Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective Teachers’ Metaphors as a Lens to Understand How They Perceive ‘Web 2.0’

Abstract Technology should be used in teaching and learning in universities. It is seen that studies on the use of Web 2.0 tools in education faculties are limited. Teachers who will integrate information and communication technologies into education at schools must first of all have prerequisite knowledge and skills on this subject. However, the effective use of technological tools in learning environments also depends on teachers’ perspectives on technology. This study aimed to determine the perceptions of pre-service teachers towards Web 2.0 applications through metaphors. The authors of the study effectively used web 2.0 tools during the semester in Educational Sociology, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity, and Integration in Special Education courses. In the study, phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research approaches, was used, and semi-structured interview form was used to collect the data. Participants of the study consisted of 123 pre-service teachers who took this course. In light of the findings, it was observed that the majority of the participants (98%) used positive metaphors about Web 2.0 applications, and 2% used negative metaphors. Metaphors were then classified into 7 categories and tables were created. Categories ‘Web 2.0 as a source and producer of information,’ ‘Web 2.0 as a measurement and evaluation tool,’ ‘Web 2.0 as an Innovation and Development Platform,’ ‘Web 2.0 as a social / fun environment,’ ‘Web as a helpful and supportive platform 2.0, ‘Web 2.0’ and ‘other’ as a stimulating and relaxing platform. The abstract is to be in fully-justified text. Use the word ‘Abstract’ as the title, in 11-point Times, bold, initially capitalized. The abstract is to be in 10-point, single-spaced type, and up to 200 words in length.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITIES OF INDOMETHACIN, 1-(P-CHLOROBENZOYL)-5-METHOXY-2-METHYLINDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID.

Indomethacin, 1-( p -chlorobenzoyl) - 5 methoxy-2-methylindole-3-acetic acid, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antipyretic compound. It is orally active as an inhibitor of cotton pellet granuloma formation in the rat, with a potency about 85 times that of phenylbutazone and about 4 times that of hydrocortisone. It is equally active in intact or adrenalectomized rats and is effective when applied directly to the cotton pellet. When used in conjunction with a steroid, the action of the latter is enhanced. Indomethacin is also a potent inhibitor of edema induced in the rat9s foot by subplantar injection of carrageenin. The compound is an active antipyretic drug, with potency 10 to 20 times that of phenylbutazone.
Multiscale cholesky preconditioning for ill-conditioned problems

Many computer graphics applications boil down to solving sparse systems of linear equations. While the current arsenal of numerical solvers available in various specialized libraries and for different computer architectures often allow efficient and scalable solutions to image processing, modeling and simulation applications, an increasing number of graphics problems face large-scale and ill-conditioned sparse linear systems --- a numerical challenge which typically chokes both direct factorizations (due to high memory requirements) and iterative solvers (because of slow convergence). We propose a novel approach to the efficient preconditioning of such problems which often emerge from the discretization over unstructured meshes of partial differential equations with heterogeneous and anisotropic coefficients. Our numerical approach consists in simply performing a fine-to-coarse ordering and a multiscale sparsity pattern of the degrees of freedom, using which we apply an incomplete Cholesky factorization. By further leveraging supernodes for cache coherence, graph coloring to improve parallelism and partial diagonal shifting to remedy negative pivots, we obtain a preconditioner which, combined with a conjugate gradient solver, far exceeds the performance of existing carefully-engineered libraries for graphics problems involving bad mesh elements and/or high contrast of coefficients. We also back the core concepts behind our simple solver with theoretical foundations linking the recent method of operator-adapted wavelets used in numerical homogenization to the traditional Cholesky factorization of a matrix, providing us with a clear bridge between incomplete Cholesky factorization and multiscale analysis that we leverage numerically.
Quantitative Assessment of Acetyl-carnitine Effects on Anesthetic-Induced Neuronal Death using MicroPET/CT Imaging

Co-administration of isoflurane (ISO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) triggers neuronal apoptosis in postnatal day 7 (PND 7) rats. In this study, the effect of ISO/N2O on neuronal apoptosis in the brains of rats and the potential protective effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on anesthetic-induced neuronal cell death were investigated using microPET/CT imaging. On PND 7, rat in the experimental group were exposed to ISO/N2O for 8 h with or without ALC, and control rat were exposed to room air. On PNDs 14, 21, and 28, MicroPET/CT images were obtained with [18F]-DFNSH for 90 min. In PND 14 treated rats, the uptake of [18F]-DFNSH was increased, and the duration of tracer wash-out was prolonged. The uptake of the tracer was attenuated when they were treated with ALC. This retention is significant for at least one week after exposure. ALC blocks retention of DFNSH, suggesting that the anesthetic-induced neuronal apoptosis is also blocked.
The Occurrence of Bisphenol A, Phthalates, Parabens and Other Environmental Phenolic Compounds in House Dust: A Review

