Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Instrumental and Integrative Orientations in Second Language Learning among Sudanese Students

Motivation is one of the most influential factors in second/ foreign language learning. It has been traditionally classified into two types, namely instrumental motivation and integrative motivation. The latter has been claimed to have a more positive impact on the language learning process than instrumental orientations. This study sought to investigate the nature of motivational orientations among Sudanese learners of English and German. The study involved 221 Sudanese undergraduate students studying English and German, respectively. The results of the empirical investigation demonstrated that Sudanese students were more instrumentally motivated to learn English in comparison to German. On the other hand, the students in the German department had more positive attitudes towards the German community and culture in comparison to the students of the English department. Gender differences have also been identified in the department of English only, where female students had a significantly higher level of motivation and were rather integratively motivated to learn English than their male counterparts. The study concluded that both instrumental and integrative constructs are complementary and that attention should be shifted towards motivational intensity in language learning.
Isthmin 1 is Expressed by Progenitor-Like Cells in the Lung: Phenotypical Analysis of Isthmin 1+ Hematopoietic Stem-Like Cells in Homeostasis and during Infection

The process by which blood cells are generated has been widely studied in homeostasis and during pathogen-triggered inflammatory response. Recently, murine lungs have been shown to be a significant source of hematopoietic progenitors in a process known as extramedullary hematopoiesis. Using multiparametric flow cytometry, we have identified mesenchymal, endothelial, and hematopoietic progenitor cells that express the secreted small protein Isthmin 1 (ISM1). Further characterization of hematopoietic progenitor cells indicated that ISM1+ Lineage− Sca-1+ c-kit+ (ISM1+ LSK) cells are enriched in short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSCs). Moreover, most Sca-1+ ISM1+ cells express the residence marker CD49a, and this correlated with their localization in the extravascular region of the lung, indicating that ISM1+ cells are lung-resident cells. We also observed that ISM1+ cells express TLR4, TLR5, and TLR9, and, in a mouse model of sepsis induced by P. aeruginosa, we observed that all the LSK and ISM1+LSK cells were affected. We conclude that ISM1 is a novel biomarker associated with progenitor-like cells. ISM1+ cells are involved in the response to a bacterial challenge, suggesting an association between ISM1-producing cells and dangerous inflammatory responses like sepsis.
Investigating the Ultrafast Dynamics and Long-Term Photostability of an Isomer Pair, Usujirene and Palythene, from the Mycosporine-like Amino Acid Family

Mycosporine-like amino acids are a prevalent form of photoprotection in micro- and macro-organisms. Using a combination of natural product extraction/purification and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, we studied the relaxation pathway for a common mycosporine-like amino acid pair, usujirene and its geometric isomer palythene, in the first few nanoseconds following photoexcitation. Our studies show that the electronic excited state lifetimes of these molecules persist for only a few hundred femtoseconds before the excited state population is funneled through an energetically accessible conical intersection with subsequent vibrational energy transfer to the solvent. We found that a minor portion of the isomer pair did not recover to their original state within 3 ns after photoexcitation. We investigated the long-term photostability using continuous irradiation at a single wavelength and with a solar simulator to mimic a more real-life environment; high levels of photostability were observed in both experiments. Finally, we employed computational methods to elucidate the photochemical and photophysical properties of usujirene and palythene as well as to reconcile the photoprotective mechanism.
Answering Causal Questions Using Observational Data : Achievements of the 2021 Nobel Laureates in Economics

In the 1980s and 1990s, the field of labour economics was at the forefront of combining economic theory, high-level econometric methods and new data sources. The 2021 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to David Card, Joshua Angrist and Guido Imbens, who played key roles in this research, for their “empirical contributions to labour economics” (Card) and “methodological contributions to the analysis of causality relationships” (Angrist and Imbens), according to the citation. These methodological innovations are now applied in all fields of economics and in many other social science disciplines. Credible empirical analysis has transformed economics from a rather theoretical discipline into a discipline dominated by empirical results, where even the most fundamental theories can be rejected on the basis of empirical results. In this paper, we review the main methodological achievements of this period, also known as the credibility revolution, illustrated by some economic applications.
Phytochemical and Anti-Termite Efficiency Study of Guibourtia tessmanii (harms) J. Léonard (Kévazingo) Bark Extracts from Gabon

