Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Rural-Based Pre-Service Teachers Spatial-Visualisation Skills in Problem Solving in Vector Calculus Using MATLAB

In science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for instance, interdisciplinary studies have noted positive correlation between spatial-visualization (SV skills) and mathematical problem solving. The majority of these studies sharing a link between SV skills and problem solving were contextualized in urban settings and only a few in rural settings. This investigation analyses how rural-based pre-service teachers apply their SV skills in problem-solving in a South African university, in the context of vector calculus. One hundred rural-based pre-service teachers in a second year vector calculus class at University of Zululand (UNIZULU) were randomly selected into control and experimental groups. MATLAB was used as a dynamic visual tool to analyse how research participants applied their SV skills. A mixed method approach was employed in data collection (quantitative and qualitative). Our findings revealed that the rural-based pre-service teachers’ SV skills correlate with their problem-solving skills in vector calculus.
Impact of translation difficulty and working memory capacity on processing of translation units: evidence from Chinese-to-English translation

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine how the source text’s (ST) translation difficulty and subject’s working memory (WM) capacity impact the number and size of translation units (TUs). Based on the data collected through key-logging of 38 students translating two relatively easy and difficult texts, the number of production TUs (PTU) at all levels and sizes of average production TU (APTU) were calculated and compared. It was found that while translating the difficult text, the subjects used more 1-to-6-word TUs, but their APTU sizes were not clearly reduced. The number of PTUs at each level did not vary with WM capacity in the translation of either the easy or the difficult text, but the APTU size of subjects with high WM capacity was larger than that of those with low WM capacity. However, in the translation of the difficult text, the size of APTU of subjects with high WM capacity was significantly reduced compared to those with low WM capacity, thus neutralizing the difference between the two groups in the translation of the relatively easy text.
Management of cases of COVID-19 infection with acute respiratory failure: a narrative review

Corona viruses are enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded large RNA viruses that affect humans and many animals. About 5% of COVID-19 patients need ICU admission due to ARDS, with a case fatality rate varying from 30% to 60%. Some patients need help other than supplementary oxygen, such as non-invasive ventilation or intubation. Before deciding the appropriate respiratory support for acute respiratory failure patients, concerns regarding the dangers of various treatments should be considered. During the treatment of COVID-19 patients, all respiratory therapies face a risk of aerosol-generating procedures. When treating COVID-19 patients, the priority and consideration should be personal safety devices and environmental control/engineering.
Bedymo: a combined quasi-geostrophic and primitive equation model in sigma coordinates

Abstract. This paper introduces the idealised atmospheric circulation model Bedymo, which combines the quasi-geostrophic approximation and the hydrostatic primitive equations in one modelling framework. The model is designed such that the two systems of equations are solved as similarly as possible, such that differences can be unambiguously attributed to the different approximations, rather than the model formulation or the numerics. As a consequence, but in contrast to most other quasi-geostrophic models, Bedymo is using sigma-coordinates in the vertical. In addition to the atmospheric core, Bedymo also includes a slab ocean model and passive tracer module that will provide the basis for future idealised parametrisation of moisture and latent heat release. Further, Bedymo has a graphical user interface, making it particularly useful for teaching. Bedymo is evaluated for three atmosphere-only test cases and one coupled test case including the slab ocean component. The atmosphere-only test cases comprise the growth of a cyclonic disturbance in a baroclinic environment and the excitation of Rossby waves by isolated orography, both in a mid-latitude channel, as well as the simulation of a mid-latitude storm track. The atmosphere-ocean coupled test case is based on an equatorial channel and evaluates the coupled response to an isolated equatorial temperature anomaly in the ocean mixed layer. For all test cases, results agree well with expectations from theory and results obtained with more complex models.
Accessing Ancient Population Lifeways through the Study of Gastrointestinal Parasites: Paleoparasitology

Paleoparasitology is a discipline of bioarchaeology that studies human and animal parasites and their evolution through time. It is at the frontier between biological sciences and the humanities, and aims to provide valuable clues about the lifestyles of former populations. Through examples chosen among recent case studies, we show in this review how paleoparasitology contributes to issues related to food, health, hygiene, organic waste management, and site occupation by ancient populations, but also, in the longer term, to questions of the evolution of the human/animal relationship and the history of diseases. This article provides an overview of this research field, its history, its concepts, and in particular, its applications in archaeology and the history of diseases.
Ultrasonic Scattering Attenuation in Nodular Cast Iron: Experimental and Simulation Studies