Dust from indoor environments can contain significant amounts environmental contaminants and is an important source of human exposure to several toxicants. In this article, studies on the occurrence of several emerging environmental contaminants, namely bisphenol A (BPA), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), phthalates, parabens, and other environmental phenolic compounds in indoor dust from various countries, were reviewed. Issues associated with sampling of dust and the uncertainties introduced in the analytical proce- dures were also summarized. Finally, exposure to environmental phenolic compounds through dust ingestion was evaluated, and the contribution of indoor dust to the total daily exposure of toxicants was estimated. Overall, the reported concentrations of target chemicals in dust were found, in decreasing order, as phthalates (overall mean: 949 ± 669 μg/g, range: 0.9-10,900 μg/g) >>> nonylphenol (8.9 ± 6.8 μg/g, 2.6-29.2 μg/g) > BPA (3.6 ± 4.5 μg/g, 0.35-16.6 μg/g) > � parabens (1.53 ± 0.52 μg/g, 0.03-125 μg/g) > pentachlorophenol (1.39 ± 2.31 μg/g, 0.050- 5.76 μg/g) > triclosan (0.65 ± 0.23 μg/g, 0.38-0.93 μg/g) > TBBPA (0.18 ± 0.14 μg/g, 0.049-0.505 μg/g). Despite the elevated levels of the target phenolic compounds reported in indoor dust, exposure of humans through dust ingestion was minor. Never- theless, dust can be a significant source of exposure to phenolic compounds for infants and toddlers. Elevated levels of phenolic com- pounds were found in dust collected from certain microenvironments such as offices and laboratories.
Large Eddy Simulation of Spray Injection for Direct Injection Gasoline Engine

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of spray injection from a slit injector for direct injection gasoline engine was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of LES to capture the droplets behavior in the combustion chamber. Lagrangian Discrete Droplet Method (DDM) combined with LES unsteady turbulent modeling is employed to solve turbulent two-phase flow field. The droplets are atomized through the primary break up induced by the liquid surface instability and secondary break up induced by relative velocity between droplet and surrounding gases. However, there is no fully established method to model for the liquid break up to form spray. Formation process of fuel spray is an unsteady and complicated phenomena. For this reason, numerical simulation is expected to solve these phenomena. In this research we use Taylor Analogy Breakup (TAB) modeling and Improved TAB modeling techniques for validating the secondary break up of droplets. We also examine the influence of initial injection condition and secondary break up modeling for spray droplet motion by considering several different initial velocities and investigate their role on the differences observed. As compared to the experimental results, LES results provides good agreement on the droplet diameter distribution and penetration, which is defined as horizontal plane where 1% volume of overall spray droplet passes through.
Phytochemical Constituents from Salvia plebeia

Phytochemical investigation of Salvia plebeia resulted in the isolation of nine compounds. Their structures were determined to be 6-methoxynaringenin (1), 6-methoxynaringenin-7-O--D-glucoside (2), hispidulin (3), homoplantaginin (4), nepetin (5), nepitrin (6), 6-hydroxyluteolin (7), caffeic acid (8) and rosmarinic acid (9) by spectroscopic analyses. 6-Methoxynaringenin (1), 6-hydroxyluteolin (7) and rosmarinic acid (9) were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Genetic analysis and population structure of the Anopheles gambiae complex from different ecological zones of Burkina Faso

The Anopheles gambiae complex (Diptera: Culicidae) is the most important vector for malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, besides other vectors such as Anopheles funestus. Malaria vector control should encompass specific identification, genetic diversity and population structure of An. gambiae to design vector control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of sibling species of the An. gambiae complex according to climatic regions related to cotton-growing or cotton-free areas by using polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Then, variation in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) was used to assess the genetic structure within and between populations from our selected ecological
Sirt3 promotes the autophagy of HK-2 human proximal tubular epithelial cells via the inhibition of Notch-1/Hes-1 signaling

