Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Impact on Motivation and Academic Performance of a Game-Based Learning Experience Using Kahoot

Gamification methods adapt the mechanics of games to educational environments for the improvement of the teaching-learning process. Serious games play an important role as tools for gamification, in particular in the context of software engineering courses because of the idiosyncratic nature of the topic. However, the studies on the improvement of student performance resulting from the use of gamification and serious games in courses with different contexts are not conclusive. More empirical research is thus needed to obtain reliable results on the effectiveness, benefits and drawbacks. The overall objective of this work is to study the benefits generated by serious games in the teaching-learning process of Computer Engineering degrees, analyzing the impact on the motivation and student satisfaction, as well as on the learning outcomes and results finally achieved. To this end, an intervention is proposed in the subject of Computer Architecture based on two components covering theoretical and practical sessions. In the theoretical sessions, a serious game experience using Kahoot has been introduced, complementing the master classes and class exercises. For the practical sessions, the development of projects with groups of students has been proposed, whose results in terms of computer performance can be compared through a competition (hackathon). Evaluation of the serious game-based intervention has been approached in terms of student satisfaction and motivation, as well as improved academic performance. In order to assess student satisfaction, surveys have been used to assess the effect on student motivation and satisfaction. For the evaluation of academic performance, a comparative analysis between an experimental and a control group has been carried out, noting a slight increase in the experimental group students’ marks.
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 Recruits Cyclophilin A to Facilitate the Replication of Viral DNA Genome

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)-mediated DNA episomal genome replication and persistence are essential for the viral pathogenesis. Cyclophilin A (CYPA) is upregulated in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with unknown roles. In the present approach, cytosolic CYPA was found to be bound with EBNA1 into the nucleus. The amino acid 376-459 of the EBNA1 domain was important for the binding. CYPA depletion attenuated and ectopic CYPA expression improved EBNA1 expression in EBV-positive cells. The loss of viral copy number was also accelerated by CYPA consumption in daughter cells during culture passages. Mechanistically, CYPA mediated the connection of EBNA1 with oriP (origin of EBV DNA replication) and subsequent oriP transcription, which is a key step for the initiation of EBV genome replication. Moreover, CYPA overexpression markedly antagonized the connection of EBNA1 to Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), which is a strong host barrier with a role of inhibiting EBV genome replication. The PPIase activity of CYPA was required for the promotion of oriP transcription and antagonism with USP7. The results revealed a strategy that EBV recruited a host factor to counteract the host defense, thus facilitating its own latent genome replication. This study provides a new insight into EBV pathogenesis and potential virus-targeted therapeutics in EBV-associated NPC, in which CYPA is upregulated at all stages.
Exploring Stakeholder Consensus for Multiple Outcomes in Agriculture: An Iowa Case Study

Extensive row-crop agricultural production systems dominant in the United States Corn Belt are designed to produce high yields of a small number of commodities at low production costs. While remarkably valuable, this model of agriculture is directly and indirectly associated with significant externalized public costs and questions about its long-term viability. Agro-environmental conservation policy in the United States has failed to deliver desired environmental outcomes at broad scales, in part, because policy is supply-oriented with scaled financial and technical incentives aimed at the interests of individual farm managers. Understanding broader stakeholder demand relative to agro-ecosystem outcomes is fundamental to modifying policy toward outcomes. Failed collective policy and management, often indicates failed consensus among stakeholders whose responsibilities are to provide guidance for achieving outcomes. We used a Delphi approach with representatives from Iowa-based agricultural and/or environmental policy, outreach, and industry organizations to explore whether or not consensus may exist regarding desired agricultural outcomes and if so, modes of provision. Through three iterative surveys, we found consensus regarding the array of ecosystem outcomes believed possible within the Iowa agricultural economy. However, when agricultural interests were sorted, a divide emerged between stakeholders who emphasize production agriculture and those who favor a more multi-outcome oriented agriculture that emphasizes multiple ecosystem services. Nevertheless, study participants identified several key ecosystem outcomes, and methods for providing them that are strongly compatible with and support private commodity driven land use while mitigating costly public externalities. A broad and simple six-point framework emerged from our data to contextualize questions and discussions of agricultural land-use management among stakeholders. This framework includes people, their expectations and values, land, management, and ecosystem processes in addition to ecosystem services. Broadening and bounding discourse in these ways may facilitate a shared appreciation of human-nature interconnections and more progressive policy reform that facilitates understanding of land-use decision making within agricultural contexts in ways that benefit all stakeholders.
Design of Intrusion Detection and Prevention in SCADA System for the Detection of Bias Injection Attacks

