Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving EFL students’ speaking proficiency and self-confidence using drama technique: An action research

The current study used a drama technique to teach a speaking course to second-level English Department students. The primary goal of language learning is to be able to communicate effectively in the target language with excellent self-confidence. The research was conducted using an action research methodology within a qualitative research framework. A total of 30 second-year undergraduate students at the proposed institution participated in the research as sample. Observation, interview, audio-video recordings, and researcher diary were used to collect data. Content analysis was used to examine the information gathered. Results of the study revealed that using drama technique to teach English as a foreign language has a substantial impact on the acquisition of fluent speaking abilities and results in beneficial improvements in the target audience's communication skills. Keywords: drama technique; English language; EFL classroom; self-confidence; speaking proficiency
Fluid-Induced Inhomogeneous Cr-Spinel in Dunites and Wehrlite from the Duke Island Complex, Southeastern Alaska

Cr-spinel [(Mg, Fe2+)(Cr, Al, Fe3+)2O4)] is a common mineral in the ultramafic core of the Duke Island complex in southeastern Alaska, US. Cr-spinel grains with an unmixed texture have been observed in dunite and wehrlite of the complex. Inhomogeneous Cr-spinel with a ratio of Cr/(Al + Cr + Fe3+) <0.37 is prominent in dunite. The inhomogeneous Cr-spinel consists of two completely different compositions: Al-rich Cr-spinel, and Fe3+-rich Cr-spinel with a wide range of Cr content (from 11.8 wt.% to 28.6 wt.% Cr2O3). The unmixed texture is complex, and three subtypes of inhomogeneous Cr-spinel are recognized: Type B1 Cr-spinel showing complete separation, crystallographically oriented type B2 Cr-spinel, and irregular Al-rich Cr-spinel rimmed type B3 Cr-spinel. The unmixed texture was achieved by an unmixing process at around 600 °C due to the miscibility gap of spinel between Al-rich and Fe3+-rich phases. The unmixed patterns of inhomogeneous Cr-spinel are controlled by the initial chemical composition, grain size of the initial spinel, and the cooling process. We propose that the initial composition of inhomogeneous Cr-spinel was formed by the interaction of high-temperature fluid and olivine; Cr-spinel that experienced unmixing may be a useful proxy to unveil the activity of high-temperature fluid in the formation of Alaskan-type complexes.
Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common dermatosis in children, that includes skin architecture defects, immune dysregulation, and changes of skin flora. Several new drugs have been found to reduce the severity of AD. Vitamin D is one of the new therapies that is still controversial. The purpose of this research is to conclude the efficacy of vitamin D on atopic dermatitis severity in children aged 0-18 years old. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Clinical Trial website, and university repositories including studies published from January 2010 through October 2020. We compared populations, intervention, study design, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was done with Review Manager 5.4. 1. Results: Eight articles met eligibility and inclusion criteria, four articles provided complete data and were analysed. Not all studies demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin D but a meta-analysis of four studies of vitamin D supplementation vs placebo found a mean difference of -0.93 (95%CI -1.76, to -0.11, p<0.001) of patient outcome, but statistically, there was no difference in cure rate (risk ratio 1.46 (95%CI 0.72, to 2.97, p=0.008) in vitamin D supplementation groups compared to placebo groups. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation in paediatric atopic dermatitis patients could offer improvement of disease severity but the recommended dose and duration of administration cannot be concluded yet.
Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Its Association with Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease and Nutrient Intake in Korean Adult Men: The 2013–2014 KNHANES

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been linked to one of the highest death rates globally. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) may be an important predictor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, superior to the standard atherosclerotic lipid profile. This study investigated the relationship between AIP and obesity indices, blood glucose, lipid profile, and nutrient intake status in Korean adult men. The study included 1292 males aged ≥19 years old who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2014. Participants were divided into four groups according to AIP quartiles, calculated as log (triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)). Body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, TG, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased as AIP levels increased, whereas HDL-C level declined. As the level of AIP increased, intake of saturated fatty acid, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, milk, and dairy product decreased significantly, and the contribution rate of milk and dairy products to fat intake decreased. AIP was linked to obesity indices, blood glucose, and blood lipid profile in Korean men, suggesting that it could predict CAD.
Field tests of OSIRI : a decision-marking tool for irrigation of sugarcane farms in Reunion