This work evaluates the ultrasonic scattering attenuation of structures with complex scatterer distributions via experimental and simulation studies. The proposed approach uses experimental attenuation knowledge to infer the scatterer size and its concentration in the studied structures, which are important for the effective construction of simulated models. The MATLAB k-Wave toolbox has been used to implement the simulator. Several cast-iron samples have been used to demonstrate the importance of simulation in the characterization of such structures. First, the scattering attenuation was evaluated using the Truell and Papadakis models, and then the results were compared with experimental ones. Emphasis was given to the Papadakis approach because it takes into account the scatterer size distribution. It is demonstrated that both analytical models provide results that are far from the experimental ones. The developed simulator for the studied samples led to a predictive model, in which the attenuation was proportional to the fifth power of the scatterer size, and the corresponding formulation is close to the one proposed by the analytical models.
Outcome of instrumental vaginal delivery in university of Abuja teaching hospital: a five-year review

Instrumental vaginal delivery is the delivery of a baby vaginally using any type of obstetrics forceps or vacuum extraction. The term operative vaginal delivery and instrumental vaginal delivery are used interchangeably. It is an age-long obstetric practice used to expedite delivery or avert recourse to caesarean delivery. It is a vital component of basic emergency obstetric care worldwide and remains an integral part of the obstetrician’s duties. It may take the form of instrumental deliveries, employing obstetric forceps and vacuum extractor to shorten the second stage of labor. The goal is to expedite delivery with minimal maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality and the relevance of these procedures cannot be over emphasized in a resource constraint setting like ours where poverty, ignorance and obnoxious cultural practices have led to a very high morbid aversion for cesarean section among obstetric women. The advent of obstetric forceps and use of vacuum devices have revolutionized obstetric practice. Despite the use of newer designs of vacuum cups which have greatly reduced the risk of injury to the baby, and forceps availability as against its rarity in the era of the Chamberlains, many authorities believe that these vital obstetric arts are moving towards extinction. ABSTRACT
Projected change in rangeland fractional component cover across the sagebrush biome under climate change through 2085

Climate change over the past century has altered vegetation community composition and species distributions across rangelands in the western United States. The scale and magnitude of climatic in ﬂ uences are unknown. While many studies have projected the effects of climate change using several modeling approaches, none has evaluated the impacts to fractional component cover at a 30-m resolution across the full sagebrush ( Artemisia spp.) biome. We used fractional component cover data for rangeland functional groups and weather data from the 1985 to 2018 reference period in conjunction with soils and topography data to develop empirical models describing the spatiotemporal variation in component cover. To investigate the rami ﬁ cations of future change across the western United States, we extended models based on historical relationships over the reference period to model landscape effects based on future weather conditions from two emission scenarios and three time periods (2020s, 2050s, and 2080s). We tested both generalized additive models (GAMs) and regression tree models, ﬁ nding that the former led to superior spatial and statistical results. Our results indicate more xeric vegetation across most of the study area, with an increasing dominance of non-sagebrush shrubs, annual herbaceous cover, and bare ground over herbaceous and sagebrush cover in both the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. In general, both scenarios yielded similar results, but RCP 8.5 tended to be more extreme, with greater change relative to the reference period. Results demonstrate that in cool sites some degree of warming to growing season maximum temperature or nongrowing season minimum temperature could be bene ﬁ cial to sagebrush and shrub growth. However, warming nongrowing season maximum temperature was bene ﬁ cial to shrub, but not to sagebrush growth. Our results inform rangeland managers of potential future vegetation composition, cover, and species distributions, which could improve prioritization of conservation and restoration efforts.
Brentuximab vedotin in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab in subjects with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Trials in Progress).

