Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engaging EFL Learners in Reading: A Text-Driven Approach to Improve Reading Performance

Reading engagement is crucial to motivating EFL learners in reading classes. Recent research has attempted to explore the effect of affective engagement on reading comprehension, but there exists little empirical research regarding the effect of a text-driven approach to task design and development that draws on second language acquisition principles including both emotional and cognitive engagement. The current quasi-experimental study was conducted to investigate its effect on EFL learners’ reading comprehension. The study involved 62 Vietnamese EFL teenage learners (aged from 14 to16) from two intact classes at an English language center in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. One class with 31 learners was assigned to the experimental group whose reading lessons employed a text-driven framework for adapting tasks from a textbook used by the center. The other class, who followed reading activities provided in the textbook, was treated as the control group. Two reading comprehension tests, a pretest and a posttest, were administered before and after a 13-week intervention. The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group on the reading comprehension posttest. In interviews with selected learners, they also reported feeling more engaged and motivated to read.
Do the Board Characteristics influence the Firm Performance? An Experience with the Capital-Intensive Industries Listed in the Saudi Stock Exchange (TADAWUL)

The objective of the researchers in this article is to explore the relationship of board characteristics (board size, board meeting, number of board committees, board independence) on the firm performance (ROA & Tobin’s Q) in Saudi Capital-Intensive Industries for the data period of 2017-2020. Many researchers have tried to measure this relationship in earlier research papers, but the Capital-Intensive Industries have not been exclusively tested so far. This paper aims at filling this gap and measure the relationship of exclusive board characteristics and firm performance Capital Intensive Industries listed in Saudi Stock Exchange (TADAWUL). We find board size influences the firm performance in an opposite direction. On the other hand, board meeting influences the firm performance in a positive direction and both the results are statistically significant. The other board characteristics are not influencing the firm performance in this study. Additionally, the firm size is influencing the firm performance (positively with ROA and negatively with Tobin’s Q).
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 in the Release of Exosomes and Vascular Calcification

Vascular calcification (VC) is the pathological precipitation of calcium salts in the walls of blood vessels. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and their associated mortality. VC can be observed in a variety of cardiovascular diseases and is most prominent in diseases that are associated with dysregulated mineral homeostasis such as in chronic kidney disease. Local factors and mechanisms underlying VC are still incompletely understood, but it is appreciated that VC is a multifactorial process in which vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role. VSMCs participate in VC by releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs), the extent, composition, and propensity to calcify of which depend on VSMC phenotype and microenvironment. Currently, no targeted therapy is available to treat VC. In-depth knowledge of molecular players of EV release and the understanding of their mechanisms constitute a vital foundation for the design of pharmacological treatments to combat VC effectively. This review highlights our current knowledge of VSMCs in VC and focuses on the biogenesis of exosomes and the role of the neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2).
Limiting Factors and Environmental Adaptability for Staple Crops in Kazakhstan

Population growth increases the threat to global food security. Kazakhstan, a major agricultural nation, has made significant contributions to world food security; however, a wide gap exists between its food yield and that of other major crop-producing countries. Increasing food productivity in Kazakhstan through enhancing the utilization of natural endowments under existing cropland conditions would help alleviate global food pressure. Therefore, we elucidated the factors restricting Kazakhstan’s food productivity and proposed reasonable countermeasures. We analyzed the food production structure based on yearbooks. Correlation and stepwise regression were conducted on crop yield potential factors. The states of Kazakhstan were classified by hierarchical cluster and agronomic characteristics were evaluated using normalized scores. Wheat (60.3%), barley (14.9%), and potatoes (16%) are the main food crops produced in Kazakhstan. The ideal regional environment-based geographical crop configuration is “Northern—Wheat, Southern—Barley and Wheat, and Western—Potatoes. ” The key limiting factors of wheat yield are water shortage and soil alkalization, while for barley, it is soil alkalization. The current planting distribution in Kazakhstan is suboptimal. Water-saving irrigation and agricultural runoff, staple crop planting layout optimization, organic fertilizer promotion, drought-resistant crop variety cultivation, and agricultural technology training must be prioritized to overcome crop yield constraints in Kazakhstan.
The transition to grandparenthood: No consistent evidence for change in the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction

