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ChatGPT Integrated Grammar Teaching and Learning in EFL Classes: A Study on Tishk International University Students in Erbil, Iraq
Full text linkThis study aims to investigate and analyze the benefits and concerns that ChatGPT offers to EFL students’ grammar learning and teaching in foreign language classrooms. There have been many studies on the advantages and disadvantages of ChatGPT in education, but there are almost no studies on the benefits and harms of this platform in grammar learning and teaching. This study will be an important resource for scholars who will investigate the importance and impact of ChatGPT in language learning and teaching. Simultaneously, it will serve as a valuable tool for examining the benefits and concerns that ChatGPT presents to students in the realm of grammar acquisition. In this context, control and experimental groups were created at Tishk International University using the random sampling method. The control group received teacher and book-centered grammar education, and the experimental group received ChatGPT-cantered grammar education. When the post-test results applied to the students at the end of seven weeks were analysed using the SPSS-27 t statistic, there was a significant difference of .001 between the two groups. The control group students increased their marks by 8.86 points, whereas the experimental group students raised their marks by 26.58 points, which was quite significant. In addition, in the focus group interview analysis applied to the students at the end of the study, it was revealed that the majority of the students were satisfied with the integration of ChatGPT into their grammar lessons. Although some students expressed their concerns, when we look at the overall study, the benefits that ChatGPT offers to grammar learning are greater than the concerns it brings
Novel indole Schiff base β-diiminato compound as an anti-cancer agent against triple-negative breast cancer: In vitro anticancer activity evaluation and in vivo acute toxicity study
Full text linkBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women globally, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) associated with poor prognosis and low five-year survival rates. Schiff base compounds, known for their extensive pharmacological activities, have garnered significant attention in cancer drug research. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of a novel β-diiminato compound and elucidate its mechanism of action. The compound’s effect on cell viability was assessed using MTT assays in breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Cytotoxic effects were further analyzed using trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. In order to assess the mechanism of inhibitory activity and mode of cell death induced by this compound, flow cytometry of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis analysis were carried out. Apoptosis incidence was initially assessed through cell and nuclear morphological changes (Hoechst 33342/Propidium iodide (PI) staining) and further confirmed by Annexin V/PI staining and flow cytometry analysis. In addition, the effect of this compound on the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined using the JC-1 indicator and DCFDA dye, respectively. The results demonstrated that the 24 h treatment with β-diiminato compound significantly suppressed the viability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 value of 2.41 ± 0.29 and 3.51 ± 0.14, respectively. The cytotoxic effect of the compound was further confirmed with a dose-dependent increase in the number of dead cells and enhanced LDH level in the culture medium. This compound exerted its anti-proliferative effect by G2/M phase cell growth arrest in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis-mediated cell death, which involved characteristic changes in cell and nuclear morphology, phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and increased ROS level. Neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity was detected in the biochemical and histopathological analysis confirming the safety characterization of this compound usage. Therefore, the results significantly confirmed the potential anticancer activity of a novel β-diiminato compound, as evidenced by the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which might be driven by the ROS‑mediated mitochondrial death pathway. This compound can be a promising candidate for future anticancer drug design and TNBC treatment, and further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted
Financial development and central bank bilateral currency swaps: Is there trade effect?
Full text linkPurpose ― This paper aims to empirically investigate the impact of currency swaps on international trade, given China's differential level of financial development and its currency swap partners.
Methods ― The study employes an empirical structural gravity model using datasets encompassing financial development, trade, and intuitive gravity equation variables for 27 countries from 1980 to 2013. The level of financial development and swaps was captured by the interaction term of the disaggregated measure of financial development, such as access, depth, and efficiency, each interacting with currency swaps.
Findings ― The findings suggest that currency swaps are essential for trade and exhibit a large trade effect, especially for countries with relatively low levels of financial development. The paper substantiates empirical evidence indicating disparities in financial development across countries, and such differences are important in determining trade patterns.
Implication ― Strong financial systems promote trade in advanced economies, whereas the opposite holds true for developing countries. The examination of the influence of financial systems on trade through empirical tests remains important on the research agenda of policymakers and researchers, especially those looking at industry-level import and export data.