Intrusion detection and prevention system detects malicious activities that occur in the real-time SCADA systems. This system has a problem without a profound solution. The challenge of the existing intrusion detection is accuracy in the process of detecting the anomalies. In SCADA, wind turbine data are modified by the intruders and forged details are given to the server. To overcome this, the biased intrusion detection system is used for detecting the intrusion with encrypted date, time, and file location with less false-positive and false-negative rates and thereby preventing the SCADA system from further intrusion. It is done in three phases. First, Modified Grey Wolf Optimization (MGWO) is used to extract the features needed for classification and to find the best weight. Second, Entropy-based Extreme Learning Machine (EELM) is used to extort the features and detect the intruded data with its intruded time, file location, and date. Finally, the data are encrypted using the Hybrid Elliptical Curve Cryptography (HECC) to prevent further attack. Experimental results show better accuracy in both detection as well as prevention.
Targeted Gene Delivery into Various Plastids Mediated by Clustered Cell‐Penetrating and Chloroplast‐Targeting Peptides

The plastid is an organelle that functions as a cell factory to supply food and oxygen to the plant cell and is therefore a potential target for genetic engineering to acquire plants with novel photosynthetic traits or the ability to produce valuable biomolecules. Conventional plastid genome engineering technologies are laborious for the preparation of plant material, require expensive experimental instruments, and are time consuming for obtaining a transplastomic plant line that produces significant levels of the biomolecule of interest. Herein, a transient plastid transformation technique is presented using a peptide‐based gene carrier. By formulating peptide/plasmid DNA complexes that combine the functions of both a cell‐penetrating peptide and a chloroplast‐targeting peptide, DNA molecules are translocated across the plant cell membrane and delivered to the plastid efficiently via vesicle formation and intracellular vesicle trafficking. A simple infiltration method enables the introduction of a complex solution into intact plants, and plastid‐localized transgene expression is expeditiously observed in various types of plastids in differentiated cell types of several plants. The gene delivery technology thus provides a useful tool to rapidly engineer plastids in crop species.
Grip Strength and Health-Related Quality of Life in U.S. Adult Males

Background A need exists for a population-based evaluation of muscular strength in terms of its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in males. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between grip strength and HRQOL in a representative sample of U.S. men. Methods This study used data from adult males 20+ years of age participating in the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Grip strength (kg) was measured in both hands using a handgrip dynamometer. HRQOL was assessed by a single question asking participants to rate their general health. Additionally, measures of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), body mass index, waist circumference, TV time, sedentary time, and smoking were assessed. Multiple linear regression modeling for complex samples was used to examine the effect of HRQOL on grip strength while controlling for confounding variables. Results Overall, males with good HRQOL (Mean = 47.5 kg, SE = 0.31) had significantly greater grip strength than males with poor HRQOL (Mean = 44.5 kg, SE = 0.51, p < 0.001). In fully adjusted models, males with good HRQOL had greater grip strength (slope = 2.5 kg, SE = 0.57, p = 0.001) than their poor HRQOL counterparts. Additionally, HRQOL was a significant predictor of grip strength in male adults who did not meet PA guidelines but not in those who did meet PA guidelines. Conclusion Results from this study indicate that muscular strength and HRQOL are related in U.S. men. Furthermore, the muscular strength and HRQOL relationship appears to remain in adult males who do not meet PA guidelines.
Comparison of intra-articular injection of parecoxib vs oral administration of celecoxib for the clinical efficacy in the treatment of early knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have played a crucial role in the treatment of osteoarthritis, especially in the early stages. However, the cardiovascular risk and adverse gastrointestinal reactions of oral NSAIDs in elderly people cannot be underestimated. Intra-articular injection of NSAIDs may be a new attempt for early knee osteoarthritis treatment. Parecoxib may be a suitable drug for intra-articular injection. AIM To observe the clinical efficacy of the intra-articular injection of parecoxib for early knee osteoarthritis. METHODS Early knee osteoarthritis patients (n = 110) were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups: Basic treatment + oral glucosamine (group A, n = 37), oral celecoxib + basic treatment + oral glucosamine (group B, n = 37), and intra-articular injection of parecoxib + basic treatment + oral glucosamine (group C, n = 36). Intra-articular injection of parecoxib was performed once every 2 wk at a dose of 40 mg each time, for three times total. The three groups were compared in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores and patient satisfaction before and after treatment. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid were detected in the three groups before and after treatment. RESULTS All patients were followed up for an average of 15.5 ± 2.7 mo. The clinical efficacy was estimated by VAS and HSS scores at 12 mo after treatment. Inflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial fluid were evaluated at 3 mo after treatment. VAS and HSS scores were significantly improved in each group compared with before (P < 0.001). There were significant differences among the three groups in VAS and HSS scores (P < 0.001). The clinical efficacy of group C was superior to that of groups A and B (P < 0.001), while group B outperformed group A in this respect (P < 0.001). The patient satisfaction was the highest in group C (P < 0.001). After treatment, the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 in the synovial fluid decreased in each group compared with before (P < 0.001), while the levels of IL-10 increased (P < 0.001). The three groups differed significantly in the levels of TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-10 in the synovial fluid after treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION For patients with early knee osteoarthritis, intra-articular injection of parecoxib could effectively improve clinical symptoms. This method may be a reliable alternative for early knee osteoarthritis.
Increased BMPR1A Expression Enhances the Adipogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective To investigate the adipogenic differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and explore the mechanism of abnormal MSC adipogenesis in AS. Methods MSCs from patients with AS (ASMSCs) and healthy donors (HDMSCs) were cultured in adipogenic differentiation medium for up to 21 days. Adipogenic differentiation was determined using oil red O (ORO) staining and quantification and was confirmed by assessing adipogenic marker expression (PPAR-γ, FABP4, and adiponectin). Gene expression of adipogenic markers was detected using qRT-PCR. Protein levels of adipogenic markers and signaling pathway-related molecules were assessed via Western blotting. Levels of bone morphogenetic proteins 4, 6, 7, and 9 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Lentiviruses encoding short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were constructed to reverse abnormal bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1A (BMPR1A) expression and evaluate its role in abnormal ASMSC adipogenic differentiation. Bone marrow fat content was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. BMPR1A expression in bone marrow MSCs was measured using immunofluorescence staining. Results ASMSCs exhibited a greater adipogenic differentiation capacity than HDMSCs. During adipogenesis, ASMSCs expressed BMPR1A at higher levels, which activated the BMP-pSmad1/5/8 signaling pathway and increased adipogenesis. BMPR1A silencing using an shRNA eliminated the difference in adipogenic differentiation between HDMSCs and ASMSCs. Moreover, HE and immunofluorescence staining showed higher bone marrow fat content and BMPR1A expression in patients with AS than in healthy donors. Conclusion Increased BMPR1A expression induces abnormal ASMSC adipogenic differentiation, potentially contributing to fat metaplasia and thus new bone formation in patients with AS.
Heat-Resistant Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) Extract (Klamin®) as a Functional Ingredient in Food Strategy for Prevention of Oxidative Stress

