Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ScholarWorks @ UTRGV ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

Given the growing number of immigrant and limited English proficiency individuals in the U.S., accessing language-congruent services can be a significant barrier for many seeking mental health treatment. The use of spoken language interpreters can help address this barrier; however, the interpretation in the context of trauma therapy can be particularly challenging for interpreters without mental health training. This quality improvement study explores issues identified by interpreters assisting in the provision of trauma-focused treatment for primarily immigrant populations. Ten certified medical interpreters (nine Spanish-language interpreters and one American Sign Language interpreter) participated in a focus group at a specialty trauma clinic in the southeastern U.S. Core findings concerned the challenges of interpreting (i.e., use of mental health terminology, little time to process emotionally-charged sessions, the impact of vicarious trauma, difficulties related to the speed of interpreting and interpreting for multiple patients at once, logistical difficulties, and the availability of interpreters). Interpreters also identified perceived needs and provided recommendations for overcoming challenges (i.e., holding presession meetings with clinicians, ensuring breaks between trauma patients, creating a support group for interpreters, ensuring a direct telephonic line between interpreters and the trauma clinic, providing interpreters with session materials before appointments, and training clinicians on the use of interpreters specifically for trauma treatment). Specific recommendations for agencies and clinicians new to the use of interpreters for trauma-focused services can ultimately enhance service provision for trauma patients in need of language-congruent services.
Teaching mathematics with mobile devices and the Realistic Mathematical Education (RME) approach in kindergarten

Nowadays, smart mobile devices such as tablets and accompanying applications (apps) are a part of young children's daily lives. In kindergarten education, properly designed digital educational activities can become a potent educational tool for efficient and effective learning. These tools allow children to take advantage of new learning platforms and effectively reach new knowledge through activities related to their immediate interests and real-life scenarios in learning domains, such as mathematics. At the Department of Preschool Education, University of Crete, systematic research was carried out in the last years to investigate whether there are compelling benefits to using tablet-type devices in preschool education to implement teaching reform proposals to implement the Realistic Mathematical Education in kindergarten classrooms. The findings propose mobile devices' integration, running developmentally appropriate apps, in kindergarten classrooms. These apps were based on the three levels of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), targeting fundamental mathematical concepts for the kindergarten level.
Europium sorption experiments with muscovite, orthoclase, and quartz: Modeling of surface complexation and reactive transport

For long-term safety analysis of a potential radioactive waste disposal site it is, amongst others, a prerequisite to characterize transport and retardation processes of relevant radionuclides to adequately describe hypothetical release scenarios and to assess the barrier capacity of the contaminant providing rock zone, the geological formation, and the overburden. To simulate migration processes of radionuclides a sound understanding of solid-solution interface reactions is necessary to determine the influence of the geochemical environment on sorption, precipitation, speciation, and dissolution processes. For long-term safety assessments of nuclear waste disposal sites, the behavior of activation and fission products as well as radionuclides from decay chains are of major interest. The trivalent lanthanide europium(III) is a chemical homologue for trivalent actinides such as curium(III) and americium(III). In the field of safety assessments there is still a need for sound data concerning the interaction of minerals with the surrounding solution even for well-known surfaces such as quartz, muscovite, and orthoclase. Up to now only some studies have taken the approach to study the interaction and interrelation of surface charge, surface complexation, and transport processes for trivalent lanthanides and actinides for orthoclase, muscovite, and quartz; and so far only few studies tried to describe all processes under varying geochemical conditions with one set of mineral-specific parameters as it had been done in this study. A vast amount of experiments was carried out and evaluated with mechanistic thermodynamic sorption models; surface complexation parameters of Eu were derived and subsequently used to simulate Eu reactive transport under varying experimental boundary conditions with reactive transport models. It was shown that the approach to simulate different geochemical conditions with one surface complexation parameter set yielded adequate predictions of Eu transport under laboratory and close to nature conditions for quartz systems; for orthoclase Eu transport under the influence of complexing ligands was also satisfyingly represented. This study contributed to fill the gap of sorption and transport data of Eu and, thus, trivalent actinides for ubiquitously present minerals. Expertise in the development of reactive transport models was gained and results offered insight into the transport of trivalent lanthanides and actinides.
Study of the Physicochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles Containing β-Cyclodextrin and Geranial