This study aimed to explore the biodiversity of chemical compounds found in the bark of Guibourtia tessmannii from Gabon, commonly called Kévazingo, and evaluate their anti-termite activity to determine their potential values as a source of development of anti-termite products that can be valued in the fields of fine chemicals and wood preservation. Extraction of G. tessmannii bark powders was carried out using the cold maceration method with trichloroethylene, acetone, ethanol, and water. Phytochemical screening made it possible to highlight groups of chemical families present in the extracts. Anti-termite activity was tested on the wild termites “Cubitermes sp” of the genus Isoptera. The yield of the extracts were 17.11% for the buttress and 13.42% for the height at 6 m. Phytochemical tests revealed that alkaloids, polyphenols, sterols, tannins, reducing compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and anthraquinones were present in the extracts. Results of anti-termite activity indicated that anti-termite activity varied with the different parts of the bark studied, extraction solvent, and concentration (50/50) and (25/75) of the extracts used. The extracts at 50/50 concentration showed a slightly better anti-termite activity compared to the 25/75 concentration. In addition, the buttress Kévazingo or buttress showed the strongest anti-termite activity for the aqueous extract with a survival rate of 0% after 2 days.
Effect of autologous peritoneum and platelet-rich fibrin graft on healing of intestinal anastomosis in dogs

Article history: Received June 14, 2021 Accepted September 3, 2021 Available online February 24, 2022 In the present study, the effect of autogenous peritoneum graft (PG) with platelet rich fibrin (PRF) was evaluated on intestinal anastomosis healing in dogs. Eighteen local breed adult dogs were anesthetized then jejunal intestinal resection and anastomosis were created on all animals. Animals were divided into 3 equal groups (6 for each). In first group (control): An end-to-end intestinal anastomosis was performed using simple interrupted suture pattern only. In group PG: The anastomosis site was sutured as in control group and was wrapped with PG. Where as in PRF+PG group: The anastomosis site was sutured also as in first group and was wrapped with PRF and PG. Healing process was studied in all above mentioned groups clinically, grossly, histologically and radiographically at 15 and 30 days post operation. Results were revealed that the utilizing of PG caused a valuable influence on anastomosis site healing. This impact was manifested by faster re-epithelization of mucosa, increased collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, reduced adhesions, and decreased stenosis degree comparison with control group. Also there was less adhesions, less stenosis degree, increased in epithelization of the mucosa in the group treated with PRF+PG than the group treated with PG alone. In conclusion the current study has shown that autologous peritoneal graft application has a positive and beneficial effect on intestinal anastomosis healing. Also the results highlighted the promising effects of PRF in conjunction with PG on intestinal anastomosis healing. The application of PRF with PG at the intestinal anastomosis site is successful, safe, and highly efficient with no complications.
Effect of nano zinc oxide or chelated zinc as alternatives to medical zinc oxide on growth performance, faecal scores, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and faecal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus concentrations in weaned piglets

