Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The didactical use of tablets : a balancing act between teacher-centred and learner-centred education

In the past decade, the use of tablet devices has seen an uptake in education. This is because in addition to its instrumental value – being lightweight and serving as an all-in-one-device – it can foster more active and learner-centred approaches. While short-term studies have begun examining the added value of these tools, tablets should be studied from a multi-stakeholder perspective and over a longer period of time. Unfortunately, such research remains lacking. In this research, we questioned the use of tablet devices in classes over a period of five years, as perceived by both students and teachers. Data collection took place in a school that has since 2012 replaced books with tablet devices in all classrooms in the entire organisation, and involved all teachers (N = 83) and students (N = 694). Four waves of data collection took place: a pre-adoption test in 2012, two follow-up measurements, and finally, a post-adoption test in 2016. The questionnaires were based on the instructional strategies typology of Hoogeveen and Winkels, which includes five different instructional strategies from more teacher-centred approaches. These include and range from presenting lectures using the tablets, to more learner-centred approaches such as tablet-based assignments, interactive exercises, gamebased learning, and collaborative learning. In addition, the impact of individual-related and contextrelated teacher variables were included in the analysis. The results indicate a discrepancy between both teachers’ and students’ initial high expectations, and the actual use of these devices for learnercentred approaches. Moreover, results show that over the different data collection periods, time was significant for both teachers and students. For teachers, the results indicate that prior expectations about using tablets for more learner-centred approaches were, following a decline in follow-up studies, met after five years. For students, pre-adoption expectations related to the five instructional strategies were significantly higher, compared to the other three measurement moments. However, learnercentred approaches interaction, assignments, and collaboration were significantly higher in the postadoption test, compared to the two follow-up measurements. Furthermore, a balance was found between the use of teacher-centred and learner-centred instructional strategies in the post-adoption test. Finally, the employed instructional strategies were influenced by individual-related and contextrelated teacher variables, such as teachers’ age and grade they taught. These results indicate that while high expectations about the didactical use of tablets were not met in follow-up measurements, and tablets were primarily used to support teacher-centred education, and that this pattern changed over time. Moreover, in the post-adoption test, the use of learner-centred approaches arose. These results provide meaningful insight into the dynamic evolution of tablet use over a longer time period, which is a requirement for research evaluating the didactical value of this tool.
Titanium Dioxide Nanotube-Based Oxygen Indicator for Modified Atmosphere Packaging: Efficiency and Accuracy

Colorimetric oxygen indicators can be applied for non-destructive testing in packaging; especially in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). In this paper; titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube; which is used as a semiconductor photocatalyst in oxygen indicators; was synthesized via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze its crystal form and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). to characterize its morphology. Its properties were studied using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Diffuse Reflection Spectrum (DRS), and Bluebottle experiments. The results showed that the synthesized TiO2 nanotube was a mixture of rutile and anatase; with a specific surface area of 190.35 m2/g; and a wide band gap of 3.34 eV. Given the satisfactory performance; the TiO2-based oxygen indicator was prepared and combined with glycerol; methylene blue; and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). The oxygen indicator demonstrated excellent photocatalytic performance and effectively avoided excitation by visible light. We studied the rheological properties; thixotropic properties; and wettability of the indicator. The results demonstrated the printability of the indicator solution; which was then printed in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film by screen printing and applied to MAP. The application results showed that the prepared oxygen indicator was able to provide visual support to judge whether the packaging was intact and the food was safe.
An Experimental Simulation of a Design Three-Port DC-DC Converter

