Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leaf-litter ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a pristine Guianese rain-forest: stable functional structure versus high species turnover

We compared the ant assemblages from four very heterogeneous habitats over a short-distance elevational gradient of vegetation (due to the presence of an inselberg) at the Nouragues Research Station, French Guiana. We focused on litter-dwelling ants, combining the use of pitfall traps and the Winkler method according to the Ants of the Leaf Litter Protocol. This permitted us to note (1) a high leaf-litter ant diversity overall and a decreasing diversity gradient from the lowland rainforest to the top of the inselberg, and (2) differences in species density, composition and functional structure. While the ant assemblages on the plateau and inselberg can be considered functionally similar and typical of an Amazonian rainforest, that of the transition forest, relatively homogenous, rather corresponded to an ant fauna typical of open areas. By contrast, the liana forest assemblage was unexpectedly richer and denser than the others, sheltering a litter-dwelling ant fauna dominated by numerous and abundant cryptic species. These taxonomical and functional dissimilarities may reflect the influence of the environmental heterogeneity, which, through variable abiotic conditions, can contribute to maintaining a notably rich ant biodiversity in these Neotropical habitats.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF "SMOKING AND RADON" INTERACTION IN THE LUNG CANCER DEVELOPMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Introduction. The major risk factors for lung cancer include tobacco smoking and exposure to residential radon. A comprehensive study was conducted in the Republic of Moldova to explore the interaction of smoking and radon as triggering factors for lung cancer morbidity. Material and methods. The study used data on tobacco smoking prevalence from the national 2021 STEPS study, lung cancer morbidity data from 2012 to 2020, and radon measurements obtained through RADTRAK2 during 2018 and 2021. The data processing tools employed summary statistics and cluster analysis. Results. The distribution of high radon values, the number of smokers and the lung cancer morbidity is uneven throughout the country. The formation of a larger cluster combining all variables developed from the formation of two distinct clusters: 1. the incidence and prevalence of lung cancer, the total number of tobacco smokers, the number of male smokers, the number of female smokers, and the number of urban smokers, 2. the radon concentration and the number of rural smokers. Conclusions. The study results demonstrate the leading role of tobacco smoking on morbidity rate among adult population, regardless of gender across urban areas with a rather low radon concentration. At the same time, they indicate the cumulative effect of smoking and increased radon concentration in rural areas due to home construction features and lifestyle
Bold techno competence in language learning: a study on the effects of efficacy of workshops in decreasing technostress and boosting academic enjoyment, autonomy, and language achievement

In the contemporary landscape of education, the integration of technology has become synonymous with progress and innovation. The advent of digital tools and platforms has not only transformed the conventional paradigms of teaching and learning but has also introduced a new dimension to the acquisition of skills, especially in the realm of language education (Lambot & Yango, 2023). As we navigate the intricacies of the Abstract This study investigated the impact of techno‑competence workshops on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ language achievement, technostress, academic enjoyment, and autonomy in a large university in Iran. A concurrent mixed‑methods approach was employed, with qualitative data collected through structured interviews and quantitative data gathered using a teacher‑made test validated through a known‑ group procedure. Ninety‑six upper‑intermediate EFL learners were randomly assigned to an Experimental Group (EG) and a Control Group (CG). Results revealed a significant decrease in technostress, an increase in academic enjoyment, and heightened auton‑ omy among participants attending the techno‑competence workshops. The quan‑ titative analysis demonstrated a substantial improvement in language achievement for the EG compared to the CG. Findings contribute to the understanding of the mul‑ tifaceted impacts of techno‑competence on language learning outcomes and offer practical insights for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers in fostering effective language education in technologically enriched environments. Despite cer‑ tain limitations, this study lays the groundwork for future research endeavors exploring the intricate dynamics between techno‑competence and language learning outcomes across diverse contexts.
Numerical Modeling of Flow Over a Rectangular Broad-Crested Weir with a Sloped Upstream Face

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the upstream angle on flow over a trapezoidal broad-crested weir based on numerical simulations using the open-source toolbox OpenFOAM. Eight trapezoidal broad-crested weir configurations with different upstream face angles (θ = 10°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°) were investigated under free-flow conditions. The volume-of-fluid (VOF) method and two turbulence models (the standard k-ε model and the SST k-w model) were employed in the numerical simulations. The numerical results were compared with the experimental results obtained from published papers. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the numerical results. The statistical results show that RMSE and MAPE values of the standard k-ε model are 0.35–0.67% and 0.50–1.48%, respectively; the RMSE and MAPE values of the SST k-w model are 0.25–0.66% and 0.55–1.41%, respectively. Additionally, the effects of the upstream face angle on the flow features, including the discharge coefficient and the flow separation zone, were also discussed in the present study.
Study Of Salivary Alpha-2 Macroglobulin In Type 2 Diabetic Study Of Salivary Alpha-2 Macroglobulin In Type 2 Diabetic Egyptian Patients Egyptian Patients