Abstract A total of 144 weaned piglets (6.80 ± 0.46 kg, [Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) were used in a 4-week feeding trial to determine the effect of nano zinc oxide or chelated zinc as alternatives to medical zinc oxide (ZnO) in weaned piglets. The pigs were randomly distributed to one of 6 treatment groups (4 pigs in a pen, 6 replicate pens per treatment). The dietary treatments were negative control (NC), no additional zinc oxide in the diet; positive control (PC), NC + 2500 mg/kg ZnO; 100 mg Chelate (NC + 100 zinc chelate); 200 mg Chelate (NC + 200 mg/kg of zinc chelate); 100 mg Nano (NC + 100 mg/kg ZnO nanoparticles), and 200 mg Nano (NC + 200 mg/kg nanoparticles). The growth performance of pigs fed the PC and Nano diets were significantly higher than that of pigs in the Chelate treatment groups (p < .05). In the overall periods, the faecal scores were significantly increased (p < .05) in the PC treatment group compared to the 100 mg/kg Chelate and Nano treatment groups. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein and faecal Lactobacillus concentrations were significantly decreased (p < .05) in the NC group compared to the other groups. The ATTD of zinc was significantly increased (p < .05) in the Chelate treatment groups compared to the other treatment groups. In conclusion, 200 mg/kg Nano showed similar effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and faecal Lactobacillus concentrations in weaning pigs as medical ZnO. HIGHLIGHTS To evaluate the effects of nano zinc oxide or chelated zinc as an alternative to medical zinc oxide in weaned piglets High-dose zinc oxide and 200 mg/kg zinc oxide nanoparticle supplementation showed beneficial effects on growth performance and crude protein digestibility Supplementation with zinc chelated with glycine resulted in significantly higher (p < .01) the ATTD of zinc than other treatments groups. Faecal Lactobacillus concentrations were significantly decreased (p < .05) in the no additional zinc oxide diet group compared to the other treatment groups. Nano-ZnO at 100 or 200 mg/kg had similar effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility with lower zinc excretion than that of weaned pigs given medical zinc oxide.
Effect of maternal age on primary and secondary sex ratios in the ectoparasitoid wasp Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae

Sex allocation is defined as the allocation of resources to produce male and female offspring during reproduction, and it is an important topic in evolutionary biology. As organisms with special haplo‐diploid sex determination, parasitoid wasps are particularly suited for the study of sex allocation. However, most studies focused on the secondary sex ratio (i.e., the eclosion sex ratio) because the oviposition ratio (the primary sex ratio) is difficult to study, especially in parasitoid species. The primary sex ratio may differ from the secondary sex ratio due to larval mortality and self‐superparasitism. The present study used microsatellites to explore the effects of female age on the primary and secondary sex ratio (male proportion) of the solitary ectoparasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). The primary sex ratio showed a significant decreasing trend as the oviposition days increased, and the secondary sex ratio significantly increased. Self‐superparasitism, i.e., laying more than one egg in a host, was the cause of the variation in the secondary sex ratio in P. vindemmiae. When females practiced self‐superparasitism, they tended to lay female eggs. The application of microsatellites helped explore and improve the understanding of the primary sex ratio and self‐superparasitism in this ectoparasitoid species.
Nonrecursive Control for Formation-Containment of HFV Swarms With Dynamic Event-Triggered Communication

This article proposes an output-feedback control protocol for hypersonic flight vehicle (HFV) swarms considering dynamic event-triggered communication. The peculiarities of the proposed method over existing ones consist in the following: 1) While carrying out scheduled maneuvers, the outputs of follower HFVs converge inside the convex hull spanned by leader HFVs whose task is to maintain a geometric space configuration; 2) a simple nonrecursive output-feedback design is established without involving any intermediate control laws or requiring full-state information; 3) an error-dependent monotonically decreasing exponential term is incorporated into the dynamic event-triggered threshold to reduce the communication bandwidth while preserving the desired track performance and excluding Zeno behavior. Comparative simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
A 0.1–3.5-GHz Inductorless Noise-Canceling CMOS LNA With IIP3 Optimization Technique

A new linearity optimization (LO) technique is proposed to improve the input third-order intercept point (IIP3) of the wideband noise-canceling (NC) low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) without any influence on input impedance matching. Furthermore, this technique can be combined with the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${gm}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-boost technique and achieve LO with low power consumption. Fabricated in the 65-nm CMOS technology, the proposed wideband LNA occupies a small chip area of 0.0062 mm<sup>2</sup>. This LNA achieves 4–9.4-dBm IIP3, 17-dB voltage gain, and 2.09–3.2-dB noise figure (NF) over the entire frequency range from 100 MHz to 3.5 GHz. Furthermore, the core circuit draws only 6.6 mA from a single 1-V power supply.
Specific Attenuation of Purinergic Signaling during Bortezomib-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy In Vitro