Traditional DC-DC converter topologies interface two power terminals: a source and a load. The construction of diverse and flexible power management and distribution (PMAD) systems with such topologies is governed by a tight compromise between converter count, efficiency, and control complexity. The broader impact of the current research activity is the development of enhanced power converter systems suitable for a wide range of applications. Potential users of this technology include the designers of portable and stand-alone systems such as laptops, hand-held electronics, and communication repeater stations. High power topology options support the evolution of clean power technologies such as hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV’s) and solar vehicles. DC-DC converter is considered as an advanced environmental issue since it is a greenhouse emission eliminator. By utilizing the advancement of these renewable energy sources, we minimize the use of fossil fuel. Thus, we will have a cleaner and pollution free environment. In this paper, a three-port DC-DC converter is designed and discussed. The converter was built and tested at the energy research laboratory at Taibah University, Al Madinah, KSA.
Non-coordinate Regulation of Rhizobium Nitrogenase Synthesis by Oxygen: Studies with Bacteroids from Nodulated Lupinus angustifolius

SUMMARY: Experimental conditions which allowed liquid suspensions of lupin bacteroids (Rhizobium NZP 2257) to reduce acetylene at high rates were established. At a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 μM, swirled suspensions of the bacteroids reduced acetylene at a linear rate of 23 ± 5 nmol (mg cell protein)-1 min-1. The kinetics of protein synthesis were measured by pulse labelling with [35S]methionine followed by two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of cell lysates. When the suspensions were suddenly exposed to air, the rate of synthesis of the two nitrogenase components declined differentially. The decline in the rate of synthesis of the Fe-protein polypeptides resembled that observed for all the nitrogenase polypeptides in Klebsiella pneumoniae (Eady et al., 1978); the rate of synthesis of the MoFe-protein polypeptides, however, showed a much slower decline. Several models are proposed to account for these results.
A Novel Robotic Hand-SARAH For Operations on the International Space Station

This paper presents the performance capabilities and possible applications of a novel design of a robotic hand for space applications that is self-adaptive and reconfigurable. In particular the Self-Adapting Robotic Auxiliary Hand (SARAH) was developed as a potential tool for Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM) on the International Space Station to support increasingly complex dextrous robotic operations on the International Space Station (ISS). SARAH's simple actuation and ability to grasp a large range of geometrical shapes, makes it an ideal multi-purpose tool used for unstructured and unrehearsed ISS operations. SARAH is being developed as a collaborative effort between MD Robotics Limited and Laval University. It consists of three underactuated fingers mounted on a common structure. The fingers can envelop various shapes including cylindrical and spherical geometries. SARAH has 10 DOF and is actuated only by the two drive systems of the SPDM End Effector or the ORU Tool Change Out Mechanism (OTCM). The key novelty of SARAH's design is that it is a completely self-contained, passive mechanism requiring only the existing SPDM-OTCM drives mechanism to actuate its fingers. The opening/closing of the fingers and the finger orientation are performed by the OTCM-Torque Drive Mechanism, while the switching between the two modes of operations are done by the Advance Mechanism of the OTCM. A reduced size version of SARAH developed for CSA is actuated by only two motors. One of the motors provides the opening/closing of the fingers while the second one is used for the orientation of the fingers. The overall envelope of SARAH is similar to an astronaut glove. However, SARAH's force capabilities are twice as large as applied by an astronaut in any EVA activities. SARAH has three fingers and each of the fingers has three phalanges. The self-adaptability of the hand is obtained using underactuation within and among the fingers of the robotic hand. The underactuation between the phalanges of a finger is obtained by using linkages and springs while the underactuation among the fingers is implemented by a special one-input/three-output differential. This paper presents a number of operational applications of SARAH on ISS. Experimentation results will be presented to illustrate the various application of SARAH. Possible Extra Vehicular Robotics (EVR) operations for SARAH include: SPDM stabilization when operating on the end of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) in an unplanned environment, thermal blanket manipulation, temporary ORU storage location, auxiliary ORU manipulation. Ideally, this tool would provide increased SPDM functionality for unplanned operations and emergency situations.
The digestive enzymes amylase and trypsin during the development of Artemia : effect of food conditions