Intergenerational relations have received close attention in the context of population aging and increased childcare provision by grandparents. However, few studies have investigated the psychological consequences of becoming a grandparent. In a preregistered test of grandparenthood as a developmental task in middle and older adulthood, we used representative panel data from the Netherlands (N = 563) and the United States (N = 2210) to analyze first-time grandparents’ personality and life satisfaction development. We tested gender, employment, and grandchild care as moderators. To address confounding, we employed propensity score matching using two procedures: matching grandparents with parents and nonparents to achieve balance in different sets of carefully selected covariates. Multilevel models demonstrated mean-level stability of the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction over the transition to grandparenthood, and no consistent moderation effects—contrary to the social investment principle. The few small effects of grandparenthood on personality development did not replicate across samples. We found no evidence of larger inter-individual differences in change in grandparents compared to the controls or of lower rank-order stability. Our findings add to recent critical re-examinations of the social investment principle and are discussed in light of characteristics that might moderate grandparents’ personality development.
Insight into Paphiopedilum x Dalatense Aver. (Orchidaceae) origin based on morphological and molecular markers

Paphiopedilum callosum, Paphiopedilum villosum and Paphiopedilum ´ dalatense are endangered species and are currently listed as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 2019) Appendix I species. Thus, the international trade for these naturally occurring species is forbidden. However, the in vitro propagated materials and their inter-species hybrids forced by breeders can be traded for commercial purposes. P. ´ dalatense is an endemic slipper orchid species of Vietnam with high aesthetic value. Currently, the natural reserves of this species have been greatly reduced by overexploitation. In this study, P. ´ dalatense was demonstrated to be the reversible hybrid species between P. callosum and P. villosum based on both morphological and molecular markers. P. ´ dalatense possesses intermediate morphological characteristics between P. callosum and P. villosum which could be recorded in leaf, in flower and its components such as lip, petal, and dorsal sepal. There were 23 sites in ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 region sequence of P. ´ dalatense which possess the nucleotide characteristic of both P. callosum and P. villosum. There were two out of three P. ´ dalatense investigated samples possessed partial matK gene which was identical to the corresponding sequence in P. villosum and the last sample possessed identical partial matK gene to P. callosum. Proving P. ´ dalatense to be the reversible hybrid species between P. callosum and P. villosum is the essentially scientific base for commercial breeding of P. ´ dalatense by artificial hybridization which contributes to avoid overexploiting the natural P. ´ dalatense resources.
A Psychometric Pilot Study Examining the Functions of Suicidal Communications Using IRT and Factor Analysis

Background: Suicide prevention, an important public health issue, relies on suicidal communications to identify and intervene with those at risk. Scant research tests explicit theories of suicidal communication impeding applications to prevention science. The current study pilots a new measure assessing the functions of suicidal communications using factor analysis and item response theory. Methods: MTurk workers (n = 898) completed an anonymous survey. The original scale included 35 items refined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, bifactor modeling, and item response theory. Results: The initial EFA identified a two-correlated-factor solution. The two-correlated-factor and unidimensional models yielded a poor fit. A bifactor model yielded a borderline to acceptable fit. The final four items were identified using a bifactor model and item response theory graded response models capturing ambivalence resolution defined as behaviors aimed to aid in suicide decision making. The final model yielded an excellent fit: 𝝌2(2) = 1.81, CFI (1.00), TLI (1.00), RMSEA (0.00), and SRMR (0.01). Conclusions: There may be one function of suicidal communications. Disclosure may elicit connection and reasons for living that serve as barriers to suicide and resolve ambivalence. Key limitations include convenience sampling and limited validity measures. Future research should partner with participants to improve scale and theory development efforts.
Microinstability simulations for stellarators involving kinetic electrons and realistic profiles

In this work, linear simulation results obtained with the global particle-in-cell code EUTERPE are applied to plasmas with both adiabatic and kinetic electrons in a Wendelstein 7-X magnetic configuration. Special attention is paid to challenges arising from the need to design realistic and consistent gradient scans on realistic profiles used in global simulations. Results obtained in a pressure-preserving gradient scan performed with kinetic electrons suggest a strong impact of a finite density gradient on the growth of electron-driven instabilities below the ion-temperature-gradient stability limit. Power transfer diagnostics are used to identify the nature of the coexisting driving mechanisms.
Optimal Use of Perampanel in Elderly Asian Patients with Epilepsy: Expert Opinion

Abstract Managing epilepsy in the elderly remains complicated largely due to factors related to aging. In this population, management practices are increasingly shifting towards the use of newer-generation anti-seizure medications (ASMs) as they are generally associated with better tolerability and safety profiles than older ones. Perampanel is a new ASM with broad-spectrum efficacy and a favorable safety profile. However, because of the lack of information and experience in its use, the prescription of perampanel has not been optimized in the elderly in the real-world setting in Asia. A group of epilepsy experts across the region convened at a series of virtual meetings to share their experience and discuss recommendations on perampanel use in elderly patients, including dose optimization, considerations with treatment initiation, and strategies to manage adverse events and maximize tolerability. This article summarizes key clinical and real-world evidence for perampanel in the elderly and consolidates the experts’ opinions on optimizing perampanel use in elderly Asian patients with epilepsy, providing practical guidance for clinicians to address challenges related to treatment initiation and tolerance.
Detection of Oil in Seawater Based on the Fluorometric Index during the Winter Season in the Baltic Sea—The Case of the Gulf of Gdansk