Human peripheral neuropathies are poorly understood, and the availability of experimental models limits further research. The PeriTox test uses immature dorsal root ganglia (DRG)-like neurons, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), to assess cell death and neurite damage. Here, we explored the suitability of matured peripheral neuron cultures for the detection of sub-cytotoxic endpoints, such as altered responses of pain-related P2X receptors. A two-step differentiation protocol, involving the transient expression of ectopic neurogenin-1 (NGN1) allowed for the generation of homogeneous cultures of sensory neurons. After >38 days of differentiation, they showed a robust response (Ca2+-signaling) to the P2X3 ligand α,β-methylene ATP. The clinical proteasome inhibitor bortezomib abolished the P2X3 signal at ≥5 nM, while 50–200 nM was required in the PeriTox test to identify neurite damage and cell death. A 24 h treatment with low nM concentrations of bortezomib led to moderate increases in resting cell intracellular Ca2+ concentration but signaling through transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) receptors or depolarization-triggered Ca2+ influx remained unaffected. We interpreted the specific attenuation of purinergic signaling as a functional cell stress response. A reorganization of tubulin to form dense structures around the cell somata confirmed a mild, non-cytotoxic stress triggered by low concentrations of bortezomib. The proteasome inhibitors carfilzomib, delanzomib, epoxomicin, and MG-132 showed similar stress responses. Thus, the model presented here may be used for the profiling of new proteasome inhibitors in regard to their side effect (neuropathy) potential, or for pharmacological studies on the attenuation of their neurotoxicity. P2X3 signaling proved useful as endpoint to assess potential neurotoxicants in peripheral neurons.
Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Website untuk Memfasilitasi Pemahaman Konsep Siswa SMK Negeri 5 Pekanbaru

This research aimed at producing an instructional media website based that was valid, practical, and able to facilitate student mathematics concept comprehension at State Vocational High School 5 Pekanbaru. ASSURE (Analyze learners, State objectives, Select method, media, and materials, Utilize method, media, and materials, Require learners participation, and Evaluate/revise) model was used. The subjects of this research were 37 students, and the object was the instructional media website based. The data were quantitative and qualitative. Validity and practicality test questionnaires, and concept comprehension test question were the instruments of collecting the data. The data obtained were analyzed by using Descriptive analysis technique. Based on validity test, the instructional media website based was stated on valid category with 88.13% validity level percentage. It was stated on practical category with 87.42% practicality level percentage. It facilitated student mathematics concept comprehension with 84.64% (very good) mastery percentage based on the mathematic concept comprehension test. Based on these results, it could be identified that the instructional media developed was valid, practical, and able to facilitate student mathematics concept comprehension at State Vocational High School 5 Pekanbaru.
Influence factors on students motivation in introductory programming lectures of computer science non-majors

Abstract Programming is an essential part of the curriculum of computer science non-major students. The motivation for the various elements of interdisciplinary degrees is often very low in computer science, which faces a gender gap as well. Differences between study courses and gender in confidence, attitude, student numbers, and motivation in computer science are investigated. In addition, the influences of attitude, perception, and social background are considered. A questionnaire was designed based on an extensive research model for the purpose of this research. A survey was conducted with two cohorts of computer science non-major freshmen from two degrees in an introductory programming class at a university of applied sciences. The outcomes are compared against each other. First, an explorative factor analysis was performed. Afterwards, SmartPLS was used to test the developed model. The overall motivation of the participants is moderate and mostly influenced by their ability and effort beliefs. These constructs are different for men and women, but not for the degree programs, and have different impacts on motivation. In general, motivation is influenced by ability and effort beliefs, which in turn are mostly affected by perception and social background. While women show lower ability and higher effort beliefs, the males in the samples have opposite outcomes and thus a higher motivation in introductory programming classes.
Toward Standard Radiosonde Observations of Waves and the Mean State in the 30–40 km Altitude Range Using 3–kg Balloons