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a predominant cause of end-stage renal disease. The impairment of the autophagy of human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) is involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of DN. Sirtuin (Sirt)3 regulates the scavenging of damaged organelles and maintains energy balance. The present study aimed to examine the protective effects of Sirt3 on HK-2 cells stimulated by high glucose (HG). HK-2 cells were cultured in normal glucose (NG), HG or hyperosmotic medium. The viability of the HK-2 cells was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The expression and localization of Sirt3 were detected via immunofluorescence. Following transfection with an overexpression plasmid, the expression levels of key components in the Notch homolog 1 (Notch-1)/hairy and enhancer of split-1 (Hes-1) pathway and those of the autophagy-related proteins, Beclin-1, LC-3II and p62, were measured by western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). As the Notch-1/Hes-1 pathway was inhibited, the expression levels of Beclin-1, LC-3II and p62 were also examined at transcriptional and translational level. It was found that prolonged culture in HG medium markedly reduced cell viability compared with the cells cultured in NG or in NG + mannitol, an effect that was aggravated with the increasing duration of culture. HG was capable of inhibiting the expression levels of Beclin-1, LC-3II and Sirt3, and upregulating p62 and the Notch-1/Hes-1 pathway, as verified by western blot analysis and RT-qPCR. The results of immunofluorescence staining revealed that HG decreased Sirt3 expression. Sirt3 reversed the HG-induced inhibition of the expression of Beclin-1 and LC-3II and the upregulation of p62. Moreover, Sirt3 reversed the HG-induced inhibition of the Notch-1/Hes-1 signaling pathway. However, this autophagy-promoting effect of Sirt3 was counteracted by the Notch-1/Hes-1 pathway activator. On the whole, the present study demonstrated that Sirt3 promoted the autophagy of HK-2 cells, at least partly, via the downregulation of Notch-1/Hes-1.
Children’s Eating Habits, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Media Usage before and during COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge changes in people’s lifestyle, health, and social relationships. This situation has had an impact on children and adolescents, affecting their health, intellectual, physical, and emotional development. The survey aimed to compare eating behaviors, level of physical activity (PA), hours of sleep, and screen time among Polish children and adolescents aged 6–15 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We obtained self-reported data from 1016 participants at two measurement points before and during the COVID-19 lockdown in Poland to examine the influence of the lockdown and the distance learning on PA, dietary habits, sleep, and media usage of children and adolescents aged 6–15 years. The study identified dietary differences and changes in daily activity patterns (reduced sleep duration with higher sleep quality and reduced physical activity). Additionally, the increase in general media usage was observed during the pandemic alongside a reduction in smartphone usage. Together, the findings indicate increased sleep, physical activity, and reduced media usage and screen time among Polish children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modeling an unsteady flow over a pitching NACA 0012 airfoil Using CFD

This paper gives an insight into the modeling of unsteady flows over a NACA 0012 pitching airfoil using computational fluid dynamics. The theoretical background of unsteady viscous flows is presented, followed by a description of the CFD simulation. Obtained aerodynamic characteristics are presented, and an analysis of the data is given.
Crystallization Behavior of Carbon Nanotube−Polylactide Nanocomposites

The crystallization kinetics and the resulting structure and morphology of polylactide (PLA) were investigated in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Nanocomposite samples prepared by solution and melt mixing present homogeneous filler dispersion, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Calorimetric characterization of the nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization behavior analyzed according to Avrami’s theory provides evidence of the significant impact of CNTs on the crystallization kinetics of the PLA matrix. The nucleating effect of the nanofillers is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy experiments. Indeed, during isothermal crystallization, the nanotube characteristic vibrations are strongly affected by the development of polymer crystalline phase. Additionally, CNTs increase the number of nucleation sites and thereby decrease the average spherolite size as observed by optical microscopy. The PLA crystal structure is not modified by the presence of CNTs, as probed by X-ray diffraction.
Authentic leadership and follower development: Psychological capital, positive work

This article contributes to the theoretical understanding of the relationship between authentic leadership and follower psychological capital. Structural equation models using a representative national sample of working adults revealed a positive relationship between authentic leadership and followers’ psychological capital, partially mediated by positive work climate, and a significant moderating effect from gender. Findings support previous predictions about the effects of authentic leadership and begin to reveal the mechanisms by which authentic leaders affect followers. Moreover, they underscore the need to consider the influence of follower characteristics in understanding leadership outcomes. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and vitamin C attenuate ethanol-induced intestinal and liver injury in mice

Ethanol exposure frequently induces intestinal and liver injury, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and vitamin C (VC) deficiency. Gut microbiota-targeted therapy is emerging as an important adjuvant method for protecting the body against ethanol-induced injury, particularly probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA). However, the feasibility and efficiency of using synbiotics containing LA and VC against ethanol-induced injury remained largely undetermined. To examine the advantages of LA+VC, their effect was evaluated in an ethanol-fed mouse model. The results suggested that LA+VC restored gut microbiota homeostasis and reinstated the immune balance of colonic T-regulatory cells (CD4+CD45+forkhead box p3+). In addition, intestinal barrier disorders were improved via upregulating tight junction proteins (claudin-2, zona occludens-1 and occludin) and mucus secretion, which prevented the translocation of lipopolysaccharide into circulatory systems and subsequently reduced the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 in liver tissues. In this context, LA+VC treatment reduced the inflammatory response in the liver, which was likely responsible for the improved liver function in ethanol-challenged mice. Collectively, these results indicated that LA+VC treatment significantly protected the intestine and liver from ethanol damage by enhancing intestinal barrier function and reducing systemic inflammation. The present study paved the way for further exploration of synbiotics based on Lactobacillus species and VC.
Evaluation of Malaria Microscopy Diagnosis Performance in Public Hospitals of Eastern and Central Part of Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2019