TPS7571 Background: The majority of patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who relapse after HSCT, or who are not candidates for HSCT have poor outcomes and are in need of novel therapies. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is a CD30-directed ADC and preclinical data provide a strong rationale for combining BV, lenalidomide, and rituximab in the treatment of R/R DLBCL. In addition, in a phase 1 trial in which 37 pts with R/R DLBCL were treated with BV + lenalidomide, the ORR was 56.7% (73.3% in CD30+ pts; manuscript in preparation). The median duration of remission was 13.2 months in pts with a CR or PR and 11.7 months in pts with CR, PR, or stable disease > 6 months. The PFS and median OS were 11.2 months and 14.3 months, respectively and results were similar in the CD30+ and CD30 < 1% groups. The clinical activity and manageable safety profiles of BV, lenalidomide, and rituximab as single agents, make the combination a viable option in multiply relapsed and heavily pretreated pts. Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active-comparator, multicenter phase 3 study designed to evaluate the efficacy of BV vs placebo, in combination with lenalidomide + rituximab, in subjects with R/R DLBCL (NCT04404283). Prior to randomization, there will be a safety and PK run-in period where 6 pts will receive BV, lenalidomide + rituximab, and safety and PK will be evaluated after the first cycle of treatment; 6/6 subjects have been enrolled. Key eligibility criteria include: pts aged ≥18 with R/R DLBCL with an eligible subtype; ≥2 prior lines of therapy and must be ineligible for, or have declined, stem cell transplant, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy; ECOG 0 to 2; fluorodeoxyglucose-avid disease by PET and bidimensional measurable disease of at least 1.5 cm by CT. Patients (n = 400) will be randomized 1:1 to receive either BV or placebo in combination with lenalidomide + rituximab and will be stratified by CD30 expression (positive [ ≥1%] versus < 1%), prior allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplant therapy (received or not), prior CAR-T therapy (received or not), and cell of origin (GCB or non-GCB). The primary endpoints are PFS per BICR in the ITT and CD30+ populations. Key secondary endpoints are OS in the ITT and CD30+ populations, and ORR per BICR. Other secondary endpoints include CR rate, duration of response, and safety and tolerability of the combination. Disease response will be assessed by BICR and the investigator according to the Lugano Classification Revised Staging System. Radiographic disease evaluations, including contrast-enhanced CT scans and PET, will be assessed at baseline, then every 6 weeks from randomization until Week 48, then every 12 weeks. PET is not required after CR is achieved. The trial is currently enrolling and will be open in 16 countries. Clinical trial information: NCT04404283.
Testing the ‘two water worlds’ hypothesis under variable preferential flow conditions

Widespread observations of ecohydrological separation are interpreted by suggesting that water flowing through highly conductive soil pores resists mixing with matrix storage over periods of days to months (i.e., two ‘water worlds’ exist). These interpretations imply that heterogeneous flow can produce ecohydrological separation in soils, yet little mechanistic evidence exists to explain this phenomenon. We quantified the separation between mobile water moving through preferential flow paths versus less mobile water remaining in the soil matrix after free‐drainage to identify the amount of preferential flow necessary to maintain a two water world's scenario. Soil columns of varying macropore structure were subjected to simulated rainfall of increasing rainfall intensity (26 mm h−1, 60 mm h−1, and 110 mm h−1) whose stable isotope signatures oscillated around known baseline values. Prior to rainfall, soil matrix water δ2H nearly matched the known value used to initially wet the pore space whereas soil δ18O deviated from this value by up to 3.4‰, suggesting that soils may strongly fractionate 18O. All treatments had up to 100% mixing between rain and matrix water under the lowest (26 mm h−1) and medium (60 mm h−1) rainfall intensities. The highest rainfall intensity (110 mm h−1), however, reduced mixing of rain and matrix water for all treatments and produced significantly different preferential flow estimates between columns with intact soil structure compared to columns with reduced soil structure. Further, artificially limiting exchange between preferential flow paths and matrix water reduced bypass flow under the most intense rainfall. We show that (1) precipitation offset metrics such as lc‐excess and d‐excess may yield questionable interpretations when used to identify ecohydrological separation, (2) distinct domain separation may require extreme rainfall intensities and (3) domain exchange is an important component of macropore flow.
ANTI-OBESITY EFFECTS OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF MOMORDICA FOETIDA (CUCURBITACEAE) IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the methanol extract of M. foetida (MEMf) on high fat diet-induced obese male rats. Results: HFD induced an increase (P<0.05) in the body and liver weights and the relative abdominal fat pad of the animals in the experimental groups as compared to those in the normal diet group. Also, HFD in the experimental groups reduced (P<0.05) superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, glutathione levels and increased lipid peroxidation in the liver, heart and kidney as well as altered lipid profile (increased serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C), decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), increased atherogenic index and coronary risk index), when compared to the normal diet animals. All altered parameters were subsequently normalized when obese rats received either MEMf (50 or100 mg/kg) or the reference drug Atorvastatin. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of MEMf to normalize hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and animal visceral organ weights increased by HFD in rats. Thus, M. foetida is an interesting medicinal plant that could be exploited as sources of anti-obesity agents.
Phase diagram optimization and calculation of the systems containing rare earth chlorides

Several models used for describing the Gibbs energy of liquid phase containing rare earth chlorides are briefly discussed. In order to reliably predict the ternary thermodynamic properties from its sub-binary ones, a thermodynamic criterion is proposed to reasonably identify the symmetry of ternary system. A series of binary and ternary phase diagrams of the rare earth containing chloride systems have been optimized and calculated. The agreement between calculated and measured phase diagrams is good enough.
Young children calibrate effort based on the trajectory of their performance.