This study is a continuation of analyses of the fluorometric index (FI), based on the fluorescence of substances of oil origin, as an indicator of oil in a seawater column. The effectiveness of the FI in the cold season (late autumn, winter and early spring) for the coastal water in the southern Baltic Sea was assessed. FI was tested for seawater polluted with a mixture of crude oils, lubricating oils and fuels. Laboratory analyses of oil–water systems for low (reaching the limit of detection) oil content in seawater were performed. The influences of the natural components of seawater that disrupt oil detection are discussed. The ability to detect oil in a seawater column regardless of the season was confirmed.
L2 Learners’ Understanding of Achievement Emotions and Emotion Regulation Strategies: Contributions of a Longitudinal Emotion Regulation Initiative

Developing L2 learners’ emotional balance through adaptive regulation is a significant determinant of successful learning. Despite the recent surge of interest in emotion regulation (ER) programs, research on L2 learners’ ER strategies is surprisingly underdeveloped. To address this gap, the current qualitative study explored ten L2 learners’ understanding of achievement emotions and ER strategies throughout a longitudinal ER-oriented training course. Data were collected from four rounds of semi-structured interviews and diaries at different junctures of time. Data analysis revealed that the most frequent ER strategies in the pre-training phase were distraction and suppression, which showed a gradual decrease in the post-training phases. However, the use of self-regulated learning strategies and reassurance had the lowest frequency, showing a great improvement during the post-training phases. Additionally, the students grew in regulating their emotions across four major areas: (a) sufficient perceived control over negative emotions in high-stakes situations, (b) use of explicit ER strategies, (c) efficient use of competency-oriented strategies, and (d) decreased distraction as a function of negative simulators. The study provides implications for employing ER-based training to transform students’ negative emotional experiences into positive emotions.
Holomorphic Line Bundles Over Domains in Cousin Groups and the Algebraic Dimension of Oeljeklaus-Toma Manifolds

Abstract In this paper we extend results due to Vogt on line bundles over Cousin groups to the case of domains stable by the maximal compact subgroup. This is used to show that the algebraic dimension of Oeljeklaus—Toma manifolds (OT-manifolds) is 0. In the last part we establish that certain Cousin groups, in particular those arising from the construction of OT-manifolds, have finite-dimensional irregularity.
A financial inclusion app and USSD service for farmers in rural Colombia

This study reports the implementation of a financial inclusion app for farmers in rural Colombia. Stemming from the triple helix initiative, this study aims to make public financing instruments more readily available to farmers. Through a design science research approach, the app was collaboratively conceived, designed, implemented, and evaluated. We provide this reflective design as a case study of how a combination of triple helix collaboration, design science, and agile software development contributes toward the creation of context-oriented artefacts. The app could potentially benefit rural farmers to obtain information regarding the credit access, which is traditionally delivered in face-to-face meetings with bank staff. The findings provided evidence of the benefits and ease of use of the app, including certain affordances and constraints that are perceived by farmers. Moreover, factors such as technology literacy, experience using information and communication technologies (ICT), trust in technology, age of farmers, and mediation suggest that we should consider both material features of technology and social determinants for adoption in case of designing ICTs for rural communities.
Sema4C Is Required for Vascular and Primary Motor Neuronal Patterning in Zebrafish

Endothelial cells (ECs) and neurons share a number of common signaling pathways and molecular mediators to orchestrate directional migration and guide the pattern of the vascular network and nervous system. So far, research concerning the functional coupling between vascular and neuronal pathfinding remains insufficient. Semaphorin4C (sema4C), a member of class 4 semaphorins, is initially described in the nervous system, whose role has been demonstrated in diverse biological developments. The present study focused on the role of sema4C in the vascular and neural development process in zebrafish embryos. It confirmed that sema4C is expressed in both the nervous system and intersegmental vessels (ISVs) in zebrafish embryos by diverse expression analysis. It also showed that the knockdown of sema4C caused a serious pathfinding anomaly both in the ISVs and primary motor neurons (PMNs) of zebrafish embryos. In addition, overexpressing exogenous sema4C mRNA in sema4C morphants remarkably neutralized the defective pattern of the vascular and neural system. Collectively, this report suggests that sema4C acts as a dual guiding factor regulating vascular and neuronal development. These findings elucidate a new molecular mechanism underlying blood vessel and nerve development and might serve as groundwork for future research on functional coupling between both systems.
Feminism and Counter-Trafficking: Exploring the Transformative Potential of Contemporary Feminism in Portugal