Activities of the digestive enzymes amylase and trypsin have been studied during development of Artemia (San Francisco, USA) cultured at different concentrations of phytoplankton (Tetraselmis suecica). The synthesis of the two enzymes varies independently throughout the development. Activity levels are controlled by food levels as well as by food composition. To obtain an optimum assimilation yield at a given food level, an adaptive mechanism would involve 1) modulation of ingestion rates based on physicochemical properties of food particles and 2) regulation of synthesis of digestive enzymes by ingestion and chemical composition of the food. Rates of ingestion and assimilation Vary more during development than does the yield. Maximum yield is achieved during the exponential growth phase and is related to food requirements. As such, regulation of digestive enzymes during development would optimize the use of the food available, as a function of the food requirements. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]
POLYNUCLEOTIDES HAVING DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS BY ITERATIVE SELECTION AND RECOMBINATION

4,994,368 2/1991 Goodman et al. . 435/6 5,043,272 8/1991 Hartley . 435/91 5,093.257 3/1992 Gray. 5,223,408 6/1993 Goeddel et al. . 435/69.3 5,279,952 1/1994 Wu . 435/172.3 5,360,728 11/1994 Prasher . 435/189 5,521,077 5/1996 Khosla et al. 5,541,309 7/1996 Prasher . 536/23.2 5,652,116 7/1997 Grandi et al.
Molecular factors influencing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process defined by loss of epithelial characteristics and acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype. EMT or similar processes are also implicated in carcinoma cell invasion and the progression of breast carcinoma to metastasis. In a cell model system for mammary carcinogenesis it has previously been shown that signaling from the oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase cerbB2 (HER2), frequently overexpressed in mammary cancers, induces EMT. In this system, c-erbB2-induced EMT was significantly delayed by high cell-density and cellcell-dissociation occurred before downregulation of the epithelial adhesion molecule Ecadherin. Loss of E-cadherin expression is generally viewed as a fundamental event in EMT. This thesis shows that ectopic expression of E-cadherin concomitant with cerbB2 signaling did not hinder the progression of EMT. E-cadherin expressed in mesenchymal cells had a weaker attachment to the cytoskeleton, implicating that rearrangement of the cytoskeleton is an important mechanism in EMT-associated cellcell-dissociation. Expression of dominant negative E-cadherin weakened cell-cell adhesion but did not enable EMT at high cell-density. These finding indicate that loss of E-cadherin is a consequence rather than a cause of EMT and that density-dependent inhibition of EMT is not mediated by E-cadherin. The expression of the transcription factor nuclear factor I-C2 (NFI-C2) is lost during mammary tumor progression and NFIC2 has been shown to counteract EMT by repressing the transcription factor Forkhead box F1 (FoxF1). FoxF1 induces EMT and invasiveness in breast cancer cells. In this thesis, Affymetrix microarray was used to find oppositely regulated targets of NFI-C2 and FoxF1. The extracellular matrix enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) was found to be negatively regulated by NFI-C2 and positively regulated by FoxF1 and responsible for the increased invasiveness caused by FoxF1 overexpression. A signaling pathway was identified where FoxF1-induced upregulation of LOX activated focal adhesion kinase, subsequently suppressing Smad2 activity. In parallel, overexpression of FoxF1 activated the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These findings give new insights into the regulation of signaling pathways known to be important during breast tumor progression. Based on the findings that NFI-C2 is lost during breast tumor progression and suppresses EMT, the prognostic value of NFI-C2 in a mixed cohort of breast cancer patients was investigated. NFI-C2 was found to be a powerful prognostic marker associated with good prognosis in breast cancer.
Contrasting microfossil preservation and lake chemistries within the 1200–1000 Ma Torridonian Supergroup of NW Scotland