Background: Prompt and accurate malaria diagnosis is an essential strategy for effective malaria case management as well as the public health response to malaria. Diagnosis based on clinical grounds alone may lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of malaria microscopy diagnosis in public hospitals of Eastern and Central part Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to May 2019 in 46 public hospitals of Eastern and Central parts of the Oromia region. Data were collected using structured checklists and pre-prepared known validated positive and negative slides. It was categorized and cleaned by Epi Info version 3.5. 1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20 to identify factors associated with poor malaria microscopy diagnosis. The level of agreement was calculated by kappa statistics. Results: From the total of 46 hospitals, 31 (67.39%) had an acceptable quality performance with a cumulative grading score of >80%. The overall percentage of agreement in detection and species identification was 80.45% (kappa=0.79) and 63.03% (kappa=0. 38). Laboratory professionals who had work experience greater than five years were 10.56 times better in detecting and identifying malaria parasite when compared to those who had work experience less than or equal to five years (AOR [95% CI]=10.56 [1.45–76.73]). Laboratory professionals who were trained in malaria microscopy diagnosis were 6.12 times reported better quality results than those who were not trained (AOR, % 95CI=6.12 [1.5–48.13]). Conclusion: The overall agreement of laboratory professionals in detection and species identification was with had substantial and fair agreement with kappa values of 0.79 and 0.38, respectively. Lack of training and low work experience of laboratory professionals were factors associated with malaria microscopy diagnostic performance. Hence, capacitating laboratory professionals is essential to ensure good performance of malaria microscopy which reduces misdiagnosis of malaria parasites and mistreatment of malaria suspected patients.
A survey on cationic polyelectrolytes and their applications: acrylamide derivatives

Abstract Cationic polyelectrolytes are water-soluble polymers bearing positive ionic groups along the backbone or in side chains. These cationic polymers are synthesized by free radical polymerization of acrylamide and their derivatives by the copolymerization method, which includes solution, precipitation, and emulsion techniques. The Mannich reaction is another important method by which the cationic polymers can be processed. In this review paper, the preparation methods, interaction mechanisms of these polymers, and their popular industrial applications are summarized. These polymers open a lot of applications in different fields such as paper-making processes, water and wastewater treatment, oil and drilling industries, mineral separation, paint and food industries, cosmetics, and pharmacy. In addition, these polymers are widely used as flocculants and rheology control agents. These polymers are especially employed in oil field operations as viscosity control agents for enhanced oil recovery, drilling fluid additives, and also for modifying flow and stability properties of aqueous solutions and gels. They are used as super-plasticizers, which affect the rheological properties of dense cement suspensions. Mining processes also benefit from the use of acrylamide derivative polymers to flocculate solids in aqueous dispersions. The cationic polymers may interact with different components in the system such as inorganic/organic particles in aqueous dispersions in several ways, which may result in the stability or instability of dispersion. The particles can be destabilized through three different main mechanisms which promote flocculation: polymer bridging, charge neutralization, and polymer adsorption.
Administration with Quinoa Protein Reduces the Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Modifies the Fecal Microbiota

Despite the well-established role of quinoa protein as the source of antihypertensive peptides through in vitro enzymolysis, there is little evidence supporting the in vivo antihypertensive effect of intact quinoa protein. In this study, in vivo study on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) was conducted by administering quinoa protein for five weeks. Gastrointestinal content identification indicated that many promising precursors of bioactive peptides were released from quinoa protein under gastrointestinal processing. Quinoa protein administration on SHRs resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure, a significant increase in alpha diversity, and microbial structure alternation towards that in non-hypertension rats. Furthermore, blood pressure was highly negatively correlated with the elevated abundance of genera in quinoa protein-treated SHRs, such as Turicibacter and Allobaculum. Interestingly, the fecal microbiota in quinoa protein-treated SHRs shared more features in the composition of genera with non-hypertension rats than that of the captopril-treated group. These results indicate that quinoa protein may serve as a potential candidate to lower blood pressure and ameliorate hypertension-related gut dysbiosis.