Background : Evaluating glycemic control in saliva samples in a noninvasive method is necessary. Alpha-2 macro-globulin (A2MG) might be present in saliva; therefore, it has the potential to be employed as a noninvasive approach for tracking type 2 diabetes mellitus individuals ’ glycemic control. Aim and objectives : Evaluating the ef ﬁ cacy of salivary A2MG as a biomarker for glycemic control in Egyptians with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients and methods : The Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at Al-Azhar University Hospital in Cairo enrolled 100 participants for a cross-sectional observational research throughout September 2021 to March 2022. Results : Age, family history, hypertension, morbidities, post-hoc test for multiple contrasts among examined groups with respect to fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin, post-hoc test for multiple contrasts among examined groups with respect to salivary A2MG and diagnostic performance of salivary A2MG in discrimination were all highly statistically signi ﬁ cant. Conclusion : As a result of the fact that the current study discovered an adequate correlation among salivary A2MG levels and the percentage of glycated hemoglobin, the measurement of A2MG in saliva provides a noninvasive, effective alternative way for assessing glycemic index, hence avoiding the comorbidities that have been related to diabetes.
Full-Scale Wind Turbine Performance Assessment: A Study of Aerodynamic Degradation and Operational Influences

This study investigates how blade aerodynamic modifications, including Leading Edge Roughness (LER), influence offshore wind turbine performance over their operational lifespan. Developing a novel methodology, this research analyses data from twelve multi-megawatt turbines over a twelve-year period, focusing on the intricate relationship between blade erosion, blade enhancements, operations and maintenance events, control PLC parameter updates, and their cumulative impact on turbine efficiency. The analysis hinges on the integration of SCADA data, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) records, and 5 air density corrections. A key contribution is the development of a Turbine Performance Integral (TPI) method, which leverages generator speed and power output data to track performance trajectories. Seasonal-Trend decomposition using Locally Estimated Scatterplot Smoothing (STL) further isolates long-term trends and seasonal variations in performance. Overcoming data availability and quality limitations, the study reveals significant findings concerning software updates impacts on turbine control strategies, the variable effects of blade repairs and enhancements and the complex interaction between O&M events 10 and performance. This study’s strength lies in its methodical approach and statistical rigour, offering a path forward in the quest for optimised wind turbine efficiency and advancing renewable energy.
Students’ satisfaction on learning calculus using open and distance learning method during COVID-19 pandemic

In early 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, all higher education institutions had to switch from face-to-face learning to open and distance learning (ODL) method. The main purpose was to prevent any further spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study aimed to identify factors carrying impacts on students’ satisfaction in learning calculus using ODL method. The sample consists of 224 students of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak Branch, Tapah Campus who took calculus subjects using ODL method during the COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia. Five factors are found to influence students’ satisfaction towards ODL method: student-lecturer interaction; lecturer performance; ODL course evaluation; design; and technical. By using partial least square (PLS)–SEM method, the results showed that lecturer performance has a large effect size on students’ satisfaction. Technical and design factors have medium effect sizes, while the ODL course evaluation and student-lecturer interaction have small effect sizes. This research provided useful insights for an effective planning of online calculus courses by considering all factors that influence students’ satisfaction.
International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE)

Received Apr 16, 2021 Revised Nov 3, 2021 Accepted Dec 13, 2021 The quality of collaborative writing process to some extent depends on the verbal episodes occurring during the collaboration. This study aimed to describe English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ verbal episodes in proficiency pairings. A case study design was used in this study. It involved 40 EFL students of the English department in an Indonesian university. They were divided into two groups based on the types of proficiency pairings: heterogeneous (20 students) and homogenous (20 students). Therefore, this study was also intended to identify which of the two types of proficiency pairings produces more verbal episodes than the other. The verbal processes were audio recorded and then transcribed. The audio transcriptions were analyzed for common themes related to episode categorization. To ensure the reliability of the episode analysis, inter-coder, and intra-coder checks were employed. The results showed that Indonesian EFL students used three major types of verbal episodes: language-related episodes (LREs), textrelated episodes (TREs), and scaffolding episodes (SEs). The study also revealed that proficiency levels determined the categories of LREs and SEs most frequently produced by the heterogeneous and homogeneous pairs. Both the heterogeneous and homogeneous pairs were likely to produce almost the same frequencies of categories of TREs more particularly in terms of organization and content. Further research might explore the link between the number of episodes and the learning gains.
Stakeholder’s Perception of Subsequent Goodwill Measurement: An Analysis of IASB Comment Letters