Focusing on the Portuguese case, this article explores the role of feminism in counter-trafficking. Through analysing feminist discourse on human trafficking, the article interrogates feminism's ability and its limitations in challenging or reinforcing some of the most controversial policy outcomes. The article argues that, due to a structural weakness within feminism itself and the profound institutionalisation of counter-trafficking, any possibility of challenging dominant discourses on trafficking remains a distant dream. Rather, counter-trafficking attempts ultimately help create a controversial neoliberal space that strains feminism's transformative potential while simultaneously strengthening bureaucratic state feminism.
Errors in Variables in Linear Systems

This paper extends the simple errors-in-variable bound to the setting of systems of equations. Both diagonal and nondiagonal measurement error covariance matrices are considered. In the nondiagonal case, the analogue of the simple errors-in-variable interval of estimates is an ellipsoid with diagonal equal to the line segment connecting t he direct least squares with a two-stage least-squares estimate. For the diagonal case, the set of estimates under some conditions must li e within the convex hull of 2k points. Copyright 1987 by The Econometric Society.
Mineralogical Properties of a Refractory Tantalum-Niobium Slag and the Effect of Roasting on the Leaching of Uranium-Thorium

In order to realize sustainable development, it is beneficial to explore an appropriate process to recover the radionuclides contained in tantalum-niobium slag. By micro-mineralogical analysis and roasting experiments, the effect of uranium-thorium leaching from a refractory tantalum-niobium slag is investigated. The uranium and thorium content in the slag is 2.26 × 103 mg/kg and 7.84 × 103 mg/kg, which have large recovery value. As the surface area and pore size of the slag are very small, the leaching agent cannot fully penetrate the particles. Various methods of characterization are used to analyze the mineralogical properties of roasted slag at different temperatures. The leaching ratio of U-Th is 90.84% and 96.62% at the optimum roasting temperature of 500 °C, which are about 39% and 27% higher than original samples. The oxidants Fe3+, O2 and Mn can also promote the conversion of insoluble U(IV) to soluble U(VI). Roasting reduces the content of organic C and S, thereby preventing reduction of U(VI), and increasing pore size as well as specific surface area also promote radionuclide leaching. Thus, the roasting method at 500 °C can destroy the surface wrapping structure of radionuclides, reduce the internal density of minerals, and improve uranium-thorium leaching ratio significantly. It is of great practical significance to reduce the radioactive hazard of waste tantalum-niobium slag and to strengthen the sustainable utilization of resources by suitable process improvement techniques.
Numerical Studies for the Rasch Model with Many Items

This paper is concerned with numerical studies on the theoretical results obtained in Strasser [1] and [2]. These papers provide asymptotic expansions for conditional expectations of non i.i. d. Bernoulli trials and their application to the covariance structure of conditional maximum likelihood estimates for the Rasch model. In the present paper systematic numerical studies of the accuracy of the approximations given in Strasser [1] and [2] are presented. It is shown that the order of approximation claimed by the theoretical results can be established numerically. (author's abstract)
Synthesis of Pyridine-Fused Siloles by Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Bis-Silylation

Silole derivatives are attracting significant attention as new functional materials with excellent electronic and photophysical properties. Thus, the development of synthesis methods to afford such derivatives is highly desirable. Herein, the synthesis of pyridine-fused siloles under the conditions of the Sonogashira coupling reaction is described. The reactions of 2-bromo-3-(pentamethyldisilanyl)pyridine (1) with ethynylbenzene derivatives in the presence of PdCl2(PPh3)2-CuI as a catalyst afforded the corresponding pyridine-fused siloles (2a–2c) through intramolecular trans-bis-silylation. DFT calculations were also performed to understand the reaction mechanism. This paper is the first to report on the successful use of palladium catalysts in the trans-bis-silylation of alkynes with disilanes.
Factors Influencing Student Nurses’ Willingness to Care for Mentally Ill Patients with Highly Infectious Diseases in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Individuals experiencing mental illness and diagnosed with highly infectious diseases (HID) are doubly stigmatized. Identifying the factors influencing student’s willingness to care for this special population is essential not only to inform stigma reduction strategies but also to provide useful information towards building a critical mass of future compassionate caregivers with ultimate goal of improving the quality of nursing care for mentally ill persons. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was utilized to examine 200 participants from a training institution in Ebonyi state. Data was collected using validated author constructed instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze data. Result: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the variables were statistically significant at χ 2 (4) = 23.133, p < 0.001. This demonstrates that all factors (gender, marital status, incentives, and family type) influence student nurses’ willingness to work with mentally ill patients who have highly infectious diseases. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that appropriate institutional policies, additional training, and incentives should be adopted to boost student motivation.