Abstract Oxygenation of the Proterozoic atmosphere caused the progressive build-up of dissolved sulphate on the continents and in marine environments. However, oxygen levels in the Proterozoic were low enough to allow the early burial of biological material into low redox potential environments where permineralization and the authigenic replacement of organic material, including micro-organisms, occurred by a range of minerals. Consequently, microbial sulphate reduction caused the widespread degradation of organic matter and, where iron was available, the precipitation of pyrite. By contrast, where sulphate levels were low, early preservation by other minerals (e.g. phosphate or silica) could be excellent. We show, using two Proterozoic lake sequences with low and high sulphate chemistries, but with otherwise similar characteristics, that microbial sulphate reduction caused a profound loss of morphological detail and diversity within preserved microfossils. The results could imply that there is a significant bias in the Proterozoic fossil record towards low sulphate environments, which were in reality relatively scarce.
Broad-scale ecosystem services of European wetlands—overview of the current situation and future perspectives under different climate and water management scenarios

Abstract An appropriate hydrological regime within a wetland is essential to maintain its goods and services. This regime is related to the source of the water, which differs for particular kinds of wetlands. This paper presents an overview of the ecosystem services of European wetlands, based on a representative sample of 102 protected wetlands larger than 5000 ha, and the implications of hydrological alterations caused by future climate and socio-economic changes. Six major ecosystem services of wetlands were assessed namely: biodiversity in terms of plants and animals, biomass production, nutrient removal, carbon storage and fish production. Data showed that, on average, four services were present in each wetland. The impact of climate change, water management and land-use change was examined under different future scenarios. Major potential changes in hydrological regime (i.e. precipitation, groundwater recharge and river flow) were quantified up to the 2050s using simulated runoff and river flow data of the WaterGAP model driven by the climate input of two different general circulation models (GCMs), IPCM4 and MIMR. Thresholds of hydrological change that would endanger each ecosystem service were identified. The impacts of future scenarios were distributed across Europe with potential threats to ecosystem services of European wetlands resulting in the loss of between 26 and 46% of all identified ecosystem services in 2050. The models and scenarios suggest that the most significant loss of ecosystem services is likely to occur in Central Europe (Hungary, Germany, France, Belarus, Poland). In general, the most fragile services (the largest number lost) are projected to be those connected to the surface water dynamics—mostly the services of wetland birds and fish spawning. Ecosystem services dependent on groundwater dynamics and water balance changes are seemingly more buffered against the expected hydrological stress. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis Citation Okruszko, T. , Duel, H. , Acreman, M. , Grygoruk, M. , Flörke, M. and Schneider, C. , 2011. Broad-scale ecosystem services of European wetlands—overview of the current situation and future perspectives under different climate and water management scenarios. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56 (8), 1501–1517.
Two-Dimensional Product Differentiation Under Duopoly: An Application to Product and Service Reliability

Under oligopoly firms are often observed to specialise their production, with some firms producing highly reliable output and offering good warranty deals, while others produce less reliable output and offer less attractive warranties, but charge a lower price. This paper develops an approach to product/service reliability which provides an alternative to the conventional analysis based on the characteristics approach. The model of this paper defines reliability as the objective probability of product failure, not as a characteristic of individual goods. Reliability, thus defined, is treated as a choice variable of the firm, and consumers' preferences are partially endogenised. This approach to reliability is incorporated into a duopoly model which explains the phenomenon of specialisation described above. The model is applicable to the markets for consumer durables, some intermediate goods and some services.
Effect of cadmium on hydrolytic enzymes in maize root and coleoptile