Microalgae are generally considered an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive molecules that make them suitable to be introduced in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industries. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), an edible microalga, contains numerous biomolecules potentially able to prevent some pathologies including age-related disorders. With the aim to include an AFA extract (Klamin®) as a functional ingredient in baked products, we investigated if its bioactive molecules are destroyed or inactivated after standard cooking temperature. The AFA extract was exposed to heat stress (AFA-HS), and no significant decrease in pigment, polyphenol, and carotenoid content was detected by spectroscopic analysis. Thermal stability of AFA-HS extract was demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and no change in the morphology of the granules of the powder was noticed by SEM microscopic observation. By Folin-Ciocalteu, ORAC, and ABTS assays, no change in the antioxidant activity and polyphenol contents was found after high-temperature exposition. When added in cell culture, solubilized AFA-HS lost neither its scavenging ability against ROS generation nor its protective role against Abeta, the main peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease. Prebiotic and antioxidant activities of AFA extract that are not lost after thermal stress were verified on E. coli bacteria. Finally, AFA-HS cookies, containing the extract as one of their ingredients, showed increased polyphenols. Here, we evaluate the possibility to use the AFA extract to produce functional food and prevent metabolic and age-related diseases.
Tobacco – Use Prevalence, Exposure, Attitudes, Behaviour/Cessation, Curriculum among Health Professional Students in Mangalore City, Karnataka, India

Background Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of premature death, disease and disability around the world. Medical and Dental graduates have an important role to play in tobacco cessation and prevention. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the tobacco use prevalence, practice, attitudes towards policy making and curriculum in medical and dental interns (house surgeons). Methods A cross sectional questionnaire based survey was carried out among interns in all the medical and dental colleges of Mangalore city. Global Health Professional Students Survey (GHPSS) questionnaire given by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) was modified and adopted. Results In the present study among 512 interns, 263 and 249 interns belonged to dental and medical fraternity respectively The prevalence of current smokers of cigarette was significantly higher among medical interns (32.1%) than the dental interns (20.2%), whereas no significant difference was evident amongst the dental (44.9%) and medical (41.8%) interns under the ever smokers category. A significant difference (p < 0.001) in the attitude of dental and medical college interns was observed towards tobacco use, policy making and their knowledge about the curriculum. Conclusion This study shows health professionals lacking specific training in tobacco counseling, all of which indicate a need for including a standardized syllabus to train health professionals in medical and dental schools related to tobacco its ill-effects, cessation and policy making.
Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Orthotopic Liver Transplantation-Induced Acute Gut Injury via α2-Adrenergic Receptor-Dependent Suppression of Oxidative Stress