Observations of temperature and wind velocity in the 30–40 km altitude layer have been sparse since elimination of the standard rocketsonde sounding network in the 1990s. In an effort to extend the vertical range of radiosonde observations into the upper stratosphere, experiments were conducted with a 3–kg balloon at Tsukuba, Japan on November 5, 2019. Using this relatively inexpensive balloon technology, four radiosondes were launched, with two reaching above 40 km altitude. These profiles were compared with satellite and reanalysis data in the 30–40 km layer, which showed an overall good agreement and an ability of radiosondes to capture shorter vertical-scale variations. The ability to quantify gravity wave parameters from the data is described, with application to wave events detected near 38–40 km. This type of balloon will be deployed extensively in an upcoming intensive observation campaign over the Maritime Continent, which will contribute toward achieving standard radiosonde observations in the 30–40 km altitude range. This system extends the ability to provide information regarding gravity wave and planetary wave activity upward to ∼40 km.
Erythropoietin as a Neuroprotective Drug for Newborn Infants: Ten Years after the First Use

Protective strategies against perinatal brain injury represent a major challenge for modern neonatology. Erythropoietin (Epo) enhances endogenous mechanisms of repair and angiogenesis. In order to analyse the newest evidence on the role of Epo in prematurity, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and perinatal stroke, a critical review using 2020 PRISMA statement guidelines was conducted. This review uncovered 26 clinical trials examining the use of Epo for prematurity and brain injury-related outcomes. The effects of Epo on prematurity were analysed in 16 clinical trials. Erythropoietin was provided until 32–35 weeks of corrected postnatal age with a dosage between 500–3000 UI/kg/dose. Eight trials reported the Epo effects on HIE term newborn infants: Erythropoietin was administered in the first weeks of life, at different multiple doses between 250–2500 UI/kg/dose, as either an adjuvant therapy with hypothermia or a substitute for hypothermia. Two trials investigated Epo effects in perinatal stroke. Erythropoietin was administered at a dose of 1000 IU/kg for three days. No beneficial effect in improving morbidity was observed after Epo administration in perinatal stroke. A positive effect on neurodevelopmental outcome seems to occur when Epo is used as an adjuvant therapy with hypothermia in the HIE newborns. Administration of Epo in preterm infants still presents inconsistencies with regard to neurodevelopmental outcome. Clinical trials show significant differences mainly in target population and intervention scheme. The identification of specific markers and their temporal expression at different time of recovery after hypoxia-ischemia in neonates might be implemented to optimize the therapeutic scheme after hypoxic-ischemic injury in the developing brain. Additional studies on tailored regimes, accounting for the risk stratification of brain damage in newborns, are required.
Minor-Loop Gain as a Source of Information on Robust Stability and Transient Performance in an Interconnected System

Abstract Dynamic analysis of the interconnected regulated systems is commonly based on the minor-loop gain which composes of the ratio between the output and input impedances defined at an arbitrary interface within the system. The stability of the system is guaranteed, when the minor-loop gain satisfies Nyquist stability criterion. Usually, the stability conditions are expressed as a certain forbidden region in a complex plane out of which the minor-loop gain should stay for stability to exist. The robustness of the stability is guaranteed requiring certain phase and gain margins to exist. It is also natural to assume that the existence of robust stability means also the existence of acceptable transient behavior. The paper investigates the validity of those expectations. According to the investigations, the system-level minor-loop gain measured at an arbitrary interface does not necessarily contain any other information than the existence of stability. The theoretical analyses are based on a set of transfer functions describing the dynamics of a switched-mode converter. Practical evidence is provided based on a small-scale industrial prototype system composing of voltage-mode-controlled buck converters.