Originality ― The study delves into the nexus between financial development and trade within the framework of the Central Bank bilateral currency swap network by highlighting the role of financial institutions and market size (depth), activity (access), and efficiency. In addition, it addresses the drawbacks of previous empirical research that largely focuses on the private credit-to-GDP ratio as a key proxy for financial development
The role of bell work assignments in expanding EFL learners' vocabulary breadth
Full text linkThe expectations from the teachers have transformed radically in the 21st century, which necessitates using all moments of the lesson efficiently. In this regard, bell work assignments take precedence to make students revise previous topics as a warm-up activity while the teacher is completing official procedures such as attendance, writing lesson plans on the board, or preparing extra teaching tools. Although numerous studies have been conducted to measure the effectiveness of bell work assignments on a global scale, primarily in the USA, a gap in the literature has been realized in the Iraq context for EFL learners at the tertiary level. To this aim, 40 freshman students who were studying in the IT department at a private university in Erbil, Iraq, were chosen via snowball sampling to represent the experimental or control group. Experimental group students received their instruction with a bell-work-enriched format, whereas control group students followed the curriculum in an orthodox format. The data collection lasted 12 weeks in the spring semester of the 2022–2023 academic year in the Academic Debate and Critical Thinking course. Gathered data through vocabulary exams, interviews, and questionnaires revealed that bell work assignments offer tremendous opportunities to enhance vocabulary knowledge and develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, apart from increasing motivation and concentration. The findings of this study can have practical implications for stakeholders who contemplate that bell work assignments can be used efficiently as a formative assessment instrument on a global scale
Nonlinear structural analysis technique based on flexibility method by Pade approximants
Full text linkThis work proposes an improved numerical methodology based on the flexibility method to study the geometric nonlinearity of space cable structures. The proposed approach makes use of the Pade approximation to enhance the performance of computation. The transformation to the Pade arrangement is particularly successful in quickly speeding up convergence and obtaining the solution when working with complex structures that demonstrate geometrically nonlinear properties. In contrast to previous approaches, the suggested method directly solves the problem by formulating an algebraic system of nonlinear equations using the Pade approximation. To arrive at an analytical solution, some of the most well-established methods that make use of iterative techniques include dynamic relaxation, finite element analysis, and minimum total potential energy. A comprehensive evaluation of the proposed technique's precision and reliability was conducted using six different numerical examples. The recommended method's accuracy, consistency, and computational efficiency are shown by carefully comparing the results with those of techniques that have been around for a long time. This work contributes to the advancement of numerical approaches for the analysis of complex structural behavior by providing a reliable and efficient alternative. Moreover, this work is beneficial for both academics and professionals working in the field
Assessing the Role of Board Structure on the Nexus between Green Innovations, Green Taxation, and Cosmetic Accounting Practice in Nigeria
Full text linkNigeria is a foremost oil producer in Africa, and thus faces substantial environmental issues like pollution and climate change. Therefore, since green taxation and green innovation emphasize inventing new technologies, mitigating environmental damage, and stimulating sustainability, understanding and encouraging green taxation and green innovation might aid in reducing these environmental challenges and protect natural resources. This study therefore explored the influence of board structure on the link between green taxation, green innovation, and cosmetic accounting practices of firms. This study adopted auxiliary data from the World Bank, OECD, and Nigerian corporations’ annual reports. The analysis included 792 firm-year observations from 2014 to 2021. A logistic regression analysis was performed. This study documented that firms costume their income to avoid paying environmental taxes or to generate a more constructive image of their green practices. Similarly, it was found that green innovations attract firms to engage in cosmetic accounting practice in Nigeria. However, firms’ effective board mechanisms have been found to prevent the likelihood of cosmetic accounting practices. Finally, it was established that green taxes and green innovations could prevent firms from engaging in cosmetic accounting practices in companies with effective board mechanisms. This study is the first to explore the influence of governance structure on the nexus between green taxation and cosmetic accounting practices of firms. The findings of this study provide valuable information to regulatory authorities, policymakers, and companies seeking to promote sustainable growth and green protection
Going or Returning to Nature? Wild Vegetable Uses in the Foraging-Centered Restaurants of Lombardy, Northern Italy