A decision-making software tool for monitoring irrigation of small farms in heterogeneous environments (OSIRI) was developed at the request of small-scale sugarcane farmers on the island of Reunion (France) hampered by variable climate and soil conditions. This program, which is based on a simple water balance simulation model coupled with a comprehensive set of decision rules, was designed to provide farmers with customized advice on discrete irrigation units and to simulate irrigation system scenarios so as to optimize their performance. The basic equations and main decision rules of OSIRI, as well as the software features, were given in Chopart et al. (2007). A detailed experimental study was carried out on a 5000 m2 irrigated sugarcane field to compare the performance of this tool with the currently used method based on maximum crop water requirements (control). The results showed that OSIRI reasonably well simulates actual evapotranspiration and drainage below the sugarcane root zone. Moreover, it allowed savings of about 26% in irrigation delivery throughout the crop cycle as compared with the control method, without a significant decrease in yield, and irrigation water productivity increased by 25%. The results of a survey of 25 farmers using OSIRI showed that it is a well accepted valuable decision-making tool. (Resume d'auteur)
CAR T Cell Immunotherapy Beyond Haematological Malignancy

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, which express a synthetic receptor engineered to target specific antigens, have demonstrated remarkable potential to treat haematological malignancies. However, their transition beyond haematological malignancy has so far been unsatisfactory. Here, we discuss recent challenges and improvements for CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors: Antigen heterogeneity which provides an effective escape mechanism against conventional mono-antigen-specific CAR T cells; and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment which provides physical and molecular barriers that respectively prevent T cell infiltration and drive T cell dysfunction and hypoproliferation. Further, we discuss the application of CAR T cells in infectious disease and autoimmunity.
Characterization of Biological Properties of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Grown on an Electrospun Poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) Scaffold

Poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) electrospun scaffolds with seeded stem cells have drawn great interest in tissue engineering. This study investigated the biological behavior of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) grown on a hydrolytically-modified PLCL nanofiber scaffold. The hDPSCs were seeded on PLCL, and their biological features such as viability, proliferation, adhesion, population doubling time, the immunophenotype of hDPSCs and osteogenic differentiation capacity were evaluated on scaffolds. The results showed that the PLCL scaffold significantly supported hDPSC viability/proliferation. The hDPSCs adhesion rate and spreading onto PLCL increased with time of culture. hDPSCs were able to migrate inside the PLCL electrospun scaffold after 7 days of seeding. No differences in morphology and immunophenotype of hDPSCs grown on PLCL and in flasks were observed. The mRNA levels of bone-related genes and their proteins were significantly higher in hDPSCs after osteogenic differentiation on PLCL compared with undifferentiated hDPSCs on PLCL. These results showed that the mechanical properties of a modified PLCL mat provide an appropriate environment that supports hDPSCs attachment, proliferation, migration and their osteogenic differentiation on the PLCL scaffold. The good PLCL biocompatibility with dental pulp stem cells indicates that this mat may be applied in designing a bioactive hDPSCs/PLCL construct for bone tissue engineering.
Protons Interaction with Nomex Target: Secondary Radiation from a Monte Carlo Simulation with Geant4

The study of suitable materials to shield astronauts from Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) is a topic of fundamental importance. The choice of the material must take into account both the secondary radiation produced by the interaction between primary radiation and material and its shielding ability. The physics case presented here deals with the interaction of a proton beam with a Nomex shield, namely, a target material with a mass thickness of 20 g cm−2. The study was conducted with the simulation code DOSE based on the well-known simulation package Geant4. This article shows the properties of secondary radiations produced in the target by the interaction of a proton beam in an energy range characterizing the GCR spectrum. We observed the production of ions of masses and charges lower than the chemical elements that make up Nomex, and also a significant production of neutrons, protons, and 𝛼 particles.
Mesoporous Ce-Fe-Ni Nanocomposites Encapsulated in Carbon-Nanofibers: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Behavior in Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Ceria-iron oxide mesoporous materials with Fe:Ce molar ratio of 5:5 and 9:1 were synthesized by hydrothermal method using CTAB as a template and subsequently modified with NiO (molar ratio Ni:Fe = 1:2) by incipient wetness impregnation technique. In order to increase the electro-capacitive properties and reduce the intrinsic impedance of the metal oxides, the samples were consecutively modified by reduction in hydrogen to obtain highly dispersed Ni – Fe alloys into ceria matrix. By exploiting the high permeability of carbon inside ferrous alloys, the metal phase has been further modified into ferrous carbides and metal alloys encapsulated within carbon nanofibers. For this purpose, a reaction, already widely studied for the production of hydrogen, was used, that is the decomposition of methanol vapors. In fact, this decomposition, in addition to producing syn-gas and methane, changes the catalysts in use through a chemical vapor deposition-carbon coating process. This fact, has been used by us to demonstrate how the newly obtained metal-carbon nanocomposites can be used for electro-catalytic purposes. The modified phases of the two molar ratios of the Fe – Ni – Ce catalysts were tested in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in an alkaline environment (1 M KOH), showing a satisfactory and progressive increase in activity and a surprising decrease in the overpotential at 10 mA/cm 2 of current density. The morphological, textural and physicochemical properties of the samples were characterized in details by XRD, N 2 - physisorption, TG-TPO, TEM, EDX, FTIR, XPS, Raman and Moessbauer spectroscopies.
Diode-pumped and tunable laser operation of Tm,Ho-codoped modified CNGG-type disordered crystals