: Goodwill is the most intangible of intangibles and continues to generate great debate in academic, business, and regulatory circles, with no consensus on its subsequent measurement. In early 2020, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) published a discussion paper entitled DP/2020/1 Business Combinations – Disclosures, Goodwill and Impairment , to gather input on more useful disclosures on business combinations, bringing back to the discussion the subject of the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The IASB received comments on its proposed disclosures, as well as new evidence and arguments on how to account for goodwill, having received 193 comment letters from a wide range of stakeholders. This study aims to analyse the perception of those interested parties about the subsequent measurement of goodwill proposed by the IASB, as well as the arguments used for its reasoning. For this purpose, the content of stakeholder’s comment letters was analysed and classified as academics, auditors, investors, standard setters, preparers, regulators/securities, and others, and by region. In addition, the preparers’ comment letters were subclassified by sectors of activity to identify differences in the perception of preparers by industry. These differences point to the need to reflect on the existence of more than one goodwill measurement model, which best fits the sector of activity, a pioneering aspect in research on goodwill. The results reveal a preference trend for the systematic amortisation of goodwill. In all categories of stakeholders, apart from the "Others", the preference is for the reintroduction of goodwill amortisation. Similarly, most stakeholders in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania are in favour of reintroducing the systematic amortisation of goodwill. In some industries (Automotive, Banking, Luxury Goods, Electrical Appliances, Energy and Technology) no preparer prefers the impairment-only model, which suggests that perhaps in those sectors of activity, this model is not suitable. This study contributes to the literature on the subsequent measurement of goodwill, as well as to the different stakeholders, by presenting, under different perspectives of analysis, the respondents' preferences on the subsequent measurement of goodwill, as well as the arguments in favour of each model.
Key challenges in the current TB & HIV information system in South Africa : a case study in Khayelitsha, Western Cape

THESIS 10902%%%%South Africa has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics in the world, with high incidence, prevalence and co-infection rates. Information is at the heart of managing the TB and HIV epidemics, both inside and outside healthcare facilities. All stakeholders including the general public, patients, health professionals and policy-makers need access to valid, complete and up-to-date information in order to make choices and decisions (HIQA, 2013). Yet, this goal is not often met in developed countries and almost never in developing ones.
Multiple Cranial Organ Defects aft Conditionally Knocking Out Fgf10 i the Neural Crest

Fgf10 is necessary for the development of a number of organs that fail to develop or are reduced in size in the null mutant. Here we have knocked out Fgf10 speciﬁcally in the neural crest driven by Wnt1cre . The Wnt1creFgf10ﬂ/ﬂ mouse phenocopies many of the null mutant defects, including cleft palate, loss of salivary glands
High‐Frequency (>2 Hz) Ambient Seismic Noise on High‐Melt Glaciers: Green's Function Estimation and Source Characterization

Using ambient noise to characterize subsurface structures has revolutionized solid earth seismology. In glacial applications, this technique could provide valuable information about ice thickness and bed properties, which to date are deduced from laborious and/or expensive active source geophysics or deep drilling. Despite challenging conditions such as minimal scattering and changing sources, we show that stacks of cross‐correlation functions of several hours of ambient seismic noise can converge towards Green's functions under favorable conditions. These contain the sought‐after information about subsurface seismic velocities and ice thickness. Applying this technique to two Alpine glaciers in Switzerland, we calculate signal‐to‐noise ratios of noise correlation functions. Faster Green's functions convergence during elevated ambient noise levels suggests that increased surface melt promotes spatially homogeneous excitation of noise sources. With the help of Green's functions amplitude asymmetry as well as standard beamforming, we locate dominant noise sources. In combination with spectrograms, glacier surface velocities from GPS and proglacial water discharge measurements, we find glacier noise in the range from 2 to 8 Hz to be a combination of tremor induced by flowing water, icequakes, and anthropogenic sources. We finally calculate dispersion curves from the cross‐correlation functions to arrive at an estimate of the ice thickness. In combination with H/V spectral ratios, the method shown here allows sampling the depth and the properties of the glacier bed by deploying only two seismometers for several hours. Ambient noise correlations could therefore be a valuable ingredient for studies of glacier and ice sheet beds.
Midwives providing woman-centred care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A national qualitative study ☆