Full text linkWild vegetables (WVs) have been an essential source of human nutrition since ancient times. Foraging is a millennia-old practice that has gained more attention recently and is becoming fashionable, especially in restaurants in urban areas, as they attract customers who see WVs as an innovative sensory element and specialty food. Some cooks have used very few WVs for decades, but most chefs have only recently introduced them in their modern restaurants. Our study aims to have a deeper understanding of the diversity of WVs used by restaurants in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy and to know how they are introduced onto different menus, as well as the source of knowledge and the innovation paths related to the use/introduction of WVs in the selected sample of restaurants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 restaurant managers, chefs, and their professional foragers in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy in 2022; fifty-four wild plant taxa were recorded to be used in the considered restaurants. The collected data were analyzed to understand the current situation and the potential developments of this practice by exploring the reasons/motivations that underpin the inclusion of WVs in restaurants. A broad spectrum of restaurants was considered to evaluate the potential differences in handling and sourcing these ingredients. The results demonstrated that this trend has mainly been driven by attempts to revitalize traditional cuisines and to generate a positive impact on health, but the actual culinary preparations based upon WVs are often original and remarkably diverge from the Italian food ethnobotanical heritage. Moreover, concerns related to the environmental sustainability of these practices have been addressed
Comparative analysis of medicinal plants from Kurdistan region-Iraq for chemical constituents and bioactivities
Full text linkThe medicinal plants in Kurdistan-Iraq are used widely for the treatment of many diseases. Therefore, it is very interesting to look after the components of these plants as they are involved directly in the therapy. The collected samples from Dohuk City in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq were Adiantum capillus-veneris, Polygonum avicular, Urtica dioca, Tribulus terretris, Artemisis splendens Willd, Scirpus lacustris, Mentha longifolia, Thymus kotschyanus, Achillea santolina and Anthenis des champs. The elemental contents of these samples were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The antibacterial and antioxidant activities were identified for the methanolic extracts of these plants. This study aims to identify the components, evaluate elemental content and analyze the biological activities of certain medicinal plants used in the region. The qualitative analysis of the phytochemical by screening out the methanolic extract of the collected samples showed the presence of phenolic compounds, proteins, fatty acids, amino acids, anthraquinones, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. Furthermore, the extracts have been analyzed to determine the presence of elements. The most abundant elements of the total 29 elements analyzed for the plant samples were iron, manganese, potassium and magnesium. This finding is important for potential drug discovery
Revisiting ECOWAS-Eurozone exports in the light of asymmetry
Full text linkThis article evaluates the asymmetric impact of exchange rate volatility on the exports of nine ECOWAS countries to the Eurozone. By comparing Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Nonlinear ARDL (NARDL) models, the study concludes that the effect of volatility on ECOWAS-Eurozone exports (EEE) is asymmetric. The study also investigates the impact of foreign income and prices on the EEE and categorises the goods and services that make up the EEE for each country based on their coefficients. The results show that exchange rate volatility has an asymmetric effect on the EEE, which comprise both substitute and inferior goods. The study recommends that ECOWAS authorities avoid using proportional policies to address increased and decreased volatility, as their impact on trade is asymmetric. The long-run coefficients of income for Nigeria, Togo, and Benin are -1.29, -4.67, and -2.64 respectively, indicating that their exports are dominated by inferior goods. The long-run coefficients of foreign price for Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso are 5.32, 7.87, and 1.91 respectively, suggesting that their exports are mainly substitute goods. The authors confirm long-run asymmetry for three out of nine countries and short-run asymmetry for five countries. Only three countries have an asymmetric trade-volatility relationship in both the short and long run. The study suggests that Nigeria, Togo, and Benin diversify their economies, as their exports to the Eurozone are dominated by inferior goods and services. Additionally, the study recommends that the governments of Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso provide support, as their goods and services are substitutes
Reservoir Characterization of the Paleogene Khurmala Formation in Tawke and Shaqlawa Areas, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Full text linkWell logs were utilized to investigate petrophysical properties of the Khurmala Formation’s surface outcrops in Shaqlawa Subdistrict and Tawke Oilfield, e.g., lithology, shale volume, porosity, and fracture. The thickness of the formation is about 15 m in the Shaqlawa section and 42 m in the Tawke Oilfield. Porosity logs were used to estimate porosity; where the porosity values reached a maximum of 52% from the sonic log, 48% from the density log, and 35% from the neutron porosity log. The reservoir quality of the Khurmala Formation, as determined through the analysis of thin sections, which were obtained from outcrop samples, is deemed to be of low quality. The determined shale volume within the examined interval exhibits a moderate level of clay constituents, with the highest gamma-ray measurement indicating a shale content of 29% at some locations within the reservoir. This integrated method using various conventional well logs suggests a great probability of petrophysical properties in the Khurmala Formation to be considered as the reservoir