Learning requires effort, but children cannot try hard at everything. Here, we evaluated whether children use their improvement over time to decide whether to stick with a challenge. To eliminate the effect of individual differences in ability or prior knowledge, we created a novel paradigm that allowed us to surreptitiously control children's performance. Across three preregistered experiments (N = 319, ages 4 to 6 in the United States), we found that children who were given evidence that their performance was improving were more likely to persist on a challenging task than children who were given evidence that their performance was constant, even when final performance was matched. This effect was robust to differing reward contingencies, across in-person and online testing contexts, and was driven by the demotivating effect of constant performance. Our results suggest that young children will be more persistent if they are guided away from too-difficult tasks and toward opportunities that enable steady growth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Effect of Sucrose Addition on Rheological and Thermal Properties of Rice Starch–Gum Mixtures

Abstract The effect of sucrose at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, and 30% w/w) on rheological and thermal properties of 5% (w/w) rice starch (RS) pastes mixed with guar gum (GG) and xanthan gum (XG) was examined. The flow behavior index (n) values of RS–gum mixtures in the presence of sucrose were higher than those of the control (0% sucrose), whereas their K and σoc values were lower. The RS–XG–sucrose mixtures showed much higher dynamic moduli values than the control, while the RS–GG–sucrose mixtures, except for the 30% sucrose concentration, showed lower values, indicating that the viscoelastic properties of RS–XG mixtures were greatly affected by the addition of sucrose. In general, differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the presence of sucrose resulted in an increase in the gelatinization temperatures and a decrease in gelatinization enthalpy. These results could facilitate the development of RS-based products with improved thermal and rheological properties.
Seven-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-chromen-4- one reduces atherogenic index and Nrf2 and GPx gene expressions in hyperlipidemic rats

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-chromen-4-one isolated from mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) seeds on atherogenic index, expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and expression of the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) genes in hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: A total of 25 rats male aged 8 weeks and weighing an average of 200 g were used. They were divided into five groups as follows: (I) normal (N), (II) hyperlipidemic (HL), (III) hyperlipidemic rats treated with simvastatin (HL+SV), (IV and V) hyperlipidemic rats treated with 30 or 90mg, respectively, of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-chromen-4-one per 200 g body weight per day for 4 weeks. Atherogenic index (AI) was calculated from the levels of triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) while Nrf2 and GPx gene expressions were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: Two different doses of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-chromen-4-one in hyperlipidemic rats significantly reduced their atherogenic index (p < 0.05). Nrf2 and GPx expression levels were lower than (p > 0.05) those of hyperlipidemic group. Conclusion: Seven-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-chromen-4-one reduces the atherogenic index and expression levels of Nrf2 and GPx genes in hyperlipidemic rats. Thus, this compound has potential as an antihyperlipidemic agent
Anti-microbial finishing for natural textile fabrics

(Received 14/04/2021, accepted 25/05/2021) DOI: 10.21608/jtcps.2021. 72333.1054 ©2021 National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) THE TEXTILE industries continue to introduce various products to enhance their products’ quality to satisfy their clients. Recently Antimicrobial textiles have gained much attention and popularity in the market and day-to-day life. Infestations of microorganisms allow bacteria to transmit disease, and odor occurs in fabrics that come into close contact with the skin. Furthermore, discoloration, tints, and loss of functional characteristics of textiles are the result of microbial damage. Antibacterial finished textile is an important area for medical and hygienic applications also there is an enormous need for non-toxic and eco-friendly antimicrobial agents. The synthetic biocides finish extensively reported were polyhexamethylenebiguanide (PHMB), quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and n-halamines, metals (including metal oxides such as ZnO, TiO2, and ag nanoparticles). Whereas, the natural-based biocides chitosan and plant-based extracts. This paper will cover concisely, review of the latest research done at antimicrobial finishing, methods of application, and the impact of these treatments on health and the environment.
New AMS Radiocarbon Ages from the Preceramic Levels of Coxcatlan Cave, Puebla, Mexico: A Pleistocene Occupation of the Tehuacan Valley?

Archaeological studies at Coxcatlan Cave in the Tehuacan Valley of southern Puebla, Mexico, have been instrumental to the development of the chronology for the region and for our understanding of the origins of food production in the Americas. This article refines the Preceramic chronology of the Tehuacan Valley by presenting 14 new accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon ages from faunal bone samples uncovered from early depositional levels of the rock shelter. Although bones associated with the El Riego (9893–7838 cal BP), Coxcatlan (7838–6375 cal BP), and Abejas (6375–4545 cal BP) phase zones of the cave yielded ages similar to those of the previously proposed chronology for the region, bones from the Ajuereado phase zones at the base of the cave yielded surprisingly old ages that range from 33,448 to 28,279 cal BP, a time prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. Because these early ages are many thousands of years older than current models estimate for the peopling of the Americas, they require reassessments of the artifacts and ecofacts excavated from these early zones.