In general, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) is widely used in various technologies of the food industries. The aims of this study were preparation, characterization and optimization of a novel nanosize formulation of β-CD NPs loaded with GR. In the current study optimum conditions for maximum encapsulation efficiency and loading of geraniol using response surface methodology (RSM) was assessed. Furthermore, the in-vitro antimicrobial activities against S. aureus, B. cereus, S. enteritidis, E. coli, C. albicans and A. niger were studied. The present study is the first to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the GR inclusion complexes in nanosize formulations. The GR complexes were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, antimicrobial activity of the inclusion complexes (IC) against bacteria and fungi were assessed. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and inhibition zones of the GR-β-CD inclusion complexes were calculated using agar/broth dilution and agar well-diffusion methods. The EE and loading values of the optimized formulation included 87.25 and 10.45%, respectively, with a size distribution of 117 nm ±1 and appropriate particle size distribution (PDI). Moreover, SEM, IR and DSC verified fabrication of inclusion complexes between GR and β-CD. The inhibition zones of β-CD-GR complexes were recorded as the following order: Bacillus cereus > Staphylococcus aureus > Salmonella entritidis > Escherichia coli. The RSM technique allowed to prepare geraniol nanoinclusion complexes using β-cyclodextrin with optimum responses. The antimicrobial activity of GR highly enhanced after efficient complexation. This study generates appropriate information for application of inclusion complexes of GR.
Reinforcing preschoolers’ phonemic awareness through the use of tablets

This study aimed to implement an intervention program to examine whether tablets enhance kindergarten children’s phonemic awareness. Seventy-four (74) kindergarten children (40 boys and 34 girls) aged 4 to 6 years from 4 public kindergarten classrooms participated in the study, from which 38 children formed the experimental group while 36 children formed the control one. During the intervention program, children in the experimental group were trained through tablets in initial phoneme identification, initial phoneme deletion, and phoneme segmentation, while the control group trained in the same tasks without tablets. Results showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group. In conclusion, the present research found that digital media help educational practice, but it is also how teachers use digital tools to facilitate learning.
Application of newly syntheticHP-Cr-III-containing nano-mica-clay for stepwise remediation of industrialwater-drains fromsome toxic heavy metals, Part-2: Size cavity calculations&silicate structure visualization

Mixed solid state / solution routes were applied to synthesize newfamily of free-fluoride synthetic clay for water remediation applications. To facilitate the incorporation of the cations the solution route was applied with some hydrothermal conditions and complexing with organic moiety (Ethylene glycol). The sample of synthetic free fluoride ÂÂNa-4-mica was having the general formula (Na4Mg6M4Si4O22.nH2O) where M = Cr3+. Structural and micro-structural propertiesweremonitoring by using both ofXRD and SEM evaluating, grain size of themica bulkwas found to be in between 2.27- 3.33 im which are lower than those reported in literatures. Synthetic clay was tested and applied three times (stepwise) as a cations selective remediator. Analytical investigations were made by using ICP-Ms spectroscopy. Investigations proved that synthetic Cr(III)-type clay has medium-to-strong efficiency as cation selective clay towards heavy metals tested. To confirm the synthesized 4Na-mica with general formula Na4Mg6M4Si3AlO22.nH2O that prepared via solution route where M = Cr+++ theoretical treatment was made by visualizing of tetrahedrally NaMg ÂÂsilicates unit cell that considered the main constituent of molecular sieving layers that responsible together with cation exchanging strength (4Na-mica) for removal of investigated heavy metals cations namely(201Hg++, 207Pb++, 112Cd++ and 139La+++).
An electrodeposited molecularly imprinted quartz crystal microbalance sensor sensitized with AuNPs and rGO material for highly selective and sensitive detection of amantadine

