advantages, the efficiency of this implementation is improved significantly. Finally, to validate the performance of the proposed converter, a 600-W, 24-V/520-V prototype circuit is implemented.
Financing Moroccan SMES: Analysis of the influencing factors and the crucial role of the government guarantee scheme

This study uses a quantitative approach to examine the determinants of SME financing in Morocco. The sample consists of 500 Moroccan SMEs that have submitted applications for bank finance, with their applications being assessed for a possible government credit guarantee. The sample includes companies that obtained state-guaranteed bank financing, those whose applications were rejected but that obtained other financing, and those that did not obtain financing, all evaluated in the year following the application. The analysis is based on nominal logistic regression to examine the interactions between different variables, including the amount of credit requested, profitability, debt level, repayment capacity, size, managerial shareholding, decision-making maturity, and the presence of a government credit guarantee. Following careful collection and analysis of the data, a number of results were drawn. In particular, it emerged that high profitability, solid repayment capacity, a minimum size requirement, an appropriate level of debt, high decision-making maturity and the presence of a government credit guarantee are significant factors that increase the likelihood of obtaining financing. On the other hand, the amount of credit requested and the manager’s shareholding did not show any significant impact on the probability of obtaining financing.
Edible plants of tropical forests among tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, Baiga and Gond tribes are identified as the main collectors and users of forest resources among the forest dwellers. These non-wood forest products (NTFPs) have immense potential to meet the daily requirement of tribal communities and also a source of raw material supply to small pharmaceutical industries. The forest resources of Baiga dominated forest areas of Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh contribute more than 60 % of their annual income. Baiga communities collect the maximum forest resources for their subsistence among forest dwelling communities in the world. Many people living in and around forests are unaware of the potential of these resources for income generation because they lack access to information on processing possibilities. Local people and institutional stakeholders resulting into depletion of resources in natural forests ignore sustainable harvesting of forest resources. An attempt has been made to assess the status of economically important utilizable forest resources in their natural habitats of tropical forests of tropical forests of Dindori and Mandla districts.