A comparative study of three disordered calcium niobium gallium garnet (CNGG)-type crystals codoped with Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions is performed: (i) without host modifiers (CNGG), (ii) with Li+ cations added (CLNGG), and (iii) with Li+ and La3+ cations added (LCLNGG), all grown by the Czochralski method. The crystals exhibit inhomogeneously broadened luminescence bands extending beyond 2.1 μm. A diode-pumped Tm,Ho:LCLNGG laser generates 562 mW at 2082 nm with a slope efficiency of 17.4% and a laser threshold of 0.46 W. A continuous wavelength tuning between 1904.1 and 2121.1 nm (tuning range: 217 nm) is achieved with this new garnet compound. The Tm,Ho:LCLNGG crystal is promising for generation of ultrashort pulses from mode-locked lasers emitting above 2 μm.
Preliminary report on hepatic and cardiovascular risk assessment of automobile mechanics in Nigeria

Automechanics are among the job professionals in proximity to diesel and gasoline exhaust whose components are known to be toxic. This raises serious public health concern. This study is a population-based-cross-sectional survey, set up to investigate the risk of cardiovascular and hepatic injury incurred by people engaged in work as mechanics. For information on the year of experience, socio demography, nutrition and lifestyle, structured questionnaires were administered. Ninety-one out of 186 mechanics drawn from 671 mechanic workshops along with 91 control subjects were analyzed. Venous blood was taken for determination of concentrations of lipids, transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activity. The body mass index, coronary and artherogenic risk index and blood pressure were also determined. Student’s t-test for unpaired samples was used to analyze all data. As such, Pvalues of <0.05 were accepted as significant. The mechanics’ total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, were not different from that of the control subjects. The triglyceride level, artherogenic and coronary risk index of the mechanics was higher than that of the control subjects. However, the enzymes’ activity was not different for the mechanics and the control subjects, and the blood pressure of the mechanics was also not different from that of the control subjects. Our result does not suggest a greater risk of hepatic and cardiovascular diseases in the mechanics, but the observed increase in artherogenic and coronary risk index is, however, of interest.
The Relationship Between Sexual Satisfaction and Marital Satisfaction in Women With Ovarian Cancer and Their Spouses

Background Ovarian cancer can have long-term physical and psychosexual effects on survivors. The post–ovarian cancer sexuality concerns of women can cause sadness and anxiety and negatively impact sexual and marital satisfaction in these women and their spouses. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction of women with ovarian cancer and their spouses. Methods This study was designed retrospectively. This study was conducted with 172 participants: 86 women with ovarian cancer and 86 spouses. Data were collected over 6 months from July 2019 to December 2019. Sexual satisfaction levels were assessed using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. Marital satisfaction levels were assessed using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State. Results Spouses’ sexual satisfaction (mean, 8.10) was worse than that of the women (mean, 5.60). The women’s marital satisfaction (mean, 47.39) was worse than that of their spouses (mean, 40.75). Conclusions As the sexual satisfaction of the women increased, the marital satisfaction of the women (r = 0.346, P = .001) and spouses (r = 0.308, P = .001) increased. As the sexual satisfaction of the spouses increased, the marital satisfaction of the women (r = 0.512, P = .001) and spouses (r = 0.409, P = .001) increased. Implications for Practice Nurses and healthcare teams need to be aware of post–ovarian cancer sexual and marital satisfaction problems of women and their spouses and organize activities at education and couple counseling on these problems.
Effect of water features on the microclimate of residential projects in a hot-arid climate

This paper investigated the effect of water features on thermal comfort in a central open space of a residential project in a hot-arid climate. A crowded urbanized area in Baghdad was chosen as a case study a city. The methodology relied on a simulation method using ENVI-met 4.4. 5 software to create a model of a residential project and obtain the levels of the predicted mean vote as well as four parameters associated with it. These parameters included, air temperature, mean radiant temperature, horizontal wind speed, and relative humidity. For the purpose of comparative analysis, four types of surfaces were modelled, a surface with a water feature, a vegetated surface, a concrete surface, and a combination of green and blue surfaces. The simulation results showed that a water feature can significantly decrease the levels of the predicted mean vote (PMV) index. It was even more effective than a vegetated surface in increasing thermal comfort levels in the microclimate of a residential project in a hot-arid climate.
Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Risk of Macrosomia and Large for Gestational Age Births with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus as a Mediator: A Prospective Cohort Study in Central China