Patients with orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) frequently develop acute gut injury (AGI), and dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been reported to exert a protective effect against AGI. We investigated whether Dex protects against AGI through antioxidative stress effects by the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidative signaling pathway. Rats were randomly allocated into a sham group and six orthotopic autologous liver transplantation (OALT) groups receiving different doses of Dex together with/without α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) blockers. Intestinal tissues were collected to visualize the barrier damage and to measure the indexes of oxidative stress. For in vitro studies, rat intestinal recess epithelial cells (IEC-6) underwent hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), and the protective role of Dex was evaluated after α2A-AR siRNA silencing. OALT resulted in increased oxidative stress, significant intestinal injury, and barrier dysfunction. Dex attenuated OALT-induced oxidative stress and intestinal injury, which was abolished by the pretreatment with the nonspecific α2A-AR siRNA blocker atipamezole and the specific α2A-AR siRNA blocker BRL-44408, but not by the specific 2B/C-AR siRNA blocker ARC239. Silencing of α2A-AR siRNA also attenuated the protective role of Dex on alleviating oxidative stress in IEC-6 cells subjected to H/R. Dex exerted its protective effects by activating Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidative signaling. Collectively, Dex attenuates OALT-induced AGI via α2A-AR-dependent suppression of oxidative stress, which might be a novel potential therapeutic target for OALT-induced AGI.
Preconcentration and Determination of Psychotropic Drugs in Urine Samples by Ion Mobility Spectrometry with Electrospray Ionization Coupling On-Line Single-Drop Liquid-Liquid-Liquid Microextraction

A method for analysis of psychotropic drugs in urine is investigated using a novel single-drop liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction (SDLLLME) apparatus as an electrospray emitter in ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). In this method, ketamine and pethidine are back-extracted into the acceptor phase (water and methanol) from the water and methanol immiscible organic phase. Sensitivity of extraction is improved as it does not require further methanol-adding procedure. Factors affecting the extraction of psychotropic drugs are characterized, including organic solvent type, extraction time, and concentration of NaOH/Ac in the donor/acceptor phase. The best extraction sensitivity is obtained with 600 μL dodecane as the organic phase, 30 minutes extraction time, and 10 mL donor phase with 0.01 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 3 μL acceptor phase with 0.5 M acetic acid (Ac). Using this method, the two analytes can be extracted and analyzed simultaneously, showing this method is valuable for field application.
On-chip background dilution in droplets with high particle recovery using acoustophoresis

Droplet microfluidics has shown great potential for on-chip biological and chemical assays. However, fluid exchange in droplet microfluidics with high particle recovery is still a major bottleneck. Here, using acoustophoresis, we present for the first time a label-free method to achieve continuous background dilution in droplets containing cells with high sample recovery. The system comprises droplet generation, acoustic focusing, droplet splitting, picoinjection, and serpentine mixing on the same chip. The capacities of the picoinjection and the droplet split to dilute the background fluorescent signal in the droplets have been characterized. The sample recovery at different droplet split ratios has also been characterized. The results show a maximum of 4.3-fold background dilution with 87.7% particle recovery. We also demonstrated that the system can be used to dilute background fluorescent signal in droplets containing either polystyrene particles or endothelial cells.
Low Detection Limit and High Sensitivity Wind Speed Sensor Based on Triboelectrification‐Induced Electroluminescence

The rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) has tremendously increased the demands for wind speed sensors in various applications, such as weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. To date, many wind speed sensors are developed based on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, the low output current leads to a poor sensing precision, which greatly limits their practical applications. Here, a wind speed sensor is proposed by integrating a wind‐driven triboelectrification‐induced electroluminescence (TIEL) component with a perovskite‐based photodetector (PD) for enlarged electric current output. Compared with mechanoluminescence (ML), TIEL displays significantly higher signal intensity even under gentle breezes. In addition, the emission peak of TIEL matches with the absorption band of perovskite materials. Thus, TIEL materials are promising candidates for generating distinct electrical signals in real‐time to facilitate the detection of wind speed. With a comparable detection limit (5 m s−1) to a conventional TENG‐based wind speed sensor, the sensitivity of this hybrid sensor is three magnitudes higher at low bias voltages and, the response time is extremely short (<0.3 s). Moreover, it shows a favorable correlation with a commercial sensor. This research provides important progress toward environmentally‐friendly light sources and TIEL‐related sensor systems.