Impact of cadmium on activity of some hydrolytic enzymes was studied in maize seedlings exposed to different concentration of Cd (1–1000 μM) for 24 h. Our results confirmed high sensitivity of maize seedlings to Cd as even the lowest 1μM Cd was able to induce 30% reduction of root growth. The inhibition of root growth was dose dependent and positively correlated up to 50 μM Cd with the loss of root cell viability of detected by Evans blue uptake. At higher Cd concentrations (250–1000 μM) no further increase in Evans blue uptake was observed in spite of nearly total root growth inhibition. With the exception of phosphatase activity at low Cd concentration, the activity of hydrolytic enzymes determined in 1 cm long apical part of primary root decreased with increasing Cd concentration. Glucosidase and esterase were found to be the most sensitive to Cd. In comparison with enzymes activity in apical part of primary root the activity of enzymes in basal part and in coleoptile showed significantly lower sensitivity to Cd and also a stimulation of enzyme activity was observed. In contrast to a significant inhibition of hydrolases observed at 1 mM Cd in the apical part of root in in vivo experiments we did not confirm their inhibition by the same Cd concentration in vitro. In addition to Cd toxicity to maize seedlings possible role of the studied enzymes in root growth inhibition are discussed.
Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with classical Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with infectious mononucleosis: Identification of a common genetic risk

Background: Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) is a benign lymphoproliferation that results from primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, delayed until adolescence or young adulthood. It is well established that EBV is also a co factor in the development of many malignant diseases, one of them being Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). In addition to EBV infection, a history of IM has further been identified as a risk factor for HL. A genetic predisposition to both diseases has been proposed. This study aimed to evaluate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with HL, in relation to IM development, to try and determine a common genetic factor between the diseases. Method: DNA samples from 343 individuals, 194 IM cases and 149 controls (EBV seropositive and asymptomatic EBV seroconvertors), were genotyped using TaqMan PCR technology for five SNPs associated with risk of HL and defense against viral infection. Two SNPs are located in genes encoding the EOMES and TCF3 proteins, essential for B and T cell development. Two SNPs locate to the IL-28b gene and the fifth SNP to the HLA class II locus and the DP-beta 2 gene. Minor allele frequency and genotype distribution were compared across the study groups. Results: The G allele of SNP rs6457715 (DP-beta 2 gene), is associated with increased risk of IM development (OR: 1.7, CI: 1.039-2.924, P=0.035). This association was pronounced for the GG genotype (OR: 7.3, CI: 1.984-26.735, P=0.003). Previous association with the HLADRB1*01:01 allele and IM was also confirmed (OR: 4.7, CI: 1.713-12.919, P=0.003). Conclusion: The results suggest a common genetic factor, located in the DP-beta 2 gene, for IM and EBV positive HL. Further investigation of the role of this gene, along with SNPs in linkage with this gene is required in larger study groups.
The Role of Protein Kinase C Epsilon in Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Oxide Release During Oxidative Stress Caused by Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy

The Role of Protein Kinase C Epsilon on Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Oxide Release during Oxidative Stress caused by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Clinical extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment to ablate kidney stones can cause acute damage to the renal microvasculature. Accumulation of continued treatment with shockwave therapy can lead to chronic damage to the kidney, and lead to clinical hypertension. Shockwaves have been shown to stimulate endothelial cells to release superoxide (SO), which is converted to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and reacts with nitric oxide (NO) to produce peroxynitrite anion (OONO ), creating a powerful oxidant that increases oxidative stress while simultaneously reducing NO bioavailability. Increased oxidative stress during events such as ESWL, also uncouples NO production reaction in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), causing eNOS to produce SO instead of NO, exacerbating the oxidative insult. NO is an essential signaling molecule responsible for vasodilation, which also functions in inhibiting platelet adhesion and reducing leukocyte-endothelial interactions. This increased oxidative stress, decreased NO bioavailability, and the direct physical force of the shock wave causes prolonged renal vasodilation and eventually vascular endothelial dysfunction in the renal vasculature. Protein kinase C epsilon (PKC-e) positively regulates eNOS, increasing its activity regardless of whether eNOS is producing SO or NO. We hypothesized that the PKC-e peptide inhibitor (N-Myr-EAVSLKPT, MW = 1054) would attenuate ESWLinduced increased H2O2 release and increase NO release compared to ESWL-saline control rats, while the PKC-e peptide activator (N-Myr-HDAPIGYD, MW 1097) would increase ESWL-induced H2O2 release and reduce NO release. H2O2 and NO was