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused isolation, fear, and impacted on maternal healthcare provision. Aim: To explore midwives ’ experiences about how COVID-19 impacted their ability to provide woman-centred care, and what lessons they have learnt as a result of the mandated government and hospital restrictions (such as social distancing) during the care of the woman and her family. Methods: A qualitative interpretive descriptive study was conducted. Twenty-six midwives working in all models of care in all states and territories of Australia were recruited through social media, and selected using a maximum variation sampling approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews between May to August, 2020. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Findings: Two overarching themes were identified: ‘COVID-19 causing chaos ’ and ‘keeping the woman at the centre of care ’ . The ‘COVID-19 causing chaos ’ theme included three sub-themes: ‘quickly evolving situation ’ , ‘challenging to provide care ’ , and ‘affecting women and families ’ . The ‘Keeping the woman at the centre of care ’ theme included three sub-themes: ‘trying to keep it normal ’ , ‘bending the rules and pushing the boundaries ’ , and ‘quality time for the woman, baby, and family unit ’ . Conclusion: Findings of this study offer important evidence regarding the impact of the pandemic on the provision of woman-centred care which is key to midwifery philosophy. Recommendations are made for ways to preserve and further enhance woman-centred care during periods of uncertainty such as during a pandemic or other health crises.
Elderly and aged asthma have different characteristics: results of Elderly and aged asthma have different characteristics: results of a multicenter study a multicenter study

, cross-sectional type. A questionnaire was filled out to patients 60 years of age and over, that have been followed for asthma for at least 3 months. Asthma Control Test (ACT), eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was filled out, inhaler device technique was assessed. Results
An automated NMR platform with light-coupled cryogenic probes to detect low micromolar samples

Recent advances in NMR fragment screening use sample illumination to boost NMR sensitivity, reduce 10 measurement time to a few seconds, and reduce sample concentration to a few micromolars. Nevertheless, the absence of a fully automated solution to measure several hundreds of samples with photoinduced hyperpolarization limits the large-scale applicability of the method. We present a setup to couple an optical fiber with a cryogenic probe using the flow-cell accessory port. This setup is compatible with commercially available autosamplers, enabling the fully automated measurement of several hundreds of samples per day.
Steam combined dry reforming of methane over CoMo/Al2O3 nano�ake catalyst at low microwave power irradiation

This research involved performing steam-assisted dry reformation (SDR) on methane over a CoMo 2 /Al 2 O 3 nano�ake catalyst irradiated at microwave frequencies. CoMo 2 nano�akes showed great catalytic activity for reforming reactions due to their excellent exposed surface to the incident MW and better ability to absorb MW. Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis is used to manufacture liquid fuels, and the predicted syngas ratio (H 2 /CO) can be easily modi�ed by adjusting the quantity of steam to carbon ratio (S/C) supplied into the reactor. With an intake S/C ratio of less than (0.1) and (200 W) of MW power, it is possible to get an H 2 /CO ratio greater than one. Compared to carbon-based catalysts, the catalytic stability of the CoMo 2 nano�akes catalysts was much higher after 16 hours of time-on-stream (TOS) of the SDR process while being exposed to MW irradiation. Steam combination dry reforming, MW assistance, and a CoMo catalyst are some keywords that might be used here.
Cellular and Molecular Biology

: Bile acids usually build up in patients with cholestatic liver disease. It was found that the concentration of taurocholic acid (TCA), one of the taurine conjugates of primary bile acids in serum, was elevated the most. While the role played by TCA in the disease is unclear, there is concern whether TCA contributes to the development of hepatocarcinoma from cholestasis. In the present study, the cell viability, flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, intracellular ROS measurement, and intracellular Ca 2+ measurement were used to investigate the effects of TCA on THLE-2 and HepG2 cells. The results showed that TCA is capable of inhibiting HepG2 cell growth whereas it has relatively little or no impact on that of THLE-2 cells until later stages of 16-day treatment. The growth inhibition is a result of cell apoptosis induced by the increase of Ca 2+ and ROS level, and also associated with the increased expression of c-Myc, CEBPα, TNF-α, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CXCL-2, Egr-1. HepG2 growth inhibition could contribute to the research on the treatment methods of patients already with hepatocarcinoma.