In the present work, a new amantadine (AM) imprinted quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor sensitized by Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) material was fabricated by electrodeposition in the presence of o-aminothiophenol (o-AT) by cyclic voltammetry scanning. AuNPs and graphene, with the advantages of great chemical stability, electrical conductivity, and large surface area, show exceptionally high sensitivity. The results of different modifications of the QCM sensor fabrication process were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the frequency shift of the MIP-QCM sensor showed a linear relationship with the concentration of the AM template in the range of 1.0 × 10−5 to 1.0 × 10−3 mmol L−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.40 × 10−6 mmol L−1. The imprinting factor for AM reached 7.1, the selectivity coefficient for the analogues rimantadine (RT), adamantine (AMT) and 1-chloroadamantane (CMT) were 7.3, 5.6, and 6.1, respectively. Here, a highly sensitive, selective and stable QCM sensor prepared via the imprinting approach is reported for the first time for detection of AM from animal-derived food samples.
Enhanced Chondrocyte Proliferation in a Prototyped Culture System with Wave-Induced Agitation

One of the actual challenges in tissue engineering applications is to efficiently produce as high of number of cells as it is only possible, in the shortest time. In static cultures, the production of animal cell biomass in integrated forms (i.e. aggregates, inoculated scaffolds) is limited due to inefficient diffusion of culture medium components observed in such non-mixed culture systems, especially in the case of cell-inoculated fiber-based dense 3D scaffolds, inside which the intensification of mass transfer is particularly important. The applicability of a prototyped, small-scale, continuously wave-induced agitated system for intensification of anchorage-dependent CP5 chondrocytes proliferation outside and inside three-dimensional poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds has been discussed. Fibrous PLA-based constructs have been inoculated with CP5 cells and then maintained in two independent incubation systems: (i) non-agitated conditions and (ii) culture with wave-induced agitation. Significantly higher values of the volumetric glucose consumption rate have been noted for the system with the wave-induced agitation. The advantage of the presented wave-induced agitation culture system has been confirmed by lower activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from the cells in the samples of culture medium harvested from the agitated cultures, in contrast to rather high values of LDH activity measured for static conditions. Results of the proceeded experiments and their analysis clearly exhibited the feasibility of the culture system supported with continuously wave-induced agitation for robust proliferation of the CP5 chondrocytes on PLA-based structures. Aside from the practicability of the prototyped system, we believe that it could also be applied as a standard method offering advantages for all types of the daily routine laboratory-scale animal cell cultures utilizing various fiber-based biomaterials, with the use of only regular laboratory devices.
Identification of Components of the Intracellular Transport Machinery of Acylated Proteins by a Genome-wide RNAi Screen

Targeting of peripheral membrane proteins to different cellular compartments is often mediated by post-translational fatty acylation. For example, N-terminal SH4-domains containing dual lipid modifications mediate reversible attachment to intracellular membranes of a variety of proteins such as the Src family of kinases. Myristoylation and subsequent palmitoylation of the SH4-domain are not only required for stable membrane anchoring, but are also essential for targeting and transport to the plasma membrane. Their association with membrane microdomains, which are enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids and moreover contain a specific set of proteins, is crucial for functionality and provides a means of spatio-temporal regulation of acylated proteins. Even though many SH4-domain-containing proteins are functionally quite well characterized, little is known about the intracellular machinery mediating transport to the plasma membrane. It has been hypothesized that their association with membrane microdomains already occurs at the level of intracellular membranes and is a prerequisite for targeting and transport. It was the aim of this study to identify gene products involved in intracellular transport of acylated proteins to the plasma membrane employing a genome-wide RNAi screening approach. For this purpose, we established a stable human model cell line, which simultaneously expresses two distinct plasma-membrane-associated acylated reporter proteins. This cell line was adapted to a high-content screening platform, which is based on reverse transfection of a genome-wide siRNA library and data acquisition by automated widefield microscopy. To analyse imaging data in an unbiased and quantitative manner, an automated single-cell image analysis tool was developed. This tool identifies and compartmentalizes individual cells and determines intensity distributions of the two fluorescent reporter proteins, thus identifying experimental conditions under which intracellular retention of one or both reporter proteins occurs. Primary screening followed by subsequent validation with independent siRNAs resulted in the identification of 60 gene products, which caused intracellular retention of one or both acylated reporter proteins. Interestingly, we were able to identify enzymes involved in lipid homeostasis and microdomain-associated proteins. These findings corroborate the hypothesis that partitioning into membrane microdomains is a crucial step in targeting and transport of acylated proteins to the plasma membrane. Moreover, we were able to identify kinases, phosphatases and other proteins, which may exert regulatory functions in this process. The exact role of these factors in transport of SH4-domain-containing proteins to the plasma membrane will be elucidated in further studies.
Preparation of 2D MoSe2/PEDOT:PSS composite and its thermoelectric properties