This study aimed to examine the risk of macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) births in relation to maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) status mediated through gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This prospective study included 34,104 singleton pregnancies at 8–14 weeks of gestation. The interesting outcomes were macrosomia (≥4000 g) and LGA (≥90th percentile). Mediation analyses were conducted using log-binomial regression adjusted for age, education, parity, fetal sex, and gestational weight gain. The proportion mediated was estimated based on the risk difference scale, and the E-value was utilized to assess potential confounders. Overall, 15.9% of women had GDM, and there were 4.0% macrosomia and 9.9% LGA births. The proportion mediated by GDM on macrosomia was up to 40% among obese women, and the estimate of the total effect was 6.18 (95% CI: 5.26–7.26), of the natural direct effect was 4.10 (95% CI: 3.35–4.99), and of the natural indirect effect was 1.51 (95% CI: 1.31–1.76). Likewise, among overweight women, the proportion mediated by GDM on macrosomia was up to 40%. Furthermore, consistent findings were evident for the outcome of LGA births. Pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity increased the risk of macrosomia and LGA births independently and partly mediated by GDM.
Humoral Immune Response of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Renal Transplant Recipients

Vaccination-induced SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies are required for herd immunity. Vaccine availability and poor vaccine response in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) remain a concern. There is no report on the efficacy of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines in RTRs. We recruited 222 live donors RTRs and analyzed the serum titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody by chemiluminescent magnetic microparticle immunoassay. Patients were categorized into three groups: group1 with SARS-CoV-2 infection and no vaccination (n = 161); group 2 with only vaccination and no SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 41); and group 3 with both vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 20). Overall seroconversion rate was 193/222 (86.9%) with a median titer 1095.20 AU/mL. The median IgG titer value in group 1 was 647.0 AU/mL; group 2 was 1409.0 AU/mL; and group 3 was 1831.30 AU/mL. Covaxin associated seroconversion was observed in 16/19 (84.21%), with a median titer of 1373.90 AU/mL compared to that of Covishield 32/42 (76.19%), whose median titer was 1831.10 AU/mL. The seroconversion rate due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was 145 (90.06%), it was lowest with the vaccination-only group (70.7%), and with both vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection group it was highest (95%). In RTRs, SARS-CoV-2 infection and both Covaxin and Covishield vaccination effectively induce a humoral immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein; however, seroconversion rate was lower and the antibody titer was higher with vaccine than infection.
Thermoresponsive Ionic Liquid/Water Mixtures: From Nanostructuring to Phase Separation

The thermodynamics, structures, and applications of thermoresponsive systems, consisting primarily of water solutions of organic salts, are reviewed. The focus is on organic salts of low melting temperatures, belonging to the ionic liquid (IL) family. The thermo-responsiveness is represented by a temperature driven transition between a homogeneous liquid state and a biphasic state, comprising an IL-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, divided by a relatively sharp interface. Demixing occurs either with decreasing temperatures, developing from an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), or, less often, with increasing temperatures, arising from a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). In the former case, the enthalpy and entropy of mixing are both positive, and enthalpy prevails at low T. In the latter case, the enthalpy and entropy of mixing are both negative, and entropy drives the demixing with increasing T. Experiments and computer simulations highlight the contiguity of these phase separations with the nanoscale inhomogeneity (nanostructuring), displayed by several ILs and IL solutions. Current applications in extraction, separation, and catalysis are briefly reviewed. Moreover, future applications in forward osmosis desalination, low-enthalpy thermal storage, and water harvesting from the atmosphere are discussed in more detail.
Assessing the Ability to Quantify Bathymetric Change over Time Using Solely Satellite-Based Measurements

Coastal regions are undergoing rapid change, due to natural and anthropogenic forcings. A current constraint in understanding and modeling these changes is the lack of multi-temporal bathymetric data, or recursive observations. Often, it is difficult to obtain the repeat observations needed to quantify bathymetric change over time or events. However, the recent availability of ICESat-2 bathymetric lidar creates the option to map coastal bathymetry from solely space-based measurements via satellite-derived bathymetry with multispectral imagery (IS-2/SDB). This compositional space-based bathymetric mapping technique can assess temporal change along the coasts without other remote sensing or in situ data. However, questions exist as to the accuracy of the technique relative to both quantitative uncertainties and the ability to resolve the spatial patterns of erosion and deposition in the nearshore environment, indicative of geomorphologic change. This paper addresses the concept using data from the Florida panhandle (Northern Gulf of Mexico) collected by Sentinel-2 and ICESat-2 at two epochs to assess the feasibility of using IS-2/SDB for bathymetric change detection at scientifically relevant scales, spatial resolutions and accuracies. The comparison of the satellite-only result is compared to airborne data collected at similar epochs to reveal both quantitatively and qualitatively the utility of this technique.