Nowadays, inorganic/polymer composites have attracted significant interest in thermoelectric field, since the composite materials usually achieve their respective advantages complementary to each other. In this work, molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Solution processible two-dimensional (2D) MoSe2 nanosheets (NSs) were successfully obtained using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solvent or lithium intercalation procedure. Combined with Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), MoSe2/PEDOT:PSS composite thin films were fabricated by direct vacuum-filtration method. Thermoelectric properties of composite thin films were investigated systematically and found that 2D MoSe2 NSs and PEDOT:PSS have the synergistic effect on improving thermoelectric properties. The maximum power factor was calculated to be 48.6 µW m−1 K−2 with 5 wt% 2D MoSe2 NSs embedding into PEDOT:PSS matrix, which is almost 69% higher than that of pure PEDOT:PSS. These results demonstrate that 2D inorganic/polymer composite method is one of promising strategies to get high-performance polymer-based thermoelectric composites.
Leadership and Decision Making among SMEs: Management Accounting Information and the Moderating Role of Cloud Computing

With the changing paradigm of the world and highly competitive business environments, organizations are encountered different challenges. This paper investigates the relationship between management accounting information (MAI) and decision-making and the role of cloud computing among small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. In particular, the focus of this paper is on the influence of MAI on decision-making. Cloud computing is a modern technology to strengthen relationships. A quantitative research design that involves printed questionnaires was used to analyze the relationships of the variables. The survey was conducted on 384 Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises of various sectors. The study obtained 105 useable responses. Data were analyzed using Smart PLS 3.0 (Partial Least Square) to test the researcher’s hypotheses. The study found MAI to be positively related to Pakistani SMEs’ decision-making. The findings also exposed all the dimensions of MAI; namely broad scope, timeliness, aggregation and integration, to be positively related to decision-making. Additionally, the findings indicated that, as modern technology, cloud computing strengthens the relationship between MAI and decision-making. This paper contributes by helping organizations realize the importance of MAI in decision-making and how they could relate a selection of information characteristics in terms of their business environments. Moreover, it enhances the understanding of SMEs on the function of cloud computing to get better decision-making in the light of the competition in SMEs. Pakistani industry is running successfully, and small-medium enterprises have a wide gap. Small and Medium Enterprises are going successful in Pakistan, and investor can ease to decide after receiving research directions.
Effects of Online Services Level on Purchase Intentions of Consumers Before Making Online Transactions

The aim of this research is to examine the effects of online service level where have not been made by adopting the formative approach. Two main online dimensions i.e. pre-purchase and transaction related services are discussed in the electronics purchase process. Population of this study is the customers who made online transactions in electronics. A structured questionnaire was floated to 250 respondents and 150 emails were sent to the respondents in order to get primary data. Smart PLS and partial least square were used to estimate our model. Both transactional services and pre-purchase services are the major factors of navigation experiences and navigation experience affects the attitude to the web which ultimately affects the purchase intention. Pre-purchase services are not directly affecting the consumer attitudes during the online transactions process but improved navigation experience changes the consumer attitudes during the process. All the data analyzed was obtained from electronics industry of Pakistan.
Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity of Molybdenum Oxide Supported Zirconia Catalysts for Solvent-free Synthesis of Chalcones

Solvent-free Claisen-Schmidt condensation (CSC) for the synthesis of chalcone has been studied using MoO3/ZrO2 material as solid acid catalyst. A series of MoO3/ZrO2 catalysts with various MoO3 loadings (10-30 wt%) were prepared using modified precipitation method. The catalysts were extensively characterized using various techniques viz., TG-DTA, XRD, N2 Sorption, BET-surface area, NH3-TPD, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopies, AAS, EDX, TEM and SEM. The detailed parametric studies were carried out to optimize the reaction parameters in order to achieve maximum selectivity with high % yield of chalcones. Substituted benzaldehyde and acetophenone were used as reactants to study the effect of electron withdrawing and electron donating groups on the activity of catalyst. 15 wt% MoO3/ZrO2 catalyst pre- pared using modified preparation technique proved to be an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for solvent free synthesis of chalcone with yield as high as 93 %, by using only 1.5 wt% of catalyst.